Policy change

***---***

After completing the reconnaissance of Lastock and Aldaros, I returned to Volzard and started a meeting with the teachers, but the atmosphere was still heavy.

Oda-sensei didn't seem to think that the King and the Second Prince were such trash.

"Is it that bad ..."

"Yes, to be honest, I don't think it will work in our favor even if we bring the King and Bernst to the negotiation table."

The same lineup as last time is gathered, but the other teachers are also holding their heads.

Even Nakagawa-sensei, who insisted on a strong opinion, closed his mouth in deep thought.

"Based on the information Kokubu has researched, even if we try to negotiate with Camilla on our own, I don't even know if they can hold a repatriation ceremony, let alone pay compensation. Then ..."

It was Furudate-sensei who broke the heavy silence in the meeting room.

"Would you rather start a revolution?"

Everyone's gaze turned to him at the same time, so Furudate-sensei continued to speak even though he looked a little frightened.

"From what I've heard so far, Princess Camilla is the only member of the Resenburg royal family who seems to be able to talk straight."

"Are you saying that you want to make Camilla the King?"

In response to Oda-sensei's question, Furudate-sensei nodded firmly.

"The King, the First Prince, the Second and Third princes are all useless, so we should get rid of them."

"Okay, Furudate-kun, that's a good idea!"

Nakagawa-sensei voted in favor of the proposal without any hesitation.

"Wait a minute. Get rid of ... Are you going to kill them? Are you going to make Kokubu-kun kill someone?"

"That, hey, it would be better if you let his genus do it."

Nakagawa-sensei annoyedly tried to interrupt Senzaki-sensei's protest.

"Still, it's the same as doing it by Kokubu-kun's hand."

"We are the ones who give the instructions to Kokubu, and Kokubu won't be able to disobey ... we just have to shoulder the responsibility."(TN:Uh ... just say no?)

"It's easy to say that you'll shoulder the responsibility, but how do you intend to shoulder the responsibility?"

"Well, even if the media blames us when we go back to Japan, we'll take responsibility ..."

"I don't think that Kokubu-kun's guilt can be erased."

"Then, what are you going to do about it? You've just been saying no, no, and if you're going to deny it so much, then come up with a counter-proposal."

"That's ... from now on ..."

"Hmph, aren't you just denying without a counter-proposal?"

"Well, we only just started talking ..."

"Then when are you going to come up with a counter-proposal? We can't take it easy. Now, when are you going to come up with it?"

"That is ..."

"That's enough!"

Katou-sensei cut in between Nakagawa-sensei and Senzaki-sensei who were getting heated up.

"Both of you, be a little more calm ... We have only just started talking, so Furudate-sensei's proposal may not be the only choice."

Katou-sensei's words sounded like they were admonishing, and the two of them sat down and took a deep breath.

Katou-sensei gave me a wink, and Oda-sensei restarted the meeting.

"Furudate-sensei's idea of excluding all members of the royal family other than Camilla is frankly very appealing. If we do that, we will have no choice but to cut down on the human powers that are considered unnecessary and let Camilla take the real power."

"You say we should reduce their power, but what exactly do we do?"

Naturally, Nakagawa-sensei raised a question.

"I will have to think about the specific method from now on."

"Will things go well with that sort of thing?"

"I don't know, but even if we assassinate the royal family, I don't know if Camilla will be able to take the real power."

"I don't think so. If only Camilla and her brother were left, there would be no other choice."

"Nobles may try to take over the country by making Camilla and her sibling dead."

"If you bring up such a possibility, we can't do anything."

"That's right, but we can't ignore it at all. We have to think about various possibilities and choose the method with the highest probability. I'm going to make a decision, too."

The eyes of the teachers were directed at me, and I involuntarily avoided their gaze and lowered my eyes.

Nakagawa-sensei mercilessly asked me questions.

"Kokubu, you can throw sleeping pills into someone else's stomach, right? Is it possible to replace sleeping pills with poison?"

"Eh, eh ... that's possible."

"Just a moment please."

"What is it, Furudate-sensei, you're the one who started talking about removing the royal family?"

"That's right, but since evidence may remain in such a thing like poisoning, wouldn't it be better to do something else that doesn't leave evidence?"

