Chronoa looked apologetic, as if the words were difficult to squeeze out.
"Every year, we struggle to find anyone who actually wants to be on the executive committee..."
Hearing that was enough for Ren and Licia to grasp the situation.
Chronoa clearly wanted to ask for their help. She pulled another sheet of paper from her pocket and handed it to them. It was titled: Regarding the Lion King Grand Festival Preparation and Executive Committee.
"So, the executive committee, then?" Ren asked.
"Yes. It’s exactly what you’re thinking, Ren-kun."
Though called an executive committee, they wouldn't be responsible for the operation of the entire Lion King Grand Festival. Their role was strictly limited to coordinating matters for the Imperial Academy. They would handle negotiations within the school and organize information alongside the faculty.
There would be tasks on the actual days of the festival, but since the bulk of the work would be finished by then, it didn't seem like it would interfere with Ren and Licia’s personal schedules.
"Do the teachers not usually call for volunteers from the student body?" Ren asked.
"Of course they do. I’ll be asking the teachers to start recruiting tomorrow, and they’ll spend a few days at it... but I think hopes are slim this year. That’s why I wanted to talk to you two first, to see if you’d consider it."
Ren didn't fully understand Chronoa’s pessimism at that moment. Licia was the same; she listened to the explanation with a look of mild confusion.
(I wonder why. It’s not like every single student participates in the competitions.)
The answer came a few days later, back in the Principal's Office after classes.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Two days had passed.
As Chronoa had predicted, the recruitment period for the executive committee had opened, but not a single soul had volunteered.
Ren, surprised that no one would step up despite the large student population, received an explanation.
"In this academy, everyone chooses to participate in the competitions. Besides, the committee is mostly paperwork, so it’s not very popular..."
Chronoa sat across from Ren and Licia on the same sofa as before, wearing the same troubled expression.
"But surely holding a position like that would look good on a graduate's record?" Ren pointed out.
"Exactly! I was thinking the same thing until recently!" Chronoa replied forcefully, though her face remained clouded. "It’s true that it carries weight. But in our case, simply graduating from this academy is already a massive advantage. Most students would much rather spend their energy trying to achieve a high rank in the actual competitions."
"I see. So even if they aren't the representative for a specific event, they’d rather join an open competition than do administrative work."
"That’s exactly right."
This tendency was particularly pronounced in the Special Merit Class. There was almost no incentive for them to go out of their way to serve on a committee. Because there were better ways to prove their worth, the students didn't give the committee a second thought—or more accurately, they were so preoccupied with their own training that they lacked the luxury of time.
Given the nature of the Imperial Academy, it was only natural for students to prioritize their competitive results. It wasn't that the students were wrong, per se.
(Chronoa-san, so that’s why you came to us.)
(Yes, it seems so.)
Ren and Licia exchanged a glance, sharing the same thought. After a small, wry smile, they looked back at Chronoa.
Licia had already reviewed the documents and concluded that the committee work wouldn't interfere with the Clausel family's social obligations during the festival. She left the final answer to Ren.
"I’d like to ask just in case, but how many people do you usually have on the committee?"
Chronoa moved slowly. It was a heavy, sluggish motion, as if she were a clockwork doll with rusted gears. She stood up and walked to the window, where the spring breeze drifted in. Every time the warm wind ruffled her hair, a sweet, floral scent filled the room.
"...About ten, usually," she muttered.
Ren and Licia’s cheeks twitched simultaneously.
Though she wasn't looking at them, Chronoa sensed their reaction and spun around hurriedly.
"B-But it’s fine! The committee's job is mostly acting as a bridge between the students. Things like distributing materials and final schedule adjustments will all be handled by the faculty!"
"But with just me and Lady Licia, we’re still eight people short," Ren pointed out. It was a blunt, perfectly logical observation.
Licia added, "Besides, Lady Chronoa, there will be far more guests from both home and abroad this year than in previous years."
"Yes... Last time, we didn't invite guests. We only held the student competitions."
"Wait, what?" Ren asked, confused. "Was the last Lion King Grand Festival different?"
The festival Ren knew was a massive, bustling event. The previous one should have taken place shortly before he first arrived in the Imperial Capital. Even if Vane and Sera hadn't been students yet, it was supposed to be the event that inspired them to work harder. In the game lore, it was also a pivotal event related to Vane’s awakening.
Ren tilted his head, wondering why history seemed to have diverged.
"It was because of the incident in the Baldur Mountains," Chronoa explained. "That unrest spread to other academies as well. As a precaution, that year’s festival was scaled down to a student-only event."
