It's been about six months since Frank and José got engaged, and I've turned thirteen.
　I haven't had any major problems during this half year, if I want to say anything, it's only that my parents approved of my engagement to Frank and José.
　As for the rest, I've been taking more classes than usual to make up for the time I missed during my absence.
　The territory is also developing steadily.
　But I still don't have enough money to redevelop the former Philibert Domain.
　The war is three years away. Will they even be able to afford the Philibert lands?

　Well, let's change the subject to today, because today is actually a school holiday.
　This is a period of preparation for school.
　It's a period for you to practice your magic and prepare for the entrance exam.
　Well, it's just a long holiday for us S-class students since we're exempt from the test.
　Besides, I'm not planning to go to witchcraft school.

"What?　Do you want to go to magic school?

Yes.
　It's the first day of my exam break, so I've been telling everyone gathered in my room since midday that I'm not going to school.
　Naturally they looked surprised.

"May I ask why: ......?

'There won't be much I can learn, and it's hard to take time away from my classes when we're getting busy with the war ahead.
　Honestly, considering that we'll be using the former Philibert territory as a base of operations for the war over the next three years, it should be incomparably busier than ever before .
　It's not very much, but I can't spend time on classes that are not very educational.

I see. ...... It's true that there's not much that Leo can learn at the magic school. ......
　Frank was the first one to understand.
　I knew Frank would understand.

Right?　So I guess my last education was from an aristocratic primary school.
　Now, the reaction of Shelly and Leena in question is .......

'Then I won't be going to wizarding school either.

What?
　Shelly's unexpected comment made everyone dizzy.

'Because I wouldn't have learned anything either, would I?　And I can't think of any teacher who is better at handling magic than Mr. Damien.
　That's right, no one is better at magic than your uncle: .......
　I feel bad for the teacher at the magic school comparing him to your uncle.

''Yes, but ....... Can the emperor forgive me?

We'll figure it out.
　Yeah. I'll make it work.

Okay, me too!　I don't think there's a teacher more adept at using holy magic than my grandmother.

'Seriously, ......, I think you should go to school, don't you?
　We're both young, and I think we should both still be enjoying our youth .

'That's what Leo says?　It's okay . We're just going to be Leo's wife anyway, and there's no need for a wizarding school graduate's title.

'Yes, but ......'
　That's true, but ...... don't bother trying to accommodate me.

Master ...... me too.

We knew you wouldn't go.
　Because there's no point in you going to school with just a sword.

Oh, sure.

'Of course Frank and José are going, right?'

Of course. My parents shut up about it.

Yes. I don't want to do anything so hurriedly.
　That's the way it usually goes.

Then I guess I won't be seeing Frank and his friends for a while.

It's okay. I'll send you a letter.

You're good at writing letters.

Shut up.
　I joked about it and Frank got mad at me and gave me a decapitation.
　You see and talk to each other every day and you still correspond, so you're really in love with each other.

Yeah, we are. Will you two be over here until graduation?　You're not busy anyway, right?　You wouldn't be able to talk in a room like this without me.

Are you sure?　You're busy, aren't you?

No problem. I might need your help with something. I'll get you to hang out with the kids at the orphanage.
　I'm sure the little ones need a new playmate from time to time.

Oh, I just remembered from work. Next month, I heard that the knights are holding a battle for the best of the best, and I was asked to be the recovering officer for the battle, and I was wondering if you could help me with that, José-san?
　Hey, you said there was gonna be a party.
　Of course I'm invited. It'll be interesting to see how far they've progressed.

Sure. I'll work as hard as I can to get a place to stay.



Okay. All right, I'll be over there tomorrow, so just be ready to go.

Yes?
　So, today is dismissed!
　I had to work in the afternoon.

I'll drop everyone off and then Hermann, we're going to work.

Yes!

Hmm?　Herman too?　What do you do?

A meeting. Today is the annual dukes' meeting.
　Herman is the knight in shining armor.
　It's customary to have a bodyguard and a civil servant at such a prestigious gathering, so I've decided to take Hermann and Miss Freya with me.
　The details of the territory are left to Miss Flare, so I'm grateful for her presence.

