Dumped After My Engagement: Becoming a Military Noblewoman

Chapter 99

Returning to the military school from the campsite, after taking roll call as we did on the way out, we were dismissed immediately.

Walking long distances tirelessly, setting up tents, keeping watch over the fire in the darkness, and sleeping on the hard ground. The members of the special class had shown confidence when the lessons were explained, but after actually completing the exercise and returning, everyone was exhausted and out of breath, collapsing to the ground like puppets with cut strings the moment they passed through the military school's gate.

"Oh, you've all gotten quite the rugged look in just one day."

Instructor Harrison, who had been waiting at the military school's gate, looked us over with a mischievous grin.

For exercises and expeditions, the instructor in charge of the class usually accompanies the group, but Instructor Harrison, due to physical reasons, couldn't join us and had to stay behind alone.

"Looks like you don't even have the energy to respond. Alright, that's it for today. Everyone, return to the dorms and rest your bodies well."

As for why Instructor Harrison, who stayed behind during the exercise, was giving the closing remarks, it's because the only instructors present here are Harrison, the instructor in charge of the special class, and Instructor Tseri, who still refers to themselves as a newcomer.

Half of the instructors who accompanied us were drugged and fell unconscious, so they are under observation for a day at the fortress with the military doctor. Some of the unaffected instructors joined soldiers to inspect the scene in the forest, while the rest, upon returning to the military school, immediately entrusted the students to Instructor Harrison and Instructor Tseri before rushing to the fortress to coordinate with the military.

"Sleep, eat, and make sure to recover your strength by the day after tomorrow. Come on, get up."

Grabbing the arms of the students sitting on the ground and pulling them up, Instructor Harrison urged, "Move, move," before turning around and gesturing toward me, Finn, Sil, and Severi, who were still seated.

It seems he had already heard about what happened last night, as he furrowed his brow and wore a complicated expression while we slowly walked toward him.

The day after an exercise or expedition is a rest day to recover from exhaustion. My older brothers said the best thing is to return to the dorm, fill your stomach with a warm meal, clean yourself up, lie down on the bed, and sleep in until noon the next day, but it seems that's still far from happening.

"Rather than rugged, it might be more accurate to say you all look utterly exhausted."

After staring at us closely, Instructor Harrison said this, and lacking the energy to respond, we followed his urging and headed down the path opposite to the dorms.

"I know you're tired, but we're heading straight to the staff room. Ah, Instructor Tseri, are you coming along now as well?"

"No, I'll head over after taking care of some business."

Instructor Tseri, who was helping a few students still sitting on the ground to stand, smiled softly at us and said, "See you later," before walking alongside the staggering students toward the dorms.

Watching that scene, it seems we were all thinking the same thing, as Sil muttered on behalf of everyone, "Our instructor in charge is quite different, isn't he...?"

"Hey, that instructor in charge you're talking about is me, right?"

"Ah... uh, did I say that out loud... ow!"

It was already too late, and before Sil could make any excuses, Instructor Harrison grabbed him and locked his neck in an arm hold.

"Listen, compared to that person, anyone would seem ordinary. Remember well that they, like the Marshal, are a special kind of person."

"It's not about being ordinary or special... ugh, it hurts...!"

"Alright, until you understand how wonderful I am, we're staying like this."

"...Wonderful?"

"Oh, so Silvio wants my attention that badly, huh!"

"Mmph... phew, wait, someone help!"

"Come on, the wonderfully kind me will take you all the way to the staff room like this."

"No way... wait, ah, Severi...!"

"...Huh? Sil, let go of my hand."

"No way, I'm not letting go. You're coming with me!"

"Alright, let's go!"

While being dragged by Instructor Harrison, Sil yelled, and Severi, whose jacket hem was grabbed by Sil, was dragged along as well. The two had tense expressions as we returned to the town and neared the military school, but now they seem to have returned to their usual selves.

"Let go of my arm, ugh."

"Don't resist so much. I'm carrying you."

"Tch, Sil. My jacket!"

"More important than your jacket, aren't I!?"

"Come on, both of you, walk properly."

If Instructor Harrison noticed that Sil and Severi looked unwell and is deliberately acting this way, then as he himself claims, he might truly be a kind and wonderful instructor, but...

"It just looks like petty revenge to me."

"Huh? Isn't that all it is?"

Finn and I exchanged glances and nodded, affirming that it was definitely revenge, before jogging to catch up with the three ahead of us.

