Chapter 15

Chapter 14

Unwilling Main Character Gathering - 5

Due to the empire's sinister plot, the key figures of each country found themselves under the watchful eye of a sinister imperial bureaucrat. This was the current suspicion harbored by the three countries.

'What a mess.'

To the sinister bureaucrat, who was now under suspicion, this was nothing more than a misunderstanding that made him want to explode. He would rather ask the three countries in return: Can the actions of a royal, a candidate for sainthood, or a prominent figure be so easily influenced? If I could do that, I would be working in the Special Operations Department, not the Finance Department.

Of course, he could understand the burning suspicions and concerns of the three countries. Logically, the possibility of being lured by a woman to join a club was slightly lower than the possibility of it being an imperial scheme. Both were highly unlikely, but one of them actually happened.

"Please tell them to come to the club room tomorrow morning."

After a moment of thought, he said to the principal. If such misunderstandings were left unresolved, they would inevitably grow in strange directions. Currently, they might only think the empire was merely keeping a close eye on key figures, but soon they might suspect the empire was using these figures as bait to commit heinous acts against the three countries.

The principal, understanding the importance of quick contact with the three countries, agreed without resistance. In fact, even if he had complaints, the principal couldn't refuse his words. It was a bit embarrassing to keep using him as a messenger, but if he spoke to ordinary staff, they would probably be terrified.

"Yes, I will pass the message on immediately."

"Thank you. I appreciate your help."

With a slight sense of guilt, he dismissed the principal and returned to the club room, where Louise was still at the center, being harassed. Despite being just a baron's daughter, it was surprising how well she was holding her own among them.

The more Louise managed to handle the five alone, the easier it was for him, so it wasn't a bad thing. In fact, Louise might have a talent for being a tank.

"Ah, big brother!"

As soon as he thought that, the aggro was drawn. Louise's gaze turned to him, and the five others' gazes followed. Their gazes were too intense. Reacting to the "big brother" was too much. What am I supposed to do about being born before you?

Louise, who had been surrounded, managed to break through the human wall and looked up at him.

"Where did you go? I didn't even notice you left."

"I was called for a moment. It's nothing."

He couldn't bring himself to say, "A bunch of countries were flipped because the men you charmed gathered in one place." Louise nodded at his answer, smiled, and walked to the shelf.

"I was just about to share the cookies left from yesterday. As a celebration, since we have new members!"

Louise opened the cookie jar on the shelf and tilted her head.

"Oh? Is that all that's left?"

I ate a few today. I was in a daze after the three consecutive failures and desperately needed sugar. Sorry, I thought I would be the only one eating them.

He watched Louise, who was distributing the remaining cookies to the members, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The next day, after the new members confirmed they had refined palates and full bellies.

"Villar Ganelly, a member of the Armain Kingdom's Royal Knight Corps."

The representative from the three countries visited the club room. A man with a stern expression, his silence was like a tightly closed castle gate. As a knight from the Armain Kingdom's Royal Knight Corps, he was a high-ranking figure among the three countries' forces stationed at the academy. He was likely one of the top 4 or 5 in the entire Royal Knight Corps.

"Welcome, Sir Villar. Thank you for coming in person."

"We requested this meeting, so it is only right."

After a brief greeting and handshake, he seated Villar. Only one person came to represent the three countries...

'The three countries have already agreed to cooperate.'

He had suspected as much from the single letter delivered by the principal, but seeing only one person come confirmed that the three countries had already decided to work together. After all, a 1:3 ratio was more advantageous than a 1:1:1:1 competition in the empire's territory. That's why a representative from Armain, the strongest of the three countries, came.

If the representative from the three countries was a knight of the Royal Knight Corps, it was sufficient for him to handle. Being sent to the academy as an inspector, a position higher than a department head, was meant to suppress foreign representatives of similar rank. Indeed, the position of inspector did not suit him. The suffering he endured as an inspector was a punishment for his sins.

"For a while, we will be neighbors. This is the first time we've met in person, as I've been busy. Without your letter, I might not have known when we would meet."

