How to Survive at the Academy Chapter 229

to you who survived (4)

you who survived

The end of the long journey where you had to risk your life every moment may be very different from what you thought.

What doesn’t change though is that you have come through a long journey with great difficulty, and in the end you were able to survive and stand proudly at the end.

Were you happy that you could survive?

Or are you afraid of having to go on with a life of pain and anguish?

Have you found your reason for living?

Was it a life worth living?

What did you gain and what did you lose?

What have you succeeded and what have you failed?

How did the joy when you are happy and the despair when you are frustrated make you?

Why do we continue to live our lives, obsessing so much about this life that will all become meaningless when it ends?

In a life that has an end, what is the reason for trying to change the journey futilely?

Why do we struggle so futilely to survive?

This book is a record of the agony of the answer.

– 『The Seal of the Wise, Introduction』, by Sylvania Robester

*“The event that concludes the festival will be held soon.”

The chief of staff entered the audience room, bowed his head, and spoke.

It was an audience room temporarily prepared in the residence of the imperial family, but in terms of its luxury, it was comparable enough to the imperial castle.

The imperial residence where Princess Penia was staying was already full of servants who were familiar with the etiquette of the imperial family, so it didn’t take long to arrange a place that conformed to the rules.

The audience room was also prepared in a size suitable for the authority of Emperor Chloel.

Sitting on a seat in the throne room and looking toward the terrace, Emperor Chloel solemnly swept his beard and looked at the spire of the academy with his intelligent eyes.

“The level of education in Sylvania has improved a lot more than I thought. Compared to when Jim first came to Sylvania to inspect, I can see that it has progressed to the point where I can’t even imagine that it is really the same place.”

“I was very surprised, too. The level of the students has also improved day by day, and there are students who use swordsmanship in the combat club, and even the highest rank magic users are produced in the magic department… Indeed, I think it is an institution worth investing in.”

“Penia has become very reliable, and even though it was a long distance, I think it was a good idea to visit him in person.”

Emperor Chloel let out a satisfied smile, and then a dark shadow fell on his face again.

Selaha, Persica, and Penia.

Emperor Chloel was already well aware that the conflict between the three princesses was intensifying after Lindon gave up his position as crown prince.

The days when Lindon was fine, but it’s completely different from the past when he built a stable family in his own way.

Now, all these conflicts will come to an end only when Emperor Chloel has to make it clear who he will appoint as the next imperial heir.

However, even for Emperor Chloel, who is said to be a rare sage, it was too difficult to rank his children.

As a father, Emperor Chloel knew all too well the strengths and weaknesses of the three princesses.

Princess Selahha has leadership and charisma befitting a monarch. She has no hesitation in her decisions, she moves quickly no matter what she does, and she is not shaken because she is confident in her thoughts and choices. She was a quality that as a monarch she must have.

However, he is arrogant, obsessed with status and authority, self-righteous who does not admit that he is wrong, and has no respect for his subordinates, so if he makes a mistake, he is likely to walk the path of a tyrant.

Princess Persica loves knowledge and has a high will to study and research, so she has deep wisdom. She knows a lot, she is cunning and cunning, she is a compromising politician who will use whatever is available. That’s why she always thinks of realistic solutions, and she is also a businesswoman who never catches a glimpse.

However, an overly compromising attitude is likely to lead to corruption. If you seize power, there is a high possibility that you will take care of your own self-interest rather than thinking about the people. As a girl who had no objection to scheming and scheming, the atmosphere in the imperial family seemed more likely to become darker and more insidious.

Princess Penia is benevolent, always tries to take good care of her subordinates, and knows how to admit and repent of her mistakes. She always keeps her ears open and thinks of her people, and she is the image of an ideal monarch who is neither bound by authority nor swayed by self-interest.

However, there is a high possibility that you will not be able to keep your authority and position because you are too busy understanding and sympathizing with the people below you. Because he has a tendency to be obsessed with idealism, he will not be able to compromise with real politics, and he may become a puppet king, giving up his place after suffering between the grievances of practitioners and idealism.

Firm conviction and perseverance as a monarch, cunning who knows how to understand while being wise, genuinely concerned about the people, and a heart that is not swayed by authority.

