Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: A Useful Traitor
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'It really is a different world. Well... it's not like it hasn't changed at all in 500 years.'
Getting inside the capital city's walls took a bit of time, but it was quite easy.
With the Callermain family seal and the identification documents from Baron Zelcard and Count Callermain carried by the coachmen, their identities were verified. After paying the toll, they passed through without incident.
It was amusing that there was an entrance fee, but Beonald understood that this was undoubtedly how they secured the tax revenue to maintain this massive city, its walls, and its roads.
"Where shall we go first, Young Master?"
"For now, head straight to the Academy. Let's complete the registration first, then we'll purchase a mansion."
"Understood, Young Master."
Following Beonald's order, the coachman headed for the Imperial Academy.
The Imperial Academy was situated at the easternmost edge of the castle at the center of the imperial capital. In front of it, a vast plaza paved with stone tiles came into view.
The sight of Academy students in their uniforms gathered and laughing was the most prominent feature, and the numerous carriages and beastkin also caught his eye.
"Wow..."
"Truly the capital... indeed."
'...This place is worth seeing. An educational institution should indeed receive the most investment.'
Beonald nodded as he gazed at the plaza and the Academy drawing steadily closer.
A site dozens of times larger than Count Callermain's mansion, with massive buildings sprawling across a hillside, showcased the Academy's grandeur. Beyond the entrance plaza, a statue of a roaring wyvern was visible.
"I'll walk inside, so have the carriage wait nearby. Selina, you stay here and guard Alterio, just in case someone shows up. With your status as a mage, they shouldn't dare to act recklessly."
"Am I being treated as a subordinate in times like these? Hmph!"
"If you wish to monopolize your precious research materials and my knowledge, then do so. Sein, Heidi, you two come with me. I can handle the registration alone, but you need to learn the layout inside."
After parking the carriage nearby, Beonald entered the Academy with Sein and Heidi.
After completing the entry procedures at the gate, Beonald headed for the Academy's main building to handle his admission.
The interior was exceptionally clean and splendidly decorated. Beonald could once again inwardly guess just how high the Emperor's expectations for this Academy were.
He then immediately went to the department responsible for the Academy's administrative affairs.
"Excuse me. Is this the office that handles Academy admissions and student records?"
"Huh? Oh, yes. Y-yes, it is. But where are you from?"
The staff member couldn't help but treat Beonald with deference. On either side of him stood Heidi, fully armored, and Sein, standing demurely in her maid uniform. Moreover, the glint in Beonald's eyes and the noble aura he exuded were extraordinary.
Working in such a place, one constantly saw nobles, so this level of courtesy was standard. Ironically, Beonald was currently disguised as a 'commoner,' making the staff's overly polite demeanor somewhat amusing.
"I've come from the far-off Callermain territory. I have a confidential letter from Sir Repart, a member of the Imperial Knight Order, and my letter of recommendation."
"S-Sir Repart's? A-are you sure it's meant for this office?"
"Yes. I was told to bring it here."
"T-this is a special admission recommendation letter? And the recommender is the 'Unbreakable' Sir Repart? *That* 'Unbreakable' Sir Repart? Section Chief! Section Chief! Come here! Something incredible has arrived!"
The staff member made a fuss, grabbing the recommendation letter Beonald handed over and rushing to his superior.
They then caused a commotion verifying the Imperial Knight Order's seal and Sir Repart's personal seal stamped on the letter. After about ten minutes, confirming it was genuine, the section chief—a man with half his hair gone—came out personally, bowing his head to greet Beonald.
"I am terribly sorry for not recognizing you, Lord Beonald. To think you are the one who received a recommendation from Sir Repart... I was so astonished I ended up making a scene."
"Hmm, it seems this is not a common occurrence."
"Yes. Frankly, it would be strange for us *not* to know about Sir 'Unbreakable' Repart. Ah, anyway, please follow me. We'll proceed with the registration immediately..."
'...So that gruff gorilla was a man with an epithet and reputation. I've been taken for a ride.'
Any Imperial Knight would be a remarkable individual, but if one's fame was great enough to have an 'epithet,' it signified someone particularly extraordinary.
Typically, the Imperial Knight Order served in the imperial palace, guarding the Imperial Family. Due to that role, even when they went to battlefields, they were either near the Emperor or guarding and monitoring nobles, rarely having the opportunity to display valor.
'Moreover, if the situation on the battlefield turns unfavorable, their primary duty is often to withdraw first. It would be even harder for them to build fame or a name...'
"It's common for Imperial Knights to travel around the provinces seeking unrecognized talents, but a recommendation from Sir 'Unbreakable' Repart is truly... a rare sight. However, those recommended by him are undoubtedly outstanding talents, to the point even His Majesty the Emperor takes notice. Hahahah."
'I've been... completely blindsided. To think that ogre-like fellow would pull such a trick. My oversight.'
He had been blindsided, but thinking about it, it was an unavoidable situation.
He never imagined a famous Imperial Knight would travel all the way to his remote countryside.
Outliers can only be treated as outliers. If one tried to account for every variable, nothing in the world would be possible.
"Anyway... the admission process is now complete. Lord Beonald, you will become an Academy student starting next spring. And what about accommodations? Using the dormitories within the Academy is a good option. In your case, with Sir Repart's recommendation, you are eligible for the S-Class dormitory used by nobles as well..."