= You guys sneaked into the academy and are causing a headache. I didn't really want to meet you, but since you asked, here I am.

"From our position as guests, it is only right that we request the meeting first. We did not dare to ask earlier, fearing it might interfere with your duties."

= We regret being here, but you seem to be doing suspicious things as an inspector.

He probed lightly and received a straightforward response. While they were wary of the key figures being drawn to the club led by an imperial inspector, they had no other complaints. They seemed to view their presence at the academy as a problem.

'Typical knight.'

The sudden decision to send key figures to the academy and the intense negotiations for their protection meant the three countries had to hastily assemble a protective force. It would have been difficult to send someone who excelled in 'military prowess,' 'rank,' 'eloquence,' and 'negotiation skills.' The result was the rough knight before him. It was easy to converse with him.

Of course, he wasn't perfect in all four areas either. His wide authority as both a department head and an inspector, and his readiness to escalate to the minister level, set him apart. Still, it was fortunate. The representative from the three countries was someone he could handle.

He smiled and spoke. Alright, let's work together for life.

"I appreciate your consideration. As you said, I've been busy lately. Especially with the club, which is new to me, I find it quite awkward."

Villar's eyes sparkled at this. He hadn't expected the club to be the main topic. After a moment of silence, Villar decided to be direct as well. Yes, this style of conversation suited him.

"I've heard the news. The imperial noble created a baking club to make snacks for the students. I haven't met her, but I understand she is a kind person. The prince of our kingdom also joined, thinking the same."

"Yes, and members from the Yuban United Kingdom and the Holy Church also joined. I was a bit surprised."

"I've heard that too. It must be quite a challenge for you."

"Well, it's an open club, so it's not strange for anyone to join. I'm just a bit nervous, so it's not really a hardship."

He implied that the three countries' representatives joining was a simple coincidence, not something he had anticipated. Villar noticed his straightforward approach but was still unsure whether to believe it or remain suspicious.

He needed to help him decide.

"The enthusiasm of these distinguished members is truly remarkable. I was quite surprised myself."

If the club was disbanded or the members withdrew, it was unclear how those charmed by Louise would react.

"I'm also worried about any incidents that might occur."

If something happened to the representatives from the three countries, it would be equally troublesome for him. As an inspector, he might be the first to face the consequences.

"I would like to hand it over to someone else, but... ha ha. It's impossible, so I'm handling it myself."

If he quit, one of them might have to take over. How about being the group leader for a project?

With a gentle push, Villar closed his eyes.

'It went smoothly.'

Villar ultimately agreed and left. He was already overwhelmed with managing the communication and the other forces stationed at the academy. Now, as the representative of the three countries, he would likely face complaints from the other two nations.

Moreover, disbanding the club or preventing new members from joining was impossible. If the club, a space for romance disguised as a hobby, was destroyed by the lower ranks, the anger of the higher-ups would be unimaginable.

To preserve the club and remove the empire's eyes, he would have to step down as the advisor. But what then? The faculty would avoid the responsibility, and the three countries might have to take over, given the precedent of removing an imperial advisor.

Yes, if he stepped down, the next advisor would likely be Villar. He would have to handle the hellish group project on top of his current struggles.

For these reasons, Villar left without raising any objections about the club's situation. He still didn't understand why the key figures were drawn to the club, but he accepted that the situation couldn't be reversed. That was enough.

He himself still didn't understand why five people were charmed by Louise and joined the club. If he weren't possessed, he would have thought the empire was plotting something else. Key figures being charmed by a woman? Don't be ridiculous.

"Life is really something."

He stuffed the new cookies Louise had made into his mouth. Of course, the five members only watched as Louise made the cookies herself.

He heard several footsteps from a distance. It seemed club time had arrived.

Do they know how much I'm struggling behind the scenes?

Author's Note

I had a dinner appointment tonight, so I had less time to write than usual. I was worried I might not finish today's chapter, but fortunately, I did. I avoided the disaster of posting two chapters tomorrow.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Thank you, irenairis, for your support!