Home/The Seven-Year-Old Village Chief of Exile/ch 95

Chapter 95

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The home of the outcasts expelled from the Mage Tower.

The Magical Engineering Academy, which established the discipline of 'magical engineering' and thereby reshaped the world, had long declared political neutrality.

However, the foundation that established the academy was in the Clavis's name.

The declaration of political neutrality was also a way of saying, "With our boundless support, just focus on your research and don't get involved in other matters."

Thanks to that, the academy had long been free from political strife.

The Clavis made this possible.

A family that stood on equal footing with the imperial family.

Perhaps even greater than them.

Those obsessed with learning and research had no choice but to praise the Clavis.

The Magical Engineering Academy thus acted as it pleased, trusting only in the Clavis. In other words, they'd become recluses in their own rooms.

Shut away in their studies, devoted only to research.

"Those who study to help the world turning their backs on it would be a disaster."

The fact that a previous Clavis, worried about this, expanded the academy's grounds to create the Deste Territory and forced them to interact with the world—isn't particularly important right now.

What really matters is.

'Damn it...!'

The current director of the Magical Engineering Academy, Copelia.

'Why does this have to happen during my tenure!'

That was the situation she now faced.

Whenever she met people, Copelia always let her long, dark green hair hang messily over her face and covered her body in a baggy outer robe.

When she appeared like this, people would think, 'The academy director is as eccentric as they say,' and jump to their own conclusions.

That made dealing with people slightly easier.

But the Crown Prince before her wasn't fooled by such tricks.

"The imperial family is grateful for the academy's long service to the Empire."

"......"

"I also understand that the current situation isn't favorable for the academy. His Majesty the Emperor is truly concerned about its future."

"......"

Copelia's face, hidden behind her hair, hardened coldly.

'Rhetoric.'

The imperial family had long tried every means to get their hands on the academy, and the Clavis had stopped them every time.

'Liars.'

If so, they shouldn't have destroyed the Clavis!

'Attempted assassination of the Crown Princess? That's a lie too. No one is fooled.'

But Copelia was a coward, so she didn't do the foolish thing of openly expressing her anger.

If she did, the academy would truly be in danger.

"......"

Crown Prince Pereus quietly watched her silence.

'She's timid but cautious.'

Keeping that in mind, the Crown Prince continued.

"The academy should be allowed to operate with the same free spirit as now. The 'Outcasts' Creation' that brought such prosperity to the Empire was built on that."

"You know history, then..."

Copelia finally spoke.

Pereus was inwardly surprised.

'So she does have pride.'

Ridiculous for someone in her state.

'She's nothing without the Clavis.'

The Crown Prince raised the corner of his mouth to swallow his mockery.

"The Empire wants to help the academy. After all, you are our precious citizens, and you've built your foundation on imperial soil."

"......"

"The academy's growth and development are the Empire's prosperity, and only when the Empire is strong can magical engineering develop in peace."

"The imperial family is friendly with the Mage Tower."

Copelia said.

"The academy and the Mage Tower have been bitter enemies for a long time. You know history, so I'm sure you understand that the imperial family, having long allied with them..."

"We'll sever that tie."

The Crown Prince answered.

Copelia's eyes widened, visible through her dark green hair.

Noticing this, the Crown Prince put on a solemn expression.

"The imperial family is gradually cutting its ties with the Mage Tower."

"......"

"I can't go into details, but this is His Majesty's decision for the peace and safety of the Empire."

"......"

"The Clavis, a major pillar of the Empire, has fallen due to an unfortunate incident. Now the imperial family must fill that void. For that, we need the academy's help."

The Crown Prince clearly stated his purpose.

"Receive the Empire's help."

"......"

"We promise support on par with what the Clavis provided."

"Time..."

Copelia lowered her head slightly.

"Please give me time to think."

---

[Director's Office]

The Crown Prince briefly glanced at the sign on the door he'd just exited, then turned away.

"Well?"

The Crown Prince asked Knight Commander Rashid, who had been by his side.

"Will she come around?"

"She may seem simple, but she's not to be underestimated."

The Magical Engineering Academy was already a major power in its own right. Since the Clavis had been with them from the start, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them a branch of the Clavis.

Copelia.

"She was chosen as the head of this power for a reason. Above all, she was vetted by the Clavis."

"So it won't be easy?"

"She asked for time to think, but..."

"Yes, she'll scheme in the meantime."

Even the Crown Prince could guess that much.

And he had no intention of letting it slide.

"By the way."

Now more relaxed, the Crown Prince changed the subject.

