Chapter 37: The Wager 3
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 37: The Wager 3
Since the device rang only thirty seconds after Yerika hung up, I naturally assumed she was calling back.
[In that brief interval... it sounds as though you were just speaking with Yerika.]
I never imagined the Emperor himself would be the one on the other end.
Of course, since my communication device was linked to his, I knew we would have to speak eventually, but I didn't expect him to reach out at a time like this.
[Now that I think about it, you called Our daughter 'Yerika.' If Our memory serves, you were calling her 'Princess' until quite recently. I am truly curious to know exactly when the two of you became so close. Won't you tell me?]
I was speechless.
Mostly because I had no idea what to say!
It was during our very first call that Yerika told me to call her by her name. At the time, I hadn't thought much of it.
My internal struggle over how to answer was brief. I decided to just tell the truth—that I called her that because she told me to. It wasn't like using someone's name was some world-altering event.
I opened my mouth to speak, but the Emperor was faster.
[Do you know something?]
"Pardon? To what are you referring, Your Majesty?"
[Aside from her family, you are the only person who addresses Yerika by her name.]
"· · · · · · · ·"
Whew. Let’s think about this again.
The Emperor had asked when we became so close. The first time I met Yerika was when I was being kidnapped by the Emperor and was on my way back to the dormitory. We only exchanged brief greetings then.
Our second meeting was when Yerika suddenly burst in while I was discussing the matter of Cardinal the Phantom Thief with the Emperor. She had asked me to tell her if I knew anything about the Phantom Thief.
The third time was when I was injured while learning Shadow Step from the Emperor and received healing from Yerika. I talked with her while she treated me. We didn't talk about anything particularly special.
After that first time, for some reason, Yerika continued to heal me whenever I got hurt during my lessons with the Emperor. Since there wasn't a single day I didn't get injured while training under him, we had essentially met every single day.
I pondered it for a long while, but no meaningful conclusion came to mind.
"During our last call, Yeri—no, the Princess asked me to call her by her name."
In the end, I chose to tell the truth. No matter how much I thought about it, this was the best answer.
[During your last call... which means today wasn't the first time you've spoken with Yerika on the phone.]
Wait. Was that the wrong thing to say?
[Come to think of it, it seems Yerika has been talking to someone every night before bed lately. And the timing of when she started these calls coincides with when you entered the Academy. Do you believe this to be a mere coincidence?]
"It probably isn't a coincidence, is it?"
Hearing the Emperor's tone, I doubted anyone alive would have the guts to claim it was a coincidence.
[Furthermore, Yerika mentioned today that she wants you as her guard knight.]
Since that was the exact conversation I’d just had with Yerika before the Emperor called, I couldn't help but flinch.
[At first, when Yerika said she wanted someone as her guard knight, I refused.]
"· · · · · · · ·"
[However, when she said she wanted you, I gave my permission. I am certain that by the time you graduate from the Academy, you will be stronger than most Imperial Knights. But, hmmm...]
The Emperor trailed off and began tapping on something. Since neither of us was speaking, the sound of his tapping echoed loudly through the device. He was most likely tapping the arm of his chair, but to my ears, it sounded like the rhythmic drumming of someone deciding how best to kill me.
I racked my brain for a way out of this situation, but no answer came.
[Your Majesty.]
Just then, a lifeline was thrown my way. I heard someone calling for the Emperor through the communication device.
[E-Empress.]
The Emperor's voice wavered, sounding uncharacteristically flustered. There was only one person in the world who could make him act like that: the Emperor's wife, mother to Yerika and Lucas. The former Saintess and current Empress of the Empire.
[I told you... not to... meddle... in Yerika's...]
Because the Empress was far from the device, I couldn't hear her words clearly.
[But Yerika...]
One thing was certain: the Emperor was currently being scolded by the Empress.
[Your Majesty.]
[I understand.]
A moment later, the sound of the Empress leaving filtered through the device.