"Ah, that’s why Lord Lezard didn't mention much about it back then," Ren realized.
"Precisely. In many people's minds, this is effectively the first full-scale Lion King Grand Festival in four years."
Four years ago, at the time of the festival before last, Lezard had only just been entrusted with Erendil and was overwhelmed. Erendil was always packed during the festival because of its proximity to the capital, and it would have been too much to ask Lezard to handle everything alone so soon after his appointment. Back then, civil officials from the Imperial Castle and other nobles had stepped in to divide the labor.
"This is just my guess," Chronoa continued, "but because it’s the first lively festival in a long time, most students want to enjoy it to the absolute fullest."
That desire, combined with the academy’s competitive culture, had resulted in the total lack of volunteers.
"That makes sense. If they're busy competing, they wouldn't have the bandwidth for the committee," Ren said.
"Exactly! I was worried this year’s festival might turn out like this, but I never imagined we’d get zero applicants..."
Reflecting on the academy’s environment, Ren could see why. Everyone who had fought their way through the entrance exams was highly ambitious. It was only natural they would focus on the goals they had worked so hard to reach.
(And based on what she said, this is basically Lord Lezard’s first time handling the festival properly as the local lord.)
If that was the case, Ren had no intention of withholding his help. By serving on the committee, he could contribute even while being a student. Furthermore, the success of his work would reflect well on the reputation of the Clausel family.
"Chronoa-san, this festival seems like it will be very crowded."
"...It'll be okay. If it comes to it, I'll just do the work of ten people myself."
It wasn't a realistic plan, but Chronoa was clearly desperate. She mentioned that teachers would help, and that it wasn't unheard of for half the committee to be composed of faculty when students were scarce. However, the committee was meant to be the student voice, so having too many teachers involved was considered a poor showing.
Failing to properly prepare for the Lion King Grand Festival would be a catastrophic embarrassment.
(But wait, I think I remember Chronoa-san leaving the Imperial Capital during the festival in the game... something about an important task.)
While the reason was a mystery, Ren recalled that plot point from The Legend of the Seven Heroes. Since he had no further information, he pushed the thought aside.
"Lady Licia, what do you think?"
"I’ve been helping with the Clausel family business, and you’ve helped with the paperwork too, Ren. I think we’re more capable of handling documents than most people our age."
Still, they needed more people. Being only first-year students, they lacked the authority to act as the sole representatives of the student body.
(Hmm.)
Ren looked up at the ceiling, thinking. He realized he needed to set one condition before accepting.
"Lady Licia and I would like to accept. However, there’s something we need to discuss."
Ren told Chronoa everything about Marquis Ulysses’s request and the Clausel family's obligations. Chronoa immediately waved her hands in a panic. "O-Oh, I'm sorry! Then please, don't force yourselves!"
"No, it’s not like that. It will be fine as long as we can take some time away on the actual days of the festival," Ren assured her.
"Yes!" Licia added. "If you can permit Ren and me to step away occasionally, we would be delighted to help!"
In truth, this was a good deal for them. Rather than just doing the Marquis’s errands and family business, being officially involved in the festival’s administration would benefit their future. It was an undeniable opportunity to build a network and make a name for themselves.
For two people who weren't interested in the competitions, there were only upsides. It would be busy, but manageable as long as the schedule was flexible.
"And honestly, I think I might enjoy working behind the scenes more," Ren admitted.
"I feel the same way," Licia said. "Since it’s a festival, I’d be happy to be involved in this way."
"The preparation phase is usually the most fun part of these things anyway," Ren added.
Hearing their answers, Chronoa beamed with a wide smile and bowed deeply in gratitude.
(But the two of us aren't enough. I'll talk to someone on the way back.)
Ren wanted to bolster their numbers. Since no one had volunteered, he couldn't expect a stranger to suddenly appear. He pictured a certain individual in his mind and prayed they hadn't left for the day yet.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
"So, that’s the situation. Do you know anyone you could introduce to me?"
"I don't follow. Why did you not think to ask me then and there?"
Ren had caught up with Radius and brought him to the rooftop garden. Radius’s response was immediate and dry.
"Wait, what? I can ask you, Radius?"
The two continued their conversation under a sky stained a deep madder red.
"I fail to see why you would even question it."
"Well, you’re the Third Prince. I felt like asking a prince to be on an executive committee might be... inappropriate."
"It is of no consequence."
"Really? But I thought you’d be participating in the competitions too."
"It would be a lie to say I have no interest, but I have my own duties during the festival. I must host guests from other nations and, depending on their rank, act as their guide."
