Chapter 152
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ED: LonelyMatter
Chapter 152 – [Side Story] Academy Compet.i.tion. POV: Krone
“The match is over!”
Kaizer’s voice echoed throughout the hall, and the match between Ain and an undercla.s.sman came to an end.
This was the undercla.s.sman’s second match, but Ain was in his first, so there was some concern that he might be a little stiff.
However, as if to say that such things are completely irrelevant, he won with a solid performance.
“Wow, that was a different level.
“The other kid looked like he was just being swung around by the sword. At the very least, the Crown Prince is not at the level of a student.”
It was no surprise that the spectators were in an uproar, as Ain showed swordsmanship that was in a different league.
He had trained in the castle since he was a child, so it was only natural that he was so strong, but the spectators got a glimpse of the strength of the Crown Prince, who was known as a hero.
“…He was so cool.”
Krone’s eyes sparkled as she watched Ain in the arena.
Unlike his usual gentle self, Ain was showing off his manly strength.
The way he wiped the sweat from his brow, the way he returned his sword to its sheath at the end.
Even the way he waved to the crowd to acknowledge their support moved Krone’s heart.
She had seen him train before, but to see him perform on such a big stage made her even more excited.
No wonder she was blushing with excitement.
――What should I do? No matter what he does, Ain is so cool right now… Krone thought in her head.
Even as he walked back to the waiting room, every step he took continued to steal Krone’s gaze and confuse her heart.
“Krone-san? Are you okay?”
“…Ch-Chris-san? What’s wrong all of a sudden?”
“E-eeh. You were quiet with a red face, so I thought you might not be feeling well…”
“Oh, I’m sorry…! It’s not like that…”
She made her worry.
Since there was no truth in it, she felt embarra.s.sed to stare at Ain blankly.
But she was also embarra.s.sed to tell her this honestly.
“Oh, Chris, that’s a misunderstanding, isn’t it?”
“Olivia-sama? What misunderstanding is that…?”
“Krone-san was just…”
“Olivia-sama! That’s embarra.s.sing, so please stop!”
Chris then saw Krone’s appearance and understood.
Even Chris, who was known as a klutz, could understand the situation.
“I see. I’m terribly sorry…”
Chris looked embarra.s.sed as she turned her face away.
“But you seem so calm, Chris. Why is that?”
“…Me?
Olivia looked at Krone with a smile and then asked Chris.
In fact, Chris had seemed calm even when looking at Ain earlier.
“Yes, I was talking about you. I thought the same, that Ain was a wonderful boy. But Chris was so quiet that I wondered if you weren’t interested in him?”
“…Do I have to tell you?”
“No. Will you tell me?”
When Olivia put it like that, Chris couldn’t say no.
Her cheeks flush as they did a moment ago, and she opened her mouth.
“Well, in my case… there was the incident at Magna, so, well, is it because it is not exciting enough? Or should I say…”
“The incident at Magna? ――Well… can you tell me what you mean?”
“Yes. That incident was the one with the sea dragon…”
Hearing these words, Krone and Olivia both understood.
Indeed, if it’s the case of the sea dragon, Chris might feel that Ain’s current appearance was not enough.
After all, the sea dragon was a national crisis, and it was considered a crisis that left behind many victims.
In the past, Ain overcame many obstacles to go to Magna and rescue Chris.
At the castle, he absorbed the Elder Lich’s magic stone and then stopped Lloyd’s movement in the Great Hall.
When he moved the royal family’s exclusive train, he used the royal decree, borrowed the Glacier family’s ship, and headed straight for the sea dragon.
And in the end, Ain became a hero by defeating the sea dragon using the method of absorbing the magic stone and killing it.
As a result, Chris was saved, so she probably compared that to the emotion she felt at that time.
“Well, but! He certainly looked heroic!”
“Oh, yes, yes. That’s right, Chris was saved by Ain, wasn’t she? Ain looked more heroic then, didn’t he?”
