Georg von Eldridge was dead.
"What!?"
That was my exact reaction when I first heard the news.
Georg had been a key player in national politics and held a vital role in the Demon King Subjugation. Even in the original game, he’d served as a high-ranking dignitary who dealt directly with the Hero, Leon.
Granted, he was a pompous, insufferable jerk... but still.
That Georg was dead?
For me, this was impossible to ignore. Since Georg was the state's central figure for the upcoming war, his death would likely have a massive impact on how things played out.
I just hoped things wouldn't go completely off the rails.
The cause of death was being suppressed, but considering he was someone who wasn't supposed to die in the original story, I couldn't rule out the possibility of murder. If that were the case, I had to wonder who was responsible.
While I was mulling over the implications, Silvia approached me a few days later.
"Hey there, Albert-kun. I’ve got a juicy bit of info for you. Interested?"
"...What is it?"
"Do you remember Victor von Eldridge? The boy you thrashed?"
"Of course I do."
He was the son of the late Georg. In the game, he was the character who occupied the position of top of the class, but after losing to me, he’d challenged me to a duel in a fit of pique and crashed and burned spectacularly. He was currently supposed to be on a leave of absence due to his mental state, but—
"I heard Victor-kun is coming back," Silvia said.
"Hoh."
"And then he’s dropping out immediately."
"Hoh... Wait, why!?"
The sudden development caught me off guard.
"His father, Duke Eldridge, died, didn't he? Because of that, Victor has to succeed as the head of the house. He doesn't have the luxury of attending school anymore."
That was certainly a legitimate reason. He was the same age as me—sixteen, or maybe fifteen. Taking over a dukedom at that age must be a nightmare, but Victor was talented in his own right. If I hadn't been around, his rank as the top of our grade wouldn't have been a fluke. With enough support from his retainers, he’d probably manage.
Despite the upheaval of such major events, time marched on as usual. Finally, the last day of summer vacation arrived.
The Summer Training Camp was over, and I had been spending my days in leisure. Students who had returned home for the break were trickling back, and the campus was gradually regaining its usual liveliness.
"Do you have a moment, Albert?"
I was eating in the dining hall when a voice called out to me.
The speaker was the man at the center of the storm: Victor von Eldridge. He looked exhausted; his handsome face was gaunt, and he seemed to have lost a fair amount of weight.
Between Victor’s fame following his father’s sudden death and the notoriety of our past feud, the surrounding students immediately began to whisper.
"...What is it?" I asked.
"There are too many eyes here. When you’re finished with your meal, come to my dormitory room."
Leaving me with that, he turned and walked away.
Honestly, considering our history, I could have just ignored him. However, the prideful Victor had gone out of his way to speak to me—someone he had no reason to like. Considering he was leaving the school and had just lost his father, I figured the least I could do was hear him out.
When I arrived at his room, he looked slightly surprised.
"I didn't think you would actually come."
"Then don't ask."
Victor’s dormitory room was stark. The provided furniture was perfectly arranged, and every trace of his personal belongings had been cleared out. It had already been returned to its original, vacant state.
"So the rumors about you withdrawing are true?"
"You're quick on the uptake. That's right. You know about my father's death, I assume? I have to take over the headship."
It wasn't a situation where I could offer congratulations, nor was our relationship one where it would be appropriate. Searching for a way to respond, I decided to pivot.
"Why did you call me here?"
"I wanted to apologize."
"...Apologize?"
The word was so unexpected it left me floored. An apology? What could this arrogant man possibly have to apologize for?
"For insulting you and for challenging you to a duel. Back then, I was blinded by my own ego and looked down on you. I want to apologize for my foolishness."
"...Hoh. What brought this on?"
"I heard about your exploits during the Summer Training Camp. I also heard about how hungrily you’ve pursued your studies since enrollment. Albert, you aren't the profligate the rumors claimed. My failure to see that was my own mistake. You are the rightful top of the class."
Good grief. Seeing him get this humble almost made me want to be difficult.
"I take it you want to settle old grudges before you take over the dukedom?"
"That is certainly part of it. We are both from ducal houses, after all."
It seemed that losing his father and having his pride shattered by me had drained away most of his toxicity.
"Besides, there is the matter of the Demon King Subjugation."
"Are you taking over that responsibility as well?"
"Yes. This is the duty of the Eldridge family—no, of all the ducal houses that support this nation."
He was dragging me into his mess, albeit subtly.
"Albert, your strength is a military asset that cannot be ignored. When the time comes, I’ll be calling on you."
I wanted to tell him not to count me in, but since Eliana already had her eye on me anyway, I didn't bother. At the very least, I should let him leave on a high note.
"In consideration of the spirit you showed in apologizing, I'll at least listen to what you have to say when the time comes."
"Heh, that's good enough for me."
Now then, I’d let him have his moment; I might as well get some compensation for my time. Once Victor’s business was concluded, I voiced a new question.
"By the way, is it alright if I ask about your father's cause of death?"
"My father was murdered. It was an assassination by poison needle."
...Assassination!?
Certainly, Georg was a prominent figure, so it wasn't unthinkable for him to be targeted. However, no such event occurred in the original game. Did this happen because I’d derailed the plot? But what part of my actions could have possibly influenced Georg’s life or death?
"Do you know who did it?"
"I don't!"
For the first time, raw emotion bled into Victor’s voice.
"I respected my father. He was strict, but he showed me through his own actions what it meant to be a true noble. I cannot forgive the person who orchestrated his death!"
His eyes burned with murderous intent as he slammed his fist against the wall.
"I’ve sworn to find them with my own hands and have my revenge!"
"That’s only natural. You have every right."
"Thank you, Albert. If you find any information—no matter how small—let me know."
"I understand. I promise."
Upon hearing my words, Victor managed a small smile.
"I'm glad we could talk at the end. A lot has happened between us, but from now on, let's try to get along as peers who support this country."
"Sure."
I reached out and shook the hand Victor offered.
And so, the final day of my summer vacation came to an end.
The second semester—the "Chapter 2" of the original game—was finally beginning. The chapter that contained the death event for the character Albert von Kronstadt himself.
I couldn't shake the bad feeling in my gut, but the world had already deviated significantly from the original script. I just had to find a way to pull through.
Well, I’d manage somehow.