Chapter 81: Prince Maker (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 81: Prince Maker (6)
Fortunately, the Prince-gay—no, Erild—was a man who knew how to distinguish between public and private matters, just as Boradori had said.
He shook my hand lightly and expressed his gratitude for my help with the incident, but added:
“This is an Imperial matter.”
Since the incident occurred within the Empire, he was conveying that the Empire would handle the resolution itself.
Respecting his opinion, I took my leave with a light heart.
“Is it okay to just leave it like that? I thought you were going to hype up Esid.”
When I explained the situation, Boradori tilted her head and asked.
This punk had been goofing off with Bell while his superior was working his ass off. Now that it involved Esid, his favorite, his eyes were sparkling with a barrage of questions.
It was a bit irritating, but I decided to hold back.
Once vacation started, I’d be resting comfortably in the Kingdom while Boradori would be worked like a dog.
So, I simply gave him an honest answer to his curiosity.
“It’s not like the plan was exposed, so this is actually a better situation.”
Because of the excessively executed Tsukishima Operation, things had reached a point where Esid’s achievements were almost unbelievable.
However, that was where the 'plausibility' of a Dark Mage came in.
They do so much crazy shit that whenever a Dark Mage is involved in a mess, people stop doubting it.
“Even the function of this magic circle was amplification. It doesn't create something from nothing; it exaggerates what was already 'there.'”
Unless someone knew about the Tsukishima Operation, even a Prince of the Empire like Erild wouldn't be able to figure everything out with the information provided.
“Of course, since it’s an artificially manufactured honor, there might be some awkward parts.”
“But thanks to the Dark Mages, it actually looks natural?”
“Exactly.”
Dark Mages are just that excellent for plausibility.
Since Dark Magic is a forbidden art, few people know the details. And as you can see from their track record, those bastards are so damn diligent that they frequently bring out new spells or curses that even experts haven't seen.
Therefore...
“That... makes sense!”
Even Boradori, the expert on the original work, had to admit it. The Dark Mages would provide more than enough plausibility for us.
So, what comes next?
“This time, I’m definitely winning!”
“Isn’t that cheating?!”
The official reason for coming to Rias: preparing for the second-semester evaluations alongside the field trip.
As I had told Prince Ellen during the first-semester written exams, there was no reason for me, a foreign noble, to aim for high scores at the Imperial Academy.
Most people want good grades for employment, but I had already secured a lifetime job ages ago. Even if this were the Leon Royal Academy instead of the Empire, I wouldn't have a reason to study hard.
However, the practical evaluation scores were a different story.
First, for the sake of Leon’s pride, I had to strive not to lose to the Imperial students. Furthermore, surpassing Ellen was part of my duty as a training officer.
Even though my performance record wasn't great because of a once-in-a-generation genius like Ellen—and the Royal Family knew this and didn't pressure me—I still did my best to beat him for my own professional pride.
And finally, that effort was paying off.
“Seriously, are you really going this far?!”
Shock was written all over Prince Ellen’s usually composed face.
Clang!
It was only natural. Just by clashing swords, he was coming out at a loss.
And it wasn't because of a difference in strength or skill—it was purely because of the gap in our gear!
“Didn't I tell you to work hard? Getting pushed back even in a two-on-one? You’re weak, Ellen!”
“Is that really a magic sword? That bastard’s personality has completely changed!”
Beside Ellen, the Minor Sword Emperor swung his sword and looked at me with an expression of utter disbelief.
It meant I was drunk on the power of the magic sword, but hey, why shouldn't I be?
“Give me your mana!”
“...Professor, something is seriously wrong with him.”
“You crazy bastard, is this even an exam?!”
Adding to my already massive mana, the mana from Prince Ellen and the Minor Sword Emperor merged to create a colossal blade of energy.
Of course, it was less than a fraction of the size of Daisy’s ridiculous sword. But while Daisy’s sword was a pure mass of mana, mine was a perfectly shaped sword energy.
A literal sword of mana, compressed and sharpened to a keen edge.
Even if it was smaller, if it clashed with Daisy’s giant sword, mine would surely win. And if it could beat Daisy’s sword, there was no way Ellen or the Minor Sword Emperor could block it.
“It’s just an exam... why are you going this far?!”
“Well... a rabbit gives its all even when catching a lion.”
“...Are you insane? Why would a rabbit catch a lion?!”
I shook my head at the bewildered Asran.
In life, there are times when a rabbit must strive to catch a lion. Therefore, no one can blame a rabbit for selling its soul to catch one.
“Ellen, Asran. It’s over... what the fuck.”
Since this exam was a team battle, one of Ellen’s teammates approached casually, having seemingly defeated my teammates elsewhere.
“Sorry. I’m leaving.”
“Get in here.”
“Just... keep doing what you were doing.”
“I said, get in here!”
“Would you go in there if you were me?! Aaaagh!”
He had no choice but to become my next prey.
“Can we... really just leave that be?”
“Hmm.”
