Trails with Cuddle-Cuddle Osbon
Translator: Tsukii
Editor: Helen
Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!
Author Note:
I have a feeling that the arc this time will be quite long.
Thank you for the typo reports as always.
Chapter 056 – Fufufu, Son. You Should Look Around Yourself Carefully [A]
Rean literally flew from Trista to the Imperial Capital Heimdallr, leaving Valimar on standby in the sky near the St. Astraia Girls’ Academy in Sankt District, then teleported to a deserted area and landed there.
Please wait in a suitable place. I will call you when necessary.
{“I’ll leave it to you.”}
Valimar’s consciousness was located in Rean’s heart, but having absorbed the monster in North Ambria, the Divine Knight’s main body formed a simple form of thought, and could follow simple instructions.
Once the Divine Knight flew off somewhere, Rean turned his attention to the girls’ academy that his adoptive sister attended.
It suddenly occurred to him that he hadn’t gone to visit Elise until now.
It took about 30 minutes from Trista Station to Imperial Capital Central Station, and if he used orbal tram, it would take about 20 minutes to the Sankt District.
The reason why Rean didn’t take time off to go and visit Elise was…… simply and clearly because he was in high spirits.
With his friends able to see Osbon, Rean’s only concern had been resolved, and it was no exaggeration to say that he was living an interesting and amusing life.
In fact, he felt that time had flown by since he enrolled in April until the present.
He had no intention of neglecting Elise, as he did send her letters and they were still in contact.
In addition, since they had met during the field study in Parm in April when she came to visit Rean after he was seriously injured, Rean thought he didn’t need to force himself to show up, or perhaps his priorities were a little wrong.
But right now, Rean needed to meet with Musse in order to help Rosine, even if that meant overturning those priorities.
It was to save Rosine, who was one of the people creating what could be called the peak of his life, from a false accusation.
Even though one of his family members attended the academy, it was a little tough for him to go to the prestigious girls’ academy where not only nobles, but also members of the imperial family, study without an appointment, but if necessary, he could just sneak in and take Musse away.
But, if he was discovered, not only would he be disowned, the Schwarzer family would be in danger of being wiped out, so Rean decided to think about it again when the time came to actually break in.
“Somehow…… It seems like there are a lot of soldiers here.”
[“And they seem to be RMP, not HMP.”]
RMP referred to the Railway Military Police, an elite unit of the regular army, established under the initiative of Rean’s biological father, Giliath Osborne.
Because they maintained peace in various regions by making full use of the railway network that spanned the entire empire, they often came into conflict with the provincial army of the nobles, and tensions in the current Empire went higher than ever.
HMP referred to the Heimdallr Military Police, and as their name suggested, they were military personnel who protected the safety of the Imperial Capital.
Is something happening that causes RMP to take action?
[“Given the missing Salt Pale fragment, it seems likely that something is going on beneath the surface. But things don’t look good right now.”]
While trying to figure out what Osbon was saying, Rean decided to put priority to the task at hand.
Rean tried to head to the girls’ academy, but saw a female student emerging from the orbal tram earlier.
Thinking it would be quicker to ask a student who studied there he tried to call out to the girl but Osbon stopped him.
[“Fufufu, son. That place is a garden, where men are not allowed in, where chastity and humbleness are the mottos. If a stranger suddenly spoke to them, they wouldn’t be able to speak properly, you know? Also, take a look at the main gate.”]
Hearing this, Rean turned his attention toward the main gate.
There, two women who appeared to be security guards stationed beside the gate were looking at Rean with curiosity.
They had to be wondering why Rean, wearing the uniform of a military academy, was near St. Astraia Girls’ Academy’s vicinity.
Moreover, although he only gauged from their appearance, they seemed to be quite strong.
It seemed for someone to be chosen to be in charge of security at a prestigious girls’ academy, while they did not necessarily have to be at expert level, it was only natural they had the appropriate level of skill.
Rean even thought of thanking them for their hard work, since they were responsible for looking after the safety of the school Elise attended.
[“If you try talking to a girl in front of those security guards, you’ll end up being questioned because you’ll be thought of as a suspicious person.”]
Wouldn’t it be good if I just say that I am Elise Schwarzer’s adoptive brother?
[“Although it’s not a bureaucratic task, who knows how much time they’ll confine you to check on the validity of your statement? Moreover, if Miss Elise isn’t around, there’s a chance you’ll just end up arrested by military police. Even if you have four days as time limit, it’s best to avoid wasting time meaninglessly.”]
Muu…… If that happens, I won’t be able to accomplish my goal of finding Musse.
[“It would have been best if you contacted Prince Olivert beforehand, but in the current situation, it would be difficult to contact him personally. In that case, it would be best to ask another trustworthy person to act as an intermediary.”]
