I got into school for nothing-263
I got into school for nothing (263)
Lesson 51. Solid Alliance - 5
Exodus and Crimson Spear, both sides had retreated after suffering near-annihilating damage, but they weren't the only ones in space.
From the moment a wave of cold emanated from Melodia's spaceship, a group had remained frozen, unable to move: the fleet of the Guardian Alliance, composed of the indigenous people of the D-13 Dimension.
Indeed, what action would Melodia take against the D-13 Dimension?
Even if they swept them all away, searched every planet thoroughly, found what they wanted, and left, there was no one who could stop them.
Of course, Melodia would have to pay some price for such radical actions, but that would be infinitely light compared to the destruction the D-13 Dimension faced.
“What do you think they’ll do? If Melodia truly has the right to act directly in the D-13 Dimension, they could sweep aside such an alliance force with a single finger.”
“Would they really bother to remove them? I heard Melodia is quite a sensible type among the Ten Great Families.”
“Distribution business?”
As Ban Yuwon, listening to Anneri’s explanation with his mother, interrupted, tilting his head, Anneri nodded and added.
“The Melodia family is famous for their excellence in spatial magic, you see. There are many conjectures that the blessing they received from the True Dragon is related to space. This distribution business, operated using spatial magic, forms the foundation of the Melodia family.”
“Just now, when their spaceship appeared, it didn’t burst from a dimension wall but appeared directly in the center. Because they possess such absurd infiltration abilities, everyone is reluctant to antagonize Melodia.”
Seldon, having once roamed the universe as a dimension pirate, also seemed well aware of the dangers of the Melodia family’s power.
But Ban Yuwon thought of something else at the mention of "space."
The first time he encountered Aire, she had a very strong reaction upon seeing Ban Yuwon manipulate spatial coordinates at will by touching his student ID.
Of course, the matter was smoothed over immediately after Yumina appeared, but thinking about it now, perhaps it was because Aire was highly conscious of spatial magic.
“Oh, it looks like they're talking?”
At Kiira’s words, everyone’s gaze turned to the screen.
The Guardian Alliance, having received a signal from Melodia’s spaceship, hesitated for a long time, then finally, one ship moved forward as if pushed.
He wondered if it was Galahad’s ship, but it was Camelot’s.
Moreover, unlike before, when sound echoed throughout space, now, communicating via a private channel, no sound could be heard.
“Tikke?”
—Whirr
He conveyed his will to Tikke, hoping it would pick up the audio signal, but the reply came that there was a wide-area magic field deployed, making it highly likely to be discovered if it tried to interfere.
No matter how curious he was about what was happening in outer space, he could not risk danger.
So he was about to call Tikke back immediately, but at that moment, for some reason, the communications transmitted through the private channel were received by Tikke and began to be shared with Ban Yuwon's group.
—He asked if Asha Light’s father was on that ship.
“Huh...?”
A deep, resonant male voice emanated from Melodia’s side.
It was surprising enough that Melodia’s side mentioned Asha’s name, but even more surprising was that the audio suddenly picked up.
No, this wasn't surprising; it was terrifying.
It meant Melodia’s side knew Tikke’s location, and even grasped the content of Tikke’s and Ban Yuwon’s conversation, deliberately opening the channel for them!
Not only Ban Yuwon but also the rest of his party, who understood the implication, all froze.
Even then, the communication between both sides continued.
—N-No! Your Majesty... Alliance Leader, no, the King is currently on Planet Camelot. My apologies!
—Indeed, a king's steps should be heavy. But there is a proper time and situation for everything. If one is slow when the fate of a star is at stake, there would be no excuse, even if they fell and died on the spot.
“......”
Perhaps they had faced only "punks" like Ortima or Prominence until now, and their perception of the Ten Great Families had softened.
But those they had faced were mere immature children, even if they were heirs.
When the true power of the Ten Great Families, who had grown their influence for hundreds, thousands of years, mastering all kinds of magic and technology, came forward, they could instantly grasp their opponent's intentions, unlike Galahad, which had been played by Ban Yuwon alone.
—O-Of course! Is there... anything you need from the King?
—Indeed. So, open the way. We will go to Planet Camelot.
“......Ban Yuwon.”
Before he knew it, his older sister was subtly holding his hand.
She squeezed his hand tightly, pressing her body against him, and murmured in a somewhat wistful voice.