The Sword Emperor remained silent at the Swordsmanship Department professor’s question.
‘There is no rule stating that using a special sword is cheating.’
The Academy hadn't set regulations regarding weapons, and in Rias, even items that were previously restricted had their bans lifted.
The reason for the field trip to Rias in the first place was that the repeated terror attacks at the Academy highlighted the students' need for real combat experience. Thus, the goal was to let them experience actual battle in the field known as the Demonic Realm.
A Dark Mage doesn't go easy on someone just because they’re a student. If anything, they’ll try their hardest to exploit a student’s weaknesses.
The Sword Emperor believed that a slight difference in equipment should be viewed as a handicap to be overcome.
However...
‘Can that really be considered a mere handicap?’
There is a limit to everything.
Even the world’s most notorious Dark Mages would look at that thing and say, “Uh, this is a bit much...”
If even the great Sword Emperor felt that way, the other ordinary assistant professors were bound to think the same.
But the reason the assistant professors couldn't impose any sanctions and were merely waiting for the Sword Emperor’s judgment was simple.
‘That’s the sword the Saintess uses.’
‘Can we... really stop the use of a Holy Sword?’
In essence, it was a magic sword, but to those who didn't know, it was the greatest pride of the Church of Light. They could only assume it was the cherished blade used by Saintess Daisy, a Holy Sword overflowing with divine power.
That was why the assistant professors couldn't move easily. It would look strange to allow all other swords but ban the Holy Sword of the Holy Kingdom.
Thus, they couldn't stop Adam, who was teamed up with Daisy and swinging a magic sword while buffed by her divine power.
“...It can’t be helped.”
After agonizing over it for a long time, the Sword Emperor came up with a solution.
“That weapon is far too powerful for students to handle.”
“Indeed.”
“You’re right.”
Even Ellen, the strongest student who showed overwhelming skill in the Swordsmanship Department, had lost despite fighting alongside Asran, the perennial third-place.
Even if the two of them didn't understand the concept of fighting together...
Even if their cooperation was more of a minus than a plus...
Ellen’s defeat carried significant weight.
Therefore...
“So, from the next exam onward, it shouldn't be student versus student. We should be the ones to face him.”
“I see... wait, what?”
The assistant professors, who had been nodding out of habit at the Sword Emperor’s words, tilted their heads in confusion.
They stared silently at the screen for a long time, watching Adam as he continued to absorb mana.
...That thing?
...Us?
They looked at the Sword Emperor with eyes full of desperate pleading.
But the Sword Emperor didn't look back at the professors; he simply continued to stare at the screen with an expressionless face.
Back at the Academy, there had been a wall between the Magic Department and the Swordsmanship Department, but after frequent joint classes in Rias, that wall had crumbled significantly.
It was a positive change.
It wasn't that Leon and Dale had any specific historical grievances, but why were they always at each other's throats?
It was because they were the representative nations of the two powers that had clashed since the dawn of continental civilization: the Sword and Magic.
The traditional Faction War, steeped in history and tradition, burned even brighter at the Academy, which was full of young people.
But by actually meeting and cooperating, they were able to clear up their misunderstandings.
However, Esid thought:
Crumbling the wall too much wasn't necessarily a good thing.
In human relationships, having a bit of a wall is actually better!
“Prince Esid. What should we do?”
“Just give the order, Prince Esid!”
“To defeat that monster, we need the leadership of Prince Esid, who even neutralized Silence!”
“……”
The Knights Department students waiting for his orders with sparkling eyes could practically be called true knights based on their appearance alone.
Judging by their momentum, they looked ready to march toward certain death without a single word of complaint if he ordered them to.
‘Why the hell are they doing this to me!’
The problem was that they weren't originally like this.
He knew that as a member of the Imperial family, he received unspoken special treatment at the Academy, but he knew the scene before him wasn't because of that. That realization made it feel even heavier.
‘What did I even do?’
He had lived his life being expected to perform as a royal, but this was something beyond those expectations.
Thus, Esid steeled his resolve.
‘I just have to fail here.’
He just had to shatter this overly powerful trust with a failure. Then the students would realize he wasn't the amazing person they thought he was.
“Fine. Then first...”
He ordered a nonsensical operation.
To face Adam Smith, who absorbed mana endlessly, by grinding down their own mana against him.
“Understood!”
An operation that any sane person would consider the work of a madman.
They accepted it without a second thought.
“Whew.”
That was why Esid was afraid. Why did these bastards trust him so much?
At the same time, Esid felt relieved. Now, these guys would finally stop trusting him.
However...
“We defeated Adam Smith!”
“As expected of Prince Esid!”
“Prince Esid is a god! He is invincible!”
“Esid! Esid! Esid!”
“……”
Against an enemy that absorbed mana, they ground down their mana and won.
Watching those who had finally forced Adam Smith to retreat, Esid could only blink in shock.
“No...”
How did you do it...?
Esid’s hollow murmur was simply buried and lost within the cheers praising his name.
