I Became the Strategist the Monarchs Obsess Over

Chapter 17

"W-What is this? A list of people who witnessed Andre Gomes habitually assaulting Charles?"

"Yes. It is said that Madam's son, Andre Gomes, has been habitually assaulting Charles Jean Rochefort until now. There are numerous students who have seen it. What you are holding is the list of those students."

"That's ridiculous! My good son would never bully such a thug-like person!"

As Andre's mother shouted so, trying to tear the document, Isabel spoke.

"That is a copy. I have the original. And I also heard that, based on eyewitness accounts of the fight in the dining hall, it seemed more like a duel rather than a one-sided assault."

Of course, it wasn't a duel, but if someone who saw it felt that way, what could be said? Indeed, Isabel was resourceful. She must have bribed the witnesses. Just like she tried to do with me.

"It was a duel, not an assault...?"

"Yes. Moreover, Charles Jean Rochefort used a wooden sword, while your son wielded a real sword. Additionally, I heard that your son got injured because of the unfortunate presence of scattered glass shards on the floor, making it almost an accident."

"T-That's a lie. I don't believe it."

"But such are the actual eyewitness accounts. Now, here's a proposal. What would you like to do? If you settle here, we will generously provide 50 ducats including the medical expenses and compensation. However, if you insist on pursuing punishment to the end..."

Isabel spoke in a threatening voice.

"You will have to prove the truth with all your might."

"...!"

Andre's mother had a shocked expression. However, the direction of that shock was entirely different from what I expected. After staring silently at the floor for a while, Andre's mother spoke.

"Why...?"

"What do you mean?"

"That guy, he's practically a commoner—a fallen nobility, isn't he? Someone insignificant who just barely avoided failing. Why are distinguished noble families like the Russells and Poitiers protecting someone like that?"

Exactly. The point that shocked Andre's mother was not that her 'good' son turned out to be a bad person. Instead, she was shocked by the fact that an insignificant person had such strong backing. Is this just the way of the nobility? Their culture of prioritizing backing over right and wrong was nauseating. And soon, Isabel spoke.

"Charles Jean Rochefort is..."

Everyone turned their ears to Isabel's next words. Even Dian was curious why Isabel was defending Charles. What kind of relationship did they have?

"He's my friend."

Everyone was shocked by Isabel's declaration of friendship. Isabel de Poitiers was a close aide to the princess and a member of a distinguished family, while Charles was merely from a fallen noble family. This was the moment when Charles officially gained backing.

-----

In the end, Andre's mother gave up on punishing Charles and accepted the 50 ducats. Charles was satisfied, and Isabel was also satisfied. But there was one person who was not satisfied. That was none other than Andre Gomes, the victim of this incident.

Andre Gomes was unilaterally assaulted by Charles, suffered major injuries in front of onlookers, and yet Charles faced no severe punishment. Because of this, rumors began circulating among the students that the Gomes family wasn't as powerful as they seemed.

On the other hand, rumors also began to spread about Charles having some sort of hidden backing. Even though Andre was a delinquent, he was still skilled with a sword, yet he lost so decisively. Moreover, the fact that Charles caused significant injuries but got away unscathed made it even more so.

Charles has a hidden card. So don't mess with him. That became the students' evaluation of Charles.

"It seems we've given a proper example."

Charles smiled with satisfaction. His school life would become more comfortable from now on.

"Did we really do the right thing?"

Isabel de Poitiers, who was walking with Charles, asked.

"Yes. Miss Isabel, you handled it exactly as I wanted."

"I wasn't sure since it was something Mr. Charles started out of nowhere, but I'm glad. If possible, I would appreciate it if you gave me a heads-up before doing such things again."

"I thought you'd be capable of handling it with your quick wit."

As Charles and Isabel conversed, Yuria Russell, who was following them, had a blank look on her face, unable to understand.

"What are they talking about?"

"Ah, that's..."

Isabel began to explain to Yuria about the deal between us. The fact that I promised to forfeit in the finals against Her Highness the Princess in exchange for Isabel becoming my backing, and how that promise led her to help with the Andre incident. Hearing the backstory, Yuria held her head.

"Isabel, you...!"