“Still, I’m glad we’ll die together...”
“You... want to say something unlucky?”
“Just a moment, everyone. Let’s listen to more of the communication. Since they went to the trouble of opening it for us to hear, there must be some meaning to it.”
No sooner had Anneri’s words fallen than additional conversation content was heard through the channel.
—Perhaps, what business do you have with the King...
—What is this, Camelot! Open the way!
—We will clear them out and open the way!
—Camelot, fulfill your duty as Alliance Leader!
Ah, the Guardian Alliance, which had just seemed to unite, was once again fragmenting at Melodia's declaration that they needed to meet the Alliance Leader!
At this point, wouldn't it be better for Asha if they all just perished? Even as Ban Yuwon seriously pondered this, the internal strife was proceeding heatedly.
—No, but we cannot simply let an external dimension's fleet in...
—Anyway, we can't stop them with our power. Rather than suffering unnecessary damage, it is only right for Camelot, as the Alliance Leader, to attempt to converse with them!
—If there is a time to assert authority as the Alliance Leader, then it is only right to bear the responsibility that comes with that authority. If you only enjoy the benefits and then turn a blind eye and withdraw when it's time to represent the dimension, from now on, no one will follow Camelot!
No, these guys, if you look closely, it seems like they're just seizing this opportunity to vent everything they want to say.
However, there wasn't a single flaw in their words.
They probably never imagined that one of the Ten Great Families would invade and demand to see the Alliance Leader. It was time for Camelot, which had only suppressed its allies until now, to pay the price.
“But... it seems like they're missing the point.”
Ban Yuwon muttered quietly, watching other planets' fleets restraining Camelot's ship and forcibly opening the way.
It seemed they believed, "An enraged Melodia, for some unknown reason, intends to hold the Alliance Leader of the D-13 Dimension Guardian Alliance accountable!" However, Melodia's side had clearly stated they were looking for "Asha Light's father" initially.
Wouldn't things like the Guardian Alliance and the Alliance Leader be of little significance there?
‘Then why?’
Ban Yuwon asked himself.
In fact, he realized.
Aire, from Melodia, of the Special Class.
Her only—or rather, one of two friends, including Ban Yuwon—Asha.
He didn't know who was on that spaceship, but he knew her relationships!
Judging by that, Melodia's movement towards Camelot was highly likely to be a very private and trivial matter, unlike the pessimistic predictions of the Guardian Alliance, who were talking about the dimension's destruction!
“No, then what about the Dragon-Slaying Sword?”
Just as Ban Yuwon murmured in a bewildered voice, Melodia’s communication was relayed to Ban Yuwon’s party via Tikke.
—We will take care of our business and come directly to you, so there's no need for you to move.
“Oh.”
The surprise communication left him with nothing but a dazed voice.
—Also, we wish to broadcast. We would like to borrow your channel and that child for a moment.
Broadcast?
From Camelot?
Ban Yuwon narrowed his eyes at the unexpected offer from Melodia, but he had no leeway to refuse, and it seemed the situation wouldn't escalate in a violent direction, so he agreed.
‘Tikke, who told you to shoot anyone who called you an underpaid cameraman last time?’
—Whirr
‘Those are people you can’t shoot, so at least get a lot of money instead.’
—Click
Tikke, dispatched with desperate resolve.
As Ban Yuwon sighed in faint relief and prepared for the Rebellion live broadcast, Kiira quietly said from beside him.
“So, young lady, how long do you intend to hold the young master's hand?”
“Huh? Oh? Ah, I didn't realize!”
Ban Yumi, who had been subtly trembling while holding Ban Yuwon's hand all this time, started in surprise and pulled away from him, as if only now realizing it. But even seeing her performance, worthy of a Hollywood Best Actress award, Ban Yuwon wasn't fooled.
The concept that occupied most of her emotions was deep regret and lingering attachment.
Of course, pointing it out and provoking a strange reaction would be troublesome, so he said nothing.
Besides, there were four more mouths here, excluding him.
“Her abilities are fiery, yet she’s unsuitably sly, I tell you.”
“Agreed with the Captain.”
“Oh, in front of Mom, too...”
“Wish that brat would drop dead...”
“Ah, everyone shut up! Look, Camelot's entering, Camelot!”
