The day of the decisive battle.For better or worse, Izelin Academy’s fate will be decided.Izelin’s students had all gathered here—anxious, expectant, or resigned.The temporary tent set up on the field.The students huddled beneath it, each chattering in their own way.“So this is the end of our Union life. What a shame.”“Once we’re back home, we’ll be conscripted right away. Get your mind ready before the war.”“…I don’t want it. I don’t! How did things end up like this!”“I mean, maybe it’s better this way. Every day felt like walking on thin ice. Better to fight than sit and wait to be shut down.”“That’s true, but… how are we supposed to beat them.”Most students clearly had no expectations for this Territorial War.Of course they wanted Izelin to win more than anyone, but the odds were so low that cynicism slipped out on its own.And no wonder—unlike Izelin, which had fallen in Competitive War rankings and worried about subsidies, Jerome Academy consistently stayed near the top.Jerome only admitted elite students attached to the kingdom’s military corps, and their homeland support was rock solid.A national power befitting a rising military state in the southern continent.To say they’d beat such opponents head-on—hard to cheer even as empty words.“What was Her Highness thinking, pulling something like this?”“Hah. If she had a plan, it wouldn’t have come to this in the first place.”“Watch your mouth.”“What’s the point now. It’s already over. The academy, the kingdom…”“……”At the girl’s words, the chatter died.They spoke with a cynicism as if it were someone else’s problem, but everyone here already knew.If they lost this Territorial War and were expelled from the Union, their homeland would be trampled under Jerome’s boots.Their native soil would burn to ash, and their loved ones would fall beneath enemy spear and sword.Even if they surrendered before that, they’d live as second-class citizens for the rest of their lives, pressed into service for Jerome.Just then, while everyone crouched in gloom—“No, everyone. It’s too early to give up.”A calm, steady voice, yet one that carried clear strength—students raised their heads.“Y-Your Highness.”Illeina walked through the tent.She crouched to meet the eyes of a girl on the verge of tears, placed a water bottle in her hands herself, and encouraged her.“I know your hardships well. How hard and painful it has been. I also know my own powerlessness and shortcomings better than anyone.”She knew the students’ hearts better than anyone.Until just recently, Illeina had felt the same.'The academy and the kingdom are already at the edge of a cliff.'Jerome had already leveled the spearpoint of ambition at them, and they trembled like livestock awaiting slaughter.Weary, fearful days.On the faces of students who should be living the brightest, happiest hours of their lives, heavy clouds of worry hung low.Every time she looked at their lifeless faces, Illeina felt her heart torn to shreds.Yet Illeina could do nothing resembling real resistance and had to watch their tyranny unfold.Izelin Academy was the last bulwark against Jerome’s invasion.If Izelin were merged out or expelled from the Union, Jerome would truly launch an invasion without restraint.She agonized hundreds of times a day.Was it really right to keep holding out like this?Was her stubbornness bringing harm to everyone?If she alone let go of everything, could everyone enjoy a peaceful academy life?More broadly—if only Izelin’s royal family surrendered their privilege, wouldn’t it save more lives without fighting Jerome?After deep deliberation, she finally wrote to Loen in a state bordering on despair.As the last bulwark before deciding on surrender.“But we cannot give up like this.”Illeina clenched her fist hard.With Loen’s arrival, the situation began to shift little by little.A lifeline of hope lowered from someone she hadn’t expected at all.Rumor had called him a trivial, unimpressive man, but face-to-face, the impression was different.Though his manner was arrogant and insolent, he had the ability to match it.A delinquent of the academy—no, his infamy ran through high society—yet he possessed decisiveness and drive one wouldn’t believe.And though he affected indifference, there was an inexplicable pull and conviction in his words.Of course, one couldn’t say his plan had no holes—yet Izelin had no luxury to be picky.Illeina willingly joined his plan.Once she resolved to fight them again, her heart caught fire. A ray of hope fell on a dark future.It was a faint light far off, beyond grasp—but it undeniably existed.Whether that light truly led to the future, or was a flame of ruin that would call moths to their deaths—She had no choice but to chase it forward.'Shameful beyond measure, of course.'Illeina bit her lip hard.A chance she seized not by her own strength, but by borrowing another’s.She felt ashamed to ride that chance and tell everyone to muster their strength—but such things no longer mattered.Even if no bright future waited at the end of this fight—even if they lost and were wounded—she would be fine with it.She could say she led from the front more than anyone, and that even if she lost, she stood proud until the end.Finishing her thoughts, Illeina declared with a firm expression and strong voice:“This final chance we’ve gained—I will repay your hardships with victory. Everyone, please watch to the end.”