Maou no Ki Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Joint Lessons are Meaningless, You Say?

TLC: Cryarc & Krrizis

First published on Ainushi

to look at it, their abilities were unmatched. Overwhelming their opponents in battle

centre.

itself into the middle of the fight. The left flank of the white team stormed through,
striking at the red team’s flank.

Due to this intervention, the white team’s centre, that was pressured, revived.

「NOW! THRUST INTO THE RIGHT FLANK!」

Obeying instructions while the left flank of the white team made their way to the

deliberately storming the white team’s stronghold.

FLANK, COORDINATE WITH THEM!」

The entire red team burst forward continuously. They intended to end the battle

As the right flank of the red team that went ahead to reach the white team’s

leader was Theresa.

In the face of an unfavorable situation due to their numbers, they had to hold back

retainer of the Imperial Princess Claudia, Theresa appeared to be fairly capable.

IN!」

were moving, he didn’t forget to observe everything. You can say that this was as

The supreme commander of the red team is Oskar from Class C, while the white

Seeing the individual ability of the students and the leadership of the supreme

the white team was able to withstood it hitherto – one could say that they were

「LEFT FLANK, BREAK IN!」

ONCE!」

Despite that both flanks broke through, Oskar didn’t loosen his grip anyway. Taking

Having lost a number of their superiors, the white team’s centre had nothing left.

stronghold where Claudia was.

The teacher’s voice signalled the end of the battle. When they heard it, the students

stopped.

「WHAT!?」

The students on the red team thought that the teacher must have made a mistake,

the stronghold – was not in sight.

Instead of the two students who were defending the stronghold, there was a

handle of the red flag.

「Alright! Everyone, gather in the middle!」

in the middle of the field. In contrast to the delighted expressions from the students

around what had happened.

「「「Thank you!」」」

him.

」

「Eh?」

from the left flank, wasn’t he?」

「Were they the ones who lured us to gather in the centre?」

「Because of that, our right flank was lured and was held back at the stronghold.

hands and allowed your surprise attack to occur. It was our negligence.

Oscar was under the impression that, just like him, Claudia was commanding the

know was although Claudia had certainly attempted to command, the truth was that

could only watch, unable to give any directions.

「I see」

it when we pushed into the centre with our full numbers?」

「Oh … that’s it. We’ll still have more of these exercises. You don’t want to reveal

「No, that wasn’t what I…」

misunderstood. He appears to be the type that clings fervently to the slightest

「However, please excuse my indiscretion. For Claudiasama,

Princess, to have the aptitude of a commander… it was unexpected. I look forward
to our next bout」

「No, that–」

In the end, Oskar left Claudia’s side while still misunderstanding her.

「Isn’t that good? Oskardono

amongst the chivalric order paying Claudiasama

a good thing in the future」

「The victory of the battle is the achievement of the supreme commander. Since

is the supreme commander of the white team, this victory is your

Though they were words spoken casually, there was nothing wrong with what

commander.
「But actually, the white team’s victory belongs to…」

「Well, how about this? As the supreme commander, how about praising those

officers. If you do something like that, there’ll be nothing strange about it」

「Kamui Kreutz!」

Though Kamui was talking to his group of friends, he turned around as soon as he

「Come here! Claudiasama

When he heard that, Kamui slowly walked up to Claudia and Theresa. As soon as

knee and bowed. It was flawless etiquette, in accordance with a retainer’s position.
「Did you summon me?」

「Yes. As you performed admirably in the exercise earlier, Claudiasama

to bestow her admiration」

the contrary, she was delighted to see that Kamui was perfectly behaving himself.

chance」

「Yes. It seemed like they were going to break through our centre, so I moved

leaving only two people in the enemy’s stronghold. That being the case, it was sink

「I see. Even so, it is undeniable that your actions resulted in our victory. That is,

」

「… Um, please rise」
Claudia was not as simple minded as Theresa. She felt uneasy at Kamui’s

behavior.

「No, not at all. We are at the Academy」

Though Kamui obediently stood up, he did not look directly at Claudia.

「Erm, thank you」

「… Won’t you speak to me like how you used to?」

is royalty has been made public. Therefore the

people around us will view it differently. Being impolite to the imperial family will not

talk about us behind our backs」

「Even if you don’t, others do. Claudiasama,

more aware of how it affects your situation if word gets around of my discourtesy

dispense of those, it is not Claudiasama,

trouble」

called into question, we are the only ones who will be punished“.

「May I be excused?」

Immediately, Kamui withdrew two steps backwards, turning completely to the right
before taking his leave.

「…That guy knows proper etiquette, huh?」

「That is because Kamuisan

wouldn’t that be instilled in him?」

「Yes, that’s right」

「Suicide?」

unsettling news.

「Yes. It was decided that their peerage will be revoked. You can say that it was

pride」

」

him」

Though Claudia and Theresa were abritarily sympathizing with him, Kamui was

「Haa~ I’m worn out」

It was a first for Alto to see Kamui display those gestures. Naturally, for Alto who

of it.

