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Chapter 31. Astonishment

In this country, there is no state religion. It seems that there used to be a state religion until a few decades ago, but it was suppressed by the king of that time because the religion tried to rebel against the country. Since then, many people in this country have developed a sense of disgust towards the existence of religion itself, and even small religions that quietly existed besides the state religion seem to have fled. Even now, several dilapidated churches in the city serve as reminders of that history.

There is no state religion, and the citizens harbor a sense of disgust toward religion itself... but deep down, they believe in the existence of God. Well... to put it simply, it's like Japan, where there are a lot of people who kinda believe in God seriously, even though they have a sense of disgust towards religion itself. Since it's just a story from a few decades ago, I think there are still people who quietly believe in it.

"So? Are you sure the other party is related to religion?"

"No, I'm not."

"If not, then it's no big deal. Investigating such matters is the job of a Magic Knight, after all."

"Well, yeah..."

When I casually mentioned an incident I had seen in town to Princess Elissa, she said it wasn't something to worry about. It's something that bothers me since I got involved... Well, being a Magic Knight is indeed true.

"Anyway... about your faction."

"The Elixira faction."

"You're not the actual leader, though."

"No, I'm not?"

I was indeed the one recruiting members, but I don't remember becoming the head of the faction.

"It doesn't matter who the leader is... you guys are going to act as a faction in the upcoming field training, right? If so, things could get complicated when factions clash, right?"

"Will they? We can just crush each other."

"...Field training is supposed to simulate fighting magical beasts, so conflicts between students are prohibited."

Really? I thought it was all about kicking out anyone who came to disturb magical beast extermination... But yeah, suddenly having a fight between students during field training doesn't make sense. In that case, it would be better to just do it within the school grounds.

"Huh? If conflicts are prohibited, then it won't be a problem."

"It will be, that's why I'm saying it. Apparently, faction conflicts happen almost every year."

Hmm... but wouldn't being cautious prevent anything from happening? Even if I and Princess Elissa were to meet as representatives of our factions, and even if we decided not to fight, what if students from the factions started fighting on their own?

"Speaking of which, is Princess Elissa going to lead her own faction?"

"Rather than leaving it as an unorganized group, it's better if I lead it. I haven't formed a faction myself, though..."

"Haha, that's funny."

I think only Princess Elissa, who takes studying seriously, would think about such things, right? At least Jeremiah and the 2nd rank Marquis's Daughter seem to not care about factions at all.

I've been thinking about this for a while, but... I think Princess Elissa is a bit too fixated on being a Magic Knight. I wonder if I can say that because I'm just a commoner who isn't burdened with anything.

"Anyway, if you're going to lead a faction, make sure to manage it properly. Especially, Nina Violet."

"Do you dislike Nina?"

"I-it's not about liking or disliking. She's certainly not someone I'm fond of. But it's not like I'm bringing up personal feelings."

"You dislike her."

Well, I can understand that. That woman seems to be so barbaric to the point of being dominated by violence, thinking everything is decided by strength. In a way, it's a personality suitable for a Magic Knight, but it wouldn't match well with someone like Princess Elissa, who needs everything to be meticulously planned.

As I watched Princess Elissa leave while grumbling, someone stood behind me without me noticing.

"What are you doing?"

"Well, I was a little curious about the conversation between the princess and you."

I wish she'd just talk to me normally because she's scary. Ivy, who always has a suspicious smile on her face, startled me a bit.

I may have brought her into the faction as a capable person, but I'm still scared because I don't know what she's thinking. It seems like she's been meddling with Ash lately.

"Speaking of which, when is the field training?"

"...I'm having a hard time understanding why you don't remember the major events of the Magic Knight Academy, but it's roughly... a month from now."

"Oh, I see."

"If you're not interested, please don't ask in the first place."

Sorry... is it really that anger-inducing? Well, even Elexira said so, but does everyone remember all the events throughout the year? They're so serious... I don't remember any of it.

"I think there's a need to do various things within the faction in preparation for the field training."

"Is that so?"

"...I'll discuss it with Elixira."

Uh-oh... I've just been seriously rebuked. Even Ivy, who always wears a suspicious smile, looked at me like, "What are you saying, you idiot?"

"Ugh... was it a mistake to join the faction based solely on their abilities? I can't believe he, who can be considered the head of the faction, is like this."

"I can hear everything, you know. And the head of the faction is Elixira."

"She's just a figurehead."

"She's not. She may not be able to use a sword, but she has enough magical power to be a force to be reckoned with."

As a Magic Knight, it's questionable, but if she fought against ordinary students, she'd easily defeat them, right? Plus, she comes from a prestigious family and her name is well-known by everyone... Is there anyone better suited to lead the faction than her?

"Do you really think she can take charge and act properly?"

"Well... I think humans can do anything if they get used to it, right?"

"Do you think so?"

"...Well, it might be difficult."

No, I admit it. At first, I did wonder if it was okay for Elixira to be the head of the faction, but... the initial members are me and Nina, right? Nina, who is violent, is out of the question, and I, who don't even know the schedule of school events, as the faction leader? It's not even a funny joke.

Elixira becoming the head of the faction was more of a process of elimination rather than anything else.