𝐓𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭
A few days after the mock battle with A-class.
Within the academy, the popularity of the S-class started to wane, and the popularity of A-class to B-class surged once again. The S-class was deemed too powerful, and many began to view them as a threat, only second to demons and the Demon Emperor.
The merit of demon subjugation began to fade, and while the S-class was no longer openly despised or ridiculed. . . . . .they were now avoided and feared.
Albero, Kid, and Ridelle were certainly avoided, but even those who did not fight, like Ashe and Lapis, were now shunned. This troubled Ashe.
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“Even when I was just shopping at the store, the staff looked scared of me. . . . . .it’s a bit disheartening.”
“Me too. I haven’t done anything wrong. . . . . .”
“Some even shout and avoid me when they see me. It’s really getting to me. . . . . .”
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Ashe and the others were having tea in the dormitory’s conversation room.
They had wanted to go to the new café in the store, but with everyone being so apprehensive around them, they thought it best to refrain. It was a shame, especially since the café had just opened, and Ashe was quite disappointed.
Just then, Albero and Kid, who had finished their training, returned.
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“We’re back.”
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Albero greets, but Kid remains silent.
Training with Venus hasn’t sunk in, and they’ve been frustrated all along.
Of course, the reason is the reactions of those around them.
Ridelle asked Kid.
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“Kid, what’s wrong?”
“It’s really annoying. People keep glancing at me and then looking away. . . . . .if they have something to say, they should say it to my face.”
“They’re probably too scared to say anything. . . . . .here, I’ll make you some tea.”
“. . . . . .Hmph.”
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Kid sat on the sofa, and Ridelle began preparing tea.
Surprisingly obedient. Albero somehow also sat down and drank Ridelle’s tea.
Just when they thought they had calmed down a bit.
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“Albero, are you here?. . . . . .There’s a bit of a problem.”
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Yorha entered the dorm with a tired expression.
She had several documents in her hand, giving off a bad vibe.
She slammed the papers on the table and said,
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“We’ve received a summons from the court. They want to discuss charges of defamation and insult against Oswald.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“Absolutely. Honestly. . . . . .seems like there are those in the court as well, believers in class supremacy, Oswald’s lackeys.”
“There’s no way to prove a conversation during a mock battle. If it’s about insults, Oswald has made far more.”
“The issue is whether the ones admitting the charges are competent or not. If you’re found guilty, you’ll lose your S-class qualification, be branded a criminal, and get a 『summoning ban』. After that, forced labor awaits, and I bet the Rushout family will quickly disown you. You might even lose your Margrave status.”
“. . . . . .”
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Albero thought of his parents’ faces.
With a smiling face, Albero’s father patted him on the shoulder, saying that if Albero ever became a criminal, he would be disowned immediately. He would probably be expelled from the Rushout family this time.
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“Yorha, what should we do?”
“For now, let’s go to the court. I’ll accompany you.”
“Eh, you don’t have to.”
“No way. You might end up in some petty fight if you go alone.”
“I’m not a kid. I won’t do something like that.”
“Hey! What do you mean by that?”
“. . . . . .We’ll go to the court tomorrow. We have the day off from classes. I’ll try to manage things.”
“Understood. . . . . .”
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The situation had become more complicated than expected.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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The next day.
Albero, along with Yorha, arrived at the 『Asgard Royal Court』.
The building, reminiscent of the royal palace, was magnificent. Albero didn’t really like such buildings.
Looking up at the courthouse, Yorha spoke.
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“Today is just an interview. Remember, don’t say anything unnecessary.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
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Upon entering the courthouse and checking in, they were immediately led to another room.
The room Albero and Yorha were led to was simple.
There was a table and chairs in the center, with another set of chairs and table for the record keeper. Inside, there were two interrogators and one recorder.
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“Albero Rushout. Sit down.”
“. . . . . .”
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As told, he sat down.
Yorha also took a seat, slightly irritated by the authoritative tone. The officials should know of the royal Yorha’s presence, yet they behaved this way. Yorha sensed the aura of either her brother or father, or some other royalty, behind the interrogator.