"Is it really necessary to go to such lengths?"

"Of course. If the assassination becomes a ruckus, there is no guarantee that someone won't appear who will complain about the legitimacy of the succession to the throne. 'I tell you, I'm actually the King's illegitimate child.' ..."

"Then, we should just kill him without being found out ... How about it, Kokubu?"

"Eh ... that's ..."

As to whether it's possible or not, it is possible because it's possible to cut blood vessels in the medulla oblongata and brain while sleeping, just like when I defeated the Salamanders.

It's possible, but it's hard to say that it's easy to do when I'm faced with the idea of killing someone.

It's fine if it's a joke or an analogy, but it's even more of a problem if I say I can do it and I'll be forced to do it regardless of whether I can or not.

"Both of you, please wait a moment. Since we're teachers, we should first consider a way that prevents Kokubu from killing people."

"I also agree with Satou-sensei's opinion."

"I think I do too."

Senzaki-sensei and Katou-sensei also agreed with Satou-sensei's words, so the investigation was terminated, but Nakagawa-sensei was openly dissatisfied.

"But how do you eliminate them without assassination?"

"I have an idea ..."

Katou-san raised his hand.

"From what I have heard so far, I feel that the Second Prince is the most attached to the throne and is also aggressive. The Second Prince is also harboring the Third Prince, what would happen if those two had a fall-out?"

"I feel like the power of the Second Prince's faction will be greatly reduced."

Certainly, as Oda-sensei answered, if the Third Prince defected, it would be a big loss.

The Third Prince I saw seemed to love his older brother, but is it even possible to make them have a fall-out?

"If the Third Prince leaves the Second Prince's faction and joins the First Prince's faction, the situation will change dramatically. The Second Prince may be eliminated as it is, there is also a possibility that the First and Third Princes will be eliminated, but in any case, wouldn't it be possible to make them disappear on their own without us getting our hands dirty?"

After listening to Katou-sensei's words, Nakagawa-sensei and Furudate-sensei began to ponder.

In such a way, Oda-sensei started to talk about his own thoughts.

"In Japan, where we lived, information from the other side of the world was delivered instantaneously through the Internet, but in this world, it takes time to transmit information. It is carried by people. Using this difference in information power, isn't it possible to stir up the inside of Resenburg and drive them to self-destruction?"

"But wouldn't that take too long?"

After all, Nakagawa-sensei seems to be dissatisfied.

"We won't know until we try it, but at least I think it's better than inciting a student to become a murderer."

"But ..."

"Would you mind letting us try it for the time being? Besides, if we create a situation where both of them become suspicious, I think we can justify the assassination."

Certainly, if the Second Prince was killed in the current situation, it would be the work of the First Prince's faction, but the situation would change if the Third Prince were to fall-out with him.

"Um ... Katou-sensei."

"What is it, Kokubu?"

"You're talking about makign the Second and Third Princes fall-out, but will the King and the First Prince also get involved?"

"Well, in my opinion, I think it's desirable to have a development where only the Fourth Prince remains."

"But wouldn't the country be in chaos if the King was killed?"

"I don't know, even if one man who is still useless disappears, isn't it okay?"

Certainly, the only people who would be troubled if the King was gone were the followers who sold favors by selling flattery, and I have a feeling that such a person would be looking for someone to transfer to quickly.

That being said, I wonder if it's okay for us to control the fate of a country from behind the scenes.

"What's wrong, Kokubu, are you unenthusiastic?"

"When it comes to the people who are at the center of the country, I couldn't think about it when I was in Japan, so I don't know how to say it ..."

"Well, if you ask me my real feelings about it, I would have no choice but to wrack my brains, but even so, it is necessary for us to return to Japan, so there is no choice but to do it."

"What are you going to do about negotiations with Camilla? Are you going to wait until you take control?"

"What are we going to do, Oda-sensei?"

Katou-sensei turned his attention to Oda-sensei, but he just turned his gaze to the other teachers.

"Well, it's better to take a closer look ..."

"No, if there is an internal conflict, wouldn't it be better to contact them first?"

Nakagawa-sensei was the one who began to speak with enthusiasm.

"If we communicate our demands and they don't agree to negotiations, I guess we will interfere with their response to the outbreak."

