THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

When we reach the gammas' dorm, Keltia is standing outside. She is alone, however, which is surprising. She smiles while her face reddens a bit when we arrive and as I drop Lanuvel at the door, her friend giggles a bit.

"You got what you wanted in the end, huh…"

"I-I never wanted this."

"You naughty girl…" Keltia starts poking her cheek, forcing Lanuvel to cover her face. She enters her dorms in a hurry, like a rabbit flying to his hole.

"I guess everything is back to normal now, right?"

"I don't know. It depends on what you mean by normal?"

"You will continue to attend school, right?"

"…"

"…Sigh. I knew it. Father is waiting for you at the headmaster's office. There are updates regarding the war."

"I see."

"Hey, Kevin." Keltia calls me when I am a bit further away. "You know you are not obliged to do this right? It wasn't your fault."

My fault? Maybe she referring to Cordel's death. Well, maybe it was my fault there as well. But as far as I am concerned, I wish for Tatiana's death more than anything. She, her mother, and the bastard who lied to me. To us.

I simply give Keltia a thumb up and continue to the administration building. I arrive at the door of the headmaster's office and the doors open for me without questions. Even the secretary simply shows me the orb and when I touch it, I find myself, not in the headmaster's office but rather, in another room.

"Wha…"

There is all sort of officials gathered here. I see the king, some nobles, Frankher, Dilt, Rebecca, the pope, doggy, and other people dressed like him but sitting on a chair. He is the only one among them standing and of course, he is standing behind Rebecca.

"Come, Mister Dragonroad."

Frankher, who is sitting right next to Rebecca and doggy, calls me over. I walk and seeing as there no chairs available, I guess I have to stand behind him. Are you happy, doggy? Now, you have a companion.

The king also looks at me and I bow my head to greet him silently. He smiles brightly at that then looks back at Dilt.

"Star of Mercuria," Dilt calls me with some kind of solemn voice, "do you recognize these?"

Dilt throws a crystal, which is shining black at the center of the table, together with a drawing of some sort. The drawing is really well realized, even though it is done using a pencil. And that face.

"Yes, I do. This is a crystal we found on a woman who was made into a Longinus. As for the picture…That woman is Tatiana Flolerl."

"How? How do you know that name?!!" Doggy obviously grabs me by the shoulders and starts shaking uncontrollably. I shake him off then fix my clothes. "Answer me!"

Are you really going to use violence here? Oh well, I don't see why I shouldn't answer him either.

"Protector, calm down." Dilt brings things back in order before I open my mouth and the tension doggy created settles down immediately.

"That woman is the one who kidnapped me. While she was talking with her subordinates, I heard of them saying her name."

"I see. Now, protector. Do you also know that woman?"

"Yes, high commander the wet nurse of our child in Tatradum. But she was actually a spy from Floras who destroyed my village."

"And you never noticed? What kind of blockhead were you?"

A noble discharges a spicy comment at doggy who simply lowers his head. His face is twitching all over and a vein even pops out on his forehead but he doesn't say anything.

"I never got to know the full story but it was actually something that stupid. That hill of the deads should be-"

"Lancaster. I would advise against insulting the dead." The king himself puts the guy back to his place.

"I-I am sorry, your highness."

"Now, high commander. What is the point of showing us all this?"

"It seems that woman has been identified as one of the main characters behind the transformation of human into Longinus. She has also been spotted in Titanium recently by our spies."

"What about Borgas Grandcross?" He must be participating in those experiments as well, I am sure of it.

"Well, sadly, none of our troops have been able to advance through Floras's territory yet. Even with the heroes' help, we are still retaking the borders for now. But surely, we will get to the capital eventually."

"And what is the most probable plan, then?"

"Your highness. Before we talk about that, I would like to know the result of your discussions with Nivalneilhm's council."

"We agree to the cooperation with the eternal army as well." The noble from earlier, Lancaster is the one to speak.

"Ah, you are their representative, then."

