The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 163

Lortel Kehelland was quick at grasping a situation.

Arriving at the scene, revealing her identity to the soldiers and giving them some money to hear the details of the incident, and organizing her thoughts. After doing all of that, she was able to set a course of action.

While Lortel was riding in a wagon, Krepin, who was rebelling against the imperial power, seemed to have caused a calamity by summoning an evil god. Though, somehow it seemed that Ed, Yennekar, and Lucy had stopped his plans.

The downfall of House Rothstaylor was to be expected. It seemed that all of the members and servants of the mansion were in poor health, and all those who held high positions within the imperial household would be kicked out.

A war of nerves would take place over the newly vacant spots. In order to put their own people in those seats, those who held power would have to act. Thus, it was obvious that the dispute over the imperial throne between the princesses would also intensify as a result.

And intensifying disputes smelt like money.

Following the wave by riding the flow, money was bound to follow.

However, this case was special. That was because Ed Rothstaylor was involved.

“Hmm…”

To put it bluntly, Lortel, who has a strong romantic interest in Ed Rothstaylor… especially when he was involved, her judgment and reasoning became completely clouded.

Despite Ed Rothstaylor being a key political piece, she prioritized getting him away first.

She gained Selah’s trust through her skillful techniques and managed to get Ed away from it all through the Elte Company. The problem was that Lortel wasn’t the only person thinking of that.

“Ed is seriously injured. The right choice is to bring him to Pulan, as there is no better place for him to heal and recuperate over the break. It’ll also be a great place to hide from those who chase after him.”

“Just because there’s clean water and fresh air doesn’t mean he’s going to heal. Rather, high-ranking priests and nursing personnel within the Holy Father Building would be better…”

Lortel pressed on her throbbing head as she said.

“I can do everything from finding him shelter with clean water and fresh air to preparing competent medical personnel to take care of him. The problem is, we need to discuss what we are going to do afterwards.”

Lortel walked closer to Yennekar and Clarice, as she spoke with a quiet voice.

“Are you two capable of keeping Ed safe while also mediating between the ongoing political situation?”

At those words, Clarice and Yennekar couldn’t say anything.

Lortel was proficient in handling the real world.

Living on the frontlines of the market, she had a keen sense of understanding and reconciling interests between different people. An ability that Yennekar and Clarice did not have.

She was even capable of taking Ed away under the guise that Elte Company would manage him. Thus, making time to dig around to find other workarounds to the situation.

Once Ed’s body came into the Elte Company’s hands, she was ready to create all sorts of excuses so she wouldn’t have to give up his body to the imperial household.

“I will take Ed to Oldek. Because it is the safest option.”

Even though Ed would receive treatment and recover his health at the company, ultimately what would happen afterwards was up to Ed to judge and decide.

“But once the imperial household is set on it, you won’t have any way to deal with them.”

Clarice was the one who spoke back first.

“I acknowledge the intelligence and tactics of the Elte Company, but in essence, all of that is just gimmicks. If the Imperial Household decides to capture Ed through a pure overwhelming force, without any reasoning… Will the Elte Company really be able to still go up against the Imperial Household? When your business only survives by utilizing the empire’s distribution networks?”

“…Making sure something like that doesn’t happen is what the Elte Company does.”

“But if it’s somewhere as large as the Holy Father Building, it’s possible to oppose the imperial household.”

At those words, Yennekar and Lortel were left speechless.

Saint Clarice was willing to risk a situation where conflict arose between the Imperial Household and the Holy Father Building just to avoid losing Ed.

There was no way that the Holy Father Building would go out of their way to save a single man’s life. She’d probably need another reason.

“Ed needs to undergo a holy trial in the Holy Father Building. Because he hurt me.”

That was the reason Saint Clarice came up with.

Ed Rothstaylor was a believer who had been baptized by the Telos Religious Group during his coming-of-age ceremony, and because a believer had directly injured the Saint, he became a young man that needed to be judged according to holy law.

