Chapter 237 - 【Different Perspective】 At Fiddiq Academy 4

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【Different Perspective】

"...Rox. Are you sure we don't need to drive that guy out?"

Felter muttered quietly. Rox made a face of genuine disgust and looked out the window. His gaze fell upon the academy courtyard, where three people were making a huge commotion despite a crowd gathering around them.

Well, only one of them was actually causing the ruckus, but to the onlookers watching from a distance, they would all appear to be part of the same group.

Watching the scene with exasperated eyes, Rox waved one hand.

"I don't want to get involved. If you're so concerned, you go, Felter."

When Rox said that, Felter snorted and shrugged.

"...I'm simply infuriated that nobles are trying to use Aoi to gain power. If you're a man, you should become strong on your own merits."

Felter muttered that in a voice laced with anger, and Rox's eyes widened slightly.

"...I see. Well, that's certainly like you."

Answering, Rox turned his gaze back to the courtyard.

"There you are."

At that moment, Cote appeared and called out to them. Rox and Felter turned around at the voice, and there stood not only Cote but also the trio of Ayle, Liz, and Bell, along with Shenley. Glancing at them, Rox snorted.

"Where are you off to with all these women, Cote?"

At that, Ayle made a momentarily displeased face, but Cote gave a wry smile and spoke first.

"No, I was thinking of asking Strass-sensei when Aoi-sensei plans to return, since she hasn't come back yet."

When Cote answered, Rox crossed his arms and grumbled.

"...The Karvan Kingdom, huh. I'm sure she'll be fine since Headmaster Glenn is with her, but..."

Rox muttered that, and Cote placed a hand on his hip in agreement.

"That's true. Still, it seems her return to the academy will be delayed considerably..."

As the two were having that conversation, Ayle and the others standing behind Cote tilted their heads and voiced their questions.

"Is there some problem with her going to the Karvan Kingdom?"

When Ayle asked on behalf of the group, Cote placed his index finger to his lips.

"...I can't say this too loudly, but King Raid of the Karvan Kingdom is somewhat difficult. To confirm that those seeking an audience have no ulterior motives, he sometimes spends over half a year investigating a visitor's background and character. Only when it becomes clear that the person poses no threat to him does he finally grant permission for an audience."

When Cote said that, Ayle and the others exchanged glances and tilted their heads in confusion.

"So that means he's a coward?"

When Ayle said that, Liz and Bell nodded several times.

"Depending on who is seeking an audience, isn't that extremely rude?"

"Well, surely he wouldn't keep royalty waiting that long, would he?"

As the two of them chatted, Shenley timidly spoke up.

"...Um, Headmaster Glenn is a marquis, so wouldn't permission for an audience be granted quickly...?"

When Shenley said that, Cote and Rox both turned around at the same time.

"It's not that simple."

"Yeah. Unfortunately, we just recently ended up expelling that very King Raid's son from Fiddiq Academy."

Rox answered with a sour expression, while Cote replied with a wry smile. Felter snorted with his arms still crossed.

"...Pathetic. A cowardly small-timer calling himself a king is a laughable joke."

Felter muttered that in a low voice, and Cote let out a dry laugh.

"That's a statement that could easily be called treasonous, you know. Let's rephrase it as 'someone who is cautious and family-oriented.'"

When Cote said that, Rox burst out laughing involuntarily.

"Pfft! Hahahahaha! You really are smooth with words! So, is there any way to get this cautious and family-oriented King Raid to grant permission for an audience? Let me warn you, we can't use the Verted Kingdom's power this time."

"Yes, I know. If the Verted Kingdom stepped in over Fiddiq Academy matters, we would rightly be criticized for overstepping. After all, this academy was established through joint investment by the six great nations, yet it's located within Verted Kingdom territory. Furthermore, most of the faculty and students are from the Verted Kingdom, and the headmaster is a Verted Kingdom marquis... It's only natural that the other five great nations would see this as privatization."

At Cote's pointed observation, Rox only snorted in response without saying anything. In truth, having Fiddiq Academy within its territory likely brought many benefits and advantages. Sensing that, Cote placed his palm on his own chest as if to change the subject.