"That's fine. If you show not only the disadvantages, but also the advantages of cooperating with us, it will be more acceptable to negotiate."

Furudate-sensei seems to agree with Nakagawa-sensei's opinion.

This time, Satou-sensei and Senzaki-sensei seem to have no objections, and Katou-sensei nods.

"Right. There's just one problem ..."

"What is it, Oda-sensei, do you still have any complaints?"

"No, that's not the case, if we proceed with the negotiations on that condition, it's not possible for the King's faction, the First Prince's faction, or the Second Prince's faction to know about our existence."

"That's ... that's certainly true."

"If that's the case, where could the eyes of the Second Prince's faction look to."

Oda-sensei's gaze turned to me.

"Eh ... you mean I'm the negotiator?"

Oda-sensei nodded at me, and I burst into a cold sweat.

I was relieved to be released from the role of negotiator.

"Yeah ... it's impossible for me to negotiate ..."

"Is this fine?"

It was Senzaki-sensei who gave me a lifeboat.

"Looking at Kokubu-kun, I feel that he is not suitable for negotiations either. So, how about we decide to conduct negotiations through writing and have Kokubu-kun devote himself to the role of a messenger who delivers letters.

"I also agree with Senzaki-sensei's opinion. Also, I think it woudl be better to write a letter to avoid trouble later on, such as saying something or not."

Nakagawa-sensei nodded in agreement with Satou-sensei's words.

"Yes. To be honest, I am also worried about Kokubu."

"Eh ... that's right ..."

At Oda-sensei's words, everyone spoke up in unison, and the tense atmosphere suddenly loosened.

Well, it can't be helped because it's true that I'm unreliable.

"Then, let's think about the letter and finish writing it by tomorrow noon. Kokubu, please deliver it so that the other factions won't notice."

"Understood. Camilla will probably stay in her office until late, and the secretary should have left the room at that time, so I'll aim for that time and contact her."

"Please don't reveal your faults."

"Guu ... I'll do my best."

The meeting was filled with laughter.

Anyway, isn't this bullying, I'm going to compain to the board of education.

I finished the meeting with the teachers, so when I came to the entrance of the dormitory to return to the boarding house, I remembered what happened yesterday and stopped walking.

The words from teh boys who had feelings for the chairman deeply stuck in my heart, and I felt like I was going to do as they said.

When I walk out the door, I suspect that another boy or an angry girl will be waiting for me.

To be honest, I'm a little hesitant, and I'm thinking of hiding in the shadows and going home, but this is the result of my decision, so I have to face it head-on.

When I took a deep breath and walked out the door, there was an unexpected person waiting for me.

"Kento..."(TN:Gonna leave it like this for Yuika from now on.)

"Yuika."

The chairman, who was leaning against the wall of the dormitory, looked so fleeting that it seemed she could disappear at any moment, and I couldn't help but hug her.

"You're cold ... did you wait very long? You're so cold ..."

"Because ... I wanted to see you ..."

If you say something like that in a slightly damp voice, I won't be able to take it and won't want to let go.

"Kento ... I, what should I do ... I want to be with Kento. But, I also want to see Papa and Mama ... Kento, it's painful ..."

"I'm sorry ... I'm sorry, Yuika. I want to be with Yuika, too. But I want to live in Volzard, that needs me."

"Because Manon is here? Is it because Beatrice is here?"

"That's not all. Amanda-san and Meisa-chan at the boarding house treat me like family, and Klaus-san and Donovan-san rely on me. When I was in Japan, I was a useless person. I'm happy to be useful to people and be relied on by people."

"But you have family in Japan, right?"

"Yeah ... well, just in case ..."

"Kento ...?"

I was a little hesitant, but I told the chairman about my family situation.

"Oh, I see ..."

"Yeah, when Grandma died, I was alone in the house more often than not. Even though my Father and Mother were still alive, I felt like a stranger."

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice at all ..."

"No, no, I didn't say anything, so it's only natural you didn't realize."

For the chairman who wants to talk a little, I took out a wooden box as a chair and a blanket from the shadow storage.

I put the box against the wall of the dormitory where the light leaked through the window from the second floor, and the chairman and I were wrapped in the blanket.