※

In the staff room, there's a guest area set back from the entrance. Though called a guest area, there aren't many who have business at a military school in such a remote area. The visitors are usually high-ranking military officials called in for lectures a few times a year, or administrative staff coming from the Royal Capital for audits or personal matters.

Beyond the desks and chairs usually used by the instructors, and past the lounge chairs for breaks, behind a partition, there are two large sofas arranged with a glass table between them, designed to comfortably seat even large-built soldiers, along with a single armchair.

"We've already sent messengers from the fortress to Sleiran and a report to the Royal Capital. The detained individuals from Sleiran are under house arrest at Ransheen Fortress and will be released once negotiations between the nations are concluded."

Instructor Harrison, who often naps in this guest area and boasts, "It's a wonderful bed," wasn't wrong—the incredibly soft sofas that sink under your weight were enough to ruin us in our exhausted state.

However, right now, the four of us are sitting on that sofa, desperately fighting off sleep, while listening to an explanation about what's to come from Instructor Ada, an older woman in charge of the senior class, seated across from us.

"Even if some instructions or personnel are sent from the Royal Capital, it will take at least a month. Before that arrives, a messenger from Sleiran will likely come, pressuring us with the fact that royalty is detained, demanding release without proper negotiations. It's easy to see that coming."

Even though they committed a crime and were detained, since it involves royalty from another nation, neither the military nor the military school has the authority to act independently; we must await instructions from the Royal Capital. It seems the other side is in a similar position, which is why they'll move swiftly before we can do anything, aiming to minimize their losses.

"But luckily, right now in this town, we have both Fildé Rotish and Ivan Tseli present."

"Grandfather and Instructor Tseri—does having both of them here mean something?"

"His Majesty the King has granted those two a certain level of authority."

In this remote territory far from the Royal Capital, I was surprised to hear that Fildé and Ivan, as former lords, are allowed to exercise authority equivalent to royalty. Instructor Ada smirked at me and said, "So we'll strike back."

"This is the first I've heard of it."

"Of course. That authority can only be exercised if both of them agree, and since they are usually separated between the Royal Capital and the frontier, it couldn't be used. That's why having them both here now is a golden opportunity. While we're unable to act, Sleiran will likely send someone skilled in diplomacy, like their Third Prince, to barge in, but we're fully prepared to face them."

"...Brother, I mean, if the Third Prince himself comes for negotiations, shouldn't we also have royalty present at the table?"

It's a standard practice that when royalty attends a meeting or negotiation, royalty of equal standing from the other side must also be present. Even with allied or friendly nations, and especially in negotiations with a nation we're constantly at odds with, if something happens to one nation's royalty, the other nation's royalty is also required to attend as a precaution. It's a hassle, but it's a necessary measure to prevent anyone from being detained or taken hostage.

Sil, being royalty himself, couldn't possibly be unaware of this and hesitantly asked Instructor Ada. At that moment, Instructor Harrison, who had just brought over some cold tea, opened his mouth with an exasperated expression.

"I don't know what you're worrying about, but in this town, besides the two former lords with authority, we also have the Second Prince, don't we?"

"...Ah!"

I had completely forgotten, but Renato is here. Rudo, the Crown Prince, is also royalty, and even if not yet of age, it's not uncommon for royalty to assist in political affairs or perform public duties. I've heard rumors that in the meritocratic Sleiran, even those not yet of age are already involved in various matters.

"At the negotiation table, Silvio, Severi, and Celestia, who was injured, will also be present. Harrison will inform you of the specific date and time later, but for now, take this."

Papers were laid out on the glass table, with a pen and red ink pad placed beside them.

Prompted to take the papers, I read the words "Consent Form" at the top and understood.

"This matter is classified as a military secret, and disclosing it is prohibited. The document states your agreement to this, so read it thoroughly from start to finish before signing."

Reading through the content, which states that breaking this agreement could result in penalties or even expulsion, I signed and then pressed my thumb into the red ink to stamp it.

Dan had mentioned that there are also things like incident reports, but I never imagined I'd be signing something like this myself.

While thinking about this, Instructor Harrison, who collected the papers, exchanged a glance with Instructor Ada. Instructor Ada, softening her expression, turned to Sil and Severi.

"Both of you are here at the military school under disguised identities as exchange students. So, until graduation, you will live as individuals holding the baron rank of this country under the name Adote."

"Exchange students..."

"Does that mean we can stay here as we have been...?"

"Of course. The paperwork has already been completed, so there's nothing to worry about."

"So I've heard, Sil."

"Graduation..."

