Trails with Cuddle-Cuddle Osbon
Translator: Tsukii
Editor: Helen
Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!
Author Note:
As mentioned in the previous chapter, this chapter is the preparatory episode for May’s field study.
Thank you for the typo reports as always.
Chapter 027 – Fufufu, son. I Sense Trouble with Women This Time
It is this time of the month again, thought Sara as she rested her chin on her intertwined fingers at her desk in her room.
The thing she was thinking of while giving off the feeling of an annual event was the activity that would be held next week, the field study, which was actually only being held for the second time.
For the time being, the group division and the destination of field study should have been decided since last month, but what bothered Sara was a letter on her desk.
It was addressed to Sara. The sender was that Aurelia Le Guin.
And the content of that letter was one that caused Sara to feel even more pain on top of the problems that were already causing her headache.
If the greetings were omitted, the content was simply that of changing the destination of the field study location.
It was a request to change the original destination of field study to a place indicated by Aurelia.
Of course, even if Aurelia Le Guin was a countess, an alumni of Thors, and one of the most outstanding people in the empire, she had no right to meddle with the academy’s curriculum.
A field study was a project that required advance preparations, such as making various plans with local collaborators for it.
However, Aurelia took all of this into consideration and wrote the following in her letter.
Not only did she request for the destination of the field study to be changed to the Port City Ordis, she wanted Rean Schwarzer to be included into the group that was sent there.
“That boy really caught the eye of an outrageous person……”
Speaking of the Port City Ordis, it corresponded to the Lamare Province, which was the territory of Duke Cayenne, one of the four Great Nobles, where Aurelia served as the commander of its provincial army.
Sara had no idea if Aurelia wanted to welcome Rean as a friend or if she had another purpose, but the way she called him to her region seemed to indicate the degree of Aurelia’s interest in Rean.
In addition, there was another sentence that bothered Sara in the letter.
[——The result will be up to Schwarzer and the other chicks, but in a sense, it might be possible for them to learn about the “current” Empire better than any other field study.]
The emphasis that the Golden Rakshasha gave on the “current” state of the Empire made Sara feel concerned.
It might be part of Aurelia’s self-interest, but there was no doubt she cared more for the sake of the academy.
In that case, Sara thought it might be a good idea to accept it.
If she thought that the letter was written with that in mind, it seemed Aurelia was good with political strategy, even if not as good as that Blood and Iron Chancellor.
Aurelia’s letters were also delivered to the chairman of the academy like Olivert and the academy principal Vandyck.
Vandyck muttered how Aurelia was still a naughty girl like when she was a student, but he also knew her talent well, so he left the decision to Sara.
Olivert, Irina, and Rufus also agreed to that.
The rest was up to Sara.
“My decision last month turned out successful…… but this time, considering the other group, I don’t think I’ll be able to go back and forth easily……”
But if it led to the growth of the students.
Deciding to do so, Sara picked up a brush to write her reply to Aurelia.
＊
“Rean Schwarzer.”
When Rean was called, he turned to look and saw one of the blond noble students.
He had an aura of looking down on commoners and foreigners…… or at least he was supposed to be. It was Patrick Hyarms.
Patrick folded his arms and didn’t open his mouth after calling out to Rean.
The students who were his followers were just watching Patrick’s actions.
Since things didn’t proceed, Rean had no choice but to start a conversation.
“Do you need something? I’m helping out with the student council at the moment.”
“U, hum……It seems like my family has received your help.”
“Hm?”
“The series of incidents that occurred in Sutherland Province last month have also been reported to me. In addition, I would like to express my gratitude in light of what happened in the beginning of April.”
“You mean that. But I’ve already received gratitude from Marquis Hyarms for that, you know?”
“I still want to thank you despite that. There’s no sincerity in it unless I have said it personally myself —— you have my gratitude. Thank you for keeping Sutherland’s peace.”
Patrick said that as he bowed his head.
Everyone around him, including Rean, was surprised by his action.
Even from Rean’s perspective, he only thought of Patrick as a snarky guy who had been calling him and Gaius, vagrants and barbarians, but seeing him obediently bow his head made Rean feel ticklish.
However, there was no change in the fact that Patrick was showing his sincerity.
Rean placed his hand on his chest and accepted Patrick’s gratitude.
“Likewise, I’ll gratefully accept your kindness.”
“Also, I have something to advise you.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Aah —— it seems that Duke Cayenne is planning various things. If you happen to meet him somewhere, be careful.”
“Duke Cayenne ……?”
[“Fufufu, son. It’s one of the Great Nobles that rules the Port City Ordis, you know?”]
No, I know that much.
Rean was somewhat dubious, since from his perspective, it was strange that Duke Cayenne, who had no connection to him whatsoever, was being mentioned here.