"On this matter, Cote Highlands also cannot move. Unfortunately, we cannot say we are on good terms with the Karvan Kingdom. Interfering carelessly in that state would be..."

"Well, I suppose so."

Rox nodded at Cote's words and let out a deep sigh with a reluctant expression.

"...If anyone could intervene, it would have to be someone from the Karvan Kingdom with status comparable to royalty, but within the academy, is Barrel the only one?"

"...Barrel Black is from a ducal house. That's not exactly a good option."

Felter muttered, and Rox and Cote both nodded.

"Hmm."

"The Black family is of the king's younger brother's bloodline. Indeed, that would be difficult."

Listening in to the conversation of the three, Shenley furrowed her brows uneasily.

"Wh-why is that? Wouldn't it be easier to talk to someone who's like family or relatives?"

At her simple question, Ayle and the others shook their heads with troubled expressions.

"Well, the fact that they share the same blood is actually the problem, you see..."

"In that sense, the Cote Highlands Federation is nice and simple."

"Huh? But Cote Highlands also has former royalty serving as council members, and their whole families might have the same issues, right?"

Ayle and the others began to become lively, using Shenley's question as a topic of conversation. Watching them with a weary expression, Rox turned to Shenley and answered.

"...The troublesome part is that royalty who share the same blood can also become enemies. Some people try to maneuver their way up the line of succession. If they were all just leisurely trying to bring someone down, that would be fine, but basically, assassination is the surest method. The Black family probably doesn't want to take any action that would make the king suspicious."

When Rox said that, Shenley nodded timidly.

"I-I see."

Shenley said only that and fell silent, and for a moment, silence fell over the group.

Wondering at the odd atmosphere, Rox looked around at the others' faces.

"...What?"

He asked in an irritated tone, and Felter snorted.

"...You've softened up."

"Huh?"

Rox raised his brows as if to say "what are you talking about" at Felter's words. At Rox's surprised expression, Cote chuckled softly.

"I think you've changed too. For the better, of course."

Realizing what they meant, Rox made a sour face and clicked his tongue.

237. 【Different Perspective】 At Fiddiq Academy 4

【Different Perspective】

"...Rox. Are you sure we don't need to drive that guy out?"

Felter muttered quietly. Rox made a face of genuine disgust and looked out the window. His gaze fell upon the academy courtyard, where three people were making a huge commotion despite a crowd gathering around them.

Well, only one of them was actually causing the ruckus, but to the onlookers watching from a distance, they would all appear to be part of the same group.

Watching the scene with exasperated eyes, Rox waved one hand.

"I don't want to get involved. If you're so concerned, you go, Felter."

When Rox said that, Felter snorted and shrugged.

"...I'm simply infuriated that nobles are trying to use Aoi to gain power. If you're a man, you should become strong on your own merits."

Felter muttered that in a voice laced with anger, and Rox's eyes widened slightly.

"...I see. Well, that's certainly like you."

Answering, Rox turned his gaze back to the courtyard.

"There you are."

At that moment, Cote appeared and called out to them. Rox and Felter turned around at the voice, and there stood not only Cote but also the trio of Ayle, Liz, and Bell, along with Shenley. Glancing at them, Rox snorted.

"Where are you off to with all these women, Cote?"

At that, Ayle made a momentarily displeased face, but Cote gave a wry smile and spoke first.

"No, I was thinking of asking Strass-sensei when Aoi-sensei plans to return, since she hasn't come back yet."

When Cote answered, Rox crossed his arms and grumbled.

"...The Karvan Kingdom, huh. I'm sure she'll be fine since Headmaster Glenn is with her, but..."

Rox muttered that, and Cote placed a hand on his hip in agreement.

"That's true. Still, it seems her return to the academy will be delayed considerably..."

As the two were having that conversation, Ayle and the others standing behind Cote tilted their heads and voiced their questions.

"Is there some problem with her going to the Karvan Kingdom?"

When Ayle asked on behalf of the group, Cote placed his index finger to his lips.