"No. I'd prefer a mansion outside. Preferably somewhere with few people around."
"In that case, we will provide a subsidy for purchasing a private residence. Additionally, the Academy uniform, student handbook, and badge are for identification, so you must never lose them. Ah, if you intend to purchase a residence, we can also help you look."
'The treatment is quite generous. Well... he's a treasure of a talent recommended by an Imperial Knight. What else could one expect?'
If a talent the Imperial Knights scoured the provinces to find and send to the capital couldn't continue their studies properly due to financial problems, that would be a true comedy.
And if that wasn't enough, what if a talent the Imperial Family gathered for their own sake ended up in the hands of the nobles?
'That would be like raising a dog only to feed it to wolves.'
"Here are the documents for the mansion you desired. With this, all procedures are finished. We shall meet again next spring. Congratulations on your admission, Lord Beonald."
Nod.
Perhaps due to the 'special admission treatment,' even the mansion purchase was resolved on the spot, with the keys, map, and deed proceeding smoothly.
It was good that things were handled conveniently and quickly, but Beonald was concerned that Repart's backstabbing would lead to many troublesome situations in the future.
However, for now, the issue of his new home came first, so he looked at the place they had arrived at.
"We have arrived, Young Master Beonald."
"Is this it? Oh... Indeed, given who the recommender is, I've gotten my hands on a solid property."
The mansion was exactly as Beonald had requested.
A rather large three-story mansion located in a quiet area beyond the city walls, within a forest with little foot traffic. A river branch was nearby, eliminating worries about drinking water and laundry. Apart from being a bit distant from the capital, it was the best property available.
"By the way, isn't it a bit far? For shopping and such...?"
"Well, that's not really a problem."
The distance to the Academy was somewhat far, but it wasn't a major issue since he could always ride Alterio or a horse.
Anyway, having arrived at their new home where they would live for who knows how many years, they immediately unloaded the luggage and Alterio from the carriage and each decided on their living quarters.
They began cleaning the areas they would use first. With their small numbers, it would have taken a long time, but Selina the mage stepped up.
"Wind Blast!"
Instantly, wind blew through the empty mansion, sweeping away the dust in one go.
With just one spell, a significant part of the laborious cleaning process vanished.
"Magic truly is amazing. It looks convenient."
"Then how about learning it yourself?"
"Well, setting aside talent and intelligence... I'm in a position where I have to talk a lot. Thinking about the dangers of incantations makes me tired."
Mages' magic was cast through incantations, so one had to be careful. Knowing its utility, Beonald still had no intention of learning it.
Furthermore, as a noble, he would have to engage in countless mental battles in the future. He considered magic to be ultimately similar to the potions and various tools he created through alchemy, so he saw no need to personally learn it.
"Anyway, let's finish cleaning before sunset. It'll be a hassle once it gets dark."
Saying so, Beonald picked up a wet rag again and moved swiftly.
Thanks to the physical enhancement from Aura and training, he mopped while leaving behind a purple afterimage.
On another floor, Heidi was cleaning in the same manner, leaving a golden afterimage, while Sein marveled at their superhuman cleaning abilities and handled the final tidying.
Calem Empire Imperial Palace, the Emperor's office.
Inside the massive, splendid imperial palace at the heart of the empire's capital. Having finished his day's schedule, Emperor Zerado Calem was still grappling with dozens of documents in his office.
At 64 years old, he was an elderly man with long white hair and beard, but in this turbulent age divided into six nations, he couldn't rest easy for even a day.
Although he had delegated many tasks to his children who would be his successors, there were still major duties he oversaw personally. Among them were the documents concerning the 'Imperial Academy,' which could be called the future of this nation.
"A talent recommended by that 'Unbreakable' Sir Repart... This is surprising. That fellow... doesn't recommend just anyone."
And currently, one document had captured his full attention: the file on Beonald, who had registered at the Academy today through the special recommendation track.
A 17-year-old boy from the Callermain territory on the empire's farthest frontier. But the contents written there were hard for the Emperor to believe.
"'A knight who uses Aura' at the age of 17 is astonishing enough, but 'command ability that wins battles even on a small scale,' and on top of that, 'outstanding political sense as a noble'... It's all just unbelievable stories. And it's quite intriguing that he intends to enter disguised as a commoner student."
While preparing the recommendation letter for Beonald, Sir Repart had honored his request but, as a member of the Imperial Knight Order, had conveyed the truth in the contents.
The promise was merely about 'entering the commoner faculty'; he had never agreed to withhold the truth from the Emperor in his report.
After reading the contents of the confidential letter, the Emperor looked at his son standing before him and asked.
"What do you think, Joen? If it's a talent recommended by Sir Repart... you must have heard some rumors by now, haven't you?"
Beonald hadn't cared much, thinking his extraordinary nature would remain a secret known only to a part of the Imperial Family. Unexpectedly, however, Sir Repart's fame was so great that it ceased to be a secret, which stung quite a bit.
The youth with deep brown hair, dressed in splendid attire and called Joen, nodded and answered his father the Emperor's question.
He was the successor who would become the next Emperor of this empire: Joen Calem.