You haven't even been made duke yet and you've been summoned?

Well, this time they want to talk about the war in three years. They can't make a decision without me in the room.
　The Tripartite Conference is held in Mladin territory, and it will be an important stronghold in the war.

Indeed. That's a lot of work: ......

I'm used to it.


　Then I sent Sherry and the others to the girls' dormitory, and once she and Hermann came to Mladin territory .
''Ah, they're finally here~~''
　Oh, and by the way, I had to take Valls with me: .......
　Even though you know the most information about the other side, I'm not sure I'm going to let you explain in this tone of voice.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Don't worry~~~. I'm just too quick to do it~~~
　Yeah. I'm starting to get worried after all.
　I think I'll think of a replacement now: .......

"Herman, go put on your knight's outfit. I'll be in my formal wear.

I understand!

Valls, go get Miss Flair.

"Yes, sir~


　After that, I finished changing and met up with Flair-san and transitioned to my home in Teito .
"There's no need to go all the way through the carriage~~. Leo-sama would be able to enter the castle in an instant~~

These things are supposed to be done right in the carriage.

"I see~~. That's rude~~~
　...... I'm more concerned about your tone of voice, whether it will upset the Emperor and the other dukes.


We've arrived. We'll be the first to arrive.

It looks like~~~. We're right on schedule~~~
　Do I have to be the youngest one to come first for these things?
　So, I came early .
　But we came a little too early. .......
　Then we had to wait for about 30 minutes.


　The first ones to arrive were Frank and José's father. The heads of the Lefebvre and Baudelaire families.
　With a knight and a civil servant behind them, the room suddenly became densely populated.
Hey, good to see you. My son is indebted to you.

It's my pleasure. You've been very helpful.

Really?　You helped me with my engagement, too. Next time I'll do something for you in return.
　You said you were explaining why I was helping you.
　Well, it's not like I did anything wrong.

I'm the one who should thank you. I had given up on marrying you, Frank.

Well, we have a rule. Besides, taking a side room isn't valued very highly these days.
　So that's the way it is with the nobility.
　It's all Grandpa's fault.

Well, you busted that custom, too.

'Surely no one can blame the heroes for having four side-chambers.
　What? Heroic: ...... And I'm not happy about the compliment.

So I'll take that as a compliment. Well, let's talk about the details in private.
　At the meeting?　What, are you going to support me in a war-related way?

I understand.

Oh, they're already here?
　When I got a word with the master of Baudelaire and Lefebvre, my father arrived as if he was waiting for me.
　He has two knights and a civilian with him.



We've just arrived.

Yeah. That's good. So you're Hermann. You take care of Leo.

Yes, sir.
　Dad put out his hand and Hermann shook it shyly.

"Helena tells me you're very strong. She's very strong, isn't she?　Why don't you come over to my place if you want?　I'll give you a higher salary than Leo~

Hey,

Just kidding. We have Lars. No problem.
　Then he clapped the knight behind him on the shoulder.
　That's Hermann's father, for your information.

The right-hand man of House Forster, the famed House Caroon. The right-hand man of the Forster family, the famous Karoon family.

Well, it was Leo who made it stronger.

Nurturing yourself is a different thing to do.

'Well, he's a man who builds schools because he's short-staffed.

"Yeah. I forgot. I wanted to talk to you about it today. Will you admit three of my countrymen to that school every year?　You know, I won't say free of charge, but we'll cover our share of the school's operating expenses.
　Ten percent!　Ten percent for just three people?

''Okay, but ...... on the contrary, are you sure you want the three of us to get ten percent out of it alone?''

What. I can learn non-attribute magic for cheap. Besides, we're a bit short on civilians.
　Oh, you went for non-attribute magic.
　Anyway. It's not like we're trying to keep it secret.
　The war chest is more important right now.

I see. Okay, that's fine. We'll talk later.

Yes, sir.

"Wait. I'd like to be a part of this. I'd like to have the same offer.

Yes, sir.
　The Baudelaires and the Lefebvre will make 20 percent of the money together, which is a lot of money.
　Well, this is not a bad deal for both of us.