A Mastermind? No, I'm just the Live-In Son-in-Law-Chapter 34: To the Academy

“I heard she only recently awakened sword aura...”

“She’s already practicing how to embed her own techniques into it. Not just among the youth, but even within the Imperial Knight Order, very few are capable of that.”

Of course, I already knew Cecil was immensely talented.

“She’s only one step away from being able to use her aura techniques freely in combat, just like you or the Crown Prince.”

“Isn’t that the exact condition for a fast-track appointment to the Knight Commander position?”

“Exactly. I ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) myself was actually designated as Commander of the newly formed 3rd Order. But... something happened during the conferment ceremony.”

Still, I didn’t expect Cecil to be at a level comparable to monsters like Lunelle or Princess Katarina.

At this point, it made me wonder why such a gifted individual hadn’t shown up in the original game, which was all about recruiting the most talented allies.

“Of course, the Selection Tournament isn’t solely about swordsmanship. There are other variables...”

“R-Right?”

“Still, she’s probably a frontrunner. Her magical skill is exceptional, too.”

I had been clinging to hope, listening to Lunelle, but the moment she reminded me how skilled Cecil was at magic as well, I sighed and dropped my head.

“Ah, of course, not as much as you, Master...”

Lunelle rushed to comfort me, but her words completely missed the mark, offering little help.

‘You never know what could happen during the tournament...’

It was something I’d been worried about before—the day the tournament’s rematch was scheduled coincided almost exactly with the Academy Raid, the Act 1 boss event.

And even if the tournament finished safely, that would be its own problem.

If Cecil won, or even just placed in the top three as Lunelle predicted, there was a high probability she’d be selected as a Hero.

That would mean my precious little sister would have to endure the cursed original story’s brutal trials to save the world.

‘Didn’t Blacktail Fantasy 3 have a clear rate of under ten percent...?’

As someone who had experienced that difficulty firsthand—both as a player and as Cecil’s only older brother—it was something I simply couldn’t allow.

“If I told her not to enter, would she listen?”

“...Young Master, you know Lady Cecil’s personality better than anyone.”

“Sigh...”

Sure, my plan had always been to support the Hero from behind, ensure Lady Meredia’s salvation, and enjoy a comfortable life afterward—but if the Hero turned out to be my sister, it was an entirely different story.

It might sound selfish, but after finally gaining a kind, precious family in this life, I couldn’t stand to lose her again.

“...Why am I suddenly missing Mother’s smile?”

“...She resembled you greatly, Young Master. Her face, her expressions, even her way of speaking.”

Murmuring bitterly to myself, Alfred quietly agreed by my side.

“Haha. You still remember her, Alfred?”

“I was your butler before then, after all... But why bring up the past all of a sudden?”

Right, come to think of it, Mother did look a lot like me.

Well, I was her biological child, so that made sense. But unlike the doppelgänger of an Emperor, she had been a truly pure and kind soul.

Now that I reflect on it, I probably picked up my manner of speech and attitude from her as well.

If so—what if I tried solving this problem the way Mother used to?

“What if I used the same method Mother used when Cecil would fuss about side dishes?”

“You mean the Thinking Chair? But would that really work on the young lady’s stubbornness...?”

“Just enough to keep her there until the tournament’s over?”

I casually suggested the idea to Alfred, following the train of thought. But his face darkened quickly.

“...How is that any different from imprisonment, Young Master?”

“Haha. Is it?”

“Even if you smile so slyly, it won’t work this time. Are you trying to add yet another bizarre rumor to the estate?”

As for the rumors... I’ve got a lot to say in my defense. But regardless, I had to admit—it wasn’t a great idea.

‘If I’m not careful, I might alienate Cecil altogether...’

As someone who supported her dream of becoming the head of the family, I couldn’t rob her of the chance to fully realize her talents.

I, who once lived a life where I couldn’t chase my dreams even if I wanted to, knew how painful that was better than anyone.

‘...In the end, I’ll just have to try harder myself.’

That was the conclusion I reached after some thought. I sighed quietly and spoke again.

“For now, I’ll deal with Cecil’s situation after we arrive at the Academy. Until then, I’d like to rest a little...”

“...Um, Young Master. Have you perhaps forgotten something?”

Alfred furrowed his brow and asked, making me tilt my head in confusion.

“Today’s the day we leave for the Academy. The carriage is already waiting.”

“Oh—”

Only then, when I saw the sunlight streaming through the window, did my mind snap awake and my eyes widen.

“That’s right. The preliminary visit.”

Exactly one week before the Selection Tournament, just as Parsha had predicted, the Academy’s board sent me a letter requesting a pre-visit.