“…O-Olivia-sama!”
Olivia and Krone smiled as they saw Chris getting more and more nervous.
“I-I thought Ain-sama looked dashing too!”
“Yes, yes. I know, so don’t make such a big deal out of it.”
Olivia’s index finger was pressed against Chris’s lips, which looked nervous.
Chris, somewhat unhappy, obeyed and regained her composure.
As they enjoyed their conversation, Krone noticed that she had begun to sweat a little.
However, since her makeup was light, there was no need to fix it.
However, she couldn’t show herself in such an embarra.s.sing state around Olivia.
With that in mind, Krone asked Chris to accompany her.
“Chris-san, would you mind accompanying me to the toilet for a moment?”
Since it was not good for Krone to walk alone, she often asked Chris to accompany her.
This time, she followed the same practice and asked Chris to accompany her.
“I understand. Then let’s go right away!”
Krone’s words felt like a lifeline to Chris at that time.
If things continue as they were, she would continue to be teased by her master, Olivia. She was thankful for Krone’s words in her heart.
“So, Olivia-sama. I’m going to leave for a while.”
“Yes, please be careful on your way.”
Then Krone got up and went to the toilet with Chris.
＊＊＊
After checking her makeup, Krone rested near the toilet to cool down her flushed face.
With Chris right next to her, there was no particular problem from a security standpoint.
“Hey, Chris-san.”
“Yeah? What is it?”
Chris, who had been spoken to, turned and looked at Krone.
“How likely do you think Ain will win?”
This was the opinion of a military officer as opposed to her own as a civilian.
Krone asked Chris for her opinion.
“A clean sweep, I think.”
Hearing Chris’s answer, Krone was momentarily stunned.
In fact, Krone also believed that Ain would win all of his matches, but when she was given such a quick answer, even Krone was a little surprised.
“That was a very quick answer.”
“Of course. There’s no way that someone who can defeat the sea dragon would have any problems with students.”
“Ah… I see. ――What would happen if, for example, Chris-san or Lloyd-sama were the opponents?”
What would happen if those two fought against Ain?
This was a question that Krone had been pondering for a while.
Even though Ain was strong, Chris and Lloyd were both counted among the highest-ranking forces of the Knights of Ishtalika.
This was a good opportunity to ask what would happen if these two were to face Ain.
“…Seeing how Ain-sama is these days, I can’t answer what would happen.”
Then, after thinking for about ten seconds, Chris spoke up with her answer.
“Even when he swings his sword, he acts like he’s trying to suppress something. I don’t know if it’s unconscious or conscious, but I think Ain-sama has something deep inside him that neither I nor Lloyd-sama know about.”
“Suppress…? Does that mean that he’s hiding his abilities?”
“It’s a similar feeling. Also, the way Dill is putting more effort into training than before. If you look at it, it’s obvious that something has happened.”
Chris, smiling wryly, gave off a slightly sad and frustrated vibe.
“Let’s get back to the point. If either me or Lloyd-sama were to go head-to-head with Ain-sama in a sword fight. If it were a pure sword compet.i.tion, I think Lloyd-sama and I would still have the advantage.”
――Still have the advantage.
Krone was surprised to hear those words.
That was as good as saying that Ain would have the upper hand in the near future.
“So you’re saying that you’re all on par in terms of ability?”
“That’s right. However, if you’re talking about competing in a battle on the battlefield, Ain-sama might be stronger, considering the matter with the sea dragon. Besides, it looks like he’s hiding something.”
At the very least, Lloyd and Chris would never be able to defeat the sea dragon on their own.
Depending on the situation, it was only natural that Ain would be stronger if swords were not involved.
“I have no idea what that something is…”
…For example, there was a story she heard from Katima in Ist.
Katima once used a royal decree to gag information about monsterization.
If she remembered the story from that time, there might be something key hidden in it.
