86. end of summer

Even after having a sincere conversation with Koyono, quite a bit of time had passed.

According to the original plan, I would have stayed in the East for a few days and rested comfortably at the northern house for the rest of the vacation.

Erica’s mother was fixing Arlott’s leg, so we decided to stay in the East Coast until school started.

‘Because I got permission from the North too.’

When a letter was sent to inform the situation, the Grand Duke of the North readily agreed.

The joy of getting her leg healed is greater than the sadness of not being able to see her beloved daughter.

… There was a lot of sadness in the letter, but I decided to visit often after school started.

“Wow, that’s huge.”

“It can be said to be the largest and most beautiful shrine in Heirin.”

“That’s great.”

Looking at the backs of Koyono and Arlot who were admiring them, he smiled.

No matter how much you stay in the east for treatment, you really can’t just lie down.

I went out like this on days when I didn’t get acupuncture for health reasons.

The place we found was a famous shrine in Heirin.

Looking around the stone pagodas, torii gates, and Buddha statues, I saw a strange figure.

Surrounded by countless foxes… It was a statue of an oriental woman with a fairly large femininity.

“Koyono-san, this statue… ”

“You are a kind of guardian deity that protects Heirin City. When the world is in chaos, there is a legend that helps the hero who appears and saves the world.”

“…I don’t think so.”

I looked around the statue with a confused face.

She has a greater femininity than Koyono in clothes that are too revealing.

There’s even an appearance that stands out with fox ears and a tail.

Isn’t her appearance too crude to be a goddess?

‘Hmm, I guess it’s more vulgar than sacred… ?’

[Oh, I think so.]

It’s been a long time since I heard Miho’s voice.

For a moment, goose bumps ran down my spine.

[Tell me more. I’m curious about your opinion on the original woman’s statue.]

It was a calm tone, but I could understand it instinctively.

If you take down the Miho statue in front of you like this…

The fact that her chest would not remain in the fire she lit.

“…beautiful. After all, it is the most important guardian of the East.”

“Well. A statue that reveals the beauty of the body. It’s good that you’re looking good on Schmitz-dono.”

“…Schmitz, you like women like this.”

Koyono smiles brightly, and Arlott seems to be in a bad mood for some reason.

And unlike usual, it’s quiet, so it’s even more frightening Miho…

Did you use the word “before the storm” at this time?

“Hey, look over there. There is a place to make a wish. Would you like to go once?”

He quickly scanned his eyes and pointed his finger at the appropriate topic.

The gaze turned to the people who put money in front of a huge shrine and put their hands together.

“Pray to God Miho… Good idea. The girl will tell you how.”

[Hmmm, no problem. I should make sure to worship as much as I blaspheme.]

Fortunately, the topic went from the statue to the shrine without incident.

As I slowed down to soothe my tired mind and body, Koyono followed me like a ghost.

She sneaks up to her side and crosses her arms.

Even though I didn’t want to be conscious of it, I coughed for no reason at the heavy feeling on my arm.

“Come on, Lord Schmitz. Don’t fall behind, hurry up and follow me.”

“If you don’t take it that way…”

Guided by Koyono, whose tension rose strangely, I was able to learn how to pray.

Worship is, simply put, the act of praying to the guardian deity of a shrine and making a wish.

It’s like praying for the Miho that’s in my heart, so it’s a strange feeling.

“Now, just do as I told you. If you don’t know, follow the girl.”

“Okay, I get it.”

I moved along with the confident Koyono.

Organize your clothes, wash your hands with water, bow your head, etc…

After going through a series of processes, the last joint was left before I knew it.

“All you have to do is close your eyes with your palms together and make a wish.”

As she said, everyone held their breath and prayed.

You have to make a wish, what kind of wish do you really have to make?

It’s what I most want to come true in this world…

‘To graduate from the academy together, healthy and happy.’

Originally, he would have wished for the happiness of Arlot.

However, during the few months of my academy life, I made connections with many people.

Arlot, Koyono, Evan, Ryan, Celestina, Miho, etc…

If possible, I want to protect the peace of the academy where all of them are.

‘How are the other people?’

After quickly making a wish, I suddenly became curious.

I opened my eyes and glanced at the others.

Koyono muttered something hard, frowning as if she was making a wish.

Evan… Well, as always, it was a calm expressionless expression.

And…

“oh.”

