Chapter 75: Imperial Summit (4)
Five agendas, their respective overseers, and even the order.
As the official banner was lowered, murmurs gradually grew among the participants.
Kwaaaang!
Unable to bear it any longer, the Crown Prince slamd the podium hard, and the hall quickly fell silent again.
Before long, the familiar stillness of an imperial procession returned.
Only then did Abel flash a satisfied smile and signal with his eyes.
“The Imperial Household has held thorough discussions and selected this year’s agendas. I trust everyone here will comply.”
“……”
“Those who wish to offer counsel may raise their hand and state their na and title.”
“……”
It looked like an invitation, even encouragent, but everyone here already knew.
Anyone who objected here… would die.
Gulp.
“…It seems I’ve dampened the mood a bit too much.”
The suffocating silence—so heavy one could even hear the sound of soone swallowing—broke with the Crown Prince’s words.
“Well then, I shall take my leave as the uninvited guest here. Do enjoy the banquet without worry, everyone.”
Step, step.
Having said everything he wanted, Abel Ribenia left the banquet hall nonchalantly.
Even after his attendants disappeared as well, the room remained wrapped in an awkward stillness for a while longer.
When the servants finally stood up one by one to resu serving, people cautiously began to exchange words again.
Rubia wiped the sweat forming on her forehead and let out a sigh.
“Whew… No matter how many tis I see them, the Imperial Family’s presence is always overwhelming.”
“Indeed.”
“I’d say it’s not as bad as the direct Bernhardt line, though.”
On the other hand, Francia and Eric appeared rather calm, while Lea even scoffed.
“Hmph, acting all high and mighty just because he was lucky enough to inherit the Crown Prince’s seat!”
“Shh, soone might hear you.”
Even so, no one denied her assessnt.
The Second Prince and current Crown Prince, Abel Ludwig von Ribenia.
His infamy had already spread throughout the entire Empire.
Especially his debauchery in the capital, Arpe—it had long crossed the line into madness.
Even now, among the middle-aged, it was still a common saying at drinking tables: “It should’ve been the Second Prince who died on the battlefield back then.”
“Still, I think the assignnt of the overseers and the order of agendas turned out pretty decent.”
Everyone agreed with that.
In truth, since the agenda announcent, Lea had been secretly rejoicing inside.
It was already a success that Master was assigned to the Hokhma Incident, but the fact that even the Academy’s agenda was given to Princess Alix—there had never been a better arrangent.
Though she had only attended two Imperial Summits as a servant before, she had gained countless pieces of valuable information from them.
The ultimate conclusion of each proposed agenda was decided by the Imperial Family mber overseeing it.
Of course, even if a conclusion was reached on the spot, formal procedures such as legislation still had to pass through the Council.
Nevertheless, since this was a venue where such matters were officially declared before the Empire’s key figures, it was rare for any issue to fade away without consequence.
‘No turning back. A point of no return, that’s what this is.’
And turning that thought around led to the sa conclusion.
‘There’s no place more fitting to declare war than this one.’
‘I have to succeed this ti.’
They had the best cards in hand, and justification was overflowing.
There would never again be a better chance than this.
With a determined smile, Lea clenched her fist.
“…Please wait just a little longer, Master.”
The banquet hall remained lively well into the late night.
So shared heartfelt reunions with familiar faces, while others simply indulged in the long-awaited grand event.
anwhile, the key figures had long since returned to their quarters.
After all, their interest lay in the contents and order of the agendas, not in socializing.
Only Michel Bernhardt, however, was still trapped in the hall, unable to leave.
The four who had left earlier recalled the scene as they chatted on their way out.
“No one around him would let him go…”
“Well, thanks to that, we got to leave comfortably.”
“In the end, Halenber didn’t even show up.”
“Neither did Bernhardt.”
“Is that why they all sward around the Chairwoman instead?”
“Most likely…”
As soon as they reached the lodging, they gathered again.
Though Rubia took the lead, everyone had sothing to say—this eting would’ve happened no matter who started it.
The room assigned to the instructors was slightly larger, so everyone had gathered in Rubia’s quarters.
“Did anyone see Instructor Carter at the banquet?”
At Lea’s question, everyone shook their heads.
Francia added her own comnt.
“If he’d returned, he would’ve co back to the lodgings by now. There are still many things we haven’t discussed.”
“Which ans he’s still…”
As the three students reacted similarly, Rubia quickly waved her hands.
“He’ll definitely arrive before the opening ceremony, so let’s focus on getting our story straight first.”
“…You’re right.”
“Exactly. It’s ti we prove we can handle this on our own.”
“……”
Thus, under Professor Rubia’s lead, their final strategy eting began.
Lea was the first to recall the opening agenda, her fingers brushing her lips in thought.
“We’re second in order, but… what matters is when the first discussion ends.”
“How long does each agenda usually take?”
“At most, it’ll be concluded within the day. If it goes quickly, maybe within four hours. When are the witnesses scheduled to appear?”
Eric imdiately searched his mory and replied.
“Instructor Carter said they could be brought in tomorrow afternoon. That timing should line up well.”
This ti, Rubia interjected again.
“You an the witnesses who’ll testify about the spread of Hokhma addiction in Karbenna, right?”
