The Northern Duke’s Daughter Will Never Fall

Chapter 12: Astrid Becomes the Squad Leader of Squad 1

“Cadet Astrid, I’m counting on you~!”

Floppy, floppy.

The moment Astrid heard that voice, the words “floppy, floppy” popped into her mind.

Not exactly a word, more like an onomatopoeia. Maybe it’s a mimetic word? Either way, that’s the only phrase that came to her as soon as she heard that voice.

The intonation was peculiar.

Just as peculiar as the long, flowing green hair that cascaded down like a waterfall.

Her face was beautiful, her height was tall, and… she had a large chest.

If Astrid had been a man, she might’ve imagined grandchildren by now just from brushing hands with this beauty, yet it’d be too intimidating to even attempt a conversation with her.

“Looks like we’ll be sharing a room. Looking forward to living with you, Cadet Astrid. Or should I say, Squad Leader?”

“Ah, I’m looking forward to it as well.”

Her bright and friendly demeanor should have left a positive impression, but Astrid’s instincts were screaming. This elf was not as she appeared—something was definitely off.

“I’m Astrid von Miterien. Nice to meet you. Just call me Astrid.”

“Alrighty~ I already introduced myself, but I’m Eranya. I don’t have a surname—just Eranya. As you can see, I’m an elf. I’m pretty good at archery and dagger combat, you know?”

Her free-flowing green hair, left untied, caught Astrid’s attention. It’s hard to explain, but something about it just seemed… off.

After the squad assignments and numbering were announced in the auditorium, Squad 1, led by Astrid, was formed.

With that done, the next step was dormitory assignments.

Astrid had been worried. If someone had pulled strings behind the scenes, there was a chance she’d end up sharing a room with Leopold—a disaster scenario. But thankfully, that didn’t happen.

Excluding Veracien, who was staying at the church, the gender balance was perfect. Conveniently, Leopold was paired with Astein in one room, while Astrid shared a room with Eranya.

“Still, I’m relieved. The facilities are better than I expected~”

Eranya muttered as she glanced around the room.

To Astrid, it looked like a bleak and barren space, but to Eranya, it seemed acceptable.

The building, reportedly built with the emperor’s funds, had its peculiarities. The interior was painted entirely gray, and each cadet was provided with a personal desk, bed, and storage unit. That was it.

There was also a shower room in the corner. Thankfully, the bathroom was not attached to the room—small mercies.

“But it’s definitely better than the elf village I used to live in.”

When Eranya plopped herself on the bed, the rustling sound of straw could be heard.

The mattress was apparently made of straw.

A heavy sigh escaped Astrid’s lips.

Straw mattress.

How was she supposed to sleep on that?

The moment she lay down, the straw would surely prick her all over, making it impossible to rest properly.

‘…Not like I’ve been living in luxury.’

She’d only spent half a year at the Miterien mansion, but she’d already grown accustomed to the softness of its cotton mattresses. She shook her head, surprised by her own thoughts.

Eranya gazed around the room, eyes brimming with curiosity as if everything was new to her.

Since they’d be living together for a year, Astrid figured it’d be good to build a rapport. Searching for a topic to start a conversation, she suddenly thought of one.

“Hey, Eranya… Is there really a World Tree in the elf village you’re from?”

‘Why did I ask that?’

It was a dumb question. Out of all the things to ask, that’s what she came up with?

As Astrid berated herself, Eranya’s face lit up with a beaming smile. She clasped her hands together as if reminiscing.

“Of course~! There’s a World Tree! It’s huuuuge! …Well, it’s got nothing to do with me anymore, though.”

“It’s got nothing to do with you? Why’s that?”

‘How could an elf have nothing to do with the World Tree? That’s strange.’

“When I left the elf village, I had to sign a document. Without that, you can’t leave.”

“What kind of document?”

Imagining something like a non-return agreement, Astrid’s mind conjured an image of an elf solemnly pledging not to return to the village or seek its help, no matter the circumstances. But could it really be that serious?

“It’s something like… ‘I acknowledge that I’m leaving the protection of the World Tree and entering the harsh world outside. I’m aware that I’ll no longer receive the blessings of the World Tree, and even knowing this, I choose to leave.’”

“…Huh?”

Even with a signature, that’s a bit much.

