Chapter 34 An Exchange Program for the Peace Treaty Commemoration？ What Even Is That？
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
TL summary:
This chapter covers the main events: Vice President Yorn Compliance narrates a highly tense diplomatic meeting regarding a sudden student exchange program, revealing the political maneuvering behind the new Regain-Albion peace treaty. The land exchange is exposed as a deliberate plot to shackle the powerful Seyfried Dukedom. The negotiation is interrupted by the volatile Dragonkin Rhinos and shut down by the ancient Dragonkin Lin, who is later kidnapped along with her granddaughter, Yulize, under mysterious circumstances, which are followed by a strange memory manipulation of Yorn herself.
—
I’m Yorn Compliance, the current Student Council Vice President, and right now, I’m stuck in an extremely awkward spot. The reasons are many, but here’s the rundown.
Just a month ago, the Regain Kingdom and the Albion Empire suddenly decided on a five-year truce to their long-running border war. The Albion Empire proposed ceding a chunk of its territory to the Regain Kingdom, thereby offering to end years of conflict between the two nations.
If I recall, the place was a border zone next to the Seyfried Territory. Was the name Lintworm? Thing is, the land the Albion Empire is offering up is a total hotbed of monsters.
In response to this, the Regain Kingdom’s monarchy accepted the truce terms, and the ceded Lintworm territory is now to be annexed by the Seyfried Territory, with the Seyfried Duke House put in charge of its management.
…That’s clearly just harassment. We hear the Seyfried Territory’s economy has boomed in recent years. Some folks are even saying they’ve got enough power to secede from the Regain Kingdom and form their own nation. If the Seyfried Territory annexes the Albion Empire’s Lintworm lands, the Seyfried Duke House will have to manage a far vaster territory than before. They’ll also have to deal with coexisting with Albion Empire citizens. If that happens, the Seyfried Territory is bound to be a mess for a good while.
This is the Albion Empire’s payback to the Seyfried Duke House, who has blocked their invasion into the Regain Kingdom for years. And the Regain Kingdom, too, wants to prevent the Seyfried Duke House from gaining any more power, so they likely want to force them to manage Lintworm as a shackle on their growth.
It’ll certainly keep the Seyfried Duke House busy, and the clash of cultures between the Regain Kingdom and the Albion Empire will inevitably cause conflict and worsen the Seyfried Territory’s public order. Their motive is so transparent, honestly. Both the Regain Kingdom and the Albion Empire figure if they can just clip the Seyfried Duke House’s wings, they’re good. It benefits both of them, and that’s why this sudden truce was even possible.
…Well, I’m probably the only one who knows the truly horrible outcome that awaits after giving that Evil Noble Brat (Shin Seyfried) a new toy (Lintworm). I can already picture the Lintworm territory, a year after the cession, having been dyed in the ‘Brat’s color’ and becoming fertile land.
Anyway, in celebration of that truce, the royal governments of both the Regain Kingdom and the Albion Empire instructed the Alys Magic Academy to organize an exchange program for the student council officers of the representative schools in each country. That news only arrived a few weeks ago.
And currently, I’m here discussing the details of that exchange with the student representatives from the Albion Empire who’ve come to Alys Magic Academy. It’s just me and Lilith-senpai, the Student Council Secretary. As for President Alexia? Lilith-senpai insisted that she shouldn’t be involved with this kind of noble politics just yet, so she’s been excused. This kind of atmosphere is terrible for a little girl. Excluding that Brat, of course—
* * *
(Alys Magic Academy Guest House)
”So, Acting President Lilith. You agree to participate in the Ryūseisai¹ held in the Imperial Capital of Albion to celebrate the truce between the Regain Kingdom and the Albion Empire?” Yulize, the President of Lugios Academy, inquired.
”Yes, President Yulize. It would be an honor to interact with the students of Lugios Academy, which is considered a prestigious institution even within the Albion Empire,” Lilith responded, her voice calm and professional.
”Hah! Do ya really mean that? You soft humans ain’t just gripin’ about this short-term exchange, are ya, Lilith?” Rhinos Delmonte, a red-haired man with the Dragonkin’s distinct horns on his head and Lugios Academy’s Fire-User, snarled at her.
”…Hold your tongue, Rhinos. I didn’t permit you to speak. This is the Regain Kingdom. Exercise extreme caution with your remarks,” Yulize cautioned, her tone strained.
”Huh? What’cha so scared of? We’re Dragonkin. We’re the elite, not like these soft humans. President Yulize, we oughta just crush these folks and make ’em obey!” Rhinos boasted loudly.
”Be silent, you whelp. I and Yulize will handle negotiations with Alys Magic Academy. You possess zero right to speak in this discussion,” a girl in a full robe, whose face I couldn’t see but seemed to be about my age, commanded.