The material of a monarch who has all of these things is not easy to find.

“Lyndon… ”

After chanting the name of the son who is now stuck in the spire and not coming out, Emperor Chloel shook his head. He clings to what he lost, but things don’t get better.

Whoever it is, Emperor Chloel has the duty to select an heir and raise that person to become an ideal monarch.

This is absolutely necessary in order to pass down this peace and prosperity that our ancestors worked hard to pass down to the next generation.

——As a result, Emperor Chloel was thinking of designating Princess Selah as his successor.

I just had time to organize my conclusions one last time. It’s not yet a complete conclusion, but it’s safe to say that this is a tentative conclusion.

Selaha’s arrogant mind is bound to be corrected by itself after a few experiences of hurting his nose due to wrong decisions.

Emperor Chloel himself was ready to roll up his arms and fix the attitude of being bound by authority or treating subordinates excessively.

In the end, the most important thing is a sense of how to control the crowd as an emperor.

Morality and understanding can be taught through acquired education. However, the nobility and appearance that can reign supreme as an emperor are not in the realm of education. It has to be innate to some extent.

Persica and Penia did not have the elegance of Princess Sellaha, which was enchanting and difficult to touch. She attracts attention wherever she goes, and it is an aura that makes her feel like she can’t even touch her humble status.

There is still a long way to go, but Princess Selaha seems the most suitable to be used as the emperor’s lumber.

The problem is, Selaha hasn’t been perfectly polished as a monarch yet.

I don’t know if it’s okay to think like this as a father, but first of all, it was necessary to break the nose of Selaha, who soars without knowing how high the sky is.

Selaha’s arrogant personality is highly likely to become a major disaster for the empire someday. In order to prevent it in the first place, it was necessary to have a human who could properly educate Selaha once.

However, where in the world is there a human who can control Selaha in this empire?

Selaha Einir Chloel is the first princess of the Chloel royal family, and she learned early on how to suppress people with her authority and dominate the crowd.

At least to Emperor Chloel, he bowed his pride and bowed his head, but that was only because Emperor Chloel had the authority to decide who would be the next emperor.

There is no way that Emperor Chloel was unaware of her ambition and lust for power. To make the girl her good lord, she had to crush her sky-piercing pride, and she had to subdue it once.

It would be meaningless if Emperor Chloel did it himself. In the first place, it was only natural to submit to the emperor of the empire.

If so, is there another human that Selaha could cling to?

It was the car that Emperor Chloel had been thinking about.

“And, I don’t have any intelligence to report to you, but… I think I should tell you about Princess Selaha’s recent moves.”

“Selaha’s move?”

“yes. Recently, we have been inspecting together in line with His Majesty’s movement, but at night they are constantly communicating with the outside world by correspondence.”

“I haven’t said anything about it, but are you saying that you’re communicating with people inside Sylvania while keeping it a secret from me?”

“yes. It seems to be on an extension of the imperial competition, but… You can investigate further. What can I do?”

Emperor Chloel looked at his chin for a moment and was lost in thought.

He only knew that there was a dispute between his three daughters, but when he came to Aken Island where Fenia was, it seemed necessary to keep an eye on his subtle movements.

Continuing healthy competition to inherit the imperial power, Emperor Chloel did not see it as particularly bad.

However, what is worrisome is that Selaha’s personality has the potential to cross the ‘line’.

Like conspiring an assassination or seriously hurting… Even if it is not such an extreme number, movements that harm each other or leave great scars may follow.

It was not very pleasant from the point of view of Emperor Chloel, who loves all three daughters.

“Take a look.”

And, the contents of Sellaha’s letter that I found out by spying on the butler Dest… Even Emperor Chloe couldn’t help but be shocked.

* “Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, brother. oh oh oh oh come..”

Upon reaching the entrance of the imperial residence, Tanya, who was also called by the emperor, was trembling.

“Tanya, what is it? Have you been called too?”

“Yes, yes… Suddenly, the call went off from the imperial residence… I was just rolling around on the sofa, soaked with a sense of liberation after finishing all my work… Of course now… ”

“… Why are you shaking like this?”