Ban Yumi, crying out, half-pouting, at her party members who were teasing her instead of Ban Yuwon, pointed at the screen again.
Melodia’s side, already joined by Tikke, had commenced filming.
What Tikke was primarily filming was likely the middle-aged man who seemed to be the one who communicated with Ban Yuwon earlier.
He was a middle-aged man with a cold demeanor, wearing luxurious robes and a gray beard. Even watching through Tikke, across the screen, they could feel the man's overwhelming power.
Not only that, but sensing an aura as sharp as a blade and as cold as frost, he suspected it was likely this man who had emitted the wave of cold earlier.
“He has a temperament similar to Aire's.”
“Who the hell is that bitch again?”
“You know, Yumi. The one who occasionally appears on the channel, exchanging glances with Yuwon, like, ‘Only the two of us can understand each other’...”
“Mom, if you just say it like that, Aire and I sound really obnoxious, so please stop.”
“That pretty, doll-like girl who handles ice magic incredibly well and frequently hangs around Yuwon, pretending not to... Oh, look, she's right there.”
“Ah, that bitch who acts all dignified by herself. She’s annoying.”
“What did Aire do to you to annoy you...? Aire is here?”
Ban Yuwon, who had been frowning and responding to his mother and sister's remarks, suddenly blinked.
On the screen, alongside the middle-aged man, stepping forward one by one, wearing a luxurious silver-blue robe she rarely wore, the breathtakingly beautiful silver-haired girl, Aire, was shown.
From the moment a figure from the Melodia family appeared on the Rebellion channel's live broadcast, the number of viewers exploded, and by the time the two entered Camelot's royal palace, it had surpassed 7 billion!
“No, but putting that aside, why is Aire here?”
Ban Yuwon dropped his jaw, dumbfounded.
She said to see him later when he asked for help... She'd been with them from the very beginning?!
—Aire: Ta-da.
—Me: What do you mean, 'Ta-da'?
Ban Yuwon, dumbfounded, replied to Aire who was sending him jokes she usually never made, then sensed all his party members' gazes fixated on him and raised his head.
“Our young master... truly... amazing...”
“Mom thinks our son might be faster at taking over one or two of the Ten Great Families than our daughter devouring Prominence.”
“Lord Yuwon will conquer the Tower without needing to do that.”
“Ha... truly a bad bastard, a son of a bitch.”
To Ban Yuwon, who was simply dumbfounded by the varied reactions, Seldon, who wore a serious expression unlike the female party members, bowed his head and made a request.
“Please teach me your tips for charming women, Brother.”
“Anneri.”
“Leave it to me.”
While Anneri reined in Seldon, the party watched the live broadcast together.
Camelot’s knights, with ambiguous expressions, unsure whether to be hostile or welcoming, let the middle-aged man and Aire in. As they entered the throne room, at the end of the long red carpet, on the grandly erected throne, the figure of Camelot’s king, semi-restrained by his vassals, was revealed.
He wore an expression that showed he wanted to soar into the sky and escape immediately, yet knowing how important the person standing before him was, he forced himself to feign a welcoming expression.
“W-Welcome to the palace of Camelot... S-Stranger. I am Yuder Light Camelot, King of Camelot, inheritor of the blood of the great Guardian, and Alliance Leader of the Guardian Alliance that protects this dimension.”
“Melodia Family Head, Rasteil Pendragon Melodia.”
Surprisingly, the man’s true identity was the head of one of the Ten Great Families!
However, Ban Yuwon already knew this, as his identity had been revealed long ago by the furious chat that poured in from the moment the live broadcast began.
Anneri had also been slapping her own mouth, muttering about her loose tongue, ever since seeing the live broadcast screen.
He was simply curious anew.
Why he had come to this place himself, and...
“Will you introduce yourself?”
“Aire.”
Why a person who was the head of one of the Ten Great Families bent his knee slightly and bowed his head, showing deference to Aire as if she were his superior.
However, Aire had merely accompanied him; she seemed to have no intention of continuing the conversation, so she merely stated her name and stepped back.
“W-What brings you from one of the Ten Great Families to this humble dimension...?”
“Visiting the D-13 Dimension is a separate matter. We merely came here because a task arose that could be handled concurrently.”
The Family Head looked back at Aire.
When she nodded, the Family Head cleared his throat and declared loudly.
