Chapter 87
Translator: Kell Editor: Weasalopes
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Students Alliance Conference – Meeting
「Thank you all for coming here today . 」League started . 「Before we begin, I’d like to make a rule . We are not to use honorary titles to address each other . We’re all students – Oh, there’s one professor . But when talking to fellow students, I think it’s best if we drop any title . You may, of course, speak politely . 」
Seven people sat on a table, facing each other, with League sitting at the head .
「Oh, that sounds great! I’m not really good at that, you know . 」Ivan Jarazack immediately approved .
A student of the great sword, Hikaru only found out he was the son of a skilled swordsman in Jarazack when he was requested to attend the meeting . Other than Ivan, nobody else said anything . League continued on with a nod .
「We have very limited time, so I’ll get straight to the point…」
League talked about how the seven nations worked separately; how decades have passed and the Forestian government doesn’t even function properly . And in the meantime, the flood control project and other defense-related operations have been untouched .
「I believe you are aware of all of this . 」
Ivan looked puzzled, but the rest wore expressions that indicated they knew . Lavia went around to pour tea, while Hikaru distributed snacks . There was really no need to serve them food, but they just somehow ended up doing it .
「I know what you’re thinking . “Forestia isn’t doing anything, but our nation is” . 」
The seven nations operated on their own . They collected taxes, improved their military, and developed their own technology independently . Forestia itself didn’t collect taxes . Travelling was easier, but that was it . The Forestian government was essentially just a figurehead .
「Then what’s the purpose of the alliance? Of Forestia?」
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「A breakwater against foreign enemies . 」Catherine, who was silent until now, spoke . 「A hundred years ago, Ponsonia was gradually getting stronger . Scared of the threat, smaller nations gathered together and called themselves an alliance . After that, Quinbland started thriving, and this time Ponsonia was the one in trouble . If these two powers fought, we can go back to being independent . The “alliance” status won’t be needed anymore . 」
「Exactly . But then Quinbland’s tyrant was assassinated and now Ponsonia is the one waging war against the empire . 」Silvester affirmed .
「I believe the threat from a hundred years ago is drawing near once more . 」League said .
「Is the current Ponsonia really that strong?」
「Yes . The kingdom’s Order of the Knights, led by Captain Lawrence, broke through enemy lines easily . If their leader wasn’t around though, it’d be a different story . 」
Hikaru choked, almost dropping the kettle . League shot him a glance . Hikaru shook his head, implying everything’s fine .
Lawrence sure is terrifying . That sword of his would indeed be very effective against many opponents .
「But that’s not all . I heard Ponsonia retreated at once . It’s proof that something happened within the kingdom . 」Catherine said .
「I’m surprised you know . But we don’t know exactly what happened . With Lawrence still around, Ponsonia is still superior . 」League added .
Hikaru nodded . It was definitely Gafrasti . Lavia stared at him .
「What?」Hikaru whispered .
「You’re not telling them about Gafrasti?」
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「I don’t mind, but I won’t for now . 」
「What would have happened if the seven nations actually worked together all this time?」League continued . 「If Jarazack shared the secret to their strength, we could’ve formed a powerful military . If Kotobi analyzed the relics from Zubura, we could’ve created new weapons . If Kirihal and Ludancia got along better, the transportation of goods would be much easier . 」
The main roads in Forestia were controlled by Kirihal and Ludancia . But they both set up strict checkpoints, obstructing the easy flow of goods .
「We might not even have to be afraid of Ponsonia’s every movement . 」
League glanced at everyone . Silvester nodded . Claude and Luka exchanged looks . Ivan seemed like he didn’t understand anything, but said “Being strong is a great thing . ” Catherine was deep in thought, not denying what League said .
「So what you’re saying is, the seven nations should unite for real?」Katy asked .
「Yes . 」League replied .