"Yes, as per agreed with the kingdom of Syldavie, we shall provide military, food and logistic support throughout the war both to the eternal army and the kingdom of Syldavie as well. Knowing that both of you will do the same, we hope this cooperation will last even after the war."

"That is a detail for after the war."

"Of course, high commander."

"Now then, your highness, during the last meeting, you proposed that Syldavie's troops should focus on Floras while Nivaneilhm will break through Titanium's defense. Do you still want to go with that plan?"

"Yes, I do. As you may know, Titanium's problem is more related to a rebellion. Since most of Nivalneilhm's forces is composed of mercenaries. It would be better to use that advantage to attack the targeted cities where the leaders of the rebellion are located. It will be easier to search for this woman as well, I think."

"Do all the members present agree? I am not trying to disrespect you your highness but as this is a council. Any well-defended argument should be considered."

"Of course."

We wait a little but it is just a dead silence that follows the conversation between the king and Dilt. Dilt can say whatever he wants but saying anything now would really be disrespectful.

"In that case, we will go his highness's plan. Star f Mercuria."

"Yes."

"I will take this opportunity to propose the role of inquisitor of the eternal army in Titanium."

"Huh…Wh-"

"High commander. The star of Mercuria is still a student. Moreover, a student of the eternal academy. Besides, he is also the regent of Makenz. Making him part of the eternal army is not conceivable."

Frankher doesn't even give me the opportunity to answer and shut down Dilt's offer. I wouldn't have minded since I will be going there anyway. If Tatiana is in Titanium, I have to go there.

"Well, Sir Frankher. There seems to be a misunderstanding."

"The inquisitor position isn't part of the eternal army or the church. Or at least, it is a direct position of influence." The pope is the one who starts explaining the role of an inquisitor. That guy has been silent from the beginning.

"I don't understand."

"The inquisitor is an outsider role given to strong enough individual who can handle difficult tasks. It's just that when they do, they have the right to brandish our banner if necessary."

"So, you basically want him to be a mercenary."

"Correct."

"Still, he is a student. I cannot and will not approve of it."

"Well, the choice is his to decide."

Everyone looks at me with curious eyes. I am not supposed to think about it?

"I will think about it."

"Be quick then. Time is a luxury we don't have for long."

***

After that, the rest of the meeting went on with boring discussions that I didn't bother listening to. At the end of it, Frankher and I teleport back to his office and sit down. I guess it is time.

"Sir, I-"

"I will not be the headmaster of this school at the end of the year."

"What?! Why?!"

"Two students are dead because of my decision. It is not something that can be forgiven just like that. Therefore, the school's council has voted for my resignation at the end of this year. They were actually pretty lenient."

"I am sorry."

"There is no reason to. You have survived and that's plenty enough. But I wanted you to know that before you give me your answer. Though I don't think it will change something."

"It won't, sir."

"I see. Well, as I said during the meeting, you are the regent of Makenz, I have been managing your territory's affairs because I was waiting for you to graduate but since you won't for a while, I will have one of trusted aid do it for you until the end of the war."

"Thank you, Sir."

"It's nothing. Also, what are you going to do about Miss Nikitis and Miss saint Axelandria?"

"There is something to do about it?"

"Sigh…Like I thought. You do remember I told you you could die during the war, right?"

"Yes."

"Shouldn't you at least confirm your feelings for each other before you leave?" Ah, that's what he means. Something like what they did for Cordel and Esteressa.

"Well, I never thought of it. But as far as I am concerned, I don't think I should do it."

"Why?"

"Because if I die, that means my love wasn't strong enough."

"You really believe that?" Frankher opens his eyes widely with a surprised face.

"Yes, I do."

"I see. Then, there is nothing more to say. I just pray that you aren't wrong."

He stands up and extends his hands to me. I do so as well and we shake hands like men. Right now, that's all we are.

"I wish you luck. Star of Mercuria. No, Kevin."

"Luck has never been my forte, sadly."

"You should try to seduce lady luck a bit, then."

"Fufu. I will try to, Frankher."