August 9, five o'clock in the morning

The so-called "trip" in the empire did not last long, Laura thanked Chong and Ling in her own territory, and then decisively ordered the attendants to pack up the two and send them back to Heimdall, Chong is not a big deal, but Ling has been messing around, and also took advantage of the middle of the night to escape from the territory of the Alsside family, in desperation, Chong can only go around the circle with Laura for most of the day, and finally avoid the emperor's ** pursuit of Levi heard the news and pulled Ling out of the dark corner, So they finally caught the first train from Ragram to Heimdall

(Then)

(What's going on?) Chong and Laura looked at the closed door of the Tolz Military Academy and couldn't help but ask questions, didn't the academy open at five o'clock? And it's so quiet inside, it's even quieter than after hearing the air raid siren

"Because the Midsummer Festival has arrived?" Chong, who didn't know this, asked

"No, even on the day of the Midsummer Festival, the school can't be closed," Laura was also full of questions, "It's strange that I used the guide to contact Instructor Sarah, and they're okay."

"No, I've been waiting for you here for a long time" Someone behind him reached out and patted the two of them, "It's so slow, why did you come back together?" The train from Ordis to Heimdall couldn't have met Laura."

"Instructor Sarah? What's going on with the school today? Laura turned around and a question was raised

"Prepare for the academy festival, Laura, are you forgetting?" Sarah said reluctantly, "If you know, hurry up and leave with me, you know, I've been waiting for you here for a long time."

"Academy Festival?" Chong was stunned by this familiar term, is this the kind of annual celebration that started so late?

"That's right, every year the Academy Festival of the Military Academy is held together with the Midsummer Festival, and this is the finale of the first day," Sarah explained, "Laura, explain to him the specific arrangements of the Midsummer Festival."

"The first day of the year is a party between the Santa Astraya Women's Academy and the Tolz Military Academy, the second day is a free tour of outsiders, the third day is a grand collective reception hosted by His Royal Highness the Emperor plus a performance at the Imperial Opera House, the fourth day is a procession of motorcades and public speeches by the royal family, and the fifth day is the finale of the mysterious performance. It's impossible to get everyone to go to Santa Astreia, right? ”

"That's not it, it's just that it's only at what time it is, it's still rehearsal at five o'clock, it's impossible to wait for the guests to show them the mess when they arrive," Sarah shrugged and said, "Come, I'll take you to the back door, the people who came to see the show this year will be here soon, don't be embarrassed to see acquaintances."

"I see," Laura nodded approvingly

It's not an informal venue, so you can hear it when you're dancing or at a concert

Wait, the party?

A moment later

"So you're going to have a concert?" Chong looked at the instrument in front of him and was stunned, what are you doing? You haven't discussed it with me beforehand, hey! I definitely don't look like some kind of craftsman-level artist, do I?

"We had a dress rehearsal before Chongjun came, and I originally wanted to rehearse a few more times for Chongjun's sake recently, but," Elliot explained with a wry smile, "Instructor Levi, they have been arranging for us to intern, and we really can't make up the time, but it's too much to let Chongjun do some backstage work, Chongjun, do you know what kind of instrument?" ”

"Piano," Chong said, pointing to the grand piano in the corner

"As long as you can play, we are not at the professional level anyway" Jusis said casually, "Then you will be responsible for playing the piano and so on, we don't seem to be responsible for playing the piano, only the electronic organ that Elliot is responsible for"

"A drum kit, two electric guitars, an electronic keyboard, three singers, two dancers, or one more?" Emma built yì road

"No, I don't dance" Chong decisively shook his head, of course he could learn a musical instrument, but he deliberately didn't learn it because he didn't like to perform like a monkey on stage, and now it would be better to leave him backstage if he wanted to dance with him

"Then you can come and sing, anyway, your voice is quite good" Gaius said, no, no, no, no, it's okay to figure out that there is no difference between the two at all, although the shame of rapping is slightly lower than dancing, but it's also like a monkey

"You can be in charge of narration," Fei said in silence

"Need a narration at a concert?" Chong asked in surprise, could it be a musical and dance drama?

"Ah, indeed," Emma nodded vigorously, "Yes, you can add a narration"

“？” Although Chong didn't understand what was going on, he still accepted the job after some struggle, and the narrator didn't have to show his face, and it was still acceptable with a single voice

——— I didn't know at that time、What kind of shame will I face next

———————————————————————————————————— dividing line for visitors

"Mayor McDowell, please come here," Captain Claire dutifully instructed the guests from Crossbell "This is the Tolz Military Academy, and you two will be here to watch the students perform on the first day of the Midsummer Festival."

