The Extra’s Academy Survival Guide - Chapter 262

It was an emergency.

Lortel Kehelland did not know the exact details, but it seemed that Yennekar Palerover had made ‘significant’ progress with Ed Rothstaylor. Lortel had no way of knowing just how far that went, but one thing was obvious: she could not afford to sit still.

Because of that, it felt like something special had to be done… but there was nothing special that she could do.

Much as she hated to admit it, Ed Rothstaylor was a disgustingly hard worker. He never put off the work in front of him, and he made sure to do it properly. Since he had built his life with his own two hands, he was not the sort to fall for others’ temptations or petty tricks.

If that same Ed Rothstaylor somehow ended up falling for Yennekar Palerover, just what kind of trick did she use? Lortel frowned as she fell into deep thought. She then opened her eyes sharply, strengthening her determination.

At the end of the vacation, Ed would leave for Acken Island to teach. Until then, she needed to use the time she had to turn the tide in her favor.

Either way, in the meantime she desperately needed Ed’s help.

* * *

“Slogg Keldricks?”

After Ed Rothstaylor and Yennekar Palerover returned from their long journey, they were visited by the valuable guest Lortel.

At Tanya’s orders, a rather grand feast was prepared. On both sides of the large dinner table filled with food, House Rothstaylor’s vassals and the various business associates Lortel had brought along ate delicious and high-quality food.

Lortel then came over to Ed’s side, speaking seriously.

“Yes. He’s the current head of the Elte Company. He’s served my father, the Golden King Elte, for more than twenty years.”

“If you are planning to become the head of the company yourself, you will have to prepare to bring him down soon.”

“Yes, that’s correct. However, that old man is more ambitious than I expected. The original contract was for him to return the position of head of the company to me, but seeing the current situation, it seems that he has no plans to fulfill his side of the contract,” said Lortel casually, as if it weren’t a big deal. “He will soon try and betray me.”

In the world of business, where personal interests created complicated relationships, betrayal became as natural as breathing.

Lortel wasn’t hurt in the slightest when a subordinate, who she had been working with for decades, turned around to stab her in the back.

“Once I become the head of the company, I will be unable to do any practical work. That’s why I am trying to take care of such business while I have the chance now. However, it seems while I’ve been taking care of that, he’s been trying to put more coins in his pocket.”

She continued, “I told you before when Dune had betrayed me. If an employee I’ve known for decades suddenly sticks a knife in my back, I won’t be able to do anything if I just sit around depressed and sad.”

She was wearing a gorgeous dress, her reddish-brown hair neatly combed. She lived a life of splendor, so it was inevitable that some would look towards her with envy.

“This is a mere stepping stone that all merchants must cross over at some point. If he truly plans to try and betray me, there’s no need to think of him any differently.”

“If that’s what you think, there’s nothing I can say.”

“As long as you never betray me, Ed. Though, that will never happen.”

There was a strange sense of weight in those short words that she uttered with a smile.

“The psychology behind betraying another to take their seat is simple. Since it becomes impossible to trust others, you can only betray them yourselves. Living with the doubt that you will be betrayed at any time, you slowly wear yourself out and become engrossed in such fears.”

Lortel put her glass down on the table as she smiled lightly. She then quietly said, “Let me answer before you ask. I know from experience.”

“I wasn’t going to ask.”

“I know you’re just saying that. But to get to the main point… That sneaky old man Slogg. He’s a very difficult person to deal with.”

For Lortel to speak so highly of him herself, it was clear just how cunning and clever the man would be.

The fact that he had held a high position for over twenty years in Oldek, where betrayal was a common occurrence, showed just how skilled he was.

“Right now, he’s delaying my promotion to head of the company, as I am busy taking care of some practical tasks. However, once I start actively trying to reclaim that seat, he will certainly try and drag me down.”

“Specifically how?”

“Justification.”

Lortel raised her hand at an angle as she carefully spoke.

“The scales of the Elte Company are always level.”

Was it the Elte Company’s tendency to say such a hypocritical sentence?

“Thus, to find justification to take me, the deputy director of the Elte Company, down… He needs to find a worthwhile cause.”

“Like when you kicked out Elte Kehelland.”

The previous head of the Elte Company had been brought down with various allegations, such as lackluster sales and fraud, all at once, leading to his downfall.

But this time, the dagger was being pointed towards Lortel.

“But… we have been fellow merchants for nearly twenty years. At this point, we know each other’s tactics and thought processes far too well.”

“Even though you’ve known each other for so long, there’s no trust… The life of a merchant seems really exhausting.”

“It really is. Rather, things become scarier the longer you know each other. Since he is an enemy that has been close to me all these years, he will understand my plans better than others.”

Lortel looked around to make sure no one was listening in. She then lowered her voice.

