Maou no Ki Chapter 9

Chapter 9: A Date with the Object of Admiration of the Academy

TLC: Januva

First published on Ainushi

Few days after the Academy’s joint practical excercise, Hildegard suddenly

classroom, Hildegard went straight toward where Kamui is.

「I’ll refuse her, alright?」

Negotiations was his weak point.

her」

「… I can’t handle that person」

Against Hildegard, who did not seem like she could handle jokes, it seems

impossible to take control of the conversation with her.

「It’s been so long that I thought she had long since given up, though」

「Kamui Kreutzsan

「Yes」

「May I have your time as I would like to speak with you for a while」

seem to want it, and I also don’t intend to let Lutz go」

If he couldn’t deceive her, then he would have no choice but to answer her

「That matter has already passed」

Hildegard had a different agenda. Kamui had no idea what this other agenda was.

「Haa… Then, how about I visit your room? 」

for is a little complicated. This is for your sake, not mine」

that she wouldn’t want other people to know – it must not be a decent one.
「… Then, where?」

「Do you not know a suitable place?」

to」

store. However, he didn’t feel like bringing Hildegard there, as could be expected.

there?」

「Is it fine if we go now?」

There’s nothing better than to finish troublesome things as soon as possible.

「Yes」

Kamui left the classroom following Hildegard. Right after those two left the

After Diefried, it’s Hildegard’s turn. It’s natural for them to make a fuss about what

「Hey, what kind of talk was it?」

asking Alto.

As expected, even Alto could not understand the situation.
「To leave even his close aides in the dark. I really can’t imagine what’s going on」

「What’ll you do? If it was something like love confession」

「Please don&r

squo;t say something so ominous, Ottokun

It’s not a joke Alto could laugh at.

achievement?」

kind of brilliant achievement if it really was true. Although Alto was not in a position

「She’s not just the daughter of the Earl of East. Just having this kind of rumour

「… Sorry, I forgot. She’s the foremost prospective fiancee of the crown prince.
That’s a problem.」

Even Otto could understand Alto’s concerns. Becoming the lover of the crown

of the crown prince, but also the ire of the house of the Earl of the East as well.

will find out soon. … I think the matter about Lutz will work. We’ll just say they have

「That’d be a safe choice. How about saying that she wanted to persuade him one

Having reflected on making that inappropriate joke, Otto was unusually proactive in

「Aah, that’s fine. Well then, thanks, Ottokun,

「Eh, me?」

「If we were the source of this information, people would get suspicious, right? So,

we have to depend on you.」

too」

he left the debt unpaid, he might be requested to do something even worse later.

feel like you owe us a debt despite being the son a wealthy merchant?」

be a good merchant without knowing the worth of money」

「That’s why I can’t complain about anything. We live frugally by limiting our

「Aren’t we practically the same? I think it’s unreasonable for all 3 of us to study

to study, so I’m not going to complain」

「Is that so, it’s three persons’ worth of school fees, right. … But, what will you do if

Though he had reflected on it, once again, Otto brought up the topic.

「That’s obvious. But, how will you do that?」

「… EH?」

understand what Alto just said.

will act as Kamui’s lover」
「Why me?」

「Do you understand how bad things are? Besides, if Selenesan

lover, in the off chance that it’s a confession, Hildegardsan

「What will become of me?」

go all out in spreading false information. That meant making the whole school think

「What do you mean? Is there some sort of problem?」

「… You know, I’m also a girl at marriageable age. The other boys won’t approach

「It doesn’t matter, no one will approach you even without that rumor…」
「What does that mean!?」

When it comes to teasing others, Alto won’t lose to Kamui.

that way? 」

「Why are you bringing Diefriedsan’s

「I mean, aren’t you blushing every time you’re teased by Diefriedsan?

worry, I will reveal the truth behind the rumour to Diefriedsan

「That’s not it」

he would be like that. Well, since Diefriedsan

man, it can’t be helped if he had a woman or two before」

she likes Diefried.

「Like I said, that’s not it」

「… Uhm. Eh, that’s not the point here. Why must I sacrifice myself for Kamui?」

「I guess we don’t have a choice. Alright, I’ll specially treat you to the General’s

This time, he tried the strategy of enticing her with material rewards.

However, there’s still the issue of whether or not they have the money for that.
「That’s the best I know」

「Well, okay since it’s delicious」

Eventually, despite her grumbling, Selene accepted her role.

