Trails with Cuddle-Cuddle Osbon
Translator: Tsukii
Editor: Helen
Read at Watashi wa Sugoi Desu!
Author Note:
Various things will happen before Millium is transferred in.
Thank you for the typo reports as always.
Chapter 067 – Fufufu, Son. It’s been a While Since you last came to School
“Emma, do you want to ride the Divine Knight?”
“What are you asking that all of a sudden?”
While enjoying tea time in the nostalgic Occult Research Club room, Rean brought up a topic to Emma, who was sitting next to him.
Having been reunited with Vita, it seemed like she was able to secure time for things like this, after finishing her after-school practice.
Celine, who nodded drowsily next to Emma, woke up at Rean’s sudden remark and looked at him with a fed-up expression.
Beryl, the owner of the room, translated Rean’s words with her usual grin. On a side note, Rosine was currently helping out at the Trista church.
“Ufufu, the terrorists have the Divine Knight on their side, and since Palatinate also stands on their side, are you thinking of increasing combat power on our side?”
“Yes, it’s that.”
“In that case, you should elaborate on the objective properly.”
“Sorry, sorry. Let me explain again……”
With that, Rean recounted the time he and Musse discussed the matter of the terrorists possessing Panzer Soldat.
Musse said it was an unspoken fact that the Provincial Army had Panzer Soldat, and the fact that the terrorists had them meant the two were connected and that they were the sponsor.
It appeared that the terrorists were a group of people who had a personal grudge against Giliath Osborne, and that the “Noble Faction” was cooperating with them as part of weakening the power of Giliath Osborne, who was the symbol of the “Reformist Faction.”
The Provincial Army had contracted Zephyr, which meant that the Palatinate was on their side. Counting the one the terrorist possessed, the “Noble Faction” was in possession of multiple Divine Knights, while they only had Valimar on their side. In the current situation, it wasn’t likely for Rean to be able to win against Rutger for sure. On the other hand, there was a possibility that it would instead turn into a one-on-two battle.
Therefore, Rean came to a conclusion that they needed to secure one more Divine Knight on their side to even the odds.
“So, considering the cooperation between Divine Knights, I thought that it would be easier to fight if the front and rear roles of combat were divided evenly.”
“So that’s why you asked me if I wanted to ride the Divine Knight, huh.”
“Aah. If there’s an excellent Arts user at the level of Divine Knight, then there will be a lot of things we can do. Testa-Rossa won’t be usable until the curse is removed at Eryn, after all.”
Testa-Rossa was still in the underground of the Imperial Capital as persuading the Emperor was necessary to transport it, but Rean already considered it as an established fact that it would be taken to Eryn.
Roselia also felt the same way, and the two of them had already identified Testa-Rossa’s location in this dimension and made the preparation to teleport it. Once the permission was given, it could be transported to Eryn the same day.
Emma and Celine felt a headache, wondering when the two had prepared that before they knew it. Actually, it was carried out late at night on the same day they had their meeting with Prince Olivert.
Thomas had brought the equipment from the Old Schoolhouse to Eryn, where Schmidt taught the witches there the orbal technology until the facility was ready, but Rean thought that they would be transferred to Eryn by the time the Summer Festival was over at the latest.
Rean personally wanted to discuss countermeasures against McBurn when he met up with Roselia, but she told him that he didn’t have enough basic strength to fight McBurn.
Although Rean had obtained Demon Unchained and a tachi made of Zemurian Ore, there was still a long way to go. Even so, at the back of his mind, Rean continued to think about what he could do against McBurn.
“But Emma, you…… are the Sub-Awakener of Valimar, right? I wonder if it’s possible for you to pilot a different Divine Knight.”
“Is it not possible?”
“In the first place, though it can be said to Rosine and that airhead swordswoman, normally a Divine Knight wouldn’t entrust its control to Sub-Awakener when there is already a proper Awakener, you know?”
“You are Valimar’s proper Awakener, after all,” Celine sighed.
During the singularities of North Ambria and Heimdallr, Rean had entrusted the control of Valimar to Duvalie and Rosine.
Duvalie was able to fight to some extent, and it had been reported that Rosine had also managed to damage the giant machine slightly, so Rean had the idea that he didn’t have to pilot Valimar personally.
“Is Valimar even fine with someone other than Rean-san piloting you in the first place?”
{“Since my personality always stays with Rean, I don’t really care who pilots my main body.”}
[“Fufufu, this legendary Divine Knight has the versatility of Panzer Soldat.”]
