Disciplinary Committee
A few days later…
"Haaaaah…"
As numerous students walked along the hallway, Rudell opened his mouth wide with a yawn.
"Are you alright? You look very tired."
"Yeah… I haven't been sleeping well lately…"
Leje asked him with a worried look, and he nodded in response.
The truth was that he had been scouring the Royal Capital until late at night dealing with the Cult's remnants, but there was no need to tell her that.
"If you'd like, I can get you some Rosemary tea leaves. It helps when you can't sleep at night."
"Please."
Tsk.
Rudell smacked his lips as Leje arrived at a certain door and carefully opened it.
At the same time, a scene of countless people busily moving around unfolded before their eyes.
"Welcome, Princess Lagrind!"
"Thank you for your hard work today."
Other students greeted her, and Leje bowed her head with a vigorous voice.
The place where so many students were coming and going was none other than the Pilsberg Academy's Student Council.
A few days ago, at Cayley's recommendation, she had joined the Disciplinary Committee under the Student Council and immediately started her duties.
"Alright! Let's start strong today!"
"Ohhh…!!"
After school.
Even that wasn't a time for Rudell to rest.
* * *
The Disciplinary Committee's work wasn't particularly special.
"Hey! Unauthorized duels are against the school rules!"
"If you want to duel, submit an official application…"
Patrolling designated areas, monitoring for any unauthorized duels…
"You there! What are you doing!?"
"Yikes, it's the Disciplinary Committee!! Run!!"
Catching those who violate the school rules.
In essence, their work wasn't much different from the academy's guards.
The only difference was that the Disciplinary Committee was a higher department than the guards and, due to its nature, often clashed with nobles, otherwise, their tasks were almost identical.
And so, after several hours of patrol, it was almost over…
"Haaaaah…"
Rudell yawned widely as he watched the sun setting.
"Get some sleep early today. You look very tired."
"I think I should…"
Rudell nodded at Leje's words and wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes.
He had already dealt with dozens of Cult-related cells.
It was clear that the Cult wouldn't be able to move recklessly anymore.
"Just hold on for another thirty minutes, and today's work will be over."
"Alright…"
Should I reduce the patrol intervals a bit from now on?
As Rudell nodded at Leje's words with that thought in mind, it happened.
"…!!"
"Huh?"
"What's going on?"
Rudell and Leje looked at each other with puzzled expressions at the commotion coming from not far away.
And, turning their heads, they saw a crowd of people gathered not far away.
Without a word, they both started walking towards the crowd.
Pushing through the murmuring crowd, they saw…
"Get down right now! How dare you not get down in front of me, you mere Viscount's daughter!?"
…a boy shouting furiously in front of a suit of armor that looked like an enlarged version of a knight's armor.
A plump physique that looked greedy at first glance, red hair, and freckles on both cheeks.
The gaudy accessories that were full of vanity gave them a good idea of his character.
"That guy is…"
"Do you know him?"
Leje tilted her head as Rudell trailed off.
"I think he's from the Bismarck Marquisate."
The Bismarck Marquisate.
Although not as prestigious as Dukedoms like Leje's or Cayley's, it was a family with a long and established tradition.
Of course, their reputation wasn't very good, but that was a separate matter.
"Now that you mention it, I think so. By the way, what's going on? Why is he screaming like that?"
"I think I have a rough idea…"
According to noble etiquette, lower-ranking nobles were generally expected to dismount from their vehicles when facing higher-ranking nobles.
Of course, within the academy, which advocated for the equality of all students, there was no need to follow such etiquette, but sometimes there were people who insisted on following it, citing principles.
For example, the young lord from the Bismarck Marquisate currently standing before them.
"What do you want to do?"
"Of course, we have to help. We can't just leave her like that, can we?"
Leje answered Rudell's question and started walking.
Rudell also followed her and approached the two who were in the middle of a heated argument…
"Excuse me for a moment."
"Who are you?"
The young lord from the Bismarck Marquisate glared at Rudell with wide eyes at his words.