"Calm down, Yuria. Everything turned out fine."

"But Her Highness the Princess wouldn't want to win like this!"

"I know that. Her Highness wants to win in her own way. That's why people like us are necessary."

At Isabel's words, I nodded. Princess Leonia has her own rules. She wants to win in the way she has decided. She doesn't want to steal the world but to seize it. However, a ruler sometimes has to step into the mud. There are times when victory cannot be achieved through fair means alone. That's why a realist who is willing to dirty themselves is needed for the ruler. That was Isabel, and that was also me.

"Charles! Are you truly okay with this? Don't you want to face Her Highness the Princess in a fair way?"

"I did want that."

"Then why on earth did you accept Isabel's proposal? You could have refused!"

"Ah, that's a misunderstanding..."

Yuria had one thing wrong.

"The proposal to back me in exchange for me forfeiting was actually my idea, not Miss Isabel's."

Yuria was visibly shocked by those words. With a face full of betrayal, she muttered, 'There's no one in this world I can trust,' and returned to the dormitory alone.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Charles. Yuria has a somewhat pure side to her."

"I know."

How could I not know Yuria's personality after playing as her so many times? It's not just her personality—I even know her growth environment and sibling relationships inside out.

"You seem like someone who has known us for a long time."

Oh no, did I reveal too much? I should be more careful about hiding my game knowledge.

"That can't be true."

I smiled, and Isabel looked at my face with a complicated expression.

-----

"Vacation is approaching soon."

I suddenly realized. It was already July. In a week, it would be vacation.

"Do you have any plans for the vacation?"

"Why? Do you want to spend the vacation with me?"

Srrng. The sword slid out of Glasia's scabbard.

"I apologize."

I quickly apologized, and Glasia sheathed her sword again.

"I was just asking if you would hire me during the vacation."

Come to think of it, Glasia was paying her tuition and living expenses with the money I provided. If I stopped paying her, she would struggle with her tuition.

"Then let's stay together during the vacation. I'll make sure to pay you enough for escorting me."

"Is that really okay? All I did for two months was beat up Andre."

It's understandable for her to feel that way. Although Glasia was hired as my escort, she rarely had to do anything.

But Glasia didn't realize one thing. The fact that no one dared to touch me because I had the genius swordswoman Glasia Ehrenberg by my side.

"Don't worry. Miss Glasia, you've done enough. I'll hire you during the vacation as well, as long as you're okay with it."

Glasia looked slightly moved. Since she was such an expressionless person, I didn't notice it at first, but after spending all day together for a long time, I could tell a little.

"But is it okay? During the vacation, I plan to go up to Crothea. If you want to work as an escort during the vacation, you'll have to come with me."

"Crothea? Why all of a sudden?"

Crothea is a castle located in the northwest of the empire and is governed by Dian de Balboa. It's quite far from Charles' hometown. The mention of Crothea here was rather surprising.

"You know there's a sign of war in the north, right?"

"I've heard. His Highness the Crown Prince is said to be personally leading a northern expedition..."

Correct. The Crown Prince, who currently boasts the most powerful influence in the world, is set to attack Duke Chronor, who guards the north, to expand his territory. This is originally part of the game's storyline.

"I plan to participate in that battle."

Moreover, I intend to participate as a temporary strategist for Dian de Balboa. The rules of Arcadia Academy include a clause allowing students to be mobilized as knights during wartime. By utilizing this, I could join the battle. This was my opportunity to debut as a real strategist.

Glasia furrowed her brows and said.

"You know it's dangerous, right?"

"Yes."

"On a real battlefield, real cavalrymen charge in hundreds, wielding spears as they ride. Are you truly confident you can survive?"

"I won't go that far to the front lines."

After all, I was going as a strategist.

"And, as long as you're with me, Miss Glasia, I'm sure I'll be safe."

"In a war zone, there will be additional charges."

"How much?"

"The base fee of 25 ducats plus an additional 25 ducats, for a total of 50 ducats."

This woman was determined to bleed me dry. Do you realize how much 50 ducats is? It's enough to buy a small house in a regular city, not the capital. However...

"Deal."

It was worth it for the price of safety.