Another trustworthy person……?
[“Fufufu, son. The headquarters of the Vander School is in the Imperial Capital, right?”]
Vander…… You mean Kurt! But does Kurt have any connections to a girls’ academy?
[“The guards at this girls’ academy are powerful women who learnt Vander School of swordsmanship. Their headquarters is nearby, and they are a prestigious martial arts family that also served as guardians for the royal family. It isn’t at all unusual for them to be dispatched to a girls’ academy that is similarly prestigious. So if you have a word from the family head’s son, they would probably able to contact them.”]
Then, let’s start by going to the Vander Headquarters.
Rean decided to start the Heimdallr marathon right away.
With the map of the Imperial Capital that he had retrieved from Osbon in hand, he traveled to the Leica district and arrived at Vander’s training grounds without any trouble.
Thinking back now, Rean felt a little regretful as he should have come here from the beginning.
The problem now is how much I should tell him about Salt Pale…… but will he be convinced if I tell him that I want to meet a student from a girls’ only academy to help my friend?
[“It’s one thing if you just met him for the first time, but you have formed a bond with Kurt-kun through the field study. Besides, your request is only to find a way to enter the girls’ academy. What you really need to worry about is getting Miss Musse involved.”]
……Although I am taking actions based on the result of Beryl’s divination, I am requesting an ordinary girl to help me find the culprit who stole the fragment of Salt Pale, after all. As Aurelia-san’s servant, her mouth is probably tight, but there’s a good chance she’ll refuse. But I have to get her to cooperate no matter what.
Otherwise, it would be Rosine who would be in danger, not Rean.
Whatever the price he had to pay, he would think about it later.
As Rean approached the training grounds, he could hear the air-shattering shouts of those in the middle of training echoing through the doors.
It was as if he could feel the heat emitting from inside the building even without looking.
It was unfortunate that it wasn’t break time, but Rean opened the gate of Vander, hoping that Kurt was there.
The dojo, which was several times larger than Parm branch, was filled with numerous students dressed in special gi, swinging their swords and working up a sweat.
Rean tried to find the boy with light gray hair among them, but before he could, someone called out to him.
“Welcome to the Vander Training Grounds. I have never seen you here before…… but seeing your uniform, are you a student?”
The one who spoke to Rean was a woman with light gray hair and a pure atmosphere about her.
Her features could only be described as beautiful, and her vague resemblance to Kurt made Rean guess that she was either his sister or relative.
Might as well, thought Rean as he stated his business.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Rean Schwarzer, a member of Class VII of Thors Military Academy. I have come to visit Kurt Vander, who is enrolled here.”
Although his pedigree might be low, Rean was the eldest son of the Schwarzer family, so he had learnt a basic set of etiquette.
The woman smiled at the polite greetings and muttered, “Aah, so it’s that Schwarzer……”
“Excuse me, but I don’t think we’ve ever met before……”
“No, I only know about you one-sidedly, so don’t worry about it…… I see that you have some business with Kurt, so I will call him here immediately, please wait for a while here.”
“Thank you very much for your kindness. I’ll take you up on your offer and wait here.”
Rean watched the woman as she bowed and disappeared into the crowd in the dojo, before Rean realized that she was no ordinary person.
There was no shaking in the center of gravity of her body, and while she looked natural, her fighting spirit was clearly visible.
Although Rean hadn’t seen everyone, he thought she was among the strongest in the dojo.
If it weren’t for the current situation, Rean would like to ask for practice and spar to catch up with McBurn.
As Rean observed, the gazes of the surrounding disciples pierced him.
Aside from the fact that he was wearing the military academy uniform, perhaps his behavior of observing the woman earlier was taken as rude.
But rather than looking down on a scoundrel, their gazes were more one of curiosity, and more of an attempt to gauge Rean’s strength.
As it was the headquarters of a prestigious martial arts school, it might be part of their training to have a nose for strength, no matter who the opponent was.
Rean ignored the stares and simply bowed his head towards them.
The students were so taken aback by how natural his response was that they immediately resumed their training.
While they were practicing the Vander-style swordsmanship and Rean was playing with the cat that had taken up residence there for some reason, the woman from before returned, with the boy he was looking for.
Kurt, who was in the middle of his training, was dressed in his training uniform, and had a towel draped over his shoulders to wipe away sweat, looked at Rean and opened his mouth in surprise.
“It’s been a while, Kurt.”
“Rean-san! It’s been a while since I last saw you. Why are you here in the imperial capital? Is this part of your field study again? But it seems like no one else is here, though……”
“Actually, I’d like to ask for a favor——”
“Rean-kun, if you have something to talk about, please come over and we’ll prepare a seat for you.”
The woman said as she led him to a room in the back.
