Case 45: At the Syrus National Academy.

*****

The Libre Empire was the most prosperous country in the world. In line with this, the Syrus National Academy—SNA was also the most prestigious educational institution in the world. A well-known fact was that an absurd amount of money flowed into maintaining and developing this establishment every year, assuring that every infrastructure and service would be top-notch.

Some might question the need for such generous government spending, yet the majority hadn't forgotten the terror their enemies had caused. Procuring talents was essential.

It was also one of the most heavily guarded places on the planet, perhaps thanks to the presence of many great warriors within the academy grounds.

Countless wartime officials, generals, or even foreign militants who had retired either became educators or staff at SNA. Yet, the most iconic group that belonged here was none other than the former hero party. Nominally, they weren't called 'the hero party' anymore since they were disbanded shortly after completing their objective—to halt and/or eliminate the demons' momentum in conquering mankind.

Nevertheless, honoring the immense deeds the four members had accomplished a decade ago, they were still regarded as the party of heroes.

They were living legends, now serving as professors at the Syrus National Academy.

''Greetings, Professor Jeanne!''

''G-Greetings!''

''Yes. Good day to you.''

Not a mere 'professor,' but something even more esteemed. That was the title Jeanne—the very heroine who led the hero party—held. Although a commoner, she had a heart of gold, and despite her somewhat intimidating appearance, those who had come into contact with Jeanne would describe her as one of the most sophisticated people they knew.

The Gentle Dragon—or so she was called.

Each time she took a stride, her long, well-kept red hair swayed. Even if she was walking beside a lake on a peaceful day, her brilliant golden eyes never stopped scanning left and right—like an animal hunting for prey or a soldier mapping the battlefield.

Yet, somewhere in her calm countenance, one could almost sense a constant ripple threatening to flip over her entire being—a doubt of something.

''...''

Jeanne had been living with this doubt for a long, long time, but it still bogged her.

'No. Today's not it.'

It was not the time to keep thinking about something that was already in the past. If anything, her colleague, who she thought was much smarter than her, was looking into it extensively. She could just wait for the results.

She should be teaching students—that was her responsibility.

Nonetheless, it wouldn't be her fault if those students struggled to learn at her pace, would it? The ones who could keep up with her training were the geniuses, and most of them were so busy they couldn't be spotted at school most of the time.

One relief Jeanne had was that she had essentially found her successor. This person was as, if not more, talented than herself—a magic swordswoman, a fire user, and a keen combatant. It was as if Jeanne herself had been split into two people.

''Why are you alone here again?''

''Oh, Rachael.''

It was noon.

As the sky fell to orange, so did Rachael de La Fayette's hair. Those lustrous strands of blond now reflected a dimmer light, giving her a look of subduedness rather than the usual majesty.

''Are you thinking about that again, teacher?''

Rachael was used to seeing her teacher lose herself in seemingly useless thoughts. She had been Jeanne's student for a little over a decade, after all.

Hearing no response yet faced with the familiar apologetic smile, the princess promptly sat down beside the former heroine,

''Any progress?''

''No, not really. It all depends on Serendia, and I haven't seen her for a while.''

That was the extent of the conversation. Neither of them wanted to go further simply because there were already too many identical ones in the past.

It was puzzling for Rachael. No matter who said what, Jeanne and her companions did convincingly defeat the demon queen and brought forward an era of peace none had been able to achieve, yet Jeanne herself was too certain that something was 'wrong' about her victory.

Nevertheless, the topic was too old for the princess to care anymore. She had more important matters to worry about.

''But why are you here, Rachael? Finally taking a break?''

''Of course not. A rat was trying to avoid his work by initiating an 'inspection' of the academy lasting a whole month. I just slapped him back into the palace and thought I'd visit you. That's all.''

''Ah... is it the Minister of Finance again?''

''Yes. That useless baldie.''

Jeanne chuckled. Born as an ordinary country girl, she hadn't known this kind of antics within the very top of society until now. In every sense, it was a day just like any other.

''Hm?''

Still, something was bound to change over time. When Rachael opened her phone, Jeanne noticed that the wallpaper on her lock screen was of someone she recently learned on the news. In the picture, the girl with sky-blue hair and red eyes had her hand held by the person carrying the camera, brimming with happiness.

She was drop-dead gorgeous.

''The new lady of Orleans, right? Did you make any progress with her?'' Jeanne excitedly asked, clearly interested in her pupil's love story.

After a bit of contemplation, Rachael curtly replied, ''...We slept together.''

''Oh, my... that's amazing! But why do you seem so... annoyed? Did something happen?''

''It's been a while since I saw her. That's one. But then...''

''But then?''

Rachael narrowed her brows. She was already on edge from weeks of not embracing Cecilia, but every time she remembered the existence of that arrogant Bourbon, her rage turned into anxiety.

No matter how much she tried to convince Cecilia to become her loyal lover and eventually wife, her partner would always weasel her way out of the topic, repeatedly asserting that she wasn't the right choice in the long run.

Was Cecilia concerned about her precarious status? Perhaps she was insecure somewhere? Or... was it her health?

The more Rachael thought about it, the more unpleasant it became. She always had the arrogant thought that she was attractive, seeing the women flocking her way, yet the most she got out of practically begging this one girl was, 'I think we should casually date for a while.'

'How laughable I had become, huh?'

It was humbling. Yet, the harder something was to get, the more motivated Rachael would become. If she didn't make Cecilia her child-bearing wife in this lifetime...

''Rachael?''

''...Ah, I dazed out for a moment. It's nothing.''

''Really...? Well, do you have some time? We should spar once in a while.''

''Sure. That sounds good.''

So, unaware of what was going on between Penelope and Cecilia, the princess decided to sweat her body a bit. She started feeling hungry for blood the day before, but thankfully, she was also about to wrap up her work for this month.

She could perhaps spare a whole week or so with Cecilia. That was entirely why she stacked work this thick, after all.

'Ah... my fangs are already aching so badly. What can I do? Her blood was so sweet. But I should really get the imperial doctor to see her sometimes...'

Licking her lips, Rachael gingerly thought of the sweet, sweet time with Cecilia that she would spend in the near future...

...unaware of what would come crashing down like a tsunami.

*****