“Which is why he’s going to try and outsmart me. Even if I check every possible thing, he will still somehow find a way to catch me off guard. He isn’t going to be an easy opponent to deal with.”

“I’ve never seen you so wary before. You were even more relaxed in front of the princess.”

“I cannot make the mistake of thinking I can control every single variable. If I want to survive in this field, all I can do is continue to doubt myself.”

The right arm of Deputy Director Lortel. Always faithful, helping her in her goals.

That was the position Slogg used to hold.

“Can’t you just take action first and bring him down?”

Even though Ed said that, he was somewhat aware that it was a useless thought.

“He is excellent at his job. His performance is outstanding, and his management is equally impressive. I have not been able to find a single meaningful mistake. So if I want justification to force him out, I would have to do something rather extreme.”

“…And that would give Slogg perfect justification to fight back and protest against you.”

“…Right. In a fight to find justification like this, the one who acts hastily and forcefully is the one who loses first. Just like how Dune acted hastily and made a mistake that led to his downfall.”

Slogg was definitely on offense, and Lortel was on defense. That was how they needed to protect themselves.

“The best thing I can do is purposely create an opportunity, then use it to fight back.”

The one who was going to lose first in the fight was the one who made a mistake first.

“Right now, Slogg is being rather passive, not creating any openings. However, he is certainly preparing for the moment he will reveal his true nature. Counterattacking at that moment will be the best option.”

“But when he reveals his true colors, that will be when he is certain of his victory… Isn’t he a clever veteran merchant?”

“That’s right. Which is why I need to carefully prepare a plan that will completely outwit him.”

Ed cut up his steak as he gathered his thoughts. He didn’t particularly want to join a power struggle between merchants, but with Lortel in trouble, he felt that he needed to help her.

“Ed… I want you to be the ’wedge’ when that time comes.”

“Wedge?”

“When Slogg has an opening, I want you to be the witness for everything. You have the authority of both the Holy Capital and the Imperial Household behind you. There are only a handful of people throughout the entire empire who are connected to both the Saint and Princess like you.”

When Lortel found a good reason to kick Slogg out, she wanted Ed to stand as a witness.

“That’s not difficult, but… I’m not sure about my relationship with the Holy Father Building. As for the Imperial Household, it’s a bit awkward these days…”

“What? Aren’t you in regular contact with the princess?”

“Princess Penia has become quite busy now that she has become the heir to the throne, so we don’t talk much. As for Princess Selah… Our relationship is a bit messy.”

“Why is that? Ah… Is this a bit too personal to talk about?”

“That’s not necessarily the issue… It’s just a bit complicated. She’ll come to the Rothstaylor Mansion on her own will, create some random excuse to meet with me, and then when she glances my way, she’ll suddenly get angry and run back to the Imperial Household… Though, she always makes sure to accept Tanya’s invitations for tea parties…”

“…I won’t ask for the details.’

“Alright, thanks. Anyway, the point is that my relationship with them is a bit unstable these days.”

Lortel scratched her chin, thinking about it. She eventually decided that such a variable wasn’t going to be an issue.

“Anyway, what I was trying to say is that I need your help to get rid of Slogg. I don’t know when he will reveal his true self, but I’m sure that once I try and reclaim my title as the head of the company, he will do something.”

“When will you do that?”

“Soon.”

Ed tilted his head as he looked at Lortel. Lortel returned the look with a faintly foxlike smile.

“I know you will get busy once school starts, so I’ll make sure to finish things before then.”

“Then…”

“When I return to Oldek, I’m going to announce my stance as being the next head. Then, Slogg will surely start taking action.”

It was obvious what she meant.

“Ed, will you accompany me back to Oldek this time?”

Not only to bring an end to Slogg, but also to bring Ed with her to Oldek. Ed nodded his head, accepting Lortel’s request for him to accompany and assist her.

Ed and Lortel’s relationship was stronger than one would think. It was a relationship based on trust, one that wasn’t swayed by one’s own self-interest.

A tremendous amount of gold and silver, the power and authority of the Elte Company, and various influential contacts.

More than all of that, just seeing Ed nod his head was the most valuable and reassuring thing for her. She then had a thought to herself.

Whatever it takes, I want to keep this man close to me for the rest of my life… She secretly held that thought close to her heart.

* * *

“Young Master Ed said that he would soon be accompanying Lady Lortel back to Oldek to help her.”

Crunch.

Yennekar chewed on her salad before suddenly turning stiff. However, after a moment… Like a rabbit, she continued to nibble on her lettuce.

She then nodded her head, muttering, “I see. I thought it was about time the Elte Company would look towards renewing their contract with Silvenia. Ed must have a hard time always having to represent the school with such business.”

“Well, it seems that Young Master Ed is going to take care of his business for Silvenia. However, the main reason why he is going is to personally assist Lady Lortel with her work.”

