Chapter 477 - Episode 4: Eleos's Study Abroad ②
After a lively journey, Eleos and his entourage arrived at Lichthagen, the royal capital of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg.
During his study abroad, Eleos and his group would stay at the Arqvist Grand Ducal family's villa in the royal capital. The party first entered this villa, moved in their luggage, and together with the servants employed for the management of the estate, made preparations for their future life.
Meanwhile, Eleos, as the representative of the group, headed to the Koenitz Earl family's villa accompanied by several attendants, including Pence and Bart. This was to greet his grandfather—Arnold Koenitz, who currently lived in the royal capital and would serve as Eleos's guardian during his studies.
"Grandfather! Grandmother! Hello!"
"Oh, it has been a while, Eleos. You've grown again in the short time I haven't seen you."
"Come here, dear. Let me see your face properly."
Arnold and his wife, Eleonore, warmly welcomed Eleos upon his visit to the Earl's villa. Having formally handed over the headship of the house to Frederick just a few days ago and retired, Arnold now had the face of a doting grandfather who simply adored his grandson.
"Was there any trouble on the road?"
"Yes! I had a wonderful journey with my attendants!"
When Eleos answered briskly, Arnold nodded with a smile.
"I see, that is the best news... It is a pity that Noein and Clara could not come along. It is only natural, as both—especially Noein—must be very busy."
"Father and Mother said that when I return to the royal capital from winter vacation next year, they would like to come to the royal capital together."
Eleos spoke with his grandfather as they walked toward the living room of the house.
"There is about one week left until the entrance ceremony, correct? Until then, you should rest comfortably and recover from the fatigue of your journey. Come and stay at this house once. I shall show you around the royal capital. Along with the attendants who will be entering school with you."
"Thank you very much, Grandfather!"
After staying for a while and chatting, Eleos left his grandparents' house.
.....
After taking a rest, being shown around the royal capital by Arnold, and proceeding with preparations for life in the capital and studies at the High School, one week passed. Eleos, together with Yakov, Sasha, Nikolai, Amanda, and Theodore, finally faced the entrance ceremony of the Royal High School.
Occupying a corner close to the royal castle and the noble district, the High School was a facility that boasted an area second only to the royal castle and the Kingdom Army Headquarters within Lichthagen. It possessed a traditional school building with the majesty of a castle, dormitories for students whose hometowns were far away and who did not possess villas in the royal capital, a wide athletic field, and facilities for cultural activities.
Inside one of the many buildings, within a large auditorium, hundreds of new students were now lined up. Among them were the figures of the six of them, including Eleos.
"—And now, words for the new students from His Excellency Snorri Skeggjason, the Honorary Chancellor."
The civil servant acting as the master of ceremonies for the entrance ceremony spoke, and in accordance with that, an old man ascended the stage of the auditorium.
"Is that the Chancellor? Can a frail old man like that actually do his job?"
Sasha spoke upon seeing the old man who appeared to be of considerable age. It was a whisper that only Eleos and the others could hear, but even so, Yakov gave her a light flick to the head.
"Hey, that's disrespectful. Snorri-sama is the previous Marquis Skeggjason, and furthermore, the former Minister of Internal Affairs, and currently serves as the Chancellor as an honorary position. That is why he only appears during important events like this... I'm sure you received an explanation from the administrative officer beforehand."
Because Eleos was the son of a friendly nation's monarch, the various explanations prior to enrollment had been provided by a school administrative officer who had gone out of their way to visit the Arqvist family's royal capital villa. Yakov let out a sigh at Sasha, who seemed to have already forgotten the talk she heard just a few days ago.
"Ah—now that you mention it, I feel like I might have heard something like that?"
"Geez, are you alright...?"
"Geez, let's just be quiet... we'll get scolded if we keep talking..."
Nikolai spoke with an exasperated face to the playing-dumb Sasha, and beside him, Theodore muttered timidly.
"New students. I am Snorri Skeggjason, who has been appointed Honorary Chancellor by the great King His Majesty. I believe you all understand that this Royal High School is—"
Contrary to his appearance, the Honorary Chancellor spoke with a sharp and powerful voice, making everyone feel that he was still a person of distinction even in old age.
"—That is why, I expect you all to strive in your studies daily and grow into personnel who will shoulder the future of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg. That is all."
When Snorri finished his greeting, loud applause broke out from the new students. The greeting was content primarily conscious of the noble class of the Kingdom of Rhodeberg, but Eleos and the others read the room and applauded firmly.
After that, the entrance ceremony proceeded solemnly and ended without incident.
"Well then, shall we head back to where Pence and the others are?"
Just as Eleos said this and began to walk, and as everyone tried to follow him.
"Excuse me, are you Eleos Arqvist-sama?"
There was a voice calling out to stop Eleos. When Eleos looked back, there was a boy who looked slightly older than Eleos and a young man attending by his side.
"Yes, that's me, but..."
"As I thought. Excuse me, my name is Silvester Rosbroke. My father is Honorary Viscount Viowulf Rosbroke."
Hearing those words, Eleos raised one eyebrow slightly.
Viowulf, the comrade-in-arms he had heard about many times from his father, Noein. The head of the Baron Rosbroke family, a person who was granted the honorary title of Viscount in the previous war.
He had heard that the son would also be enrolling in the same year, but he had not expected to meet him this soon.
"Nice to meet you, Silvester-dono. I have heard stories of your father from my father. I am glad to meet you. I look forward to your kindness."
"I am the one who is honored to meet you, Eleos-sama. I humbly ask for your continued kindness."
Exchanging a handshake with Silvester, Eleos smiled shyly.
"...Um, since we're going to be schoolmates, and our fathers are friends. So... why don't we speak more casually with each other?"
Told this, Silvester thought for a moment and smiled.
"I understand. Since there is a large difference in status between you and me, it would be difficult to be too casual... then, how about calling me Eleos-dono? I will also relax my wording slightly in private settings. As for me, please feel free to call me by my name without honorifics."
"Thank you. Then... nice to meet you, Silvester."
"Yes. Nice to meet you, Eleos-dono."
Beside the two as they exchanged handshakes again, the young man who was Silvester's attendant stepped forward in front of Yakov.
"My name is Paulo, a retainer of the Baron Rosbroke house. I will attend the High School as Silvester-sama's attendant and guard. I look forward to your kindness."
"I am Yakov Granat. My father is a Grand Duchy noble, but here I am in the position of serving as Eleos-sama's attendant and guard, so please feel free to treat me casually. Nice to meet you."
Older vassals protecting the sons of their main houses. The two, who stood in similar positions, also exchanged greetings.
Furthermore, Eleos introduced the other attendants to Silvester and Paulo, and everyone finished their greetings on the spot.
"Well then, Eleos-dono. Until tomorrow, in class."
"Yeah. Let's do our best together!"
"Yes, let us do our best."
Silvester answered with a smile and departed with Paulo.
"...It looks like it will be an enjoyable study abroad."
"Yes, Eleos-sama."
When Eleos spoke, delighted that he had already made a friend, Yakov nodded with a smile on his face.
The 4th volume of the book and 1st volume of the comic adaptation of "The Happiness Tale of the Twisted Lord" released last month have been well-received, thanks to you. Thank you all very much.
Moving on to a different work, the 1st volume of the author's new book project, "The Coronation of Rutile Quartz," reached its release date today, August 9th.
I pride myself that it has turned out to be the strongest volume as an internal affairs war chronicle fantasy. I would be happy if you would consider picking it up.
