It Seems the Demon King Has Returned to a World Where Gender Roles Are Reversed - Chapter 43

 Chapter 43 :

The Kingdom’s greatest educational institution, the Kingdom Military Academy.

It is a place where talented individuals, destined to take responsibility for the kingdom’s security and defense, gather.

As such, the students attending this academy are far from ordinary. They are either descendants of high-ranking noble families or individuals from wealthy backgrounds.

This is only natural when you think about it.

In a world where humanity survived the dangers of magical beasts, the kingdoms that endured the era of chaos were naturally led by female knights who played pivotal roles in the wars.

These female knights, of course, worked tirelessly to solidify their positions.

To achieve this, they underwent rigorous training from a young age and spared no effort in honing their talents.

As a result, only the elite among elites those from noble families could secure a place at the military academy, the gateway to the prestigious title of knight. The remaining spots were filled by exceptionally talented women, even if not from noble lineage, and a small number of male knights who managed to gain entry.

Thus, the students of the military academy, despite being students, possessed formidable backgrounds. This led them to demand a degree of autonomy from the school, and the academy’s administration, recognizing the value of leveraging the influence of these students, accepted their proposals.

This gave rise to the academy’s student council.

And Hazel Granstig, a brown-haired girl, was one of the members of this student council, serving as the representative for the first-year students.

“...”

Having confidently stated her case, Hazel basked in the attention from her followers and the surrounding gazes, feeling satisfied.

To Hazel, Seria Brandzburg was nothing short of a thorn in her side.

Seria, from the low-ranking noble Brandzburg family or rather, a country girl who once lived alone with her father in a rural village.

Yet, her talent was nothing short of astonishing, so much so that the academy, in an unprecedented move, created a specialized curriculum just for her.

And that wasn’t all.

The one tasked with overseeing Seria’s curriculum was none other than Karen Steiner, a White Knight an individual who, at a young age, had reached the coveted position of White Knight and become the object of admiration for countless girls.

This alone was enough to make Hazel’s blood boil.

No matter how talented someone might be, there is a place in this world where they belong.

Yet Seria dared to transcend her station, attempting to stand beside someone as radiant as a star in the sky.

What was even more shocking was Karen’s next move.

She voluntarily stepped down from her position as a White Knight. Why? The reason was even more outrageous.

Having recognized Seria Brandzburg’s talent, Karen deemed her capable of becoming the next White Knight.

She had stepped down to personally train Seria.

“I won’t forgive her!”

Hazel’s rage was beyond imagination.

And it wasn’t just Hazel other girls felt the same.

For them, Seria’s unauthorized absence was the perfect prey.

They had already received accurate information: Seria Brandzburg had left without permission during her treatment by a healing mage.

There were even witnesses students who saw her climbing over the wall to leave.

If that were true, then the story brought by this lowly man likely a lie fabricated by Karen to cover for Seria would be exposed.

By revealing this to the world, Seria Brandzburg’s expulsion would be certain. With this thought, Hazel looked at Seria with an arrogant expression.

“...Hmm, so, has Seria’s return to the academy been resolved?”

“...Huh?”

A calm voice reached Hazel’s ears.

She turned to see the owner of the voice.

It was none other than the boy standing beside Seria.

The one who introduced himself as Ragna Steiner.

“Wait, what nonsense are you spouting? I told you not to overstep your bounds!”

A mere man... a lowly human daring to speak out in a place like this!

With that thought, Hazel shouted at Ragna. But Ragna merely glanced at her, his expression indifferent, before addressing Noel.

“So, I’m asking if this matter is resolved, Lady Noel.”

“...”

Noel didn’t respond to Ragna’s question. Instead, she wore a slightly troubled expression.

And then,

“You insolent fool!”

Hazel exploded.

The surrounding girls were no different.

They all shouted at Ragna in unison.

“You insolent fool! How dare you speak such nonsense in this place...”

“Know your place! Do you even realize who this is? The esteemed Lady Hazel Granstig of the prestigious Granstig family!”

“Kneel and apologize at once!”

Their high-pitched screams echoed sharply. But Ragna showed no reaction to their words.

Rather, he let out a light sigh.

At this, Hazel’s brow furrowed. Deciding that this insolent boy needed discipline, she stepped forward. But at that moment,

“Shut up, you rude brats!”

“...!”

With a sudden roar,

The boy no, the man whom she had dismissed as a filthy dog, shouted at her, Hazel.

His presence was so ferocious, carrying an inexplicable intensity.

“...Ugh.”

Hazel realized her feet had stopped moving and frowned. To think she was intimidated by a mere man... As she opened her mouth to shout something, Ragna’s voice continued.

“I’ve heard enough, and your arrogance knows no bounds! Nobility? The young lady of the Granstig Count family? ...So what?!”

“You... you insolent—!”

“You’re the ones who don’t know your place, you fools! If you have eyes, look! If you have ears, listen! Look at the emblem on the carriage I arrived in! And think about what the name ‘Steiner’ in my name signifies!”

“What nonsense are you blabbering about!”

Unable to hold back any longer, Hazel charged at Ragna. *Boom!* Her kick struck the ground. A follow-up strike came swiftly. Noel moved to stop her, but someone acted faster.

It was Ragna.

“...!”

Hazel’s expression turned to shock, as she hadn’t expected him to meet her attack head-on.

The power in her strike was enough to easily shatter bone and flesh.

For an ordinary man to face such an attack directly was akin to suicide. But she was mistaken.

Ragna was no ordinary man.

*Thud!*

“Argh!”

The scream that rang out wasn’t from a man. Their fists clashed, and Hazel staggered back.

“Lady Hazel!”

“A knight?! A male knight?!”

“...Ugh!”