Once both of them sat, the interrogator did as well.
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“Let’s begin the questioning about the insult and defamation Albero Rushout allegedly made against Oswald Brush Viscount.”
“Hold on, he hasn’t been proven guilty yet. Don’t phrase it as if it’s a fact.”
“Hmph. Then, the first question. . . . . .During the recent mock battle between A-class summoners and S-class summoners, is it true that Albero Rushout called Oswald Viscount a criminal without evidence, causing him to become flustered and taking advantage of the situation?”
“Are you stupid? Verbal tactics are also a part of strategy. And if he wasn’t guilty of the accusations, he wouldn’t have been disturbed. It’s clear Oswald was disturbed, and he definitely ordered the crime. . . . . .『to leave the F-class students to die』.”
“. . . . . .What’s your answer to this, Albero Rushout?”
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The interrogator ignored Yorha.
Subconsciously, Yorha crossed her legs.
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“Insult or not, it’s undeniable that during the demon attack, Oswald, in his role as a teacher commanding the Student Council, used the F-class as bait, making them exhaust themselves, while ordering the Student Council to standby. A teacher, in charge of students, left them to die. I, being there, only confirmed that fact. . . . . .how is this an insult?”
“So that’s your answer?”
“Yes. I don’t know how much you’re being paid, but if you want to declare me guilty, go ahead. But, I might abandon this kingdom. . . . . .I can hunt demons elsewhere too.”
“What?!”
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To this, Yorha was surprised.
It was Albero’s true feelings.
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“I don’t care about the Rushout family. As long as I can hunt demons, I don’t need to be in this country.”
“No! You can’t do that! Did you forget our promise?!”
“Ah. . . . . .well.”
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Yorha desires power to become a king and is in a cooperative relationship with Albero.
Indeed, even Albero felt bad about breaking the promise.
The interrogator glares at Albero.
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“. . . . . .Understood. Let me tell you one thing. If your crime is confirmed, it’ll be labeled as an S-class summoner’s crime. The S-class rank will be revoked. You might avoid imprisonment or internment due to your achievements in demon subjugation, but. . . . . .you’ll likely revert to the F-class rank, and S-class will be placed there.”
“Hmm, so that’s the plot. Hey, tell me already. Who wants to crush the S-class so much? I thought a bit. . . . . .I can’t imagine Otou-sama doing such roundabout things. Maybe Onii-sama was persuaded, but it doesn’t seem right. . . . . .if my guess is correct.”
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Yorha crosses her legs and glares at the interrogator.
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“. . . . . .Uncle Hillclimb or Aunt Yeuglena, right? Am I wrong?”
“. . . . . .”
“Bingo, right?”
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Yorha didn’t miss the slight twist of the interrogator’s mouth for a split second.
Zenobect’s brother and sister. The previous king, for some reason, excluded these two from the royal candidates and appointed Zenobect as the successor.
The reason is simple. Hillclimb and Yeuglena are terrifying class supremacists.
Both were granted territories and should be ruling over them.
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“Tch. . . . . .I wonder where you heard about the S-class. It’s clear now. Behind the A-class summoner are Uncle and Aunt. Isn’t that right, interrogator?”
“. . . . . .”
“Hmph, staying silent is pointless. I can tell the truth from the slightest behavior. For class supremacists, the rise of the S-class seems quite unpleasant, huh. . . . . .sheesh.”
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Yorha looked exasperated as if she was tired.
And then, with narrowed eyes, she said to the interrogator.
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“Fine. I’ll play a card. . . . . .Interrogator, convey to Uncle and Aunt to 『enjoy the masquerade ball』.”
“. . . . . .?”
“Just relay it. Sigh. . . . . .I wasn’t planning to reveal it here.”
“. . . . . .?”
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Albero and the interrogator tilted their heads, looking at each other in confusion.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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It was the morning after going to the courthouse.
The report that all the charges against Albero had been dismissed came in.
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