喵绅HCMOIC士网页版

Chapter 161

Another winter break. And another New Year’s celebration to follow.

Up to this point, everything is the same as last year.

You could say it’s a repetitive routine without anything special.

Some might find this repetitive routine boring.

But for me, such a repetitive routine is even more welcome and enjoyable.

Because I wished for this ordinary and repetitive routine, and fought hard for it.

“…In that sense, can’t we just pretend none of this happened?”

“No.”

“S-sorry…”

Eloise, standing there with her hands on her hips, full of confidence.

And beside her, Lefia fidgeting and looking around nervously.

To understand what’s happening, we need to go back about a week.

“Fire!”

“Eek!”

“Extinguishing magic! Extinguishing magic, now!!”

A fire broke out in part of the dormitory where the female students were staying.

The cause of the fire was said to be a malfunction in the magic circuits that were used for heating the room.

Fortunately, no students were killed or injured.

The dormitory did not burn down completely either.

However, since the mana circuit was damaged, major repairs were needed, and it was inevitable that there would be no heating during the repairs.

Therefore, some students had to leave the dormitory and return to their homes during the break.

Since it’s a vacation anyway, it’s not really a problem.

They just need to go home and rest for about two months, and by the time they come back, the dormitory repairs will be finished.

But there was a small problem.

Some students found it difficult to stay anywhere other than the dormitory. And both Eloise and Lefia were among those students!

Of course, the Empire wanted to offer a solution for this.

“The Empire will do its best to accommodate the students who have been inconvenienced by this unfortunate incident—”

So, to summarize, they’re going to prepare temporary accommodations as soon as possible.

In fact, the preparations progressed smoothly, and they ended up with a place even better than the dormitory.

However, in the midst of all this, Eloise came up with a clever scheme.

More precisely, she used her acquaintance with my parents to secure a place as a guest in our home.

When I asked my parents about this absurd situation, their response was truly amazing.

“It’s interesting, don’t you think? For her to do this, knowing who your mother is. If an elf is that confident, she won’t be called a ‘half-elf,’ right?”

“Since your mother said so, I agreed.”

“…”

I think my mother’s words can be summarized as ‘It’s amusing to see an elf sticking her head into a lion’s mouth and laugh.’

Anyway, for that reason, Eloise became a temporary guest at our Friedrich County.

But it didn’t end there.

A few days later, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came to me with a very troubled look and asked me this out of the blue—

“Young Lord Karl Adelheit. Would it be possible for you to temporarily take in student Lefia?”

“Me? Why?”

“You’re the only one who has a connection with the Lasker royal family, and it seems Lefia herself is also interested.”

“But why would Lefia want…”

“It seems Eloise, the exchange student from Hyzens, put the idea in her head.”

“…”

It seems she learned something bad from hanging out with Eloise.

No, Lefia! You shouldn’t learn such things, they’re useless!!

…Or are they? Since it even reached the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, should we consider it a success?

The news eventually reached my father, and I hoped he would refuse since we already had a guest, but the problem was Lefia’s maternal family.

The Lasker Knight family, the one my father used to clash with—they were once enemies, but now he seems to have a strangely amicable sentiment towards them.

So, by the order of the Count, our family ended up with one elf guest and one Lasker guest.

And it was only natural that Lav, upon hearing the news, would say, ‘What about me? What about me?’

“Karl, you’re a hero of the Empire. You should also invite your junior.”

“But Father, I think it will be too much for the household staff.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already discussed it with the head butler.”

I can only lament the fact that I’m not yet the head of the family.

Why are all these people coming to our house?

If this happens, Selena, who should be staying at the grad school even during the break, will be restless. Everyone except her is having a gathering at my family’s estate!

“By the way, Karl, what about Senior Selena?”

“Are you asking because you know, or are you really asking because you don’t know, Eloise?”

“Hehehe.”

Look at that. Look at that elf’s smile! That’s why she’s called a half-elf!

She said she wasn’t interested in competing, but it’s obvious she’s always looking for a chance to take a spot!

Even Lefia seems to have some thoughts on this, judging by her subtle expression!

“Um… can’t graduate students rest during the break? I think it’s possible to invite her.”

Fortunately, junior Lefia seems to have a truly kind heart.

