Chapter 93

After several days of travel, Fiona's group finally arrived safely at the imperial capital.

"Everyone, it was a short time, but I really enjoyed it."

At the massive city gate, Fiona, with a smile, said to us.

It seems that even princesses must abide by the rule that carriages cannot enter the city during the day, so we all got off the carriage we had been riding for a long time just before the city gate. Fiona was to change to another carriage inside and head to the imperial palace, which houses the court. We were to spend the night at an inn in the city and leave for Rodnea the next morning, so this was our farewell.

I glanced at the assassins, who were being led away with their hands bound, and said,

"…There really was no attack, huh."

"Hehe, just as I said, right?"

I nodded at Fiona, who said this with a smile. There were no signs of an attack, and the assassins were calm, making the journey peaceful. I looked at the city gate, which was somewhat congested due to them.

"However, it seems to be taking a while to enter the city because of the large number of people. The capital seems to have strict security."

"It's not usually this strict... but the court is a bit tense right now."

"The court? Why, in a time like this when nothing is happening?"

"Well... why? I don't know."

After giving a meaningful smile, Fiona said with a slightly wistful tone,

"I wish I could have invited all of you to the court, but it's a bit difficult... Did you want to see the imperial palace?"

"I would have loved to. Being able to enter the imperial palace would have been a lifetime boast."

"Oh, Amy... Hehe, it's fine. The prince is going to be very busy from now on, you know."

"It's fine. We got a nice inn."

The women chatted animatedly. They had actually become quite close during our stay in the Lamproug territory. Women are really sociable.

"Hehehe. I haven't had the chance to talk to people my age much... It was really fun. Really. I'm sure we'll meet again..."

There, Fiona gave Amy a slightly pained smile.

"I'm sure there will be an opportunity to invite you again."

"---Hey, Your Highness. We're done here."

Turning to the voice, I saw Grail leading a horse. He had probably finished handing over to his deputy Lauren and said goodbye to his subordinates. This was also our farewell to this older brother. When would we meet again?

"Hmph. See you, Seika."

To Grail, who said this dismissively, I replied casually.

"Take care, Grail. Try your best to get stronger."

"Tch, saying it like you're so great... Hey, brat!"

"...What? Stop calling me a brat."

"Don't slack off in your training. Don't rely solely on your practical sword skills; focus on your form. You have talent, you know."

"O-Of course I will! I don't need you to tell me!"

Seeing Amy get defensive, I thought to myself. Despite their initial meeting, these two have become quite close... or maybe not? I can't really tell.

"Well... it's time to go."

Fiona, looking up at the city gate, said. I smiled and replied,

"Please take care. It was an honor to accompany you this far."

"Oh, just an escort... I thought we had become friends."

"Then that's fine."

"...The Lamproug family's children are both a bit rough with me. Even though I'm the emperor's legitimate daughter, I'm treated like a bastard."

"Sorry. At least the eldest brother is normal."

"Hehe."

Fiona laughed a little and then quietly approached me.

"Seika-sama."

Then, with a smile, she said in a serious tone,

"I am... your ally. Really... really. Don't forget that."

"...? Y-Yes."

"Hehehe... Well, then."

Fiona turned and left with her maids and Grail. I tried to understand the meaning of her words, but I couldn't. I guess she was a mysterious person until the end.

"Hey, Mabel... Do you want to visit your brother's grave?"

"I was planning to go tomorrow morning."

"Then let's prepare some flowers."

"We might be able to buy them at the market if we're lucky. Come on, Seika."

"Ah, yeah."

I answered briefly and followed them.

****

We spent the night at a high-class inn in the city and left the capital as scheduled the next morning. After two days of carriage travel on the eastern road, we finally returned to the academic city of Rodnea after about a month.

I was surprised to find that I had already come to think of the school dormitory as my home. Although I had only lived there for two years, a lot had happened.

There were only a few days left of the spring break, and the entrance ceremony for the new students was just around the corner.

Amid the slightly busy atmosphere of the school, I spent my days teaching Mabel and going shopping in the city. One day, I was suddenly summoned by the headmaster.

"You don't need to be so tense. It's not a big deal."

In the headmaster's office on the top floor of the main building, the old dwarf woman said this.

Still, the headmaster knows Amy's true identity and a part of my power. There's no reason not to be tense.

Without changing my expression, I replied, and the headmaster started with a slightly exasperated tone.

"Would you consider being the representative student?"

"...? The representative student?"

"Every year, a current student gives a speech at the entrance ceremony. That's what I mean. The representative of the elementary division."

"Why me?"

"Stupid question. It's simply because you have the best grades."

"...Is that all you wanted to talk about?"

"I don't know what you were expecting, but that's it. You're a student. The only times I have business with students are when I choose a representative or when I expel them. Usually."

"I see..."

"You can refuse if you want. If you do, I'll ask your servant or another student. Anyone will do, really."

The headmaster said this with a casual tone. Compared to matters involving heroes, demons, or the future of the empire, it's really nothing. It felt anticlimactic.

I answered after a moment.

"I'll accept."

"Hmm. Surprising. I thought you'd refuse... Oh? Hehe. It feels like I heard a similar line a year ago."

"If I can, I'll do it. It's probably an honor, after all."

"Hehe. Yes, it is."

The headmaster chuckled and said,

"For ordinary students, it's an honor. It adds to their resume and can help them get a government job. I don't think you care about such things... but just accept it. That's what ordinary students do."

"Yes."

I lowered my eyes and replied.

"That's true."

****

"Seika-sama, was it alright to accept the role of the representative student?"

When we left the main building, Yuki asked me. It was still early in the day, but the sky was covered with gray clouds, making it a bit dark.

"Yeah, it's fine."

"Why? You'll be drawing attention again."

To Yuki's puzzled question, I smiled and replied,

"This isn't something that will draw attention. It's like the martial arts tournament in the capital. Extraordinary strong individuals who catch the eye of the powerful don't usually have a normal background like being a school representative. They have more unusual lives. For example... an orphan who was picked up for their cursed power, killed their fellow disciples and master to rise to the top, then disappeared and wandered abroad before returning to the country to train disciples."

Seeing Yuki fall silent, I continued,

"Besides, recently... I've been thinking that maybe I should have lived a more ordinary life."

"Ordinary...?"

"Opportunities to use extraordinary power don't come often in an ordinary life. I... because of the way I died in my previous life, I became a bit cowardly. I don't think I needed to go out of my way to find someone to become the strongest in my place. I shouldn't have gotten involved in the affairs of heroes and demons. I could have lived a peaceful life as a wandering mage without coming to the school."

"..."

"I'm not regretting meeting those kids. The school is a good place, and I'm interested in the adventurer's life that will start soon. I don't intend to change my approach now. But... from now on, I want to live more ordinarily. Not being overly concerned about standing out, but more like a normal person."

"Then, Seika-sama..."

Yuki asked quietly,

"Are you going to... run away like a normal person when faced with the enemy that is approaching?"

"Ah, you noticed too, huh."

I said calmly. The enemy is still outside the city, but the attack will probably be soon.

"I'll deal with it. I have to give a speech at the entrance ceremony, after all. If the ceremony is canceled, I won't be able to do it."

"...Seika-sama, are you aware of the contradiction in what you're saying... Normal people can't do such things."

To Yuki's stern voice, I replied with a wry smile.

"Well, it can't be helped. I'm already involved. I can't ignore it now. Besides... it's easy for me. It doesn't matter if I don't know who's behind it."

"Seika-sama..."

"Yuki, don't leave my side. Things are going to get hectic from now on."

I made a human-shaped figure float. This would probably be my first task as the representative student.

"Summoning---...