Chapter 29: Preparing for a Trip with the Eldritch Godness

Arkham Academy doesn’t have anything like a school trip.

There’s no event where everyone travels together, visits famous tourist spots in distant lands, and deepens friendships. Not that it mattered in my past life—I ended up sick on the day of the trip and had to give up in tears…

Still, it’s summer break now, the perfect time for a trip.

Aside from homework, I have nothing to do during summer vacation, so I’ve been thinking about going somewhere. And if I’m going, why not invite friends and make it fun?

I was mulling over this when I came to the academy during break for student council work.

"Iris!"

"Frieda? What brings you here during summer break?"

That’s right—I ran into Frieda. Why was she at school in uniform during vacation?

"Just working on a piece for the literature club. More importantly, are you free this weekend?"

"Yes. Are you planning another outing?"

"Exactly! Me, Lord Albrecht, Lady Emilia, His Highness Leonhardt—and if you’re up for it, you and Lord Felix!"

Felix again? Lately, I’ve started thinking he’s not a bad person, but he still glares at me like always.

"Is it absolutely necessary to invite Lord Felix?"

"Well, here’s the thing. The place we’re going is a hotel my family runs. My father suggested we stay there as trial guests before its grand reopening. But it’s a pretty formal establishment, so some areas require a partner to enter."

"Ah, I see. That explains it."

In this world, going solo in formal settings is… complicated. The expectation is that proper ladies and gentlemen must have an opposite-sex partner. A harsh reality for loners like me.

"Understood. Since you’ve gone to the trouble of inviting me, I’ll ask Lord Felix now. I believe he’s in the student council room."

"Great! I’ll wait for your answer!"

One of this world’s biggest nuisances? No smartphones. The only ways to communicate are letters (which take days) or meeting in person. Probably why Frieda was waiting at school.

The idea of traveling with Felix isn’t exactly thrilling, but staying at a luxury hotel before its grand reopening is. I’ll tough it out and invite him. If he refuses, I’ll just cry.

"Lord Felix."

"Ah, Miss Iris. Didn’t expect to see you during break."

He was alone in the student council room—apparently, he also had work to finish over vacation.

"Not at all. But where’s Lord Klaus?"

"He should be back soon."

Just as Felix said that, Klaus returned.

"You’re here, Miss Iris? Let’s wrap this up quickly."

He placed the necessary documents on my desk—my job was to transcribe them neatly on the typewriter.

"Lord Felix, are you free this weekend?"

"Hm? I am, but…"

He gave me a puzzled look.

"Frieda invited me on a trip, and since it involves formal settings, I’d appreciate it if you could accompany me as my partner. What do you think?"

"I see. Very well. Just give me the details later."

"Of course. I’ll confirm them with Frieda."

He agreed surprisingly easily. He was like this last time too—maybe he’s just an easy person to invite? Note to self: if I’m ever in a partner-less pinch, Felix is the one to ask.

"How nice. A trip, huh? Doesn’t look like I’ll be going anywhere this year," Klaus muttered.

"Are you that busy?"

"Part of it's my own workload, but my father’s swamped too. Normally, we’d take a family trip around this time, but not this year."

"That sounds rough."

Klaus let out another sigh, and I couldn’t help but sympathize.

"Well, enjoy your youth enough for the both of us. Hahaha!"

He laughed it off, but there was a hint of exhaustion in his voice.

"Then, I’ll go submit these documents."

I gathered the neatly transcribed papers to deliver to the faculty office today.

"You’ve gotten awfully close with Miss Iris lately, haven’t you, Felix?"

The moment Iris left, Klaus teased Felix with a smirk.

"Got a problem with that?"

"Not at all. Just amusing, considering how wary you used to be of her."

"I’m still wary."

"Oh?"

Felix’s firm reply only made Klaus grin wider, propping his cheek on his hand.

"But… I suppose I no longer see her as quite the threat I once did. That’s all."

"Is that so? Well, the Lauenstein and Starkburg families are politically matched. I’ll cheer you on."

"Am I supposed to thank you for that?"

"By all means. Having a future Duke owe me a favor is excellent for my political prospects."

"You’re insufferable…"

Felix knew full well Klaus wasn’t actually scheming for political backing. This was just his way of showing camaraderie—a quirk Felix had learned to recognize after years of friendship.

"Speaking of which, Klaus. Your busy schedule—still tied to that cult business?"

"Sharp as ever. I’ve been investigating privately, but certain parties took notice. Would you believe me if I said a secret government organization made contact? Or would you call it nonsense?"

"I’d believe you. What kind of organization?"

"One that’s been hunting this cult for years. Tied to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Gendarmerie, even the military. And to Adler Detective Agency."

"Adler… Mercenaries."

"Exactly. Hired hands for when the Empire can’t move openly. A ‘clean’ shadow war, so to speak."

Adler Detective Agency was a security contractor—mercenaries in all but name. True to their title, they handled investigations, often employing former gendarmerie officers. But their willingness to take on illegal operations (like strike-breaking) had drawn scrutiny before.

"Shady connections, but who exactly are we talking about here?"

"When magic first emerged, the Church formed an organization to ensure its development remained orthodox and sound. As power shifted from the Church to nobles, then kings, then nations, the organization evolved with it. What was once part of the Church now serves the Empire."

Klaus spoke as if he'd known about this group for ages.

"You talk like you've been familiar with them for years."

"I am. Similar cult-related incidents happened before. The man who contacted my father—then Minister of Internal Affairs—was from the same organization."

"What's their name?"

Felix pressed for details.

"The Rosenkreuz Society. That's the name of this secret government organization."