I wonder if that’s why my father asked me to look after her.

And as I expected, Selena, whom I met just before the break, had a very annoyed expression on her face.

* * *

“I heard the news. Everyone except me is staying at Karl’s family estate?”

“Uh, well… That’s how it turned out.”

“Ugh… This means I’m the only one left out…!”

Selena shows an unusually anxious expression, even biting her nails.

If I leave it like this, it feels like something will definitely happen.

For example, a graduate student’s great escape from grad school, or maybe the Marquis will visit her professor and ask, ‘Is there no way for early graduation from grad school?’

I quickly racked my brain. This is me, Karl Adelheit. I’ve survived both my past and present life through quick thinking. This is nothing.

“Well, Selena, how about this?”

“How about what?”

“Even though it’s a break, it’s not a break for me. Just like last summer break, I have a lot to do, going around various dioceses. In fact, I have an even busier schedule than last time.”

This isn’t just talk, it’s real. It’s so unfair, but what can I do? I lived and received a miracle.

Anyway, this winter, I’m scheduled to travel all over the Empire, having meals with high-ranking members of the church, praying together, listening to their good words, and sharing my own.

I’ll also be taking on the role of checking on the public sentiment in each region, at the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Rumor has it that even the nobles in each region are waiting for me.

They say that when I sweep through, public sentiment naturally stabilizes, and it has a very positive effect.

‘I’m not some kind of totem. What is this?’

…No, wait. Maybe I am a totem. A totem in the truest sense, where all sorts of luck and divine miracles fall around me just by standing there.

“That busy? How can you not rest during the break, Karl?”

Selena comes closer, as if worried, and strokes my forehead.

It’s so kind and touching of her to take care of me first, even though she’s the one who’s actually busier and has less time.

“So, Selena, how about you come along as a temporary research trip for your thesis?”

“Huh?”

“You can say you’re visiting various regions and parishes of the Empire for academic research.”

“B-but isn’t that a lie…?”

Of course, it’s a lie. But it’s not entirely a lie either.

In reality, many historians travel around the Empire to conduct research and investigations.

So it’s definitely not a bad lie. It’s not even a lie. It’s just, like, adding a little excuse or reason.

Your advisor will probably like it too. It’s not often you get the chance to visit all the main churches of each diocese in the Empire, listen to their stories, and research their materials!

With my passionate persuasion, Selena tilts her head and says, ‘I-is that so?’

This is a clear sign that she’s starting to come around.

‘Now, to deliver the final blow, I have to bring up that topic again.’

“That means we’ll be together for at least a month. For the other month, I’ll be staying at my family estate and learning about family matters.”

In other words, for at least a month, she’ll be together with Eloise, Lav, and Lefia.

Selena seemed greatly moved by the fact that she would have half of the two months to herself, even though she would be alone for the other half.

“It sounds a bit strange, but it’s tempting…”

“What can I do? Honestly, I get lonely traveling alone. Sure, there will be people welcoming me everywhere, but it can’t compare to having someone to travel with.”

“That’s true.”

“And… Well, I think we need to make something clear.”

Selena tilted her head at my words.

If it were Eloise, she would have said, ’Are you saying that because you know, or because you don’t?’ But since it’s Selena, I explained it right away.

“Selena and I are not just close. We’re more than that. We travel together and everything. We’re practically a promised couple, except for the engagement.”

“Ah…!”

Externally, this is to announce the engagement between our Adelheit family and Selena’s Ifrit family.

Internally, it’s to make one thing clear to the other girls who keep giving me those looks.

Selena seemed to have finished her calculations in her head after hearing that.

“Wait a minute. I’ll go ask my advisor right now.”

“Okay, go ahead.”

Actually, I think the advisor’s answer is already decided.

Think about it. A guy who received the Medal of Honor twice, and on top of that, the Emperor himself came and awarded it to him.

Now, add to that all sorts of other things, and most importantly, he’s received a divine miracle.

And a girl who has a 99.99 percent chance of marrying this guy asks to go on a short trip?

Is there anyone who could say, ‘Absolutely not. A slave should work like a slave’ in front of her?

‘If there is, that person is a true hero.’

“Karl!!”

And exactly 15 minutes later, Selena came running towards me with a bright smile.