”What’d you say, you old loli-granny—GOGAAH?!” Rhinos bellowed before his voice cut off. THWACK!
Rhinos collapsed, the robed girl having jabbed his throat with a swift open-handed strike. It was nice that things were finally quiet.
”Who are you callin’ a loli-granny? I’m a spry, vibrant one-thousand-year-old, you idiot,” the girl snapped back.
One thousand years old? Dragonkin are known for their longevity, but is that robed girl really a millennium old? She looks no different from me; that’s incredible.
”Lin-san, you shouldn’t speak like that… You… You’ve already knocked him out? What are you doing? You’re the Student Council Advisor!” Yulize, with her blue hair and finely composed, intelligent look, fretted, looking down at the fallen Rhinos.
”There ain’t no problem at all, Yulize. We only brought the fellow because he’s one of those old geezers’ grandkids from the Senate. He’s completely useless. Just baggage, all sound and fury,” Lin dismissed with a wave of her hand.
So the thousand-year-old loli-granny is named Lin.
”Still as self-willed as ever, Master Lin. I had heard you retired and were living quietly in the Lintworm territory. Why have you returned to the forefront of politics in this age?” Alunote, the Alys Magic Academy Student Council Advisor, inquired.
”That’s obvious—I’m worried about my granddaughter, Yulize, of course. Alunote… you’ve done well for yourself, too, teaching here at Alys Magic Academy,” Lin chided him playfully.
Granddaughter? …President Yulize is the granddaughter of that robed loli-granny?
”…Well, I’ve had my own issues. More importantly, are you satisfied with the terms of this exchange program? It seems like you’re going to great lengths to accommodate our side [Regain Kingdom]. I never expected you, Lin-dono, to be willing to teach classes here for a while,” Alunote remarked, scrutinizing the deal.
”Hmm? The Senate must’ve decided that was the minimum required to secure the truce. They want to clip the Seyfried Territory’s wings, no matter what. Though I suppose the Regain Kingdom wants the same thing,” Lin mused with a slight chuckle.
”…That is indeed the case. The Seyfried Territory has gained too much power in recent years. They’re bound to suffer a harsh setback here,” Alunote agreed, nodding gravely.
”Kekeh! Just so. I’m quite looking forward to seeing how the Seyfried Duke House will react to this,” Lin cackled with dark amusement.
…Both Alunote-sensei and Lin-san have such unpleasant expressions. They’re clearly enjoying themselves since it’s happening to someone else, but they don’t understand one thing: the Seyfried Territory is that Brat’s garden. They don’t grasp the terror of Shin Seyfried, the one who secretly rules Alys Magic Academy right now.
Three years ago, the day after President Alice disappeared, I confronted that child (the Brat).
WOOOSH!
(Three Years Ago. The Upperclassmen’s Hangout Spot)
SILENCE~♪ SILENCE~♪ The Wicked Remnants Must Be SILENT~♪ La-la-la-la-LAN~♪ Dark Magic: Hell Flame
(GOGAAAH?!) (GUGIEE?!) (UGYAAA!) (HIDEBU?!)
(((SCREEEAMMMMS!!)))
CLANK…SCREEECH!
(“What is all this noise? …What are the upperclassmen doing… Wait! Shin Seyfried? Why are you here?”)
(“Hmm? Oh, Yorn-chan. What are you doing in a place like this?”)
(“Th-That’s my line. M-More importantly, did you do anything to President Alice? She’s been missing since last night…”)
(“President Alice? Ah, yeah. She was a monster, so I took her out. This is the combat log from the time… And these people were in cahoots with President Alice and doing bad things. They were the bad guys.”)
(“President Alice was a monster? What foolishness are you spewing…? The President’s body, limbs torn apart… What is this?!”)
(“That’s the true, form of President Alice. That’s why President Alice is gone, and from now on, I’m taking over Alys Magic Academy, so thanks in advance, Yorn-chan. For now, I’m going to pull all the strings so Alexia becomes the Student Council President starting today. The senior in the green underwear is already submi— I mean, convinced, so don’t worry.”)
(“…I don’t understand. Do you really think a freshly-enrolled boy like you could do something so utterly arrogant?”)
(“Hmm? I can. It’s surprisingly easy. Because right now, I’m the strongest person in this magic academy… Anyway, Yorn-chan. Hand over your panties. It’s been a while since I made a good girl who does what she’s told with a Pleasure Crest (Kairaku-mon).
(“…Huh? Wait, why am I suddenly taking off my panties… Hold on. Why are you gently placing your hand on my stomach and channeling magic? FUNYUAAAA!!“)
…After that, Lilith-senpai and I were forced into a contract with that Brat: if we ever defied him, we’d be cursed to never wear underwear again. Now, I’ve ended up in a position like President Alexia’s guardian.
