Located at the border of the Verdan Empire, Alfina was a medium-sized city with tall walls that were used to separate the Empire’s land and the Kasha.
The overall atmosphere in the city was quite jovial and busy.
People flocked the city streets with vendors appearing from all over. Being one of the central hubs of exports that came from the Eastern Kasha, it was only natural for there to be a lot of people.
While the Kasha was a land that was claimed by the Mirror Dimension, it still contained a lot of precious and unique ingredients and tools that could only be found there. One could even argue that the entire economy of the city centered around such trades.
… It all looked well, or at least, that was how it looked on the outside.
Walking past the busy streets, I noticed something.
“Aren’t the stalls a little empty?”
“Now that you mention it…”
I wasn’t the only one who noticed this. Everyone else also appeared to notice this.
However, thinking about the words that had been told to use beforehand, this only made
sense.
“The impact is a lot bigger than I previously anticipated.’
I could see goods still being sold, but the prices for certain goods seemed a little too exorbitant.
“The situation is still manageable for now.”
Walking ahead of us, Amell led us through the city streets. He was currently wearing a disguise, and so were we.
Coming out of the portal, he started to lead us to a certain place.
Since he was familiar with the city, it only made sense for him to lead us.
“A lot of the merchants here have large stocks of goods that they’ve kept to themselves to later sell. This is normal practice since sometimes prices can be a little volatile for certain goods, with many merchants trying to make as much profit as possible.”
Sounded about right.
“….Lately, however, with the trade between us and those in the Kasha stopping, the merchants have begun selling off their own stock to make ends meet. With supplies dwindling, prices are rising daily, and it’s fair to say that Alfina’s trade economy has ground to a halt.”
With a subtle scrunching of his face, Amell shook his head.
“Something similar is happening to the other Empires, and if things continue like this then prices for most imported goods will increase by a lot. The effect might not be immediate, but in the long term, things will become quite serious.”
Amell’s tone sounded serious.
I didn’t know as much as him with regard to the economics of this world, but I knew his words held some weight.
‘But how much would that affect me?’
I was curious, but before I had any time to think about it, we had arrived.
“We’re here.”
Lining up before a tall building were several butlers and maids who all sported a smile that seemed far too wide for my own comfort.
Standing at the front of them were two middle-aged figures, their hands interlocked.
At first glance, they looked like the owners of the place, and they probably were, but the moment I stared in their direction, I felt the hair at the back of my neck rise.
‘Oh, shit!’
That was when it finally hit me.
“That…’
I looked in Leon’s direction, or, more precisely, the heavy luggage in his hand which contained both mine and his stuff.
“Give me that.”
I quickly snatched the luggage from his grip.
“????”
***
“Welcome everyone! It is a great honor for us to host all of you at our resort. Times may be difficult, but our service will be some of the best you’ll ever receive.”
Indeed, Julien’s hunch was correct.
Standing at the front of the resort were none other than the Emperor and Empress of the Empire. Given the current situation in Alfina, the two of them had no choice but to make a trip to the city in order to better understand the situation.
Their trip was only supposed to last a few days, but that quickly changed the moment their son, Amell, contacted them and relayed to them what the Academy was planning on doing.
Kasha?
They were going to send the cadets to the Kasha?
At first, the two were surprised, but upon further thought, they realized this was actually a very good opportunity for the cadets. With their age and strength, they didn’t need to be too worried about attracting the attention of the top brass in the Kasha.
So long as they behaved, this wasn’t supposed to be a bad trip.
Realizing this, the two took it upon themselves to offer the Academy a suitable place to rest before helping them sneak into the Kasha.
With their connections, doing so was quite easy.
…Their offer was quickly accepted by the Academy, and the cadets were soon sent over.
Staring at the numerous cadets in front of her, the Empress pressed her lips together.
Her real intentions in hosting the cadets were obvious.
She just wanted to have an excuse to see her two sons, and since she was in the area, she created the perfect opportunity to do so.
“Please make yourself comfortable. The journey ahead will be a rough one so it’s best if you take some time to yourself to rest as you might not have a chance to do so when you’re there.”
The Kasha was a harsh place.
Unlike the lands within the Empire, the Kasha had no real laws and order.
It was a gruesome place where only those powerful enough could survive.
Their mentality was a lot rougher, and with monsters lurking everywhere, there was no real safe place in the Kasha besides the House of Astrid-the overlord of the eastern side.
“I won’t take any more of your time.”
Clapping her hands, the butlers and maids got into motion.
