Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 128

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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“Two days ago, the succession ceremony for Duke Zibenstein took place very quietly.”
So that’s why Reina found this entertaining spectacle so amusing. In any case, if Bruno Kenin, the Former Dean, had now become Duke Zibenstein, the man’s actions just moments ago would surely create an enormous ripple effect.
Duke Zibenstein dropped to one knee toward the balcony where Princess Sera stood.
“I declare that all seven houses of Zibenstein and the entire 72 Mages shall stand with Sera Crowell through life and death.”
True to its name, Zibenstein comprised seven houses. Only one of the seven house representatives could inherit the Duke’s seat, and one could become Duke only with the unanimous consent of all house representatives.
Should anyone abstain from voting, a single dissenting vote would invalidate the entire election and trigger a revote. And so, through this conclave-like system of selecting representatives, that crimson-faced Bruno Zibenstein was born.
“Reina.”
“What?”
“Give me some popcorn too.”
“I bought plenty, knowing you’d ask.”
This is genuinely unfolding like a spectacle. Even as a Duke, House Neftis couldn’t hold a candle to Zibenstein in terms of family scale. You could tell from the way they invoked the 72 Mages—Zibenstein was a genuinely authentic mage house through and through.
They commanded seventy-two mages across generations, each one capable of breezing through the Academy’s undergraduate curriculum and advancing through graduate studies with ease. Seven houses, each led by mages far superior to those seventy-two, formed this mad collective of seven powers, and Duke Zibenstein stood at the apex of it all.
The only reason they hadn’t unified was their division into seven factions. Had they decided to secede, they could have established the Kingdom of Zibenstein and left the Empire long ago.
“But wasn’t the Former Dean Bruno Kenin? Is there a Kenin among the seven houses?”
“I don’t think so. From what I heard, he fought with his family, left home, and took his father’s surname instead.”
“And the seven houses change their house names with each new patriarch anyway.”
Right—in Zibenstein, each house had its own symbolic virtue. The house representing chastity, for instance, wasn’t bound by bloodline at all. How could they maintain their lineage if they prized chastity?
The symbols were probably humility, charity, kindness, patience, chastity, temperance, and diligence, if I recalled correctly.
“Which house was the Former Dean from?”
“Diligence.”
“Ah, I see….”
“So that’s why he….”
That explained why he’d advocated for socialism. Reina, Eugene, and I formed a silent understanding, recalled old memories, and sighed together. It had already been a year since we burned that red book the Former Dean had written. What nostalgia.
“Hey! Don’t talk about things only you three understand! Explain it so I can follow along too!”
“I, I also, don’t, know, what, you’re, talking, about.”
Kanna’s ignorance was unavoidable, but you’re the Crown Prince—shouldn’t you know this?
Reina, Eugene, and I gave Seian a pitying look and kindly explained the history of “striking stone, water gushing forth.” If water was what mattered, why would the Founding Ceremony involve cracking stones to obtain it rather than simply digging wells? It was because, before House Neftis was brought in to handle water trade from the desert, House Crowell had lived under Zibenstein’s thumb.
“This is why history should be mandatory education….”
“It’s history the Empire wants to hide, so is it kept secret from the Imperial Grandson?”
“But Princess Sera knows about it, doesn’t she?”
As we continued speaking, Seian’s face grew increasingly red. The so-called thousand-year Empire of Crowell had only five hundred years of recorded history. The nation itself was established five hundred years ago when House Neftis was brought in, and everything before that was just fabricated genealogy—ancestors’ names strung together to maintain the illusion of continuous rule. When Crowell was merely a regional name, Zibenstein held the real power. And if you really thought about it, the Empire could only use that title after Neftis began to decline, so shouldn’t it be the hundred-year Empire of Crowell? And so on.
“Are you all historians or something?! You can live just fine without knowing any of this!”
“Ha, look at that—the Crown Prince’s sputtering again.”
Lucky you weren’t mocked further, Seian. Right now, Reina seems to find Sera even more amusing than you.
As always, Sera fumbled when faced with unexpected situations and stammered. But I couldn’t entirely blame her. If I were in her position, merely reciting the prepared speech, and Zibenstein suddenly appeared to earnestly court my support, I wasn’t confident I wouldn’t hesitate either.
“Th-thank you!”
But this wasn’t right.
Because Sera had given her affirmation, Eugene and I could only slap our foreheads in regret, while Reina laughed heartily and smacked Kanna on the back. After taking two hits, Kanna apparently got fed up and immediately drove her elbow into Reina’s solar plexus. Reina doubled over with a retching sound and collapsed to the floor.
“Long live the Third Princess!”
“Long live Third Princess!”
This was bad. There was no turning back now. In the plaza where the crowd had gathered, Duke Zibenstein had declared his support for the Third Princess, and she had graciously accepted.
The camera flashes from the journalists sounded just like the sound of a Sunbird’s camouflage shattering.
“Your Highness, they’re probably going to call us anyway. Is there somewhere quiet we can go?”
“Let’s go to my place. It’s close.”
There was a saying in the Capital that if you saw red brick walls stretching across the city, that was roughly Letem territory. We walked a short distance, opened a side gate in the red brick wall, and found ourselves connected to somewhere in the back garden of the Count Letem Residence.
An elderly Head Maid appeared from somewhere, having received word of our arrival. She barked orders at Reina, who had brought in loads of junk food, and chased her around with a broom. It reminded me of my mother.