"We're from the Disciplinary Committee. Is there a problem?"
"Problem? Of course there is! This impertinent girl dares not to get off this armor even after seeing me!"
The young lord from the Bismarck Marquisate shouted furiously at Rudell, who showed him the Disciplinary Committee armband and asked.
And, at his words, Rudell tried to hide his frown and said,
"But that's just etiquette used in public settings…"
"There's no picking and choosing in etiquette! Whether it's public or private, etiquette is there to be followed!"
"..."
What a stubborn old man.
With that thought, Rudell let out a short sigh and continued, looking at the young lord who was still fuming,
"First, calm down… Within the academy, school rules take precedence over etiquette. No student has the authority to give orders to other students…"
"Shut up!!"
Just as Rudell was trying to calm the young lord down.
The young lord, as if he had lost his mind, drew his sword and swung it.
With a sharp sound, the sword cut through the air…
"Eek!?"
Feeling the tip of the sword graze his cheek, Rudell hurriedly stepped back.
"W-wait!! Unauthorized use of weapons on school grounds is against the school ru…"
Just as Rudell was speaking urgently to the young lord, who was panting as if he had lost his mind.
"Hey."
A chilling voice came from behind Rudell.
The surrounding gazes turned to the direction of the voice, which was filled with a terrifying sense of pressure.
"Have you lost your mind?"
And there stood Leje, glaring at the young lord with a terrifying expression.
"…!!"
As if he finally grasped the situation, the young lord's face turned pale.
"How dare… How dare you touch Rudell?"
Just as Leje growled, ready to pounce at any moment.
"Princess. I'll handle this."
"..."
Rudell blocked Leje's path with a polite tone.
Leje looked at him with a dissatisfied expression, but soon snorted and turned her head away.
An awkward laugh escaped Rudell's lips at the sight…
"You see? The Princess is very scary when she's angry. So, let me make you an offer."
"O-offer…?"
The young lord's face was filled with confusion at Rudell's following words.
"It would be quite embarrassing for the young lord of Bismarck to back down now, wouldn't it? So, how about a duel with me instead of her?"
"D-duel?!"
"You can just leave if you don't want to."
His tone was as polite as it could be, but the implied meaning was…
Scram if you're scared.
And for nobles who lived for honor and pride, there was no greater provocation.
"V-very well! The rule is First Blood!"
"Alright."
Rudell smiled faintly at his confident declaration.
First Blood rule.
It was a duel rule where the first person to bleed, regardless of the method, would lose.
"Princess."
"Sure, I'll permit it under the authority of the Disciplinary Committee."
When conducting a duel, permission from the Student Council was required, and members of the Disciplinary Committee were no exception.
Of course, there was no reason for Leje to stop him at this point.
The surrounding people stepped back, creating a wide space, and Viscount Bismarck and Rudell, who had drawn their swords, entered the space.
"The rule is First Blood! The duel time is 10 minutes! Then, begin!"
Leje, who had entered the center, shouted and lowered her hand, and at the same time, the young lord of Bismarck rushed towards Rudell.
His movements were well-balanced, unlike his appearance.
But Rudell didn't move even as he watched him.
Seeing Rudell not reacting even when he got close, the young lord of Bismarck was certain of his victory.
"My victory!"
The moment the young lord of Bismarck shouted confidently and tried to swing his sword.
-Crackle, crackle!!
The floor around Rudell began to freeze, and sharp ice thorns started to rise.
"W-what…!? Eek!?"
I can't dodge this.
Seeing the ice blades rushing towards him, the young lord of Bismarck closed his eyes with a panicked voice.
The next moment, he felt something warm flowing down his forehead.
As he slowly opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the ice blades stopped right in front of him.
"Gasp…!!"
He collapsed on the spot with a dumbfounded sound.
And Leje, who was watching the scene, shouted loudly.
"The winner! Rudellheit Weinstein!"
At the same time, cheers erupted from the surrounding people.
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