And the place that had the sole right to a holy trial was the Holy Father Building. Before they handed over a sinner to another nation, they held the authority to judge them first through holy law.

Of course, since the Saint was on Ed’s side, there was no way that he would receive a major punishment. It was also unclear whether the Saint was injured because she had stumbled and fallen, or whether she had really been injured through Ed’s actions.

She just needed to use holy law as justification to gain control over Ed. Later, when he was healed and things calmed down, they could acquit him.

“The distance between the Holy Father Building and the Kroel Imperial Household is quite far. So, what would you do if the Holy Father Building tried to protect Ed at the discretion of the Saint, but didn’t have access to the various necessary information regarding the reorganization of the imperial household and the ongoing situation?”

“…Pardon?”

“The safety of his body is important right now. However, how we handle the situation and turn things to our advantage is also important. That’s why the correct decision is to leave Ed’s safety in the hands of the Elte Company.”

You couldn’t beat Lortel through logic.

It was uncertain whether the Holy Father Building would even agree to protect Ed, and even if they did, Ed would become caught up and completely vulnerable in a war of nerves between the Holy Father Building and the Imperial Household. That wouldn’t be an ideal situation either.

“It’s important to protect Ed, but does that mean the only thing we have to think about is securing his body?”

Yennekar didn’t stand still either.

“If the issue is the fact that those with power want to take advantage of him, isn’t it best to first move him to a place without such people…?”

Although she was speaking vaguely, Yennekar’s words were clearly addressing the main issue.

Wherever Ed went, they also needed to make sure to get him to a place away from the political strife.

“I’m confident I won’t get caught if I make up my mind and run away. Unlike Lortel and the Saint, my body isn’t tied to anything.”

Yennekar already looked quite exhausted, but if she made up her mind, she was ready to run away with Ed to the other end of the map.

“While I’m running away with Ed, the safest thing to do is deal with all the issues through fighting or conciliating.”

Whether things developed through a fight between the Telos Religious Group and the Imperial Household, or if Princess Selah was deceived through Lortel’s skill.

In the end, it all depended on Clarice and Lortel… But there was no reason for either of them to personally take care of Ed.

However, there was no way the other two could understand that fact. If they didn’t secure Ed’s safety themselves, they wouldn’t feel confident about what would happen afterwards.

In the end, it became a war of nerves over who would be taking Ed.

It was quite heartwarming and romantic that they all cared greatly for Ed Rothstaylor’s safety… but the situation couldn’t be any bloodier than it was.

Yennekar Palerover. An elementalist who could summon even an ultimate spirit if she clenched her teeth.

Lortel Kehelland. A wealthy merchant who could buy an entire sailboat with just the money currently in her wallet if she wanted to.

Saint Clarice. Revered as the most sacred and noble being within the greatest religious faction on the continent, the Telos Religious Group.

The clash of gazes between the three made even the soldiers standing far away gulp on their dry saliva.

They couldn’t overhear their conversation, but they seemed to be discussing a rather important political issue.

Though, in reality it was solely a battle of nerves over who was going to take Ed Rothstaylor.

They were all looking for justification to take Ed using various plausible reasons.

If their reasoning didn’t get through to each other in the very end, they were people who were willing to take him at all costs. Watching them from a distance, you would lose all strength in your shoulders.

However, it was a problem that Ed Rothstaylor himself couldn’t see.

Was he going to Pulan, the Holy Father Building, or Oldek?

Depending on the destination Ed went, his stance in the war of nerves with the imperial family would greatly differ.

Someone who ran away, someone who opposed them, or someone who took advantage of them. Each of them had their own pros and cons. No matter what choice was made, it could be considered a reasonable decision.

However, for the three girls, it wasn’t just about Ed’s stance.

If it boiled down to the question of whether he would follow Yennekar, Clarice, or Lortel… In the end, only one of them could have Ed.