That was why Radius hadn't volunteered or planned to compete. However, if Ren was the one asking, he wouldn't refuse. Having been helped by Ren numerous times, he didn't hesitate to return the favor.
"Are you sure? Even with your royal duties?"
"Do not concern yourself. I am not working every hour of the day. I can certainly manage both."
Ren knew that if anyone could handle an impossible workload with perfection, it was this man. He decided not to be overly polite.
"Then, can I count on you?"
"Leave it to me. That makes three of us."
"I heard they usually want ten people. We’re still pretty short-handed."
"I wonder about that. I am confident that we could perform the work of ten with ease."
(Now that he mentions it, that’s probably true.)
With Radius on board, they were a formidable team. Still, more help was better. Ren and Licia both had periods where they wouldn't be available, and Ren didn't want to irresponsibly dump everything on Radius's lap. Radius looked like he could finish it all alone, but...
(Is that really what friends do?)
Ren didn't want to invite someone only to leave them with all the work. If they were going to do this, they were going to do it right.
"The deadline for volunteering is tomorrow at noon," Radius noted. "Since there are currently zero applicants, we must move quickly to gather allies. I assume you intend to ask Fiona Ignat as well?"
"Yeah. I looked for her before coming here, but Lady Fiona had already returned to the dormitory."
Given that Fiona studied under Marquis Ulysses, she would undoubtedly be a massive asset. However, Ren worried that she might also have her own family duties.
"Why are you worrying?" Radius asked. "There is no way she would turn you down, Ren."
"Hey, how can you be so sure about that?"
"—Pay me no mind. I was simply thinking out loud, intended for you to hear."
"That’s not what 'thinking out loud' means..."
Radius didn't push the matter further and swallowed his words. Feeling the evening breeze, he allowed a rare, amused smile to cross his face.
"Heh... for some reason, even the Sword King has taken an interest in you. If you were the one asking, anyone would likely fall in line."
"I'm the one who doesn't understand why the Sword King even helped," Ren muttered.
The true motives of Rutreche, the Sword King who had lent her strength during the Great Clock Tower Incident last summer, remained a mystery. Neither Radius nor the Emperor had been able to get anything more out of her than the phrase, "I was curious." The Emperor had said she would likely never give a straight answer.
"Regardless," Radius said, "I shall also reach out to one person."
Ren sat on a nearby bench and leaned back. Radius leaned against the rooftop railing, facing him.
"A friend?"
"A childhood friend who has served me for a long time. She is a fourth-year student."
Ren searched his memory for such a person. It had been fourteen years since he was born into this world, and his memories of the original game were becoming increasingly difficult to access. He tried desperately to recall a character matching that description but came up empty. Radius had died in the first game, so his screen time—and by extension, information about his associates—was limited.
"She is the daughter of the Count Archayse Family. You have never heard of her?"
"Sorry. Doesn't ring a bell."
"Then let me explain. The Archayse family was part of the Hero Faction until a few years before my birth. However, following a disagreement within the faction, they shifted their allegiance to the Imperial Faction."
"I see... what kind of family are they?"
"They are a prestigious line of civil officials that has even produced a Prime Minister. The current head serves as the Assistant to His Majesty. That is why the daughter is by my side."
Including the current head, the family was clearly packed with elite administrators. It made sense that they would have someone close to the royal family even after switching factions.
"A childhood friend of yours, huh? That sounds impressive," Ren said.
"Hmm? Why?"
"Just a feeling, but I imagine she’s incredibly competent."
"...Competent? Well... yes, she is. She performed admirably during the clock tower incident last year, and even before that, she worked by my side while you were dismantling the Demon King Cult hideouts."
"Wow. She sounds even more amazing than I thought."
"As far as sheer competence goes, she is beyond reproach. She even served as the Student Council President last year, so she will undoubtedly be of help. —Strictly in terms of competence, mind you."
Radius’s phrasing was odd. Even though he was praising her, he kept adding strange caveats that left a strong impression on Ren. What kind of woman was she? Ren could tell she was someone the prince felt comfortable around, but...
"Well, she is simply quite... individualistic. But her skills are the real thing."
"I-I see. Got it."
His words left Ren with a dozen questions, but if Radius vouched for her that strongly, her ability was likely beyond doubt.
"Given that this is effectively the first Lion King Grand Festival in four years, the students’ eyes will not be on the committee. By tomorrow at noon, I expect our group of five will be finalized."
Ren agreed, nodding his head. "Probably."
Though the group would be half the usual size, Ren didn't feel any anxiety. On the contrary, he felt certain that with this team, they could handle anything.