Chapter 56 - The Scandalous Letter Fiasco (6)
At the Imperial Military Academy, the schedule is strictly maintained no matter the circumstances—whether something special happens or not.
So, even after the duel took place that morning, the regular morning training session was held as usual.
Of course, it was only natural that the cadets found it hard to concentrate on training—and even the instructors were no different.
When the morning training ended and it was time for lunch, Ernest was bombarded with far more questions than he had been the day before.
"When did you start planning all this?"
"How exactly did everything unfold?"
"Was the whole thing arranged in advance?"
"Come on, say something! Don't just sit there with your mouth shut!"
Having received strict etiquette training from his father, Ernest clamped his mouth shut, chewed his food slowly, swallowed it, cleansed his mouth with water, and then replied in a calm voice.
"I have nothing to tell you."
"You sly rascal! Spill it, right now!"
"I can't. Go away. Just eat your meal."
No matter how fiercely his fellow cadets pressed, burning with curiosity about what had happened, Ernest didn't bat an eye. He had to keep his lips sealed until Armin finished handling the situation and resolved everything smoothly.
"..."
The same went for Gunter. He went through training and meals as usual, but after the morning duel, he didn't say a single word, and no one around him could easily strike up a conversation.
Everyone now knew that the duel with Ernest had just been an act.
There was nothing left to discuss about that.
However, there was a lot to say about the fact that, during the duel with Jaf, Gunter didn't immediately kill him with a single shot, but instead wounded him, leaving him in pain—and then, in the end, called off the duel without killing Jaf at all.
It's not uncommon in a duel for someone to stop after wounding their opponent rather than killing them.
Such restraint is often seen as an honorable act, since they weren't driven to kill.
But in Gunter's case, he had every reason to kill Jaf, and yet he deliberately shot at Jaf's limbs, inflicting pain even though he knew Jaf couldn't return fire.
That was seen as truly cowardly and dishonorable.
Nevertheless, Gunter ultimately chose not to kill Jaf, even though he was expected to.
The situation was far too complicated to simply call his actions honorable, but after witnessing it, no one dared to accuse Gunter of disgrace.
The senior students, seasoned in politics, understood all too well that things had become even more tangled now that Gunter had spared Jaf's life. For that reason, they decided to remain silent and wait to see how it would all end.
***
"Krieger, a letter for you."
After dinner was over and it was finally free time, Ernest received a letter from the disciplinary officer.
It was from Count Anton Wolfram.
Through the letter, Anton conveyed his message to Ernest in a rather ambiguous way. In a sense, it sounded like his own way of complimenting Ernest for resolving the matter smoothly Of course, this was simply Count Anton Wolfram's way of indirectly criticizing Ernest, while still being mindful of how the Noble Society would perceive it.
No matter how smoothly things were resolved, Anton couldn't help but feel displeased. All he had wanted from Ernest was simple obedience and cooperation—yet Ernest had acted on his own, overturned the plan Anton had carefully laid out, and created a whole new scenario.
He must have felt like he'd been bitten by a dog he was raising.
Regardless, Ernest was completely unfazed by Count Wolfram Anton's criticisms and warnings.
When Ernest, wearing his usual calm expression, folded the letter, put it back in the envelope, and wondered how to get rid of it, the disciplinary officer gave a wry smile.
"Give it here. I'll take care of it for you."
"Yes, thank you."
It's not as though you can just throw away a nobleman's letter.
This was handwritten and sealed by the Count himself.
Throwing it out like trash would be considered an insult to House Wolfram.
The disciplinary officer collected the letter, intending to dispose of it properly to avoid causing any trouble at the Military Academy. The best way was to burn it, but even that couldn't be done like burning ordinary garbage. It would require proper formality.
"Well then… You did well, Krieger. Excellent work."
The disciplinary officer tucked the letter into his jacket and then praised Ernest. Now, he could finally look at the cadet who had once smashed the Cadet Corps and genuinely smile.
"The matter isn't completely settled yet, but let me briefly explain the situation to you."
Since Ernest was both a victim and a principal party in the incident, he had a right to know.
"Gross stepped forward before the duel began. The Headmaster limited any fatal consequences to the duel between you and Wolfram. Then, after Wolfram dealt Gross a sufficient blow but refrained from killing him, all the necessary justifications were in place."
The essential justification for Armin to officially intervene in the incident was now complete. With just that, you could say it was essentially over.