However, Chris had no intention of discussing the matter.
“If you say so… Ain has suddenly grown up since he came back.”
“Haha… Yes, that’s right. Ain-sama always causes a stir.”
Krone’s words softened the mood, and they both laughed.
As they talked, Krone’s heat seemed to subside, and the coolness of the stone arena became pleasant.
It’s time to go back. They’re keeping Olivia waiting.
Just as Krone was thinking this, a woman called out to her.
“Excuse me, but are you Krone-sama?”
Hearing the voice, Chris stood diagonally in front of Krone.
As her bodyguard, she was ready to intervene if anything happened.
However, it seemed that Krone recognized the woman, and she called out to Chris to calm her down.
“Chris-san, it’s okay. She’s a friend from my time at the Liebe Girls’ Academy.”
“I-I see… I apologize.”
Chris bowed and stepped back behind Krone.
She moved away from her so she wouldn’t be in the way as a guard.
Krone thanked her for her vigilance and then spoke to the woman.
“It’s been a long time, Sheila-sama.”
“Yes, it has been a long time! I never thought I’d see you here!”
Her name was Sheila.
She was a friend of Krone’s from school, a gentle woman, and a cla.s.smate with whom Krone often talked.
It’s been a few years since they graduated, and perhaps because it’s been a while since they’ve seen each other, Sheila approached Krone with a happy look on her face.
“Why are you at the arena today?”
“Yeah, I actually came to cheer for someone.”
Answering Sheila’s question, Krone smiled happily.
“A certain someone? Oh, I see! That reminds me, the person you like is competing in the tournament, right?”
“Oh, Sheila-sama. You make me a little embarra.s.sed when you say things like that, you know?”
“There’s no need to be embarra.s.sed. I sometimes see you walking around the castle town together, you know?”
Then why not just call out to me? Krone thought.
But if she’s walking with Ain, it’s no wonder she can’t just call out to her.
“By the way, why is Sheila-sama here?”
“It’s the same situation as you, Krone-sama. …Until just now, Leonard-sama was on the debate stage, so I came here after I went straight over.”
“I see. I believe Leonard-sama of the House of Fors is Sheila-sama’s fiance, right?”
“Yes! We’ve been close friends since we were little, so I was happy when we became engaged, but…”
Sheila’s face darkened, and then she opened her mouth in frustration.
“We only held hands a few times!”
“…Eeehh? Hand?”
“Don’t you think that’s awful? The only thing we’ve done that’s like an engaged couple is hold hands a few times… No, I can’t say that’s like an engaged couple!”
“Le-Leonard-sama is still a student, so he’s probably being considerate of Sheila-sama.”
From Sheila’s point of view, Leonard was four years younger than she was.
Krone wondered if he was being considerate because he was still a student.
“It’s not that! Leonard-sama is just embarra.s.sed… because I know. He tries to hold my hand, but when our hands touch, he turns away.”
At first glance, it seems like a very cute thing.
However, it seems that this continued to make Sheila angry.
“…I want him to show me his manliness.”
Since Krone could understand her feelings, she spoke as if she agreed.
Hearing this, Sheila continued the conversation in a dazed manner.
“It’s true. If things continue like this, he may even run away on our wedding night.”
As expected, he’ll show his manliness, at least on the wedding night.
Still, it was heartwarming to see her friend so happy.
“By the way, how are things between you and that person, Krone-sama?”
“M-me?
Sheila was satisfied that she had been able to talk about her situation, and now she asked about Krone’s situation.
She asked about her situation with the person in question, in other words, how things were with Ain.
“Yes. It’s about you, Krone-sama. If you don’t mind, could you tell me about it in the context of what you can talk about?”
Sheila asked thoughtfully. She seemed to be careful with her choice of words, perhaps because she was talking about Ain.
“…I think…”
She may not be in a position to be his fiancée, but there was no denying that she was in love with him.
Krone slowly began to recall her memories with Ain.