"If you don't want to stay here, then during the negotiations—"

"No, I mean, I want to stay here...!"

Sil, who had been dazed while mulling over Instructor Ada's words, suddenly raised his voice. Surprised by this, Instructor Ada let out a small laugh before continuing with a "But."

"Being a student at the military school doesn't mean there's no danger. During exercises or expeditions, you might encounter foreign militaries, knights, or spies. And, as in this case, you might be used as bait. We might apologize for it, but if we deem it necessary, we might do the same thing again."

"That's something we agreed to before entering the military school."

"Even so, when you actually experience such things, some students get scared and leave the military school."

"I'm not saying I'm not scared. But even so, I want to stay here and graduate with Severi, Celes, Finn, and the others."

"If that's the case, I won't say anything more."

Watching Sil raise his clenched fist in joy with Severi, I let out a small sigh of relief, thinking it's good. Relaxing my body and sinking into the soft sofa, I felt a sense of relief that it was finally over, but then...

"Alright, Colonel Nick will be coming from the fortress soon, so anyone with injuries should honestly speak up and get checked!"

The moment I heard Instructor Harrison's words, my blood ran cold, and my body stiffened with a jolt.

"Colonel Nick?"

Tilting his head at the unfamiliar name, Sil received an explanation from Instructor Harrison, but I couldn't focus on that.

(After all, Colonel Nick is coming here...!?)

I had felt relieved at the campsite for avoiding a lecture, but I never dreamed he'd reappear here. Desperately racking my brain for what to do, no good ideas came to mind.

At that point, an alarm rang in the back of my mind, telling me I should just run away no matter what.

Breaking out in a cold sweat and feeling as if something were chasing me, I tried to stand up, but for some reason, my arm was grabbed, and I couldn't move.

"Sil..."

The culprit holding my arm and not letting go was Sil, who looked oddly amused as I tried to shake him off.

"That's great, Celes. An amazing doctor is going to check on you."

Perhaps because Instructor Harrison explained to Sil and the others that his friend, Colonel Nick, is a highly skilled doctor, Sil's eyes sparkled as he said, "That's great."

Indeed, he's an amazing doctor, but I couldn't say that he's also sharp-tongued and mean-spirited, and my cold sweat wouldn't stop.

"I-I don't have any pain, so I think I'll head back to the dorm first."

"Huh, Celes?"

"It's swollen, though?"

"It'll be fine if I cool it down..."

"No way. What if you can't hold a sword anymore?"

"That's right. You should have someone check if you're injured anywhere else."

I'm grateful that they're worried about me, but these two don't know how scary that person is...

If this were an honorable injury, I might just get a light scoff and some nagging about being inexperienced, but since I ignored the rules and got hurt due to my own reckless judgment, there's no way it'll end with just a lecture.

As I trembled, remembering Colonel Nick at the Fortress, Finn, sitting beside me, peered into my face and let out a small "eek" of surprise.

"...!"

Sil, who was gripping my arm and not letting go, and Severi, who stared at my hand with a suspicious expression.

If I could just do something about these two, I thought, inwardly panicking as I tried to escape from this situation, but it was already too late, and I heard the sound of the staff room door opening.

"Where's the idiot who dared to summon me here?"

My shoulders jolted at the familiar low, growling voice that seemed to rumble from the pit of the stomach, and I immediately shook off Sil's arm and hid behind the sofa.

Tap, tap, tap.

There's no way this would work, and even though I knew it was a bad move, my body moved on its own...!

Tap, tap...

The sound of footsteps gradually approaching stopped, and the staff room fell silent.

Even though Sil, Severi, Finn, Instructor Ada, and Instructor Harrison were right nearby, there wasn't a single sound, and as I cautiously lifted my lowered face, I regretted it.

"Hah, I heard you were injured, but you seem quite lively."

"...C-Colonel Nick."

"Don't worry. I made the effort to come all the way here. I'll treat you nice and slow while thoroughly questioning you about the circumstances."

Grabbed by the collar and dragged to the long chair in the staff room, a long-winded sermon began.

My hand hurt, Colonel Nick was terrifying, and with the accumulated fatigue, I sniffled like a child, constantly making excuses.

Later, I heard from Instructor Harrison that Instructor Ada was Grandfather's buddy, and rather than being surprised, I felt it made sense.

While I was being scolded by Colonel Nick, unlike Sil and the others who were dumbfounded, Instructor Ada watched me with a very pleasant smile, her legs crossed.

Thinking she was just like Grandfather, I gently stroked the hand that Colonel Nick had carefully treated.