"Ho. So those involved in this incident were members of Vice Headmaster Crab Einstein's faction?"
Kai Heinemann questioned Lady Inea, drumming his index finger against the table.
"Yes. At the very least, my subordinates had no part in it."
"The headmaster faction didn't know, so you bear no responsibility. Is that what you wish to say?"
The tapping abruptly ceased as Kai Heinemann asked quietly.
The sound of Babel's representatives swallowing hard seemed to rattle against the eardrums of everyone in the room.
"No. I alone had caught wind of the matter, and I attempted to use you."
Kai Heinemann stared silently at Inea for a moment, then cast a brief glance at the long-nosed monster standing behind him before letting out a heavy sigh.
"Very well. It seems my subordinate was also tangled up behind the scenes, and the students' safety was guaranteed. Above all, no harm came to me. Therefore, just this once, I will overlook your actions. However, this is the only time. Above all else, I despise being used."
He delivered his verdict.
"I understand completely."
At Inea's reply, the attendees from Babel let out long breaths, as if finally awakening from a nightmare.
These were merely the words of a single boy—and "The Most Incompetent in the World," at that. Yet Somni could clearly tell that the attendees, starting with Headmaster Inea herself, were relieved from the bottom of their hearts by his decision.
"Then we have already dealt our punishment to the fool named Crab. You will handle the remaining cleanup regarding Babel yourselves, I assume?"
"Yes. You have my word."
Watching Headmaster Inea secretly pump her fists beneath the table, Somni realized just how deeply the woman reigning over one of the world's greatest organizations feared Kai Heinemann.
"Next is the Holy Amelia Kingdom's matter. Rose, I apologize, but—"
Kai Heinemann glanced at Princess Rosemary, his words faltering—a rare sight for him.
"I do not mind. Slaying one's subordinates is the ultimate taboo for royalty. I have no sympathy for one who attempted to commit it, even if he is my own flesh and blood."
With resolve hardening her brow, Princess Rosemary declared as though biting down on the words.
Kai Heinemann nodded, shifting his gaze to Somni and then to the freckled boy. That boy was the apprentice knight, Tetor. Though from a lower noble house in the Holy Amelia Kingdom, Tetor hailed from a lineage of knights that had served the royal family for generations. Because he had served Gilbert since childhood, the royal family had instructed Tetor, who was enrolled in Babel, to look after him during his stay. However, since the academy he attended in Babel was the bottom-of-the-barrel Ouboro Academy, he had been despised as incompetent and subjected to terrible daily hazing from Tamuri and the other Guardian Knights.
"You likely know this already, but First Prince Gilbert Loto Amelia of the Holy Amelia Kingdom is the mastermind behind this incident. Since a considerable number of people have died, he must be held accountable no matter what. Arnold, the kingdom has no objections, yes?"
"None. We have His Majesty's consent."
Knight Captain Arnold set his jaw with a bitter expression.
Kai Heinemann stared intently at Tetor and Somni.
"Do you two hate Gilbert?"
He asked point-blank.
Hate him? They were nearly killed! Of course they did! On top of that, he had tried to purge uninvolved bystanders like Laila and Egg as collateral damage. Solely because Somni was weak. For that reason alone.
"I... hate him."
What tore from Somni's throat was a voice dripping with venom that horrified even himself.
"I can't trust him anymore either."
Tetor also squeezed out his voice, his entire body trembling faintly as his eyes remained fixed on the table.
Tetor had surely been cast aside by Gilbert as well. To think he would even dispose of a subordinate who had served him since childhood. That useless prince was truly beyond saving.
Somni saw Princess Rosemary's face twist in anguish and Knight Captain Arnold wear a pained grimace. But it was no use. No matter what, Somni could never forgive the man who had discarded everything so casually.
"Then, a question. Will you two permit Gilbert to die?"
"Huh?"
A gasp of bewilderment escaped Somni's throat. When he hurriedly looked up at Kai Heinemann, the youth was gazing seriously at Somni and Tetor.
"Listen closely. I show no mercy to those who pick a fight with me. No matter how green or insignificant they may be, if they try to harm what is precious to me, I will thoroughly crush them. Gilbert tried to destroy what is dear to me. Therefore, his fate is already sealed. Yes, if things continue as they are."
"As they are?"
"Indeed. I ended up dragging you two into our dispute this time. That was my failing. Thus, I grant you two the right to stop me. Will you permit me to kill Gilbert?"
Somni could tell from his demeanor that the question was neither a jest nor an empty threat. And judging by Princess Rosemary and Knight Captain Arnold's reactions, he grew certain that this man would undoubtedly carry it out.
Permit him to be killed, huh...
