An Unexpected Visitor
“I present myself before the sun of the empire. It is an honor to meet you.”
“Honour? Come, come. You were the only one I was waiting for anyway.”
The guard at the palace gate answered my query, and the emperor was having tea in the garden.
Guided by the attendant, I approached the emperor's location, and he rose abruptly from his seat to greet me.
“To receive you like this… I know not what to do with myself.”
“I only thank you for coming. Now then, let us introduce ourselves. This is Erewon von Soleil, the person I intend to appoint as the new commander of the imperial knight division.”
Someone was already there, sharing tea with the emperor. pGT>She wore a beautiful dress, and her appearance was even more beautiful than the dress itself… pGT>‘Eh? I recognize that face somehow…’ pGT>“A pleasure to meet you. I am Erewon von Soleil, the prince of Solea.” pGT>“No.” pGT>“Pardon?” pGT>“No, I mean I have never met you before.” pGT>The emperor looked at me with an expression of puzzlement. pGT>‘How could you not recognize Irinid?’ pGT>What, Irinid? pGT>This delicate little miss? pGT>“It’s not just anyone. How could you not recognize me, Professor?” pGT>“No, that’s… it’s just that I’ve never seen a student of yours dressed so beautifully before.” pGT>“Oh my….” pGT>Irinid turned her head sharply. pGT>She must have been quite angry that I had failed to recognize her. pGT>“Even without that, I was talking to your granddaughter about you.” pGT>“That’s right. About how you shattered my sword.” pGT>A chill ran down my spine. pGT>Even now, vivid memories of having to comfort the Irinid who had been crying like a child for a long time after I broke her sword still lingered. pGT>“That was… I’m sorry.” pGT>“Not at all. Your granddaughter is fine. Isn’t she?” pGT>“She’s fine. Because of that, I learned that one shouldn’t rely only on a good sword. His Majesty also promised to make me a new sword.” pGT>“Eh. Even if you call him grandfather, that’s—” pGT>“Come on. You’re embarrassed when other people are around.” pGT>From this, it was clear that the two of them were a grandfather and granddaughter who shared an especially warm bond. pGT>“I already knew that the student Irinid calls the emperor grandfather. So you may address him freely as you like…” pGT>“Quiet!” pGT>Irinid quickly covered my mouth. pGT>“Ouch.” pGT>She then pulled her hand away belatedly, feeling embarrassed. pGT>But the emperor observed this entire scene with a most entertained expression. pGT>“Although you are a professor, I know that Prince Erewon is younger than Irinid. How much younger exactly?” pGT>“Come to think of it, I never even asked how old Professor is. How old are you?” pGT>“Fifteen.” pGT>“Fif-fifteen?” pGT>Irinid’s mouth fell wide open in shock. pGT>Although she had covered her mouth belatedly, it was too late. pGT>“So I’m… four years older than you…” pGT>“Indeed. You are four years older than me, my dear sister.” pGT>“This is strange. Losing to a professor who is only four years younger in a single stroke.” pGT>The emperor’s expression grew increasingly pleased as he watched the situation unfold. pGT>“Prince Erewon.” pGT>“Yes, Your Majesty.” pGT>“Do you have any fiancées?” pGT>“Ugh! Wheeze. C-cough, cough…” pGT>Irinid, who had been taking a sip of tea to calm herself, began to cough violently. pGT>Though the sounds were intense, she did not seem that serious, so I continued the conversation. pGT>“Not yet.” pGT>“Then what about my granddaughter?” pGT>“Ugh! Hic!” pGT>Irinid’s coughing, which had been subsiding, grew worse again. pGT>“I don’t believe I should answer such a question. It would be inappropriate for me.” pGT>“Just in case, I asked. Are you not greedy?” pGT>“I am not greedy. What kind of greed are you referring to?” pGT>“Power.” pGT>The cheerful atmosphere suddenly grew heavy with those words. pGT>“Once you connect with the imperial family, no matter how lowly your position, you will enter the line of imperial succession. You understand that, don’t you?” pGT>“I do. But, at most, as a lowly person, the chances of me or Irinid student ascending to the throne are almost zero.” pGT>“That is not something you can be sure of. Even though my eldest son is currently the crown prince….” pGT>The emperor’s greatest concern: who to pass the throne to. pGT>Although Helmut von Reichland, his eldest son, sat on the crown prince’s seat, it was merely in name. pGT>Emperor Franz had no intention of passing the throne to Helmut, who used his status as crown prince to engage in despicable acts. pGT>Even though Helmut was incompetent and debauched, the fact that the people around him were not fools was why a civil war had broken out in my previous life. pGT>‘But even so, I’m bringing up such an important topic to a king from another country.’ pGT>I decided to end the conversation before it became any more serious. pGT>“I’m not in any kind of relationship with Irinid student yet. You are being far too presumptuous.” pGT>“Just think about it. From my perspective, your granddaughter seems to like you very much.” pGT>“Grandfather!” pGT>Irinid’s face flushed red as she raised her voice. pGT>“Oh dear, oh dear. My ears are going to fall off. So you don’t like Prince Erewon?” pGT>“N-no, but…” pGT>“If you don’t dislike him, that’s fine. Now, it seems I’ve been talking about too many unrelated things. You didn’t come here today just to chat about this, did you?” pGT>“Whatever the topic, as long as Your Majesty is present, it is all good.” pGT>“You really know how to speak. I enjoyed it. Then, please tell me. What will you do?” pGT>The main purpose of today’s visit to the emperor finally came into focus. pGT>“At that time, His Majesty said that one need not swear loyalty.” pGT>“Correct.” pGT>“I will accept the proposal to assume the position of commander of the Eighth Division of the imperial knight division.” pGT>The emperor’s expression brightened at my acceptance. pGT>“Well thought of!” pGT>“In exchange for acceptance, there are a few more things I would like to ask for.” pGT>“What could be a problem? Say anything you like.” pGT>“I would like to delay the formation of the Eighth Division.” pGT>“Why is that?” pGT>“As a professor at the academy, I would like to finish at least this semester. I wish to fulfill my responsibility to the students who have avoided their other classes to attend mine.” pGT>The emperor nodded readily. pGT>“No issue. The formation of the Eighth Division was never urgent in the first place. The imperial knight division’s strength already exceeds that of the seven divisions combined.” pGT>“And you said you would leave the selection to me.” pGT>“On that matter, is there anything more I can ask of you? You already said I could do as I please.” pGT>“After this semester ends, I would like to personally select the division members while traveling the world.” pGT>Without needing to say more, the emperor sipped his tea and nodded leisurely. pGT>“Do as you please. Go ahead.” pGT>“Thank you.” pGT>“From this very moment, you are the commander of the Eighth Division of the imperial knight division.” pGT>“Eh? So quickly?” pGT>“Why so? Do you want a grand inauguration ceremony? I can arrange it if you wish.” pGT>“Ah, no!” pGT>I was honestly surprised. pGT>The emperor’s special treatment continued to exceed my expectations. pGT>‘If this is the kind of person he is, it explains why so many talented individuals gathered. The problem was that the intense civil war caused those talents to scatter across factions…’ pGT>“As this is an event related to the imperial knight division, whether it is an inauguration or founding ceremony, it will happen eventually. It must be grand, of course. But there is no need to rush. I will wait for you to complete the selection.” pGT>“Once again, thank you for your consideration.” pGT>“Hm. If you know how to be grateful, that’s enough. Is there anything else you need?” pGT>“No.” pGT>“Then you may go. It must have been very tiring to deal with this old man.” pGT>“Not at all. If His Majesty were not the master of the imperial knight division, I would have firmly refused this position.” pGT>“That is wonderful. Heh heh…” pGT>At that moment, I felt someone approaching from a distance. pGT>“No matter what, this is inconvenient.” pGT>“What does it matter? I am the empire’s second-in-command. I don’t want my throat cut, so don’t get in my way.” pGT>In normal circumstances, one would have had to inform the attendants before approaching the emperor. pGT>Given that he claimed to be the second-in-command, I could guess who was coming. pGT>“Someone is coming toward the imperial palace.” pGT>At my words, the emperor’s expression hardened. pGT>“Without even asking for permission, you just appeared. I suppose I know who it is. I will apologize in advance. It may become an inconvenient place.” pGT>“No. For you to apologize in that way.” pGT>“If it comes to that, we should leave the seat quickly. You have no other business, do you? Our pretty granddaughter, you too should leave quickly…” pGT>But it was already too late. The uninvited guest had approached and shouted behind the emperor. pGT>“Helmut von Reichland, the crown prince of the Reichland Empire, has arrived! Ah, by the way, I present myself before the sun of the empire.” pGT>At the rude greeting, the emperor’s expression stiffened. pGT>The uninvited guest was none other than the incompetent crown prince, Helmut.