"Student, then Ellie, you don't have to be too reserved," Mayor McDowell said back with a kind smile

"Well, I know grandfather, and besides, there's a good chance you'll meet acquaintances here," Ellie pinned her hair behind her ears

"Oh, the boy of the Yuyun family, Miss Illya did mention it the other day" Mayor McDowell nodded, "It would be great if we could meet him, and that accident should be thanks to his help, what does Mr. Gino think?" ”

"Please pay attention to safety, that's what I think," he said lightly, "the security of the imperial capital is worth paying attention to now"

"I'm relieved, you're here," Mayor McDowell said with a smile

"Thanksgiving" he bowed, and continued to follow Ellie closely

"Mayor McDowell, it's been a long time, and it looks like you're still tough all the way," someone on the left-hand side stepped forward to talk

"Isn't this the Duke of El Bardia" Mayor McDowell was surprised for a moment, but quickly replied "Hello, I haven't seen each other for five or six years since we last separated"

"Thank you for your concern, I didn't expect you to remember me, this is your granddaughter Miss Ellie, right?" Duke Elbariana nodded

"Hello Lord Duke" Ellie immediately greeted with a smile, even if she didn't know why he, as the head of the four famous families of the empire, suddenly took the initiative to come forward to talk, after all, she clearly remembered that these imperial nobles looked down on their grandfather at all in the past

As a guard, he looked into the distance and didn't know what he was looking at

"Mr. Gino, you haven't been seen for a long time," Duke Elbariana turned his gaze to him after a few words

"I haven't seen you at all, it's not a long time," he replied coldly, "It's better to look up to the daimyo for a long time"

"I'm sorry, but Lord Elbardia, according to the Emperor's personal order, I will give priority to sending Mayor Crossbell to the Tolz Military Academy," Claire said after giving a military salute

"Captain Claire, do you mean that even I am not qualified to come up and greet them," Duke El Barea said in a mischievous tone

"Not really, but it's a long way to go, and you shouldn't be happy with Mayor McDowell and his party," Claire said without flinching

"Then it's really rude, let's wait until we get to Tolz and then we can continue talking, and take my leave" Duke Elbariana turned away, and it was then that Ellie noticed that there was a vehicle waiting not far away

"If you really should show respect, at least get out of the car," he sneered, and to put it bluntly, this is just a showcase

"It's nothing, I'm holding on to my old bones, Captain, please keep leading the way," Mayor McDowell said, looking back

"Yes, it's a great honor"

A moment later

"There are a lot of people" Ellie looked at the crowd that had gathered in front of the school gate and couldn't help but be surprised, in the past, when she accompanied her grandfather to visit, it was a normal time, but this time it was because of the incident of Joassim that she needed to know the views of various parts of the empire to visit in advance, and it would be good to take this time out of her busy schedule, where could she still find time to come

"Then I'll send it here, and then please pay attention to your safety" Claire gave a military salute and turned to leave, she still has a lot to do today, and if she can send one more, it will already take time to rest

"Yo, long time no see," Victor, who was in front of the hospitality booth, said hello when he saw him

"Yo" and he waved his hand as a greeting

"Hello, Swordsmith-sama," Ellie greeted, bowing

"Ellie, it's been a long time," Victor laughed, "and Mayor McDowell, it's been a hard time for you."

"It's nothing, it's also for Cross Bell's sake" Mayor McDowell was clearly going to relax in front of Victor

"Be careful with this midsummer festival," Victor reminded in a low voice, "The Empire has taken protective measures, but you can't enjoy it."

"Thanks for the reminder," Mayor McDowell nodded in thanks

"I know, that's why I'm coming," he nodded, "Besides, I've investigated some of the inside information of the guerrilla association, so I'm still prepared."

"By the way, Viscount Yarseid, I have a reluctant request," Mayor McDowell suddenly remembered about it, "Ellie, can you please take care of it for a while?" After all, I have to visit a lot of people, and it will always be a little unsafe to take them with me, and Mr. Gino, no matter how much he does, it will be difficult for him to take care of the safety of the two of them."

"Also, after all, your status is special mayor, and the relationship between the empire and Crossbell is also likely to change due to the new mayoral election, Ellie, this child is better to be by my side" Victor nodded "If she wants, I'll send her to my daughter, it's safe in the military academy"

"Ellie, how's that? Would you like to? Mayor McDowell asked, turning his head

"Of course I'm relieved if my grandfather has Mr. Gino under his protection, but won't that be inconvenient? After all, I've heard that the management of the Tolz Military Academy is a little strict," Ellie asked after a moment's hesitation

"It's okay, it's just a midsummer festival these days, no one will care about this" Victor smiled "I'll take you backstage to find Laura later"

"That's really bothering you," Ellie thanked with a light bow

"As a thank you for coming here tonight after a long absence," Victor said with a smile before accompanying the three of them into the academy

"Whatever, but you'd better prepare more medicine first," he said, he said, and he hadn't done such a thing in a long time

Then it's time for everyone present to be caught up in the spiral of "contradictions".