I don’t know why, but Arlott and I met eyes.

After exchanging glances with me, she moved her pupils around as if embarrassed.

After looking at me for a while, she closed her eyes tightly with the feeling of “I don’t know.”

It’s not like it didn’t happen…

“Okay, if everyone has made a wish, let’s move. There is a good noodle restaurant nearby.”

As soon as Arlott closed his eyes, Koyono opened them at just the right time.

He followed Koyono, who was walking ahead, and looked at Arlott with strange eyes.

“You’re strangely upset, right? Miss.”

“…no it’s not?”

“Is it because you caught the goddess statue in your eyes? It just happened mysteriously. So…”

this.

Arlott is in a state of heartache when I am conscious of the statue.

I have to appease her… If you take down the statue here, whoever sleeps in your chest will be angry like a fire.

In the middle of a dilemma, fortunately, Koyono speaks to me.

“By the way, what did you all wish for?”

It seems that you are asking me first.

there’s no need to hide I confessed my empty wish without lies.

“I wish everyone a healthy and happy graduation from the academy.”

“Well… It’s boring, so it’s no fun.”

“that’s right.”

Koyono and Arlot shake their heads with cold expressions.

When I saw that, I was just embarrassed.

How on earth did he make such a funny and unique wish?

“…then what wishes did the others make?”

“Yes? Since Koyono-san spoke first, Koyono-san first… ”

“Well… The girl… ”

Koyono grinned and opened her mouth.

Her eyes were straight on me…

“I made a wish for someone dear to me to look at me.”

“Important person… What?”

“…Um, is that so. How is the young lady?”

I managed to keep my poker face and passed it.

Koyono looked at me with a devilish smile on her lips.

… Is it because of my mood that I feel like she has changed positively since what happened that day?

“I… Schmitz stretches out next to me, to stay with me for the rest of my life… … ”

“…Yeah?”

The gaze naturally turns to Arlot.

Arlott covered his face with both hands, perhaps realizing that he had said something embarrassing.

she continued in a crawling voice.

“You promised to stay by my side forever… But since I keep doing dangerous things… ”

“No, that’s right. Lord Schmitz needs to learn how to save himself.”

“Kuhm… I have nothing to say.”

I coughed for no reason at the attack of the two women and avoided their gaze.

I used to say that to Arlott from time to time.

I remember the first walk I took with her, who hadn’t even opened her eyes yet.

[…it’s not a big deal. If I don’t even use the power left by the disease, I think I’ll really lose to the disease.]

[I will protect that kind of lady for the rest of my life.]

It’s quite an unfamiliar word, but that doesn’t mean he’s changed his mind now.

Because I want to stay by Arlott’s side for as long as possible and wish her happiness.

… But if the moment comes when I have to sacrifice, I will throw my body without hesitation.

“Schmitz, are you listening to me?”

“I am listening.”

“Lord, as a master, this is my order. In the future, please don’t act too recklessly. Understand?”

It happened during the final exams, and it worried her in many ways.

I was doing my duty as a servant by putting my little finger on it.

* * *

On the other hand, in the north where the weather was cool even in summer…

smart-

“Come in.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the door opened and a woman wearing black tights appeared.

A short woman with blonde bangs covering her eyes.

Although he was short, his body line, which was exposed because of the tight clothes, was comparable to that of an adult.

It was Waltz Ailee, the youngest in the Waltz family.

“The butler, a letter.”

“Um… Is it a letter?”

Ailee walked over and handed over the letter.

The target he handed over was Sebas, who looked tired and buried in papers.

He didn’t even look at Ailee and focused only on the paperwork as he opened his mouth.

“If it’s a letter that doesn’t matter much, leave it behind. I will read it later.”

“but… ”

“Didn’t I tell you to leave it?”

“Brother, a letter sent… ”

For a moment, Sebas’ movement stopped.

He is the only person in the Waltz family that Ailee calls her ‘brother’.

It’s Erral de Arlot’s exclusive butler… Because there was only ‘Waltz Schmitz’.

“Hey, let’s take a look.”

“… ”

Leaving behind Ailee’s stinging gaze, Sebas immediately opened the letter.

Quickly skimming through the letter dotted with rhetoric, he drew out the main contents of the letter.

The letter consisted of three parts.

The first chapter of the letter was about Arlot.

[The Princess is working hard on rehabilitation while receiving acupuncture on her legs.]

