Chapter 60

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Gerard Schmidt
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Bruce’s mouth fell open in a stupid expression.

“From now on, you get your own food. Both meals and snacks.”

“Wha-what?”

“If your arms were broken, I’d let it slide if you asked your friends for help. So if you really don’t want to move, come find me in my room! Your wrists…”

I lifted both hands into the air, made a sharp cracking gesture, and added.

“…I’ll break them for you!”

At my words, the murmuring crowd fell silent as if doused with cold water.

Bruce’s face gradually turned pale.

“Hey, there are a lot of kids here, that’s too harsh…. This is just how things are. Everyone does it…”

“Yeah, so what? Can’t you see the color of my name tag?”

I tilted my head with a mischievous grin and added.

“Don’t tell me~? You don’t want to listen to me?”

“N-no…”

“Pfft.”

At that moment, someone’s laugh broke the tense silence.

A boy sitting at the same table.

‘Gold.’

The color of his name tag was the first thing I noticed, and then his name.

‘Ge-Gerard Schmidt?’

My mind raced.

The youngest son of the Schmidt ducal family.

He was the one who would later become a holy knight and serve under my dad.

For the record, he was a villain in my book.

He was destined to hate Chessier’s guts.

“Puhahaha!”

Gerard laughed so hard that tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

Then he looked at me.

He grinned, and with his lavender hair, deep violet eyes, and translucent skin, he was remarkably handsome.

As expected of a world where looks get an upgrade based on importance.

“Amusing.”

“B-Brother. What do I do?”

“What do you mean, what do you do?”

Gerard shrugged at the whining Bruce.

“You have to listen to her.”

“Wh-what?”

“Do as she says, Bruce.”

“……”

“Go get your tray yourself.”

Even as he spoke, Gerard never took his eyes off me.

The strange smile on his face made him seem older than other kids his age.

“H-huh…”

In the end, Bruce trudged over to the serving line.

Gerard kept staring at me, and I met his gaze without backing down.

* * *

That evening.

It was time for bed.

I scurried up to the top bunk, pulled the blanket over my head, and unfolded the ‘gift’ Rico had given me.

Rico’s gift was extremely useful.

It was information on several noble children currently at the training center that I needed to be wary of.

Gerard Schmidt was number one on that list.

‘I already knew he was at the training center from reading Rico’s letter beforehand…’

But I never imagined he’d be Chessier’s roommate.

‘Chessier entered two years earlier than he did in the original story!’

So, if things had followed the original plot, Gerard and Chessier would have been in different classes and wouldn’t have met now.

But.

‘Characters who are connected find a way to cross paths, no matter how much the original story changes. Just like how Dad found Chessier as soon as he came to the capital.’

The narrative causality of the original story was truly terrifying.

[Gerard Schmidt

He is the youngest son of the Schmidt family, doted on by the Duke.

He entered this March, so he should be in the 1026th class with you, my lady.

However, he is 11 years old, unlike most of the 9-year-olds in the 1026th.

Duke Schmidt pleaded with the imperial family for leniency and managed to delay his admission by two years.

Since he will be drafted as a boy soldier upon graduation, the Duke wanted to keep him by his side for as long as possible.

For reference, Gerard Schmidt’s older brothers, the first and second sons, died in battle.]

In the original story, Gerard, who became a holy knight, deeply admired my dad.

Was that why? He felt inferior to and jealous of Chessier, Dad’s adopted son, who was better than him at everything.

How many times had he put them in danger by contradicting Chessier at every turn whenever they went on campaigns together?

For the record…

Do you know the reason my dear brother Leon died during the massive demonic beast subjugation in the second book—the part of the story that was so frustrating to get through?

‘It was because of this bastard!’

「…Dealing with the demonic beasts was always a challenge for Chessier. It was because their powers were of the same affinity.

The beasts nullified more than half of Chessier’s attacks, and in a space where their power was dominant, he couldn’t control the density of time.

“We end the subjugation here. Our side has suffered heavy losses, and the terrain deeper in is treacherous and disadvantageous.”

“If you’re scared, the Magic Swordsman Division can retreat.”

Gerard Schmidt sneered at Chessier’s decision. It was yet another clash of opinions, one of dozens that had occurred during the subjugation period.

“Don’t you know it’s all for nothing if we don’t kill them all? All our hard work will be wasted. I’ll take the glory, so you cowards can get lost.”

“Is glory more important than the lives of your men? If there were even a small chance of success, I wouldn’t stop you. But this is a suicide mission.”

“Then just watch. See whether we die like dogs or a hero is born.”

“Sir Gerard!”

Gerard led the Paladin Order and departed first. As he watched them go, Chessier gritted his teeth. Leon Antracse approached him.

“Wow, that bastard really doesn’t listen, does he? Is he fearless? Or does it seem more like he just wants to do the opposite of whatever you say? What is he, a contrarian?”

“……”

“What are you going to do? We have to go, right?”

