The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away - Chapter 49.1
All the nations of the continent that revered guardian beasts had developed various fields of study from their respective spirit beasts. Among them, the Empire handled spirit beasts with exceptional skill, and as a result, not only theology but also science and the arts had flourished across the board.
In the reign of the current Emperor, interest in practical studies in particular had surged. This was because relations with the Church were kept harmonious while a policy of vigilance toward foreign nations had naturally taken root.
The new Academy was one such proof.
Conversely, studies considered unorthodox, such as astrology and alchemy, began to face growing suppression.
Is it not said that the brighter the stars shine, the darker the shadows grow?
And so, those who practiced such unacknowledged sorcery began gathering in secret and gradually formed a faction. Not long ago, when the heads of each discipline united, the group known as the “Shadow Corps” had begun acting as their representative voice.
Some of them had now come to the Imperial Palace, their anger over the Academy matter burning fiercely.
The empress accepted their greetings indifferently and seated herself.
The Shadow Corps was not something to take pleasure in, but before the Empress’s cold fury, they tread carefully.
“That child stands at the center of everything…”
The Empress muttered in a low voice. The fan in her hand trembled with the force of her displeasure.
“To raise a toast as if the Empire’s future belonged to him alone—what greater disgrace could there be?”
One among them cautiously spoke.
“Your Majesty the Empress, as promised, we are prepared to act at any time. If, through this matter, Your Majesty would grant our order official recognition…”
The Empress cut him off, clutching her fan tightly.
“Did I not say I would grant you the chance to step into the light?”
At her icy reply, silence fell. Their expressions showed both disappointment and unease.
The post of Academy Chancellor, promised to them at first, had been meant as their first stepping stone into legitimacy. But it had gone to another. For them, the loss was bitter indeed.
“It is true that failing to achieve our goal this time is regrettable for us as well. But we still have the means to move. We will seize the next opportunity.”
The Empress regarded them, then curved her lips into a smile.
“Already you stand firm at my side, so do not let impatience consume you.”
There was always a member of the Shadow Corps at the Empress’s side. This time too, she bent them to her will, as she desired.
***
Seeing that Empress Tera had left her seat, Crown Prince Kailos Delroi let a smile form at his lips. He was satisfied without eating, and though busy since dawn, he felt no fatigue.
The Academy, which he had personally overseen to the very end, had finally reached the point of celebrating its completion. Nothing could please him more.
“I am proud.”
“What is there to be so proud about, Your Highness?”
It was Robin, his aide, who responded to Kailos’s muttering. Of course, since the banquet was still underway, his face remained stiff and the words slipped out only faintly between his teeth.
“It feels like doing good and receiving praise for it.”
In truth, he had intended to push the matter through by any means necessary. From the beginning, it was obvious there would be interference, and Kailos had thought that to block it, he could stoop to anything.
“Don’t you think I looked rather dashing, even in your eyes?”
“Please don’t ask me that.”
Robin shook his head, then suddenly called Leslun over. Not knowing why, Leslun came and looked at him in puzzlement.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is asking if he looks dashing.”
Caught off guard, Leslun, rarely for him, blushed. Then, summoning his courage, he spoke.
“Today, Your Highness looks the most dashing of all.”
His eyes, without the slightest flicker of hesitation, fixed upon Kailos, and his words seemed to be nothing but the truth. Then something astonishing occurred.
“Am I… truly that kindhearted?”
The Crown Prince, so glib a moment ago, turned red and began to stammer.
“Ah. Uhm. Y-yes.”
And now Leslun, too, was breaking down.
Watching the two men, both blushing and stuttering, Robin shook his head and slipped away.
***
On the day just a few days before entrance into the Academy, Leslun sat at his desk with a look of deeper concentration than ever.
In his office, pale dawn light spread, ink’s faint scent lingered, and only the sound of paper being turned could be heard.
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