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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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Chapter 171 - Summer Vacation at the Duke’s Manor (2)
"What? What are you talking about?"
"If you don’t have plans for the summer, come visit my family’s estate. My father specifically requested that you come."
"The Duke? Why me?"
"He said you were close during the war. He’s insistent on repaying his debt to you. Also, if I bring you along, he promised to cancel all my arranged marriage plans."
Knightley, the daughter of Duke Toulouse, once one of the Empire’s most powerful families before the war.
There’s a reason why this noble young lady, with her illustrious background, ended up at this academy, a place known for catering to those with less privilege and a focus on special-purpose training.
It was because of an arranged marriage.
In this world, nearly every noblewoman—without exception—is subjected to arranged marriages.
As with Earth’s history, daughters are often used as tools to strengthen power or fulfill political objectives.
Knightley, apparently hating this idea, fled her home without telling anyone and enrolled in the academy.
The Duke of Toulouse tried to get her out several times but failed. The academy was under the jurisdiction of the Second Princess, a leader of the new power bloc that had risen after the war.
For the Duke, aligned with the old nobility, seeing his daughter under the influence of a rival faction was a shocking blow.
On the other hand, the Second Princess welcomed the defection of a noble daughter from the opposition and wasn’t about to let her leave.
The Duke only gained a chance to act after I beat Knightley with a wooden sword earlier this year, providing a convenient excuse to withdraw her.
And now, if I agree to visit during summer vacation, he’ll cancel all her arranged marriages?
If I don’t go, I’ll probably be cursed at by both the Duke and Knightley.
Besides, even if that weren’t the case, a vacation at the Toulouse estate sounded like a great idea.
The Duke’s lands are famous across the Empire for their breathtaking scenery.
"Would it be okay if Olysia came along? She and I usually spend every summer together."
"Of course! Did you think my family was only inviting you?"
Now that I looked closely, Knightley’s handbag seemed to contain multiple invitation envelopes.
"Who else are you inviting?"
"Sophie and Merilda. Oh, and my dad told me to invite all the professors, including the Head Theoretical Professor and the Headmaster."
"What…? Why them?"
"Did you really think my family would just invite one professor and a few students to the Duke’s estate?"
"Fair point. Your family’s sense of scale is impressive."
"What does ‘scale’ mean? Anyway, here’s Olysia’s invitation."
Knightley handed me another envelope before leaving the professor’s office.
A vacation at the Toulouse estate… This was shaping up to be quite nice.
When I got home and told Olysia about it, she was overjoyed.
"My goodness! The Toulouse estate?! It’s such a beautiful place!"
"Have you even been there before?"
"Do you need to touch fire to know it’s hot?!"
I couldn’t help but laugh at Olysia’s colorful analogy.
# # # # #
The day of the grade announcements.
Unsurprisingly, Knightley ranked first overall. Hindrasta took the top spot in combat studies, while Merilda dominated the theory courses.
This left Knightley teetering on the brink of madness.
Despite her overwhelming total score, she had ranked second in both individual categories.
But what could she do? Hindrasta is a dragon, an insurmountable wall for any human. Merilda, on the other hand, is naturally brilliant.
Effort alone can’t beat raw talent, and when that talent also works hard like Merilda does, it’s virtually impossible to surpass.
Still, being the overall top scorer should have been enough, but I guess the pride of a perennial honors student is something I’ll never fully understand.
With that, the semester officially ended.
The academy was about to begin a short two-week summer vacation.
In this medieval-inspired fantasy world, where lengthy breaks like those on Earth are unthinkable, even two weeks off feels like a luxury.
Olysia had been bustling around for days, preparing for the trip.
She insisted on cleaning the house and packing, saying it wasn’t right to leave for an extended period without getting things in order.
No matter how many times I told her that the Duke’s estate would take care of everything, she refused to believe me.
In any case, I was curious to see how many people had accepted the Duke’s invitation.
All the students had agreed to come, and Ismera said she’d tag along since I was going.
Kaiden, too, wanted to experience "rest" for the first time in his life.
Among the professors, Waiver and Orendi agreed to join.
Waiver seemed eager to explore the Duke’s hunting grounds, while Orendi viewed this as a prime opportunity to learn magic from Kaiden.
Studying magic on vacation… Most mages are insane, after all.
Lina and Felimia wanted to visit a luxurious estate for a change, and Brogg and Kazador felt the same.
The orc and dwarf duo were, naturally, drawn by the promise of fine wine at the Duke’s manor.
Anna, unusually animated, seemed excited at the prospect of seeing the Duke’s famous thoroughbred horses.
However, Morton and Geneb declined to join, as expected.