***From far off, a student’s shout came.“Jerome Academy is here!”Dust rose thick beyond the front gate.Chepesh Jerome led a crowd nearly several thousand strong.She had brought not only Jerome’s students but also onlookers from other academies.It seemed she intended to nail down victory before as many eyes as possible.Chepesh scanned Izelin’s field and gestured to the Disciplinary members.“Establish a base.”“Yes, Madam President.”With precise, disciplined movements, students clanged away, raising tents on the field.Their discipline was fit for active knights or soldiers.Leaving the bustling students behind, Chepesh approached the tent where I and Illeina stood, accompanied only by her guards.Leaning on a post, she glared at me and asked:“What, are you the only external observer? That won’t give this any credibility. This isn’t some neighborhood fair.”Looking around the field, there were only the parties to the Territorial War—students of Izelin and Jerome.As for outsiders, all there was were the spectators Chepesh had brought.As she said, to attest to this Territorial War, they needed a credible figure and more external students present.“Don’t worry. I brought someone quite exalted. You’ll be satisfied.”“…Exalted, huh. If it’s someone you could bring in, I’m not expecting much.”“You can look forward to it.”“Sure, whatever.”Nodding slightly as if to say she got it for now, Chepesh turned to Illeina.“So, Illeina. Did you get your mercenary? Someone strong enough to save your academy. Or is it… this woman?”She rolled her single eye over the inside «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» of the tent and let her gaze fall on Ciel at my side.In her view, Ciel must have looked like the strongest one here.A keen eye indeed.But Ciel slowly shook her head.“I will not be participating in this Territorial War, Lady Chepesh.”“A shame. I heard Loen’s bodyguard—that you—were quite strong.”Clicking her tongue, Chepesh drawled:“Well, I hope it’s a good match. If it’s too one-sided, it’s boring. I brought a lot of spectators—don’t kill the mood.”“Hah. You just make sure you don’t bawl your eyes out after you lose.”“Big talk. Don’t make a fool of yourself trying to show off.”Chepesh shrugged, then, as if she could hardly wait any longer, asked me:“So who’s this exalted observer? It seems about time.”All fired up, she checked her wristwatch and pressed again. I pointed behind her.“Speak of the devil—there.”Chepesh followed my gesture with her eyes.When she saw who the observer was, her single eye flashed wide and her body stiffened.“……!”A blonde woman passed through Izelin Academy’s front gate and approached.It was as if the bright sunlight itself shone along the path she walked.Slowly parting her lips, Chepesh spoke her name.“E… Elena? Why is she here?”Elena Sion Celestia.With her—radiating a halo like the return of a Saintess—appeared hundreds of Relief Paladins in pure white vestments.Elena, student council president of one of the Four Great Academies, and princess of the Holy Kingdom Celestia.As an observer to vouch for this Territorial War, she was more than qualified.“I pulled a few strings. Well? Satisfied?”When I let a faint smile touch my lips, Chepesh shot me a sharp look and practically yelled as if to ask what trick I’d pulled.“You… don’t tell me you hired a mercenary from Saintea?”If Izelin were to hire a mercenary, the level would be obvious.Izelin had no decent connections, and anyone who could be swayed by words or payment wouldn’t be that strong.By that calculation, Chepesh had felt safe—but if the mercenary came from Saintea, one of the Four Great Academies, it would be hard to gauge their strength.Even so, a mercenary could only secure one win, but it added a variable.At Chepesh’s question, I slowly shook my head.“Relax. The mercenary isn’t from Saintea. If we’re being precise… from Eredor.”With those words, I pointed toward the gate again.“Eredor?”Echoing my doubt, Chepesh glanced back toward the gate.Where my finger indicated—Behind that long column of Relief Paladins, two female students appeared.The crest of Eredor embroidered on the chest of their white uniform jackets.A girl with hair like flaming red thread stitched over that uniform—And beside her, a composed-looking student attendant.“B… Beatrice?”Seeing them, Chepesh’s jaw dropped.Following Elena, Beatrice too appeared here, accompanied by her chief secretary Yulina.With a clear smile, I posed a question to Chepesh.“So? Do you like what you see?”

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.