「That’s the etiquette for when you’re being received by the imperial family」

in it」

nothing but such courtesies」

Hohenfrieds, a marquis household. Although just being noble did not mean that

「So that’s what it was. I had completely forgotten that you were from a noble

「Am I not from one now, too?」

really feel like a noble」
「Well, he is a feudal lord」

Kamui’s foster father, Viscount Kreutz was halfhearted about etiquette.There was

over.

「Out of kindness. I thought I should show that I understood where I stand」

「Her status is already in the open. If that’s the case, shouldn’t I act

「How is that appropriate?」

She wishes to make friends with others, despite having the status of Imperial

「Well, no one’s going to say, “Let’s be friends with the Imperial Princess”」

「Yeah. For a small noble, it would be a huge burden on them. If she’s seeking a

as I know, there’s no one here that I can consider would be a suitable companion

When it came to having an audience with the imperial family, their rank must be no

from various organizations. In school, the people in her grade whose families were

Generation – only one or two people.

problem」

princesses. If so, what was her purpose of coming to the Academy?」

To gain something, sometimes you have to throw something away. Nothing can be
accomplished if one is worried about their reputation or what other people think.

「Aren’t you being somewhat harsh? Don’t you know how to be nice?」

「If I have to say it, perhaps I’m harsh. If I wasn’t, then trouble will come knocking

「Why would it?」

is using something like friendship as an excuse.

what would you do, Sele?」

To begin with, Selene didn’t have any feelings of friendship towards her. She didn’t

「There’s nothing I would do. Whatever she wants, I would cowardly feign
ignorance」

「Because if she wants something from people, it would be an order?」

「I’m not happy even if you praise me. Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me. Putting that

「Regarding?」

Selene was aware that Kamui was concealing his abilities. She thought that it was

「That? I just wanted to confirm something. It’s just a coincidence that we won」

「I was wondering whether this exercise holds any meaning. Since the difference in
war potential was known from the very beginning. Won’t the result be a fixed

matter?」

「That’s also strange. Being able to reverse the situation in that condition. It’s proof

「…What do you mean?」

so she was completely unable to comprehend the answer.

「…Because we circled around our opponent」

「…Somehow this is irritating. Well, what’s the reason then?」

「It’s because we are fast runners」

The correct answer was truly unexpected to Selene.

all of it. What if they thought of defending from that?」

「Correct! Since the red team’s individual strength is formidable, it would be okay if

Instead of doing that, they deliberately moved around in units as if it’s a war, so

「But… then that means, the exercise… I see」

stronghold, it won’t be a proper exercise.. Moreover, since the valid strategy to win
was itself a method which prevents it from being a proper exercise, the exercise

became inconsistent.

might be holding back. If they were being serious, with just their central vanguard,

deliberately created some openings by moving their other units. Is there any

As Kamui said, there are a lot of junior knights in Oscar’s class, and originally, there

there is still a great number of students from Class E who hid their true skills. The

「Even so, Kamui brought us victory」

speed as our weapon. Moreover, we’re at bind if their response was to not move at

that case, both sides wouldn’t have been able to make their move」

「Actually the red team was strong. They might have been able to win if they

space to make our move. In short, in this exercise, the stronger side can win

without scheming any tactics – by just using brute strength and everything will be

Kamui explained the contradictions in the lesson even further. After explaining that

remaining.

「Who knows?」

didn’t plan to ponder too deeply about such things.

At this moment, a voice came from Diefried. It seems that he’d approaching

「So you’re here again…」

「Well. I’m not alone this time. It’s not like I called for them, though」

Aside from Diefried, another student approached Kamui’s group.Kamui couldn’t

「It’s been a while. I wonder if you still remember me?」

」

wry smile when he saw that.

「It’s been a while」
「GEH!?」

Appearing from behind Matthias was Hildegard. At that unexpected situation,

「… Isn’t that expression a bit impolite towards a woman?」

will come. May I ask what

Even though he felt relieved after complaining lightly, Kamui replied Hildegard.

know」

「Starting from when you said “Wrong”」
「Ah, from then, huh」

Kamui showed a relieved face after hearing Hildegard’s reply. As could be

someone. There’s a possibility of being accused of disrespect.

words」

After hearing Diefried’s words, Kamui slowly turned to look behind him. There, the

turned his head back.

「If you say that sensei taught useless lessons, they’ll be angry, right?」

Kamui attempted to shift his responsibility to Selene. He was not serious it’s not like

his spirit by provoking, then quarrelling with Selene. It was a petty attempt to

escape from reality.

