The head of the Silversehl household appeared in front of the people. The Silversehl clan was believed to be formidable and always at the top of the Chasseur Academy's prior competition table. Chasseur Academy is not only for students, but there is also a section that encompasses the Academy known as the Chasseur Organization. The Elites and Royalties are picked by the organization's consistent leaders. Students who successfully graduated and opted to stay in the Empire will be offered the opportunity to join a cadre. There is no membership limit in each cadre.
The Silversehl household, for example, has ten members in all. Montella's cadre is made up of only five people. Although they were outnumbered, it was their force that defeated the Silversehls. This year, Montella beat the Silversehl, which was a huge loss for the Silversehl's kin, but their chieftain did not back down. He doesn't care, and he never will.
"Lord Fukase—...He really did make an appearance despite the rumours that were spreading."
"Rumors? What kind of rumours is it? Besides being beaten down by the Montella's..."
"What? Geez, you must pay attention to the rumours. Actually, people are talking about the Silversehl's getting weaker day by day. Not all that, the emperor always summons the Montella cadre instead of them lately."
"What? T-that's kind of suspicious!"
"Right? All this time they are at the top but now... everyone is judging them and even calling them a weak cadre."
The Silversehl's chieftain overheard the neighbouring gossip. Lord Fukase approached the two young girls without hesitation, with a smile on his face. When he spoke, they were both flabbergasted.
"We grew weaker, huh? Then... there's nothing we could do about it."
Embarrassed they were, they tried to avoid his eyes at any cost.
"H—he is here..."
"Please, I'm gonna melt if he keeps staring at me like this...."
The chills in their spine were immediately cut off when one of the servants from Silversehl's came and approached.
"Lord Fukase. The Montella chieftain asked for your audience."
"Alright." Lord Fukase affirmed, "And can you find my brother? I don't see him anywhere. Probably playing somewhere again."
"Yessir."
********************
Euphemia's Perspective.
"W-what are you doing here?!"
"Ahaha! This is my house—, I mean the Silversehl's household."
It then occurred to me that the reception was not a venue that could be rented. It was essentially this brat's home. This entire place, dang. I had no business coming here in the first place. I've been trying to avoid people at all costs, but it's as if these folks are haunting me. I failed.
"Come to think of it, you are Miss Hmph... are you not?"
"Keehh! Stop giving me a weird nickname!"
"Ahaha! I can't help it, you never told me your name at all."
What's with his smirk all over his face? It's annoying. No, his whole existence is annoying. I glared for no particular reason as I took a bite of the food I brought. I planned to eat this food peacefully but now that this guy is here. There's no way I would enjoy it.
"Anyways, I'm wondering. What are you doing here? If you are here because of the celebration. Then shouldn't you be in the reception area? This is way far from the banquet."
What was that guy's name again? Fukase...Oz? Yes, he sat next to me this time. I cast a peek at him; his blonde hair reflects the light of the moon and it sparkles. His smile never leaves his face; I wouldn't call him cute, but he was certainly short. I despise people that are overly energetic, but I can't say the same about Ashley. We don't have a lot of fun together, but I have to admit that Ashley isn't at all annoying.
I gave a round of sighs before even answering him.
"I hate crowded places."
"Then, why did you have to come in here? I think the Empire doesn't force anyone to come. Besides, this celebration was already on its third day."
"I don't care. I just need something to eat. Plus, I don't want to spend my gin on some ridiculous matter."
"Eh? D-does food considered to be ridiculous...?"
"Humph!" I can't say anything regarding the food being ridiculous, "Anyways. It's free and so I will fill my tummy before looking for an inn to stay in. Don't you dare stop me."
Fukase's expression was somewhat confused with the things I said. The smile on his face became a sneer while moving a little backward.
"N-no one will stop you. Please just eat to your heart content."
If he is troubled about having a conversation with me, he should just go instead of trying to understand someone like me.
"I'm here because the houses are suffocating right now."
I was chewing my food when the guy started telling me a story about which I had never asked. It's impolite to talk while eating, so I let him say anything he wanted. It's not like I'm particularly interested in it.
"You've surely heard that the Montella Cadre has surpassed the Silversehls' household in the yearly list. They've amassed so much Merit that we're at a loss to describe where they obtain it all. If you don't know what Merit is, that's a big deal if you want your Cadre to be acknowledged."
First and foremost, why do they need their Cadre to be popular? Do they obtain such power because of it? Does their monthly revenue increase if they are in a chart?
"Why do you need to make your Cadre famous? What exactly does it do? "
"Wonderful question!" He swallowed and cleared his throat. "Cadre is an organization founded by the Chasseur. The Cadres are the individuals who keep the citizens safe and maintain the city's calm most of the time."
"So, they're sort of like...Knights and Soldiers?"
"Both. Soldiers from the Academy that graduated were mostly chosen to be part of any Cadre. To continue to serve the Empire and its people."
Then Cadre might not be working directly for the Empire, but rather for the people. Because they created a new branch from it. I, too, am now an official Soldier who will soon be working for the Empire. They haven't mentioned the Cadre, therefore I must be serving the Empire's officials directly. I had no idea the Empire had such a fancy thing for its people.
Of course, I would think badly of them; they don't seem to mind innocent students being slain in such heinous exams in the first place.
"Then what is the problem if you don't gain enough Merit?"
"Basically, the Cadre's financial support will be reduced. Even the general public will begin to mistrust the Cadre. But it was simply that, being in the top rankings in the first place isn't really important."
What's the matter with him? He used to be optimistic, but now he speaks as if there's nothing wrong with it. Man. This guy is difficult to read.
"What about you? Do you not have a Cadre? If you're wearing a collar, you must be a top-tier student. I've never heard of a top-ranked student entering Cadre's, but...did they offer you a position at Cadre?"
"No. I didn't receive any offer from anyone. I don't even know if it is allowed for me to join any Cadre." Because those bastards just dragged me on the airship while I'm out of it.
"Then...what would your answer be if I asked you to join our Cadre?"
"My answer will be always...No."
"Eh!? Why...!"
Because I'm not here to work for anyone. Not to mention, I still have to look for a way to remove this collar and gain my freedom. Someday, I will be able to break from the chains that were binding me. Someday.