I stand at a crossroads right now.
“Really? Brother Calypso, who did you hear that from?”
“Madam Freya.”
“Are you sure you didn’t hear wrong? She’s only seven.”
The twins reacted as if they couldn’t believe it, but they were intrigued by the tone of the conversation. Calypso scoffed.
“That’s why I’m saying we should verify it. Even I find it hard to believe. No matter how stupid she is, she’s from the noble house of Travel, so how could she not know how to read?”
Should I continue pretending that I can’t read to make them underestimate me, or should I risk getting scolded by my grandfather for lying?
‘Of course, I’d rather not get scolded by my grandfather. Calypso is like a Chihuahua, but my grandfather… he’s scary.’
Calypso took his hand off the item he had placed on my desk. It was a newspaper, dated today.
Oh, it’s been a while since I last saw a newspaper.
“Hey, if you’re so upset, try reading it.”
“………”
I ignored Calypso’ sarcastic comment and scanned the articles with my eyes. In my limited childhood memories, I had little information, which was disappointing, but—
‘Could I use the knowledge I have and the newspaper’s content to predict the future?’
For example, the recent news about the authorization granted to start cultivating pumpkins in the Kingdom of Fort. They’re a variety unsuited to the climate of the Hayshal Empire, so they can’t be cultivated here.
They’ll probably admit failure within the next four years.
What’s worth noting is an ornamental plant that came as a bonus. Right now, it’s valued at about 5,000 Kona, but once it’s discovered to be useful in making restorative potions, its value will skyrocket hundreds of times.
‘Should I suggest to Dad to get the newspaper?’
When we lived in Bonwell Village, Dad never brought newspapers home. Probably because the name ‘Travel’ was always making headlines.
Even now, an article titled, ‘Second son of Travel returns as Grand Master?’ was occupying the main spot on the front page.
“What are you doing? Can’t read it?”
As I stayed silent, Calypso sneered and asked.
Hmph. No matter how much he taunts, I’m not even pretending to read it. Now, let’s see if there’s any other useful information…
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
Calypso quickly picked up on my surprised reaction and, smirking with pride, turned to announce it loudly to the back.
“Did you hear that, Ciel, Harty, Marty? She can’t read.”
I could hear Ciel’s voice telling him to stop, while the twins were giggling.
Calypso pressed his hands on the newspaper, leaned towards me, and whispered in a threatening tone.
“Hey, bottom-rank. Because of your dad yesterday, my mom had to suffer a loss. Grandmother may have told me to treat you well, but I don’t think I can. What should I do about that?”
It sounded like a threat. But Calypso’ words went in one ear and out the other.
‘Ugh. I can’t see.’
Calypso’ hands were covering the article I wanted to read.
Just then, the sound of Madam Freya’s heels echoed through the window, signaling her approach down the corridor. She would soon reach the classroom. Calypso said, “Brace yourself from now on,” before returning to his seat with the newspaper.
But I couldn’t let that happen. I was clinging to the newspaper, refusing to let it go.
Calypso, who had only taken a few steps, was frustrated as his feet were effectively tied.
“Hey, let it go, will you?”
“Brother.”
Firmly, I held the newspaper and looked up at Calypso.
“B-brother? Are you insane? That’s creepy—don’t say things like that.”
“Can’t you give this to me? I want to practice reading.”
“Let it go.”
“Why? Didn’t you say it was impossible for a Travel not to know how to read? So, give it to me. Please?”
“I said, let go…!”
We were tugging over the newspaper when the sound of Madam Freya’s heels, which had been growing louder, stopped. She opened the classroom door, adjusted her glasses, and saw me and Calypso struggling over the newspaper.
“What are you two doing?”
“Calypso brought me a newspaper! He said I should practice reading.”
“I didn’t—”
“That’s a good attitude. But we’re starting class now. Young master Calypso, please return to your seat.”
“…Alright, do your best.”
With Madam Freya’s intervention, Calypso grumbled, released the newspaper, and returned to his seat.
I smiled brightly and turned my gaze back to the desk to continue reading the article I’d started.
It was a small article, tucked in the corner of the page, accompanied by a black-and-white photo of an environmental group protesting.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
Opposition to Land Development
An environmental group is staging a protest in front of Sillon Village, opposing the land development initiated by Marquess Ash.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••
Kwaak.
I clenched my fist tightly.
