Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: The Empire's Academy
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The next day.
Beonald opened his eyes at a time when the sunlight was not only too bright but also so hot it stung his skin.
Scratching his head, he looked at the clock in the room and thought, 'It'll be lunchtime soon.' He then glanced around.
The traces of last night spent alone with Heidi were evident. Not only were empty liquor bottles scattered about, but he could also see his own clothes and underwear, along with the dress he had gifted Heidi, torn to shreds and left in a messy heap.
'Hmm, it's been too long... I was a bit rough. And a little drunk too.'
"Mmm... mmm..."
When a small, animal-like moan came from beside him, he turned his head in that direction.
The face of a beauty with distinct features came into view, her light blonde hair reflecting the sunlight. Below her snow-white shoulders, the blanket she had pulled up followed the curves of her body, and beneath it, a pair of very long, bare legs stretched out.
"Lord... Beonald..."
'...Well, I did say the first experience with this body is important, but if she's this lovely, it's satisfying. Of course, the... act(?) was satisfying too. Now, to clean up without embarrassing her...'
Beonald began very carefully tidying the room, which was in disarray from the night of revelry.
He was especially cautious not to wake Heidi as he cleared away the clothes, bottles, glasses, and so on... erasing the traces of last night's frenzy.
After changing his clothes, he stepped out of the room very quietly, where Sain greeted him outside the door.
"Are you awake, Lord Beonald?"
"Ah, have you been waiting since morning?"
"Yes. That is my duty. By the way, Sir Heidi?"
"Still in dreamland. She worked hard all this time, so let her sleep soundly. Rest is important."
"Yes."
Beonald quickly noticed a lack of energy somewhere in Sain's voice as she answered.
In his past life, he had a body that played around with wives in the double and triple digits.
His intuition about women's reactions and actions was faster than his political judgment.
Surely, she must be feeling various subtle emotions because he slept with Heidi last night.
"Sain, as I said before, I've given all of you the right to choose in these kinds of relationships. And I can love everyone who enters my garden. Heidi did achieve merit in the war, but that's not specifically why I granted her request. It just gave her the confidence to find the courage to speak to me."
"......"
"You might think I'm a troublesome man... but as you know, to obtain something I deem valuable, I don't hesitate to use any means or method, sometimes even cruel and terrifying acts. Therefore, in male-female relationships, if I were to make the 'choice' first, there's a high chance I might ignore the other's will, so I leave the choice to you."
More accurately, it was because of his insane father, Felix von Neumel, who even received taxes for babies for the sake of an heir, but since he was his father in a past life and couldn't apply that now, he explained it indirectly by describing his actions and deeds.
"Or would you prefer to see me like that? A man who only imposes his own stubbornness, looks out only for his own interests like nobles in power struggles, gives no choice, possesses and dominates the other, and exploits their emotions?"
"...N-no! I, I understand. Lord Beonald is fine just as you are now."
"Then that's settled. Additionally~ I don't really like saying things I don't mean, so I won't say I love only you while having no intention of loving just one person. Anyway, with that... hmm?"
Tug—
Seeing the light return to Sain's eyes and thinking she understood, Beonald was about to go on his way when he suddenly felt a slight pull on his right arm.
Looking back, he saw Sain holding onto his sleeve with her head bowed. Seeing her flushed face beneath, he could guess what signal it was without further explanation.
Beonald immediately headed with Sain to an empty room in this mansion where no one else would come.
***
After this and that, it was past noon and into the afternoon by the time Beonald could reach Baron Zelkerd's office.
Seeing him, Baron Zelkerd greeted him with a smile and a sly look.
"You've finally arrived, Lord Beonald. I thought you might be late after last night's... vigorous activities, but you're quite late indeed. Hahaha."
"Ah~ Well, that's how it turned out. Between knights, you know... stamina isn't ordinary, you see."
Thinking it was truly fortunate he had let Heidi sleep soundly, Beonald quickly began to think on his feet.
Truthfully, he woke up in the morning, but how could he say he ran another round(?) after that?
Ignorance is bliss, so Beonald glossed over it appropriately, and Baron Zelkerd seemed to understand at that point.
"Ah, I understand that. In my youth, I also... ahem! Ah, I almost let the story slip. There's someone waiting for you..."
"Someone waiting?"
"Yes. As you know, during the battle near Earl Callermain's castle, there were observers on the castle walls, right?"
"That's right."
"And you know there was someone from the Imperial Capital among them? As an inspector. It's that person. They'll probably be here soon. They... specifically said they wanted to meet you, Lord Beonald."
Beonald nodded, thinking it was natural.
Although small, it was a proper family-to-family dispute, and if luck was bad, it could have escalated into a full-scale war, so someone had been dispatched from the Imperial Capital.
'Hmm, well, meeting me is natural too, I suppose? I was practically the joker in this war. The problem is not knowing what kind of person is coming...'
"Excuse me. Baron Zelkerd, Sir Repart of the Imperial Knight Order from the capital has arrived."
"Oh, he's here. Show him in."
When the door opened, a man so large he could be thought of as a beast stood there.
