Chapter 297: If You Order Me…

I talked a little with Enol-sensei, and an hour later I left the faculty room.

Now I am walking toward the training ground with Senai, who has a hard face.

The content she told me then. Originally Enol-sensei lived in Defoe, a town along the border, and beside undeveloped land.

The town called Defoe took great damage fifteen years ago from a monster Stampede out of the undeveloped land, and was also hit in the war two years ago.

Monsters of the undeveloped land are far stronger than monsters living where humans live.

Monsters on this side are hunted by adventurers and the country, so the chance of a Stampede is not that high.

But in the undeveloped land, other than rare races living in hiding, there is no one who hunts monsters.

Then it becomes fights between monsters, and naturally only strong monster species remain.

That is why the undeveloped land is a place you cannot enter unless you are a high player.

The rare races only hunt when someone enters their territory, or when they secure food...

And monsters of the undeveloped land have high territory sense. Enter the territory and they form a pack and attack at once.

You can strip rare materials so it is good, but if there is no result it is only trouble.

Those monsters caused a Stampede. It must have been miserable beyond words.

Defoe that survived while taking great damage is said to be a splendid town, and the soldiers serving in that town are known to have many strong ones.

The talk went off, but when that Stampede happened Enol-sensei’s parents died.

She relied on her father’s family home, visited the royal capital, and at that time was separated from Stro Zerneze.

They exchanged letters several times, but after exchanging important accessories contact broke off.

What they exchanged was the earring. What Enol-sensei sent was a necklace.

Whether Stro Zerneze wore that necklace is unknown, because she always wore a black robe.

What is the aim? Is it even the Stro Zerneze I know? That is doubtful too.

No... but I have never seen a look like a split body, and she should not have that skill either...

Even recalling the analysis group’s records, no connection with Enol-sensei was examined.

Am I overlooking something? Am I looking too much with the preconception that she is an enemy?

No matter how I think the answer does not come. I put on a bitter face and rubbed the back of my neck with one hand.

I confirmed there was no presence around, then asked Senai walking beside me with a side glance.

"Senai. I do not know if it is fine for me to ask... can you tell me what is known up to now about Stro Zerneze, the one I heard about from Sharle before?"

"...If Raide-sama orders me, I can tell you at once."

"Order, huh... it is that important?"

I asked to confirm against the wording Senai used out of care.

Then Senai nodded small. Seeing that I faced forward and sighed.

Meaning it is involved with the country, so it cannot be put in the mouth easily.

What kind of exchange did Count Deus have with Stro Zerneze?

If I knew that I might still be able to guess... with the current information alone it is hard.

If I ordered Senai and drew it out, in the end I would have to see it through to a solution, and the responsibility as the Libertonia Kingdom would naturally press on my shoulders.

If it only presses, there is no problem.

If there is a problem it is unnecessary interference toward the lovers. Nobles surround newcomers.

If they surround, they come to investigate needlessly, and if I am unlucky odd people approach too.

I do not want to drag the lovers into such annoying things, and I do not feel like thrusting in myself.

It becomes a long way around, but I have no choice but to gather information myself... I am sorry to Enol-sensei, but I will have her wait a little.

When I remembered Enol-sensei’s sadly smiling face Senai softly leaned in, so I smiled and told her "Thank you."

Senai who had an apologetic expression heard my words, smiled in a troubled way, and nodded.

Now then. Switch my head and look at the students...

I came out of the school building to the training ground and walked toward Roy, who was watching the students from a distance with his arms folded.

Training ended. I saw off the backs of the students walking toward the main gate with my arms folded.

The students’ condition was perfect and their movements in training had no problem. I smiled and let out a breath of relief.

From the movements I can tell the mastery level to some degree. I have not been shown it, but I think on average it is forty.

From forty it will not rise easily and they may feel irritated, but there is still a lot to have them remember so there will be no time to feel irritated.

For that I sent Taylor an additional letter.

Relia and Tia took Karinal and hurriedly returned to the royal castle, but I could tell their mastery had risen too and was relieved.

Probably, if they are investigating me, I think they will come along on the trip to Santony to hear the talk from Taylor.

...No matter how many times I think it, I end up thinking they should just ask me directly.

"Raide-san. Are you thinking?"

"Nn? Aah. A little. Porte, are you not heading to Filim Spring?"

A voice came from the side. I turned my face and Porte was standing with a happy smile.

She was wearing the bracelet I gave her, which she does not wear at the academy. Seeing her stroke the bracelet with one hand, the feeling that I was troubled must have been transmitted from the bracelet.

I smiled back, rubbed the back of my neck with one hand, and asked. Porte came close, looked up at me, and spoke.

"Today I promised to help at home."

"That is a good thing. I mean to head to the church so I will see you there."

I looked at Hiero, who was talking with Senai a little away from us, as if to confirm.

Hiero noticed my gaze, glanced at Porte, smiled, and nodded her agreement.

When I am troubled or stuck, one of the lovers comes close beside me.

Thanking the lovers in my heart, we left the academy.