“By the name of the Melodia family, who uphold the will of the great True Dragon and protect all dragons across dimensions, I declare that the existence of Asha Light, a descendant of the True Dragon's bloodline who has awakened its power, has been confirmed. From this moment, the Melodia family will officially sponsor her.”
“Ah...!”
The King let out a mixed sigh of strange relief and hollowness at the situation where one of the Ten Great Families had stepped forward to sponsor his daughter.
The Family Head’s words continued.
“However, a clear history of persecuting dragons remains with her current guardian, Yuder Light Camelot, and his bloodline, and it has been confirmed that terrible abuse was inflicted upon Asha Light personally. Therefore, from this moment, in the name of Melodia, the True Dragon's representative, we possess the rightful authority to intervene in a D-grade dimension and exercise our power.”
Indeed, the True Dragon was the source of all actions taken by the Melodia, one of the Ten Great Families.
The fact that they could enter the D-13 Dimension and cause such a ruckus must have all been due to that “authority.”
“H-Abuse? No, that can’t be. My son—no, my daughter has always stood on the front lines as a strong individual representing the nation, the planet, and received the full expectations of her people...”
The King, who instantly realized the development was unfavorable to him, began to stammer out excuses, but to Ban Yuwon, every single word seemed like he was deliberately stepping on a landmine.
“Do not dare try to blind the Dragon's Eye. For I could pierce that chattering mouth right now.”
“Hup!”
“Even though it is a sin that deserves immediate annihilation, we do not do so, because a servant is needed to guard the throne while the rightful heir is absent.”
“I've heard a lot from Asha.”
Suddenly, Aire spoke.
The King, whose eyes widened in confusion, tried to grasp the situation as the noble figure, to whom even the Melodia Family Head spoke politely, stepped forward and suddenly flaunted her intimacy with his daughter.
Not only had the two been close since the first semester, but they had even appeared together in Rebellion channel videos. It seemed he truly had not the slightest interest in his daughter's school life.
“You... if you step out of line again, you'll truly die.”
“Cough!”
A much more direct tone compared to the Family Head.
Seeing the King, who collapsed backward as if suffocated by the dense killing intent Aire emitted, the Family Head concluded his statement.
“The heir of this planet is Asha Light. Everything that should be given to her will rightfully be hers, and until she herself desires it, all authority of this planet shall temporarily be held by a servant.”
“I... understand...”
“That is not a power to be wielded as you please, but a heavy responsibility to be borne. Should a time come when you wish to defy its will, reconsider. The Dragon's Eye is watching.”
Having finished his declaration, the Family Head asked Tikke to stop filming.
The live broadcast, still ongoing, saw countless comments flooding the chat.
Comments like, “What’s the difference between a Dragonoid and a Dragon Descendant?”, “Does it even make sense for one of the Ten Great Families to sponsor a low-ranking dimensional being?”, “We expected sponsorship since a Dragonoid appeared, but never thought the Family Head would come personally,” and so on.
Ban Yuwon, using his administrator privileges, posted the message: [All individuals, nations, and organizations appearing in this video are real, and all profits from this video will be used to promote the human rights of Dragonoids.] and concluded the broadcast.
At an unexpected moment, in an unexpected way, the problem remaining for Asha was resolved.
Relief, hollowness, joy, and a sense of disappointment all visited him simultaneously.
“But it was such an important moment in Asha's life, yet for Asha herself not to be there... it's so very Asha, somehow...”
“You are friends, aren't you, son?”
“We supposedly came here for intelligence gathering and operational groundwork, but how did it end up like this?”
If he had known this would happen, would it have been better to consult with Aire from the start?
No, he couldn't be sure, but perhaps Aire was able to make such a grand move this time because Ban Yuwon had stirred things up in the D-13 Dimension?
However, he had already expected Aire to step forward for Asha soon, so the way things concluded was somewhat understandable.
‘Since Aire ultimately did what he intended to do, does he no longer need to worry about Asha...?’
Surely, after all this, the King wouldn't act rashly.
Of course, Asha still had much homework left.
She would have to mend the fractured Guardian Alliance and seize control of Camelot with her own power; only then could she truly be called the ruler of the D-13 Dimension.
However, despite that, the immediate need to worry about her back had disappeared, and his heavy heart felt much lighter.
—Aire: I'm coming to see you now.
No, it immediately became heavy again.
Come to think of it, the main problem was still left...
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