Pleroma has made it clear that they won't sit idly by.
Especially against Nicolaus Ernst, the Crown Prince who supported him, and the Kingdom of Bavaria, they've shown their vengeful side openly.
The insect incidents all failed, and they lost significant personnel they had planted in the Federal Committee, so Pleroma has incurred substantial losses. Their reaction isn't surprising.
'But it's not just Bavaria they're targeting for revenge.'
If that were the case, they would have committed the crime on Bavarian soil.
Pleroma also harbors resentment towards the Imperial family and the Empire's government.
However….
'It's worth noting that none of the victims were killed.'
The victims were all mages and nobles. If they had been killed, it could escalate into a full-blown war between Pleroma and the Empire.
So, this is nothing but a warning. A warning not to go further.
'Now I understand why Narce said it wouldn't be a big problem.'
The play is not the issue now.
In effect, they have tacitly agreed to a semi-wartime state.
At this level, my brother's attention will also be diverted to Pleroma's crimes.
'...And I'll need to verify the movements of the Papal State more thoroughly as well.'
My brother said his work could take a year or more. So, there's at least about 9 months left until he returns to the Empire, but if the situation changes, the work he's handling could also change.
I finished my thoughts and looked around.
Panicked voices filled the air, making my nerves fray. Hospital staff were carrying Oswald away on a stretcher.
Another announcement came through the amplification magic.
[Attention, students of the Imperial Second Academy. From 11:10 PM, all buildings except for the Administration Building, the Main Building, and the school hospital will be restricted. Students are to move to the Main Building immediately.]
* * *
"Roll call."
Even past 11 PM, we couldn't return to the dormitory. The school had locked most buildings, and investigators from the Imperial family were patrolling the campus.
The professor, with a dark expression, called the roll.
Apart from Oswald, who was taken to the hospital, the remaining 49 students were all present. The professor closed the attendance register and spoke.
"As you know, there was an incident today where mages were attacked in the capital. External outings are forbidden for now, but please remain vigilant and always be cautious, even on campus."
Though the professor deliberately avoided looking at me, the students' gazes briefly flickered to me before shifting away.
Their thoughts were obvious.
Anyway, I wasn't Pleroma, so I could only meet the gazes of the students who looked at me. When I met their eyes, they quickly averted their gazes.
The professor tidied up and walked toward the door.
"Wait here in the classroom. I'll inform you when the dormitory reopens."
I looked around at the students.
Whether because of the play or Pleroma, students kept sneaking glances at me.
'The professor's intervention is appreciated.'
It's a situation where suspicions about me could easily arise, particularly concerning whether I had left campus during that crucial time.
Thanks to the professor assigning Leo to me, I had a clear alibi.
Out of curiosity, I checked the favorability of the students who met my eyes. It wasn't extremely low, suggesting they weren't genuinely hostile but were just curious due to rumors.
'But now isn't the time to think about that.'
I turned my gaze to where Leo was seated.
He had been sitting with an unfocused look, head bowed.
He must have wanted to immediately travel to Bavaria to discuss countermeasures with the king, but with the school's lockdown, that was impossible. Particularly for a royal family member, venturing out and encountering trouble would cause immeasurable problems for the school.
The Bavarian students also didn't look pleased.
Among them was Melvin, who looked almost dead from exhaustion due to the incident.
The vice class president, seeing the gloomy atmosphere, cautiously stepped to the front of the lecture table.
"Hey, guys."
The students looked up at him. The vice class president, his eyes darting nervously, finally spoke resolutely.
"Let's visit Oswald at the hospital tomorrow."
"Yeah… We should."
"Isn't that obvious?"
"Were you planning not to go?"
"No, of course not… Who wouldn't go!"
The vice class president, shaking his head with a bitter smile, raised his voice.
Even in this situation, someone made a joke….
But thanks to that, a few students laughed lightly. Though it wasn't a full laugh, it did help ease the tension a bit.
The vice class president looked around at the students and spoke.
"Thanks to everyone for working hard today. I know it was tough balancing study and practice during preparation, but you did well. And thanks to the class president for all his efforts."
Leo finally looked up and smiled, but it didn't last long.
"Um, and Lucas… We had to assign you the role in a rush with just 20 minutes left, but you did great. We were all probably very surprised and sorry for the sudden assignment. Right, guys?"
"Yeah, thanks~!"
Elias butted in, glaring at the other students half-threateningly. His gesture was appreciated, though some students were already nodding in agreement before that.
'...Whatever the case, this atmosphere is hard to endure.'
In reality, I would have immediately changed the subject. But since this situation benefits me, I have to endure it.
"Thanks to you, we showed our two weeks of preparation well and drew a large audience. I remember you didn't often participate in class events, but let's keep doing our best together in future events."
"Sure."
The vice class president, seemingly not expecting a response, hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"That's great. I look forward to it, Lucas. Lastly, everyone did really well today, and when we get back to the dorms, let's just rest well and not think about today's events."
The students responded with applause.
Thanks to someone stepping up to talk, the stifling atmosphere was significantly eased. It seemed he was trying to fulfill the role of the class president in his stead.
And….
'I'm relieved the focus shifted from Pleroma to the play.'
Regarding my impression.
Just as I managed to start changing my image, the renewed suspicion and vigilance towards Pleroma had started to overlay on me again, but it was fortunately redirected.
At that moment, the professor came in and knocked on the desk.
"Everyone, first-year students are now moving to the dormitory. Class 2 will move out in 10 minutes, so pack your things."
