Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Became the Greatest Genius in History
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The moment Livian took Esther's hand, letters began dancing in her mind.
It felt as though the obstacles that had been blocking her path were clearing one by one, and her thoughts were racing freely down an open road.
Black hair and red eyes—distinctive physical traits that could be called his signature look—a black suit from a famous designer, a handsome face teetering on the boundary between adult and boy, and unlike ordinary nobles, not a trace of pretense or any sign of trying to curry favor with royalty.
"......"
He offered no unnecessary chit-chat, which could come across as concise and taciturn, yet he felt profoundly intelligent and thoughtful, befitting his reputation.
The traits of the novel's protagonist, which had eluded her until now, suddenly sprang to mind all at once.
A chill ran up her spine, and naturally, she became immersed in the ideas that had surfaced.
"livian."
Her brother's voice snapped her back to reality.
"Ah, sorry... "
Livian hurriedly pulled her hand behind her back.
She had been so absorbed that she had completely forgotten she was even shaking hands with Esther.
Unaware of her own breach of etiquette, she gave a slight bow of apology.
Just as Esther was about to say it was fine, Art approached from down the corridor and spoke up.
"Lord Esther. It would be best if you prepared for your audience soon."
"Ah, yes."
Esther bid a proper farewell to the two royals and the knights.
"Take care."
"See you next time."
Once Esther had departed, Oscar approached Trowill, clutching the manual in his hand.
"Oscar. You did well escorting our esteemed guest. But what's that?"
"Lord Esther gave it to me. It's the manual for the martial art we saw in the Record Orb the other day."
"Damn it, I knew I could count on you...!!"
Trowill was a martial artist.
He had actually wanted to ask Esther about that martial art he had demonstrated before, but the timing had never come up.
Having to let Esther go just like that felt regrettable, so at this moment, the manual Oscar held out seemed more valuable than any gift.
As master and disciple happily pored over the manual together, Livian watched Esther's retreating back.
Characters in novels always needed real-life inspirations as their motifs.
Livian thought Esther matched the protagonist perfectly.
'I wish we could have talked a bit more......'
Ideas had come to her, but something still felt lacking.
Was there no way to learn more about him?
"Achoo."
Livian snuck a sniffle away from the others and hurried back to her room.
The priority now was to jot down all the ideas that had just occurred to her.
***
Bimark sat alone on the throne.
He had dismissed all his subjects in order to speak candidly with Esther one-on-one.
He was a hero, but only fifteen years old.
He had met many people in his life so far, but he couldn't quite grasp what kind of person Esther was.
Erphs had described Esther as a mysterious genius.
A prodigy with grand ambitions, living his life gazing far beyond the horizon, unlike ordinary folk.
When Oscar had met him in the Tristy Autonomous Region to deliver the reward for dispelling the Necronomicon's barrier ritual, Oscar had said of Esther:
-He said he doesn't care much for honor or money.
'When people see something desirable, their hearts naturally yearn for it—truly an enigmatic fellow.'
Everyone had desires.
It was human instinct to envy what lay above and crave possession.
There were even those who lived their entire lives chasing such things; the easiest way to tempt someone was to offer material rewards like those.
But if Esther's words weren't mere flattery, then other approaches would be needed.
As Bimark pondered, the door to the audience chamber opened.
Esther appeared.
Having paid proper respects to the king as a citizen and noble of the kingdom, he strode forward confidently.
"Esther Tristy."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You've had a long journey. I offer my thanks."
Bimark continued.
"Though I sent an envoy to express my gratitude before, your recent feats shine so brightly that they rival the fortifications on the eastern front built by my predecessor. Thus, I deemed it proper as king to meet you in person."
He praised Esther's achievements as king.
"Thanks to your observation of the anomaly in the eastern region, the lords gained a fortnight's time, and with your ingenious new weapon, you contributed not only to the Tristy Autonomous Region but to the entire kingdom beyond the east. This is comparable to the first Red Mage Tower Lord, who served at the side of the founding king and solidified the kingdom's foundations."
"Moreover, you faced the archdragon Dargishkal without fleeing, demonstrating utmost valor. It was not a reckless defeat but a direct path to victory, an example worthy of all soldiers and lords."
He deliberately avoided mentioning Kenneth's death.
Erphs had informed him that Esther had a poor relationship with his family.
"A hero who has rendered immense service to the kingdom deserves commensurate treatment. Thus, I bestow upon you, Esther Tristy, one hundred million credits, the title of margrave, and a fief... Hmm."
