HTACS 87

Chapter 87

The pinnacle of imperial education—Zefflin—basically prohibits attendants.

The stated reason is, of course, “to promote students’ independent learning,” and it’s mostly upheld.

However, there are ways to completely ignore Zefflin’s rules and insert one’s subordinates into the academy.

One is to take advantage of Zefflin’s leniency toward faction-building and form a faction to command underlings.

Another is to have the companion take and pass the entrance exam alongside the student.

Of course, Zefflin’s entrance exam is by no means easy.

The fact that they select only the finest talents from all kingdoms led by the empire means the threshold is a living hell for talentless civilians.

And even if you do get in, the murderous pace of classes makes advancing to the next year another matter entirely.

But there is one region that laughs at all of that, pushing several people into Zefflin every generation.

To be precise—not a region, but a family.

The assassin family of the southern region.

The First Emperor’s confidant—so much so that even the First Emperor himself said, “If I hadn’t had a single day to prepare, I would have died.”

The Hassan Shadow family.

“Lady Rudika.”

“……”

Dawn.

At the voice calling her, Rudika quietly opened her eyes.

Turning her gaze, a girl stood there.

She had the same skin tone and eye shape, but was slightly larger.

“It’s time to change. Let me help you with washing first.”

At those words, Rudika rose from her seat, shook her head in response, briefly washed up, and changed clothes.

Until then, she kept her head bowed in silence.

Cecil Shadow.

Knight Department, 4th year.

Someone she once called “older sister.”

But now, she is nothing more than an attendant serving Rudika Hassan Shadow.

Externally, everyone is known as Hassan Shadow, but internally, only one person per generation may claim the name Hassan.

The method of determination is simple.

When the children come of age, they are made to fight battles that may cost their lives.

The survivor becomes the victor and receives the name Hassan.

But in this generation, no one was hurt or killed.

The reason was simple.

A monster had been born.

Rudika Hassan Shadow.

She had erased all competition from the branch families and siblings from the very start.

From wooden daggers for three years. Then iron daggers for another year.

At just seven years old, she subdued her father—the previous Hassan—a true monster.

“What would you like for lunch today?”

“Cecil, if you have time, how about a meal between Shadows after a long time?”

It was a brief offer, but Cecil Shadow shook her head.

“That would be too gracious. Please decline.”

“…Okay. I will. Then Rudika will eat at Wolfram’s place and return.”

“So you’re heading to His Highness Prince Wolfram von Lohengrin’s residence. I will inform the Shadow siblings. Hassan.”

“………Okay.”

Rudika Hassan Shadow simply nodded.

**【All for the sake of the current Hassan.**】

That is the Hassan Shadow family’s motto.

Only one Shadow per generation.

They live—and must die—for the one recognized as Hassan.

The memories of sneaking snacks together, hiding under the covers at night to chat, catching sand scorpions to make them fight—all were to be forgotten for the sake of the motto.

“Then I’ll be going now. Hassan.”

As her once-sister attendant withdrew, Rudika let out a small sigh.

It was suffocating.

—

Lately, the atmosphere at the convenience store has been strange.

I’d like to ask what’s going on, but I simply don’t have the courage to voice it.

One of the reasons is Nephti.

“…Royal Guard. 200 million lin. 200 million… 5 years of service is 1 billion… I could buy a mansion in the imperial capital… 5-day workweek, no overtime. Emergency duty on a monthly rotation of twice… balancing my life and work…”

As if fighting her own internal conflict, she seems consumed by thoughts of the Royal Guard.

Well, I’ll just leave her be.

And the other one is our assassin—Rudika Hassan Shadow.

She’s not doing anything particularly remarkable—she just sometimes stares blankly in my direction.

“Rudika. Is something wrong?”

“Ah, Wolfram… no. Nothing’s wrong.”

No way—have I finally been marked? Am I going to be killed?

What crime did I commit—aside from roaring at the noble tea party the other day?

…

……

Is it because of that?

“Rudika. If something’s bothering you, feel free to talk anytime.”

“Hmm? Ah, did I make you worry, Wolfram? Rudika is fine.”

