Chapter 76: Is This Rebellion?
It was months later that a carriage appeared at the academy. From there, Alicia saw a gorgeous blonde girl with a smile as radiant as the sun. It was at this moment that Alicia knew she would hate her. She always hated girls who looked too sunny or cheerful. Moreover, from what she had learned from the NovelPhoenix, Claire was supposed to be a mastermind with a talent for deception.
However, what was more surprising was that they were in the same grade! Alicia was bewildered. Claire and Heracles were supposed to be a few years above her and Elidranthia.
“Greetings, Mage Alicia. I have heard of your exploits on the western frontier.” Claire greeted her. “I am Claire. A level 7 light mage.”
“... I see. Greetings, Princess Claire. I am Mage Alicia. The greatest mage of Shadowstep. Um… How did you know what I did there, Princess Claire?” Alicia introduced herself. Despite using the same line, she had lost some flair due to how Claire behaved around her. It was hard bragging about her achievements when facing a modest princess with similar abilities.
Claire was a rank 7 mage, too.
“Please. Don’t call me princess. Lustria is no longer a kingdom, but a republic, and thus, a princess is merely a title. We have no real power there. The prime minister is the one who holds executive power.” Claire said.
“Ah. I see. But you are still a princess, right? Let me call you Princess Claire, although unoficial.” Alicia nodded. Even UK and Japan still had princess. and people call them with their tiitle despite how their governments had changed. there is nothing wrong with the title itself.
“Well, if you insist. I suppose there is nothing I could do.” Claire said.
Eli eyed Alicia. She wondered why Claire went to her first instead of her master. Was it because she was a higher-level mage?
No, she mustn’t be jealous. Elidranthia wished for the betterment of society, not self-pride. She must not let her ego diminish Alicia’s talent. Despite her airheaded and dumb look, Alicia hadn’t failed her yet. She even got the same medal as her at the fort to prove it. She is a great maid.
Then, in the cafeteria, Heracles came to Claire with a tray filled with soup and vegetables. He was acting not like a prince, but a butler.
Alicia noticed that, similar to the NovelPhoenix, Heracles was not a mage. However, he came in as Claire’s butler instead of a knight or military scholar. Alicia was stunned when she saw him in a butler’s suit. But just from a glance, everyone knew that Heracles was not truly Claire’s butler.
“...” Alicia and Elidranthia, who knew who Heracles was, frowned hard.
“Yo! Brother Heracles. So, you are becoming a butler now?” Ludwin greeted him as if it were nothing. Eli was expecting a bloodbath, but once she pondered about it, there was no need for Ludwin to feel threatened. After all, Heracles was exiled and disinherited. There was no possible way for him to inherit the throne. But she wondered why Ludwin was so nonchalant though, She thought that princes in medieval kingdoms usually had bad worse relationship.
“Yes. After I was disinherited, I roamed the western nations in search of a country where mages and peasants were equal, and I finally found it.” Heracles smiled. “I didn’t hate Althemer for banishing me, Ludwin. After all, Althemer was mostly right. Most western nations viewed mages as nothing more than tools. However, Lustria, where my Claire resides, was different.”
“I see. How different?” Ludwin raised an eyebrow.
“It is a land where status doesn’t matter. Whether you are a mage, king, or peasant, all are the same in the eyes of the law.” Heracles said.
His speech roused the onlookers in the cafeteria. Mages and scholars turned their heads. Even low-ranking nobles were interested.
Alicia and Elidranthia, who came from modern Earth, however, were not interested in democracy. Both knew that it was just a pipe dream. There was no such thing as a utopia where everything could be equal.
In fact, if everyone were equal, there would be no order. They were already a mage and a noble. if everyone were equal, their status and advantage would disappear. This kingdom is fine as it is. There is no need to change it yet.
“You can be king, Ludwin. Just like Claire is a princess, and when we marry, we will be king and queen in Lustria. But power should be in the hands of the people, don’t you think?”
“No. Power should be in the hands of those who are more competent.” Eli said. She realized she had just blundered. She had intercepted their conversation.
“...” Heracles, who hadn’t expected to be dismissed so soon, was silent.
“I see.” Claire was silent.
Ludwin saw Eli in a new light and nodded.
“As expected of my future fiancée. You are right, Lady Elidranthia.” Ludwin smiled proudly.
“Huh?” Eli stared at him. Since when was she engaged to Ludwin? She recalled no such arrangement! She wanted nothing to do with the throne! This country was shit and rife with war! It already took all of her effort to guard her own territory against the encroaching monster.
“Ara! I didn’t know that you two were engaged.”
“Oh hoho… You sure love to joke, Prince Ludwin. A lowly count’s daughter such as me would never be fit to be betrothed to someone like you.” Elidranthia pulled back.