“Did you not hear the news? You said that Emperor Chloel summoned you personally. Judging from the fact that he even summoned his older brother, it seems to be related to the Ross Taylor family’s affairs… I was nervous because I was told that I had to have an audience with that rare sage, Emperor Chloe, right in front of me… ”

I would never have thought he would have the temperament to be unnecessarily nervous about a subject in a position where he had to give a speech in front of a large crowd whenever he had a chance.

Sometimes, even in difficult and difficult situations, it is majestic, and other times, it is trembling… Looking at Tanya, I couldn’t tell if she was brave or cowardly.

“Senior Ed. You came alone. I thought you would bring someone.”

Next to Tanya were Jiggs and several student council assistants. Even though he is the student council president of the Sylvania Academy, he seems to have come with a minimal assortment, perhaps as if he couldn’t send him alone to an audience with the emperor.

“Hey, this is a bit strange. Brother. The Elte Company is friendly, the Telos Church is friendly, and Princess Penia is friendly… Well, I understand everything, but now it’s too much to call out to the emperor Chloel, who is a rare saint all of a sudden… that… It’s unusual… ”

“… this is out of my hands Tanya.”

“lie! Don’t lie! What else are you trying to do to tie me to the student council president seat like a gourd? I am… More than this… I don’t want to become more powerful than this… !”

I don’t know if anyone will hit me in the back of the head for saying that I’m full, but as I know Tanya’s position, I have no choice but to watch with a vague eye.

“… ”

“You know, Ziggs-senpai. What if I fall into a big mess in front of Emperor Chloel? Will you look at me with pitiful eyes? You’ll look at me with cold eyes like looking at an indecisive person, right?”

“Perhaps, wouldn’t the student council president, who was so strong, have a humane side and laugh out loud?”

“What is it. Why are you only looking at me so kindly… !”

“As others have said, a seat is the way to make a person. When you sit in a high seat, small mistakes are somehow wrapped in a human aspect.”

Tanya sighed as she wiped her face. Her neatly laid down blonde hair waves in waves around her shoulders.

“Anyway, since Ed was also summoned, it seems that the matter has to do with the Ross Taylor family. We thought it was something that the student council had to respond to, so we dragged everyone in like this… I don’t think it was necessary.”

“There is always a lot of trouble, Ziggs. Does Tanya owe a lot to you like this?”

“no. I’m just doing my business as usual. To be honest, when it comes to hardships, senior Anise, introduced by senior Ed, does more. Next time I see your face, I will have to say thank you again.”

Ziggs politely responded to my greetings, then gestured to a group of student assistants who had brought them in to signal that it was okay to leave.

Tanya suddenly raised her head and asked Ziggs what he was doing.

“Why, why are you sending everything back!”

“yes?”

“Go, you agreed to go to the audience room together! I heard that all of the student council counselors are following me!”

“… No, when it comes to student council work, it’s true that everyone has to cooperate… If it’s the Ross Taylor family’s job, isn’t it completely outside the student council?”

“That, that… ”

“It is too much to ask to follow up and assist with external tasks one by one. isn’t it? Student assistants are all busy, so I think we should respect work efficiency in this area as well.”

“that… I think that’s right too.”

“… ”

“… ”

Ziggs stared at Tanya with complicated eyes for a moment.

Then he glanced at me once, took a deep sigh, and spoke.

“Well, since Ed is there, there’s nothing to worry about… Just in case you don’t know, I’ll accompany you as a counselor, even if it’s just by myself.”

“You don’t have to go that far, Ziggs… ”

“no… I think of it as an extension of the business. I have to pick Elka up after class… As long as the work is done before then, it doesn’t matter.”

Ziggs stood confidently with his arms crossed.

From Tanya’s point of view, she let out a sigh of relief, as if she wanted to go with at least one more ally.

“Brother on the left, with senior Ziggs on the right… That’s decent enough… ”

Only then did Tanya speak confidently, as if reassured.

There is no point in pretending to be confident about the topic that I was nervous and trembling until now…

“is it so. No matter what Emperor Chloel says, I will not be surprised and respond with dignity… !”