Incidentally, after the negotiation between Selene and Alto is concluded, Otto asked

「… Oya? Could it be that we haven’t brought Ottokun

「Why am I the only one being left out again? Please, I am also in the same group

「That’s right. Even so, Kamui’s permission is necessary to go to that place. Let’s
try asking him next time」

「Don’t forget, okay?」

「I said it’s okay. My memory is good you know」

「Don’t say unnecessary things, Lutz」

◇◇◇

Its luxurious appearance made it rude for Kamui to compare it to the back alley

Hildegard didn’t even go through the front door. She entered via a small door a

which led to a small door that, even if small, was a luxurious door. Without

hesitation, Hildegard opened that door, where the store employee was already

「Welcome, Hildegardsama

The employee said that while deeply bowing. It seems that the employee has

「Is the inner room empty?」

「Then, I’ll use it」

employee remained in the deep bow the whole time.

Hildegard explained to Kamui, who seemed interested in the attitude of the

employee.

「Rather than for me, it’s for the sake of the person who comes with me. This is a

opening of this shop, it’s been used numerous times for clandestine meetings,

「Even so, there are actually checks, right?」

「Is that so」

negotiation… Please don’t make me say anything further」

What she meant by further – at this time Kamui did not understand, but he guessed

it right after entering the room.

room. Moreover, quite a luxurious one at that.

but there were many more rooms that could be seen further inside. Officelike

He can roughly guess the what other kinds of clandestine meetings are done here,

「…There are no other places available?」

「Your family also uses this?」

place」

It seems to include her father. It seems that his daughter does not feel comfortable

His nerve couldn’t be understood by Kamui.

「Well, please sit」

After Kamui sat on a seat at the table, Hildegard also sat on the chair at the

「Well then, what’s this about?」

「This place isn’t really comfortable. Even if it’ll surprised Hildegardsan,

have brought you to the shop I’m familiar with – I’m currently regretting it」
「Sorry. I don’t know any other stores. Please take me there next time」

「… Yes」

「…………」

to want to speak.

「Sorry. I’m worried about what I should ask first」

「… What do you think about the current state of the Empire?」

Coming out from Hildegard’s lips after her hesitation was a subject that he was

「Is that question in fashion right now?」

She did not understand the meaning of his question.

also asked the same question previously」

「I’m not in a position to answer that question」

Diefried gave up trying to get the answer from Kamui, and told Kamui his own
views, but Hildegard did not do the same.

「… Would I be replying to Hildegard of the Earl of East’s household?」

「I see. That’s how it is. But, can you take the words I’m going to say directly?」

to pierce through Hildegard’s eyes.

was obvious, even to Kamui, that from Hildegard’s side profile she turned slightly

「Uhm, sorry. It’s not like I feel guilty about anything. It’s just somewhat」

isn’t quite used to being stared at directly, right?

「You can say that, but many would have averted their gaze」

「Aah, it’s because not many men can withstand your gaze, right?」

「Can’t I?」

Hildegard looked down with flushing face. As expected, even Kamui felt a little

room somewhat.

has changed quite a

「How did it change?」

「I won’t」

「I used to think that you’re slightly more manly. But, seeing that you have such a

their life for Hildegardsan

「But, you’re different from them」

「That’s right. That’s right, I currently don’t have that kind of feeling」

Going with the flow of the conversation, Hildegard said a slightly provocative line.

would misunderstand it」
Even though other guys might be like that, as expected, Kamui is different.

「……The talk isn’t advancing. Won’t you do as I’ve asked and answer me? 」

as thanks for letting me see that」

Hildegard’s expression tensed after she finally heard that she could hear his

「The current Empire huh. … I think it’s warped」

「Yes. But as expected, talking about the Empire would be problematic, so let’s talk

If they were to speak about the Empire, they would end up indirectly criticising the

Hildegard who listened to it silently might be considered at fault.

「Yes. That’s enough. I’ve been wanting to hear your opinion on the lecture in the

「That? Well, that’s fine. First, I’ll ask a question. What do you think was the

「To groom talents of the Empire, that can in turn support it」

student of the Academy knows the answer to.

wants?」

「Is it so shocking to guess the thoughts of the founder?」

Empire”」

「Is it because I phrased my question poorly? In my opinion, the founder wanted

「Aah, that’s how it is, isn’t it? The door of the academy is open to everyone as

This is also something that basically all the students in the Academy were aware of.

「Yes. The door is open. But, the exit closed before anyone noticed it」

「Hildegardsan

the Academy, they’re not appointed to a political job」

such a job」
「Even so, this is due to whose favour?」

「… The noble houses」

「Indeed. It’s ultimately dependent on the favour of the nobles. And who does this

who gave them favour」

It did not mean that they were not working for the Empire. However, it was

「Where do you think the personnel who couldn’t find work for the empire would go

「…The noble houses」

Hildegard understood what Kamui was trying to say.