"The Headmaster has already contacted Count Wolfram this morning. Wolfram, Gross, and even Leimann will all be gathered together and, under the Headmaster's mediation, discuss how to resolve the issue in a moderate way. More precisely, that's what must happen."
They had dragged an external matter into the Military Academy, stirring up chaos and putting a cadet's life at risk. On top of that, the only possible resolution—a duel—had already been fought, and with Gunter's refusal to kill Jaf, everything was finished.
To challenge the same opponent to another duel for the same reason is something the Noble Society would never accept. To reopen a matter already settled and pursue blood until the bitter end? It would be seen as disgraceful, politically disastrous, and carry devastating consequences.
"It may end somewhat inconclusively, but at least there won't be any more bloodshed."
Wolfram wouldn't be able to seek bloody vengeance against Gross.
And Leimann and Gross wouldn't be able to fully clear themselves of this stigma, either.
However, there would be no more blood spilled or harm done to anyone else because of this matter.
If they did such a thing, it would stain Armin's name, who had spent his precious time stepping in as a mediator.
"Jaf Gross will focus on recovering as a cadet at the Military Academy for a while, and after things have been settled properly, he'll withdraw from the Academy."
Jaf would be protected as a cadet for the time being. If, and this is a big if, Anton couldn't let things go and ended up killing Jaf, or if someone else used this incident for their own political ends—assassinating Jaf and framing Anton—the entire situation would spiral out of control.
After that, with just a few months left until graduation from the Imperial Military Academy, Jaf would shoulder some responsibility and withdraw from the Academy.
Throwing away all the time he'd spent at the Academy would be regrettable, but it was still far better than losing his life.
"There was even a possibility that this could escalate to open war between houses, but in the end, no one died. You couldn't hope for a more peaceful resolution than that."
No matter that Gross was Wolfram's retainer, this issue was too grave to simply overlook.
If Wolfram had truly set out to kill Gross, Gross would have fought back with everything he had.
All sorts of nasty political attacks and schemes would have followed—bloody duels and even assassinations would have become inevitable.
But in the end, it had been resolved without a single death.
"As an officer of the Academy, there's nothing I can officially say about this. But speaking as a noble, and as a man, I will say this."
The disciplinary officer gave a gentle smile and softly tilted his head.
"Well done, Krieger. I applaud your actions. You showed honor, not the kind that exists only in words, but the kind worthy of serving as a true example for all nobles."
As someone who lived side by side with his cadets, the disciplinary officer could never feel at peace watching his own students, Gunter and Jaf, come close to killing each other. The same was true for all the other disciplinary officers, instructors, and even Headmaster Armin.
"Thank you."
Ernest replied in a calm voice, his expression showing little joy. The disciplinary officer now understood that it wasn't out of disrespect toward him. What Ernest had wanted all along was to solve the problem without anyone losing their life. Having already achieved that goal perfectly, he saw no reason to waste any more emotion on the matter.
The boy who had cheered with delight at the Silver Horseshoe Tournament seemed surprisingly indifferent to the recognition and honors of noble society. Unlike the prize from the Silver Horseshoe Tournament, which he could proudly show his father and become his father's pride, Ernest didn't consider this recent incident something to boast about.
"You'd do well to consider other people's feelings a bit more when you act, Krieger."
The disciplinary officer gave Ernest a wry smile as he offered this advice.
"You don't want people to misunderstand, just like with Instructor Kohler."
"…Instructor Kohler…"
"Yes, he's not misunderstood—how he appears is exactly how he is. Still, that disagreeable man has his own way of valuing the cadets he teaches. The real problem is he acts without regard for how the cadets feel."
Captain Thomas Kohler might seem completely nasty on the surface, but even he, as an instructor, cherished his cadets in his own way.
To the disciplinary officer, Ernest seemed just like Thomas. Highly competent, cares about those around him, yet his methods are so stubborn that he gets misunderstood—not that it's even a misunderstanding, since there are plenty of real problems with him. He listens carefully to advice, but in the end, he always does things his own way…
"Of course, you probably won't have to worry about any more misunderstandings like that here at the Military Academy. Go on now and enjoy your free time."
"…Yes, sir."
Ernest saluted the disciplinary officer, who responded with a broad, energetic salute and a cheerful grin. Ernest stepped out of the Disciplinary Officer's Office and paused, gazing down the quiet hallway. No cadets were running around or chatting loudly outside the office, so, unlike the usually noisy First Year dormitory, this part of the building was tranquil.