“You’re definitely the major cause of it……”
“Well, well, isn’t that fine? Rather than that, what’s with your response, Emma? I’m sure Beryl can ride it too, but in terms of coordination, I think it’ll be easier if Emma is the one who rides it.”
“……No, I think it’ll be difficult for me. In the first place, Divine Knight have their respective personality like Valimar has. Since I am already the Sub-Awakener of the Ashen, I don’t think other Divine Knights will accept me obediently. I also heard that Testa-Rossa can only be piloted by members of the Arnor Imperial family.”
“That’s what the Trial is for. Your fellow Divine Knight seems very picky, Valimar.”
{“That’s a sad thing.”}
“No, no, that’s normally the case, you know.”
“Ufufu, then Rean-kun, why don’t you ask someone from Class VII instead?”
“Eh?”
Hearing Beryl’s unexpected suggestion, Rean exclaimed in shock.
“In the first place, you’re thinking of using the Divine Knight to serve as a deterrent against Duke Cayenne, right? If so, isn’t there someone from another one of the Four Great Houses that could rival it? Of course, it all depends on their position.”
“You mean Jusis!”
Hearing this, Rean remembered that he had once told Jusis about the Divine Knight’s Trial.
“Beryl told me before that we obtained Ashen without having undergone the proper Trial. That’s why the Trial itself hasn’t been carried out, so there’s a chance the Trial can be used for a second Divine Knight.”
“C-Certainly, I have heard there are several candidates for the Trial ground……”
[“Fufufu, the reason I was able to pull Vali-kun quickly was because it is the Ashen. It wouldn’t be possible on other Divine Knight.”]
“It’s an absurd theory, but it feels like it could actually be done……”
“What a coincidence, Emma, I think so too.”
Ignoring the melancholic expression of the witch’s familiar as she adapted to the new environment, Rean finished off the rest of his coffee and stood up.
“Now that’s decided, let’s investigate right away. Emma, Celine, go to the Old Schoolhouse ahead of me! I’ll bring Jusis!”
“But it’s the club activities period now, you know?”
“Then I’ll get an appointment. Thanks, Beryl!”
Rean thanked Beryl with a smile and left the Occult Research Club room. While smiling wryly, seeing how quick Rean took action as usual, Emma and others also stood up.
“Thank you for the tea. What will you do, Beryl-san?”
“Ufufu, I’ll just stay here. Please go ahead and get exhausted out there.”
“Are those supposed to be proper send-off words?”
“But it’s not wrong, right?”
“Well, you’re right.”
Celine had an expression that seemed to say she didn’t understand, so Emma gave a wry smile as she left the room and headed toward the Old Schoolhouse.
At the sound of the door closing lingered in her ears, Beryl stared intently at the crystal ball in front of her.
“…………I wonder if that was careless of me.”
Seeing herself giving pure advice, just like a friend would without even a hint of fortune telling, Beryl took a sip of tea, as if to dispel the ripples that arose in her heart and wash the emotions away.
＊
That night, Rean explained the situation to Jusis during his club activities. Rean and Jusis then immediately secured Laura in the living room of the Class VII dormitory.
Within the “Noble Faction,” Jusis belonged to the Albarea family that acted as a deterrent to Duke Cayenne, but there was also Victor, who was also known as “Radiant Blademaster,” was a big name in noble society despite being a viscount.
But when Machias, suspicious of Rean’s behavior, pointed that out, Rean revealed the situation without hiding anything—— and the other classmates were quickly gathered together, marking the start of the additional homeroom session.
Naturally, Sara also joined in, and Rean revealed to the classmates of Class VII what he was planning to do—— that he was planning to use the contract with Divine Knight as a deterrent against the “Noble Faction”.
Rean naturally mentioned the recent theft accident, where the terrorists that infiltrated Thors were connected with the Noble Faction…… or rather, with Duke Cayenne.
Class VII murmured on as the details were revealed, and on the other hand, Sara, who ended up involving Rean in the civil war, and Alisa, who had heard that the products her family produced ended up in the hands of terrorists, look displeased.
Sara in particular thought it was outrageous for a student like him to be involved, but she only stopped due to the reason they were only preparing a deterrent, not to fight directly…… Even if she understood that logically, she was not convinced.
Setting aside their respective feelings for the time being, Rean decided, following Osbon’s advice, to ask the two nobles where they stood.
“So, to what extent are Albarea and Arseid involved with ‘Noble Faction’?”
“I haven’t heard the details of it, but I think my father…… Arseid Family will most likely remain neutral. He won’t cooperate with either ‘Noble Faction’ or the ‘Reformist Faction’.”
