Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Became the Greatest Genius in History
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To be honest, I’d braced myself for it.
I’d been able to stay calm while staring at the mountain of letters that had flown into the mansion because I’d half-expected it.
But when I heard that even the king ruling this country wanted to see me, my heart sank.
King Bimark.
He was the most powerful man in the Justina Kingdom.
Like my biological father Porto, the kingdom had feudal lords with their own territories, but they were all mere vassals who had sworn loyalty to this king.
Even Porto, who lived like a king on our lands, was known to kneel and bow his head before this old man—proof of his immense influence and prestige.
From what I knew, he had two children. For some reason, they’d been born late, so they weren’t much older than me.
Prince Trowil and Princess Livian, I think. Both had inherited their shrewd father’s blood and earned high praise.
“Young master, why the long face? A true man stays composed no matter the threat. It’s a virtue. Smile big like me.”
Dalpi lifted the corners of his mouth with his index finger.
He’d just been fidgeting with the map a moment ago, and now here he was, acting all nonchalant and giving advice the second Art vanished. It was sneaky and infuriating.
“Illuwa-it!”
“Kyaaack!”
After giving Dalpi’s side another proper lesson today, I let out a small sigh.
‘I guess I have to go meet him.’
The edict had a personal threat scrawled on it: “If you don’t come to me, I’ll come see you myself.”
At the mansion’s main gate, Art was waiting with the coachman.
My trip to the capital was already a done deal.
Memories surfaced of the black company I’d slaved away at in my previous life.
How many nights had I spent pulling all-nighters at the office? Every time I’d tried to quit, our boss had dangled performance bonuses and promotions to chain me down.
What on earth was he going to say to me?
What if he told me to work at the palace while I was at it?
If this were Korea, I could brush it off easily enough, but a king’s word carried real weight.
Could I even refuse properly…?
No, I couldn’t act all spineless like Poochi.
I had to reject it somehow.
I didn’t want to live like Zhuge Liang, worked to death serving Liu Bei his whole life.
This time around, I’d live to a ripe old age and die comfortably.
All I cared about was the free ride.
I grabbed the map.
“Dalpi.”
“Yes, young master.”
“Take good care of Sis while I’m gone. Contact me with the recording orb if anything happens.”
“Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own? Wouldn’t it be better if I came along?”
I shook my head.
“You remember what happened. Just in case—please.”
Ian was there, but leaving Haniell alone still felt uneasy.
“Understood.”
“Don’t worry about me. After all….”
I glanced out the window.
At the mansion gate, Art and four people who looked like knights were waiting.
I spotted that Oscar fellow from the other day’s visit.
“See? No need to worry.”
“Right?”
“But what are those guys doing in front of the Hell Tank?”
After returning to the mansion, I’d parked the Hell Tank right by the front gate. They must’ve found it fascinating—they were stroking the armor and tapping on it.
“Can’t really blame ’em for the tank.”
It was recent, but we’d once caught Zephyr crawling under the tank.
When we asked why, he’d claimed it was for cleaning, and we’d let it slide pretending not to know.
I’d planned to swing by the capital anyway to scout new places to move.
While I was gone, I told Dalpi to look after Sis and the Hell Tank, then headed out.
“Is it this massive barrel that spews hellfire?”
“The smaller barrel mounted beside it fires mana shells and can rotate for all-around bombardment.”
“If these were deployed en masse, it’d drastically change the tide on the eastern front.”
The knights appraising the Hell Tank greeted me politely as I approached.
Oscar stepped forward and offered his hand.
“Long time no see, Sir Ester.”
“Likewise.”
We shook hands briefly.
“Honestly, you’re the only one who’s racked up this many achievements in such a short time. What would’ve become of the Justina Kingdom without Ester Tristy? Hahaha.”
I hadn’t done it to rack up achievements like this, but haha.
Oscar’s admiring gaze was making me deeply uncomfortable.
“By the way, Sir Ester, I have a question for you….”
He asked cautiously.
“Go ahead.”
“I heard you’re not just skilled in magic but also have real expertise in martial arts. As a warrior myself, I’m so curious about your style that I can’t sleep….”
Wait, how the hell did he even know that?
“Let’s talk on the way.”
“Ah, yes.”
Feeling cold sweat trickle down my spine, I quietly boarded the carriage.
***
Of course I’d envied popular people at some point in my life.
Folks on TV always looked so cool.
Back in my immature school days, I’d dreamed of being a singer or actor.
Who hasn’t fantasized at least once about a celebrity’s life, stepping out into crowds parting like the sea?
I’d thought it must feel like being the protagonist of this world.
“I have questions for Sir Ester Tristy! I’m Drake, reporter for Torifua Magic Weekly! The Blue Tower says you predicted the polar anomaly’s timing in the kingdom’s east! Any chance for an interview?”
Nope.
I finally got why politicians roll out in wheelchairs instead of fancy foreign cars on the news.
The moment I returned to the Logness Royal Territory, I was bombarded with greetings from a swarm of people.
It was seriously overwhelming.
“I heard the new weapon developed by Lady Haniell Tristy performed amazingly! Did Sir Ester Tristy assist in the design process at all?”
“I’m Adrian! Everyone’s dying to hear about Sir Ester Tristy, the youngest to receive a title and medal! Spare us a moment!!”
The royal territory was packed with what looked like reporters from media outlets, pens and notebooks in hand, swarming for interviews.
“What’s going on? What’s the commotion…?”
“Is some famous theater troupe in town…?”
Crowds formed, and people started gathering.
As the kingdom’s most populous metropolis, the numbers were no joke.
“Make way, everyone. Sir Ester Tristy has urgent business.”
“He’s on his way to an audience with His Majesty. Clear the path!!”
The escorting knights shielded me from the crowd and started forcing a way through.
Now I understood why the king had assigned knights as bodyguards.
It wasn’t the outside that was dangerous—the inside was.
“What the….”
As I muttered in disbelief, Art kindly explained.
“Sorry about that. Word must’ve spread that His Majesty summoned you to the capital. Just bear with it a bit.”
It wasn’t me suffering anyway—it was the knights.
Thanks to their efforts, we broke through the throng, and I could finally breathe.
“You’ve worked hard. And sorry about that. Next time, I’ll guide you through quieter routes.”
“No, you knights had it worse.”
Oscar’s right arm clutched a stack of papers—the beginner’s kickboxing guide I’d hastily whipped up in the carriage, supposedly a secret manual.
A masterpiece complete with illustrations, courtesy of Nob AI.
Oh, right—they’d all been shocked I could draw so well too.
AI drawing well was a given.
Back in the old world, Nob AI churned out top-tier hentai too.
『…….』
『…….』
Nob AI, why the embarrassment?
Hentai’s not shameful—it’s art.
Straighten those shoulders. You’re the greatest artist in this world.
『From today, I’ll take pride in it….』
『(灬´ ˘ `灬 )』
Anyway.
-The First Prince is quite interested in the martial arts you demonstrated. Could you share even a little of your know-how?
Just reiterating: I wrote it at Oscar’s earnest pleading.
No clue what they’d use it for, but with nothing else to do in the carriage, I obliged.
And that’s when I learned: Edward Henry, the retired soldier who’d visited the mansion before, had recorded Kenneth and me sparring with a recording orb.
That’s how it spread to these guys too.
“We’ve arrived.”
Lost in thought for a moment, I slowly raised my head.
The grand entrance to the royal castle loomed before me.
My fate would probably be decided right here.
I swallowed hard inwardly.
Your Majesty, I’m coming to meet you now.