"O-Our duty is to guide them through the academy facilities and then to their quarters for the day..."
I repeated the tasks to myself, trying to settle my nerves.
"Indeed. Our facilities are better equipped than the local hotels. Furthermore, the academy's defenses are sturdier than anywhere else in the city, so they can rest easy," Edward said.
"Even though the guys in the shadows have been let in time and time again," I muttered.
Honestly, the cheap inns in the commoner district far from the academy would probably be safer, simply because they were so far removed from the 'story.'
"Of course, there is no need for concern." Edward’s Robe of Concealment fluttered as he spoke. "I have Wendy undercover in a school uniform. If anything happens, I’ll receive a report immediately."
"Whatever. Just remember, I have nothing to do with your family's power struggle."
If the coup succeeded, House Etherdam would be lucky to remain a ducal house; at worst, the entire bloodline would be purged. In either case, it was unlikely Edward would ever take the throne. Was it not a bit selfish of him to do whatever he pleased and then expect me to bail him out? Even if Wendy begged me, it wasn't my problem.
"If you want to survive, figure it out yourself," I told him.
"If I let someone else wipe my mess for me, I’d be no different than I was before."
Edward let his feet, which had been hovering slightly off the ground, touch the pavement.
"I am on this path by choice now. If death is what awaits me, I shall simply resist it—oh, look. The carriage is here."
It was the carriage carrying the students from the Duchy.
It traveled straight through the circular Royal Capital along the great main road, appearing quite majestic with the flag of the Duchy flying high. The Duchy was a hereditary enemy, a nation that clashed with House Brave at every opportunity. Seeing them drive so boldly through the capital without a hint of trouble made my skin crawl.
"You're radiating bloodlust, Brave."
"...You too."
Standing beside me, Edward was also honing his magic power, his intent equally lethal.
"Hmph. If we assume they intend to start something, I don't expect them to send mere students."
Naturally, only non-combatant staff and students were permitted inside the barrier. It followed that any students they sent would be highly trained. Since its transition to a Duchy, they had accumulated vast combat experience through their border wars with the Brave Territory. If they were commanders, they would be experts capable of killing my father and brothers.
"Well, I suppose a little bloodlust is appropriate for a greeting."
"Heh. I am curious to see the caliber of these Duchy students. If they are weak, it shouldn't be a problem if I kill them and make it look like an accident."
"Fine by me. It's their own fault if they die."
They were from the Duchy; I didn't care if they were killed. In fact, I’d prefer to take the initiative. They were the enemy.
I let that thought linger for a moment before forcing myself to switch gears.
"No, let’s stay calm for now."
I remembered what Alicia had told me this morning.
"Intimidating them is one thing, but we can't actually kill them. Alicia’s view is that the Student Council's priority is ensuring the other students enjoy the Sage Festival."
"Then if there is an element that prevents the students from enjoying themselves, there would be no problem with eliminating them, correct?"
"That’s one way to look at it. Let’s go with that."
If some guy started hitting on girls, immediate execution. If anyone disturbed the peace, immediate execution. If anyone looked suspicious, immediate execution.
"Well, let's just welcome them for now."
If a coup involving the Duchy was indeed on the horizon, having Edward and me serve as the reception committee was a brilliant move.
The carriage stopped in front of us. The window curtains were drawn back, and someone peeked out from inside.
"My, it’s been a while, Edward."
It was Patricia Kindred.
Her hair was no longer dyed blonde; it was back to its original black, accented with white streaks. She naturally ignored me, giving a small chuckle as she spoke to Edward.
"What a wonderful head. You look more manly than before, don't you?"
"Patricia... Hmph. You've changed as well."
Edward stared at her intently, then snorted and shot back with equal vigor.
"Or rather, I suppose this is who you truly are. That 'fragile girl' act is gone. I can sense a shrewdness in you now—the kind that can survive anywhere alone."
Since the first semester, both their appearances and their temperaments had completely transformed. I wondered what had caused it. They didn't feel like the typical 'reverse harem' group anymore; they felt like childhood friends who had reached a definitive parting of ways. Since their history together went back to their early childhood, that was likely the truth of it.
"And the one next to you must be the third son of House Brave?"
Averting her gaze from Edward, Patricia turned her eyes toward me.
"This is the first time we’ve spoken like this, isn't it? Nice to meet you, Ragna-kun."
"I'll be blunt."
I ignored her smile and went straight to the point.
"What is your objective, Patricia Kindred?"
"Objective?"
She tilted her head.
"That's a rather dangerous question to ask while radiating such unfiltered killing intent. I've only come to enjoy the Sage Festival as a guest of the Duchy, you know?"
"Liar."
I deployed a barrier, sealing off only the carriage she was riding in. It was the same technique I had used against Wendy.
Patricia seemed to realize what I had done. She stared back at me with a sharp, unwavering gaze.
"You realize this could start a war?"
"House Brave has always been at war with your kind."
As I snapped back at her, she let out a sigh and snapped her fingers.
"What a troublesome man. I don't have time to deal with you right now, and I suspect you don't have time to be dealing with me either."
"..."
Within my magical space inside the barrier, I felt a massive surge of power. It felt as if something were punching through the barrier from the inside. The structure collapsed instantly. Edward, who had been caught in the proximity and unable to move, was suddenly released. He fell to his knees, drenched in a cold sweat.
"That’s bad for my heart every time, Brave."
"...How did you escape the restraint, Patricia Kindred?"
I ignored Edward and pressed her for an answer.
"Isn't it a bit of a mouthful to keep using my full name? You can just use my first name, you know. Or you could even call me Licia if you prefer. It's my nickname over in the Duchy."
There was no way in hell I was going to call her a name that sounded so much like Alicia. Pato-san or Kin-san was more than enough for someone like her.
Patricia ignored my question, continuing her evasive chatter.
"If you don't release us soon, people are going to start wondering why we're just sitting here, aren't they? Your job is to guide us now that we've arrived, isn't it?"
She added that it would be embarrassing if the other Duchy students started mocking us, so I lowered my guard for the moment and prepared to lead the way. As long as she was at this academy, there would be plenty of opportunities to drag the truth out of her.
"Move along. But don't think for a second the Duchy can do as they please while I'm around."
"Is that so? Thanks. Well, as you suspect, given the relationship between the Duchy and the Kingdom, something might happen in the heat of the moment, but—"
As she stepped away, Patricia glanced back one last time.
"—it has nothing to do with me."
Patricia had tried to act cool while walking away, but since our duty was to guide the guests through the facilities and their accommodations, we were destined to meet again immediately.
"We have plenty of time for a long talk, Patricia Kindred."
"Indeed. That was quite a dramatic exit, but our job isn't just to meet you at the gate; it includes handling the Duchy students for the duration of the visit."
"..."
Ignoring Patricia's overtly displeased expression, Edward and I flanked her on both sides.
"Now then, honored guest of the Duchy. Let's enjoy the Sage Festival together, shall we?"
"Hmph. Please, leave the escorting to me. To think the day would finally come when I could utilize the ultimate escort plan I painstakingly devised for you... it would be no exaggeration to call this divine providence!"
"Gross."
She found it annoying. Excellent.
I didn't know what she was planning, but the current Edward had become a top-tier, insufferable idiot. No matter what she tried to do, it was useless.
Take that—the "Annoying Prince" special.