Bimark looked at Esther.
Sensing he had something to say, he set aside talk of rewards for the moment.
"Speak freely."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Esther's tightly closed lips parted.
"You honor me so greatly that I hardly know what to say. But as with all worldly affairs, there are crucial matters lurking in the shadows, unseen on the surface. Thus, I wish to address them here and correct Your Majesty's assessment of me."
Esther sought to correct Bimark's words.
He had intended to use the rewards as a pretext to grant him margrave status and a position to keep him close.
Bimark stroked his chin beard and listened attentively.
"First, regarding the observation. Though I discovered the anomaly and sent word to the Blue Mage Tower, it was not an achievement I intended or accomplished alone. I merely stepped out to survey the surroundings, and I could only venture into the depths thanks to my maid, my sister Haniel Tristy's guard knight Ian, and the mercenary band."
Esther claimed it was mere luck that he encountered the sandworm and noticed the anomaly; even if someone else—an ordinary mage—had been there, it would have been the same.
"Furthermore, developing the new weapon was thanks to my sister, Haniel Tristy. Though I've gained fame at a young age and am overly called a genius, the one truly recognized for her magical talent before I solved the Millennium Problem is Haniel Tristy. I merely benefited from her grace."
Though he had manufactured the Hell Tank in short order by borrowing Erphs's workshop.
This, too, was due to his sister's help and Erphs's investment, so Esther disclaimed it as his own merit.
"Esther Tristy."
Bimark fixed him with a sharp gaze.
"I am no fool."
Yet.
Esther responded calmly.
"I merely wished to say that others' help was immense. I can't claim I was uninvolved, but how can I call a weapon born from such great aid my sole creation? It was a collaborative effort."
"The first Red Mage Tower Lord who served the founding king built all magical foundations alone, without aid from any mage, and nurtured talents. Though I achieved much, it was only with the help of many and sheer luck, so how can you compare me to him?"
"Moreover, I could defeat the archdragon only thanks to the Hell Tank we made and the toil of countless soldiers. Without them, I never would have faced Dargishkal's egg. And as one sustained by the precious crops of the common folk, how could I flee in fear? It is no praiseworthy act but simply my duty."
In short, Esther insisted that all feats called heroic were not his doing.
Not because he was a genius, but because anyone—even a commoner—could have done it there.
He steadfastly denied his own achievements.
"The gold, treasures, and praise belong not to me, Your Majesty. They should go to those by my side and the many citizens who fought and triumphed at the Polar Anomaly. I beg your understanding."
As Oscar had said, money and honor seemed of little value to Esther.
Originally, Bimark had planned to grant Esther the fief of Count Kymonsto, stripped of his title two years prior, along with a new family name.
Currently under provisional royal domain, it was land corrupted by the previous lord and its industries ruined, needing someone to restore it.
Rich in salt and serving as a gateway linking the western kingdom and royal territories, it was a fief with solid prospects.
Hereditary rights would of course be included.
Esther surely knew this.
Gaining margrave status naturally, and for one estranged from his family, it was an attractive chance for a new base.
He had also planned to create the new post of Mage Tower Overseer right here, allowing him to fully unleash his magical talents.
For a mere boy of fifteen, it was a reward of disproportionate scale.
It would surely provoke backlash from those entangled in political interests.
Yet Bimark's resolve was firm.
Esther's worth justified it.
Who else in the world could achieve such feats in so short a time?
The value for investment overflowed.
But even as he sought to exalt Esther for deeds no mere commoner could accomplish and bestow rewards.
In this conversation, Esther simply refused.
"......"
Here and now, Esther made clear he desired no rewards.
What, then, does he want from me?
No—can I even give him what he wants?
With relations so new and shallow, he couldn't probe his intentions, leaving him frustrated.
Bimark wanted Esther by any means.
But with such firm resolve from the other side, pressing now would backfire.
In the end, Bimark turned away first.
"I need time to think. Grant me a week. The people will point fingers if I neglect the kingdom's savior."
Esther bowed his head.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Watching Esther withdraw with proper decorum, Bimark let out a small sigh.
He was greedy.
Now, he had no choice but to rack his brains for a way to win this boy over.
***
My gut was telling me 100% for sure.
I'm not one to trust physiognomy, but every time he looked at me, that chilling malice in his eyes felt just like the boss's.
If I get caught in Bimark's schemes, I'll be exploited to death.
I have to escape by any means necessary.