The most recent thing that made an impression on her was
“When it got dark and I was tired from work, he let me rest my head on his lap.”
She remembered that night in Baltic.
It was a bit like a fight, but Ain helped her fall asleep by putting her head on his lap.
“M-my goodness, Krone-sama, is that true? How enviable…”
“It was when we were in Baltic on official business. At that time, he stroked my hair many times.”
It was a story that made her cheeks melt whenever she thought about it.
When she couldn’t sleep, she would remember that time and go to bed with that secret.
“W-wait a minute. How come he’s so close at night?”
“Fufu… we had separate bedrooms, but because of work, we rented the same room.”
When she told her this in a loving way, Sheila looked very interested.
“S-so… does that mean you sleep with him too…?”
“Well, I don’t know. If I talk about it too much, he’ll get mad at me.”
Krone said this, then put her finger to her lips and continued, “It’s a secret, okay?”
Her gesture and the way she chose her words to wrap them in smoke made Sheila feel Krone’s s.e.xiness.
“So is that person nice in private situations like that?”
Sheila moved a little closer to Krone as she spoke, perhaps even more interested.
“He is kind in his official duties, but he also shows a wonderful side in private situations. It’s hard to decide which is more attractive.”
“That’s wonderful…! W-well, is there a different kind of charm when it’s just the two of you?”
There weren’t many opportunities to brag like this.
Krone seemed happy as well and continued to talk.
“That’s a secret. But if I had to answer one thing, I guess I’d say my heart never has a moment to rest…”
Over 90% of the conversation with Sheila was about her love for him.
The conversation got a little muddled when it turned to Crown Prince Ain, but the two still enjoyed the conversation very much.
――And on Krone’s left arm, which she brushed through her hair, the Star Crystal shone brightly today as well.
“Ara ara. Your flowers are in full bloom today, too, and they’re beautiful.”
“Fufu, thank you.”
To Krone, this flower was a treasure as precious as life itself.
When it was praised, she was naturally in a good mood.
“As I thought, it was 3-0.”
“Of course. How could His Highness lose?”
…While they were enjoying their conversation, Roland and Leonard suddenly walked over.
They had also come to use the toilet and had left their seats when they saw that Ain’s match was over.
“But Batz also won his first match 3-0.”
“Of course. That muscle-head would never lose that easily.”
He said this with confidence, even though he had turned his back on Batz’s match and without doubting Batz’s victory.
“You say it like it’s a ch.o.r.e, but you believe in Batz, don’t you, Leonard?”
“Don’t say anything that could be misunderstood, okay?”
“Yes, yes. Don’t be embarra.s.sed.”
Krone and Sheila notice the two people who have arrived, Leonard and Roland.
Then Sheila turned to Krone and, looking a little lost, opened her mouth.
“What are we going to do? It’s Leonard-sama!”
Seeing her cute friend, Krone smiled and gave her a little advice.
“Why don’t you go and hold his hand yourself? Now is a good opportunity.”
“Won’t he hate me if I do that?”
“Don’t worry. He’s just shy, so why don’t you pluck up the courage and give it a try?”
Sheila looked worried when she heard this, but in the end, she nodded obediently.
Then, before Leonard left, she took a step forward and approached him.
Then, much to Leonard’s surprise, Sheila forcefully took his hand.
She was happy to have his hand in hers, and she looked at Krone and thanked her happily.
When Krone saw this, she smiled a satisfied smile and walked over to Chris’ side to return to Olivia.
“If Ain wins, I’ll do something for him…”
To be honest, it didn’t really matter if he didn’t win.
But with the excuse of a celebration, she felt she could be more daring than usual.
Her next appointment was with Heim.
If she wanted to celebrate, it would be after that.
However, since Ain would probably win unless there’s some kind of mistake, the celebration was almost a given.
“Like a kiss…?”
Krone muttered and then ran her index finger over her own lips.
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