“I see. Ed must be busy. He always has a strong sense of responsibility… Always working hard and giving his best. I wonder if there’s anything I can do to help?”

Yennekar continued to hum as she chewed on her food. After she returned from Pulan, she has been acting rather strange, as if she were constantly dreaming. Bell could easily guess what had happened.

As Yennekar continued to eat her breakfast, Bell came over to her side. She then whispered quietly in her ear so the other maids wouldn’t overhear.

“Did you sleep with Young Master Ed?”

Yennekar choked, coughing in her shock at the question. She didn’t need to answer. That reaction alone was enough to figure out what had happened.

“Wh-what are you saying, Bell?!”

“I just felt that I should tell you something, Lady Yennekar. You shouldn’t become negligent just because you think you have him in your arms.”

Bell’s words always cut straight to the point. Yennekar knew that fact well. She continued to look embarrassed as she listened to Bell.

“Wh-what do you mean by that?”

“There’s a saying that all men are wolves, right? Of course, Young Master Ed is a reliable and sincere man. However, you never know what is going to happen if another person starts to use several tricks against him. Especially in the case of Lady Lortel. We both know she isn’t one to stand still.”

With Bell’s position, cheering for a specific person was uncomfortable. However, at the very least, she didn’t want to see the good-natured Yennekar sit idly by and lose Ed.

“Y-you don’t have to worry about that!” Strangely, Yennekar fought back. “Ed whispered to me! He said that when I’m with him, I give him strength—”

“Lady Yennekar, your voice is too loud.”

Yennekar quickly swung her body, looking around her. The other maids blushed as they hurriedly walked away with their cleaning tools. Yennekar fanned her face with her hands, blowing away her cold sweat.

“A-anyway… Ed promised to be with me in the future…”

“Is that so…?”

Bell felt strangely moved by the fact they had made more progress than she had expected. It felt as if Yennekar was finally stepping up to the plate. It was like she was a parent watching her child grow.

However, there were still things that needed to be addressed.

“About that… Are you sure that’s what he said?”

“Wh-what?”

“If he really did declare that he wouldn’t cross the line with any other women… Then there’s no need for me to doubt what you say…”

After hearing that, Yennekar suddenly remembered the conversation she had with Ed. She was so engrossed with an overwhelming sense of happiness, and her mind had grown foggy at just the thought of sleeping together with him.

However, thinking back to exactly what he said… She remained silent for a long while.

“…Lady Yennekar… Why…aren’t you saying anything…?”

She had been completely overwhelmed with a sense of happiness and euphoria that night. She had talked with Ed quite a bit, but… As for what he had actually told her…

“Uhm… Bell…”

“…Yes?”

“I… I think I was swept away by the atmosphere…” Yennekar struggled to confess. “Somehow…I think…I told Ed…it was okay for him…to be with other girls…”

There was a moment of silence.

Bell heard what Yennekar had said, but she was too shocked to fully comprehend it. Bell had frozen completely for a moment.

Looking at Yennekar, she finally asked, “…What…do you mean by that…?”

* * *

“Then I will contact you later, Ed.”

The next day, after talks about the Holy Father Building were concluded, Lortel got back into her carriage and headed for Oldek.

Lortel had a rather calm expression on her face as she said from the carriage window, “I can’t wait to see you in Oldek soon.”

“Alright. Take care of yourself, Lortel. It seems that there’s a high chance that you’re going to be in for a hell of a time.”

“Haha… You don’t have to worry about that. It would be difficult for Slogg to do anything to physically harm me. Like I told you, this is a fight for us to find justification.”

Whoever crossed the line first would lose. With the two of them holding tremendous power, ultimately it would come down to who had a legitimate reason on their side.

“He won’t be an easy opponent to handle. Nevertheless, I hope we can celebrate our victory together when you come to Oldek.”

I also hoped the same. I waved my hand as I said farewell to Lortel.

Whatever the case, Lortel knew how to protect herself. No matter how tricky Slogg might be, it wouldn’t be easy for him to outwit someone like Lortel.

With that thought in mind, I watched Lortel’s carriage slowly leave. Once she finished her preparations to some extent, she would call on me to go to Oldek.

And the following week, a letter came from the Elte Company… But it wasn’t from Lortel.

It came from her most trusted subordinate, Chief Secretary Lienna. I knew the letter could be trusted, as it was from Lienna herself. However, the contents were written hastily, and it lacked detail. Was she afraid that the contents of the letter might have been leaked?

However, reading the words that were written clearly… I frowned.

I respectfully bow my head before Young Master Ed Rothstaylor of the great and glorious House Rothstaylor.

It was an SOS request.

The deputy director is seriously injured, and there is no other place to ask for help. I sincerely ask for you to protect the deputy director at Rothstaylor Mansion.

Something had happened in Oldek.

I at least knew that much.