Patrick also seemed to sense Rean’s doubt, but he didn’t say any further.
“Anyway, that’s all. Please excuse me.”
“Patrick, why would you tell me that?”
“I did it to express my gratitude, but more than that, it seems like you tend to get tangled with nobles. I guess it’s more of a hunch.”
With that said, Patrick left.
As Rean watched Patrick disappear from sight along with his entourage, Rean muttered to himself.
“He is surprisingly a nice guy, isn’t he?”
[“Fufufu, son. It’s all started thanks to me.”]
Ah~ okay, okay, thanks, thanks.
While replying perfunctorily to Osbon, Rean started the Trista Marathon again today while reconsidering his impression of Patrick.
＊
The place where the members of Class VII went to take their practical classes was the school ground…… Well, it wasn’t, but it was the old schoolhouse where Schmidt was waiting instead.
It seemed that the other seven, except for Rean and Emma who were used to coming to the old schoolhouse, had never come here ever since the academy orientation, so they were surprised by the changed space and Valimar’s main body.
Although they actively tried not to mention it, all the members of Class VII knew that Valimar resided in Rean’s heart.
That main body of the ashen knight doll was like a beautiful statue and the seven, who weren’t used to it at all, looked up to Valimar.
{“It seems like hearing praise always makes me shy no matter how many times I’ve heard it.”}
“No, it is beyond my expectation and I think it’s amazing……”
The seven agreed to Elliot’s somber voice in response to Valimar, which had heard through Rean.
Their reaction was one of surprise and awe.
“That’s right. This is the normal reaction.”
Emma let out a sigh as she had became completely used to it while sounding completely emotionless.
Rean was worried about Emma’s mental turmoil, but he couldn’t help but feel weird for the perpetrator to care for the victim.
Even so, it seemed that the practical test would still be held, but this time, they wouldn’t be facing combat shells——
“Millstein, begin.”
“Yes.”
When Emma raised her staff, a magic circle developed, surrounding the Magic Knight.
As the mana from ley line poured into the Magic Knight, the first Magic Knight Ol-Gadia, with an enlarged upper body, slowly stood up.
“This time, in addition to the combat shell prepared by Valestein, you will have to fight the Magic Knight which is tuned to your level. Schwarzer, you’re helping on this side.”
“Eh, you mean me?”
“Although you are mostly in charge of providing combat data, you have taken support classes as well. Show your skill here.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Rean thought he was going to fight Ol-Gadia, but on the contrary, this kind of support felt fresh to him, so he started helping Schmidt with a little bit of excitement.
“This time, Rean and Emma will not be participating because they will be supporting the movements of the Magic Knight. The two will take their practical tests later. Well then, let’s start according to the group last month.”
“Since it’s with the group last month, it means……”
“It’s the Celdic Group and Parm Group. Emma is missing from the Celdic Group, but the three of you should do your best.”
“O-okay. Is it okay, both of you?”
“Elliot and I are mainly fighting from a distance, or so I’d like to say, but in that case, Gaius will have a hard time.”
“I’ll protect the two of you the best I can.”
Group A’s strategy was to use Gaius as a shield while Alisa and Elliot formed a tactical link for the main attack. On the other hand, Group B seemed quite at ease.
“It certainly looks big, but it’s no big threat compared to Rean.”
“You’re right. Rather, it just makes the target bigger.”
“Since it won’t avoid attacks like him, it might be easier, but it’s going to be difficult to break its defense.”
“I guess Laura-kun should be the main one. Fie-kun is to keep its attention, while Jusis and I will give follow-up as much as possible.”
“Hm, no problem. Laura, can you do it?”
“Of course. Let’s think of it as Rean and cut it down.”
The three members of Group A widened their eyes at Group B’s situation.
They were aware of Machias and Jusis’ reconciliation, but they didn’t know that the four got along so well.
They looked at Rean, who was the culprit of the situation, but he had a complicated expression on in front of orbal terminal.
It seemed the problem child that caused trouble in Thors was helpless in front of the latest science.
“Okay, then let’s go. Group A first!”
“Yes, ma’am!”
As for the result of the practical test, Group A received B rank while Group B received A rank.
Group A managed to defeat the Magic Knight, but it took too much time for that. While Group B had no problem with the content, Sara evaluated that she would prefer the flexibility of forming tactical links instead of just doing it with fixed members of Fie-Laura and Machias-Jusis.
Group A was able to switch tactical links flexibly in this regard, but due to the inferior attacking power of Alisa and Elliot, time became the biggest bottleneck.
