-1379- Am I right?

By now, even the dullest person should have realized it.

This time, the unprecedented attack on Hagun Academy, which led to its current state, was entirely the doing of the Rebellion.

The appearance of Wallenstein confirmed this point.

The one-armed swordsman turned his head and looked at Edelweiss, who had been quietly observing from the crowd.

"Long time no see. I haven't had the chance to greet you properly. Please forgive my rudeness, Valkyrie."

Wallenstein bowed in Edelweiss's direction.

As the world's strongest swordsman who had a friendly relationship with the Rebellion, even the leader of his own faction treated her with caution, so naturally, Wallenstein did not dare to be disrespectful.

To this, Edelweiss simply shook her head.

"I am here for my own purposes. I have no intention of intervening in your affairs. You do not need to mind my presence."

Edelweiss gave Wallenstein a heads-up.

"In that case, we are relieved."

Wallenstein nodded, seemingly taking Edelweiss's neutrality for granted.

"Miss Edel..."

The people of Hagun Academy had complex expressions.

However, upon learning that the enemy was from the Rebellion, everyone understood that, given Edelweiss's position, it was indeed inappropriate for her to directly intervene in this matter.

After all, this was a confrontation between two of the three major forces.

The opponent was a representative of the Rebellion.

And Hagun Academy was naturally a representative of the Union.

As a Blazer who had friendly relations with the Rebellion and had once been wanted by both the Union and the League, Edelweiss refraining from adding insult to injury and helping the enemy was already a show of respect for the people here.

Given this, the others naturally wouldn't be so unwise as to ask Edelweiss for help.

Even if this time's opponent was someone they were likely to struggle against, the situation remained the same.

It was important to note that the opponent was one of the 12 Apostles, a bona fide world-class powerhouse.

In a direct confrontation, aside from Rozen, everyone else would likely be no match, including Ikki and Stella, who might not be able to win even if they used all their power, including Ittou Shura and Dragon Spirit.

This time's opponent was that formidable.

Nonetheless, the necessary questions still needed to be asked.

"Why did the Rebellion target Hagun Academy?"

Todo Touka stepped forward and asked.

"I am not obligated to answer you."

Wallenstein replied coldly, ignoring Touka's question entirely.

"Then let me rephrase the question."

Touka was not insistent, but her eyes became sharp.

"Why are the representative contestants from the other academies with the cadres of the Rebellion?"

Indeed.

That was the important question.

The fact that representatives from other academies had joined forces with Rebellion terrorists to attack Hagun Academy carried significant implications.

"Are you spies from the Rebellion planted in the other academies? Did the Rebellion send you to disrupt the relationships between the Seven Knight Academies?"

Touka fired off one question after another.

These were not baseless accusations.

If the league were to learn that the representatives from other academies had attacked Hagun, the high officials might suspect that the other academies, or even the country itself, had secretly betrayed them and colluded with the Rebellion.

If that were to happen, it wouldn't just be a disaster for the Seven Knight Academies; it would be a disaster for the entire country.

This might be the Rebellion's goal.

To sow discord among the Seven Knight Academies, and even within the Union nations, by planting members in the academies to become representative contestants and then launching an attack to incite internal strife.

If that were true...

"Then, no matter what, we won't let you succeed."

Touka made this declaration, prompting those around her to nod in agreement and raise their Devices.

Unfortunately...

"No, their goal is not to cause internal conflict within the league."

Rozen spoke up calmly.

"Even though the Seven Knight Academies are in this country, they are essentially facilities for training Blazers that belong to the league. This country itself does not have the qualification to train Blazers."

Precisely.

According to the Mage-Knight System, Blazers must graduate from schools recognized by international agencies, obtain a license and social status as Mage-Knights, and only then can they legally use their abilities.

Whether they are student knights attending school or graduated Mage-Knights with formal qualifications, they must all be under the management of the League of Mage-Knight Nations.

In other words, all student knights and Mage-Knights are essentially Blazers belonging to the league first and foremost, and only then are they representatives of their respective countries.

The league has established Blazer training facilities in all member countries, such as the Seven Knight Academies, which are directly under the league's control and not owned by any one country.

Given this, even if the Seven Knight Academies were to fight to the death or if one academy had connections with the Rebellion, the result would not be internal conflict but severe scrutiny, without holding the country itself accountable.

Thus, Touka's concerns were unwarranted.

However...

"If someone wants to target the league's education system and uses the Rebellion's power, then everything makes sense."

Rozen smiled knowingly, his words causing everyone present to change their expressions.

Even Wallenstein gazed intently at Rozen.

Rozen's point was simple.

"Why would anyone want to target the knight academies?"

Because they find the existence of the knight academies to be an eyesore, perhaps?

"Why must the attackers be representatives of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival?"

Because they need the stage of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival to achieve some purpose, right?

The mastermind behind all this hired the Rebellion, allowing them to infiltrate the academies and become representative contestants.

Considering the current state of the league, the reasons become apparent.

"Because the league has established Blazer training facilities in various countries, controlling the education of Blazers in member countries, monopolizing their future strength, and consolidating their position. Naturally, if a country is dissatisfied with its forces being controlled by the league and wants to free itself from the league's command, it wouldn't be surprising."

Rozen's gaze was fixed on Wallenstein and his group, smiling as he spoke.

"The one backing you is likely this country itself."

"Am I right?"

With these words, everyone fell silent.

Only the oppressive atmosphere continued to linger, unabated.