Chapter 91

Whenever it comes to matters involving the club members, it always ends up with me meeting Villar. Now, he seems almost like a colleague in the same department. I wonder why it feels so familiar and comfortable.

After spending three years together like this, I feel all sorts of emotions, and I even think about suggesting he seek asylum. But such a suggestion to a stern knight would be the utmost rudeness, so it has to remain just a thought.

A stern knight. Yes, a stern knight.

"Are you getting enough sleep?"

"I can manage without sleep for about four days."

The problem is that physical exhaustion and mental fatigue are separate issues. During that brief moment, Villar looked extremely fatigued. Of course, a royal knight wouldn't die from not sleeping for four days, but their insides would be a mess.

On the day I sold the freedom of my house to the Crown Prince for ten gold coins, I invited Margareta to my mansion and immediately contacted Villar. The conversation back then was so short it could be summarized in just two sentences.

"Our neighborhood bastard wants to house your bastards in my house?"

- What the hell.

Of course, we didn't really talk like that. But both I and Villar, and even the alchemist who created the communication device, know the underlying meaning.

Thanks to the precedent set by the Golden Duke's permission for the three countries' forces to stay in Boyar, and considering the unique situation, the Crown Prince allowed the three countries' forces to enter the Academy. However, unlike the Golden Duke, there was a limit on the number of personnel, which was a problem. It would be annoying to have foreign forces loitering around the Academy.

"There are so many people to select that I hardly had any time to sleep."

"You must have worked hard."

Thanks to this, Villar's sleep time exploded in a burst of brilliant light while selecting the personnel who would enter the Academy and those who would return to their home countries to hand over to the new guard force.

First, half of the force would be sent back to their home countries to be replaced by the newly formed guard force, and the other half would return when the new guard force arrived, right? Naturally, there was a struggle in selecting the personnel because everyone wanted to go first.

"That's nothing. It's just a task I had to do."

Villar's light smile was filled with sadness. The task of selecting personnel, which meant he couldn't go first or last, was quite cruel.

"The prosperity of the Academy is the best in the continent. I hope you can enjoy it, Sir Villar."

"I look forward to it. When else would I have the chance to tour the Academy?"

Somehow, it sounds like he never wanted to tour it in the first place.

"Since you are a guest at my mansion, I will treat you with special care."

"Thank you."

Villar bowed slightly with a faint, sad smile.

Will I ever see Villar genuinely smile before graduation? It made me feel solemn. I should give him the best room possible.

The two days passed with Margareta finishing her student council duties, the club members packing their belongings, and arranging carriages to transport dozens of people and their luggage.

Actually, it would be easier to teleport, but the journey to the Academy is part of the experience. I recalled the hardships we faced coming to the Academy, but fortunately, the newly appointed local official has properly managed the roads, so it shouldn't be the same as before.

- I believe you haven't forgotten what I said last time.

"Of course not."

- What did I say?

"If you want to arrange a marriage with Mar, I will go to the Duke and beg on my knees..."

- You remember well.

During those two days, a father, whose beloved youngest daughter was heading somewhere other than home, contacted me with a twisted disposition. His gaze was so menacing that if looks could kill, my body would have been torn into pieces.

At least it's better that other noble young ladies like Louise and Irina are also invited. If I had only invited Margareta, he would have led the knight squad to surround my mansion immediately. The Crown Prince would have clapped and allowed the entry to the Academy.

'Bastard.'

Even though I haven't done anything to deserve it, it's fine to curse the Crown Prince whenever I think of him. They say cursing leads to a long life, so maybe I'm a loyal minister for the future emperor. May he live a long life, our bastard.

"Everything is ready. The inspector should board the leading carriage."

"Ah, thank you."

While wishing for the Crown Prince's inclusion in the Eleven Immortals, Villar approached. Since the personnel and luggage of the three countries were overwhelmingly numerous, he took charge of it himself. I was happy to do nothing and be comfortable.

"Let's get going. We should arrive and rest soon."

"I hope the journey is safe."

Villar's words seemed ominously foreshadowing, but it will be safe. Although bandits and monsters sometimes appear in the vast empire, this is the route between the Academy and the Academy. If anything happens, the local official's head will be on the line.