”Well then, we’ll hold a final confirmation for this exchange program at the next meeting, and we’ll disband for now. Does that suit you, President Yulize?” Lilith asked, concluding the session.
”Yes… that’s fine… Excuse me? I heard a relative of Merlin Seyfried-sama is enrolled in this magic academy. Is that true, Lilith-san?” Yulize asked, her voice hushed.
”Merlin Seyfried? …No, I don’t believe anyone from that lineage is here, but would you like me to look into it if you’re curious?” Lilith offered.
”Y-Yes. P-Please do, Lilith-san… Thank you,” Yulize pleaded, her composure momentarily broken.
”Y-Yes. Understood,” Lilith responded, sounding surprised.
…Merlin? I’ve never heard that name before. Seyfried… that’s that Brat’s family line… Is there some connection? Wait, thinking about this ‘Merlin’ person… my head feels all fuzzy. It’s a strange feeling… Huh? Who was I just thinking about?
* (Alys Magic Academy Hallway) *
”Then, Master Lin. I’ll bring the alcohol later,” Alunote said formally, bowing slightly.
”Aye, see ya then. I look forward to our evening drink, my former apprentice,” Lin grunted, accepting the gesture.
”Yes…” Alunote murmured, then walked away.
”…Did he leave? Yulize is busy with another meeting, too. I’m bored, I am… Huh? What’s that? Is that Seyfried Territory gin²? Oh, and there’s more! Tons of it scattered everywhere! All this gin is MINE! Kekeh!” Lin cawed gleefully, diving toward a corner.
GRAB!
”Nyuh-haa?! What is this netting?!” Lin shrieked as a thick, wire-like net cinched around her.
”Got a dragon! A clue to fix Red-kun, a clue! La-lan~ La-lan~! You’re Lin-san, right? Let’s go to the Wonder Mirror World together. It’ll be fun, I promise! You’re gonna spill everything about those dragons! Well then, shuppatsu shinko³! Time to go!”
”What are you, you little pest?! Who do you think I am?! I am the—! Don’t kikkō shibari⁴ (torture-binding) my body! Let go!” Lin shrieked as she was pulled away.
PLOP!
”Huh? Grandma? What was all that noise?” Yulize asked, arriving moments later.
PLOP!
”…Yulize-san? That’s a dead end with only a mirror there… Wait, what?” Lilith murmured, joining her.
”Lilith-senpai, what’s wrong? …Wait! Where did Lin-san and President Yulize go?” I asked, panicked.
”…Who knows? They just vanished into thin air. Just like Alice-senpai three years ago,” Lilith mused, her eyes wide.
Three years ago? …Could it be that Brat’s doing? No, he’s out in the Royal Capital right now; he wasn’t even at the magic academy. I shouldn’t blame everything on him. M-e-r-l-i-n-s-a-n always told me that, too… Huh? Who was M-e-r-l-i-n-s-a-n again? …Wait, my memory is…
”…Oh my? What on earth was I doing in front of this mirror? I need to hurry back to the Student Council office and prepare the documents for our trip to the Albion Empire…” I muttered, shaking my head, the names already fading.
(…………………Has she gone. Don’t realize it just yet. Not yet. My name. Hmph… Farewell, Yorn. We shall meet again.)
A mysterious white-haired figure, who had been peering at Yorn from within a painting, vanished into the canvas’s depths, leaving that chilling message behind.
—
Notes
¹ Ryūseisai: The Dragon Star Festival. This is a common term for a celestial/dragon-themed festival in light novels. It implies a major, culturally significant event in the Albion Empire. ↩
² Gin: This could refer to an actual alcoholic gin, or more likely in a fantasy setting, a type of local, often potent, distilled spirit made in the Seyfried Territory. ↩
³ Shuppatsu shinko: An informal, energetic phrase meaning ‘Let’s go!’ or ‘Time to depart!’, often used playfully in anime/manga. ↩
⁴ Kikkō shibari: Tortoise shell binding. A style of rope bondage (shibari) often associated with restraint and submission, carrying a dark, explicit connotation in the context of the user being kidnapped and resisting. ↩
Notes:
• Yorn – A maid who is easily delighted by Genkaku mushrooms (implied hallucinogenic). She informed Shin of the banquet.
• Lin – Alt’s mentor, described as the ‘Great Hero who sealed the ancient dragon, Albion, who resides in the Dragon Country.’ He is suggested as someone who might possess knowledge of a cure for the dragon race’s strange disease.
• Albion Empire – A nation to the east of Regain where dragonkind is revered as divine. It is currently locked in “bloody, territorial chaos” with the new Demon King’s forces in Schwert.
• Lilith – The Student Council Secretary who works alongside Yorn and Mars, pushing documents for Alexia to stamp while sighing at the president’s distracted behavior. She references a past promise involving underwear.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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