“It’s just how it is. To put it simply, the World Tree is just a big tree, really.”

Hearing that she’d left the village and come to this academy, Astrid couldn’t quite understand Eranya’s reasoning.

Noticing Astrid’s confusion, Eranya grinned softly.

—

Leopold sat on his bed, his eyes filled with mild displeasure as he glanced at Astein.

From earlier, the straw mattress had been poking at him nonstop, and it was getting on his nerves.

But more than that, Astein—just Astein being there—was even more bothersome.

“Um… Cadet Leopold? Is there something on my face?”

With his wooden staff slung across his back, Astein leaned it against the side of the desk, then shrugged at Leopold.

“…I am Leopold von Einthafen. Just call me Leopold.”

“Call you?”

“…Do it.”

Even his manner of speaking required adjustment.

Though he was a crown prince, the academy did not offer him special treatment.

All cadets were treated equally, regardless of noble or commoner status. Admission was based solely on merit.

“I see. Cadet Leopold, then. I’m Astein. Since I’m a commoner, I don’t have a surname. Haha.”

That didn’t bother Leopold in the slightest.

Leopold had no interest in such hierarchical authority.

“By the way… Cadet Astein. There’s something I’ve been curious about.”

He could no longer hold it in.

Though he wasn’t sure if it would offend Astein, the question had been gnawing at him.

“Yes?”

While placing his supply bag on the desk and preparing to unpack, Astein turned to face Leopold.

Even that action irritated him.

After a brief internal debate, Leopold finally—

“Your eyes… Are they open or closed? Can you see anything?”

Leopold’s curiosity had reached its limit.

Astein’s eyes were so narrow that they seemed permanently shut, making it difficult to tell if he could see.

Astein’s face twitched subtly at the question.

“If I’ve offended you, I’m sorry. I just… I’m genuinely curious.”

“So that’s what’s been bothering you. Well, I’ve had these eyes since birth, but I can see perfectly fine.”

Astein’s calm reply cut off Leopold’s hurried apology.

Seeing that Astein didn’t seem upset, Leopold felt both relief and doubt. Could he really see with eyes like that?

“I can see your golden hair, like melted gold. And I can see Cadet Astrid’s silver hair—beautiful as the northern snowfields. I see it all perfectly well.”

“I… I see.”

So he really could see.

At that moment, a thunderous shout echoed from outside the door, loud enough to shake the entire building.

『All cadets, immediately come out and line up in front of your doors! Right now! Line up!』

Both Leopold and Astein winced and covered their ears as the deafening order echoed through the hall.

As soon as the shout ended, sounds of movement from other rooms filled the hallway. Leopold and Astein quickly opened their door and stepped outside.

“…You’re slow, Cadet Leopold. Can’t even make it to the door in time?”

“You’re just unnecessarily fast, Astrid.”

Directly across from them, Astrid and Eranya stood in front of their door.

Their dorm rooms had been arranged in a way that clearly wasn’t a coincidence.

Leopold’s and Astein’s room faced Astrid’s and Eranya’s.

Astrid and Eranya were already dressed in their activity uniforms, while Leopold and Astein hadn’t even had a chance to change.

“『Everyone, check the occupants of the room across from you! Report if anyone’s missing!』”

Every time the voice boomed, it felt like the dormitory’s windows would rattle.

『Squad Leader of Squad 1, Astrid von Miterien!』

“Y-yes?!”

Startled, Astrid’s voice cracked as she responded. Her blunder drew a muffled snicker from Leopold, which only made Astrid’s pale face flush red with embarrassment.

『Check if all new cadets are present and report back!』

The voice came from the far end of the corridor.

From her position in a room near the middle of the hallway, Astrid craned her neck and scanned both sides. Every room had someone standing outside it.

“All present!”

『Are they really all present, or do you only think they’re present?! Answer clearly!』

“All present, sir!”

『Good! Now, it’s time for dinner! All cadets, move to the training ground!』

Astrid’s face was still flushed as she lined up with the others, and Leopold snickered again at her embarrassment.

“…Stop laughing, Cadet Leopold. Do you find it that amusing to see your squad leader embarrassed?”

Even Astrid’s cold tone didn’t stop Leopold’s grin.

“Absolutely hilarious.”