Officially, it was to help the judges acclimate and receive orientation. But let’s be honest—they probably just want to assess my qualifications.

Still... how the hell is it already morning? I didn’t sleep at all replying to that letter...

“Fortunately, the sun’s just come up, so there’s still some time left. Would you like to nap for a bit?”

“No... Just a moment. There’s still something I need to do.”

Alfred looked at me with concern as if I’d been scammed out of my sleep, but unfortunately for me, there was one thing I had to take care of before leaving for the Academy.

“Lunelle. I have a gift for you.”

“Eh? For me, Master?”

When I turned toward her, giving up my precious rest, she jolted in surprise, having been lost in thought.

“Well, I heard that knights traditionally receive a sword from their family or teacher during their appointment ceremony.”

“...That’s true.”

Upon hearing that, her face darkened and her voice sank.

“It was the moment I looked forward to most... but in the end, I didn’t even get to receive it properly, and later I was sold off to pay debts.”

Of course. That moment had marked the fall of her life, so it would’ve been strange if she weren’t bitter about it.

“Why do you ask, all of a sudden?”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Well, I may not be your family or teacher... but didn’t we make a vow that practically equals one?”

I didn’t want to keep seeing that kind of expression on her face.

“So, I’d like to fulfill that glory you missed out on.”

“...?”

“Everyone, bring it in.”

It was time to reveal the surprise gift I’d prepared before entering the office.

“Wait, is that...?”

As soon as I gave the command, the maids entered the room and placed something wrapped in a cloth in front of Lunelle. Her eyes widened the moment she examined it.

“As your master, I present this to you—with the highest honor.”

It must have been because the shape under the cloth was all too familiar to her.

“You said you’d only give me the sword once I completed the mission...”

“That referred to the physically taxing ritual. This, I think, is better given now for the sake of efficiency.”

Still staring blankly at me, Lunelle reached out with trembling hands toward the bundle.

As always, when it came to anything involving swords, her usual stoic demeanor vanished without a trace.

“Is it really alright for someone like me to receive this? I... I put you in danger just a while ago...”

“Go ahead. Open it.”

“Th-Then... excuse me.”

She hesitated and took a deep breath before picking up the bundle with supreme self-restraint. But when I gently urged her, she quickly gave in and pulled off the veil.

—Shfff...

And finally, the surprise gift I had prepared revealed itself.

“Ah.”

Lunelle’s eyes and mouth transformed in the most cartoonish way—round, dazed pupils and a triangular frown.

Put simply, she looked hilariously crestfallen.

“Thank you, Master. It’s a truly fine sword.”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“I’ll work even harder from now on.”

Well, sure—at first glance, it looked no different from the battered old training swords at the mansion. So her reaction made sense.

But come on. Like I’d ever give my closest and most trusted bodyguard a cheap sword that might get her killed.

“Yes, you’d better work hard.”

“...Y-Yes.”

I was going to tell her the truth immediately, but watching her sulk so obviously, her disappointment totally at odds with her usual demeanor, made me want to hold it in just a little longer.

“Well then, I’ll take this sword Master gave me and head off to train—”

“Ahaha, Lunelle. Go ahead and try holding that sword.”

Seeing the way her eyes, already dull with disappointment, now drooped even lower, I couldn’t help but laugh as I spoke.

“Understo... od?”

“How does it feel?”

“...Huh?”

Even though she must have been disappointed, Lunelle obediently lifted the sword by the hilt—and in an instant, her expression sharpened.

“T-This sword... Something is off.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s some kind of blessing placed on it... and not just one. But applying multiple blessings on a single sword should be impossible...”

Watching her keenly analyze it like an expert, I looked at her with deep satisfaction.

“Haha. That’s not surprising at all.”

After letting the tension build a moment longer, I smiled broadly and revealed the final surprise.

“That sword... is actually the First Hero’s Sword, taken from the Imperial treasure vault.”

“...What!?”

Lunelle nearly dropped the sword on the spot, her expression the most animated I’d ever seen since we met.

“Shhh. It’s top secret. Let’s keep it between us, alright?”

Of course, I didn’t personally “take” it out.

Ever since Bergen famously looted the treasure vault in the past, the Imperial Family had ramped up security to the point that even keyholders couldn’t enter freely.

That’s why they now sent out a catalog—like some kind of high-end shopping service—and luckily, it included two items I wanted.

‘H-How did Master get his hands on this...’

“I told you I know a lot about Hero lore, didn’t I?”

Yeah, one of those two items was this sword—the one the Emperor once happened to gift Lunelle in the original story.

The other... well, I hadn’t brought it yet since I had other plans for it.

