Chapter 24

24. The Jester, the Hero, and the Parrot (6)

Rodelin's face stiffened.

It couldn't be helped. That secret was known only to the Lucid family.

Well... it wasn't really a curse, but there was no reason to tell Rodelin that.

"Ah, are you that surprised? I was just throwing it out there. I didn't think the Lucid family would really be cursed by a demon, did you?"

"......!"

Rodelin trembled.

I threw it out there to see what kind of reaction I'd get.

And through that reaction, I could uncover the hidden secret.

It's almost like the behavior of a Korean tabloid journalist.

'That's why noble children are trained to maintain their composure.'

Because their rash words and actions could harm their family.

Rodelin must think he's been had.

Of course, as a gamer, I know the truth about the curse.

"......A demon's curse? I just found it absurd, that's all."

"I see. My mistake. I'll leave it at that."

"I'm busy, so I have to go now. See you on the weekend, Zero."

"Yes, have a safe trip."

Rodelin quickly walked away.

One might think I've ruined our relationship with this unnecessary act.

'But this is right.'

A suspicious relationship, a slightly distant and ambiguous relationship, is better.

Rodelin is a member of the first party.

I'm only borrowing his help for this mission.

So, this kind of appropriate relationship is better.

"Tsk, now you're even tormenting your senior? You're going to get into big trouble."

"Hehe, Miss Luna, are you not worried?"

"About what?"

"Didn't you hear the reason I've been busy? I might encounter a demon. It could be very dangerous."

Luna stared at me intently.

She looked like a chick. A pink chick.

"......It doesn't matter. Protecting the empire is one of the roles of the nobility. If a demon appears, I'll fight it. And..."

And?

"Who else will protect you? You can't fight properly because using techniques leaves traces."

This time, I stared at Luna intently.

Did she have such a thoughtful idea?

Our Luna has grown so much.

This is why parents raise their children.

"What, what? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Hehe, Miss Luna... I'm really touched."

"Alright, alright, let's just buy some food."

Luna, her face slightly red, ran forward.

Buy food?

Well, my daughter (?) has grown mentally.

I should be happy to spend money today.

But what is this strange feeling?

"Hehe, I feel like I've forgotten something... but I can't remember what."

It wasn't until late in the afternoon that I recalled the forgotten memory.

Luna...

Still hadn't repaid the 2 silver coins she borrowed from me at the square!

* * *

It was Friday, the day before the weekend.

The class was in the middle of a lecture by the Great Mage Elester.

A piece of chalk floated in the air, writing on the blackboard.

Erosion.

"About 15 years ago, a strange phenomenon was first discovered at the border."

The land turned a dark red.

Water dried up, the earth cracked, and plants could not grow.

Buildings gradually corroded and collapsed, and living beings could not escape this fate.

A land where nothing could survive.

A land of death, indeed.

It was not a disease. It was something different.

"What is the most terrifying aspect of erosion?"

"It gradually expands in radius, like a living organism growing."

"Terion, excellent."

"Also, the power of the demons increases, but there are restrictions on their activities. From stage 3 erosion onwards, there are problems with mana and aura manipulation."

"Yuridia, also excellent."

Elester praised them.

The top and second students.

Representatives of the Terion faction and the Yuridia faction.

Zap.

The two children's gazes clashed in the air.

The other students in between them felt like they were about to die.

"Over time, erosion has become not just a problem for the empire, but a common issue for the kingdom, duchy, and holy city. The most recent appearance of erosion in the empire was where?"

"The economic city of Pascal!"

"The economic city of Pascal!"

"Correct. Both of you are excellent."

Elester looked at them with satisfaction.

As if he enjoyed this competition.

'Well, he has reason to.'

Though he now appears as a kind old man, he is a seasoned veteran of the noble council.

He is known as the 'noodle of the empire.'

"Erosion is also called the mischief of demons. Demons have actually appeared in eroded areas... So, which family was the first to stop this terrifying erosion?"

"The Lucid family!"

"The Lucid family!"

The Lucid family.

One of the eight pillars of the empire and the family of Rodelin, the vice president of the student council.

At the same time.

'They were the first family to face erosion.'

The Lucid family, which has protected the northern border for generations.

A family that had never lost a war in 120 years.

One day, erosion suddenly began.

Simultaneously, demon attacks started.

They held on as long as they could, but the Lucid family eventually had to retreat.

As a result, they lost three castles and a strip of land as wide as a finger in the first battle.

A mere two characters, 'defeat,' but the repercussions were significant.

It was their first defeat in 120 years.

Under normal circumstances, the opposition would have raged about the responsibility for failing to protect the border, but no one blamed the Lucid family for the defeat.

