Ally or Enemy
The emperor had sent me away with a final piece of advice. He didn’t need to call me himself; whenever I made my decision, he would always come for me.
‘That kind of generosity only made me more restless.’
To begin the discussion in earnest, Aipman had prepared me a cup of hot tea.
“Thank you. It smells wonderful.”
“I chose it on purpose—something that calms the mind. It’s still hot, so we’ll wait a moment while it cools a little and talk slowly.”
“I’ve already thought about it a lot. I just can’t quite figure it out yet.”
“Don’t worry. Has His Majesty tried to pressure you in any way?”
“He hasn’t, though…”
My gaze drifted to the sword resting beside me.
The sword the emperor had gifted me.
Emperor Franz had told me I could refuse the position of captain of the Imperial Knights’ Regiment, but to accept this sword as a token of his sincerity.
This was pressure, and yet it wasn’t.
“His Majesty is endlessly generous to the talents he recognizes. He prefers to win hearts over forcing them. Even if you can’t have talent right now, you’ll come back someday.”
That was exactly why the Reichland Empire, ruled by Franz, overflowed with talent.
Talents he recognized received every possible support.
The heroes who rode on his back had unleashed their full power in their fields and created the greatest era of prosperity in imperial history.
“In other words, His Majesty wants my heart now. But I’m a prince of another country. I can’t become His Majesty’s man so lightly.”
“His Majesty wouldn’t be unaware of that. You wouldn’t be His man just because you work beneath him. Solea suffered a terrible fate, but in the end it became an ally. Think about what will come—when you’ll be king.”
“That I’ll be king in the future…”
Aipman had noticed something strange in my tone.
“Why are you so serious about that part? Is there some problem with succeeding to the throne?”
“No. There’s no issue with that.”
“Still, as my personal opinion, since you’ve shown such superb ability, I believe you can succeed to the throne without any problem.”
The fact that I had decided to cede the throne to Lua.
Only Lua and I knew of that decision.
‘Aipman is asking for advice, but I don’t have to tell him about the promise to Lua.’
It was a private agreement between just the two of us, and revealing it would surely cause immediate chaos in both Solea and the Empire.
I had to remember that.
Aipman was also the emperor’s man.
“The biggest problem lies elsewhere.”
“What kind of problem?”
“That I’m a professor. Even though it’s temporary, there are students I’m responsible for. I’m still a student myself.”
This wasn’t just planning or duty—it was a matter of responsibility.
The students had gathered to hear the professor’s lectures, and if he left them in the lurch, they would be forced to attend other classes.
Sebiche’s showy lectures.
I simply couldn’t allow that.
I didn’t know about the other professors’ lectures, but Sebiche’s lecture absolutely had to continue existing.
Because the ‘Gehenna Swordsmanship’ I had seen then was mere spectacle, not the real swordsmanship I sought.
I had my pride and conscience as a popular professor.
‘How did I manage to secure that foundation and mindset!’
“Why is it a problem that you’re both a professor and a student?”
“If I join the Knights, the academy will have to close, won’t it?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Isn’t that the natural thing to think?”
“Think again about what I said.”
What had I said?
His Majesty is endlessly generous to the talents he recognizes…
‘No way.’
“Even if you belong to the Imperial Knights, the Eighth Regiment is an independent unit. I’ll also entrust the selection to you.”
“But even generosity has limits. Does that mean His Majesty will allow me to keep attending the academy forever?”
“What could prevent it? The Imperial Knights already have seven strong regiments. Before you started, the Eighth didn’t exist.”
Upon closer look, in my previous life the Imperial Knights never created an Eighth Regiment.
Not during Franz’s lifetime, and not even under Queen Lua.
“The Eighth Regiment is just a pretext. It seems that’s the intention, from what I see. Since you’ll have to meet His Majesty again anyway, tell him yourself.”
Emperor Franz von Reichland.
The more I learned about him, the more terrifying he seemed.
The emperor had peeled away the conspiracy’s reach into Solea thanks to my clear memories from that life.
If I hadn’t remembered, or if my master hadn’t helped, Solea would have been annexed by the Empire like in that previous life.
‘In a way, it’s fortunate. That the greatest emperor in imperial history wanted to make me his ally.’
“His Majesty will do whatever you want. That kind of man is Emperor Franz. The tea should be just right now. Come, drink.”
I took a sip of the warm, fragrant tea, but it did nothing to calm me.
“You can be more confident.”
“What kind of confidence are you talking about?”
“Overall. You’re extremely talented. If all the young ones were like you, you could even resign as principal and go home right now.”
“You flatter me. It’s not as if I became principal without reason.”
Aipman shook his head firmly.
“When you reach my age, you’ll certainly have accomplished achievements far beyond mine. I’ll vouch for that with pleasure.”
“But age is part of ability. I remember Professor Doria and Sebiche calling me a youngling. Now they call me Professor Ereon…”
“That’s inevitable. Ultimately, talent makes everyone equal.”
The moment that name came up, I wanted to ask Aipman something.
“By the way, how did Sebiche become a professor?”
“You wouldn’t like it if I told you.”
“Our values differ. Our directions as swordsmen are completely different.”
“Originally Sebiche was a master of showy swordsmanship. That’s not swordsmanship—it’s close to ‘sword play’.”
“So that’s how it is. My assumption was correct.”
“That’s why he became famous through public appearances. But the decisive factor was his disciple.”
“His disciple?”
Aipman nodded and stood up, pulling a very thick book from the shelf.
“Graduate Records.”
“Probably five years ago. Look here.”
On the page Aipman opened for me, it listed how the graduates of that year had succeeded.
- Beatrice McLuin: Appointed captain of the Fifth Regiment of the Imperial Knights -
The name was familiar.
In my previous life she was the swordswoman who had pierced the heart of the demon army commander.
But I hadn’t known she was an academy graduate or how she had become a regiment captain.
“This graduate was Sebiche’s top disciple. She created her own swordsmanship inspired by his style. She defeated the deputy captain of the Fourth Regiment with it.”
“That’s incredible. It makes sense why her master’s name is so high.”
Somehow Sebiche looked different to me now.
“Now, you know that students being recruited into the Imperial Knights isn’t new to you. But from what I see, you’ll graduate with even greater accomplishments than Beatrice.”
“That’s something only time will tell.”
“No, I understand why His Majesty said he’d do whatever you want. After all, it’s you.”
Aipman lifted his teacup with a satisfied expression.
* * *
“So what did you decide, brother?”
The moment I returned, Lua asked.
“I’m going to see the emperor again. I want to make sure I know exactly how far he’ll accommodate my convenience.”
“If I were the emperor, I’d do exactly as you wish. As long as I can have you, it’s worth it.”
“You sound just like Professor Aipman.”
I gently stroked Lua’s hair.
“This isn’t favoritism toward you, brother. Do you know how big a blessing it is to be your sister? I’m already receiving enormous benefits just for being your little sister.”
“Still, I’m just a single sword. Maybe it’s better for the emperor to use you, who’s smarter, than me who only swings a sword.”
“You’re being too humble. I know you’re not an ordinary sword. Anyway, keeping the emperor waiting isn’t a good choice. When will you go?”
“Tomorrow. There’s still one more person I need to consult.”
Lua nodded.
“That sounds about right. But besides Professor Aipman, is there really someone else who can help you with this? The time’s already late, you know.”
“You know who it is.”
“I do? Who could it be…?”
It was only natural I didn’t know.
They were far away, not close.
“I’ll need your help again.”
A voice spoke in my mind as if waiting.
My master, who appeared whenever I needed him.
‘It’s been a while, Master. I’ll buy you plenty of snacks.’