Of course, he could still faintly hear cadets shouting and running around just upstairs.
Whatever was happening up there, things sounded just as chaotic as ever.
"…Krieger."
Leaving that distant commotion behind, a soft voice called out to Ernest.
"Senior Wolfram."
Gunter, who had come down the stairs, looked at Ernest quietly.
He had probably gone upstairs looking for Ernest, then heard he was in the Disciplinary Officer's Office and come back down.
After a moment of silence, Gunter whispered,
"Why did you go that far? It had nothing to do with you."
The noise from the hallway upstairs faded away. It sounded like someone had run off after someone else.
Beyond the window, only the warmth of autumn's first insects drifted in, softly buzzing between the boy and the young man.
"At first, it was because the Count threatened my father, Your Excellency."
"..."
Gunter couldn't bring himself to deny it.
He knew exactly what kind of person his father was.
Outwardly polite, but in reality, utterly self-righteous, cruel, and deceitful.
No doubt, he'd whispered all sorts of warnings and threats to Haires, all while maintaining an impeccable facade.
"But once I knew my father was safe—yes, after that, it was just because."
"...Just because?"
Gunter muttered in a rough voice.
Did he really go through all this madness—just because?
"Just, it all seemed so foolish. Killing and dying over something like this is pointless, don't you think?"
Ernest spoke with an ordinary smile, just like any other boy.
His fiancée had committed adultery, and his honor had been dragged through the mud. For a nobleman, blood would normally be the only way to get revenge. Yet he called that foolish—saying it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. So indifferent—able to pull the trigger with mechanical precision.
...The resolve not to pull the trigger weighs heavier than the resolve to pull it.
That means this young boy, who has chosen not to pull the trigger, could do so at any moment if necessary.
The fact that he could still say such things—Gunter was honestly surprised.
"…Yeah."
Gunter, his eyes wide in surprise, let out a faint, weary laugh.
"You're right, Krieger. It really is a foolish thing to do."
To kill a childhood friend over a woman he didn't even love, to lose himself in hatred that wasn't his own—was there anything more foolish?
"Hahaha…"
With a sense of emptiness, relief, and maybe even amusement, Gunter covered his face with his large, rough hands and laughed.
His trembling shoulders almost looked as if he was sobbing.
After a moment, Gunter lowered his hands and looked Ernest straight in the eye.
"Krieger. Wolfram will not acknowledge you."
With a solemn tone, he stated that his father, that their House, would never accept Ernest.
Then, Gunter gave a crooked smile.
"But Gunter acknowledges you, and he will never forget what happened."
Gunter's voice, now calm and light, looked much brighter than before—almost as if he'd been reborn.
"I'll go on ahead. Take your time coming."
With that, Gunter turned and strode away from the dormitory with confident steps.
Ernest silently watched his broad back recede, then composed himself and headed back upstairs to the noisy upper floor, where the commotion had erupted once again.
Between Sebastian and Gunter, he hadn't exactly meant for it to happen, but now there was a debt with both.
It wasn't a bad thing, so it probably wasn't wrong.
At least, that's how it seemed.
After a few days of rest, Jaf Gross began training again as usual.
Even though Jaf had already decided to withdraw from the academy, he committed himself wholeheartedly to his training.
None of the other cadets blamed him for it.
Jaf had already paid the price for his actions, and through it all, it was clear that his feelings for Theresia weren't just a passing fancy.
As a noble and as a man, no one could rightfully condemn Jaf.
That said, nobody went out of their way to befriend him either.
There was still some controversy, and besides, he was someone who would be leaving soon.
"Jaf. I know I'm the one who shot you, so I have no right to ask, but… are you feeling better?"
Only one person—Gunter—approached his childhood friend, hoping to reconnect, and renew their friendship.
"…Yeah, I'm fine, Gunter. It's nothing."
Jaf treated Gunter as if nothing had ever happened—not just the duel, but all the hatred, resentment, and even the time they had spent apart as anything but friends, as though it all had never existed.
As autumn began to fade, Wolfram, Gross, and Leimann managed to reach a resolution under Armin's mediation.
The complicated matters of noble family interests weren't of much concern to those at the Academy who had actually lived through the events. What really mattered was that Count Anton Wolfram officially informed Leimann of the annulment and declared that he would no longer interfere in the affairs of Theresia and Jaf.
With that, it was over.
Jaf immediately submitted his withdrawal from the Academy, and it didn't take long for his resignation to be accepted in Headmaster Armin's name.