“Are you thinking of getting engaged to my daughter, Selaha, Ed Rosteeler?”

“… yes?”

Eventually, the emperor’s audience room.

After a simple greeting, Tanya opened her mouth awkwardly at the words that came out of Emperor Chloel’s mouth.

The same was true of Ziggs, who stood behind him as an assistant.

*Sellaha had a history of attacking the Duke of Roth Taylor to the extent that he wondered if this was okay. There are only a handful of people who have attacked the Roth Taylor family so reliably.

The Ross Taylor family, who had been pretending to be Princess Selaha, had already weakened a lot within the imperial family. The title of duke was still maintained, but it seemed obvious that if time went on like this, it would be destroyed within 10 years.

Emperor Chloel’s decision to marry Sellaha with the Confucius of the Roth Taylor family took into consideration many aspects.

First of all, it is possible to forcibly seal the internal conflict in the imperial family by tying Princess Selaha and the Ross Taylor family, one of the biggest conflicting forces, into a couple’s kite.

In addition, by putting the leash of the royal blood on the Roth Taylor family, it can prevent them from thinking more nonsense in the future, and it can make a cause to actively use the Roth Taylor forces who are still repulsed by the internal forces of the imperial family. This is because the characters of Ross Taylor, who had lived for a long time as an aide to the imperial family, were very useful.

Not only that, but I even thought about what it would be like to pick Ed Rosteylor as a talent who could shake Princess Selaha.

As a rare saint, his eyes for seeing people are very accurate.

The emperor’s seat is the seat of judging people. 365 days a year, it is a place to live judging people all day long.

After the duel meeting, Ed Roth Taylor, who bowed his head solemnly in front of the emperor, was calm and deep-seated.

In addition, he has achieved academic achievement as the head of the Ministry of Magic, and has a political status as a Confucius of the Ross Taylor family.

More than anything… . No matter how many times Selaha tried to conciliate, he was never conciliated.

Princess Selaha knows how to suppress everyone with her power and authority, or take control of them by promising huge rewards and a brilliant future.

However, those who did not blink an eye at Princess Selaha’s endless appeasement… It may be possible to press down a huge bomb that no one in the world can control.

I needed a man like that. If Emperor Chloel gave her a little bit of strength, she would become a human that even Selaha could not do anything about. For Selaha to become a good monarch, he needed such a person.

“… I don’t think Princess Sellaha will like it very much.”

“no. Rather, I think Selah will be welcoming.”

As expected, he seemed to know the contents of Selaha’s letter.

Ed Rosteyler recalled exactly what Dest had said. Even if he was the house president, Dest, he couldn’t completely escape the emperor’s information network.

Emperor Chloe… He is mistaken in a crucial part.

The reason Selahha hid it from Emperor Chloel and sent a letter to Ed Rosteylor was because she did not want the Emperor to see her dirty scheming and scheming.

Everything in the letter is a lie. There was no way Princess Selahha would harbor such feelings for Ed Rosteyler.

However, from Emperor Chloel’s point of view, Selaha’s secret move… It can only be thought that it was the result of girlish shame.

“I thought that she knew everything because she was my daughter, but I didn’t know Selaha had such an aspect… I still have a long way to go as a father… ”

“yes?”

“no… I misunderstood. It’s a joke, so don’t worry too much about it.”

Emperor Chloel, who smiled for a moment while sitting in the grand seat of the audience room, soon cleared her throat and started talking again.

In front of him, there were Ed, Tanya, and Ziggs, who were honoring their servants.

“Anyway, the relationship between the Ross Taylors and the Imperial Family was long. Although many trials have come our way, I wanted to talk about how to refine our mutual political position a little more with this engagement declaration as an opportunity.”

“Yes… Did you… ”

“okay. And if I’m right, I don’t think Sellaha will attack the Roth Taylors any more after this. So think of engagement positively.”

It was an outcall.

If Emperor Chloel, who boasted the highest authority in the empire, had instructed her to consider an engagement, there was no longer any veto.

No matter how much he was the eldest son of the Roth Taylor family, he could not shake his head at the emperor’s invitation. Ziggs felt the blood drain from his head.

