Chapter 70

The journey to Boyar itself was without any problems. Since hundreds of students from the Student Council passed through, the route was carefully planned, and the lords of the territories along the route were also enthusiastic about ensuring security, fearing that any blemish might occur to the Academy procession. If anything happened to the Academy students in their territory, it would be a terrible disaster. Moreover, it wasn't just the children of nobles; there were also members of the royal family, the imperial family, and the next Holy Knight. If even one of them said, "That territory wasn't great," their future life would be a fiery path.

And I only found out at the end, but the Golden Duke also put pressure on the lords. If an accident happened on the way to Boyar, people would remember that it happened "on the way to Boyar" rather than where it actually occurred. They would have been on high alert.

'If I had known, I wouldn't have come out myself.'

I'm sorry, I didn't expect the Golden Duke to go that far.

I gave the lords along the route a heads-up to prevent any boring incidents like falling rocks, landslides, or bandits on the way to Boyar. It's hard to imagine how the lords felt, suddenly being pressured by both the Golden Duke and the Chief Inspector. I'm really sorry. But it's good to see everyone working together to ensure safety.

"Let me take a quick look around. We're leaving in 30 minutes, right?"

"Yes, take your time."

Thus, we traveled without incident and stopped in a city for a brief rest. This is the last rest stop before the tollgate, so we'll have to stay in the carriage until we reach Boyar. It's going to be stuffy, so I should get some fresh air now.

Unfortunately, the one person I should avoid the most had the same idea.

"Irina?"

"Ah, a-an, hello?"

Irina, who looked like a broken wind-up doll, creaked. I ran into this wandering child. If we had met on a walk, I could have taken a different path, but this was on the way back to the carriage. There was no other way to avoid her.

I returned early on purpose, thinking this might happen, but it seems Irina had the same idea. We must have some kind of connection... but this kind of telepathy isn't good.

For a moment, I seriously considered running past her or pretending I forgot something and going back, but if I hadn't met her at all, it would be one thing, but showing that I was avoiding her would make things even more awkward.

'Is it better to be awkward?'

Thinking about it, it's hard to imagine a relationship getting more awkward than this. But it seems like a better choice than being alone with Irina.

Looking at Irina, she was trembling pitifully. Her eyes were brimming with tears, and her lips were tightly pressed, as if she was trying to hold back her sobs.

'This is frustrating.'

The real culprit, Section Chief 3, hasn't met the Yorun family since the apology, but I, who was reprimanded by the minister for no reason, am still like this. If Irina were a seasoned noble, I might give her something to make it easier, but she's still a pure young lady.

The Inspector General's karma is too heavy.

***

I barely managed to hold back a scream. Enen must hate me. I pray every morning and pay my tithes regularly. This is too much...

'I should have stayed in the carriage.'

I cried inwardly with regret. The pressure of being in the same small space as the Chief Inspector, the anxiety of not knowing when he might suddenly change, and the fear of annoying him if I disturbed his sleep. I was tormented by all these emotions and escaped under the pretense of a walk.

I knew the Chief Inspector had gotten out of the carriage before me, but what are the odds of running into him in this large city? I tried to return to the carriage quickly, but it ended up like this. I came out to calm my trembling heart, but it only got worse.

At least in the carriage, there were Louise and Erich to protect me in case of an emergency. The Chief Inspector mostly slept, so I didn't have to see him. But I ended up alone with him, face to face.

'Should I run?'

But how? We met on a one-way street, where could I go? And would it be okay to show that I was avoiding him? What if it annoyed the Chief Inspector?

I know the family's innocence has been proven and the Inspector General has apologized, but that doesn't mean what happened didn't happen. There's no guarantee it won't happen again.

Maybe they're planning to push us aside again to cover up their mistake. There are examples of the Inspector General creating false charges to exterminate families in the past. If I make even a small mistake, they might come after me.

What should I do? What can I do?

"Irina."

"Y-yes, sir!"

