The Tale of the Wizrain Kingdom
A Day After Summer Has Passed
Translated by: S3
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*****
「Now then, today’s lesson will cover the history of the Empire. As you are aware, Lady Elna, the Albarul Empire, which neighbors our Kingdom of Wizrain, is currently ruled by Emperor Rigobert Jean Albarul, who governs its vast territories.」
Elna, dressed not in her usual maid’s uniform but in an unfamiliar dress, nodded eagerly with a series of 「Mm-hmm」s as she took notes on the paper before her. The Hamster Spirit was rolling around lazily on the desk, looking bored, but she didn't give him a second glance.
The woman serving as her tutor had her hair pulled back into a tight, neat bun and wore small, round spectacles. Her plump appearance, soft mouth, and gentle tone of voice were clear reflections of her mild temperament.
Yet, despite her soft looks, the way she held her back perfectly straight reminded Elna strangely of someone.
「Albarul is a military state that has expanded its territory year after year by invading other nations. Since Emperor Rigobert took the throne a few years ago, this movement has become particularly pronounced. It is said that his excessive haste has drawn backlash from both within and outside his borders...」
「Mrs. Brownie. When you say he 'took the throne,' does that mean the previous emperor abdicated to the current one in recent years?」
「Precisely, Lady Elna.」
Maintaining her rigid posture, Mrs. Brownie smiled while tucking her chin.
Elna knew someone who smiled in that exact same way. Yes—Commonwald.
Though the two looked nothing alike, Mrs. Brownie was Commonwald’s daughter.
『My name is Walfatata Brownie. My surname changed upon my marriage, but I am the eldest daughter of Chief Steward Commonwald. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.』
After giving a graceful greeting, she had smiled warmly and said, 『It is a long name, so please, feel free to call me Mrs. Brownie.』
Elna had been recognized by the council as Cross’s fiancée, which meant that in the future, she would be the Queen of this country. Even if she was registered in the family records as the second daughter of a Baron, she had never received a proper education. Even with the memories of her past life, she was still unskilled in academic study as a human. The number of people who could serve as a tutor was limited—they had to be someone who wouldn't breathe a word about Elna being Elnalfia, someone with a clear social standing, and someone beyond reproach.
Thus, Mrs. Brownie had been suddenly chosen and dispatched as Elna’s governess. Apparently, she had once been the caretaker for Cross’s older sister as well. She was a veteran lady who had seen many a noble daughter and heir safely into high society.
(Study. This... is actually very rewarding.)
Recalling the path her life had taken to reach this point, Elna lowered her eyes for a moment. And then, she began to burn with a quiet intensity.
No matter how extraordinary her power was, there was no more room for growth in Elna’s thin human body, no matter how much she trained. Even if she turned to magic or spirit arts, it was the same. A human body simply had its limits.
However, academics were different. The fact that she had almost no foundation meant she was nothing but potential.
Actually, ever since she started working at the castle as a maid, she had been working hard in secret—asking Noma for help to research castle personnel, or staying up late under the dim light of a lamp to study the history and culture of other countries to fill the gaps in her knowledge. But being able to do it openly was another thing entirely.
(The brain... what a magnificent thing to train!)
Her fists trembled with emotion.
In the first place, there had been no need to study in secret; it would have been much more efficient to just tell Cross honestly if she wanted to know something. Unfortunately, that thought had never occurred to her. Because that would have been frustrating.
Elna had not yet realized that she was uncommonly competitive.
(I can officially learn everything I want to know under the name of 'Queenly Education'! This is... so, so appreciated! I won't let a single word from Mrs. Brownie escape me!)
As she fired herself up, the area around Elna physically began to heat up.
As a remnant of her past life as a Fire Dragon, hot mana began to drift through the air. The Hamster Spirit, who had been peacefully rolling on the desk showing off his fluff, let out a shriek of 「Jijijiii!?」 and rolled even faster toward the edge of the table to escape.
「Oh my. The room feels strangely warm today, doesn't it?」
Mrs. Brownie pulled out a lace handkerchief and gracefully wiped away her perspiration.
She might show sweat, but she would never show an unsightly appearance. That was Mrs. Brownie.
「...Mrs. Brownie. To be honest, I don't know much about Emperor Rigobert. If you wouldn't mind, I’d like to hear a little more.」
Elna’s voice naturally dropped to a lower register.
After all, Emperor Rigobert was the man responsible for staining the capital of this country in a sea of fire.
Letters of protest regarding the Albarul Empire’s actions should have been delivered from neighboring countries—from Myuberta, where Cross’s sister had married, and from Marlz through the envoy Kyle—but the Empire continued to dodge and weave, giving nothing but slippery responses.