“Please hand over your luggage to the servants. You will all be assigned a personal attendant
to make your stay pleasant.”
As she spoke, she walked purposefully in a particular direction, the Emperor trailing closely
behind her.
Though disguised, an unmistakable grace marked their every movement, catching the attention of several cadets, who couldn’t help but steal second glances.
This was inevitable, as such poise had been instilled in them from a young age. Even with
their best efforts to conceal it, it remained subtly noticeable.
Still, besides a few second glances, none of the cadets seemed particularly interested in them.
All except one…
“Hi, it’s a pleasure to meet you. The two of us will be your attendants.”
The Empress looked at the two young men in front of her, and her eyes narrowed slightly as
they paused on Julien.
With her power, it was easy for her to see through their disguise.
She could see his flawless features hiding behind his illusion, and her smile grew.
“If there’s anything you would like from us, please let us know. We’re here to make sure to
make your stay as comfortable as possible.”
The Empress extended her hand to reach for Julien’s bags, but he stopped her.
“There’s no need for that. How could I trouble you for something so trivial.” With a polite tone, Julien shook his head and took her hand.
“…I can handle such a task myself.”
And kissed it.
“?”
“…?”
“??”
All noise ceased from the surroundings as the faces of several people froze, shocked by the
scene presented in front of them.
Who? What? What’s this?
In particular, Leon’s expression changed the most as his eyes widened and he looked up at the
older woman in front of them.
His eyes turned bloodshot. ‘Could it be that he likes older…?”
Unbothered by the stares, Julien let go of the hand.
“I’m already very grateful for your generosity in hosting us. I wouldn’t impose you on such a
matter. If I wanted to, I would’ve made my knight handle such a task, but…”
Julien shook his head and looked at Leon.
“…I treat my f… f.. friends well. Yes, f.. f.. friends. Because to me, my knights are like a family
to me. The only treatment they should get is the best treatment.”
“Mhm, right, right.”
Recovering from her shock, the Empress found herself nodding.
Her initial impression of Julien wasn’t very great. Given that he had beaten her son in a match,
this was only natural. Of course, she had also pulled up several reports about him and knew
about him.
How could she not when her own son was made to attend him?
Reading the reports, she found herself enraged! How could her son live with such a figure?
But looking at him now…
“Leon, you don’t look so good. Are you okay? Should we get in so you can have some rest?
Don’t worry, I’m already holding your bags. If you want I can carry them to your room.”
“???”
Question marks popped up on top of Leon’s head.
Seeing Julien’s current behavior, his stomach churned. What’s happening? Why was he acting
like this?
‘Have you lost your mind?’
Leon hastily covered his mouth upon seeing the look of concern on Julien’s face.
“…!”
He almost felt like puking.
‘What an attentive young man.’
The Empress subconsciously nodded her head again upon seeing the interaction.
Her impression of Julien was rising once again.
She was also worried about Leon’s condition, he did look a little pale, but Julien didn’t allow
her to do anything and started patting Leon’s back with concern.
“Come, I’ll lead you back to your room. You must be tired.”
Leon’s eyes shook and he looked into Julien’s eyes.
‘What has gotten into you? Stop it. It’s creeping me out.’
‘…Just accept my help.’
‘Why?’
‘Survival.’
‘Uh?’
“Leon, don’t worry. I’m here for you.”
“…Uk”
Leon covered his mouth.
‘Stop!! Make this stop!’
Julien bit his lips, worry filling his vision.
“Don’t worry about puking on me. I can take it. I’ve known you since childhood. You’re like a
br… br… uk… other to me.”
Staring at the scene, a faint smile appeared on the Empress’s face.
‘What an upright young man.’
On another note, was he also feeling sick?
From time to time she noticed him stuttering while holding his mouth. Was he holding back
his sickness in order to help Leon?
“Ah.”
The Empress’s eyes shone.
Turning around, she was just about to address her husband when she noticed the strange
silence that took over the surroundings.
‘Hm? What…?’
With bags in their hands, the cadets looked in Leon and Julien’s direction with open mouths.
As their eyes shook, Aoife, Amell, Kiera, Evelyn, and a few others dropped their bags.
Thump, thump-!
“H-help… I… don’t think I can do this.”
“Are we in an illusion?”
“He’s been possessed. We’re done.”
In the corner, staring at their reactions, Caius turned to look at Julien and Leon and mimicked
the others by throwing his bag on the ground.
Thump!
He then put on a shocked expression. He did it so that he could blend in with the group.
Only that…
“Oh no! Fuck!”
“Another one…!”
He made things worse.