"Ehehe ... It's like when Kento sneaked into my room at Lastock."

"At that time, my heart was really pounding."

"Because the two of us were alone?"

"No, umm ... it's kind of soft ..."

"Kento's ecchi ..."

"Guu ... I'm sorry."

While saying ecchi, the chairman holds my left arm and conveys her warmth.

"Aren't you excited now?"

"I'm definitely excited. My heart is about to burst."

"I'm not."

"Eh...?"

I felt like cold water was poured on my back by the chairman's unexpected words.

"Because I feel very relieved when I'm with Kento. I feel like my whole body is being healed."

"Yuika ..."

"I want to stay with you until morning ..."

"As expected, with just one blanket you'll catch a cold."

"You idiot Kento ... I want to spend the night with you like Beatrice ..."

"Eeeee ... That's ..."

"We will sleep together!"

"Pat me, pat me!"

"Goshujin-sama, rub my belly!"

As soon as we started talking about sleeping together, Mart and the others came out.

That's right, it's impossible to be alone with these guys around ...

The Committee Chairman burst out laughing at Mart and the others who suddenly appeared wagging their tails around.

"That's right, Kobold-chan-tachi were there, so you were able to escape from Beatrice's honey trap."

"Guu ... I'm embarrased."

"Goshujin-sama, are you going to sleep with this girl tonight?"

"What about Meisa-chan?"

"Can you get away with not being hugged tonight?"

Huh? The chairman and I should be wrapped in a blanket, but somehow the temperature suddenly dropped ...

"Kento, what's going on?'

"Huh? What do you mean ...?"

"Meisa-chan is the daughter of the boarding house, right? Why are you sleeping with her?"

Huh? The chairman is about to become a Yaksha ...

"No, it's different, Meisa-chan is different, because Meisa-chan's target is Mart-tachi."

"If Kobold-chan-tachi are her target, then why are you sleeping with her, Kento?"

"Because Mart-tachi keep coming back to me, and Meisa-chan wants to sleep with the three of them, so Amanda-san told her to sleep in my room ..."

"So are you sleeping with her?"

"Yes, I can't help it because I was asked to. How can I say it ... she's like a sister who takes care of me?"

"I wonder if it's true ..."

"It's true, it's true, and I don't do anything with Meisa-chan."

"Goshujin-sama, you were used as a pillow."

"Yeah, she was drooling."

"Guha ... don't remind me ..."

"Ufufufu ... it looks like it's true."

Somehow, the chairman seemed to trust me, and she withdrew her suspicions.

"I want to stay in Kento's room too."

"Hey? Eeeeeeeeeeee..."

"That's right, I have to invite Manon as well."

"Yeah ... Manon too, but my room isn't that big ..."

"Speaking of which, did Kento say hello to Manon's family?"

"Huh?"

Come to think of it, I haven't met Manon's family yet.

If I'm not mistaken, her father is dead and her mother is still there, but I've never heard of any siblings ...

"Haa ... If you're serious about going out with Manon, shouldn't you say hello properly?"

"Uh ... that's right, yeah, see, the time ..."

"No! You have to go as soon as possible, tomorrow even."

"Hmm ... But Resenburg is starting to grow suspicious ..."

"Eh, what's wrong?"

"Yeah, actually ..."

I told the chairman about Lastock, the state of the royal family in Aldaros, the royal capital, and our countermeasures.

"That's what it's supposed to be ... Hmm, then it looks like Kento won't be able to move around for a while."

"Yeah, but I hvae to meet Manon's mother, right?"

"That's right, 'Please give me your daughter.' ... Ufufufu."

"Yuika, are you amusing yourself ..."

"Because, if I stay here, you won't greet my Papa and Mama, right?"

"Uh ... I'm thinking of writing a letter."

"Letter?"

"Yeah, Katou-sensei told me to write a letter to my father and mother if I'm going to stay here, and he'll take responsibility and deliver them ... so I'm thinking of writing a letter to Yuika's parents as well."

"Kento ... I see, a letter ... I couldn't think of such a thing ..."

After that, after some more trivial conversation and a kiss on my cheek, the chairman went back to her room.

I wonder if it was just my imagination that she looked a little broken.