"...I can't say this too loudly, but King Raid of the Karvan Kingdom is somewhat difficult. To confirm that those seeking an audience have no ulterior motives, he sometimes spends over half a year investigating a visitor's background and character. Only when it becomes clear that the person poses no threat to him does he finally grant permission for an audience."

When Cote said that, Ayle and the others exchanged glances and tilted their heads in confusion.

"So that means he's a coward?"

When Ayle said that, Liz and Bell nodded several times.

"Depending on who is seeking an audience, isn't that extremely rude?"

"Well, surely he wouldn't keep royalty waiting that long, would he?"

As the two of them chatted, Shenley timidly spoke up.

"...Um, Headmaster Glenn is a marquis, so wouldn't permission for an audience be granted quickly...?"

When Shenley said that, Cote and Rox both turned around at the same time.

"It's not that simple."

"Yeah. Unfortunately, we just recently ended up expelling that very King Raid's son from Fiddiq Academy."

Rox answered with a sour expression, while Cote replied with a wry smile. Felter snorted with his arms still crossed.

"...Pathetic. A cowardly small-timer calling himself a king is a laughable joke."

Felter muttered that in a low voice, and Cote let out a dry laugh.

"That's a statement that could easily be called treasonous, you know. Let's rephrase it as 'someone who is cautious and family-oriented.'"

When Cote said that, Rox burst out laughing involuntarily.

"Pfft! Hahahahaha! You really are smooth with words! So, is there any way to get this cautious and family-oriented King Raid to grant permission for an audience? Let me warn you, we can't use the Verted Kingdom's power this time."

"Yes, I know. If the Verted Kingdom stepped in over Fiddiq Academy matters, we would rightly be criticized for overstepping. After all, this academy was established through joint investment by the six great nations, yet it's located within Verted Kingdom territory. Furthermore, most of the faculty and students are from the Verted Kingdom, and the headmaster is a Verted Kingdom marquis... It's only natural that the other five great nations would see this as privatization."

At Cote's pointed observation, Rox only snorted in response without saying anything. In truth, having Fiddiq Academy within its territory likely brought many benefits and advantages. Sensing that, Cote placed his palm on his own chest as if to change the subject.

"On this matter, Cote Highlands also cannot move. Unfortunately, we cannot say we are on good terms with the Karvan Kingdom. Interfering carelessly in that state would be..."

"Well, I suppose so."

Rox nodded at Cote's words and let out a deep sigh with a reluctant expression.

"...If anyone could intervene, it would have to be someone from the Karvan Kingdom with status comparable to royalty, but within the academy, is Barrel the only one?"

"...Barrel Black is from a ducal house. That's not exactly a good option."

Felter muttered, and Rox and Cote both nodded.

"Hmm."

"The Black family is of the king's younger brother's bloodline. Indeed, that would be difficult."

Listening in to the conversation of the three, Shenley furrowed her brows uneasily.

"Wh-why is that? Wouldn't it be easier to talk to someone who's like family or relatives?"

At her simple question, Ayle and the others shook their heads with troubled expressions.

"Well, the fact that they share the same blood is actually the problem, you see..."

"In that sense, the Cote Highlands Federation is nice and simple."

"Huh? But Cote Highlands also has former royalty serving as council members, and their whole families might have the same issues, right?"

Ayle and the others began to become lively, using Shenley's question as a topic of conversation. Watching them with a weary expression, Rox turned to Shenley and answered.

"...The troublesome part is that royalty who share the same blood can also become enemies. Some people try to maneuver their way up the line of succession. If they were all just leisurely trying to bring someone down, that would be fine, but basically, assassination is the surest method. The Black family probably doesn't want to take any action that would make the king suspicious."

When Rox said that, Shenley nodded timidly.

"I-I see."

Shenley said only that and fell silent, and for a moment, silence fell over the group.

Wondering at the odd atmosphere, Rox looked around at the others' faces.

"...What?"

He asked in an irritated tone, and Felter snorted.

"...You've softened up."

"Huh?"

Rox raised his brows as if to say "what are you talking about" at Felter's words. At Rox's surprised expression, Cote chuckled softly.

"I think you've changed too. For the better, of course."

Realizing what they meant, Rox made a sour face and clicked his tongue.