Their atrocious actions against the capital were utterly unforgivable, but there was no clear evidence.
The only thing the Empire had officially done was lead an army across the border during the chaos while the capital was engulfed in flames. The Empire's side claimed that 『an officer leading an army during a training exercise simply crossed the border into your country by mistake.』 As if such a coincidence could ever happen.
There was no doubt they were the enemy, but the Kingdom of Wizrain was in a very ambiguous position where they couldn't openly declare hostilities.
(If I could just fly straight into the Albarul Empire, beat the Emperor senseless, and make him spit out an apology, this would be over so much faster...)
Physically, she could probably do it, but that was absolutely not an option.
Even Elna knew that international relations couldn't be settled by force alone.
(I can't do anything. That... is so frustrating!)
Unable to do anything about this smoldering emotion, Elna stared intensely at Mrs. Brownie, the fire in her eyes burning even brighter. Mrs. Brownie fanned herself with her handkerchief to wipe away the increasing sweat and smiled.
「Of course, I shall tell you everything I know. Emperor Rigobert Jean Albarul is twenty-five years of age. He ascended to the throne about six years ago. At the young age of nineteen, he made his name known to the surrounding nations as an emperor who unified vast lands and as an exceptional soldier. I heard the previous emperor passed away from illness. However...」
Mrs. Brownie hesitated for a brief moment before straightening her back again and clasping her hands over her stomach.
「I explained earlier that Albarul was a military state that expanded its territory through invasion, but it is only in the last few years that people have truly remembered that past. During the previous emperor’s reign, while they weren't proactive in diplomacy, there were almost no conflicts with other nations. Because of that, there are even rumors that the previous emperor's death was not from illness, but a conspiracy...」
At that moment, perhaps because the furrow between Elna’s brows deepened, Mrs. Brownie gave a small cough and trailed off.
「I have heard that the Empire was in great turmoil when the Albarul Emperor was enthroned. There were many of imperial blood in the Empire, but the Albarul Emperor supposedly purged those lineages, as well as many loyal retainers... He is sometimes even spoken of as the 'Blood Emperor'...」
「The Blood Emperor...」
It was a chilling tale. She wasn't afraid of a blood-stained blade. Rather, Elna felt a deep irritation at the fact that human lives had been snuffed out—even if it was in another country, or in the past.
「...You’re only humans. Why do you kill one another?」
Human beings died easily enough if you just left them alone.
Why couldn't they cherish one another?
「Pardon? Lady Elna, did you say something?」
「My apologies. It was nothing. Please, continue.」
With a thought, she wiped the dragon’s hue from her eyes.
The human world had the human world’s etiquette. Even if she was sometimes called by the name of the dragon from her past, Elna was a human now.
「...Is that so? Very well. Next, I shall tell you about the history between the Empire and our kingdom.」
Mrs. Brownie seemed to find Elna’s behavior slightly suspicious for a moment, but she quickly nodded and resumed the lesson.
***
「Now then, let us end today’s lesson here. Goodness, Lady Elna, you truly are a diligent student.」
「Do you think so?」
No matter how motivated she was, she felt as if steam was about to rise from her head after doing something she wasn't used to. The Hamster Spirit patted Elna comfortingly as she let out a deep sigh and covered her face.
「Yes, indeed. Speaking with you in this room reminds me of the old days. I, too, used to work at the castle, you see...」
The room Elna and Mrs. Brownie were in was the study reserved for royalty that Elna had cleaned with Noma before. The high windows offered a wonderful view, but perhaps because it was inconvenient to get to, no one used it anymore. Elna jumping out of that window to return something Jipi had forgotten was now a fond memory. Though Noma had been incredibly angry with her.
Looking out the window, she caught a glimpse of golden hair. Realizing it was Cross, she stood up abruptly from her chair. Noticing that Mrs. Brownie had rounded her eyes at her sudden movement, Elna felt a bit embarrassed; she looked away and sat back down slowly, just as she had been before.
「Oh, it seems His Majesty Vaid is passing by... Perhaps he is on his way back to the office. Today’s lesson is over, so would you like to go to him, Lady Elna?」
「...No.」
Elna didn't look out the window again.
The fresh green of the trees visible from the castle window had changed its hue before she knew it.
The vibrant green swaying in the rustling wind was gradually shifting into the colors of autumn.
「I think I’ll skip going today.」
*—I have to gain power. Much more power than I have now.*
The words she had carved into her heart resurfaced at the slightest prompt.
After all, summer had already passed.
*****
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