At the meeting spot that Rho had guided her to, the only one to appear was the Dragon God.

“Huh? Lord Rave, where’s His Majesty?”

“He could only get a ticket to enter the military academy just before the match.”

“They even handed out entry tickets…”

Sensing someone passing behind her, she lowered her voice. They weren’t very visible as they were in the shadow of the building. However, she wanted to avoid being seen talking to herself—especially as the teacher of a class about to compete in the competition.

“Newspaper companies are probably here. The Rave Empire Army is on guard, too. It’s probably best not to have his face wandering around for too long.”

That’s true, she thought as her gaze dropped. Rho made a curious noise from inside her bag. Sauté, who was at her feet, also looked up at her.

She had originally planned to return home after about a month. Instead, she had spent the entire time training her students without any opportunity to return. In other words, she hadn’t seen Hades for two whole months.

I thought I’d finally be able see him again…

“But he left your lunch with me.”

With a pop like magic bursting in the air, a big basked appeared in front of her. Jill’s eyes sparkled as she held it carefully in both arms.

“My lunch! Thank you, Lord Rave! With this, I can do my best!”

“I see, that’s good… I guess your appetite is still as massive as ever…”

“What are you mumbling about? His Majesty didn’t give it to me personally, so it’s a minus! …Even though I was looking forward to see him…”

Her true feelings slipped out. Her face went red as Rave stared at her.

“W-what is it?! It’s only right for me to enjoy a delicious meal with His Majesty! It’s my reward for working hard!”

“…I see. I see. Alright, alright, I’ll scold Hades for you.”

Rave’s teasing grin made her even more flustered.

“Don’t say it like that! Getting hungry while at work is only normal! So… a husband should come and see his wife’s hard work!”

“Look at you, trying to change the subject. Hahaha! But don’t worry, he’ll make it in time. We’re both cheering for you, Hades and I.”

“I-I see. Well, I’m not participating, so you should cheer for my students! Okay, time for me to eat, so I’ll be going now!”

She wasn’t sure what she was saying anymore, so she turned on her heels and ran away. Rave laughed out loud, but she pretended not to hear it. She might need to be cautious once she met Hades. She didn’t know how Rave would explain it, but there was a good chance that Hades would get carried away.

His Majesty is stupid. If he’d just come to see me, things wouldn’t have turned out like this!

However, letting Hades wander around the school was dangerous. She took a breath, slowed her pace, and looked around again. There were a lot of people present, including soldiers. After all, dragons were involved in the match, so they had to be extra cautious. Moreover, the country’s prime minister was coming to watch.

…I should confirm his face myself. See if it really is Minerd.

In a way, Hades not being there might have been convenient. On the way up the slope to the venue, she looked around. Where were the important guests seated? At times like this, having the height of a child was inconvenient.

“Hey, Teacher Jill, what are you doing? Our seats aren’t this way.”

“Oh, Teacher Roger, I didn’t realize you were here.”

Just as she was becoming lost, someone called out to her. Roger beckoned to her from higher up the slope.

“Haven’t you been harsher with me lately? I even at the staff meeting in your place.”

“Has Chancellor Minerd arrived at the venue?”

“I think so… Why? Do you need something from him?”

Roger looked at her with doubt to which Jill glared back.

“I thought I’d tell him about the current situation of the Blue Dragon Class.”

“Oh, I see. But that won’t be possible. The principal is practically glued to his side. Beating the Golden Dragon Class would be better. The Prime Minister always has words of praise for the winner.”

“Eh, Teacher Roger, you think we can win?”

“You really are getting harsher, huh… I’m the assistant teacher, you know…”

She followed Roger and came to the edge of a simple stepped seating on a high platform that surrounded the venue in a semicircle. Sauté jumped onto one of the oak benches while Rho poked his head from her bag with a dissatisfied chrip. She understood how he felt. The precarious spot seemed to have been carved out of a cliff. One misstep could send anyone tumbling onto the battlefield below. It seemed that the teachers of the Blue Dragon Class weren’t even allowed proper seats. Nevertheless, at least from there she had a clear view of her students. She patted Rho’s head to soothe him.

“Look, it’s a bit far away, but Chancellor Minerd is over there. In the middle of the tented.”

Jill narrowed her eyes as she turned to the central spectator seats that Roger pointed at.

In the distance, she could see a person dressed like an aristocrat next to Gunther. The man’s hair fluttered in the wind blowing on the plateau as he spoke with him. He had the same golden hair and blue eyes as Natalie.

It’s him…

There was no doubt about it—he was Minerd, the man who once sold the Rave Empire to the Kingdom of Kratos.

She’d seen him a handful of times, barely enough to count on one hand. Just like when he pleaded for justice regarding his sister’s sacrifice, he wore the same deceptively kind expression on his face.

Judging him as an enemy was still too hasty, especially because the current situation had changed greatly. Natalie was still alive, and on the surface, the Kingdom of Kratos and the Rave Empire were striving for peace.

Above all, she’d never heard of Minerd being the Prime Minister of Leyca. She should be cautious, but right now, she was the teacher of the Blue Dragon Class. She could not forget what truly mattered.

Win, everyone.

Below, preparations for the opening ceremony had begun. There was nothing more Jill could do.

Biting her lip, she lifted the cloth covering the basket. What came out was a massive hamburger—a thick minced meat patty between buns with herbs and tomatoes. The crispy, deep-fried potatoes were covered in consommé. Then there was a salad of steamed chicken, topped with a soft-boiled egg, and even a soup with meatballs.

“Woah,” Roger, sitting next to her, spoke up in surprise. “What a feast! And such a huge amount… Won’t you give me one?”

“No. It’s all mine.”

She grabbed the hamburger, struggling to hold it with both hands, and took a huge bite. How delicious—but she couldn’t relax just yet! She was on duty! Roger sneakily reached for a potato fry, but she pinched his hand while munching through her anxiety.

She had done all she could. All that remained was to believe in her students and watch how things unfold.

The fanfare of the opening ceremony rang out into the blue sky.

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