Editing Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 6 Chapter 4 (section)

===Part 2===
—The meeting room on the second floor of Julius Hall.

“Most of our members are here, so allow me to explain our task for today to everyone.”

Rebecca put on a serious expression as she looked at everyone.

“You should all know that the Five Hundred Years Festival also has a long-distance racing event. The race route follows the ‘Aries Dragon Riding Festival’ route, and the midpoint of the race will pass through Fianna Forest. So today, we’ll need to go to each of the checkpoints in Fianna Forest, so that we can set up magic incense burners to ward off the beasts.”

Jobs of this kind were also part of the Student Council’s responsibilities, and Ash, who was unaware of this, felt rather surprised. He thought that this would have been a job for the teaching faculty members. This once again allowed Ash to deeply understand just how heavy the responsibilities that the Student Council members shouldered were.

“In addition, we will divide this work into three groups. Although the Student Council members are carefully selected from an elite group, the forest has winged lizards, and it is also the habitat of many dangerous beasts. Recently, there have also been reported sightings of two-headed snakes, so please be sure to increase your vigilance. As for the group arrangement—”

Jessica and Silvia simultaneously spoke up to interrupt Rebecca's words.

“I want to be in the same group as Ash-sama!”

“I-I also hope…that I can be in the same group as Ash.”

It was clearly the same idea, but Jessica said it without blushing or stuttering, whilst Silvia seemed somewhat hesitant towards it; Rebecca's response to those two was like that of an adult admonishing a naughty child.

“If everyone is going to pick their own group members, we won’t come to a decision until it’s dark, right? I think that we should draw by lots as a fair way of deciding. Max, bring that thing out.”

“Yes, President.”

As instructed, Max placed a small box on the table, as if it had been prepared for this occasion. The volume of the box was about thirty cubic centimetres, with an open hole at the top.

“Group A will have three people, while groups B and C will have two people. Well, allow me to be the first to draw.”

The group that Max drew was B. He then put on a businesslike expression, and handed the box to Jessica who was beside him.

“I’m going to draw!”

Jessica put her hands together in prayer to Saint Rosa Maria first, and then enthusiastically drew from the box — the result was also group B.

“Ahh…!”

Jessica revealed a bitter expression, and then stared at the creator of the ballot box, Max, from the edge of her vision. Max wasn't sure if he was the reason for her imposing manner, and seemed somewhat agitated. The next to draw was Lucca, and she drew A. And then Eco also drew A. It was then Ash’s turn to draw.

“………”

He could feel that both Eco and Lucca were glaring at him with eager eyes. There were three places in group A, so Ash didn't rule out the possibility that he would draw the last place in that group. Ash nervously swallowed, and then reached into the box with his hand. His fingers touched several strips of paper. Ash hesitated for a moment, before he made up his mind to take one of them.

“I’m C.”

“Aww…what a pity.”

Lucca made a long sigh in dismay. In contrast, Eco scowled back.

“Hey! If you’re my knight, have the courage to draw out A!”

“Don’t be so unreasonable!”

 

Silvia, who received the box from Ash, murmured ‘muu’ in a low voice, as she did not seem ready to draw.

“Why aren't you drawing, Silvia? Even if you want to get ahead, you may not necessarily draw the character that you want, you know?”

Rebecca smiled as she joked, and Silvia then revealed a somewhat embarrassed expression.

“T-There isn't a particular character that I want to draw!”

“Oh, is that so? If you have the luck of drawing C, you’ll be able to be in the forest alone with just you and Ash. That’s rather nice isn't it, Silvia?”

“I absolutely do not have that kinds of idea!”

Silvia’s entire face reddened, and she quickly pulled out a strip from the box without any further deliberation. She then carefully unfolded the piece of paper…

“It’s A!”

Silvia revealed an expression of despair as if the end of the world had come, as she gazed at the piece of paper in her hand.

“—It looks like the groups have been decided. Group A is Eco, Lucca and Silvia. Group B is Max and Jessica. And lastly, group C is me and Ash. Well then, let’s all immediately head out for Fianna Forest!”

In contrast to Rebecca's passionate tone, the remainder of the meeting room was filled with a low mood, as if they were attending a funeral. As the protagonist that everyone was fighting for, Ash was so nervous that he couldn't stop cold sweat from dripping down his forehead. It was because he had to accompany Rebecca on the same team for this task.

''—I have to do everything I can for this job, I can’t weigh Rebecca-san down.''