She said that, smiling a little less energetically than usual.

No. When you smile like that, I really feel like I’m going to get assassinated.

In times like this, I have to somehow restore Rudika’s mood—and my karma.

“……I had my reasons for shouting at the noble tea party.”

“Hmm? …Ah, I heard about that. Well done. You showed a good side.”

“What?”

“That’s what makes you a worthy imperial grandchild for our Shadow family to pledge our loyalty to.”

“……”

So the report’s already been submitted and the judgment is complete.

Then it doesn’t seem to be about karma.

“……It’s suffocating.”

“200 million lin…”

I really can’t figure out the cause.

Normally I’d just let it slide, but it’s gloomy with them holed up in the store.

At times like this, a change of pace is best. All they need is to go out and have a meal somewhere.

Even Lee Young-jin, on hot and humid summer days, would run to the PC bang right after work and enjoy games in front of the AC.

And he’d also travel to the UK and the US via online street view…

Though his body was at the PC bang, he’d scarf down jjapaguri made by the part-timer at 3 AM, drop a “wow this part-timer makes great jjapaguri,” and get all the late-night PC bang customers to order jjapaguri…

Ahem. Anyway, when you’re struggling, a change of pace is the answer.

Besides, we three have worked well together many times.

There’s no need to cling to the central academy district—there are quite a few places to go…

Ah.

“Rudika. And you there, junior suffering from analysis paralysis.”

“200 million lin… Pardon? Why are you calling me, Senior?”

“What is it, Wolfram?”

Usually it’s Nephti who does this first.

“I won’t say it’s treasure, but would you two like to go somewhere for a change of pace?”

“A change of pace?”

“Hmm. A land where a small adventure awaits. I promise it’ll be quite enjoyable.”

“…Fine. I’ll go, and clear my head while I’m at it!”

“Yeah! Let’s go, Wolfram!”

Rudika, Nephti, and me.

Following the Sleeping Mountain Range and the 1-4 boss fight, our three-person party was about to go on another adventure.

—

Loading Patrasche’s cart with baggage and walking.

But the faces of my companions dimmed again.

“…Is it the same place again? Not that Rudika dislikes it.”

“The Sleeping Mountain Range. Hmm… well, it’s not bad.”

We three had already been to the Sleeping Mountain Range once, so it’s understandable it wouldn’t be exciting.

“You’ll see once we get there. I’ll show you my secret spot. Did you bring your gear?”

“Yesss.”

“Hmm. I brought everything in case of combat.”

The moment we entered the Sleeping Mountain Range’s entrance, their faces grew darkest—and I turned right immediately.

And there, a portal hummed.

“…There’s a place like this?”

“Rudika has never heard of this either.”

“I promise you’ll see enjoyable scenery and have fun.”

Me, Nephti, and Rudika.

The adventure-loving trio entered the hidden map—【Heavenly Altitude】.

—

【Heavenly Altitude】 is, as the name suggests, an island.

You start in the forest on the island’s edge; heading toward the sea allows seafood farming, while going deeper into the forest allows meat and fruit farming.

There’s also a small mountain in the center, with a boss monster living at its peak.

The starting point is mostly a forest near the coast.

It’s a dense jungle with poor visibility, but since you can hear and smell the sea, heading that way is a guaranteed path to the ocean.

Monsters spawn randomly, but strictly speaking, encounter rates differ. The deeper you go into the forest, the higher the chance of encountering stronger monsters. That’s not to say you won’t encounter anything if you head toward the coast.

“…Nephti! Hold them off for 3 seconds!”

“Yes! 【Protective Formation: Impact Dispersion: Forced Taunt】**】

Nephti raises her steel shield to block a Silver Horn Wolf—considered a fairly strong monster.

And Rudika’s daggers dash toward its throat.

The wolf was focused on Nephti, but at the last moment it recognized Rudika.

Even so, Rudika’s speed was overwhelmingly faster.

The *whoosh* was followed by a chilling *slice*, repeated precisely once more.

After leaving two cuts on its throat, Rudika rolled back, not allowing a single drop of the wolf’s blood spray to touch her, and turned away.