The engagement of Princess Selaha and Ed Roth Taylor. When this fact is announced, the inside of the bachelor will be completely turned upside down.

Especially when I thought of the expressions on the faces of some of the characters, especially Ed, when they heard the news, I couldn’t help but laugh, even if it was a joke.

“Ed Roth Taylor. Looking at your actions and evaluations so far, I think you’re a pretty decent guy.”

“I am grateful for His Majesty’s favor, but I am not a person who deserves to be highly praised.”

“Humility is good, but sometimes you have to know how to shine yourself.”

Emperor Chloel brushed his beard a few times before speaking as if he would not give any more room for objection.

“Be engaged to Selaha.”

The princess’s fiancé. He is also the fiancé of 1st Princess Selaha, who is said to be closest to the throne of the emperor.

It was literally the same road as a highway to success, one that could lead one to the ranks of the greatest power in the empire.

Usually, this is the timing to shed tears of emotion or to bow in gratitude.

It is a position that everyone dreams of, and in fact it is an opportunity to join the ranks of the highest authority in the imperial family.

This is probably the position most bureaucrats would be drooling over and hoping for.

In addition, it may be possible to straighten the family fortune of the Ross Taylor family, which is on the decline.

Tanya’s plan, which has been gathering the power of noble families to bring down Princess Selaha, can also be stopped. Then, since the work on the family side will be reduced a lot, you will be able to escape to some extent from the swamp of hellish work.

It’s an offer you can’t refuse in every way. That destructive offer to make you a member of the imperial family has the power to overturn all interests in the world.

– Bang!

At that moment, Princess Selaha opened the audience room and entered.

“Abama!”

I finally heard the news and ran out of my room.

It was good to see her running with the hem of her dress slightly lifted. The way she was breathing, it felt like she was sprinting from the room right away.

“Abama, how could you do this without saying anything to me… !”

The moment she entered the audience room with those words, Princess Selaha met Ed Rosteyler’s eyes.

The fact that he is here means that he has already heard all the stories. Princess Selah Ha was conscious of Ed’s gaze for a moment, then, with her mouth tightly shut, she spoke to Emperor Chloel.

“Abama! If you allowed the blood of the imperial family to such a person… !”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m fine.”

Just before Princess Selahha’s words continued, Ed Rosteylor lowered his head and spoke.

At those words, the air in the audience room froze.

Emperor Chloe’s proposal. The proposal, which was practically an order, was rejected by Ed Rosteeler.

“If someone like me sets foot in the sacred bloodline of the imperial family, it will be a great harm.”

Words of humility to humble oneself. However, that is only to find a justification for refusal.

Finding the reason for his refusal in his humble status is a more perfect justification for rejecting Princess Selaha, who is bound by her status. Even though he is lowly, he is the best ducal family on the continent.

“And, putting up an engagement with Princess Selaha here would be a betrayal of Princess Penia, whom I had devoted allegiance to.”

“… ”

“Sincere loyalty is the most basic quality that a servant should have. Even if you betray someone you’re loyal to right now and end up in the arms of Princess Selaha, would that be considered honorable? I think they are just bats driven by the flow of power.”

Ed Rosteeler just continued his story calmly.

“Loyalty once engraved in the heart is to be cherished until the day one dies. I think that is the duty of a servant. So, the engagement with Princess Selaha… I can’t upload it.”

At those words, the one who opened her eyes wide the most was Princess Selaha herself.

If it is the order of the emperor, even Selahah cannot resist. Emperor Chloel once hardened his heart, he listened to no one.

So, from Ed Rosteylor’s point of view, it must have been an unprecedented opportunity to step into the imperial family.

Even Selaha, who controls everything in the world at will, even in this situation that can’t be helped…

Ed Rosteyler… He refused Selaha even while violating the imperial order. It’s impossible if it’s not from the heart.

“you… ”

Selaha glared at Ed in disbelief.

“You dumped me?”

It is the life of Selaha that has always been looked up to with respectful eyes since childhood.

He was in a position to kick people. It was a life that never had to be kicked by someone.

“no. Princess Selaha. My lowly status is infinitely insufficient to become a member of the imperial family.”