“But weren’t you the one who said that power should be given to those who deserve it? You are still a student, and yet you already have merit in our war on the western front. I think you deserved to assist me in leading this country.”
“I-I-I-I see. B-but I personally don’t like arranged marriages. Don’t you think it would be better if you married someone you love?”
“I-I see. Well. I shall ask my father. He seemed to think well of you, Elidranthia. I don’t mind either.” Ludwin, who realized he had made a blunder, blushed alongside Eli.
“How nice to be young…” Alicia smirked.
“Alicia!!” Eli yelled. She didn’t expect her to backstab her like this.
“Ahem!” Claire said.
“Hiek! My apologies.” Eli turned away.
“Well. I suppose a difference in opinion is always expected when you are from a different culture.” Claire nodded. “But who do you think deserves power if not chosen by the people, Elidranthia? How do you choose who is competent if they are not even loved by the people?”
That was always a perfect argument. Just like any democratic party would do. For a moment, Eli wondered whether Claire honestly believed it or whether she was just talking about it to garner support. Then Eli realized it didn’t matter. Even if Claire believed it, just like in the old kingdoms, nobles and aristocrats would always find a way to pervert the good intentions of this ideology.
Eli had talent, and she was also popular. She was confident she would win an election if it were to be held. But from her former days as a CIA agent, she knew there would always be a way to smear her good name. If nothing could be done about it, they could always assassinate her.
Such was the treachery of the modern world. Eli hated it. But when she met Repeara, she realized it wasn’t the people who held power that were the problem. It was about responsibility. As long as the poor got something to eat, as long as the territory prospered, wasn’t it fine for them to hold power? It was the modern mindset that was wrong. Everyone wanted power but wanted no responsibility. That was the problem. That was what ruined the modern world’s ideology.
Claire continued to eat with Heracles after that. Little did Elidranthia know that her words were heard by all. And they changed her reputation. At first, she was seen as an upstart. But her words had gathered support from high nobles.
Little did she know that her words were heard by the king.
“We can’t dismiss Heracles and Claire now. Their words about democracy have spread to the populace.” Prime Minister Darius said.
“That’s too fast. Claire arrived here less than a week ago.” The king frowned.
“I assume this was a part of their plan. They are planning to usurp the throne, my king.”
“We should ban these acts. They are rebelling!” an advisor from Duke Bron said.
“We can’t just arrest scholars and civilians. That would make us look like tyrants!” an advisor argued back.
“Then what do you suggest? What they say also demeans the Church of Mana. Duke Slane, they came here because of your permission! Their speech will lower the importance of mages in society.” The advisor from Duke Bron said.
“Their words mean nothing. Just like Lady Elidranthia said, power should go to those who deserve it. Mages have done so much for the country, often being overworked. People need to bow to mages more.”
“Is that treason? We have talked about this before, Duke Slane. Mages have their duties, and so do the nobles. You can’t expect a mage to manage a territory while also working to fill arcane stones and magic devices. You said it yourself that it is too taxing for them.” The king said.
“Then you have nothing to fear, Your Majesty. Their words will only move uneducated fools. We can see for ourselves that those who truly understand our country won’t be moved by such ridiculous ideology. Lady Elidranthia and her maid are the prime examples.” Slane said.
The king was miffed by how uncaring they were.
“Yes! We should keep Lady Elidranthia close to Prince Ludwin. He won’t be easily swayed by the talk of independence and democracy that way.” The advisor from Duke Bron nodded.
“Hm… She is merely a count’s daughter. She doesn’t have the pedigree. Moreover, she is a mage. Ludwin is also a mage. If they were to become engaged and married, this would set a bad precedent.” An advisor said.
“Are you saying she is not worthy? Well, to be honest, I am more interested in Alicia. Not to diminish Lady Elidranthia’s contribution, but Alicia also performed admirably on the western front when an army of liches came to assault our garrison.” Another advisor from Duke Slane said.
“She is a peasant!” the advisor from Bron roared in anger. There had been no precedent for peasants marrying into the bloodline of kings.
“She is a mage. The goddess has chosen her.” Duke Slane said.
“What a heresy!”
“You are the one who is a heretic. Remember that even a king must bow to Goddess Sistielle!”
“Silence. The matter is not about ideology. It’s about Claire. About the opponent who might try to usurp our nation.” The king then looked at the advisor. “I assume all of you agree that, to counter Claire and Heracles, we should encourage Elidranthia’s ideas?”
“Yes. That would be the most effective and peaceful method.” All the advisors nodded.
“Then it shall be done. From now on, Elidranthia will be the Saint of Althemer.” The king said.