My body trembled reflexively at the Chief Inspector's voice. I haven't been in court, but being called by a judge must feel like this.

"Go ahead. I forgot something."

"Ah, yes."

I watched the Chief Inspector's back as he walked away. He forgot something? He only brought a small bag, and he left it in the carriage.

But it's not my concern. Maybe he bought something in the city. Whatever it is, it's a good thing he forgot it. At least I can stay away from the Chief Inspector.

"Phew─"

My legs gave out from the tension, and I collapsed to the ground. I felt so miserable, like I was still being persecuted by the Inspector General, and tears welled up in my eyes. But I quickly got up and hurried back to the carriage. It would be awkward if the Chief Inspector returned and we had to walk together again.

"A, Irina. You came back quickly?"

"Yeah, just got some fresh air."

Louise greeted me when I got into the carriage. Seeing Louise, a wave of inexplicable sorrow welled up, and I hugged her. What do I do, I feel like crying again.

"Hehe, tickles."

Even though she said that, she didn't push me away and hugged me with a smile, which I appreciated. It's warm... I feel a bit calmer...

Erich looked at me with a strange expression, but I ignored him for a moment. Understand, it's because of someone's family that I was so scared.

"Good thing you're not late."

And soon, the Chief Inspector arrived.

'Empty-handed?'

Despite saying he forgot something, the Chief Inspector returned in the same state as before. Was he lying? Why? To get away from me?

'...Why?'

Confused, I just stared at the Chief Inspector's hand. It feels like seeing someone spit on the street and pick up trash. It seems like a considerate or good deed, but the person doing it is strange.

***

What could he have forgotten? It was a quick excuse to avoid a scene before Irina caused a fuss. In the end, I ended up taking an unplanned walk and almost returned to the carriage late.

Opening the carriage door, I saw Irina clinging to Louise, whining. If that calms her down, it's a good thing. Keep it up.

"Are we going straight to Boyar now? It's really far."

"Indeed."

I responded appropriately to Erich's complaint. Boyar is located at the southern end of the vast empire. By the system, it's the farthest of the five duchies. I always brought a teleportation mage when I had to visit Boyar.

Going to Boyar by carriage is like taking a ferry to Jeju Island instead of a plane. If it were a trip, I might enjoy the journey, but not during work.

But the important thing now isn't Erich's complaint or the distance to Boyar.

'Why is she acting like this?'

She was trembling and trying to get away from me on the road, but now she's subtly looking at me. Of course, she's not staring openly, but in such a small space, I can feel her gaze. If I couldn't notice a student's gaze, I would have wasted my four years.

But when I turn to look at Irina or move my hand, which she's staring at, she immediately shrinks back and trembles, like a child afraid of being hit by an adult. It makes me uncomfortable.

'I did hit her pretty hard.'

I didn't hit her personally, but her family was severely punished, so it counts. The more I think about it, the more Section Chief 3 is a bastard. To plant such trauma in a young lady who should be growing up happily.

So, I decided to remain silent in the face of Irina's inexplicable gaze. Considering what the Inspector General did to the Yorun family, I have to endure this minor discomfort.

Crossing the border of Boyar, we quickly reached the center of the duchy. The Golden Duke, like an old man who carves a cane, has applied his craftsmanship to the roads for smooth travel.

"Amazing..."

Louise, looking out the window, nodded in agreement with Erich and Irina. It is amazing. As a major economic center of the empire, its development is incredible.

The final destination of the roads throughout Boyar, the massive port where ships that traverse the continent dock, and the city of gold where the Golden Duke resides. The grand title of "City of Gold" might be a bit much for a place outside the system, but it's fitting.

In any case, we arrived at Pkoppe, the center of Boyar and one of the top ten cities in the empire.

'It was a long journey.'

And finally, I can escape the awkward silence with Irina.

Glancing at Irina, she was sticking to the window, admiring and marveling at Pkoppe like Louise. I'm glad she's enjoying it. I'll be careful not to appear in front of you during the school trip.