Truly a beautiful combination play.

Our three-person chemistry is amazing!

What was I doing?

“Senior! This shield is really good!”

“It’s just a shield made by flattening sturdy alloy.”

“Still! It deflects so well! It’s durable! Completely different from standard-issue gear!”

I was providing items like that.

“If you like it that much, take it.”

“This loyalty! Is yours!”

Nephti saluted with an *ehehe*.

She probably wanted to relieve stress by exercising and sweating.

On the other hand, Rudika’s expression remained dark.

This is a problem.

“Rudika Hassan Shadow.”

“…Huh? What is it, Wolfram?”

“You said earlier that you felt suffocated, alone.”

“You heard that? Ahaha. …Yeah, I think I did.”

“Then I hope this serves as a good answer.”

With that, we emerged from the forest.

The crashing waves.

A pinch of sandy beach before our eyes, and beyond it, endless blue.

“…Wow… wow.”

“Th-this is…”

“To see this kind of scenery in Zefflin, you’d normally have to leave the central academy district and reach the edge of expedition territories—east, north, south, or west. But here, it’s different.”

Yes.

That’s why this is the 【Heavenly Altitude】.

A name that befits an island containing all the world’s blessings.

“How does it feel to see the most beautiful ocean in Zefflin?”

“So this is the sea. I’ve never seen it before. Gluco was a backwater, after all. So this is the world… such a world exists.”

“Nephti.”

“Yes?”

“Patrasche can use fire magic.”

“So?”

“That means—no matter how much you swim in that sea, he can dry your clothes.”

“……Ah! Th-then, Senior, can I now…”

“Yes. Go, Nephti. Go and clash with nature.”

“I’ll be back!!”

After that, Nephti became the wind.

Young and healthy, huh. An old man like me can’t do that.

And Rudika simply gazed quietly at the sea, saying nothing.

“Rudika. Have you seen the sea before?”

“No, this is Rudika’s first time too. It’s vast—truly vast.”

“The sea is wider than all the land on earth. Even if the Lohengrin Empire conquered all the land, it could never match the sea’s depth or breadth.”

“Is that so.”

Only then did Rudika turn her head to look at me.

“How do you know so much, Wolfram? Is there anything you don’t know?”

“Hmm.”

A sudden question.

It’s not that I know everything—I only know D/Z SAGA. But I can’t say that.

However, I have perfect cover lore for this.

“From the imperial palace library onward, I’ve read countless documents. To take a step toward the world, you must first know the world, right?”

“…Wolfram, aren’t you a prince? You speak so easily of walking toward the world—doesn’t an imperial grandchild have responsibilities to bear?”

Rudika.

Your vocabulary suddenly got more complex.

Are you sure it’s okay to break character like this?

Wolfram is worried.

“Even so, dreaming is free, isn’t it? Truly, I studied that way and could behold this sea with my own eyes.”

“……Then if you left Zefflin, wouldn’t you have to fulfill your duties as an imperial family member again?”

That sounds about right. But that’s a story for two years from now.

The final exams of the first semester of third year haven’t even come yet—why think about after the second semester of fourth year?

“Don’t worry. I’m still at Zefflin.”

“……”

“There are only two kinds of people who must accept the fate and duties they hold at Zefflin.”

“Who are they?”

“One is Eve von Lohengrin. The only imperial grandchild with a designated role.”

“And the other?”

“Graduate students.”

“Oh.”

Rudika was genuinely surprised.

I stifled a chuckle.

“Think about fate after graduation. The suffocation might ease a little.”

“…I see.”

“Hmm. There’s still plenty of unexplored territory in Zefflin. You might not even see all of it by next year. It’d be a loss not to enjoy it.”

“It truly is vast.”

“The sea? It’s vast. Truly vast and wide.”

“No… I mean… no. Ahaha. It really is vast. Vast enough to make me feel pathetic.”

Rudika stared into my eyes and laughed softly for a while.

“Thank you, Wolfram. You truly are vast.”

It was the first time I felt like I’d truly heard Rudika’s voice.