After finishing their recruitment efforts within the class, Rest and the others headed next for the student council room.
Having obtained permission to enter, they stepped inside to find several people already there in addition to student council president Andrew Aiwood.
Among them were student council officers Yusgos Bethras, Rilanda Marker, and Celestine Crocus, along with Isis Carbelt from the student council enforcement division.
"Mumu...!"
"Lubeth? What are you doing here?"
And then... for some reason.
Wilhelm Lubeth, known as the "sword saint who hates women," was also present.
Setting the other members aside, Lubeth had no connection to the student council. There was no reason for him to be here.
"...That woman doesn't seem to be around today."
"That woman... you mean Yuri?"
Lubeth had difficulty with women, but among them, Yuri Cattleya was in a class of her own.
Every time they had their swordsmanship class, she would chase him relentlessly, and he'd been fleeing in exasperation ever since.
"Yuri is... apparently gone back home for a bit. She hasn't been able to come to the academy."
Rest answered Lubeth's question with a wry smile.
Yuri Cattleya was the daughter of the knight commander. As the youngest child and the only girl, she was reportedly doted on heavily by her father and brothers.
She had disliked her father and attended the academy as though running away from home... but during the recent internal strife, she had finally been caught.
She had been participating as a volunteer when she was found by her father, the commanding officer, and her brothers who had accompanied the army, and she was apparently captured and bound with rope.
According to what his father-in-law Albert had told him... the Cattleya marquis household was embroiled in a fierce family argument, with parents versus children and siblings at each other's throats.
"Ah, you've come at just the right time. You're here about developing the demon realm, I assume?"
Andrew addressed them in a genial tone.
"We were just discussing that very matter. You've saved us some trouble."
"What do you mean?"
Viola asked on Rest's behalf.
Andrew glanced sideways, and Celestine gave a nod before beginning her explanation.
"As it happens... the people gathered here have been chosen to take the lead in developing the Sabnock Plains — the demon realm."
"The people here... you mean all of us? We're all students, aren't we?"
This time it was Primula who blinked in surprise.
Rest, Lubeth, Isis... All three of them had been ennobled for their contributions and granted domain on the Sabnock Plains.
But what did it mean for students to be at the forefront of frontier development?
"In principle, the development of the plains had already been decided upon after the magic beast Sabnock was subdued in the subjugation — led by the royal family, of course. However... once Marquis Eiger staged his rebellion, the royal palace could no longer devote its attention to that matter."
The Kingdom of Aiwood had reached a major turning point with the fall of Marquis Eiger, a festering problem that had long gnawed at the nation from within.
The queen dowager's faction — an internal threat — had been eliminated, and the vast majority of the territories they had governed now belonged to the royal family.
Between the confusion wrought by the change in regional lords and the need to clean up after the civil war, knights and civil officials alike were running themselves ragged from pillar to post.
On top of that, there was growing unease over the situation with the neighboring Gaiselle Empire.
The imperial consort who had served as a bridge between the two nations had been divorced, and her son Rodele was dead... Relations with the empire had unquestionably deteriorated.
It was also known that the empire had been supplying the rebel army, so manpower could not be spared from guarding the eastern border either.
"Furthermore... the barbarian tribes to the north have recently been showing signs of suspicious movement."
Celestine's beautiful features clouded with worry as she let out a soft sigh.
"They haven't taken any overtly hostile action... but their scouts have been spotted around the border fortress. Since we can't afford to lower our guard there either, we are desperately short-handed."
「That's why there are no personnel to spare for the development of the demon realm.」
Andrew took over the conversation, giving an exaggerated shrug.
"If we keep postponing the development and leave the Sabnock Plains as they are, a new master of the demon realm will emerge. That is something we absolutely must prevent."
"Then... you're saying that we students are to take the lead in the development?"
"Precisely."
In response to Rest's question, Andrew snapped his fingers.
"And so, a proposal has been put forward: I, as the Second Prince, would lead the development, and I would be joined by Rest, Lubeth, and Isis—each of whom has been granted territory within the demon realm as well. Of course, this isn't something that can be done by students alone. The royal family will provide funding and personnel, and powerful nobles like House Rosemary, House Cattleya, and House Crocus will surely cooperate."
"The central figures in this development would be Your Highness Andrew, and ourselves, then?"
"That's right. Considering the future, this is a proposal to cultivate young talent... From my father, I have received these words: 'If you deem it necessary, I will lend you my hand. Go as far as you can.'"
This was a plan to cover the manpower shortages caused by the aftermath of the civil war and the response to external threats with students.
Or perhaps, it was the King's way of stating that in the coming era, the strength of young people like Rest and Lubeth would be actively utilized.
"I know you've been scouting for people in your class. This effort is to be expanded to other departments and grades. It's not yet a final decision, but... we are considering granting special credits to students who participate in the development, ensuring they face no disadvantage in advancing grades or graduation."
"I see..."
This was a bigger undertaking than he had imagined.
It was no longer just Rest and those around him; the academy... or perhaps, the very 'nation' was about to be set in motion.
"Well? I would truly appreciate your help in this, Rest..."
Andrew looked at Rest.
The Rosemary sisters, Lubeth, Isis... the gazes of the other student council officers were all converging on Rest.
(There's no way to refuse this now...)
He had already intended to develop his own territory.
With royalty now involved, recruiting new members going forward should become a great deal smoother.
He had never intended to refuse from the very start, but... Rest nodded, deciding to accept Andrew's proposal.
"Of course. I'd be delighted."
He had given his consent, but... once more, he was struck by the sensation of having become a part in the vast machinery of the nation.
(And on top of that... it seems I'm a rather important part, at that. It's both an honor and a burden...)
"Thank you. I'll be counting on you."
"............"
Rest let out a quiet sigh, careful not to let anyone notice, and grasped Andrew's outstretched hand in return.