If Ed regained consciousness even a little bit and declared who he would follow… At that point, the other two would have to admit a major sense of defeat.

Though, if you were to ask, they would say they were only discussing what route Ed should take.

It was the three girls who started creating an extra meaning to the decision. It was the result of trying to create a legitimate means to somehow have Ed come with them. But now, the atmosphere was heated. They were all fueling their own flames.

“Soon, the imperial army will arrive and start looking around the fallen buildings to assess the situation. The army is rather large and well-trained, so they will get the job done quickly.”

There would be a mix of personnel who would clean up the scene and collect the bodies. Of course, such personnel would take Ed when they arrived as well.

If that happened, Ed would naturally end up being moved to the Elte Company. Lortel designed the situation to be like that.

Thud! Thud!

At that moment, the sound of the soldiers guarding the vicinity of the garden pounding their ceremonial spears began. That meant a high noble had arrived.

Though, from the start this place was full of nobles. With that in mind, it meant that the noble in question was powerful enough for the soldiers to raise their spears for them, unlike with the others.

The person who walked through the entrance to the garden was Selah, The Princess of Frost.

“This is where you were, Ed Rothstaylor.”

She was accompanied by all sorts of other nobles.

The enraged nobles shouted that House Rothstaylor’s descendants should all be killed. Selah stepped forward with her back to them as she looked in the direction of the girls.

Though, she didn’t even give a glance towards them as her only concern was Ed Rothstaylor, who was leaning against a tree.

That petite girl named Lucy and the boy next to her had his eyes closed. They were the key for Princess Selah to reorganize the entire power structure.

Though, the forces gathered around him were ready to protect him if necessary.

Yennekar’s hand, grabbing the wand, tightened. If she wanted to, she could easily call on Takan to run away with Ed at that very moment.

However, it wasn’t Yennekar who stopped Princess Selah.

Fwaak, Clang!

A Wind Blade flew from the sky as it sliced between Selah and Ed.

The Wind Blade left traces on the floor as it dispersed into the air, disappearing. All that was left was the heads of those around them looking around in confusion.

As the dust blew away, a girl was seen standing in front of Ed.

There was a lot of dust all over her body, and her hair, which had always been elegant, was now loose and tangled. Her clothes were also dirty, so she couldn’t really be seen as a noble.

And the girl who was between Selah and Ed… was Tanya Rothstaylor. She stood there between them as she looked up at Selaha.

“Don’t touch him.”

Refusal of Imperial Command.

For Tanya, who always succumbed to authority, it wasn’t easy for her to say those words.

Yennekar, Lortel, and Clarice were all thinking of taking Ed away in some way. That was because they all had a place that they could take him to that was better than where they were.

Those who had an option were all trying to make the situation as beneficial to them as possible.

However, for Tanya, it was completely different.

Tanya’s home was Rothstaylor Mansion. She was a girl who only looked towards the glory of House Rothstaylor.

Much had been lost, and she had been used. As she clenched her fists, she had nothing left.

In front of her were the nobles, who were full of rage. The damage was caused by Krepin’s plans, but they demanded Tanya to pay the price.

Having lived like a king under the Rothstaylor name, it was time to pay the price.

With absurd reasoning going around, Tanya finally appeared at the scene, raising her voice.

Tanya defended Ed with her arms stretched out… she slowly opened her mouth as she spoke.

“For me… he’s the last… and the closest person I can call a blood relative.”

She had lost Arwen. Her house’s honor was lost. And all of her belongings were burned.

There was nothing left for her as she fought back with her arms stretched out toward the world.

She was just like Ed when he sat by himself on a rock in the north forest of Acken Island by the wooden shelter he had built.

She imagined her older brother clenching his teeth and building a new home despite having no reason to live.

Only then did Tanya realize just how difficult and long of a journey that must have been.

However, Tanya’s situation was a little better than Ed’s.

The large mansion and the power of her House, which had suddenly crashed down… Still, Tanya had someone she still shared blood with.

