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After the war ended, the victory festival became the largest event hosted by the Empire.

The main attraction of the festival was undoubtedly the victory parade held on the last day.

A breathtaking procession of the Knight Order clad in dazzling armor on horseback, a grand march of soldiers armed with spears and shields, and finally, a splendid and powerful magic performance by the palace wizards.

With the majestic appearance of the Imperial Army, victorious in the recent war, and the news that the Hero Party would participate in the parade this year, public interest soared even higher.

This meant that an even larger number of people would flock to the central road of the capital than ever before.

Of course, the Gendarmerie would deploy significant manpower to control the crowd, but once on site, it was likely to be so crowded that one could hardly move. Just attending the parade would require an early morning outing.

I didn’t want to suffer that kind of hassle just to watch a parade. I was already satisfied with wandering the streets over the past few days.

Therefore, the place I found myself in now was the rooftop of Opal Black Dormitory.

Students of the Opal Black Class had gathered here, excluding Elizabeth.

Marian let out a deep sigh and said.

“Ha… I reluctantly came out after refusing my mother’s request to stay together until the end of the festival, and the best place we could gather is back at school…”

“If you don’t want to be here, you can go back.”

“…No, well, it’s not that I particularly don’t want to be here? It’s just that everyone else has gone off to enjoy the festival, and it feels a little strange that we’re back here at school…”

Marian grumbled as she sat on the blanket-covered floor.

“If you don’t like crowds, you could’ve told me in advance. We could watch comfortably from the VIP seats thanks to Grandpa. We could enjoy it quietly in a place without anyone around…”

Titania smiled brightly and replied.

“Come on, Marian. We gathered here to cheer for Elizabeth. In that sense, I think this is the best place to be!”

“Well, that’s true…”

According to the information Schurz had shared earlier, the airship would depart from the palace, fly along the central road, and then return to the palace.

So from District 3, right next to the palace, Philion Academy would provide a decent view of the airship taking off.

Schurz, who was nearby, spoke in a calm tone.

“Titania is right, Marian. In fact, we’ve seen parades plenty of times. Sometimes, I think this isn’t so bad. When there are too many people, unexpected things can happen. In that respect, I feel that being here together is the best decision for the students. Am I right, Instructor Ion?”

“Hmm.”

Honestly, the biggest discomfort was my reluctance to go watch the parade, but I nodded slightly in agreement with Schurz’s words.

Seeing that, Schurz looked back at Marian as if to say “See?” and Marian eventually conceded.

“Fine, I got it! It’s not like I really dislike this…”

After Marian’s words, Gwen, who had been quiet until now, cautiously added.

“I’m a bit disappointed… I wanted to see the heroes of the continent, just like my master…”

Gwen seemed a little disappointed, wanting to see the heroes of the continent revered like the Sword Saint and the Saintess in person. Schurz, noticing Gwen’s expression, smiled and took something out of his bag.

“Don’t worry. I anticipated this and prepared something.”

What Schurz pulled out was a magical radio, something frequently seen in the lounge, and an object resembling a short stick.

I could recognize what it was immediately. It was an item I had seen several times on the battlefield.

“A telescope?”

“Oh, you recognize it, Instructor?”

“It must be a sensitive item not to be carelessly used in public.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t be able to procure military-grade telescopes. This is civilian-grade, recently released. It has adjustable magnification, and it should suffice for watching the parade from here.”

Gwen asked with curiosity.

“A telescope? What’s that?”

“It’s a tool that lets you see distant places as if they’re close. But rather than a detailed explanation, it’s much quicker to understand if you try using it. Want to take a look?”

“Hmm? Uh… Whoa!! What is this!? It’s like people are right in front of me!”

Gwen grabbed the telescope and couldn’t hide her excitement as she quickly scanned the surroundings. As she became engrossed in the telescope and raised it to the sky, Schurz shouted in panic.

“Wait, Gwen! If you do that—”

I quickly reached out and grabbed Gwen.

With her wrist held, Gwen looked at me in surprise.