For someone like Lunelle, a certified Hero fanatic, this had to be the ultimate gift.

“...Did you use the key you got as a reward for the engagement incident—for this?”

“I got two. Of course I had to invest at least one in my first subordinate.”

“I don’t understand.”

But then, with her expression growing more serious, Lunelle asked in a deep voice.

“Do I... truly deserve something like this?”

Was the shock too much for her to process? It wasn’t the reaction I’d hoped for, but to ease her obvious discomfort, I smiled warmly and answered.

“Don’t feel pressured. I’m really grateful you protected me last time.”

“......”

“So, I hope you’ll keep watching my back? Haha...”

She must’ve felt overwhelming despair—staring at her dreams, only to have them ripped away in an instant.

I can’t say I fully understand how that feels, but if this gift can help her reclaim even a little of the future she once dreamed of... that’s enough.

“...Ugh.”

Just as I thought that and waited silently for her reply—

“Snf. Mmngh.”

“Lunelle?”

I leaned forward to take a closer look, and there it was—teardrops forming and falling from Lunelle’s eyes.

“I-I’m not crying. Snff. Really.”

“Haha...”

“I-It’s just some dust in my eyes...”

Let’s pretend, just for today, that the unshakable woman who wouldn’t blink even in the abyss shed tears over a speck of dust.

“I’ll... I’ll work really hard...!”

I had just realized that even someone as cold and distant as her still had a girlish side inside.

“...Young Master, did you say that’s the First Hero’s Sword?”

While I was savoring the rare warmth that had settled over the office, Alfred—who had been quietly observing the whole time—finally spoke up in a low voice.

“I’ll let slide how you even knew about that... but does the Imperial Family know?”

Of course, it had to be him asking something that sharp.

I gave him a mischievous eye smile as I answered.

“Honestly, Alfred, you always catch on so fast.”

“...Young Master?”

“I really hate that about you—no, actually, I love it.”

The sweat that appeared on his forehead made me chuckle as I whispered an eternal truth from both this life and my last.

“But don’t worry. As the saying goes... finder’s keepers, right?”

“...Ugh, my head...”

With that, I skillfully blocked Alfred’s unnecessary scolding yet again and stood to get a little rest before the visit to the Academy—

“Master.”

—but right then, I froze in place at the sound of Parsha’s voice, which had been notably silent until now.

“...Where’s mine?”

“Ah.”

Seeing the cold smile on her face, full of sulky expectation, I knew immediately—rest was not happening today.

***

“...I nearly had to renegotiate my contract, you know.”

Fortunately, Parsha—who had gotten so pouty she was practically on strike—was pacified by giving her the right to sit at my right side.

The problem? Lunelle always tries to stand at my right, too. But maybe if I just accept having two right hands, I can live with it.

And if it gets awkward later, I’ll balance it out by putting Sasha and Bergen on my left.

“U-Um, why am I coming along again...?”

“Well, I figured I’d need at least one person to assist me. Haha.”

“...O-Oh, r-right.”

Sasha, who had unwittingly been promoted to my right-hand aide for such a ridiculous reason, looked like she was about to cry. I quickly offered a convincing excuse to ease her worries.

Though honestly, it’s so she can take a break and visit her family at the Academy.

I’d been working Sasha too hard lately, so I wanted her to meet her older brother and even take time to stop by her family home nearby.

Sure, losing my attendant for a while would be inconvenient... but hey, what kind of noble can’t take care of himself?

“Well then. Time to board the carriage—”

Feeling quite pleased with myself, I headed toward the carriage waiting at the mansion gates.

“...Hm?”

Then I froze, tilting my head in confusion.

“This... feels familiar...”

The crest on the carriage door looked awfully similar to an insignia I knew well.

“Of course it does.”

As I blinked in confusion, an all-too-familiar voice answered from ahead.

“You’ve ridden it before.”

“...Lady Meredia?”

To my astonishment, Lady Meredia was reclining inside the carriage, resting her chin on her hand and giving me a pointed stare.

“What are you doing here...?”

“Didn’t you hear? For this tournament, the Academy board voted to use a joint judging system to prevent any cheating like last time.”

“...That’s the first I’m hearing of it.”

Blinking dumbly, I asked again. Even Bergen hadn’t mentioned anything about this.

“Well, it was decided just a few hours ago. So that makes sense.”

“...Wait. This board you’re talking about—don’t tell me...”

“I’m the chair.”

She answered without a shred of shame, and I could only let out a stunned laugh.

“What are you waiting for? Get in already.”

“Haha...”

Time to go retrieve that gift I pulled from the Imperial treasure catalog—before she changes her mind.