“Hey, the dragons are complaining a lot about the Dragon Empress.”

Rave spoke within Hades.

While listening, Hades pretended to look at the handout he’d been given. He spoke in a low, barely audible, voice.

“Complaints about the Dragon Empress? So, they’ve decided to become steaks.”

“No! They’re complaining BECAUSE Little Miss is about to turn them into steaks! She’s beaten them into pulp during before the students, calling it an example on how to fight dragons! A bunch of them are saying they don’t want a Dragon Empress like her anymore!”

“Rho will calm them down. Besides, it’s the students who’re the most pitiful. They’re undergoing a really weird training program.”

“…An average person would welcome death from seeing even a green dragon.”

“Well, I don’t feel any sympathy for them. I’m just—”

Jill left Hades alone because the students required her attention. As such, why would he feel a single shred of sympathy towards them?

However, when he looked at the academy’s internal military documents—the details of the class competition, he thought that the treatment of the students was problematic. Despite that, right now, in this country, it was being overlooked. The reason was because the head of the Blue Dragon Class was a member of the notorious Rave Imperial Family.

“We’ve decided to watch Chancellor Minerd’s class competition. People under Gunther’s control have been stationed all over the city and the school under the pretense of security. It’s unfortunate, but I think Gunther is planning to start an uprising and wants to get the kids involved.”

Roger sat in a bar that had been rented out for private use. He held a document in one hand and spoke to a group that had gathered. There were only about ten people. Still, he was surprised even that many had gather.

“However, the weapons and dragons are officially being procured for class battles and security. Above all, we don’t know where the Dragon-Controlling Flute or its research results are. It’s frustrating, but we can’t stop them at the moment. I told Chancellor Minerd in code. Of course, Gunther could also target us. Chancellor Minerd is the mediator between the pro-Rave and anti-Rave factions.”

Indeed, sending Lutiya to the military academy could be interpreted as either banishing him from the palace, where the anti-Rave sentiment was growing, or letting him escape. On the other hand, it was unclear which reason it was. Roger seemed to think the latter. That was how terrible the palace was.

Rave grumbled.

“If we could just get a clear answer about the dragons, we could do something about it all at once.”

Yes, that’s the main issue.

Originally, the Grand Duchy of Leyca was a thriving education and research center that combined dragons and magic. Apparently, a young Gunther was the one who proposed turning the sound of the dragon repellent, brought over from Rave Empire, into a technology for controlling dragons. Such was the Development of the Dragon-Controlling Flute.

However, in the Rave Empire, it wasn’t permitted for humans to control dragons. Dragons were the messengers of the Dragon God. Therefore, research into controlling dragons would never be permitted, and was even considered taboo.

For this reason, Gunther gave up on his research and began teaching at the military academy. He conducted research permitted by his home country, which was communicating with dragons.

Even after becoming the principal of the military academy, Gunther didn’t hide his dissatisfaction with the Rave Empire, which had interfered with his research. In addition to rumors about a certain influential nobleman having assisted his research, there had recently been frequent mysterious incidents of dragons suddenly ceasing to move.

After a person with magical powers testified that he had heard a flute-like sound, rumors began to spread that Gunther had completed his Dragon-Controlling Flute. While everything remained within the realm of speculation, anti-Rave sentiment began to grow at the La Bala Military Academy and the city.

Roger seemed to think that Gunther was trying to lift the ban on his research, or to have his research results recognized by going to war with the Rave Empire. After hearing about the connections he had used, Minerd ordered an investigation to be carried out and reported back to the home country.

Thus, a unit centered around Roger was formed by the order of Chancellor Minerd. It was an undercover unit that had infiltrated the Leycan Liberation Army, an anti-Rave organization that advocated independence from the home country. Their mission was to find the real Dragon-Controlling Flute and secure the research results. Or, depending on the situation, eliminate them.

They were to report back to the home country only after confirming the existence of the flute or the research—which was wise.

Having received a report on the current situation, Hades also ordered the same.

Research could be passed onto the next generation. Even if they managed to capture Gunther, the response would change greatly depending on the full picture and how it had spread.

“Still, the Class Match is a good opportunity. If a battle with Rave Empire Army breaks out, Gunther will use his prized dragon flute. If it’s been completed, we’ll secure it.”

After a breath, Roger raised his voice slightly.

“Even if Leyca has the dragon flute, challenge and defeating Rave would be impossible. And yet, Gunther and the Liberation Army that supports him are disguised as the Rave Empire Army. They committed acts of violence and even incited the people. We can’t just ignore them.”

“Roger, we don’t like the Liberation Army’s methods, and we can’t let someone like Gunther monopolize the dragon flute research. But I find it difficult to believe that they can’t defeat Rave even with the dragon flute.”

Roger shook his head at the voice from the corner of the bar.

“Right now, the Rave Empire has the Dragon Emperor. Fighting with dragons is like challenging the law of God. That won’t go unpunished.”

“Even in the home country, people are suspicious that the Dragon Emperor’s Heavenly Sword is either fake or cursed.”

“…Certainly, the way the Rave Empire military and officials act is problematic. I can understand why people are growing distrustful of the home country. That’s the home country’s fault. But only a few evil deeds stand out, and starting a war following Gunther and the other’s propaganda is a bad move. If we do that, all that will remain of Leyca is a scorched island, burned away by the Heavenly Sword of the Dragon God’s judgment.”

Perhaps sensing the dissatisfaction in the air, Roger changed his tone to a particular cheerful one.

“Well, let’s talk about that after we retrieve the dragon flute from Gunther and hand it over to Chancellor Minerd. It won’t be too late to talk about it then.”

“…I’m sure Chancellor Minerd won’t do anything bad to Leyca.”

“That’s right. If our infiltration gets discovered, it’ll be all for naught, so let’s get our act together. If we harbor resentment towards the Rave Empire, we might not be suspected of spying.”

Thus, the meeting ended with a laugh. Everyone went their own way. Hades was new, so most of the people didn’t even know his name. He probably wouldn’t introduce himself. If even one person was suspected of spying, it’d drag everyone down.

“What do you think? Any issues so far?”

Hades turned around when Roger, the only one who had clearly revealed his face and name, spoke to him.

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