「I don’t think that I want to be manly at all. I’d prefer a calm and peaceful Academy

「That kind of thinking is unreasonable. After all, Kamui has a constitution that

「What do you mean by “constitution that drags in trouble“?」

disturbance. Or you’ll be dragged into something that has nothing to do with you,

「… Don’t say such an unpleasant thing」

「As expected of Selene, you really know Kamuikun
the best right?」

「It’s nothing like that…」

「Somehow, your attitude is completely different towards me」

「It’s natural isn’t it? There’s a wide GAP between Kamui and Diefriedsan’s

as a man」

huh? Well, he

「We’re not talking about that, are we?」
「Puh, you’re being shy」

「Shut up!」

「With that way of speaking, you will be hated by Diefriedsan

bit from Hildegardsan.

overflows with elegance. Nee,

」

Suddenly being praised by Kamui, Hildegard became flustered.

is like that. The always dignified you is so lovely. It’s only

「… That’s not true」

on Matthias’ face on seeing her like that.

「You’re being too humble, but that is also part of Hildegardsan’s

wellbehaved

which is not extravagant」

Hildegard’s white skin dyed red to her neck due to her embarassment.

」

「… Hmm? Ah, just now I felt like it was Selene that I was talking to… Did I hurt

After Selene pointed it out, Kamui finally noticed that he said something

「…No, I’m fine. It’s not unpleasant at all」

right? My apologies」

「I’m fine. I’m just a bit embarrassed since I heard words that I’m not used to

「Not used to hearing? Aah, since everyone considers Hildegardsan

unattainable flower, no one would speak of their true feelings, right? Even so, if

blushing face like right now, showing a different kind of

「Lovely?」

mouth made the situation more awkward.

is truly lovely」

With her entire face dyed red, Hildegard was unable to raise her face. In fact,

the opposite sex before.

Hildegard really was an unattainable flower, whether it’s her appearance, ability,

such straightforward manner.

this. Uhm, what was the topic?」

Diefried replied while enjoying himself watching Kamui who made Hildegard blush.

expected, he couldn’t say that in front of Hildegard.

「For whatever reason, this exercise is still part of the Academy’s lessons, right?

「Yes, if there’s a reason for it at all」
「More or less, there’s a reason. Did you know that the lowest mobilized unit of the

Empire’s troops is composed of 5 people?」

「Right. 5 people in one unit is the lowest mobilization unit of the troops. A 100

collecting those units even more. As for the leaders of each group, they are

gathering even more, it will become an army led by a general」

to current topic, those who get mobilized in 5 people groups are common soldiers,

「That’s right」

that it?」

be working as a common soldier.

「That’s about right. After graduation, no matter how low the status they’ve earned,

knight or nobles with high peerages, they will suddenly become commander of

comprising of 10,000 soldiers. Even so, as someone standing above the others,

why the mobilization of 5 people in one group became the basis of the Academy」

remained dissatisfied.

group is to let common soldiers, who don’t have particular strengths, help each

way – on the contrary, won’t they only learn how to fight in a group of five

「Probably」

「Also, as a commander they will surely be in command though with that kind of

「So, Kamuikun,
what would you think is the best exercise?」

Everybody could do it if it was just criticizing a problem. Diefried requested a

「I want a war situation that’s bit more complex . For example…」

「One on one on one, one on one on one, that kind of exercise」

「The battle of the whole class, the last one standing is the winner. We’ll be free to

There’s also an option of crushing the weakest group first. Becoming a spectator

choices. There’s no discussions between the team beforehand… But even if there’s

Promising for cooperation, but suddenly betraying. There’ll be complex strategies in

「…That’s interesting」

Kamui’s idea is, rather than training to mobilise troops, it’s strategy training. Diefried

「Ah, but it might be no good. It’s a disadvantage to Hildegardsan

「Me?」

「Yes. When using this style, the first who’ll be targeted is Hildegardsan’s

Though it might become good for training, losing too often would be bad for their

training’s sake」

「Countermeasures for that… How about giving the right to the defeated class to

「What does that mean?」

「In the end, number is power. Moreover, by omitting a competent group from the

Hildegardsan

group」

Matthias seemed satisfied when his name was mentioned by Kamui. That’s

strong.

class – if we want to

main force, the best choice is to remove Mathiassan’s

strength, while the class who got the extracted group will get a boost instead. This

「If we continue like that… The battle will become a freeforall

If the composition of the groups keep changing, the strength between classes will
eventually be near equal.

「This is where strategy comes into play. One can’t be careless just because of

there are a lot of ways to win. Even deliberately losing would also be a strategy」

「I only said that in response to Diefriedsan.

there’s actually fatal flaw in this kind of training」

Diefried felt that the suggestion could be immediately adopted as a lesson.

fight seriously. Matthiassan,

on Hildegardsan?

「That’s…」
Matthias, who asked by Kamui, was speechless.

「Right? In short, it’s something like this. Though now it seems like I’m giving

It’s something that even I can think of; another person might have thought of the

another fixed reason」

explanation.

for using the noble’s systemization to obstruct any alteration to the lesson. He

When they sent a fleeting glance at the teacher, the teachers expressed

teacher conveyed this to them.

support of the Empire – this matter produced complicated feelings in her heart.

Chapter end