The Academy's Scholarly Festival #6
Somehow, while wandering the academy, I ended up having a casual conversation with the late King Ruhart.
Honestly, I was thinking that if I slipped up even a little, I might get purged at any moment.
But King Ruhart wasn’t the kind of person who slaughtered nobles at random. He only acted ruthlessly when he believed it would harm the royal authority.
If I handled myself properly, as the saying goes, and showed him the kingdom would gain rather than lose, I concluded that I might even receive an award instead of a blade.
“I heard that freshmen usually don’t perform well at the Scholarly Festival.”
“That’s correct. I was simply here for a promise, so I came out briefly.”
“A promise.”
With that muttered, his gaze shifted to Rie and Marquis Haniel, who were following behind.
The way he nodded suggested he had understood the situation perfectly.
“If there’s anything you’re curious about, feel free to ask. I’ll allow it.”
“...Why did you suddenly appear at the Academy’s Scholarly Festival?”
“Before I answer that, would you mind telling me the reason for asking?”
That was harsh. I asked because I was told to ask, only to receive a question instead?
It felt off-balance somehow, but I quickly prepared my answer.
Powerhouses were all alike, but being right next to King Ruhart made even the Deodore family’s young master seem tiny and insignificant.
I had many friends, good abilities, and a strong backing, yet none of that mattered against the late king.
Now that he had passed the throne to the current king and was enjoying his retirement, but at over sixty, he still didn’t look like an old man.
Standing beside him sent chills down my spine; what words could I possibly use?
“If I answer this, you might find it unpleasant...”
“Go ahead and speak. I’ll decide for myself.”
“...Until now, no late king had ever visited the Academy’s Scholarly Festival. Yet you, King Ruhart, appearing like this...”
“Might seem as though I were challenging the current king?”
I nodded to confirm my meaning.
The king was the very center of Lebechia, a great existence that must remain impartial.
Even if he were loyal or posed no threat to the throne, the same rule applied.
Wherever the king appeared, it created another seat of power.
And the Minerva Academy was the place that should stay as free as possible from such power.
That was why no previous kings or former kings had set foot there.
King Ruhart had been the first to break that tradition.
“You speak of something so sensitive without a shred of fear, as if it didn’t match your age.”
“If it displeased you, I apologize.”
“It’s not displeasure; it’s interesting. The others were so terrified they could barely keep up with scanning for danger, but a peculiar fellow has emerged from the Deodore viscountcy.”
With a short, mocking laugh, the late King Ruhart slowly stopped in place.
He glanced around and declared that this was his answer.
“Most people here don’t know I came. The only ones who do are Marquis Clessent, Marquis Haniel, his daughter, and you. That’s all. The servants will handle their own conduct on their own.”
“...So there was indeed another group accompanying you.”
“An old friend suddenly decided to visit the Academy’s Scholarly Festival. Just as my interest in you began to stir, I decided it was time to meet.”
“If it’s a friend...”
The only person King Ruhart would consider a friend was the great hero of Lebechia, the wise Prime Minister, and severe hypochondriac, Ju Cloud Low Dragonschultz.
Since Edwin wasn’t available, I wondered, but it seemed he had properly brought his master along.
Since Professor Milaze’s paper would be the last presentation, Cloud-nim should be waiting quietly somewhere until then.
King Ruhart had come in that gap to find me.
“Anyway, even a young adult like you has managed to make something of himself. Nobles with children wouldn’t dare speak before me.”
That was probably because they had personally imprinted that image deeply in their eyes and minds.
He was the one who had personally drawn his sword and slaughtered noble families attempting to defile the royal family.
Anyone who remembered that would never treat him lightly.
“Hearing my friend’s words, he said you were an interesting young man. Why don’t I tell you one of the stories that might interest me?”
“...Excuse me?”
This felt exactly like the situation where, while on guard duty, a terrifying senior suddenly asked for a funny story.
Back then, a lewd story would have sufficed, but I couldn’t tell that to this man.
Clearly, he had something he wanted, which is why he was speaking this way, but I couldn’t guess the motive.
“You asked why I came to the Academy’s Scholarly Festival. This is the answer. I came all the way here to meet you, Lucian Theodore von Deodore. I wanted to hear one of the very interesting stories from you.”
Wait, what on earth was that? Didn’t he have to tell me what kind of story he wanted?
It was not some random person; it was the late King Ruhart himself.
The being that nobles feared most in the world, the one who could even kill death itself.
Now I had to figure out exactly what to say before him, yet he asked me to tell a story.
This was beyond difficult; it was impossible.