There was no way they could succeed in the subjugation on their own. To minimize the damage, he had to move the Magic Swordsman Division.

In the end, Chessier pushed forward with the subjugation, a choice he would regret for the rest of his life.

…….

It was a crushing defeat, close to annihilation.

Could they make it out alive? It was a scene of pandemonium where survival itself was uncertain.

“Chessier! Dammit, look out!”

By the time he turned at the sound of Leon’s voice thundering from behind, it was already too late.

“…Brother?”

“Ah, ah…”

“Brother!!!”

A hideous demonic beast’s arm had pierced through Leon’s body as he shielded Chessier.

The moment the pale-faced Leon turned to Chessier and opened his mouth—

“Chessi—, keuk!”」

‘Uwaaaaah!’

I screamed internally, punching my innocent pillow.

After that, the beast’s arm was pulled out, blood was coughed up, and so on…

Descriptions unsuited for all ages followed, so for the sake of my mental health, I’d stop recalling it there.

“Brotherrr…. Sob.”

I bit my lip hard and clutched the blanket tightly.

Save my Leon.

There was still a long way to go until the second book, but since I’d already meddled with so many things, there was no telling what might change.

Also, the biggest problem was…

This kid, Gerard Schmidt.

‘To think a guy like this is on our side…’

What I meant was, while he might be a villain from Chessier’s perspective, he was an ally from the revolutionary army’s point of view.

‘He’s annoying, but there’s nothing I can do about him.’

Of the five ducal houses in the Empire, three joined my dad’s rebellion.

The Antracses of my twin brothers, the Libres of Uncle Axion, and the Schmidts.

‘It’s obvious from how his father couldn’t bear to see his precious son suffer and delayed his admission by two years. Gerard’s father must also despise the mandatory conscription system.’

After all, he had lost two older sons on the battlefield.

It was easy to imagine how much Duke Schmidt treasured his youngest son, Gerard.

‘But so what if he’s on our side! He was the character I disliked the most!’

Gerard was truly… more obnoxious than most villainous extras.

How many frustrating moments did I have to endure because of this kid?

I thought for a long time.

‘Haa, it can’t be helped. I may not like him, but the Schmidts are a powerful asset and our allies.’

After making my decision, I folded Rico’s letter.

Gerard was eleven now.

Still a young age.

Maybe he hasn’t gone completely bad yet?

So…

‘I’ll start his moral education now and raise him to be a good person.’

* * *

The next day, at 7 a.m.

Breakfast time.

The children were eating and chatting with their respective roommates.

Chessier was there too.

Of course, although they were called roommates, commoners weren't included in the conversation.

“Hey, hey! You’re obviously a Dos, right? I’m so jealous.”

“We’ll see. I’ll have to check to find out.”

Bruce kept talking to Gerard, who would only reply nonchalantly with his characteristic faint smile.

“I heard there hasn’t been a Dos in years, but this time we might get two! That’s amazing.”

There were two students with gold name tags in the 1026th class.

The name tag colors were predetermined based on a child’s expected rank, which was derived from their parents’ rank.

The two Dos Bruce was talking about were Gerard and Lilis.

“Oh, she’s here.”

“She’s here…”

Bruce and his lackey, Simon, glanced toward the dining hall entrance.

Chessier lifted his eyes slightly.

It was Lilis and her roommates.

Lilis drew attention just by walking around. Even now, everyone in the dining hall was watching her.

“But why is she getting her own tray?”

Bruce grumbled as he watched Lilis line up at the serving counter.

“I get that she’s coddling that Chessier kid because she likes his pretty face… but I don’t get the rest. Why is she acting like that?”

Bruce, who had been looking puzzled, suddenly flinched. Lilis, having gotten her food, was approaching.

“Wh-what? She’s coming this way?”

It was true. Lilis came and stood next to their table.

Bruce was flustered.

“I-I didn’t make Chessier do anything today!”

“Really? Good for you.”

It seemed Lilis hadn’t come for Bruce, as she replied dismissively.

She then stood still, staring intently at Gerard, before placing something down on the table next to his tray with a thud.

It was the juice that came with breakfast.

“……?”

Gerard looked up.

Lilis beamed.

“Drink it.”

“……”

What was this? All the surrounding kids were watching the two with interest.

Gerard, who had been staring silently at Lilis, finally broke into a bright smile and nodded.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. Enjoy your meal!”

Then, as if she had no other business, Lilis spun around and left.

In the spot where Lilis had been.

Everyone was gaping.

“What was that! H-Hey, you’re so lucky, man.”

“Looks like she wants to be friends with you.”

Bruce and Simon chattered away.

Just then, Gerard suddenly looked at Chessier. Their eyes met in midair.

‘…What.’

With a smirk, Gerard picked up the juice and waved it at Chessier, as if to taunt him.

‘What’s his problem?’

Strange kid.

Chessier immediately looked away and focused on his meal again.