[Due to acupuncture, I don’t think I’ll be able to go to the North during summer vacation.]

[I’ll see you later during the semester, so please tell the Grand Duke of the North.]

“I was wondering why you didn’t come, so this is the reason.”

It’s already been a long time since summer vacation started at the academy.

I heard that you said you would go to the East, but to think you’ll stay in the East all the time…

Deeply expecting to meet Schmitz, Sebas sighed.

“Brother, are you not coming?”

“… When did you come back?”

While I was distracted by the letter, Ailee took over Sebas’s back.

Her neck was straight, her eyes fixed on the letter.

“Quickly, next chapter.”

“ha.”

Ailee’s eyes twinkled through her curtain-like bangs.

Sebas held up the new stationery with a light sigh.

After opening the second chapter, Sebas’ brow narrowed.

[Sherald is confined to a psychiatric ward and is being tortured, but has not spit out any meaningful information.]

[However, by examining his body, evidence is accumulating that the ‘powder’ originated from the bones of monsters.]

[There is no definitive evidence yet, so I’m only in a situation, but I think I’ll have to wait because I’m conducting research within the academy.]

The second chapter contained heavy content.

It was about ‘Sherald’ who persistently harassed Arlot and Schmitz.

However, there was no important information in the content, and only future plans were listed, so I was deeply regretful.

“… Shall I kill you, Grandpa?”

“No, it did.”

Ailee’s eyes glistened with murderous intent.

Sebas lightly raised his hand to stop her.

Of course, it wasn’t out of sympathy or pity for Sherald.

“Because I am an addict and insane, it must be more painful to be alive than to die.”

“… exactly.”

Sherald struggled hard in the life of a fallen aristocrat and was reborn as a promising mercenary.

He completely ruined his life when he touched an unknown powder.

It was all their own choice, so I didn’t feel any sympathy.

Convincing Ailee, Sebas immediately opened the final chapter.

[The princess’s friend, Ms. Koyono, slipped in the written test and couldn’t go up to the intermediate class together.]

[I wonder if the Grand Duke of the North is doing well, if the butler is ill, and if Ailee is doing well.]

[Sorry for not being able to see you. Please reply.]

The last chapter was a small daily story.

Come to think of it, did I mention that there is a high probability of being promoted to an intermediate class…

A young lady named Koyono, who belonged to the same party, seemed unable to go along.

And…

“Brother, did you ask about my regards?”

“Yes, it is written here.”

“Brother… ”

Ailee pushed her face almost into the letter.

Sebas waved his hand as he passed the letter to Ailee as if it was annoying.

Ignoring the obvious banquet order, she held Schmitz’s letter tightly in her heart as if it were precious.

“Hi-Hi… ”

“Come on out.”

“yes!”

Ailee smiled and left Sebas’ office right away.

Looking at the door she had left, Sebas touched his forehead.

Should I take good care of Ailee’s smile, who has always been expressionless, or watch her blind love for Schmitz…

“It’s not the old man’s business.”

Sebas calmed himself down like that and turned his attention to the paperwork again.

Even now, there are many things to worry about due to the absence of the Northern Grand Duke.

… It was by no means something that was left to Schmitz just because it belonged to someone else.

“His Excellency the Grand Duke… ”

Sebas, unable to concentrate on the paperwork, stood up for a moment.

Sebas, who opened the curtains and looked outside, spoke of the archduke.

The name of the man who should be at the forefront of the battle against the demons by now.

And…

Sebas picked up a document on the desk labeled ‘Confidential Information’.

A document detailing the terrible wounds around the chest that were stained purple.

That record… It contained the state of the closest aide led by the Grand Duke of the North.

‘Did they say it was demonization?’

One of the trusted commanders was seriously injured by a soldier who suddenly turned into a demon.

In a situation no one expected, only the Grand Duke of the North barely reacted and escaped death.

The morale of the soldiers plummeted due to the serious injury of the commander, who was no different from his right hand.

It was the first time that a bizarre incident in which an ordinary human turned into a ‘fiend’ had occurred on the front lines.

“What the hell is the country going to be like… ”

Sebas lamented as he put down the papers.

The increasingly intensifying offensive of monsters, the ‘fiendization’ that makes even the insiders suspicious, and the absence of the Northern Grand Duke as a result.

Even as he sighs in the worst situation

Time passed and summer vacation was running towards its end.