He hated him enough to want him dead. That was Somni's absolute truth. It would be far better for the Holy Amelia Kingdom if such a monstrous prince vanished from the world. That too was an undeniable fact. Even if he gave the word to kill him, he likely wouldn't feel a shred of guilt. That was how much he abhorred Gilbert—to the point of nausea.
However—
I can't do it...
Just as Somni could not bring himself to resent his father for rigging the martial tournament, even such a hopeless man had a family. Looking at Princess Rosemary's grief-stricken expression made that painfully clear. If even the princess, who was notorious for her poor relationship with him, looked like that, the rest of the royal family, starting with His Majesty the King, would surely weep in sorrow. Somni could not bear to cause that.
Besides—no, he would not dwell on that right now.
I do not wish for Gilbert's (His Highness's) death.
Somni's words of resolve overlapped precisely with Tetor's.
Kai Heinemann stared silently at the two of them for a moment.
"Understood. I shall not kill him. However, I have no intention of letting him off scot-free. He will undergo a trial from me. That is acceptable, yes?"
"O-Of course!"
Teary-eyed, the princess repeatedly thanked Somni and Tetor.
Seeing her like that made his chest tighten. At the same time, Somni felt a profound resolve taking root within him.
"Still, if we ain't gonna punish the spoiled prince, who's takin' the fall? Since it's turned into such a mess, we can't exactly let it slide without someone paying, right?"
When the heavily muscled, wild-looking man voiced his simple question, Kai replied,
"Of course I have considered that. That foolish knight named Tamuri. We will pin all the blame on him and pass judgment. Well, dying by execution or dying as Belze's plaything isn't much different. Death is death either way."
Kai Heinemann declared with a spine-chilling smile.
"Master's as terrifying as ever, huh."
At the wild-looking man's heartfelt words, the people from Babel, led by Headmaster Inea, turned completely pale. In contrast, Knight Captain Arnold merely shrugged with a wry smile.
"You two were dragged into our strife. You have my apologies. Is there anything you desire? I will accommodate you as best as I can."
Something he desired? For Somni now, there was no choice to mull over. It was to become strong!
Without power, he could grasp nothing and protect nothing. He understood that all too well now.
"Please make me strong."
He gave voice to a plea straight from his soul. Asking to learn from this person was the surest path to strength. Now, he could finally understand why his friend had changed so drastically after watching Kai Heinemann's match. This person was strong. What was more, he was undoubtedly more overwhelming than anyone else in this world. That much was obvious from the way he commanded these monsters.
"Make you strong, is it...?"
As Kai Heinemann narrowed his eyes and regarded Somni for a moment, Tetor chimed in.
"P-Please, teach me too!"
Tetor bowed his head to Kai Heinemann as well.
A stir arose among the monstrous beings. They clearly had not expected Somni and Tetor to make such a bold request.
"Make them strong? You mean us?"
"No, from the flow of conversation, it must be the Great One."
"Out of the question! It is absolutely out of the question! Directly asking to be taught by the Great One... To think of such an enviable—no, to burden the busy Great One is preposterous! I shall take on the task!"
At the long-nosed monster's shout, the sanpaku-eyed man with horns barked back, blue veins bulging on his forehead.
"Hey, Girimehkala, what do you think you're doing, jumping the gun?!"
The monsters began clamoring over one another to offer themselves as teachers to Somni and Tetor.
"No, the blame for this matter indeed lies with me. I do not mind. But are you sure? I am one who opposes your father."
"I have already parted ways with my father. I will not walk the same path again."
Somni declared firmly.
"You as well?"
Seeing Tetor nod vigorously, Kai Heinemann scratched his head in mild exasperation.
"Very well. I shall train you two."
He granted the answer Somni and Tetor desired most.
"T-Thank you very much!"
Somni and Tetor bowed in unison.
"However, only in swordsmanship. I am a swordsman. I cannot teach you anything else. Let's see..."
Saying so, Kai Heinemann rested his chin in his hand and pondered for a moment.
"Deimos, you teach these two magic."
He gave the order to the black skeleton.
"Is it... truly acceptable for me to do so?"
The black skeleton glanced timidly at the other monsters and asked with hesitation.
"Do you object?"
"Not at all! It is simply that such a great task is far beyond someone like me—"
"I told you, the previous matter was wiped clean when you rescued Laila. Forget about it already."
"I cannot simply—"
Kai Heinemann let out a deep sigh.
"If you feel apologetic, then teach the two of them! You're instructing human children, so you, a former human, should be far better suited for it."
He issued a strict order in a tone that brooked no argument.
"Ha! Without fail!"
Deimos dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
The wild-looking man, standing roughly two mel tall, had been watching the exchange with great amusement. He rose from his seat, strode over to Somni and Tetor with a grin spread across his face, and slammed his hand roughly onto their backs.
"Looking forward to working with you, junior disciples!"
This was the very moment Somni and Tetor stepped onto the stage that would sway the fate of the world.