Ed Roth Taylor, who humbled himself and got out of it. But that is also just a pretext.

Ed Rosteyler is not engaged to Selaha. He just sacrificed the rest to carry out that will.

“What are you… do you reject me At most, I’m only the eldest son of a dying ducal family, and in front of me Selaha Einir Chloel… ! I’m in a position where it wouldn’t be enough to wrap my ankles and ask for your attention just once, but I… !”

Selaha’s eyes widened and she strode over to Ed and thrust her face into him. He pulls up Ed Ross Taylor’s collar and meets her eyes, but Ed’s expression doesn’t change.

“Why are you looking at me so calmly? Why are you always looking at the world as if nothing is wrong… ! Why didn’t I put my head on the floor in panic! this person… A lowly fellow… ! On a topic without authority or dignity… !”

“… Princess Selaha.”

“Even if I write a letter with my teeth gritting, I don’t budge. Penia penia at the end of every word… ! My side is far more promising… Even though I said I’d give you everything you need… ! Why are you looking at me with such motionless eyes… !”

Selaha could not hold back his anger at the end and spat out the words.

“My side… I mean, maybe you can look at it at least once..!”

Those words may be nothing more than expressing the resentment of Selaha, who is united by arrogance and pride…

“His Majesty is watching.”

“… ”

It had a completely different meaning to Emperor Chloel, who was watching the scene.

It is not uncommon for Sellaha, who is proud of her high nose and high self-esteem, to lose her temper and lose her temper like this.

Selaha, who had lost her mind to the point of forgetting that she was in the presence of Emperor Chloe, finally swallowed her breath and bowed her head.

“Chu, I showed ugliness. Obama.”

The atmosphere in the audience room was completely apathetic.

A man from a mere ducal family refuses to accept the imperial decree, and the 1st princess is losing her mind right in front of the emperor… From the emperor’s point of view, he must have felt as if his authority was being challenged.

Sellaha closed her eyes tightly as she waited for the Emperor’s screams to follow.

“haha.”

However, Emperor Chloel’s reaction was completely different from what he expected.

Rather, it was a satisfied smile.

The spectacle made all of them stunned. No matter who saw it, it was a situation where they had to be angry at the scene in front of their eyes that despised the authority of the emperor.

However, Emperor Chloel smiled contentedly at Ed Roth Taylor.

Ed Ross Taylor.

A man who is obsessed with Princess Selaha to the extent of being strange, Princess Persica is strangely wary of her, and is favored by Princess Penia.

In fact, this man who was influencing all three princesses was someone who, in a way, was deeply involved in the imperial competition.

He had met all three princesses and was being evaluated in his own way. Besides, seeing Selaha showing such rudeness… Emperor Chloe saw a new possibility.

“Ed Rosteyler. I won’t make unreasonable demands of you right now. Instead, I thought of another suggestion, would you like to give it a try?”

Chloe, a rare saint, knows how to use a man like Ed Rosteyler. In order for him to wield Selaha, he only had to put very little power on him.

“Gwain still lacks a lot, so I am still thinking a lot about which of the three daughters to consider for the next emperor.”

“It’s a big issue that determines the future of the country, so it’s natural that you’re worried.”

“So, I’d like to hear your opinion on meeting all of my daughters. From what I’ve heard, he’s a wise man, so he must be thinking deeply. Although she defended Selaha, her allegiance was devoted to Fenia, and she felt rather at odds with Persica. I think you would give your opinion without hesitation.”

A person who can advise the emperor about the next imperial ruler.

Considering Emperor Chloel’s propensity to judge everything by himself, it was safe to say that there were virtually no such people within the imperial family.

“After today’s festivities, would you like to play a game of chess in my room?”

“I’m not sure if I, as a idiot, can join in the discussion about the future of the country.”

“Don’t worry too much. I just want to share a story with you.”

In that way, Emperor Chloel finished the story with a satisfied look.

Cold sweat was pouring from Princess Sellaha, who was lowering her head.

A person who can send his voice into the ears of the emperor. In fact, now that I am in a position to exert influence on the selection of the emperor…

As a result, the position of Ed Rosteeler, the man bowing his head next to him, changed completely.