After a month, I returned to the Golden District with my juniors.
The chaotic atmosphere, once stirred by the [Priest of Conflict] and the Eastern Alliance, had calmed down, replaced by the leisurely and optimistic vibes typical of summer vacation.
"…"
I pressed a wide-brimmed hat down on my head to conceal my hair and glanced around.
‘Originally, this place was full of prestigious school students, but now, due to the reconstruction work, there are many students from outside too...’
Even though the aftermath of the conflict had passed, the streets, still maintaining their elegant atmosphere, buzzed with all sorts of rumors.
Whisper whisper Murmur murmur
Under the midday sun, girls sipping cool drinks gossiped among themselves. Although their rumors varied slightly, they all shared the same theme.
Stories of forbidden sweet love. Tales of a princess and a pauper.
‘Normally, I would have perked up my ears like a rabbit to catch all the gossip...’
...It was unfortunate that the main characters of these stories were Hilde and me.
The public confession show Hilde had staged had spread like wildfire, and the consequences were growing beyond control.
A few days ago, I had received an unexpected, lengthy love letter. I tried calling Hilde to ask about the sincerity behind it, but she seemed too busy with meeting preparations to answer.
‘I understand that she’s busy... but why did she have to make such a huge announcement in the official bulletin...’
I clutched my dizzy head, groaning. My juniors, noticing my distress, would smile wryly and pat my back.
“Hey, have you heard?”
In front of cafes and dessert shops, every time I passed by, I would instinctively flinch at the sound of such conversations.
But no matter where I went in the streets, They were filled with students excitedly starting their sentences.
“So, have you heard about it?” “That thing? Of course.” “But you know...” “Oh, that?”
The city was overflowing with pinkish anticipation. People always find other people’s love stories more entertaining than their own. Moreover, when both parties involved are celebrities? And one of them is the strongest person in the academy city?
Oh, they can’t resist. They immediately start simulating the scenario.
"So after becoming [The Faded Spiral], Clara was drowning in loss, and President Brynhild personally comforted her. In the process, Clara couldn’t live without the president and asked to date her, right?" "Hehe, drowning in loss, soaking her pillow with tears... and what else might get soaked..." "Geez, that’s lewd... but amazing. So what happened next?"
In a shadowy alley, secret transactions were taking place.
“Um, are you interested in some fiction I wrote?” “Let’s see... <Restraining the Pauper Girl like a Leashed Dog>, <Silver Threads Fall on the Pink Carpet>...?! <Her Skirt Raised for a Can of Food>—?! What is this vulgar and filthy novel?! Give me all of them—!!” “Th-thank you...”
The gist of the stories went something like this:
Do you know who [The Faded Spiral] is? It’s the famous [Pink Spiral] from their first year.
They say [Pink Spiral] and [The Blue and White Thunder Spear] had some sort of entanglement. That [The Thunder Spear]’s [Spear] intertwined with [The Spiral]’s [Spiral] and soaked it.
When [The Thunder Spear] rubbed [The Spiral], the World Tree was shocked and caught fire. And from the ashes, a pink and silver baby was born. That baby became the guardian of lilies and flew like a phoenix.
And so on...
There were all sorts of stories floating around. Honestly, I couldn’t even understand half of them.
‘The rumors are so different from the truth, but the way each has its own logic is pretty funny...’
Before I knew it, a trashy and sticky love story had been crafted between the fictional villainess ‘Hilde’ and the wounded pauper girl ‘Lara.’
‘It’s like some absurd myth... how do they expect two women to have a child...’
…
Or maybe...
Honestly, I couldn’t be sure.
‘In a world where a giant tree decides [Fate], and people can shoot energy blasts, who’s to say...’
The omnipotent energy ether can breathe fire and water, so who can guarantee it won’t emit the energy of love as well? ‘If that actually happened, someday Hilde might...’
I hastily stopped myself from thinking further.
“...!”
No, I can’t. The moment I start thinking about it, it could become reality. I’m already losing control little by little.
“...”
Anyway...