Rean was slightly surprised at the unexpected offer.
“Eh, but……”
“It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be just a casual conversation.”
“……It would be rude to refuse since you have said so. Well then, I’ll accept the offer.”
“Fufu, then I’ll show you around again. Kurt, you can go wash up in the meantime.”
“Eh, but the practice time is still……”
“It’s okay to stop there for the day.”
“……I understand, mother.”
Kurt bowed, told Rean he’d see him later, and retreated back into the dojo.
As for Rean, his eyes were wide open at the unexpected identity of the woman.
“To think she is Kurt’s mother, but she is very beautiful……”
[“Fufufu, son. She is certainly a beautiful lady, but there’s no better woman than Kasha, you know?”]
Okay, okay, thanks for the brag.
{“Rean, I think Emma, Rosine, and Beryl are all different types of beauties, you know?”}
I know that, so shut up.
“Thank you very much. Well then, could you please accompany me for a conversation until Kurt returns?”
“Ah, yes.”
Though Rean felt caught up in her pace, he followed behind the woman.
Once in the room he was shown to, a light cup of tea was prepared for him and Rean took a sip while thanking the waiter.
“Let me introduce myself again. I am Aurier Vander, the second wife of Matteus Vander. It’s a pleasure to make an acquaintance with you.”
“……So you are the famous ‘Stormwatcher.’ I have heard of your famous name. I am indebted to your son helping us back at Parm.”
“Fufu, that was before Kurt was born. And we are the ones who are indebted to you. It seems Kurt’s experience at Parm was the catalyst that helped him break out of his shell. Now, even though he is still at beginner level, he is able to land a hit against an intermediate level practitioner.”
“I don’t remember doing anything, though……”
“There’s no need to be humble. Even though you were fighting together with Arseid’s daughter, I have heard of your match against the assistant instructor at Parm. Furthermore, I have heard that despite your young age, you were skilled enough to fight one-on-one with the Golden Rakshasa and land a single blow. My son was able to witness a serious combat between master swordsmen up close. I believe that was the trigger for the catalyst of his growth.”
“Not only did I have a lot of help, I was defeated and didn’t manage to bring her to her knees…… but if you say that regardless, then it was all worth it.”
Rean was defeated even with help at that time, but Rean has improved his skills since.
Aurier narrowed her eyes and smiled at Rean’s eyes, which spoke of his determination to land at least one hit out of the three he had taken.
“If the opportunity arises, I would love to ask for a match, but that might have to wait until another time. I’m here today for another matter.”
“If you don’t mind, could you tell me about it?”
“It might cause trouble for Kurt, but the truth is that I would like him to establish a connection with St. Astraia Girls’ Academy for me. I believe the guards there are Vander swordswomen, so I thought that if I could call for Kurt, I might be able to get in.”
“You want to get into the girls’ academy?”
“Yes. My adoptive sister is studying there, but since I didn’t contact her beforehand, even if I told the guards that I am her brother, there’s a high chance they won’t take it seriously.”
“So you are looking for someone that the security guards could trust…… Rean-kun, if you don’t mind, could I be that connection for you?”
Surprised by the unexpected proposal, Rean said he would like it if she didn’t mind.
As the wife of the Vander Family’s head, she was more reliable than Kurt.
“So, is the person you’re looking for your sister?”
“No, it’s the girl named Musse Egret.”
Rean told Aurier the name verbally, but she didn’t give a response.
Was there something wrong?
“Musse Egret…… were there any students from the Egret family attending the girls’ academy……?”
Aurier muttered and tilted her head.
This time, she asked Rean not for her name, but also for the girl’s appearance and characteristics.
“I know someone who fits those characteristics…… but what is your relationship with that girl called Musse?”
“When I visited Ordis for field study, I met her, who worked under General Aurelia.”
“Ordis…… Also, General Aurelia’s subordinate ……”
Aurier closed her eyes lightly then clapped her hands together in a rather charming manner.
“Aah, I remember now. There’s certainly a girl like that. I’m sorry, perhaps because of my age, it seems I’ve been forgetting things.”
Something about Aurier’s behavior made Rean feel a sense of incongruity.
He felt like she had wanted to divert something.
Even so, for the current Rean, entering the academy and meeting Musse was more important than that.
So he pretended not to notice Aurier’s gestures and continued on.
“So, can I meet……”
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
At that moment, Kurt returned, drenched in sweat.
He was dressed in casual clothes, which was a blue shirt layered over a navy blue vest and looked ready to go out at any time.
“Welcome back, Kurt. Rean-kun, I’ll write you a referral now, so please chat with Kurt in the meantime.”
“Yes, I don’t mind.”
“Mother?”
“Fufu, it’s nothing. I’ll leave the guest to you for a while.”
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