Marquis Haniel and Rie behind me looked quite startled.
They must have heard some vague tales about me and King Ruhart.
When suddenly asked to tell an interesting story, it was unclear whether he was joking or serious.
“Think, think. This man is definitely not the type who enjoys being pranked. He was a legendary monarch who ruled Lebechia with passion. A man who loved every single thing about Lebechia, so if there was a story that might interest him...”
Indeed, the conclusion was that I should speak about one of the current issues concerning Lebechia.
Moreover, I was also conducting a study on the rapid developments in relations with the elves.
By just opening my mouth, I could repay a thousand coins worth of debt. At a time like this, if I spoke carefully, this enormous person might become a reliable backer I could use one day.
I cleared my throat lightly and began my story, hoping it would pique his interest.
“How do you feel about the Minas Elf Kingdom, King Ruhart?”
“...Hmm?”
From then on, I began explaining the parts I planned to write in my paper.
The commonalities and differences between Lebechia’s humans and Minas’s elves.
Conflicts arise from these seemingly trivial differences in thought and values, leading to larger disputes. The best way to resolve them is to first find common ground between both sides.
I spoke for about five minutes, keeping it as simple and concise as possible, distilling only the key points.
“That should cover what I’ll present. I’m still preparing the rest for the paper, so feel free to look it over if you have the time later.”
“...”
I deliberately left the impression of leisurely enjoyment until the end.
I wondered whether this story had indeed piqued King Ruhart’s interest.
The only thing I was certain of was that Marquis Haniel had let out an impressed “Oh” during my story.
“Wrong.”
“Excuse me?”
After a few minutes, King Ruhart finally spoke.
“Wrong. You’re not the kind of person who builds furniture.”
“King Ruhart?”
“Not furniture, but one room is enough.”
His words were impossible to understand.
What on earth was ‘furniture’ and ‘room’?
I wanted to know if I had met his expectations, but his way of speaking made my heart race with worry.
“Marquis Grover Rogan von Haniel.”
King Ruhart suddenly called not me, but Marquis Haniel, who was standing beside me.
He then called for Rie as well. Despite having already stepped down from the throne, his appearance was that of an absolute monarch issuing orders to his subjects.
I sighed, wondering again how I had ended up speaking before such a person.
“Did you call, Your Majesty?”
“What did you talk about with this friend of mine?”
“That’s...”
“Ah, my question was wrong. Let me ask again. Lucian, what is the relationship between you and this young man?”
At that question, Marquis Haniel looked alternately at me and Rie.
After several minutes of hesitation, he erased all signs of uncertainty and declared proudly.
“Lucian is my daughter’s fiancé.”
“Was a marriage agreement made between the Haniel marquisate and the Deodore viscountcy? I never heard that.”
“I only gave my approval very recently. I thought you both would be an excellent pair as outstanding talents of Lebechia.”
“...I see. So that’s how it is. Well, with someone like you in front, it’s no wonder I’m not a passing ruler. Thank you for your honest answer. Thanks to you, my grandfather’s false pride can be spared.”
“What do you mean...?”
“If I had simply heard that, I would have tried introducing my youngest granddaughter to you.”
King Ruhart’s youngest granddaughter...
My goodness, the world. He wasn’t even referring to a princess.
I desperately wanted to refuse, but it wasn’t simply because of the fear of my engagement with Rie.
If I became connected to the direct royal line, I would be restricted in all external activities.
Moreover, the current king cherished all his children deeply, and among them, the youngest daughter who received the most love.
“Don’t take it too seriously. It’s not as if I’d be stealing an already married young man.”
Thank you, King Ruhart.
I almost never would have been able to eat chocolate for the rest of my life.
Please don’t ever say something so terrifying again.
“An excellent pair, indeed.”
He chuckled while looking at me and Rie.
I didn’t know about anything else, but one thing was certain: he liked me quite a bit.
Even in passing, there was no way he would connect me to direct royalty.
His heart must have been that heavy, and he must have wanted to keep me tied down that way.
Receiving recognition from the man ranked among Lebechia’s greatest kings, I felt a surge of accomplishment I couldn’t quite explain.
“I should go now. I’ve taken too much time. Marquis Haniel probably came to the Scholarly Festival to look around. I apologize for dragging you around so much.”
“That is not true at all, Your Majesty. This is ridiculous.”
“Later, when the two of you marry, invite me. I’d love to offer some blessings.”
“Really?”
“They are friends of Lebechia who are truly necessary. I couldn’t refuse to offer even one blessing.”
Speaking so coolly, King Ruhart said we should head to the Scholarly Festival right away.