He was a giant of a man, a full head taller than even Heidi, with a scar-covered face and closely cropped hair.
Yet, despite his massive frame, his footsteps made no sound at all, and the aura and pressure he exuded were considerable, suggesting he indeed possessed the martial prowess worthy of the title 'Imperial Knight.'
'...This is quite a heavyweight they've sent. Not someone who should come to a place like this?'
"I am Repart of the Imperial Knight Order. Are you Young Master Beonald Callermain?"
"Yes, that's correct. Sir Repart, pleased to meet you."
Exchanging greetings and meeting Repart's eyes, Beonald felt considerable pressure. But after all, he was just one warrior.
As Beonald, who had remained unfazed under the collective gaze of numerous generals and warriors in the Empire's military council, he couldn't help but feel no pressure.
He only thought of him as a slightly oversized gorilla.
"......"
'Still sizing me up? Cut it out. I'm not someone to be intimidated by the likes of you. Hmph, you'd need to bring at least the Imperial Knight Commander to freeze me in place.'
"Hmm, seeing you in person, you exceed the rumors, Young Master Beonald."
"I don't know what the rumors are, but you said you wanted to meet me... is meeting me the end of it?"
"Of course not. Please, have a seat first."
Saying so, Sir Repart sat in the chair opposite Beonald.
Beonald sat down as if not to be outdone and looked at him. Sir Repart, still wearing an impassive expression like a statue, spoke to Beonald again.
"Actually, I came here to monitor the war between Baron Zelkerd and Viscount Royen to prevent it from escalating and to see if Earl Callermain mediated well. But seeing you, Young Master Beonald, has been a continuous series of surprises. Not only your active role in the infantry ranks on the battlefield, but the most astonishing thing is that everything about this war danced in the palm of your hand."
"It wasn't that difficult a task. You praise me too much."
"I heard the full story from Baron Zelkerd... I couldn't help but be amazed. And I had to feel relief at the foolishness of the Callermain Earldom. If a talent like you had become the heir of the Callermain Earldom, it would have been quite a headache for the central government."
'Don't tell me... he came to nip the bud of unease? Damn it! I'm unarmed...! And Heidi is still asleep!'
At Sir Repart's words, Beonald's vigilance shot to the maximum, and cold sweat began to flow in this unarmed situation.
Not only was he unarmed, but the martial prowess of that Imperial Knight was clearly not ordinary at a glance.
'I had too much to do in this war to improve my personal skills. Damn it! If we fight here... should I use Baron Zelkerd as a decoy and run?'
"That's why I ask. Young Master Beonald, would you by any chance be interested in enrolling in the Imperial Academy?"
"...The Academy?"
"Yes. In this turbulent age where six nations compete with each other, the Empire needs even one more talent like you, Young Master Beonald. I will personally recommend you. Your age is just right, 17 this year, so enrollment is fully possible. It's originally a place that gathers and educates youths from 15 to 20 years old."
'...Oh, this is quite...'
For Beonald, who had planned to go to the Imperial Capital anyway, this was incredibly welcome news.
He had planned to go to the Imperial Capital after settling Baron Zelkerd's affairs to find his former territory, 'Benofis,' and somehow either obtain a territory or rise to the upper echelons of the Empire.
'Even so, for a goddess, she takes care of such details. Is this divine guidance? Very fortunate indeed.'
"I can't say for sure about the future, but I guarantee you will see a larger world and have many opportunities to learn. What do you say?"
"Before deciding, I'd like to hear a detailed explanation about the Imperial Academy. It makes no sense not to know about the place I'm entering."
"Hmm, a very reasonable statement. Then let me tell you. Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask, Young Master Beonald."
Although he was already full of intention to accept, Beonald thought he should extract all possible information from this Imperial Knight. He subtly asked Sir Repart questions and listened to the answers, managing to outline not only information about the Academy in the capital but also the current situation of the Imperial Family.
"Do you have any more questions?"
"No. That's enough now. It was truly very helpful. And I'm certainly becoming curious. The Imperial Academy... I will enroll."
When Beonald gave a definite answer, Sir Repart's expression softened slightly.
Of course, his originally intimidating impression remained, so one couldn't let their guard down, but he immediately took out a letter from his pocket to write a recommendation.
"I believed you would, Young Master Beonald. Then I'll write the recommendation letter right away."
"That... I appreciate the recommendation, but I have one request."
"A request... you say?"
"Yes. As you explained, the Imperial Academy has separate faculties for nobles and commoners who enroll. Since I'm practically a half-baked noble anyway, and as it was here, if I go to the noble faculty like this, I'll only be a seed of discord. So I'd like to enter the commoner faculty and live quietly."
Sir Repart was momentarily surprised by Beonald's request, but after a moment's thought, he nodded, thinking it was quite plausible from his perspective.
After all, the war that broke out here also started over issues related to his bloodline, so if he went to the Academy in the Imperial Capital, the likelihood of even worse discrimination and problems arising was high.
And so, Sir Repart wrote a recommendation letter to enroll Beonald in the commoner faculty.