I used all my strength to erase my presence. Hiding in the shadow of a building, I tried to avoid as many eyes as possible.
Shashak— Shashak—
Just by slipping out of everyone’s sight, the number of people paying attention to me decreased exponentially.
Truly the movements of a ninja. If the girls from <Hayes High School for Girls> saw this, they’d be impressed.
Shashak— Shashak—
With the delicate control of my [Unique Ether (in recovery)], I moved swiftly through the crowd like a ninja.
‘Thank goodness there’s no paparazzi in this world.’
Kara, watching me, tilted her head in confusion.
“I thought you liked attention, but it seems this isn’t the case?”
Twitch—
At her words, Rota’s orange cat ears twitched.
“That’s not attention, just nonsense... Poor Clara... I wonder how much it hurt someone as kind as her...” “But then again, I’ve heard rumors that Clara made the first move...” “What?! Kara, are you doubting our big sister-like senior?!” “No, I mean... I’m just stating the facts...!” “Shaaaak—!” “Okay! Okay! I was just saying I heard it! Stop scratching my arm! It’s already itchy from mosquito bites!” “Hmph!”
Rota scratched Kara’s mosquito bite with her sharp beastkin nails, causing Kara to squirm from the sudden itch.
“Argh—! This is too much!”
As I crawled along the shadow of the wall, I silently apologized to Kara.
In fact... I did make the first move... Sorry for being a sneaky senior.
‘I never thought I’d end up like this...’
The tightly sealed conference hall of the <United Student Council>. Three of the strongest students in the academy city had arrived ahead of me.
[The Crimson Trajectory] Eir. [The Violet Spindle] Freya. [The Verdant Longbow] Anna.
As soon as they saw me arriving with Albite, they started clapping.
Clap clap clap clap clap clap
What is this? A standing ovation?
‘Is this that applause I’ve only heard about in rumors?’
While I was momentarily stunned, Eir, with her feet propped up on the round table, spoke.
“Oh? Congratulations, [Spiral]! Keep having strong babies to make human weapons—!” “Uh, um...? What are you saying—☆” “Strength is beauty! Because it’s the truth! Hiyah—!” “What on earth is she talking about—☆”
Soon, Freya, looking more haggard than a month ago, also spoke.
“Con-congratulations... B-but who really confessed first?” “…Hilde.” “She’s quite the alpha...” “Hilde is?” “N-no, you are...” “…And you’re a female cat too♪” “I’m not a doormat.” “…Is that really all you have to say after all this time—☆” “W-what else do we have to say…”
Rough and grumpy. Such a consistent personality.
‘Or is she just trying to hide her exhaustion?’
Anna, dressed like a farmer, also approached me without hesitation.
“Clara! Long time no see! Wow! It’s really been a while! And congratulations! Should I send you a box of potatoes as a gift?” “Uh, um? No, that’s okay...☆”
Since we had come by ether train, there was no way to carry such a large load.
“What a shame...”
Albite quietly expressed her disappointment, but there was nothing we could do about it.
Seeing Albite’s dismay, Anna cheered her up with a spirited shout.
“…”
...What’s with this warm reunion?
‘It’s actually kind of awkward...’
The meeting with my classmates, who had no resentment about [The Pink Spiral]’s disappearance, was far too awkward.
‘What kind of reunions have I been having until now…?’
Hilde, who was desperate. Eir, who was fierce. Freya, who was prickly.
All my past reunions had been filled with misunderstandings and conflicts, making them incredibly difficult.
But regardless, Anna put her hands on her hips, grumbling as if she were disappointed.
“What’s this~ I wanted to share some of the potatoes I worked so hard to harvest... This year we had an unusual surplus, and I’ve been racking my brains over how to deal with them.” “Ooh, in that case, can we take some to <Scarlet Academy>? Our students eat a lot.” “As much as you want! How about the ‘Peeing Cat’ group?” “W-wait a minute!! Where did that nickname come from?! You rogue—!! When did you spread that around?!”
Freya shouted at me, and Anna looked at her curiously.
