Chapter 49: Townsperson A Senses an Ominous Sign

To my surprise, my life at the academy had actually been quite normal lately. I would wake up, eat breakfast in the dormitory, and attend my classes like any other student. After school, I’d head to the library to study with Ana, Margaret, and Isabella. Then, after dinner, I’d return to my room to spend my evening however I pleased.

Amy and the rest of the reverse harem crowd hadn't made a move since the incident. Compared to last year, when I couldn't talk to a soul, this current academy life felt like a dream—or a lie.

That peaceful routine was interrupted one day while I was resting in my room. Sebastian came to visit and led me out for a private talk.

"Good evening, Allen-sama. How has your time at the academy been lately?"

"It’s been very fulfilling, thank you. I owe much of that to Ana-sama, Margaret-sama, and Isabella-sama."

"I see. That is good to hear. On that note, how have things been looking within the academy? It took quite a while for the series of incidents involving the Young Lady to come to light, so I was hoping you might share anything you’ve noticed."

"I see. So that’s how it is."

In other words, he’s here for intel. He was likely making the rounds with others as well, but as someone now publicly linked to House Ramslett, I was expected to act as their eyes and ears on campus.

I had no intention of letting myself be reduced to a mere "convenient tool" for the nobility. However, they were my backers now, and more importantly, I wanted Ana to keep smiling. For that to happen, House Ramslett needed to remain strong and intact, rather than facing the execution they suffered in the original game.

"Of course. I’m indebted to both the Duke and Ana-sama, so I’ll cooperate as much as I can. In exchange—if you don't mind—could you fill me in on the situation at the Royal Palace?"

"The Royal Palace?"

"Yes. As I mentioned to the Duke previously, I’m concerned about a national crisis arising from the struggle over the succession."

When I said that, Sebastian’s expression shifted into one of deep contemplation.

"...Allen-sama, what exactly are you anticipating in the current climate?"

"To be honest, I haven't quite read the full picture yet. I am particularly concerned about Prince Claude."

"...I see."

Sebastian’s expression remained stone-faced, but I thought I caught a flicker of agitation in his posture. I decided to test the waters by shifting the topic.

"For the record, my current position is to support whichever prince the Duke favors."

"As it should be."

"However, if I’m being honest, I wish they would just reach a decision—either depose the Crown Prince officially or refuse to acknowledge the possibility of his removal entirely. Half-measures are dangerous."

"Does that mean you are concerned about the West?"

"Yes. Precisely. It’s just that the information I can get my hands on is too sparse for me to reach a certain conclusion."

"I see. Very well. I shall invite you to the Duke’s estate at a later date."

"Thank you very much."

And just like that, I was headed back to the Ramslett mansion.

"Glad you could make it. Are you enjoying your time at the academy?"

The Duke greeted me the moment I stepped into the reception room.

"Yes. Ana-sama has been treating me very well."

"Is that so? Then continue to support her as a 'friend.'"

He’s emphasizing that word again. I know the drill.

"Of course. I am a 'commoner,' after all. If I can be of even the slightest help to Ana-sama, I’ll be satisfied."

I made sure to emphasize my own status in return, signaling my intention to respect the social hierarchy.

"...Very well. You pass."

The Duke smirked and cut straight to the chase.

"Now then, Allen. Or should I say Allen-kun? I hear you're worried about the West. What have you deduced from the current information?"

"Well, sir, I heard that Prince Claude withdrew from the academy at the request of the Westadale Kingdom. That led me to hypothesize that Westadale might have struck some kind of deal with the Est Empire."

"Oh?"

The Duke looked at me, his interest clearly piqued.

"The general consensus is likely that his withdrawal was an act of taking responsibility—a punishment for the public disgrace he caused."

"Correct. That is how the public perceives it."

"But considering the way Prince Claude acts, I believe he would have chosen to stay by Amy-sama's side even if it meant enduring utter humiliation."

"What makes you say that?"

"He offered her a blind, obsessive sort of love. That was made painfully clear during that insane duel."

"Then why would he agree to leave?"

"Because being away from the academy benefits her."

"I’m listening. Explain."

"I believe Prince Claude is anticipating a situation where Amy-sama will be forced to flee this country. A succession struggle would cause enough chaos, but that alone wouldn't force a girl favored by the sons of several high-ranking nobles to leave the borders. This suggests that Claude's side expects the country to be devastated by war."

I had to admit, my logic was a bit of a leap. There was a perfectly good chance the Crown Prince’s faction would simply lose the political struggle and be exiled along with Amy.

The Duke fell silent, weighing my words. Then, his lips curled into a smirk.

"An interesting deduction. However, the Westadale Kingdom is a friendly neighbor and an ally against the United Kingdom of Northorne to our north. They also rely heavily on our exports for food and resources. Why would a nation like that make a deal with the Est Empire?"

"It's just a possibility, but I noticed that the name of the princess—Claude's younger sister—was missing from this year's academy registry."

"And? I heard she planned to attend the academy in her own home country."

"Perhaps. But if we were such an important neighbor, I’d expect them to send some other representative. Or, at the very least, wouldn't it be natural for talk of a political marriage to have surfaced by now?"

"Hmm."

"Westadale isn't currently allied with us against the Est Empire or the Zaus Kingdom. If a peace treaty were to be signed between Northorne and Westadale, our kingdom would be surrounded on all sides. I believe we should act under the assumption of the worst-case scenario."

To be fair, I still thought the withdrawal was a punishment nine times out of ten. But there was no guarantee Westadale would help us when the Empire eventually invaded.

In the game, Westadale hadn't betrayed the kingdom. But that was because Prince Claude, who had fled with the group, witnessed the exact moment Amy awakened as the Saint. He used that miracle to convince his home country to provide aid. It was a classic bit of game logic—convenient plot armor.

But the man responsible for that persuasion, Prince Claude, was already gone. The chances of him being there for Amy’s "awakening" were now slim to none.

Besides, I seriously doubted that girl could even become a Saint anymore.

As long as that pervert was running wild in the form of the Light Spirit, the "Save the Elven Village" event wouldn't trigger. Without that, they’d never reach the village, and without the village, they couldn't receive the Light Spirit’s blessing.

Even if they did somehow reach the village, the Light Spirit was a total creep. Unless Amy happened to be ten years younger, I doubted he’d do a single thing for her without a "reward."

If she failed to become the Saint, there was no way a foreign power would lend military strength to a deposed Crown Prince who had lost his country to a commoner and the illegitimate daughter of a Baron.

Strictly speaking, it would be far more profitable for Westadale to team up with the Empire and carve up our territory for themselves.

"Fine. You've thought this through remarkably well for someone with so little information. It’s true that our relationship with Westadale isn't perfect. However, in the current climate, House Ramslett cannot move for the sake of the Royal Family."

"I understand. Especially after what happened."

The Duke remained silent for a long moment before speaking slowly.

"Allen. Friedrich has returned to our territory. Do you know why?"

Wait. The heir to the house went back to the fief?

The Ramslett Ducal Territory was the granary of the south. And to the south lay the Zaus Kingdom—a known ally of the Est Empire.

"You don't mean... the Empire and Zaus are going to move at the same time?"

The Duke chuckled.

"Heh. You really are something, Allen. But an army cannot mobilize in an instant. If there is movement, it will be after the summer, once the winter wheat harvest is finished. You accepted my daughter's handkerchief, didn't you? I'm counting on you."

"Yes, sir."

Crap. This is escalating way faster than I expected.