"If we retreat even once more, the grave of the Lucid family will be right there on that land."

This was said by Luke de Lucid, the current head of the Lucid family, when he met the emperor.

His disheveled hair, bloodshot eyes, and chapped lips from repeated biting.

The opposition could not speak freely in the face of his rage.

The head of the Lucid family, Luke, swore.

Rather than retreat again, they would all die there. No exceptions.

Even if it meant.

Even if it meant the blood of the family.

As if to prove this vow, the Lucid family never retreated again.

While other kingdoms' borders crumbled and their territories shrank, the empire's land did not decrease.

They did not lose a single battle after that.

'This is why the Lucid family's reputation is the highest in the empire now.'

But if the prototype of that erosion has been found?

Rodelin would never be able to laugh it off.

A single defeat, a strip of lost land.

That is the only blemish and humiliation of the Lucid family.

"The family of Rodelin, the current vice president of the student council. She is an excellent student."

Elester placed both hands on the podium.

"Although erosion is a problem, there are many other important issues. How should our empire develop?"

"Development through development and commerce, new food sources, and unification of the continent are viable options!"

"That's not true! Now is the time when the empire possesses unprecedented power! This is the time to reform the system, cultivate talent, strengthen the foundation, and look to the distant future!"

For the first time, their opinions diverged.

At the same time, the atmosphere in the class rapidly turned cold.

It felt like a crack had appeared in the thin ice.

Depending on which hand Elester raised, the other side would face the wrath of hell.

Everyone was watching Elester's mouth.

He smiled gently and looked at me.

"Well, Zero, what do you think?"

"......Yes?"

"I'll give you one point in the store for the side you think is right."

"......?"

Everyone's gaze focused on me.

The sharp gazes of Terion and Yuridia were directed at me.

But why.

Why does this happen only to me!

'Tell them my side is right!'

'Tell them my side is right!'

Terion and Yuridia sent silent pressure.

To be able to convey words with just their eyes. Impressive kids.

'Damn it.'

Why did it come to this? This is ridiculous.

I just wanted to enter the top class.

Pick up some hidden pieces.

Pick up some starving kids to use as shields.

Clear the final boss.

I don't understand why I have to be caught between these two.

It's really unfair.

"Which side do you think is right? Think carefully and speak well."

Elester said with a kind smile.

Such consideration is unnecessary.

The gazes of Terion and Yuridia became even more intense.

In fact, it wasn't just the Terion faction that approached me.

The Yuridia faction also made contact.

I ranked third unofficially in the entrance exam.

This means I have the optimal conditions to gain an advantage in the early power dynamics of the semester.

'But I can't belong to either the Terion faction or the Yuridia faction.'

Terion is a significant supporting character who plays the villain role in the early to mid-game.

He is supposed to be defeated by the protagonist's group later. So, I'll pass.

Yuridia is the protagonist and one of the five fingers of the academy.

A first-party member. I can't get close to such a character.

It would mess up the story.

But both sides have expressed their intention to recruit me.

A single answer now could make them think I belong to their side.

The same would be true for the other side.

So, the best choice I can make now is.

'Not to take either side’s side.'

I might be half-killed today, but if I put Luna as a meat shield...

No, if I put her next to me, I can probably survive for a day.

Elester, looking at me with hopeful eyes.

I opened my mouth to him.

"Hehe, I don't really have any thoughts."

"......What, what insolence!"

"......!"

The children's faces were filled with shock.

To say I have no thoughts in front of the Great Mage Elester.

Honestly, I was surprised myself.

I intended to say, "I don't really know. I don't have any thoughts."

Everyone, including me, thought Elester would be furious.

It was such a presumptuous answer.

But.

Clap, clap, clap.

Elester clapped. And he laughed heartily.

"Hahaha! That's the answer closest to the correct solution. Zero, you are very, very excellent."

The praise that came with the applause.

As if to explain the confusion of everyone, including me, Elester spoke.

"That's the typical thought of a commoner. The commoner class, which makes up 60% of the empire, is an essential layer that the empire cannot do without."

Huh?

"Among them, 50% live day to day. It means one in two is so busy worrying about what to eat that day that they can't even think about saving."

No...

"Think about what they would hear if they heard what Terion and Yuridia just said. It would sound like idle talk about clouds."

Excuse me? Grandfather, are you not listening to me?

"To them, economic development, unification of the continent, and looking to the distant future are all meaningless! In other words, what those two just said..."

Bang!

"Sounds like a dog barking while doing a side kick."

The curse that came with the punch on the desk.

It was enough to make the children solemn.

Elester smiled at us.

"Zero must have thought about all this before saying he had no thoughts. Right?"

"Yes... well..."

Let's just leave it at that.