When both Francia and Eric nodded, Lea looked at them with mild surprise.
“I know there’s no point doubting each other at this stage, but… when did you find out? I don’t rember us ever ntioning it.”
“When we returned from the Magic Tower, Eugene—oh.”
“Huh? The Magic Tower?”
“…Professor, were we supposed to say that?”
Realizing her mistake, Rubia quickly waved her hand, flustered.
“Lea’s right. What’s the point of hiding it any longer?”
“That’s true, but still….”
“I’m sure Sir Eugene expected this too!”
Then Rubia began recounting in considerable detail what had happened at the Magic Tower—
—of course, carefully omitting any sensitive details.
Especially everything related to the summoning of the evil spirit had to be left out.
‘I don’t want anything that could even slightly tarnish Sir Eugene’s image.’
Fortunately, the news of the resud Technology Exchange alone was remarkable enough that no one questioned it.
However, Francia focused on the risk factor of the Technology Exchange itself.
“…But, is it really all right to make this public now?”
“……”
“Karbenna may be an Imperial-affiliated academy, but after suffering damage from the Hokhma Incident, if it’s announced that we’re resuming technological exchange with the Magic Tower…”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” Lea cut in before Rubia could reply.
“The Imperial Court won’t remain hostile toward the Magic Tower forever.”
“…You think so?”
“You sound oddly confident. Do you have so insider in the Imperial Palace or sothing?”
“W–what insider could a fallen noble like possibly have?!”
“Hm…”
Lea simply avoided Eric’s sharp gaze without answering.
Anyway.
“So basically, everything will be decided tomorrow….”
Eric sighed deeply.
Seeing her usually composed junior act this way, Lea playfully flicked his arm.
“Looks like you’re getting nervous now, Mr. Whistleblower?”
“Please don’t spread fake news, Senior.”
The four exchanged light teasing to ease their growing tension.
They kept talking until nearly midnight before finally dispersing to their rooms to rest.
At the sa ti—
Having shaken off all the botherso cling-ons, Michel was heading alone toward the lodgings.
‘I can’t believe not a single direct-line mber showed up.’
If he’d known this would happen, he would’ve just skipped the event altogether.
Now all the attention had fallen squarely on him.
Well, the reason they hadn’t co was obvious.
They must’ve thought there was no need to attend the banquet.
Even so, the fact that Chloe hadn’t co was quite unexpected.
He’d thought she would at least show up to provoke him.
‘Or maybe… that’s her way of showing confidence.’
Perhaps she simply didn’t want to see the spectacle of early gatherings where people sucked up to one another, pretending camaraderie.
“…Yes, stay that arrogant.”
There’s no need for you to put your full strength into dealing with outsiders like us.
Look down on us. Dismiss us.
That way, the blade we thrust will be sharper still.
“……”
As he wound his way through the alleys and reached the entrance, a large man stood guard at the main gate.
“You’re quite late, Chairwoman.”
It was Frederick Lake.
“There were too many leeches.”
“Ah…”
“I didn’t see you at the banquet. Where were you?”
“I stayed near the end. Left right after checking the agendas.”
“Well… fine. What is it?”
After glancing around briefly, Frederick went straight to the point.
“Actually… I ran into Carter on the way here.”
“Where?”
“On the bridge—he was in combat. Had we not intervened, his life might’ve been in danger. Especially if Dale hadn’t lifted the sealing magic in ti…”
“The Director of Planning and General Affairs saved Carter?”
“I imagine it was only because there were too many eyes watching, but yes.”
“……”
“Maybe he didn’t see Carter as an ally, but rather as soone useful to Karbenna.”
Michel stayed silent for a mont before continuing.
“Then why hasn’t he shown his face since? I didn’t see him at the banquet either.”
The tone had shifted—now it sounded almost like interrogation.
Frederick straightened his stance and replied.
“He said he had sowhere he absolutely needed to stop by… I haven’t seen him since.”
“Sowhere to stop by? Did he say anything more?”
“…I’m not that close with Carter, you see.”
Frederick rubbed the corner of his mouth as he spoke.
“……”
Eugene wasn’t the type to withhold necessary information just because of lack of familiarity.
Nor would he consider Frederick an enemy.
“So, it must’ve been sothing that didn’t need to be shared. I suppose that’s the right way to see it.”
“I agree.”
In other words, it had nothing to do with the Summit itself.
Still, the fact that he made ti during such a busy period ant—
—it must have been sothing quite significant for Eugene Carter personally.
Lost in thought, Michel exhaled softly and nodded.
“Well, what matters is that he survived.”
For now, that was enough.
If it was him, he’d surely arrive before the opening ceremony.
‘Could this, too, be part of so cunning plan?’
The protagonist always makes his entrance last… sothing like that?
Suppressing a smile, she gestured to Frederick.
“All right, let’s head in. The night air’s still quite chilly.”
“Ah, of course.”
After exchanging a brief, secret conversation, the two entered the lodging.
And then—
“Eugene Carter… still hasn’t returned, huh.”
Watching the scene silently through the window, Dale Wedyer turned toward the desk in his room.
On it lay a half-filled note.
On the last line, a short slogan and a title were written, etched like a brand:
“Glory to Revolutionary Ribenia — the Keeper of Nas.”
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