◇ ◆ ◇

When the lady of the house, who had been running around for a while, appeared in the Rest Room, Eugene laughed and said that every noble household had someone like that, launching into aristocratic gossip. Reina complained that the Head Maid had raised her while changing her diapers, so she couldn’t resist, and I wanted to join in and brag about my mother too, but since I couldn’t talk about my time in House Neftis, I kept my mouth shut.
“It… sounds like a story from another world.”
“Right?”
No, Seian, you shouldn’t be agreeing with that. But since Seian had a dark past, the nobles tactfully ended their gossip to avoid the subject.
“So, what do you all think of Zibenstein?”
Then everyone popped a pastry into their mouth and a constructive discussion about worldly wisdom began.
“He’s someone with clear desires, so I don’t think it’ll be a typical lord-vassal relationship, right?”
“The Former Dean is in the Imperial Court, so he’s clearly poison. The Emperor made his decision too hastily.”
“A year ago, I never imagined I’d be having conversations like this with you guys.”
“In your case, making friends was a miracle.”
When I spoke frankly to Reina, she got annoyed and rushed at me to strangle my neck. Seeing this, Eugene laughed heartily, but then said something sinister that contradicted his gentle tone.
“Actually, if Sera becomes Emperor through Zibenstein’s achievements, that would be best for us.”
This guy’s casually talking about making a puppet emperor. You’re going to have the Sunbird appear in your dreams tonight weeping tears of blood?
“Oh my, did you hear that, madam? I thought Brandenburg was good-natured because he looked kind, but he’s not at all.”
“Oh my, I heard, madam. A quiet cat climbs onto the stove first, doesn’t it?”
“Hey, can you not make me the bad guy when you’re all thinking the same thing?”
But throwing it out so directly like that is scary. When I said this, Reina continued the bit with “Oh ho ho, perhaps the young lord from the north doesn’t know how to choose his words.” This time Eugene tried to strangle Reina’s neck, so I had to pull them apart.
“Man, nobles are really dirty and scary.”
“Y-yes, they really are.”
Seian and Kanna, who had stepped back and were watching us, offered their appropriate commentary, so I advised them both to stay far away from this mess and live peacefully. Just as Seian made a pleased sound, a welcome notification chimed.
“Hey, I’m not going anywhere near the succession struggle, okay? Just thinking about you guys swarming around gives me the chills!”

The development has changed slightly. You have been awarded 1,000 experience points.

So Seian really won’t get dragged into any fights after all. Scenes from the original story flickered before my eyes like a lantern show—moments where Seian engaged in camaraderie that didn’t suit his nature, and dirtier schemes that actually fit his character far better. I savored the sensation of tears threatening to spill, my lips curling into a satisfied smile.
“You made the right call. You’re not suited for conflicts like this.”
“Just hearing about it terrifies me! Why would I get involved?!”
“Even if you’re afraid, don’t be. I’ll protect you for the rest of my life.”
“….”
Don’t worry even a little about you facing something frightening. I’ll stop it no matter what I have to do. As I laid out my resolve with absolute conviction, Seian’s mouth fell open in shock, his face pale with astonishment. Eugene clapped quietly in approval, while Reina let out a teasing whistle.
“Ohhhhh, so you’re dating! The Transparent Crown Prince and Evan are dating!”
“Who’s dating whom?!”
Seian’s face flushed crimson as he shrieked as usual, but surprisingly, Kanna calmly soothed him like an Empress managing her concubines. With eyes as gentle as a benevolent sovereign, Kanna—who was admiring the ring I’d given her—spoke to Seian.
“Your Highness, just… just enjoy it.”
“Why are your eyes like that? It’s unsettling!”
Kanna’s gentle expression is admittedly a bit off-putting. I found myself inwardly agreeing, then turned my head at the sound of a knock on the door.
“Miss. The Third Princess has sent someone for you.”
It’s finally here. From now on, we’ll be invited to the Third Princess Palace and have our precious first meeting with someone called the Former Dean.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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