[· · · · · · · · ·]
The Emperor remained silent, so I spoke up first.
"By the way, Your Majesty, what did you call me for?"
[Ahem. I heard you've ended up in a fight with the Prince of the Archen Kingdom with expulsion on the line.]
It only happened today, yet both Yerika and the Emperor already knew.
"Did you hear about it from Lucas as well, Your Majesty?"
[If I wish it, I can know everything that happens within the Academy.]
The meaning behind those words was simple. There was an Imperial informant inside the Academy. Considering the concentration of talent there, it would be stranger if there wasn't an informant.
[He is quite strong for a third-year. He seems skilled with a sword as well. If it were an ordinary first-year, the duel would likely end in an instant.]
"But then again, I'm not exactly an ordinary first-year, am I? Who do you think would win if I fought him?"
[Unlike you, Prince Rophri is a third-year; his swordsmanship is seasoned, and his stamina will be high. Being a prince, he has likely consumed quite a few elixirs as well.]
"So, do you think he will beat me, Your Majesty?"
[Naturally, you will be the victor.]
Even though that Vermin had better stamina, better swordsmanship, and had downed more elixirs, the Emperor was certain of my victory.
[If there is anything to be cautious of, it would be the magic tools and artifacts Prince Rophri might bring to the fight.]
"It doesn't matter what magic tools or artifacts he brings. I'm going to win regardless."
[If you should lose, come under my direct command. I shall take responsibility for training you for three years.]
"That doesn't sound too bad. Though I have no intention of losing."
Fortunately, it seemed the Emperor didn't intend to discuss the matter regarding Yerika any further.
[Ah, come to think of it, there is one more thing I haven't mentioned.]
The Emperor spoke as if he had just remembered something.
"Is something the matter?"
[Come to the Imperial Palace this weekend. I wish to see for myself how much your skills have improved in the meantime.]
He wasn't going to make me hit a scarecrow to check my progress. He was definitely going to spar with me, just like when he was teaching me.
In other words, translating the Emperor's words: I'm going to beat you within an inch of your life this weekend.
Should I tell him I have plans and can't go?
[By the way, I would be quite disappointed if you were to refuse.]
"I will be there without fail!"
.
.
.
Ring— Ring—
Not long after I ended the call with the Emperor, the communication device rang again. To avoid making the same mistake as before, I checked the caller ID this time. Fortunately, it was Yerika, not the Emperor.
[Who were you talking to for so long?]
Yerika spoke as soon as I picked up. She must have tried calling me while I was on the phone with the Emperor. Her tone reminded me of a wife interrogating her husband.
Wait, is that a bit of a stretch?
[Mr. Clown?]
"There's this person who's a bit... obsessive."
At my words, Yerika's voice turned slightly cold.
[Hmph. Is it a woman?]
"No. Unfortunately, it's a man."
[Is that true?]
Even though I said it was a man, Yerika didn't seem to believe me for some reason.
"Of course. Why would I lie to you, Yerika?"
[Who are the women currently registered on your communication device?]
I didn't know why she was asking, but I figured she had her reasons. There were only three people currently linked to my device: the Emperor, Lucas, and Yerika.
"Yerika, you're the only woman."
[· · · · · · · ·]
Even though I answered her question, Yerika fell silent.
"Yerika?"
Her response came after a short pause, followed by an unexpected request.
[I didn't quite catch what you just said. Could you say it one more time?]
"Yerika."
[The part before that.]
"That you're the only woman?"
[Ahem, I see. So, I am the only woman.]
And then Yerika went silent again. I thought I heard the sound of giggling through the device, but it was probably just static.
[Mr. Clown?]
Yerika called my name, her voice trembling slightly.
"Yes."
[I'm having trouble falling asleep... would it be alright if we talked for a bit longer today?]
Being able to talk to Yerika until I fell asleep was actually a welcome prospect.
"If that's what you want, then of course."
After that, I chatted with Yerika about trivial things until I drifted off to sleep.