「How would you do something that could never be achieved for the last one hundred years? The students gathered here today have considerable power back home, sure . But the fact remains that you’re all still only students . Your people will treat you like kids . 」
「Exactly . We’re students . Put it another way, we have a lot of time . I want to study what’s preventing the seven nations from uniting, what to do to unite them . And I want to do that with everyone present here . 」
「Hmm… I see what you’re getting at . Before tackling actual politics, you want the students to unite first . I think it’s a good idea . 」
Katy supported League’s idea to Hikaru’s surprise .
I thought she didn’t care about anything but research .
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「Back when I was a student, I put together a research team, not caring about where the members came from . But when I left the academy, they pressured me to work hard for Kotobi, so I returned here . 」
「Will you help us, Professor?」League asked .
「You have the right idea, but it’s hard to pull off . 」
「Why is that?」
「I just told you . Once you leave the academy and return to your own country, you’ll know . That it’s not school anymore . All around you, there’s only Rumanians . They only think about what’s best for them . How long can you insist on having your own way? A normal person wouldn’t last a year . After all, your friends are on the other side of your borders, suffering just like you . 」
「I see… I’ll have to trust you on that since you’ve experienced it yourself . 」League said .
Claude and Luka looked disheartened .
「But it’s okay . 」League added confidently .
「What do you mean?」
「I also don’t think Forestia can be changed that easily . But we can create a student alliance that will survive until the next generation . Taking it slow is fine . I want to build a relationship that transcends borders . I want to make friends like you did . I think the academy can be more than just a research institution . It can be a place to nurture young people who will carry the next era on their shoulders . 」
「That sounds… grand . 」
「I believe my role is to first create a student alliance, an organization that will last generations . I’ll return to Rumania in the future, but I won’t forget my goal . I swear I’ll become someone who will hold influence over the academy so I can protect it . Hopefully the alliance will still function even after I die . This is my job as the heir to the most influential clan in Forestia . 」
League just said “after I die” without hesitation . That meant being attached to the academy for 30 to 50 more years . Even Katy was at a loss for words after hearing his determination . She didn’t expect this meeting to be so meaningful to him .
「Quit trying to do things on your own, League . 」Silvester broke the silence . 「I’m from Zubura, so I don’t hold much power . But each country has one vote in the government meetings . And I’m the only one here who’s almost guaranteed to be their nation’s next representative . I’ll be king of Forestia three decades later . If you’re still up to it then, I can more than help you out!」
「…Silvester . 」
Silvester’s words held something that made people feel relieved . It must be the charisma of the crown prince . The mood changed . Claude and Luka cheered up, perhaps because this concerned them directly as well .
「What are you going to do about the charter?」Catherine asked, ripping apart the positive atmosphere . 「The charter of Forestia . It is clearly stated that each nation doesn’t lose any interest upon the foundation of the alliance . To modify or amend the power of the government, all seven nations must agree . This is the same as not giving Forestia any power on its own . After all, each nation will always prioritize itself . 」
「I don’t think my plan limits the interests of each country . 」
「But you’ll rub people the wrong way . Kirihal and Ludancia, especially, will rage for sure . These two nations are the biggest obstacle to the survival of the student alliance . 」
She’s right, Hikaru thought . People can’t think logically when emotions run high . The relationship between Kirihal and Ludancia might actually be the one factor stopping Forestia from truly uniting .
「Catherine is right . People’s feelings can’t be changed that easily . If Kirihal or Ludancia stopped supporting professors and students, the student alliance would be as good as gone . 」Katy added .
But it seemed League thought about that as well . She made a really good point .
「Cheer up, League . 」Katy continued . 「People’s feelings can change in an instant . Let’s say there’s a person who despises his neighbor . One day he sees him carry a complete stranger to a hospital . That would be enough to ease off his hatred . I’m sure that can be applied to Kirihal and Ludancia too . 」
「That… might be true . I too believe we need to make an actual move besides just forming an alliance to change these two nations . Do you have any ideas in mind, Professor?」League asked .
「Nope, I got nothing . I specialize in research . You should all come up with something . That’s why you’re gathered here today, right, Hikaru?」
Katy turned her attention to Hikaru all of a sudden .