“Instructor…?”

“Don’t look at the sun. It could blind you.”

Schurz continued with a grave expression.

“That’s true. Looking directly at the sun can be dangerous as the light concentrates through the telescope. It’s best not to look at the sky. Sorry, I should have told you that first…”

I spoke sternly to the dazed Gwen.

“Don’t use tools you don’t know how to operate without caution. Be careful.”

Gwen nodded obediently like a well-behaved child.

“…Yes, I will be careful. Ah—Instructor.”

It seemed she had almost called me by a different title before changing it midway.

I wasn’t sure. It could just be my imagination.

Gwen brought the telescope up to her eyes again, this time carefully observing her surroundings. Seeing her cautious attitude, Schurz turned on the radio he had brought along with the telescope.

As the radio switched on, a clear female voice began to announce.

[Listeners, as you all anticipate, the start of the victory parade, marking the grand finale of the festival, is approaching. The march will begin shortly, so citizens on the road are requested to focus on the scenes before you, and those listening on the radio can sit back and enjoy.]

As Schurz turned on the radio, the distant excitement from the scene began to transmit through the radio. The students’ spirits also began to rise.

“This is exciting…!”

“Right? The atmosphere is quite nice!”

Titania and Marian joyfully chatted, and the other students began to spread out their blankets and sit on the ground or lean against the rooftop railing to enjoy the parade visible in the distance.

And right on cue, the announcer’s voice flowed from the radio to announce the beginning of the parade.

[Ah, look, everyone! The first appearance in the parade is none other than the great little sun of the Empire, the chosen one of the Holy Sword, ‘Hero of Light’ His Highness Wilhelm von Galatea the First!]

[Following behind him is the ‘Saintess of the Battlefield’, Charlotte Orsia. The Saintess has dedicated herself to the purification of the continent even after the war and, especially for today, has come to the capital! The citizens are warmly welcoming the Hero Party with enthusiastic cheers!]

[Next is the march of the strongest knight order, the Royal Guard, who protect the royal family! At the forefront, we have the ‘Iron-Blooded Knight’, Lady Frida von Sternlicht, who is a member of the Hero Party and the vice captain of the Royal Guard. Her snow-white dragon cloak is truly breathtakingly beautiful!]

[And now, here come the palace wizards, led by ‘Ashen Witch’ Greta von Lunhardt, the chief sorceress. Ah, that’s! The 6th circle magic Flame Cannon is soaring toward the sky above the capital! Look at that beautiful firework! Truly a magnificent parade is unfolding!]

Boom! Bang! The sound of fireworks echoed from afar.

Cheers and shouts from the crowd reached us here.

Disliking the noise, I deliberately ignored it and lay flat on the ground.

As I quietly gazed up at the blue sky, all I could see were white clouds.

“…”

To the clouds above, all of the commotion and hustle on the ground must feel like events from another world.

Thinking that way, I felt it wouldn’t be so bad to live as a cloud if I were to be reborn.

At that moment, a familiar booming sound came from somewhere.

An airship shot up through the clouds, and the students shouted in excitement.

“Look over there! It’s an airship!”

“Elizabeth! Elizabeth! We’re here!”

“…Isn’t that pointless? It seems even the dormitory buildings would barely be visible from up there…”

Gwen pointed to the sky with her finger as the airship took off, and Titania waved her arms wide to call out. Schurz watched her with a wry smile, while Marian tried to act nonchalant despite her surprise as she gazed up at the sky.

Saladin leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, watching the flight of the airship, while Batar carved wood with his chisel, occasionally looking up at the sky. At first glance, it seemed Batar’s carving resembled the shape of the airship. Osnia was struggling to take a nap, resting her head on Titania’s knees.

Amidst such a peaceful atmosphere, an involuntary faint smile crept onto my lips.

KABOOM―!!

However, shattering that peace, a sudden explosion sounded from above.

The moment I witnessed the airship engulfed in flames and smoke, I felt the calm I had been experiencing vanish.

 

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