It was surprising that the road conditions were so bad despite the focus on security. I still wonder how they managed to let it get so bad. Did they have no attachment to this world?

"Kal Young-sik, are you here?"

"Mar?"

Anyway, with a light heart, I boarded the carriage Villar told me to, and Margareta greeted me with a smile. The unusual combination of passengers already on board was Louise, Erih, and Margareta.

'Not bad.'

It's a strangely familiar combination, minus one person. There's Louise, who feels uneasy being elsewhere, and Margareta, whom I invited. Not bad at all. It's a bit surprising to see Erih, but I can guess why.

'Clearly the weakest.'

Villar, who spent a semester at the Academy, discovered the true nature of the baking club. The true nature being a group of five men enchanted by Louise. The first time he learned this, Villar laughed like he had lost his mind. At least Villar is the only one among the three countries who has reached the truth.

From Villar's perspective, pairing Ruitis with Louise would seem like favoritism, and attaching him to another from the three countries would make Ruitis uncomfortable. Not to mention, Ainter also has a royal title and is a competitor.

So, Erih. Erih, the weakest of the five, recognized by Villar, makes me a bit sad.

"Sit down quickly. We'll be leaving soon."

"Ah, yes."

Margareta patted the seat next to her as I looked at Erih with a sympathetic gaze. If we start moving while standing, I might be flung out. I don't want that.

"It's been a while since I've been to the Academy."

As soon as I sat down, Margareta spoke.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I haven't been there since last year's New Year's ceremony."

Margareta's subtle smile and casual comment made me glance away. If last year's New Year's ceremony was the last time, it means she hasn't been to the Academy since the incident where I rejected the marriage proposal. Bringing up such a topic suddenly is awkward.

"I was hesitant to go to the Academy after the sad event last year."

"..."

"Traveling with Kal Young-sik is really nice."

"That's good to hear."

It hurts a lot.

"It's fortunate that we can cover it with a happy event!"

"Hehe, yes."

Margareta's gaze shifted to Louise, who was unaware of the situation. Thank you, Louise...

The journey to the Academy was uneventful as expected. We enjoyed the scenery outside the window, took some naps, had some conversations, and talked about what was famous in the Academy.

"Let them through up to there."

"Understood."

We completed the entry report and passed through the Academy's gate without any issues. As the carriages entered the central part of the Academy, they gradually slowed down, indicating we were almost there.

"Is that your mansion, bro?"

"Yeah, that's it."

The carriage slowed down but didn't stop, continuing to move.

"Bro?"

"I haven't been to the mansion in a long time, so I got confused."

"What have you been doing in the Academy all this time?"

I managed to arrive at the mansion, unintentionally showcasing my black public servant life to Erih. At least I remembered the address correctly. If I had forgotten, we might have ended up somewhere strange.

Thus, with the label of "can't even remember his own house," I got off the carriage first, and the butler and servants welcomed me.

"Welcome back, sir."

"Good to see you in person after a long time."

"I'm overwhelmed to see you, sir."

"Stop it, you're making me embarrassed."

The butler's smile suggested it was a light-hearted joke. There's no reason to be overwhelmed in a purely transactional relationship.

"Is the person behind you Erih?"

The butler's question made me turn around, and Erih was already getting off. With the same hair color and similar face, it was easy to recognize him.

"Yes."

"If you are the master's brother, you are a very important guest. I will treat you with the utmost care."

"There are more important guests, so don't overdo it."

"I will keep that in mind."

I patted the butler's shoulder a few times and headed to the main house. Entertaining guests is the butler's expertise, not mine, so interfering would only cause trouble. Besides, I don't want to interfere.

My gaze fell on the servants standing on either side, bowing. They are just people hired to do the job, so there are no noble-born attendants or maids. All are common-born servants and maids. It would be too much of a burden for people who find nobles difficult to deal with to handle royals and royals.

No matter how I think about it, the foreign trio is truly the Three Idiots. They are a disaster for ordinary working people.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"It's an honor!"

Look. Just a few words from me, and they are all tense. These are people who are even afraid of a carefree and unimportant master like me.

I hope no one resigns during the vacation.