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This protest had a lot of nonsense in it.

First of all, in a situation where the Empire, with its strong imperial authority, had just won the war and was pursuing peace and harmony policies, a protest oppressing different races and ethnicities would easily be branded as a rebellion against the Imperial Court’s policies, fitting for the gallows.

Moreover, the purpose of the protest was unclear. This protest seemed overly radical and impulsive, merely appearing like the spontaneous actions of disgruntled individuals. While it may have drawn public attention, the risks far outweighed any potential benefits.

If it had been intended as a hate crime against a specific group, there were other ways to deliver a clear message without revealing identities. For example, through terrorism.

The fact that it wasn’t suggests the purpose of the protest was simply to create chaos and divert the gendarmerie’s attention, implying there might be some ulterior motive lurking elsewhere.

Would it be too far-fetched to think that someone incited the crowd, aware that Titania would be here, to create a riot and then attempt to kidnap her in the chaos?

Perhaps. But the instinct I honed over twenty years on the battlefield whispered that this protest was only the surface of something deeper.

“Hehe… so who’s the real mastermind?”

The Scarred Man could no longer maintain his muscular expression, blood oozing from both his thighs and wrists, yet he managed to grin mockingly as he raised the corners of his mouth.

“There’s nothing of the sort. We just wanted to take advantage of the commotion to kidnap an Elf. This protest has nothing to do with it.”

I let out a short sigh. How pesky.

Due to my war experience, I was skilled at extracting as much information as possible from enemies in a short amount of time. Perhaps even excessively so.

“If I gouge out those arrogant eyes of yours, maybe you’ll loosen your tongue a bit.”

I bent one knee and pressed my blade close to the Scarred Man. The broken blade slowly sank beneath his eye.

“Wait… no, stop! Don’t!”

The grin vanished from the Scarred Man’s face, and his eyes visibly trembled.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and he swallowed hard, the fear of the impending torture clear on his face.

I stared silently at his quaking eyes for a while before bringing the hilt of the dagger down onto his head.

“Guh!”

He rolled his eyes back and fainted from the impact.

After a moment of contemplation, I figured that there was no need to torture him in front of the students.

The safety of the students was what mattered most right now. The rest could be left to the gendarmerie; they’d handle it.

“Let’s go back.”

I quickly led the two of them out of the alley.

*

When I returned to the City Hall, the protest had mostly been suppressed.

The Capital City Gendarmerie wasted no time in violently quelling the protesters upon arrival, resulting in a quick dispersal of the crowd.

I showed my identification to the gendarmerie apprehending the protesters and informed them that the instigators were in the alley, requesting their immediate arrest.

Fortunately, perhaps because of my rank, the gendarmerie treated me with great respect and accepted my request willingly, rushing off to the scene.

Now, the men hunting for Titania would be interrogated by the gendarmerie, and I would be able to receive information later.

I brought the two back to Philion Academy.

Unlike Osnia, who remained calm throughout the incident, Titania continued to look anxious even after everything was over; however, as we passed through the academy’s main gate and arrived at the Opal Black Dormitory, she finally seemed to grasp that everything was over and let out a sigh of relief.

After sending Osnia and Titania to their respective rooms, I immediately went to the headmaster’s office to explain the situation.

Realizing the severity of the situation, Headmaster Heinkel quickly gathered all the faculty still at the academy for an emergency meeting.

Naturally, the topic of the meeting was to address Titania’s problem and her treatment.

In the small meeting room prepared in the faculty building.

“Headmaster Heinkel! This is a serious issue!”

Instructor Rilya Bennett exclaimed in an agitated voice.

“Our Philion Academy student is being targeted by an organization with an unclear identity. I believe we must devise a response and take action at the school level!”

“W-Wait, Instructor Bennett? Please calm down. There’s no definitive evidence that such an organization exists yet, is there?”

A young man with a friendly demeanor, Instructor Lian Klosterman, who was in charge of the Sapphire Blue Class 1st year, attempted to soothe her.

“It’s widely known within the Empire that Titania has enrolled as a new student at our academy. Some individuals may have formed resentment upon hearing that news. And weren’t those individuals already captured by Instructor Graham?”

“But! What if such individuals appear again and pose a similar danger to Titania?”

“Even if it’s Philion Academy, we can’t possibly monitor all Sangria citizens. Preventing crime isn’t our role; that’s the gendarmerie’s work.”

Instructor Ceylon von Acheron, in charge of the Diamond White Class 1st year, stroked his mustache leisurely as he spoke.

“I never liked that Titania enrolled here in the first place. I’ve clearly stated before that such issues would arise, haven’t I, Headmaster Heinkel?”