"You said wishes are granted, didn't you?"

"Your Highness."

"You skipped the condition."

The omitted words—"If you summon a demon"—were understood by Knight Commander Rashid.

"So, what did you wish for?"

"It's a secret."

"So it's not classified."

---

Director Copelia sat on the sofa for a long time after the Crown Prince and the Knight Commander left.

And a moment later.

"Aaaah! Kyaaa! Eeeek!"

She jumped up and started hopping around.

"Oh no! Oh no! It was real!"

Copelia stomped her feet like a frightened child, then quickly locked the door and layered several defensive barriers using magical tools.

Then she compulsively checked the window.

"H-how did they know? The defensive magic I placed on the window was completely dismantled! This is...!"

Huff, pant.

Copelia's face, breathing raggedly, flushed with excitement.

"Th-the Clavis...!"

So they were alive after all!

Copelia let out a breathless laugh and swallowed her saliva.

"My research subject is alive!"

With trembling, excited hands, she rummaged through her pocket.

What she pulled out was a letter.

The very letter that had suddenly appeared through the window before the Crown Prince's visit.

The letter contained just one line:

[Buy us a week.]

With just that one line, Copelia had experienced a near-death experience, her soul leaving and returning.

She was glad her research subject was alive, but the Clavis were still terrifying.

"Who is it? Who's alive?"

Copelia analyzed the handwriting.

"It's angular yet retains a round feel. It's not the old master or the young master. The ladies' writing is more refined..."

Could it be young master Pertel?

'No.'

Then there was only one left.

The Clavis's princess.

"Oh my..."

Copelia frowned sympathetically.

"The youngest and most fragile princess..."

---

"Ah, fuck."

Slurp.

I took a long sip of the carbonated drink made by an academy student and let out a stream of curses.

"Thinking about it again, my life really is a shitty mess."

"The Clavis family head probably wouldn't curse like this in broad daylight."

Verity frowned and warned me with a glance.

But so what.

"Too bad. I learned profanity as a second language in Korea."

"Was Korea really the right place for refuge..."

"It's a great place to live if you have money and no conscience."

"That's the same everywhere."

We sat on a bench, waiting for the Crown Prince to return.

I'd wanted to explore the academy, but the watchers the Crown Prince had assigned ruined my mood.

Not that I was going to behave because of them.

"In the past, I'd have been bleeding from the nose for a while..."

I fidgeted with my clean philtrum.

Earlier, when using my ability, I'd felt a strong wave of fatigue. I'd even stumbled from dizziness.

"But at least you don't bleed anymore. I'm relieved. I was secretly worried."

"Oh, really?"

"Of course. What adult wouldn't be worried seeing a tiny little child bleeding buckets?"

Verity finally revealed his true feelings, saying his heart sank every time he saw it.

"...Hehe."

A silly laugh escaped me.

"Anyway, it should be soon, right?"

Verity observed the movements of the imperial knights who'd been watching us.

Since we were behaving on the bench, the knights began to close the distance.

"They've come within ten steps. Ah, one of them is a demon."

"Whoa."

"What about the barrier? Will you drop it?"

"What do you think, butler?"

"Hmm..."

Verity, staring blankly at the sky with a straw in his mouth, curled the corner of his lips.

His gaze fell on a group of young students testing a magical tool.

"Huh? Why isn't this working?"

"Senior, the heat transfer suddenly stopped at the central circuit."

"What? How? Why there?"

"H-huh?"

"Wait! It's not that the heat transfer stopped...!"

"Heat is building up! This isn't good...!"

"Kyaaa!"

The rampaging magical tool spewed heat and charged toward Hebenia.

Verity counted.

"Three. Two."

One.

Click—.

The moment she dropped the barrier, Verity spat out the straw he'd been holding.

"Danger!"

"Over there! Watch out!"

The speeding magical tool collided with the straw, which was moving even faster. At the same time, its trajectory shifted ever so slightly.

"Miss!"

Verity shouted and pulled me into an embrace.

We looked like people frozen in shock, unable to run.

People either shouted at us to run or stared with dazed expressions, as if it was already too late.

'It's okay.'

I wasn't scared at all.

"Haha, as expected."

Verity whispered quietly.

"A true talent recognizes true talent. I see why the Chief Chamberlain covets him."

Crash—!

The slight deflection Verity had created with the straw opened a critical gap.

A holy knight in a white uniform rushed in, swinging a massive axe to send the rampaging magical tool high into the sky.

As the heavy axe blade hit the ground.

Inquisitor Olive frowned and turned to look at me.

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