第１１０１堀：協力者 (Part1)
### Chapter 1101: Collaborators
**Side: Enora**
"U-um, I’ll be in your care from now on. No, I mean, please take care of me. M-my name is... ugh, what should I call myself..."
The girl named Nilua looked toward Yuki, her voice trailing off in hesitation.
Ah, right. I remembered now—she said she could no longer use her own name.
"Nilua is fine. If you really hate that name, we can think of something else later."
"No, no, even if you’re sheltering me, Yuki, it’s probably not a good idea to keep using the same name, right?"
She’s right. As Nilua pointed out, if she goes around using her original name, it’s bound to attract unnecessary trouble. Though, for Yuki, who already feels like he’s been dragged into this mess, he probably thinks it doesn’t make much of a difference.
"I suppose. Well, we should at least have a pseudonym ready."
"Exactly."
"But it’s not something we can decide in an instant, so for now, Nilua is fine. We’ll only be among our own circle for a while, and you’ll be working here at the academy anyway. So, everyone, get along, and feel free to work her to the bone as a colleague."
"Yes!"
Well, if Yuki says so, that’s fine by me. Having met her and heard her story, she clearly harbors no ill will toward Yuki. It truly felt like she was just a drowning person reaching out to grab the lucky lifeline that Yuki happened to drop into her path.
"Uuu... w-what is this? I felt like I was making a huge, life-altering decision when I spoke to Yuki, but I feel like I’m being brushed off quite easily..."
"Yes, I agree with Nilua. We’re very busy, so I’d like to wrap up this 'huge decision' of yours as quickly as possible."
"Gah!?"
"You’re surprisingly composed, aren't you? What were you planning to do if Yuki had turned you down?"
Because Nilua’s reaction was so lighthearted, I couldn't help but ask out of curiosity. If she had intended to go somewhere else, that might be something we need to keep an eye on.
"Yeah, Mikos is interested in that too."
My intention seemed to reach Mikos as well, who, as usual, quickly opened her notebook and held her pen at the ready. If we’re lucky, we might get some immediate information on the factions opposing the Lancer Magic Academy.
"It’s nothing that grand. If I were truly in danger, I was just planning on running away from this academy. I mean, that’s about all I could do."
"That is certainly true. Well, it seems that was your only option."
"And did you have a destination in mind for when that happened?"
"No, not at all. I didn't have any connections, after all."
...Wow, she’s a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants kind of girl. Or is this just normal? Well, even as the top student of the academy, she’s now a fugitive from her own country with no backing, so it makes sense that she lacked information or resources.
"I was a bit curious—you mentioned earlier that you were gathering information from 'collaborators.' Who exactly were they?"
"Ah, that is..."
Just as Nilua started to speak, a voice boomed from the direction of the Principal's office we were heading toward...
*"You absolute idiot!!"*
*"Ouch!!"*
A loud, sharp reprimand echoed through the hall.
"What’s that? It sounds like Popuri is scolding someone."
"Indeed. Did a student mess up, or is there some kind of trouble?"
"Should we come back later?"
"I wonder? The matter with Nilua should be handled quickly, shouldn't it? Besides, you said you’d return here once you were done talking..."
"That’s true. Let’s head to the Principal's office first and ask how to proceed."
"Fair enough. We’ll just tell her that Nilua is coming along with us."
With that decided, we stepped into the Principal's office, and there we found...
"Honestly! I received word from Amanda and rushed over, and this is what you do the moment your suspension is lifted!"
"That’s not it! It was legitimate work for the Monster Extermination Guild! Look, here’s the request form."
"That was for scouting the shallow areas of the Great Forest! You were near the deep interior!"
"Oh my, I guess I just wandered in there without realizing it."
"You... do you really think such an obvious lie will—"
There was Principal Popuri, looking genuinely furious, and a female student in the academy uniform, arguing back with a completely unfazed expression.
"Principal. That’s enough for now. Yuki-sama and the others are here."
"Hm? Ah, Yuki-dono. And Nilua. I see, you’ve taken her in. But before that—"
*Thwack.*
With a dull, heavy sound, Principal Popuri’s fist struck the student’s head.
"Ugh!"
That was a sound you wouldn't expect from a woman. Well, when I was being tortured, I made sounds even worse than that. Clearly, it hurt quite a bit, as the student clutched her head and crouched on the floor.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. So, has the matter with Nilua been settled?"
"No, I thought it would be better to discuss the details with you present, Popuri."
"That is certainly true. Though, I don't think Yuki-dono would make unreasonable demands of a woman."
"Blind trust like that is dangerous. It’s important to put things in writing."
"Haha, you’re right. Very well, I’ll finish scolding you later. We have important business now. Go back to your room and stay quiet, 2nd Rank Wazfi."
Oh? So that girl is the 2nd Rank of this academy. Looking at her, she doesn't really give off the vibe of a mage. Unlike Nilua, her hair is a bit long for a short cut, and she looks more sporty than beautiful—if anything, she looks like she’d be good at athletics.
"Fine, fine. Ow, ow. Principal, please go easy on me. Wait, Nilua? What’s wrong? Who are these people?"
"H-hi, Wazfi."
"What? You were acquainted with the 2nd Rank?"
"Don't think I’m such a loner. Of course we’re acquainted. She’s the one who was providing me with information."
"I see. Popuri. Secure that girl as well."
"It seems so. *Sigh*, Wazfi. Very well, you stay here too."
"Eh? Eh? What’s going on?"
She has absolutely no self-awareness. She doesn't seem to realize that she could have been punished for aiding a fugitive and a potential high-level criminal. Or perhaps people just don't think that far ahead?
Regardless, we had Wazfi sit down and explained the situation, to which she replied...
"Hmph. I don't care about any of that. Nilua is my friend. I helped her. That’s all there is to it."
Wazfi declared this boldly, without a hint of panic. Going against the state is a heavy thing, but being able to say that without hesitation for the sake of a friend is a wonderful quality. It’s like the relationship between Kagura, Carrie, and myself. Well, now I’m close with all of Yuki’s wives, too.
"I understand your personal reasons, Wazfi, but if you declare that publicly, you might be targeted by those connected to Enaria or arrested as a criminal. You should keep that to yourself."
"Yeah. I’ll do that. I don't have any desire to pick a fight with the country on purpose."
Still, she doesn't seem like the type to do anything reckless. She simply helped a friend.
"So, it seems that means Nilua is heading to Weed."