* * *
Around 4 AM, the campus investigation concluded, and the inquiry into external visitors was wrapped up, allowing everyone to leave the school.
I went up to the dormitory rooftop and found Leo leaning against the railing, looking down at the school.
—"Leo."
Leo turned towards me.
Having asked Elias to pass on the message, Leo knew I could use divine power to communicate.
It would be his first time experiencing it directly, though.
I sat at a table a bit away, signaling Leo to keep looking at the school.
"You know I'm not in the right state of mind now."
Leo cast a soundproofing spell, pulled out a chair from a side not visible from other buildings, and sat down.
—"You've been watching well the whole time."
"You came up here because you had something to say."
—"Yes, a strategy meeting and to check on your mental state."
"A strategy?"
—"Not about this incident. I haven't told you."
I briefly explained my plan to Leo.
Leo mumbled, looking at the forest behind the school.
"Understood. You need to get the orphanage list… definitely not related to this incident."
—"Yes."
"But since you're telling me this now, I guess you're not planning to cancel your plan."
As expected of Elias and Leo….
Quick to understand, which is good for me.
I continued speaking while flipping through the pages of my book.
—"Yes. But if the kingdom asks me to refrain from activities, I won't resist."
"That won't happen. We won't move according to their wishes."
Leo answered firmly.
I gave him a brief glance and looked back at the book.
—"Good to hear."
It seems he has no regrets.
This incident was caused by Pleroma's hostility towards the Empire, Bavaria, and Nicolaus.
In such a situation, one could blame themselves for provoking Pleroma and putting innocent citizens in danger.
—"Then, what's your opinion on pushing forward with this plan?"
If we succeed in this plan, it would completely ignore Pleroma's warning. It might lead to new victims.
"Go ahead."
—"Simple as that."
"Bavaria has no intention of restraining Nicolaus. Pleroma needs to understand that, don't they? Honestly, I'm just grateful you brought a new plan at such timing."
Despite the smile, his tone carried a chill.
"...."
He seems angry.
Regret, my foot. I misread it. He wasn't someone with weak mental strength.
Feeling guilt and regret is natural, but how long you hold on to it and how you channel it makes a difference. Luckily, he seemed to have shaken off his earlier worries.
Anyway, he's right.
If Nicolaus shatters Pleroma openly again despite the warning, Pleroma would undoubtedly be furious.
Unless Bavaria chooses to bow to Pleroma, Nicolaus' activities are always welcome.
—"What if new victims emerge?"
"...."
—"Bavaria has two options. Either aggressively oppose Pleroma or stay silent. There's no middle ground."
This is a crucial matter, so it needs to be addressed clearly.
Also, there's something I want to propose to Bavaria.
But without a way to contact them directly, the only option is to send a letter through Leo... If he hesitates even slightly now, I'll hold off on the proposal.
After a long silence, Leo spoke.
"If you're asking my position, not me as a person, we have to accept the immediate damage. Yielding to Pleroma's warning will lead to greater long-term harm."
'...I see.'
I nodded.
With such determination, it's fine to tell him.
At that moment, Leo spoke again.
"Also, we have our plans."
* * *
Two hours later, I picked up a newspaper from the dormitory lobby, published at 6 AM.
[Bavarian Royal Magic Division forms the External Defense Mobile Unit… Leonard Wittelsbach, Crown Prince of Bavaria, and Nicolaus Ernst are the first to join]
Nicolaus is now part of a team in the capital that handles Pleroma.
I had thought about making this proposal, but I didn't expect Leo to suggest the same thing.
'Either way, the outcome is the same, so it doesn't matter.'
It's actually convenient that things are moving quickly.
I went back to my room and prepared for warp magic.
Today, due to the previous day's events, there were no classes, allowing free time.
Fortunately, the restrictions on warp magic within the school were lifted, making it easy to access the meeting place or Leo's training ground.
And now, I was heading to Leo's training ground. We had agreed to meet there at this time.
As I warped, Leo spoke without even turning around.
"You're here."
"Yes."
"Did you hear? We can't go out for the next five days."
Straight to the point?
Students are not allowed to leave the campus until this weekend. The school seemed to be preventing another incident by not allowing weekend outings.
Leo put down the cloth he was using to polish his wand and turned around.
"It's good. Without having to take medicine, there'll be no chance of my condition worsening."
"Yes."
"Honestly, you know? Excluding special magic like divine power, your combat magic skills are still at the bottom."
"...."
The way he talks….
I smiled and shook my head.
"Not quite at the bottom, Leo."
"Yes, but you can do better. Honestly, I want you to train in the disease series all day for the next five days…."
Is he seriously telling me to skip class for training….
But, come to think of it, it's not a bad idea. With Pleroma acting like this, I need to polish my skills.
It's just that it's unsettling to hear it from a magic fanatic.
Leo picked up his wand.
"Seems extreme? Let's make the best of the free time, Lucas."
Ding—!
〈 Chapter 5. Good Things Take Time (1) 〉
Proposal 1: Achieve a 'skill' score of 4 (0/1) (119 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds)
* Route 1 — 〈 Proposal 2 〉
* Route 2 — 〈 Chapter 6. Do Not Praise the Day Before Evening Comes 〉
'…It's been a while.'
I was planning to increase it anyway, so it's not a burden.
However, the fact that this came as a proposal despite my own intentions….
It means a situation requiring a skill score of 4 will likely arise, indicating significant upcoming events.
"Alright."
I'll do it. I'll skip class.