Chapter 85

"Hikaru, what's wrong? You look troubled."

"No, it's just... The League's request was just to introduce someone, right? But I think I've gotten involved in more than that."

"You didn't expect it to be this serious?"

"I thought it wouldn't just be an introduction, but still..."

"Did you meet someone today? Claude—"

"Claude Zhard Kirihar. Yeah, it's probably because of his story."

Hikaru then told Ravia about Claude's position in Kirihar, his relation to the queen, the conflict with the Miralca family, and his romantic involvement with Luka, who is the third princess of Ludansha.

"That's... even though the monarchy was supposed to be abolished when the League was founded, it's still deeply rooted."

"Was it completely abolished?"

"From what I've read, the system was officially abolished, but loopholes were created. Positions like 'League Successor' were set up to continue the legacy of the former royal families. In practice, it's the continuation of the royal lineage."

"The administrative divisions are still the seven countries, though."

Hikaru recalled the EU, the European Union, on Earth. It was similar, but the concept of "nation" was supposed to be more diluted here.

"Queen Makedo was giving off strong vibes that she didn't want to be queen."

"Having a puppet on the throne might be more convenient. The Kirihar royal family might be pressuring Makedo, overtly or covertly, to maximize Kirihar's benefits."

"Is that why they appointed the chief minister from Jalarzac to counteract it?"

"Probably. Previous League kings were supported by chief ministers and cabinet members from the same country."

"So every ten years, not only the king but also all the ministers and cabinet members changed?"

"It's crazy."

"Amazing they survived..."

While grumbling, Hikaru also thought about how the king of Ponsonia must have been quite capable.

"But it's strange. Claude must have been taught that Ludansha people are enemies, right? So why was he attracted to Luka?"

"Ah... It seems they didn't know each other's true identities when they first met. Claude was at a party hosted by the League, feeling suffocated, and escaped to the garden. There, he met Luka, who had also slipped away."

"Wow! And then, and then?"

"No, that's it—Ravia?"

Hikaru leaned back as Ravia, with sparkling eyes, inched closer.

"That's not enough to become lovers! What happened next? Who confessed to whom?"

"I, I didn't ask that far."

"Ugh! That's the important part!"

Ah, I see, Hikaru realized. Claude and Luka's forbidden love was truly "story-like." Ravia was moved by the fact that such a real event had occurred.

"Well... maybe you should ask them directly next time, Ravia."

"I will!"

The "next time" was three days later. It was a holiday at the academy, and League, who had unexpectedly gathered the team quickly, called for a meeting on this day.

On the day of the meeting, Hikaru and Ravia also headed to the gathering place.

For the Forestia League, it was just a summer holiday. But this day would become a significant turning point in the League's history, though no one knew it yet.

The Obon holiday seems to be a good time to get a lot of work done. Yay (rolling eyes).

The connections with students were made smoothly, but there's a smell of trouble in the air.

The next chapter is "The First Student Union Meeting."