How can I describe this tense atmosphere? The butler stood in a corner. Heavy pressure. Maids were on standby in the hallway so theyâd be ready to bring tea any time. Even during summer, he felt a chill go down his spine.
At the center of the room, League sat with a cool expression on his face as always. But if one looked closer, they would notice the tip of his fingertips shaking as he reached for the cup of tea. They would see his eyes trembling as they watched the man before him.
ăYou seem to be stuck in a humdrum routine.ăthe man said.
His voice was heavy as a boulder and sounded indifferent. He sat backlit by the sunlight from the window. His name was Billion âGreen Ogreâ Rumania, Leagueâs father, and the head of the most powerful clan in their nation. The only thing they had in common was their green eyes and green hair. The man had a massive build, with rather rough facial features.
ăHow about you quit the academy?ă
ăButâŠă
ăI know, I know. We had an agreement when you enrolled. Youâll attend for two years. But you havenât accomplished anything these past few months, havenât you?ă
ăThereâs no shortcut to studying.ă
ăI donât like taking things slow. Listen, League. Weâre of the Green Ogre clan, the ones who will carry Rumania on their backs. Our founding father who received the blood of the Phoenix holds a heavy responsibility to our nation.ă
A Rumanian lore passed down by generations. Once there was the Phoenix clan who gave life to Rumania. After falling in war, the Green Ogre took the helm and Rumania survived.
League had heard the story countless times. The story ended like this: those who inherited the blood of the proud Green Ogres should be at the top of Rumania.
ăI fully understand, Father. Thatâs why Iâm here. Iâll be back after winter next year. I will then follow you afterwards.ă
ăWinter is long. And itâs a crucial season for us.ă
Forestiaâs long winters were the political season. Important matters were decided during this time.
ăI want you to be back before winter.ă
ăBut Father!ă
ăWhat can you do staying in a town like this during winter?ă
ăBut we have our agreement!ă
ăItâs decided. If you donât like it, I can vacate this place at once.ă
League gritted his teeth in frustration. His father had educated him since he was young, but his private tutor taught him about a different world. Not the one where Rumania governed ForestiaâŠ
If all seven nations joined hands, weâll have a much more wonderful Forestia. Donât you agree?
This spurred League into action. He wished for a Forestia where nations didnât snarl at each other, where everyone could forget grudges and work together for a brighter future. If he managed to build such a place, something might actually change. They wouldnât have to be afraid of great powers like Ponsonia and Quinbland.
His private tutor was from Kotobi and only pretended to be Rumanian. He was deported as soon as he got exposed, but his teachings remained in Leagueâs mind.
League had to leave his fatherâs side in order to implement his ideas. He bought himself time â two years. After that, he would start acting like a proper heir. That was the agreement he had with his father. The man had grown frustrated with his son for not being aware of his position as the heir to the Green Ogre clan, and when League came to make the deal, his father was delighted.
Two more years⊠No, I have to be back before winter so thatâs one and a half years. What can I do during that time? How many friends from the other nations can I make before then?
ăThat reminds me. League, have you heard anything about the war between Ponsonia and Quinbland?ăhis father asked in a delighted tone, having reduced Leagueâs time in the academy by half a year.
ăYes. I heard the Ponsonian troops are advancing.ă
ăThatâs right. Captain Lawrence himself is fighting in the front lines. He apparently mowed down Quinblandâs cavalry. He may be a Master Swordsman, but our own captain is much stronger.ă
By âourâ he meant Rumania, not Forestia. The title âCaptainâ had been around since more than a century ago. Publicly, he was the leader of Billionâs private army.
How can your guy be stronger when Lawrence is well-known even outside of Ponsonia? League kept his thoughts to himself though. He didnât want to ruin his fatherâs good mood.
If he said it out loud, the man would only say âYou donât know anythingâ and âYouâll know whether you like it or not once you start working with meâ. He knew that all too well, based on experience.
ăBut before Ponsonia could occupy Quinblandâs suburbs, their troops retreated.ă
ăWhat?ă
League expected Ponsonia to force their way through and expand their territory. They would then enter a ceasefire with Quinbland and there would be stability in the next few years. In the meantime, he would bring Forestia together.
ăDid Quinbland do something?ă
ăI donât know. We donât have any information about what happened.ă
ăWhat did the Prime Minister say?ă
ăThat witch, huh? She insists she doesnât know anything. But Iâm not buying it. Somethingâs fishy ever since they dealt with our man.ă
ăâManâ⊠you mean the seven representatives with the queen?ă
League was talking about the political advisers that served Queen Marquedo.
ăNo. I meant a spy.ă
ăâŠWhat? A spy?ă
ăRight, I havenât told you about it. I sent a spy to gather information on Her Majesty.ă
ăReally?ă
League was about to rise to his feet. What his father did was a serious breach of trust. But he managed to stay calm.
Billion chuckled.ăI like how youâre always composed.ăhe said as he gave a smirk.
His father was testing him, thinking he wouldnât be fit to lead the clan if he would lose his cool at every little thing.
Though he wouldnât put it past his father to actually send someone to spy on the queen â his father who believed that Rumania was supreme and Rumania should lead Forestia.