Episode 60: Townsperson A Attends the Academy for the Second Term

Summer vacation came to an end. While Ana and I now shared a secret we couldn't breathe a word of to anyone else, everything else went off without a hitch. In the end, we submitted a report that analyzed the relationship between adventurers and the state from a variety of perspectives.

Once again, Ana pulled some strings behind the scenes, allowing us to interview domestic experts, the Guildmaster of the Adventurer's Guild, and various other stakeholders. Being able to clarify each group's position and delve into the inherent conflicts of interest made for a solid final product.

To put it simply: the Crown and the nobility want to absorb the profits generated by the labyrinths into the national treasury. The Adventurer's Guild, however, can't accept that; if the state takes a cut, many adventurers will end up operating at a loss.

If the state truly wants to incorporate labyrinth earnings into the budget, they would need to hire adventurers with the same benefits and pay as the Knight Order. They’ve fallen into a dilemma where they simply don't have the funds for that. Or, to be more precise, they think it's a waste of money and don't want to pay—though obviously, I couldn't write that in the report.

On a brighter note, a good relationship is being built in Margaret’s territory of Altomunt. There, the Knight Order and the local adventurers conduct joint operations to ensure a stable supply of Orc meat. We concluded our report by using the results from Altomunt to propose a new kind of partnership with the guild. I suppose we’ll see how the faculty evaluates it.

By the way, while we were working on the report, Ana and I found the time to conquer the Wind Mountain Labyrinth. Thanks to that, I added a labyrinth clear to my record and ended up being promoted to a B-rank adventurer. Being the youngest person to ever reach that rank was an amusing little side effect.

I had my reasons for pushing for the clear, of course. Part of it was to prove to the Duke that I wasn't a liar, but the primary goal was to help Ana level up.

At this point, I don't think there’s any chance of the game’s original scenario playing out—the one where House Ramslett is executed during a civil war following Ana’s banishment, only for her to return as a Dark Knight. From what I’ve heard, the Southern Nobles are currently a monolithic block centered firmly around House Ramslett.

Attacking them without cause would guarantee a civil war. No matter how much the Anti-Ramslett Faction might despise them, no one is foolish enough to try and topple them under the current circumstances.

As long as this equilibrium holds, the destruction of the Royal Capital might be avoided. Still, we can't afford to let our guard down so long as the country is surrounded by enemies on three sides.

With that in mind, leveling up Ana—who possesses two of the rarest Divine Protections in the world—will strengthen more than just her individual power; it will bolster the entire Ramslett territorial army.

Well, I know she’ll insist on standing at the very front of the line if an emergency breaks out, so I suppose it’s also an insurance policy for her safety.

Oh, that reminds me. When we cleared the Wind Mountain Labyrinth, the topic of the treasure came up. When I showed her the Sword of the Sky Knight, her eyes absolutely sparkled.

Because of that, I promised to give it to her as a gift for her upcoming birthday.

The Sword of the Sky Knight is a Legendary Grade weapon, but since I don’t have the [Knight] Divine Protection, it’s useless to me. Even if I were to somehow acquire the [Knight] protection later, I already have the Divine Protection of the Wind God, so I have no need for the [Wind Magic] skill the sword provides. It's much more meaningful for Ana to use it.

Last year, the walls of our respective social statuses prevented me from even offering her a proper celebration. I’m already looking forward to her birthday after the Cultural Festival.

On a different note, Ana stubbornly refused to take off the Ring of Substitution I gave her or the Fairy Hairpin she received from the Elf Queen. While the ring sparked plenty of rumors, Ana never revealed who gave it to her, deftly dodging inquiries with the practiced smile of a high-born lady.

Though, it seemed Margaret and Isabella were both fully aware of the truth.

The Fairy Hairpin, however, wasn't so easy to hide.

Since there had been a CG still of the item in the game, Amy knew exactly what it looked like. Consequently, the moment Amy realized the Fairy Hairpin was nestled in Ana’s hair, she flew into a predictable rage and caused a scene.

"Hey! Why are you wearing the hairpin that was supposed to be mine?! Give it back!"

Amy accosted Ana on the very day of the second term’s opening ceremony.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Ana replied, naturally refusing her. "This is a precious treasure bestowed upon me by a certain noble individual. It is not yours, and I will not part with it regardless of who asks."

One would think it was obvious that Amy’s claim was nonsensical, but the Crown Prince accepted her words without a hint of doubt and turned to command Ana.

"What are you saying? That hairpin exists for Amy's sake. Stop this nonsense and return the hairpin to her at once."

I had hoped the Prince might have recovered some of his senses by now, but looking at him, I realized he might be a lost cause.

"Your Highness," Ana said, "do you truly understand the implications of what you are saying?"

"Of course I do! Now give it back!"

Ana flinched at his sheer irrationality. Seizing that moment of hesitation, Leonard reached out to snatch the hairpin away by force.

In that instant, a blinding light erupted from the hairpin. Leonard was sent flying, slammed hard against the wall of the auditorium just as the ceremony was breaking up.

Then, a chorus of countless voices echoed from Ana’s hairpin.

"Punishment for the one who would steal the proof from the Spirits' chosen."

"Punishment."

"Punishment."

"Punishment."

The voices layered over one another like a haunting round, growing louder and more numerous by the second.

"Who dares harm the Beloved Child of the Spirits?"

"Who?"

"Who?"

"Who?"

The auditorium descended into instant panic. Students scrambled over one another to flee the hall.

Amy collapsed onto the floor, staring at Ana with a look of pure terror. The Prince and his entourage simply stood there in a daze, their minds unable to process what they were seeing.

I stepped forward to shield Ana.

"Your Highness, there is no mistake that this hairpin was granted to Lady Anastasia by a person of high standing. And as you can see, anyone who tries to take it by force will be punished. Do you still insist that it belongs to Lady Amy?"

"Guh... But..."

Looking at his face, he seemed to realize he was being tyrannical. If he knew that, then why the hell was he doing it?

Meanwhile, Amy glared at me with a look of such concentrated malice she might as well have been trying to curse me to death.

"I-It’s him! He’s the one! He’s the one who made everything go wrong! I’m supposed to be the Saint! If I’m not, this country is finished!"

Amy didn't look sane to me anymore. According to Melissa, she had been taken out by a single blow from a common Wyvern in the Valley of the Flying Dragons. I honestly thought it would be best for everyone if she were removed from this environment as soon as possible.

"Hey! Say something!" Amy shrieked at us, completely unaware of how pathetic she looked.

I finally reached my limit. I opened my mouth and let out the words I probably should have kept to myself.

"Lady Amy, no matter what you say, that hairpin belongs to Lady Anastasia. Please, wake up. I don't know what kind of dream you're having, but this is reality. Look at the people living right in front of you. There is no such thing as a 'Heroine' in this world. Lady Anastasia, the Prince, Marcus, Oscar, Leonard... even you. None of you are characters moving according to a scenario. You are all human beings, and there are countless other people whose lives depend on your actions."

This isn't a game world, and you aren't the only one acting with meta-knowledge.

If you have any common sense left as a former Japanese person, you should be able to understand that much.

Amy seemed to catch the true meaning behind my words. Her eyes widened, and then her head slumped forward. Without another word, she slowly walked out of the auditorium.

At the time, I believed this would be the end of Amy’s meddling. I genuinely thought she would reflect on her behavior.

However, I would later come to realize that such a thought was merely wishful thinking. I would come to realize it all too well.