第１６５９堀：学生たちと顔合わせ (Part1)
Chapter 1659: Meeting the Students
Side: Prol
The next day, having finished our preparations for the lessons, we stood before the students.
Incidentally, as for our lodging yesterday, we stayed at the facility prepared by Zurable.
We could have returned home, but then, His Majesty Show—the ruler of Zurable—insisted:
"I must insist you accept our hospitality. If you were to return as day-trippers, it would be a stain on Zurable's honor."
"Eh? But I wanted to go home and eat curry," Yuki-sama had replied.
"Your Majesty, this is your home territory. Please, do not speak of returning to Weed. We have already secured the handmade curry specially prepared by Aslin-sama and Firia-sama for you."
"Very well. Let us show Yuki-dono our hospitality."
Moved by his desperate earnestness, we quietly agreed to stay at Zurable’s finest inn.
Perhaps they had used Weed as a reference, as it even featured a large communal bath.
Well, it still fell short of the facilities in Weed, but it was clear they had put in their best effort.
As for the meal... well, the curry sent by Aslin-sama and the others for His Majesty Eupia became the main event, and the court chefs swarmed it.
That man truly loves Aslin-sama and the others, doesn't he?
Even though home cooking and a professional chef’s cuisine are entirely different things...
Ah, well, let’s leave that aside.
So, having spent the night in Zurable, we arrived at the present moment.
"Indeed. Everyone looks better than before. It gladdens me to see you all applying yourselves to your studies."
The one greeting the assembly in the auditorium was the Emperor—or rather, his body double.
For some reason, he was a man sporting a magnificent beard.
He was clearly different in gender and physique from His Majesty Eupia, yet the students believed him.
...Well, since they don't exactly post portrait photos like they do in Weed, if the high-ranking officials say it is so, they have no choice but to believe.
Of course, there is also the benefit of preventing assassination by not exposing his true face...
I suppose that is a matter of national policy.
After all, this nation of Zurable has only just settled its conflict with Haine; there are no doubt many who harbor grudges, and not a few who would hope for chaos by striking down the Emperor of Zurable.
While I was lost in such thoughts, the introduction of Yuki-sama began.
"Now, the reason I have come here is to introduce a certain individual. As I believe you have been informed in advance, this is Yuki-dono, the consort of the Queen of the nation that hosts the International Exchange School you are all about to attend, along with his subordinates."
As he said this, gazes shifted. Yuki-sama began to move, and we followed him up onto the podium.
The eyes of the sixty students and ten teachers were, quite literally, checking us out—or rather, sizing us up.
Honestly, I felt it was disrespectful to cast such looks at Yuki-sama and his wives—let alone me—but I knew it was unavoidable, so I endured it and took my place beside Yuki-sama.
"This time, he has agreed to teach you not only about the International Exchange School and the host nation of Weed, but also to provide advance information on the participating countries. He plans to provide guidance not just in martial arts and magic, but even in certain technical skills. I suggest you absorb as much knowledge as you can and prepare yourselves for the International Exchange School."
"Ooh!"
A chorus of surprised voices rose up.
Well, it is unheard of for the consort of another nation and his subordinates to provide direct instruction.
Even for those living in Weed, receiving guidance from Yuki-sama or his wives is a rare occurrence.
They should be dancing with joy.
"Now, as you can tell from what I have just said, I will not tolerate any discourtesy toward Yuki-dono, the instructors accompanying him, or even the students who will be answering your questions alongside them. It goes without saying, but this is the expected conduct for those who dwell in Zurable. Whether you are a commoner or a noble, do not forget the posture of a student. Know that those who cannot abide by this will not be chosen as students for the international exchange."
That was a more direct warning than I expected.
Still, hearing what I heard the other day, I suppose if he doesn't speak with such strength, he might be looked down upon.
It is a method Yuki-sama rarely employs, but I suppose this is what they call a national characteristic.
"Now, Yuki-dono, would you mind saying a few words?"
"Certainly."
Responding to the body double, Yuki-sama stood beside him and began his greeting.
Orelia and I remained behind him, ready to respond to any unforeseen circumstances.
"Nice to meet you, young people who look toward the future of Zurable. I am Yuki, serving as the consort to the Queen in Weed. I have heard that you all passed rigorous examinations to get here after hearing the purpose of this school. First, I offer my deep gratitude for those sentiments. And I hope to convey to you from here on that those feelings and your actions were not mistaken. It is a short period, but I look forward to working with you."
With that, Yuki-sama finished his greeting.
The teachers and students fell silent at his words.
Are they wondering how to respond?
Well, it is Weed, a place they know nothing about.
Just as I thought that, Show-sama opened his mouth.
"Yuki-sama, thank you for your words. I would also like to thank you again for making time in your busy schedule."
Show-sama replied, and Yuki-sama stepped back... and the body double continued.
"Now, I know you are nervous, but I suggest you show Yuki-dono and his party the results of your efforts thus far. This concludes the greetings."
"Yes, Your Majesty, and Yuki-sama, thank you. A round of applause."
At Show-sama’s command, applause erupted, and with that, we descended from the podium.
After that, once we returned to the waiting room...
"Nu-hahaha! But Your Majesty, why are you disguised as a student from Weed?"
The body double asked this of His Majesty Eupia, who was currently wearing a student uniform.
It really is strange, isn't it?
During that greeting, for some reason, he had been mixed in with Yuki-sama—that is to say, our visiting party.
"That is, of course, to get a good look at the school. If I were on the other side, I haven't been there from the start, so I would be suspected. But if I stand as a superior, I will be looked down upon. Therefore, being part of Yuki-dono’s group is the best approach."
Ah, I see. It is certainly true that it would be problematic for His Majesty Eupia to suddenly infiltrate the Zurable side as a student now.
After they have gone through selection exams and worked so hard, having a student suddenly cut in could be taken as a challenge to Zurable, the nation that created these rules.
So that is why he joined Yuki-sama’s group.
And infiltrating as a teacher or an important figure would have its own set of problems.
"I see, now that you mention it, that is true. However, half of the teachers know who you are, Your Majesty, and they were looking quite stiff."
"Stiff? How pathetic. They should know that the real problem is my identity being exposed."