Jaf would return home, back to Count Wolfram's Territory.
Even if things had ended well, life in Wolfram wouldn't be easy for him.
There would be many hardships ahead.
But Jaf wasn't afraid to return home—because the woman he loved would be there, waiting for him with all her heart.
And so, before winter arrived—on an early morning when the sun hadn't yet fully risen—Jaf Gross left the Academy, carrying nothing but a shabby bag packed with a few simple belongings, dressed in the outfit he had ordered for the Academy's final year-end party.
Even though he missed out on the honor and glory of graduating from the Imperial Military Academy, he walked away with a light step.
After Jaf had gone, it was Gunter who delivered Jaf's letter to Ernest on his behalf.
Ernest read every word of the letter with great care With a satisfied smile, Ernest carefully placed the letter back in its envelope and set it aside in a drawer, separate from the pile of letters from his father.
"I never took you for it, but you really are something else, you bastard."
"What's with you, picking a fight out of nowhere?"
Robert, watching Ernest, couldn't stop marveling at him while also poking fun.
"Collecting favors from just the right fourth-year seniors—building up debts you can use. You're scary, you know that?"
"It's not like I did it on purpose."
"Oh, really?"
"Student Robert, that tone is rather inappropriate. So, you get what I'm saying, right?"
The two boys began to mimic each other's way of speaking, bickering as usual. By now, it had become such a routine that it was hard to remember who originally spoke in which style.
As autumn deepened, the air turned from cool to cold, and now they were wearing coats over their cadet uniforms.
Then, the clothes Ernest had ordered during the summer were finally ready, and Haires sent them to him.
It was a good thing he'd ordered them a bit big.
They were just slightly loose—if he grew a bit taller before the year-end party, they'd fit perfectly.
Winter was nearly here, and the end of their first year as cadets was just around the corner.
"Damn. I wish winter would never come."
Robert grumbled nonstop.
"I wish winter would hurry up and get here."
In contrast, Ernest was eager for winter to arrive.
"Oh, of course you are. At worst, you'll be second in the class! Who knows where I'll end up—I'm probably buried somewhere at the very bottom!"
Even though the grades hadn't been announced yet, everyone already knew Ernest would be first and Ferdinand second.
Unless something truly unexpected happened and Ernest's grades suddenly plummeted, there was no chance he'd drop below second place.
"From what I've seen, you probably passed the middle mark."
"No way! There's no way they'd give such grades to a lowly commoner like me! They must look at me and just hate the sight of me! I'm going to get expelled!";=
"You just want an excuse to leave the Military Academy."
"Exactly! I'm a frail civilian commoner, you know! Let me go home already!"
"You can go home after the year-end party. Though you'll have to be back at the academy in the spring."
"Aaagh! I just want to stay at home for the rest of my life, doing nothing, living in luxury off the money my father made!"
"Isn't that more of a pet than a person?"
"If the master was a beautiful blond woman, being a pet wouldn't be so bad. Someone like Major Karchiner would be ideal."
"You lunatic."
Robert seemed to have lost his mind from stressing over grades.
No, this was probably just his normal state.
Robert had always been like this. Honestly, it was disgusting and off-putting.
If only he weren't so obsessed with blond beauties, he'd actually be… not too bad… just sort of…
…Never mind.
As the end of the year approached, this mood was spreading among all the cadets.
Everyone was either excited or anxious about going home to see their families, or else busy making plans to enjoy parties and trips with friends they'd made at the academy over the winter.
…
Thanks to Ernest's encouragement, Marie Fiders had been recognized for her talents at an unusually young age, and no longer envied the noble-born Baltracher cadets—she'd even taken to mocking them. Yet amid all this, she stood apart from everyone else.
Not only the nobles but also the commoners, even the other Fiders, were excited to head home for the winter, dreaming of peaceful days free from the torment of the academy.
But Marie, who still hadn't fit into this place after four years, felt like she was always an outsider—a strange girl from far-off Aeblon, left alone at the very heart of the Empire.
She had already gone home three times for winter break as an officer cadet, but she'd never found any joy or happiness there.
To Marie, home was even worse than the torment she endured at the academy.
And now that her abilities were recognized, she was no longer subjected to torment.
Marie didn't want to go home.
But when winter came, every cadet had to leave the Military Academy.
There were no exceptions.
"..."
Marie felt as if the biting wind was tearing at her skin.
Once again, winter had come.