Volume 6 Chapter 7 Actually the First Two, Part Shot
After the closing ceremony, Randy watched as Liz and the others headed out into the town, remaining inside the academy without passing through the school gate.
With the graduation party approaching in the afternoon, students a year above were bustling about, lively and cheerful.
That said, there were still some students remaining on campus.
Those who chose to stay in the dorms instead of going home.
Those with connections who could attend the party as servers.
And those who engaged in conversation with friends after the ceremony.
Though few in number, such students were indeed present.
However, the number of remaining students was not particularly high.
Thus, a standout presence like Randy's drew even more attention than usual.
He neither lived in the dorms.
Nor was he serving.
And he was not walking with friends.
Not fitting any of those categories, Randy's conspicuous appearance made him stand out even more.
There was a reason Randy remained at the academy despite the attention.
It was the gaze he had felt throughout the closing ceremony.
At first, he thought it was directed at Liz, Cecilia, or Catherine, but it seemed the focus was primarily on Randy himself.
(Well, I had infiltrated the royal capital.
It's not surprising that students would notice me.)
With a sigh, Randy deliberately sat down in the gazebo in the less conspicuous backyard.
He even pretended to sleep to lower their guard.
He was in a position that invited the presence of the one who had been watching him with hostility from a distance.
(Now then, what can I learn...)
As a presence approached from behind, Randy slowly turned around.
There stood...
"You are──"
"Randolph *von* Victor, right?"
...It was Edgar, glaring at Randy.
Caught off guard by the unexpected appearance of Crown Prince Edgar, Randy shrugged and stood up, saying, "'von' is unnecessary."
The gaze felt during the closing ceremony was filled with hostility.
So, he was waiting, thinking he could hear something from [Pilgrim of Truth]... and unexpectedly, the Crown Prince appeared.
It was quite an anticlimactic situation, but now he was speaking directly to him.
(He couldn't just walk away without saying anything.)
Randy stepped out of the gazebo and stood before Edgar.
Edgar wasn't short, but the height difference made it seem like Randy was looking down at him.
"So, what's up? I'm not someone who enjoys being followed by a guy."
Randy's snort twisted Edgar's expression.
The combination of height difference and harsh speech naturally gave Edgar a feeling of being looked down upon.
Of course, Randy has no intention of making Edgar feel that way, not in the slightest.
"You... what is your relationship with Elizabeth von Braubelg?"
Frowning, Edgar asked as Randy scratched his head in confusion.
"I submitted it as a matter of servant and master, you know?"
What more is there?
Randy sighed and continued, "Besides that..."
"She's no longer a Braubelg. Someone, for whatever reason, had her exiled."
From Randy's exasperated expression, it was clear he genuinely didn't understand.
What kind of interest could someone have after having exiled her themselves?
Edgar couldn't help but avert his gaze, driven by the implicit expression on Randy's face.
"Ah... that was the Church's doing."
Edgar muttered while avoiding eye contact, and Randy responded indifferently, "Hmm."
"Because you were tricked by the Church, you think you're uninvolved? You feel no responsibility?"
Stinging words from Randy prompted Edgar to glare back at him.
"That's not it! I do feel responsible... if only I hadn't said such things as a prince."
Edgar, murmuring, had Randy swallow back his words, which escaped as a sigh.
(Responsibility for one's words... such a noble sentiment.)
Take responsibility for your words.
...It's not about being noble, it's simply what's expected.
Feeling responsibility and reflecting on it? Even a monkey can do that.
But this matter is not just about that.
Of course, it started with Edgar's words and Catherine's words.
But in the end, it was the filthy adults who took advantage of that and passed judgment.
Even if he is the Crown Prince, Randy is just another student, like any other.
In a world where a single student's words could lead to a de facto death sentence, this world, this country, is truly chaotic.
In other words, to put it differently, Crown Prince Edgar can also be seen as a victim who was used by those filthy adults.
Of course, if Edgar had been a little calmer, such a tragedy wouldn't have occurred.
So, feeling responsibility for that isn't wrong.
Yet, despite merely stating his responsibility, he doesn't actually try to fulfill it.
Listening to Edgar's expressions and words, it seems that he believes he can't fulfill it in the current situation.
He fully understands his status and position, knowing he can't easily lower his head.
To an outsider, it might look like, even though *he's a victim*, he's conducting himself as a dignified Crown Prince.
Of course, he doesn't say it aloud, but it's all Randy's doing.
From Randy's perspective, Edgar is merely using his status as Crown Prince as an excuse.
Even though he's saying, "I'm the Crown Prince," he doesn't understand his status and position at all, nor the essence of the problem, nor the true way to take responsibility.
(If he truly feel responsibility... he should've investigated the issue's background and bowed to His Excellency with his father.)
Since he couldn't do that, both Edgar and his father, King Gerald, are just men who hide behind their status, according to Randy.
If Randy were to speak his true feelings, he would even feel pity for Edgar as a young man.
It seems the adults around him didn't properly educate him, as he must've grown up only being praised for his talents and family background.
That's why he doesn't understand the essence of the problem or how to use his own existence.
That said, Randy doesn't feel obligated to teach him that.
So...
"Then shouldn't you take responsibility and quietly disappear from Liz's sight?"
...Now, Edgar muttered "It's my fault," as Randy threw a fastball.
Edgar glared back, saying "That's not possible..." at Randy's straight shot.
"If you could just *apologize*, would you be forgiven?"
"Miss Elizabeth is a merciful person."
Randy scoffed, "Merciful, huh?" at Edgar, who was glaring straight at him.
Certainly, if it were Liz, she might say "It's fine now" if he apologized.
But that wouldn't be forgiveness; it would be genuine disinterest.
From a man who doesn't care, an apology for something insignificant would only lead to "No, it's really nothing."
It's more bothersome to be pursued further.
However, unfortunately, it seemed Edgar was unaware of this.
"So, you belittled that merciful person without being able to believe in her."
Randy's attack was like a slap to the face, but Edgar stepped closer without flinching.
"I told you. I was deceived by Church and Miss Catherine."
Randy's eyebrows flicked at those words.
"No, no. The Prince was close with Miss Catherine, wasn't he?"
"No. Miss Evans was brainwashed, too──"
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