Twitch—
Her large elf ears wiggled.
“Huh? Wasn’t that your nickname? I overheard it in first year! Ah... come to think of it, Clara, you were always stuck to Brynhild back then too...! I miss those days~! Time flew by while I was busy farming!” “Khaha! Yeah, you two were always together. Who would’ve thought you’d end up dating.”
“…”
The atmosphere had suddenly turned into something like a class reunion. I sat in an empty seat, responding appropriately, while Albite, unable to join the nostalgic conversation among the third-year seniors, awkwardly rolled her eyes.
“…?”
Wait a minute.
But why is no one reacting to Eir’s comment about a healthy childbirth? I thought Freya would make a sarcastic remark, treating it like a joke…
‘Could it be… it’s real…?’
Just then, I sensed someone approaching from behind.
Swish—
“…Lara.” “…Yes?” “You’ve had a hard journey.”
To my shock, Hilde appeared behind me. She placed her hand on my shoulder, smiling.
“My Lara, let’s receive everyone’s blessings together.” “…Did you write that letter, Hilde?” “Hehe, I struggled with my lack of literary talent... so I asked Bell the scribe for help. She’s quite skilled at drafting documents.” “…!”
That Bell...!
“For now, let’s leave it at that.”
Hilde then kissed my cheek. The surrounding crowd whistled and clapped, cheering us on.
‘Geez, could you be any more over the top…!’
Aside from the senior’s silly enthusiasm, Albite was completely frozen, having witnessed the intimate scene.
“Se-senpai…” “…Heh.”
Hilde, seeing Albite’s reaction, leaned in close and whispered in a low voice.
“…<Ratatoskr>, rumors cancel out other rumors.” “…!”
Ah, I see...!
“Hilde…!”
I couldn’t help but be amazed.
‘To prevent the seer from quickly identifying my true nature, she flooded the field with rumors to obscure it…!’
By unleashing a torrent of rumors, she made even the stories about [The Faded Spiral] and [The Pink Spiral] seem dubious.
Indeed, this was a tactic only Hilde could pull off.
‘As expected… Hilde is incredible!’
The righteous [Blue and White Thunder Spear] would never use such a vile method as to oppress someone with rumors to bind them to her.
‘My friend, my lover! I understand your true intentions!’
Filled with admiration, I nodded.
“Yes♪” “Hehe…”
Hilde met my gaze and smiled sweetly.
After that, the representatives of <Mimir Technical High School> and <Svart Technical High School> arrived.
Naturally, the representative of <Mimir Technical High School> was Student Council President Skadi. However, since she also effectively managed <Svart Technical High School>, she exuded an overwhelming presence as she took her seat.
‘Maya mentioned that <Mimir Technical High School> had taken over the hegemony of the Eastern Technical High Schools, and their pride had soared recently…’
On the other hand, The second-year dark elf student, Katrin, who attended in place of the dethroned Student Council President Andrea, kept casting anxious glances at Skadi.
And then…
In the representative seat for <Hel Subsidiary High School>, a lone black knight sat silently. She emitted deep breaths through her helmet like a villain from a space movie.
Shh— Hoo—
“…”
Now, only one seat remained vacant. It was for the representative of <Hayes High School for Girls>.
“...” “...” “...”
An awkward silence.
Checking the time, Hilde finally decided to start the meeting.
“Then, let’s begin the first United Meeting…”
That was when it happened.
[Hohoho!! How dare you start the meeting without me, the great one—!!]
Pshiiing—!!
The grand conference hall filled with a golden ether mist.
“W-what’s happening?!”
Albite was momentarily flustered and looked around, but the school representatives, including myself, held our heads, showing expressions of annoyance.
Footsteps echoed through the mist-filled hall.
Tap Tap
As the thick golden mist slowly cleared, a blonde vampire girl in a mysterious dress emerged.
“Hohoho! The most noble incarnation of the night has descended upon this golden land—! Commoners, rise and praise me—!”
“...” “...” “...”
But no one responded.