***
Today, I put effort into participating in class to avoid assignments, but it backfired. Madam Freya assigned even more work, saying my dedication was showing results.
“Do I have to do it today too? I answered quite a few questions.”
“Yes. It seems that assignments outside of class are effective for you, miss. Today, you’ll write these sentences thirty times each.”
“Ugh.”
“I believe I told you to refrain from such language. Please answer with ‘Yes.’”
“…Yes.”
“Good. Submit it to Butler Cerberus and then return.”
After Madam Freya left, I was alone in the classroom. I banged my forehead against the pile of paper on the desk.
This wasn’t the time to be doing something like this.
‘I have to follow my dad to the Main Temple.’
Sillon Village, mentioned in the article, was near the village where Baron Voltman and his wife lived.
The land development was initiated under Marquess Ash’s orders, but not long after the project began, Sillon Village and neighboring areas suffered attacks from wild dog packs.
The injustice was that these villages had no relation to Marquess Ash, and the real issue was that these packs of wild dogs were sent by the beastfolk.
‘Times may have changed, but there are still races that harbor hatred for humans.’
The beastfolk who lived in the land development zone were one such group.
When I was twenty-three in another life, Crown Prince Theon once shared a story about it.
– The beastfolk, enraged by the land development, gathered in packs, vowing to bite humans to death. My grandfather fought them at the front lines and lost both arms. He suffered greatly until his death.
This conversation took place when the other me and Crown Prince Theon were camping while on the run from pursuers.
Sitting by the campfire, throwing sticks into the flames, Theon spoke calmly about his grandfather.
But for the other me, reading the emotions hidden in that calm expression was easy. It was regret over not being able to protect someone dear.
– That’s my biggest regret. If I had returned just a few days earlier, I could have saved at least one of his arms.
At that time, I thought, “So that happened,” and left it at that. I knew that no matter how hard one tries, you can’t change the past.
‘But things are different now, aren’t they?’
Theon is my friend now. I know he’s about to experience something he’ll regret for the rest of his life, so I can’t just sit back and do nothing.
‘I definitely have to ditch this assignment and go!’
Sillon Village was close to the route to the Main Temple.
Before that, I needed time to persuade my dad to take Theon and me along. Not being able to go in the past suggested the odds of going this time weren’t great either.
“…….…”
Despite my resolve, I couldn’t raise my head right away. Something was weighing on me.
“What should I do?”
Madam Freya had already left for the day.
If I leave this assignment incomplete, it’s going to leave a bad impression.
A diligent but low-ranking student is not on the same level as a lazy and low-ranking student. Madam Freya was harsher on the latter.
“Should I ask Butler Cerberus to put in a good word for me? He’s still kind to me thanks to the stock…”
As I buried my head in the papers, I heard the classroom door open.
I tilted my head to the side slightly. It was the twins, with their angelic looks and curly blonde hair.
“Oh.”
Why were my subordinates here?
It wasn’t as if they were worried about me struggling with the assignment. I blinked at the twins.
Marty and Harty checked to make sure no one else was around before confidently walking up to me, holding two sheets of paper. They tore the papers lengthwise with a loud rip.
Riiiiip.
Between the torn pieces, I could see Marty’s mischievous grin. He looked like a little devil.
“You’re giving us orders to write this crap when you can’t even read?”
Marty sneered. Harty, standing next to him with her hands on her hips, added:
“Writing pledges for someone dumber than a commoner? This is invalid.”
The torn pledge fell to the floor. I stared blankly at the twins, then stood up.
I was a head shorter than them, so I couldn’t win in terms of size. Instead, I took a deep breath and shook my head dramatically—a display of authority.
“You two are idiots, aren’t you?”
“What?”
“Idiots?”
“First, I still have a pledge that you both wrote by hand. Second, I may not know how to read yet, but it doesn’t mean I can’t understand speech.”
“…And so?”
As I ticked off my points on my fingers, the twins seemed to sense something off and became wary.
“If I go to Grandfather with this—”
“Wah! Cancel! Cancel! We’re your subordinates! We’re sorry!”
“I’m really sorry—!”
The twins grabbed my arms as I tried to walk away from the desk.
…Just like true Travels. This is why you can’t show any weakness around them.
Perfect timing.
“Alright then, subordinate Harty and subordinate Marty.”
“…Yes?”
“…Yeah…”
I looked back at the twins and smiled.
“Could you help out your little sister who can’t read?”