Lastly, Kirrin hadn’t made up her mind yet. Her hesitation stemmed from the Second Princess.
Kirrin wasn’t stupid—just unsure of herself. She believed it might be inappropriate for the headmistress of the academy, which falls under the Second Princess’s jurisdiction, to accept an invitation from a Duke aligned with the old nobility.
She wasn’t wrong, but I wasn’t about to tell her what was right or wrong in this situation.
It’s not like I could run to the capital and ask the Second Princess for permission.
In the end, the confirmed attendees included myself, Olysia, Ismera, Kaiden, Hindrasta, Merilda, and seven professors—a total of 13 people.
Quite the group.
A few days later…
Several carriages arrived at the academy.
Three massive six-horse carriages, absurdly luxurious and expensive, sent by the Duke’s estate to transport us.
"Whoa!!"
The professors’ eyes widened in disbelief at the sight, while Knightley just smirked as if it were no big deal.
"Everyone, get in."
The coachmen unloaded our luggage, allowing us to board with ease.
The carriage I rode in included Vice Principal Ismera, Head Theoretical Professor Kaiden, and Olysia, who was acting as my personal assistant.
"Is everyone aboard? Then we’ll depart!"
"Wait!!"
Just as the carriage began to move, a voice called out from behind us.
Peeking out the window, I saw Kirrin rushing toward us with a small travel bag.
She wasn’t just running—she was practically flying, her dark elf agility on full display.
Stopping in front of the carriage, she looked up at me.
"Take me with you!"
"Have you decided to come? I thought you were worried about what the Second Princess might think."
"I’ll deal with that later! Asking for forgiveness is easier than asking for permission!"
Fair point.
"Then hop on."
I opened the door for her, and as she climbed in, she hesitated upon seeing Kaiden and Ismera.
But with a determined expression, she squeezed herself into the seat beside me.
"It’s cramped…."
"Well, we can’t exactly have the headmaster and vice principal sitting uncomfortably, can we?"
"Then how about switching seats with the Head Theoretical Professor for more room?"
"That’d make me uncomfortable…."
Kirrin still seemed nervous around Kaiden.
"I don’t mind either way."
Kaiden said with a smile, causing Ismera to awkwardly stand up and drag Kirrin to another seat.
"I’ll sit uncomfortably so the headmaster can have more space."
"No, no. You’ve worked harder than me, Ismera. Sit comfortably here. I’m fine."
"Then, Olysia, why don’t you switch places with me?"
"Me? Oh, uh… okay? Whoa!"
Ismera pulled Olysia into her seat, then squeezed herself into the space beside me.
In the end, Kaiden and Olysia sat together, while the taller Ismera, Kirrin, and I were crammed into the remaining space.
What a mess.
With the two elves’ broad hips pressing into me, it was unbearably uncomfortable.
To make matters worse, Kirrin kept leaning against me, nudging me with her shoulder as if trying to push me aside.
"It’s too hot for this. Stop leaning on me."
"What? No wonder it feels so cramped!"
On the other side, Ismera glared at me and started shoving as well.
Good grief….
"Kaiden, can’t you just open a dimensional gate so we can get there instantly?"
"I’d prefer to enjoy the scenery from this fine carriage."
Kaiden replied with a smile, leaning on his hand as he gazed out the window.
If Kaiden put it that way, there was no arguing.
As for Orendi, if I asked him to open a gate, he’d probably end up dumping the entire procession into the middle of the ocean.
Since neither of them was an option, we’d just have to endure the ride.
"Alright, we’re really leaving now!"
At Knightley’s call, the carriage began rolling out of the academy gates.
# # # # #
Even with the sun high in the sky, we still hadn’t arrived at our destination.
I could’ve sworn someone mentioned that we’d crossed into the Duke’s territory over an hour ago.
And we weren’t even heading to the central duchy estate but to the closest of the scattered mansions.
The Duke’s lands were said to rival a small kingdom in size, and now I believed it.
Kaiden remained lost in thought, gazing out the window. Olysia had grown tired of admiring the opulent interior and was now reading a book.
Kirrin, meanwhile, had fallen fast asleep with her head resting on my shoulder.
Ismera occasionally glanced at Kirrin and let out heavy sighs deep enough to shake the ground.
"Kaiden, this is getting exhausting. Isn’t there anything you can do?"
"Ah, you’re right. It’s about time for lunch."
Finally moving from his relaxed position, Kaiden flicked his fingers.
"Wha—?!"
From the other carriages, a mix of gasps and startled cries erupted.
I looked out the window and saw it—a sprawling mansion that hadn’t been there just moments before.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Peptobismol]
[Proofreader - Demon God]
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