That boy leaning against the tree with his eyes shut was now Tanya’s last asset.

That was why Tanya didn’t try to run away or hide, instead coming out to the central garden and standing proudly.

“Tanya and Ed Rothstaylor.”

Selah and the other nobles lost their breath seeing Tanya act as such. Her usual elegant and noble appearance was nowhere to be seen.

Selah spoke Tanya’s name quietly as she frowned.

“Siblings that inherited the blood of House Rothstaylor… You two will have to accompany me to the imperial household to report the situation.”

The political battle was ultimately just a fight for reasoning.

And the reason that Selah had come up with was to listen to the circumstances properly and fully understand the incident. Though, in reality, there was no need to travel all the way to the imperial household to hear the details of the incident. It could just be done on the spot.

It was clear there was another reason behind wanting to bring them to the imperial household. Tanya felt an ominous sense of dread as she shuddered. However, she didn’t back down, holding her arms wide open and protecting Ed.

Selah took a deep breath as she looked around.

A lot of people were spread out around Ed.

Lucy was sleeping on his shoulder. Tanya was in front of him.

There was even Yennekar, Lortel, and Saint Clarice as well.

It felt as if all the highest nobles had gathered in one place to come to a decision about Ed.

And Selah herself was also planning to wrap everything up before he woke up.

According to Lortel, Ed Rothstaylor was a clever and capable man. That meant he was a person that held no benefit in being kept alive.

Selah herself agreed with that opinion to some extent. So, she thought that she was going to follow through with Lortel’s suggestion, but…

“Yawn.”

As if it had come to end the war of nerves that was like walking on a sheet of ice… A small yawn was heard.

The one who had rubbed her eyes, standing up as if they were too noisy, was… Lucy Mayreel.

She leaned on Ed’s shoulder as she stood up. The power of the girl who was staggering forward… Everyone there knew it well.

“What.”

In an exhausted tone, she looked at the people gathered around as she said.

“What’s with the atmosphere?”

It felt as if the atmosphere had completely changed since she had fallen asleep. Selah felt a strange sense of danger, but she didn’t stop.

“I order all of you to get away from Ed Rothstaylor at…”

Whick.

However, a wand swung down, quickly stopping Selah in her path.

Yennekar, who was standing nearby, took out her wand as if she were blocking Selah.

Selah frowned as she looked around at the atmosphere. Behind her were a group of furious nobles, but in front of her they were calm and quiet.

The future… Ed Rothstaylor would pave the path.

And at that moment, he was lying unconscious against the tree in the central garden.

However, there wasn’t just one or two people blocking her.

Yennekar Palerover, wielding a wand that was larger than her body. Lortel, who wore her robe and was hiding her expression despite supposedly being on Selah’s side. Clarice was looking coldly at Selah as she held up the ends of her skirt. Tanya, who didn’t clear the way despite trembling. And Lucy, who was rubbing her eyes and glaring at Selah.

All she had to do was walk through them, but there was a strangely cold and eerie atmosphere around those girls… Selah swallowed her dry saliva.

Each one had their own plans, but ultimately, their goal was all the same.

The moment she approached Ed Rothstaylor, the atmosphere seemed to change. And the sensation of walking on a thin sheet of ice sent a chill down Selah’s spine.

Pandora’s box, which should never be opened.

Unless you opened it, you would never know if a treasure was inside. However, sometimes one’s intuition would give you hints to its contents—like magic.

Ed Rothstaylor, lying unconscious against the zelkova tree.

Even though he had a calm expression, not moving one bit, the people standing around him all had cold expressions on their faces.

Certainly, if the goal was to secure Ed Rothstaylor’s body, now was the perfect time, as he is unconscious.

However, Selah could only unconsciously swallow her dry saliva.

She had already heard of the people that were on Ed Rothstaylor’s side, but she never expected the atmosphere to be like that.

It had been nearly a decade since she last felt such a feeling of tension.