Pain surged through her body. Meanwhile, Ragna landed lightly on the ground with a *tap*. Hazel’s fist hadn’t even grazed him.

“You... you—!”

“Apologize, Lady Hazel.”

“...! Teacher Noel! Why?! He’s the one who overstepped first—”

“Apologize, Lady Hazel.”

“...”

With eyes full of disbelief, Hazel looked at Noel. Sighing, Noel spoke.

“That boy already introduced himself. Ragna Steiner of the Steiner family. In other words, he is a guest of the academy, representing the Steiner family.”

“...!”

Hazel’s expression froze.

The other girls around her were equally stunned, whispering among themselves.

“Wait... a male knight from the Steiner family? I’ve never heard of such a thing!”

“Me neither... Isn’t the current head of the Steiner family Lady Karen?”

It was incomprehensible. The current head of the Steiner family was Karen Steiner, the great knight of Shreid who had stepped down from the White Knight Order.

How could a mere man represent the Steiner family, bypassing Karen?

Even for a male knight, representing a family was unthinkable. So, it was only natural for Hazel to react to Ragna’s actions as insolent and rude.

After all, Hazel had believed there were no men in the Steiner family.

She had assumed Ragna was merely a servant or attendant of the Steiner family.

Answering the girls’ confusion was none other than Ragna himself.

“Lady Karen Steiner... my elder sister is currently resting due to fatigue from her duties. That’s why I’m here today, representing her at the academy.”

“Sister?!”

“...”

The atmosphere erupted as if a bomb had gone off. Murmurs spread around them.

As Ragna looked around, he saw girls from the dormitory gathering, drawn by the commotion during the morning lessons. They whispered, trying to make sense of the situation.

*Perfect,* Ragna thought, before addressing Noel.

“It seems the academy has no intention of acknowledging Seria’s return. Can I take this as the academy’s official stance?”

“Wait, Ragna...” 

Seria tried to speak, but Ragna gently pressed her shoulder, silencing her.

*Trust me.*

That’s what he had told her.

Hazel was the one to respond to Ragna’s question.

“Y-Yes... I mean, yes! The student council cannot acknowledge Seria Brandzburg’s return! Even though Lady Karen claims her absence was under her orders, there are witnesses who saw her leave the healing ward without permission!”

“Yes, that’s right!”

The girls, openly showing their discontent but forced to use respectful language due to the weight of the Steiner name and Ragna’s role as its representative, protested.

Hearing this, Ragna smirked mockingly.

“Is that so? Then there’s no choice. We’ll have to report this to Her Majesty the Queen and resolve it formally.”

“...!”

“...!”

At the sudden mention of such a powerful figure, Hazel’s group, Noel, the surrounding girls, and even Seria were taken aback.

“Wait! Why is Her Majesty’s name being brought up?!”

Hazel’s voice was frantic. But Ragna ignored her, taking Seria’s arm and leading her away.

“W-Wait, Ragna?”

“...Shh, just follow my lead for now.”

“...”

Seria quietly complied, following Ragna. Hazel, growing anxious, called out.

“Wait!”

“Is there something else you wish to say?”

Ragna stopped abruptly, his expression cold as he addressed her. Intimidated by his presence, Hazel hesitated but pressed on.

“I said, explain why Her Majesty’s name is being mentioned! I won’t let you leave until you do!”

“...”

Ragna gave a slight scoff. Sighing, he continued.

“Goodness. I thought the young lady of the Granstig family would understand, but it seems you’ve caused this mess without grasping the situation.”

“Ugh—Are you mocking me?!”

“Calm down. I apologize for my rudeness. So, that’s the issue? If that’s the case, it’s understandable why Lady Hazel reacted this way.”

“...”

“It’s simple. You have eyes and ears, so you must recall why my sister, Lady Karen Steiner, took Seria Brandzburg as her squire.”

“That... that’s...”

“Yes, exactly. It’s thanks to the system in place at the academy. However, when my sister first took her on, she was part of the White Knight Order of the Union Kingdom. It wasn’t a matter that could be handled as easily as with the knights of Shreid. But someone stepped in to resolve it. Do you know who that was?”

“...Her Highness, the First Princess and Queen, Christine Arietta Shreid...”

Hazel, frowning, recited the name of the current queen and likely successor to the throne. Ragna nodded.

“Correct. Thanks to Her Highness Christine’s influence and expectations, Seria Brandzburg was able to train under Karen Steiner. However, during this process, Lady Karen recognized Seria’s potential and made a decision to step down from the White Knight Order to personally train Seria.”

“...”

Hazel nodded. It was a widely known fact among the students something no one could be unaware of.

“It must have been a difficult decision for Lady Karen. Yet, she believed in Seria’s potential and submitted a formal request to the royal family, which was approved. By whom?”

“...Her Highness, the First Princess and Queen, Christine Arietta Shreid...”

“Exactly. Therefore, Lady Karen’s guidance of Seria is her responsibility and, by extension, under Her Highness Christine’s orders. Yet, the academy, due to a minor misunderstanding, is trying to undermine Her Highness’s command. So, tell me, to whom should we report this matter?”

“...”

Hazel and the other girls’ faces hardened. *This is absurd...* The surrounding girls felt the same.

Only Seria and Noel remained calm. Though Seria looked slightly confused, not fully grasping the situation, Noel wore a faint smile.

Seeing this, Ragna, with a slightly displeased expression, pressed Hazel for an answer.

“Well, Lady Granstig, your response?”

“Tch, that’s... that’s ridiculous, even if that’s true, it’s too...”

“Your answer, Lady.”

“...”

At his voice, Hazel looked up at Ragna’s face.

The rising sunlight.

Ragna stood with the light at his back, his red eyes and white teeth glinting.

To Hazel, it felt as if a devil was smiling at her.

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Translated by Reversalnovel.web.id