“I have no choice but to say that Albarea belongs to ‘Noble Faction’. But I haven’t heard any details about it. Maybe my brother knows.”
“Lord Rufus, huh……?”
“Is there something bothering you?”
Rean grimaced upon hearing this.
When Jusis asked him the reason, Rean hesitated for a moment before speaking with determination.
“Lord Rufus previously ordered Jusis to investigate me…… or rather, the Divine Knight, right? I didn’t pay much attention to it at the time, but after I found out that ‘Noble Faction’ was connected to terrorist, I can’t believe it was only out of curiosity.”
“……Are you saying my brother is involved with terrorist?”
“There’s no proof. But it can’t be denied either.”
“What did you say……?”
Jusis’s gaze naturally became stern.
He found it hard to say it was because Rean had suspicion of his family and seemed to think he might do the same.
But given that the theft of the Salt Pale fragment was helped by an insider, it was only natural one would be suspicious of Rufus Albarea.
“Calm down, Rufus. Rean was merely presenting a possibility, not stating a fact.”
Gaius stepped in and calmed Jusis, but the atmosphere still became a little tense.
At that point, Fie interjected.
“Rean, Commander is siding with ‘Noble Faction,’ right?”
“There’s no proof of that, but since Zephyr sided with the Provincial Army, I think that’s the case. At the very least, I’ve heard that Zeno-san and Leonidas-san are Duke Cayenne’s escorts.”
It was information from Musse.
It likely came from Aurelia, but since she was likely in “Noble Faction” for military achievement, Rean couldn’t ask her to act as an intermediary with the “Reformist Faction”.
“In that case, are you asking me to take on the Divine Knight’s Trial?”
“That depends on Jusis. Since the Divine Knight is meant to be used as deterrent to the ‘Noble Faction’, I think it would be better for Jusis to ride it than Fie, but if Albarea family is on ‘Noble Faction,’ then it will just end up increasing the military power on the other side.”
“I see……”
“If it’s to oppose Rutger-san, then I’ll help. Might as well, why don’t you try to pilot Valimar, Fie?”
“Can I pilot it?”
“Maybe.”
“I told you you’re being too casual about it,” someone seemed to say, but it was ignored.
Because there was something that Rean wanted to ask more.
“……Hey, Jusis. If things really ended up in civil war, would you side with the ‘Noble Faction’, after all?”
“Gh.”
Jusis’s face stiffened.
When something he tried not to think about was pointed out, he instinctively looked away.
To his surprise, it was Machias who stopped Rean from continuing.
“Wait a moment, Rean. This man is not the kind of person who would tolerate the existence of something like a terrorist.”
“You……”
“Hmph, it’s not like I’m trying to protect you or anything. I was just…… stating the fact it would be going against what you call the ‘noblesse oblige’.”
“………………”
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“Why are all of you staring at me!”
Machias was suddenly taken aback as all gazes were focused on him.
It couldn’t be helped since what he’d said had instantly attracted attention, but Elliot couldn’t help but chuckle at this sight.
“Ahahah, but I never thought Machias would say something like that to Jusis. Sorry, sorry.”
“Yes. I never thought Machias would make a follow-up for Jusis.”
When Laura pointed this out, Machias blushed, insisting that it wasn’t true.
Seeing how it was the right time, Alisa cut in and looked at Jusis again.
“Jusis, can you answer Rean’s question?”
“……I am a member of the Albarea Family. I’ll carry on that family name for the rest of my life and I have no intention of running away from it. If the Albarea Family chose to fight as part of the ‘Noble Faction’, then I’ll follow suit.”
“Then——”
“But I personally believe that civil war should not occur, and collaborating with terrorists is out of the question. If Duke Cayenne is participating in terrorism that sacrifices innocent people, then he needs to be punished.”
Cutting off Rean’s words, Jusis voiced his own opinion.
His eyes filled with firm determination, conveyed his firm feelings.
“I’m sure my brother thinks the same as well. After all, he’s the very person who taught me about the ‘Noblesse Oblige’, after all.”
[“Fufufu, son. In that case, you should bring the Divine Knight’s Trial as a gift and head to the negotiations with Jusis.”]
“Then let’s meet Lord Rufus.”
Jusis’s eyes widened at the sudden suggestion.
Jusis looked towards Emma, but since she could hear Osbon’s voice, she couldn’t help but put on a vague expression at the proposal of using a Divine Knight as bargaining chips.
Jusis judged it was Rean’s arbitrary opinion and questioned it.
“What are you thinking, Rean?”