At Acheron’s reprimanding words, Headmaster Heinkel shook his head gravely.

“That’s merely hindsight, Instructor Acheron. Our Philion Academy must not forget that we are an institution that educates and fosters talent regardless of race or background.”

Headmaster Heinkel continued gently.

“When we accepted Titania into the academy, I promised to teach her just like all other students.”

“Hm… I understand the headmaster’s viewpoint. But what about Titania’s own thoughts?”

A strict-looking woman with glasses, Instructor Helga Brown, who was in charge of the Emerald Green Class 1st year, spoke in a cold tone.

“What do you mean by different, Instructor Helga?”

“I mean that Titania may consider it dangerous to be here. Even if she doesn’t think that way herself, parents might feel differently.”

She adjusted her glasses as she spoke in a calm yet assertive tone.

“What do you think the Elven tribe from the Great Forest will think upon hearing this news? Won’t they immediately try to take Titania back to the forest?”

That was a valid point.

As far as I knew, the Elven tribe from the Great Forest didn’t welcome Titania’s enrollment at Philion Academy. They were all quite exclusive regarding affairs outside the forest.

However, due to Titania’s unyielding will, the Great Forest Elves had no choice but to send her to the Empire.

But given the situation, their actions were pretty predictable. They’d have a pretext to take her back immediately.

Instructor Helga spoke in a calm yet resolute tone.

“Whether there exists an external organization targeting Titania or not, it’s evident that her life is in danger. Thus, we should send her back to the forest.”

“Are you suggesting we give up on the student now, Instructor Brown!? If she’s within the academy, Titania will be safe!”

“I say this for Titania’s sake. Instructor Rilya, are you planning to keep her confined within the school at all times? What’ll happen to her future curriculum? It’s impossible for us to protect Titania 24/7 until her graduation. She wouldn’t want that either.”

A heavy silence descended in the meeting room.

The instructors seemed to ponder Instructor Helga’s proposal.

Returning Titania to the Great Forest would ensure her safety, but that would mean tearing her away from the life she chose for herself.

Instructor Rilya clearly stood against it, while Instructors Helga and Acheron leaned toward supporting the proposal, and Instructor Lian attempted to mediate the heated discussion, appearing neutral but subtly supporting Instructor Rilya’s stance.

As support and opposition split evenly and the silence in the meeting room stretched, Headmaster Heinkel turned to me and asked,

“Faculty opinions are certainly important on this matter. What does Instructor Ion think?”

All eyes in the room turned to me, who had maintained silence throughout the meeting.

I nonchalantly accepted their gazes and calmly spoke up.

“We need to hear Titania’s opinion.”

“Hm… what do you mean by that?”

Headmaster Heinkel spoke with an intrigued tone, stroking his long beard.

“If Titania wishes to return, I will respectfully send her back. However, if she opts to stay, I will respect my student’s decision.”

“That sounds irresponsible. You say you’re respecting the student’s opinion, but that could lead to Titania facing even greater dangers than now!”

I locked eyes with Instructor Helga and spoke firmly.

“That won’t happen.”

“What? On what grounds do you—”

Instructor Helga seemed taken aback by my unfounded assurance, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Headmaster Heinkel, who had listened attentively, nodded as if organizing his thoughts.

“All faculty opinions are valid. However, ensuring the safety and security of our students is our responsibility. I believe that responsibility includes respecting their free will.”

Headmaster Heinkel continued with a warm smile.

“First, let’s hear Titania’s opinion and then decide on our next course of action. What do you think, Instructor Ion?”

“Yes.”

“Titania must have been quite shaken. Could you help calm her down?”

I nodded silently.

“Understood.”

“Good, then let’s conclude this meeting.”

Some instructors struggled to hide their dissatisfaction at the conclusion of the meeting, but none dared to openly protest Headmaster Heinkel’s words.

The instructors present exchanged polite farewells and exited one by one. Just as I was about to leave the meeting room after them, Headmaster Heinkel’s voice halted my steps.

“Instructor Ion.”

“Yes.”

Headmaster Heinkel called out to me but took a long pause before speaking.

Finally, after hesitating, he managed to say,

“Thank you for protecting Titania.”

Could it be that Headmaster Heinkel secretly suspected that such an incident might occur someday?

I don’t know the truth, but it was clear that genuine gratitude and deep concern were mixed together in the wrinkle-filled eyes of Headmaster Heinkel.

“I merely did my duty.”

I gave a light bow to Headmaster Heinkel and left the meeting room.

*

After the meeting, I returned to the dormitory and knocked on Titania’s door.

“Instructor…?”

When the door finally opened, she wore an expression deeply clouded with worry.

 

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