As Inglis and her group drew closer to the principalâs office, they heard Principal Miliera shouted at someone.
ãW-, wait a minute! This is power abuseâ¦â¦! There hasnât been any major damage so far! There is no problem with the current operation!ã
Bam bam! Then the sound of the desk getting slammed was heard. It sounded like she was getting quite agitated?
ãEehâ¦â¦? Thatâs rare, Miliera is angry?ã
Said Ripple, who had regained her consciousness after she heard the commotion.
ãIs it? She gets angry at me quite often though.ã ãW-well, thatâs becauseâ¦â¦ letâs just say you quite stand out in a lot of meanings. Anyway, letâs get in.ã
As they had business in the principalâs office too, they had no choice but to enter. After they knocked on the door, a reply that sounded like stifled anger came, pardoning their entry.
ãPardon our intrusion.ã
Once they were inside, they saw a figure of a man they were not familiar with. He was a Knight, his height was tall and he had long ashen hair.
The Rune that glowed on his hand was of the High-Grade Rune, meaning he was most likely a Knight of high rank.
He was probably in his late twenties or early thirties. The Knight attire he donned was a little bit different from Raphaelâs, indicating that he belonged to a different order.
If Inglisâ memory served her correctly, it must be of the Imperial Guard Order that was under the direct supervision of the King. She was taught about it in one of the classes.
Raphaelâs order was, formally speaking, the Holy Knight Order. Both chivalric orders had the scale and strength that made up the Kingdomâs main forces and were called the Two Major Chivalric Orders.
Silva and the other third-year students were already on the scene, they were listening to the talk between the Knight and the principal. None of them looked spirited, all Inglis could see were astonishment, vexation, and awkwardness. Amidst them, Silva was substantially the most perplexed.
ãB-, brotherâ¦â¦! Canât you reconsider it!? The principal is right, we are doing fine! There is no need for thatã ãBut Silva. Youâve been seriously injured, havenât you? Your brotherâs been worried sickâ¦â¦! I thought my heart would pop out of my chest when I heard the newsâ¦â¦!ã ãT-, that was because I screwed up, thatâs allâ¦â¦! There are many other excellent students here, weâre covering up for each other! Thatâs why itâll fine!ã
Silvaâs eyes locked onto the Knightâs.
ãBrotherâ¦â¦?ã ãThat personage is the commander of the Imperial Guard Order, Sir Redas Eiren. He is Sir Silvaâs older brother.ã
Liselotte explained. Indeed, while they had different hairstyles, they shared the same hair color, and their eyes felt a bit similar to one another.
Redas then glanced towards the new entry of people. Specifically speaking, towards Ripple, whom he gave a refreshing smile.
ãHello, Lady Ripple. Good day to you.ã ãAh, ummâ¦â¦And to you?ã ãI was just talking with Lady Miliera here about you. And, in fact, today I came here because I have something to tell you about.ã ãYeah, what is it?ã ãBy the order of the King, you are to leave the Knight Academy.ã ãEhâ¦â¦!? But, what thenââ?ã ãYou will be temporarily placed under the protection of the Imperial Guard Order.ã ãTemporarilyâ¦â¦?ã ãYes. Iâm sure you are already aware, but I would like to make it clear that you will be returning to the Highland. After which, my King intends to welcome a new Hyrule Menace.ã ãâ¦â¦!ã
Rippleâs breath was cut short as her eyes opened wide.
ãI seeâ¦â¦ã
There was that too huh? There was no denying that it was one of the possible solutions. In fact, Ripple herself also suggested something similar. However, didnât Prince Wayne and the Special Envoy choose not to adopt this means?
Especially Special Envoy Theodore, as he was the point of contact with the Highland. In other words, the Special Envoyâs decision had to be taken as the Highlandâs decision.
The fact that the King made a move that went exactly against that notion meant that this problem didnât affect just Ripple alone, but rather something that concerned politics.
However, whatever the case, Rafinhaâs face turned red as she grew furious.
ãWhaâ¦â¦!? How could you do something so cruel! We are all alive here, all thanks to Miss Ripple who saved us time and again, you know!? And yet you want to casually throw her away and get a new one just because sheâs a little bit out of her element, I canât believe itâ¦â¦! Miss Ripple isnât an object! Precisely because Miss Ripple is having a hard time, isnât this the time for us to pay her for saving us!?ã
That opinion was truly immature. It was pure and naive⦠and thatâs exactly why it was so adorable. Inglis knew Rafinha would naturally say something. Or rather, if she didnât, Inglis would suspect that Rafinha was struck with some kind of terminal illness.
ãYeahâ¦â¦ Thatâs rightâ¦â¦!ã ãPreciselyâ¦â¦!ã
Leone and Liselotte nodded to Rafinhaâs words, small nods, but strong and solid.
ãââSir Raphaelâs little sister, huh. Even if you preach me justice, this is still a Royal Decree.ã ãIf so, then take me to where His Majesty is! Iâll tell it to him myself!ã
Apparently, she was seriously thinking of storming into Kingâs chamber with a yell.
Should I stop her before she gets scolded? Inglis was prepared to do at least that much.
However, a back-up came from an unexpected place. Silva placed a hand on Rafinhaâs shoulder and stepped forward to cover for her.
ãShe is correct, brother! If thatâs an order by the King, then I must say that itâs not commendable at all! As the commander of the Imperial Guard Order, you should admonish His Majestyâ¦â¦!ã
Rafinha and Silva who shared the same opinion looked at each other and nodded. If that was all, then it was tolerable, butââ
Can you not put your hands on Rafihaâs shoulder? Itâs not like he looks excited about it, but⦠it bothers me. It bothers me to no end.
ãNo, I have no intention to do that.ã ãWHY!? Are you saying you donât care about Miss Ripple!?ã ãItâs not that I donât, butâ itâs a matter of priority. Personally, I also support His Majestyâs opinion.ã
Was he perhaps thinking about the danger of environmental damage? Certainly, if you take account of the civilians in the area, the proposed measurement would be much safer.
ãBrother! Why!?ã ãBecause Iâm afraid youâll get hurt!! If Lady Ripple is here, there is a high chance that the same accident will happen again, isnât there!? Iâm worried about youâ¦â¦!ã
Redas declared, his eyes opened wide, showing his endless honesty for all to see.
ããâ¦â¦â¦â¦ãã
Being given such an unexpected answer, both Rafinha and Silva were at loss.
However, Inglis could understand a little bit how Redas felt. Rafinha to Inglis was Silva to Redas. She was so precious, Inglis couldnât help herself. That was why she could feel a slight sense of kinship between her and Redas.
ãEven so, notwithstanding our plans, will the Highland even accept the proposal?ã
Inglis broke the silence as she stepped forward, nonchalantly brushing Silvaâs hand off Rafinhaâs shoulder as she did.