By the way, for the two that remained, upon hearing their achievement in Schmidt’s Classroom where Rean made Ol-Gadia fall with a single blow and Emma finished it with follow up Arts, it was a result not worthy to be evaluated in many ways. Group A gave their honest praise and Group B vowed to polish their skill further.
After the practical test was concluded, it was time to announce May’s field study.
This was the grouping of this month.
Group A: Rean, Emma, Alisa, Elliot, and Gaius. The destination was the Port City Ordis.
Group B: Machias, Jusis, Laura, and Fie. The destination was the Verdant City Bareahard.
The students got noisy at the announcement of the group divisions.
The first to react was Rean.
“Instructor Sara, isn’t this just moving me to the other group? Well, I do feel happy to be grouped together with Emma, though.”
Emma felt slightly embarrassed by Rean’s words, but thinking about the hardships ahead, she narrowed her eyes and closed her mouth.
Seeing such changes in her expression, Alisa lightly patted Emma on the shoulder to comfort her.
“Yes, that’s right. Alisa and others still don’t know Rean well, so I will have them experience it plenty.”
“W-what’s with that threat-like sentence……?”
Alisa said that while taken aback, but the Group B who had learned who Rean Schwarzer was as a person, nodded together.
“No, I can only say it’s exactly as it sounds.”
“Yes, this is something you can only evaluate after experiencing it yourself.”
“You will be dragged by his unrestrained nature in no time if you let your guard down.”
“Since Emma is there, maybe he will be more energetic than last month.”
Such was what they said.
“Instructor Sara, is it okay for me to be in Group A? There seems to be no people in Group B who are good with Arts……”
“Yes, there’s no need to worry about that—— I will mostly spend my time together with Group B this time, so consider it as that I won’t be able to accompany Group A.”
“Eh?”
The students were surprised by the unexpected announcement.
Sara answered Emma’s question with her arms crossed and a complicated expression on her face.
“Group A was originally scheduled to go to Saint-Arkh, but the field study location changed. As a result, it became difficult for me to make follow-ups.”
“Certainly, Ordis and Bareahard are in completely opposite directions after all.”
“To make up for that, we’ve prepared some collaborators over there.”
“Collaborators?”
“Yes, that said, it’s not like that person will help with the field study. I guess that person will just supervise. It’s the person-in-charge who will make follow-up if something happens.”
“Just look forward to it,” said Sara, which caused everyone in Group A, excluding Rean, to become worried about the future.
“Also Rean, you should focus on follow-up for Emma and others. There’s a difference in your combat power after all.”
“Eh?”
“I’ve seen the data from Schmidt’s Classroom, but if you take the lead, everyone else won’t gain any experience. Please just support them when it comes to fight monsters.”
“Even if you say support……”
“Why not just wave a flag? Just kidding.”
“Aah, so there’s that method.”
“Eh?”
Sara said that as a 100% pure joke, but Rean smiled as if to say it was a good idea.
Sara realized she blabbed something she shouldn’t, but seeing Rean had become motivated, it was impossible to stop him.
Sara slowly placed her hand on Emma’s shoulder and murmured.
“I’m leaving Rean’s follow-up to you♪”
“Instructor Sara!”
Poor her, the gazes which contained such thoughts focused on Emma was something that couldn’t be avoided.
＊
On the day of the field study.
Rean appeared at Trista station and immediately caused trouble for everyone in Group A.
“Rean, that’s……”
Elliot pointed out on behalf of the group.
Rean held up the object in his hand as if to say he had been waiting.
“It’s the crimson flag with a horned lion symbol that represents Thors. I had Principal Vandyck look at it.”
“But Rean, isn’t it too big to bring around?”
“It’s okay. Look.”
Saying that, Rean stored the flag via Osbon.
Alisa and Eliot screamed in unison at this unfamiliar behavior, and Gaius also widened his eyes in surprise.
Group B, who looked at Group A in the distance, narrowed their eyes upon seeing the trails they once passed.
Emma, who had become a long-time follower of Rean, spoke to the three.
“You’ll get used to it.”
Her eyes were dead. 2
As Rean and others arrived at their destination, a girl was waiting for them.
Dressed in a maid outfit, a mint-colored long-haired girl who looked younger than Rean and the others smiled, pinched her skirt, and greeted Group A with an elegant curtesy.
“Welcoming everyone from Class VII Group A. My name is Musse, and I am a servant of Countess Le Guin as well as the person who will serve as your guide. Please take care of me from now on.”
Author Note:
I love Musse’s costume as the daughter of the ducal family. The gap of the impression from her long hair and her usual look is just great…
The flag that Rean brought is the one from the OP of Trails of Cold Steel I. We didn’t get to see it in the game at the end, so I’m letting it make an appearance here.
This time, we will be following the original route again, but I hope you will enjoy it.
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