「Indeed. With this, you understand what I want to say, right? The Imperial

the nobles. I really don’t think that this is the academy the founder envisioned」

Whether it’s in military or politics, many the posts are held by people of noble birth.

‘supporting the Empire’ in Kamui’s words mean that the nobles should not

「That’s the official stance, Hildegardsan,

you don’t understand that, then I’m afraid that this is the end of our conversation.

but to Hildegardsan

「Sorry. You’re right about that. I promised to hear your explanation as an

「It’s probably fine to say that that’s all, but well, since Hildegardsan

unsatisfied, let me continue a bit more」

「Yes」

「Another?」

house. I think, the system of the academy was established for this purpose. The

long time as one group, without caring about each other’s house and then even

reality?」

Hildegard knew better than anyone else that reality was quite different. Hildegard

「It’s cruel to make you answer this question, right? The reality is that the groups

between fellow houses, widening the gap between noble and commoner – it’s going
the complete opposite direction of what it was originally meant for」

「Yes …」

system that is bad. Even if this system was devised by the founder, it needs to be

「You …」

The various things established by the founder could be called sacred in the Empire.

「Whether you’ll treat this as an insult to the founder, I’ll leave that matter to

Even so, this is my opinion. The current state of the Academy, which

「…Thank you very much. I ended up making you share your opinion rather

「Yeah, I fear it from the bottom of my heart. In this matter, I, Kamui Kreutz, will
cause trouble even to my house if Hildegard made public what I’ve said about the

system that was established by the founder」

appropriate action. This is by no means mere empty words.

it」

Kamui is not someone who would trust others with just a verbal agreement, but he

「… Can you indulge me a little more?」

The talk hasn’t ended yet. Hildegard still had something that she wants to ask

「I … What should I do?」

「I’m sorry. Can I ask for the meaning of your question first?」

「I, uhm, may I ask a question about my future?」

candidate for future Empress”?」

do one way or another for that?」

「…Yes」

about this point. Being worried about this point, as an Empress, and as a member
of the house of the Earl of the East, Hildegard was thinking of how she should do

things differently.

and also other

「Matthias will answer while thinking for my sake, which I am thankful for, but…」

「Simply put, yes」

and nobility?」

「You’re torn between your identity as a member of the house of the Earl of the

「…That’s right」

Hildegard widened her eyes slightly while looking at Kamui. She’s quite surprised

Hildegard felt that consulting Kamui wasn’t wrong.

Kamui’s words instantly cut down Hildegard’s worry.

my own house that I treasure. But if I become a member of the royal family, I think

「Yes. Even so, you omitted the most important thing from your consideration」

「Currently, the Hildegardsan

own house. You’re here as an individual, as Hildegardsan

Hildegardsan
herself personally want to do?」

「Personally?」

want to do for this country?」

Kamui’s question was difficult for Hildegard. She is used to live her life as Hildegard

was right.

hard for you. To achieve your own desires, you might have to forsake the people

take your time to think about it. You still have the time for it. We’re still 12 years old,

「There is still three years till that time」

she’ll marry right away.

「Yes. Remember that you still have 3 years. No, it’s longer than that. It’s not like

pointless to start over. Starting over in life is possible. This is the truth. Because I

「You… Hey, how did you start over?」

between herself and Kamui, who is of the same age.

can endure most things compared to that. Ah, that’s just a metaphor by the way. I

subjugated right away」

joking.

Hildegard smiled broadly to Kamui’s joke. She showed a smile befitting her age,
which is different from her usual smile.

「A~h, that’s the first time you smiled naturally. Though the usual one is also lovely,

「Geez. You’re saying such thing again. I also like the current you who’s speaking

the real you, right? 」

Kamui really didn’t have any intention to show his true nature. Hearing what

behaviour.

today?」

「Call me Hilda. And, please stop with your keigo, bit by bit」
Her last request is the most difficult challenge.

「…That request, is quite problematic you know? Since I’ll be asked many

As far as he knows, there’s no one who calls Hildegard with “Hilda” in the academy.

「Then, should I indirectly let my family know that the 2 of us came here alone? I

「… Is that a threat?」

Whether or not she would actually do it did not really matter, but for her to say

「… Got it. I’ll call you Hilda when it’s just the two of us」

a condition.

「Yeah, that’s enough. Best regards, Kamui」

「It’d be strange otherwise. Or would you rather I call you “dear”? 」

Hildegard was being willful towards others. Kamui did not know how unusual that

Their paths had no way of crossing. But the two paths were slowly approaching
each other without them noticing.

Chapter end