Durandal's authority in Laterano was limitless.
That meant she could do anything without encountering any meaningful resistance. Even if there was any, all she had to do was mention it to Fiammetta, and the resistance would vanish in no time—or even become her assistance.
The power brought by having an entire nation serve her wholeheartedly was terrifying. It could even be said that every order she gave was a ruthless violation of the rules. And this was happening while Hoshino had only just arrived and was still severely unfamiliar with the political system.
She knew, but she did not care.
Hoshino could not even be bothered to study Laterano's laws. She did not seek to maximize her own interests; convenience was enough.
She had studied these students enough, and she had studied Laterano enough. It was time to cast the net.
Of course, she had to get the cat first.
Durandal's personal maid, Rita Rossweisse, diligently provided another day of colorful, fragrant, delicious cafeteria food. As if playing a strategy game, she earned quite a bit more favor with the students.
If good food was water that nourished things silently, then delicious private-brewed liquor was the spark that ignited relationships.
As expected of alcohol—the lubricant between people.
Meanwhile, Hoshino applied to open the botanical practice garden early. With everyone sharing an unspoken understanding, wine grape seedlings had already been planted. Tender green shoots stretched and grew, slowly climbing along the trellises. It looked as though this generation was about to experience the kind of "madness of student days" Fiammetta knew so well.
"Why does it feel like it happened even faster than before... In my year, it took over three months before a student discovered the planting practice garden. From planting grapes to brewing wine, it was more than a