“Eh, I just say we should go and meet Lord Rufus to confirm the truth, though? In the first place, I have told you about the Divine Knight’s Trial before, haven’t I, Jusis? Did you end up telling Lord Rufus about that?”
“No…… In the end, I just used it as an excuse to go around Trista together, and I haven’t talked about it since.”
“Eh, is that so?”
Alisa raised her voice in surprise.
Other classmates, who were aware that Jusis adored Rufus, had similar expressions on their faces.
“At that time, it was just speculation and conjecture after all.”
“Then is it confirmed——”
“Rean-san will need to put in a bit of effort to draw in the spirit veins, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem.”
“Then there’s no problem. As expected of Emma.”
“As expected of Emma,” interjected Fie to make fun of her, but Emma could only give her a troubled expression.
In fact, Emma, who conducted testing the same night she talked about it in the Occult Research Club, after school, should be praised for her efforts.
“Rean, could it be that you’re trying to use a Divine Knight as a bargaining chip to get Lord Rufus to switch sides from the ‘Noble Faction’?”
Although it wasn’t a business negotiation, Alisa, who was skilled at reading such subtleties, was able to see through Rean’s intention.
“Exactly,” nodded Rean and he turned to Sara.
“Lord Rufus is one of the chairmen of Thors Military Academy…… if terrorists supported by Duke Cayenne were involved in the theft incident before, I think that reasoning could be used.”
“If you’re capable of such consideration, then why don’t you choose not to participate in the war?”
“Unfortunately, I already promised that I will participate.”
In exchange for rescuing Rosine, Rean had decided to cooperate with Musse.
She might not think of it as his way to pay her back, but that was how grateful Rean was towards Musse.
Although Rean could understand Sara’s desire to keep them away from the civil war because they were students, Rean had no intention of giving in. Just trusting the adults wasn’t different from doing nothing.
“That’s how it is, Jusis, so do you know what Lord Rufus’s plans are?”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait. Negotiations can’t be settled that easily……”
“If Jusis, as his younger brother, made the request, I think most of the troubles on bringing the negotiation can be avoided.”
“You……”
Although his tone sounded harsh, there was a refreshing sense of astonishment behind his voice.
Jusis even felt envious at Rean’s assertiveness.
“……I’ll look up to it for now. You can go and confirm whether the Divine Knight is really obtainable.”
“Is that something that can be confirmed beforehand?”
“Uh~n, I think the Trial needs to be done firsthand……”
“Actually, Emma, from what Rean said, it sounds like you’re the key to this matter, but won’t Schmidt’s Classroom disband this term?”
“Ah~……”
Rean glanced over at Emma, casting her a glance as to hint her to connect through telepathic messaging.
[“Is something wrong?”]
[“Can you just tell them about witches already?”]
[“……I guess, you’re right. Since everyone already knows about Divine Knights anyway, maybe there’s no need to hide it anymore.”]
[“Then tell them.”]
Realizing the secret had become so light and casual, Emma couldn’t help but chuckle, and said to Laura.
“Well, since we’re all already here, I thought I’d let everyone know.”
“Emma, what do you ——”
Gaius’s murmur faded away. Nay, his appearance itself disappeared from the place.
It wasn’t just Gaius, but everyone from Class VII in the dormitory had disappeared—— and were teleported to the Old Schoolhouse’s vicinity.
“…………Hah? Eh?”
Elliot whipped his head around repeatedly.
Not only him, but everyone except Rean and Emma repeated similar movements, and eventually their gazes were fixed on Emma.
“Actually, I am a witch who came to this military academy with the task of assessing people who should ride the Divine Knight.”
While everyone in Class VII were all surprised at the secret which had been revealed in such a casual tone, Jusis placed his hand on his forehead as he looked up to the sky.
“What do these people think of a person’s inner conflict……?”
But even so, Jusis felt as if his anxiety about the important matter of negotiating with Rufus was being cleared away.
While thinking it probably wasn’t just his imagination, Emma retorted with a “don’t put me in the same category as Rean-san,” to which Jusis had a wry smile in response.
Author Note:
Just like the Gnomes had Ebon, I expected the Witches to have the Auric Divine Knight in their possession, but it turned out that that wasn’t the case.
I couldn’t help but think it would be nice if there was a Divine Knight that specialized in Arts, or rather, in magic.
Due to the nature of Rivalry, maybe it‘s because it would be more effective to have warriors competing with each other…
I was thinking of making her appear in this chapter, but I then thought it would be a waste to just bring her out for no reason, so I postponed her appearance. I’m sorry, Sharon-san.
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