As Inglis and her group drew closer to the principal’s office, they heard Principal Miliera shouted at someone.
「W-, wait a minute! This is power abuse……! There hasn’t been any major damage so far! There is no problem with the current operation!」
Bam bam! Then the sound of the desk getting slammed was heard. It sounded like she was getting quite agitated?
「Eeh……? That’s rare, Miliera is angry?」
Said Ripple, who had regained her consciousness after she heard the commotion.
「Is it? She gets angry at me quite often though.」
「W-well, that’s because…… let’s just say you quite stand out in a lot of meanings. Anyway, let’s get in.」
As they had business in the principal’s office too, they had no choice but to enter. After they knocked on the door, a reply that sounded like stifled anger came, pardoning their entry.
「Pardon our intrusion.」
Once they were inside, they saw a figure of a man they were not familiar with. He was a Knight, his height was tall and he had long ashen hair.
The Rune that glowed on his hand was of the High-Grade Rune, meaning he was most likely a Knight of high rank.
He was probably in his late twenties or early thirties. The Knight attire he donned was a little bit different from Raphael’s, indicating that he belonged to a different order.
If Inglis’ memory served her correctly, it must be of the Imperial Guard Order that was under the direct supervision of the King. She was taught about it in one of the classes.
Raphael’s order was, formally speaking, the Holy Knight Order. Both chivalric orders had the scale and strength that made up the Kingdom’s main forces and were called the Two Major Chivalric Orders.
Silva and the other third-year students were already on the scene, they were listening to the talk between the Knight and the principal. None of them looked spirited, all Inglis could see were astonishment, vexation, and awkwardness. Amidst them, Silva was substantially the most perplexed.
「B-, brother……! Can’t you reconsider it!? The principal is right, we are doing fine! There is no need for that」
「But Silva. You’ve been seriously injured, haven’t you? Your brother’s been worried sick……! I thought my heart would pop out of my chest when I heard the news……!」
「T-, that was because I screwed up, that’s all……! There are many other excellent students here, we’re covering up for each other! That’s why it’ll fine!」
Silva’s eyes locked onto the Knight’s.
「Brother……?」
「That personage is the commander of the Imperial Guard Order, Sir Redas Eiren. He is Sir Silva’s older brother.」
Liselotte explained. Indeed, while they had different hairstyles, they shared the same hair color, and their eyes felt a bit similar to one another.
Redas then glanced towards the new entry of people. Specifically speaking, towards Ripple, whom he gave a refreshing smile.
「Hello, Lady Ripple. Good day to you.」
「Ah, umm……And to you?」
「I was just talking with Lady Miliera here about you. And, in fact, today I came here because I have something to tell you about.」
「Yeah, what is it?」
「By the order of the King, you are to leave the Knight Academy.」
「Eh……!? But, what then——?」
「You will be temporarily placed under the protection of the Imperial Guard Order.」
「Temporarily……?」
「Yes. I’m sure you are already aware, but I would like to make it clear that you will be returning to the Highland. After which, my King intends to welcome a new Hyrule Menace.」
「……!」
Ripple’s breath was cut short as her eyes opened wide.
「I see……」
There was that too huh? There was no denying that it was one of the possible solutions. In fact, Ripple herself also suggested something similar. However, didn’t Prince Wayne and the Special Envoy choose not to adopt this means?
Especially Special Envoy Theodore, as he was the point of contact with the Highland. In other words, the Special Envoy’s decision had to be taken as the Highland’s decision.
The fact that the King made a move that went exactly against that notion meant that this problem didn’t affect just Ripple alone, but rather something that concerned politics.
However, whatever the case, Rafinha’s face turned red as she grew furious.
「Wha……!? How could you do something so cruel! We are all alive here, all thanks to Miss Ripple who saved us time and again, you know!? And yet you want to casually throw her away and get a new one just because she’s a little bit out of her element, I can’t believe it……! Miss Ripple isn’t an object! Precisely because Miss Ripple is having a hard time, isn’t this the time for us to pay her for saving us!?」
That opinion was truly immature. It was pure and naive… and that’s exactly why it was so adorable. Inglis knew Rafinha would naturally say something. Or rather, if she didn’t, Inglis would suspect that Rafinha was struck with some kind of terminal illness.
「Yeah…… That’s right……!」
「Precisely……!」
Leone and Liselotte nodded to Rafinha’s words, small nods, but strong and solid.
「——Sir Raphael’s little sister, huh. Even if you preach me justice, this is still a Royal Decree.」
「If so, then take me to where His Majesty is! I’ll tell it to him myself!」
Apparently, she was seriously thinking of storming into King’s chamber with a yell.
Should I stop her before she gets scolded? Inglis was prepared to do at least that much.
However, a back-up came from an unexpected place. Silva placed a hand on Rafinha’s shoulder and stepped forward to cover for her.
「She is correct, brother! If that’s an order by the King, then I must say that it’s not commendable at all! As the commander of the Imperial Guard Order, you should admonish His Majesty……!」
Rafinha and Silva who shared the same opinion looked at each other and nodded. If that was all, then it was tolerable, but——
Can you not put your hands on Rafiha’s shoulder? It’s not like he looks excited about it, but… it bothers me. It bothers me to no end.
「No, I have no intention to do that.」
「WHY!? Are you saying you don’t care about Miss Ripple!?」
「It’s not that I don’t, but— it’s a matter of priority. Personally, I also support His Majesty’s opinion.」
Was he perhaps thinking about the danger of environmental damage? Certainly, if you take account of the civilians in the area, the proposed measurement would be much safer.
「Brother! Why!?」
「Because I’m afraid you’ll get hurt!! If Lady Ripple is here, there is a high chance that the same accident will happen again, isn’t there!? I’m worried about you……!」
Redas declared, his eyes opened wide, showing his endless honesty for all to see.
「「…………」」
Being given such an unexpected answer, both Rafinha and Silva were at loss.
However, Inglis could understand a little bit how Redas felt. Rafinha to Inglis was Silva to Redas. She was so precious, Inglis couldn’t help herself. That was why she could feel a slight sense of kinship between her and Redas.
「Even so, notwithstanding our plans, will the Highland even accept the proposal?」
Inglis broke the silence as she stepped forward, nonchalantly brushing Silva’s hand off Rafinha’s shoulder as she did.
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