Volume 1 Chapter 75 Genderbend Female Knight, Departing
"So, what now?"
"We can't stay with the Holy Theocracy. We have no choice but to head north."
Gathered in the Kamitafira region were not just Eleonora and Silvia, but also other students: Vittoria, Italy, Theodore, Gustavo, Clarissa, and the couple Roberta and Yoash.
The adults included Baron Vidilva, Baron Poniète, Lord Cesare of House Casunat, and Eleonora's grandfather, Adalbert.
They had gathered to talk about what to do next.
"Before we begin, what about the third prince? Is His Highness safe?"
"He made it back to the capital unharmed. The pilgrimage to the Holy Capital has been canceled."
"As far as anyone knows, you two are still missing."
While the two barons explained, Eleonora stroked her chin.
She didn't know who was behind all this, but if they wanted to avoid trouble, it would be best to let the world think she was dead.
The real danger was not knowing where the Holy Cross Church had eyes and ears—even within their own country.
Should they go north, to the Magelun lands, where the Church's influence had not reached, and wait for things to cool down?
"But the north is full of savages. In the forests of Libern and the mountains of Koche Asbarok, there are creatures that aren't even human."
Cesare frowned as he spoke.
He described a harsh world—tall beings with sharp ears who hid in trees and shot arrows, or small ones, only the height of a child, who were still stronger than humans and could swing axes or hammers with ease.
"No matter where we live, it's all the same—we're in danger either way. People want us dead."
"Well... you're not wrong about that."
"Lady Eleonora."
While Cesare tried to figure out how to convince her, Adalbert spoke up.
"Will you return someday?"
"Grandfather... if I leave, please hold a funeral for me."
Silvia had already been mostly cast aside. But for Eleonora to be considered dead, they'd need to stage it properly.
If she faked her death, she would have to leave the land for real—at least until she dealt with whoever set the trap.
"It's because of Lady Eleonora that this village survived."
"All that remains is to hand over the family title to Amerigo. The Suno soldiers will act as guards."
Eleonora looked down as she spoke. But from her voice, it was clear even she wasn't sure.
She didn't want to leave her little brother Amerigo, who was only six. She had promised to live here for ten years.
At the very least, she wanted to leave behind a wife and some protection. That meant Erik and the Suno warriors.
"If they have land, they'll protect it if someone else attacks. They'll side with the leader they know, not one they don't."
As the head of the family, Adalbert blamed himself for that choice.
He had given his granddaughter too much.
Whether it was fighting or managing the land, she had handled it all—and that was her misfortune.
And his fault for leaning on her so much.
Even knowing that, Adalbert said,
"I don't want my family to go so far away. Eleonora, is there no way?"
"...I'm sorry, Grandfather."
For a moment, they weren't lord and servant anymore. Just grandfather and granddaughter.
He gave in.
"Understood. The funeral will go smoothly."
"I'll leave it to you."
These were the final words they would exchange in this life.
They didn't cry because other people were watching.
They had to keep up appearances.
Eleonora swallowed her unease about the noble life—where feelings could disappear like dust.
"I'll leave tomorrow morning. Get the money ready."
"Lady Eleonora, please allow me to help," Cesare said. "Let me provide from our household."
The other barons nodded.
"Yes. You're a friend. Let us support you."
"We're comrades. It's the least we can do."
Then, Yoash stood up and bowed.
"I'm sorry for the trouble I caused before. Since you're going on a journey, please take the carriage I used."
"That's too much."
"No, a bare horse with just food and money tied to it is too risky. I'll get it ready."
Eleonora thought for a moment, picturing the road ahead for her and Silvia.
She bowed deeply.
"I'll gladly accept."
That evening, as they packed, Eleonora and Silvia had a visitor.
It was the Grand Duke's daughter, Vittoria.
"Did you want to talk to me?"
"It's about her."
Eleonora tapped Silvia's back. After hesitating, Silvia spoke.
"Was the doomsday ending avoided?"
Vittoria jumped as if lightning had struck and leaned against the door.
"No way."
"It wasn't me. But the girl inside me used to be a Japanese high school student."
Vittoria gasped and stared at Eleonora.
"I was a boy in Japan, so I don't really get the whole otome game thing."
Vittoria sank down, tears falling from her eyes.
"I thought I was the only one who got reincarnated! I didn't mean to trap anyone!"
"I know. That's how it usually goes."
"I only know the story. I wasn't really reincarnated..."
The two asked the now-calm Vittoria about what might happen next.
It was better to ask someone who knew the story.
"Honestly, I don't know. Normally, when Silvia falls in true love with one of the heroes, her guardian powers from her mom's side should awaken."
"Guardian?"
"It was a group from the old civilization. They had strong magic and physical strength. They protected their people from wild beasts and other races. But they were wiped out when the First Maro Republic changed into the empire. That was the story."
"So Silvia has their blood?"
"Seems like it. The guardians were also said to bring people back from the dead. But they were betrayed by the very people they trusted. They never got the chance."
"There were some people who couldn't do it because they were too emotionally attached."
"So when you say you can't read it, you mean...?"
"Originally, Silvia was supposed to marry the crown prince and help the country. But that's gone now. Loriengita is destroyed, and there's civil war over who rules next. The only thing we know for sure is: Ashreach doesn't fall. The dynasty continues. But..."
"That's what you call the power to fix history, isn't it?"
After hearing the whole story and the info from the game fan materials Vittoria bought long ago, Eleonora nodded.
Character Notes:
• Vittoria - Daughter of the Grand Duke Casunat.
• Clarissa - Daughter of the Marquis Avenetti. Gustavo's fiancé.
• Theodore - Italy's fiancé, the second son of the Cullu Viscount family, with whom Italy has a strained relationship.
• Roberta - The girl selected as potential retainer; close in age to Eleonora and from the village.
• Gustavo - The second son of Count Retonto.
• Robert - Robert de Rubero. The younger Rubero brother, around 10 years old. Despite his age, he is well-trained and sturdy. He suffered a sprained leg, which Johanna healed.
• Italy - A young woman, possibly of noble or knightly background, who is studying and plans to exchange her family’s shield as a gesture of gratitude.
• Yoash - The oldest son of a local shop owner, apprentice in his family shop. He supports Roberta after her injury and is characterized as somewhat unreliable but kind-hearted.
• Adalbert - Eleonora’s maternal grandfather.
• Poniète - Giovanni de Poniète. A baron and Kingdom Army commander with a quirky habit of relating everything to art and poetry.
• Cesare - Vittoria's elder sibling, he is observant and recognizes Eleonora's potential and the reason Vittoria supports her.
• Erik - Son of the fallen warrior Danruhav, seeking revenge and a new land, eager to prove his strength in battle.
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