Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Boyhood ~Welcoming the Guest~
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The 13th Emperor of the Imperial Empire.
Commonly known as Emperor Yeongnak, he was an emperor without any distinctive traits.
He didn't rule with the benevolence of his predecessor.
Nor did he unleash the brutal tyranny like the Emperor of Shame.
He was just unremarkably average.
Without any notable achievements.
A ruler who simply carried on governance without incident.
That was Emperor Yeongnak.
—Or so it was said.
That was how the common folk of the Imperial Empire evaluated him.
However, unlike the distant masses, the officials who knew the emperor to some degree held the exact opposite view.
A leader obsessed with talent.
A tyrant who squeezed every last drop from his retainers.
An emperor married to his work, and more.
His knack for efficiently driving his bureaucrats was well-known even within the imperial court, and especially his collector's passion for gathering talent left even his closest aides speechless.
The prime example was the Empire's 10 Emperors, whom Emperor Yeongnak cherished like family.
These symbols of the Imperial Empire's military might were said to have been collected by him since his childhood.
Among the 10 Emperors were high nobles like Yeon Chang-hyeok, the head of the Yeon Clan, as well as commoner-born figures like Shun Jian, which were not uncommon.
Just consider his predecessor, who refused to appoint anyone not of noble birth simply because of their lowly status. Emperor Yeongnak, by contrast, went to extremes to acquire them.
He absorbed skilled martial artists overlooked by his predecessor and transformed the Imperial Dragon Tournament—originally a ritual sacrifice for military spirits—into a full-fledged martial arts competition.
He pulled every lever imaginable to secure talent.
Even after appointing the Empire's 10 Emperors, he treated them regardless of birth as equals to imperial kin.
His follow-up management of talent was flawless.
Thus, Emperor Yeongnak had shown an extraordinary obsession with collecting talent even before ascending the throne. Ironically, however, the one he desired most eluded him...
The protagonist of Failure Hero 2: Alex Premier.
———
The first time Emperor Yeongnak met Alex in Academy City, he found the young man utterly fascinating.
Their encounter was at the Agora Martial Tournament, Academy City's fighting event. Alex, a failing student, had defeated him, the top favorite, sparking their persistent connection.
At the time, Alex was aiming for the finals to take down the main villain and didn't hold back. Emperor Yeongnak was utterly crushed.
A typical proud imperial would have felt profound humiliation losing to a mere dropout. But Emperor Yeongnak was different.
His keen instincts, sharp since childhood, pierced through to Alex's potential. Recognizing him as Academy City's most precious uncut gem, he clung tenaciously.
'He even joins the hero party and defeats the Demon King alongside them.'
Especially the process of joining the party—stalker-level persistence that made most players break into cold sweats.
'That's why the community calls him the "Royal Gay."'
Players could freely assemble the hero party, so they could just exclude him. But frustratingly, despite his personality, his abilities were top-tier, often snagging the main tank spot without fail.
The gap with and without him was so vast that rumors swirled Skyana, the developer, blackmailed players with his performance.
Anyway.
From these examples, Emperor Yeongnak was fanatically obsessed with the talented.
He desperately wanted them under his command. If not, at least a friendly relationship to satisfy him.
Meeting him now would spell big trouble.
As the Yeon Clan had drilled into me countless times, I knew this body's talents were extraordinary. Emperor Yeongnak wouldn't let me go easily upon seeing me.
'A leash would be lucky. Worst case, outright kidnapping.'
With my father, the Martial Emperor, he wouldn't resort to shady tactics outright. But he'd fabricate a reason.
Frustratingly, Father held no ill will toward the imperial family or the emperor, so slick persuasion might actually sell me off to the palace.
From Father's perspective, early immersion in court life, building ties with royals, would benefit the clan immensely.
Return with strong imperial bonds, and the palace becomes the Yeon Clan's staunch ally.
'It's scarily plausible...'
If I ended up in the palace, I'd be ogled by that pervert emperor, displayed like a trophy.
Ugh. Just imagining it gives me chills...
...
...
...
That's why ditching the welcome and bolting now was unavoidable.
I rose early, shook off Seon-hwa, and half-threatened the trailing maids into leaving. I slipped into a secluded garden on the grounds where few people passed.
'The maids... are definitely watching.'
I couldn't outmatch them in skill yet, so I used the Young Clan Head's authority. But given their personalities, they'd be monitoring from nearby.
That exclusive maid Chae-hyeon hadn't shown meant Father had relented somewhat.
"Phew. Close call."
Wiping sweat from my brow after removing the mask, the surroundings finally registered.
Vibrant flowers amid artfully arranged trees.
Even delicately sculpted vine paths weaving between.
"Mmm~ Healing vibes."
Always chased by something, arriving at this serene spot brought a hum to my lips.
Nice view too. Might as well nap here till the guests leave.
As I thought to sprawl on the nearby grass,
"Who's there?"
A young girl's voice came from nearby.
The bushes rustled, and a tiny head popped out.
"Ooh! Weird mask!"
"You're one to talk, looking like that."
She was covered in leaves, like she'd rolled around the garden.
"Why ignore the nice path and hack through innocent vines anyway?"
"Tch! I don't do boring 'exploring'! True paths are forged! I decide mine!"
"Feisty little miss."
Her clothes screamed highborn. Side branch or elder's daughter?
Golden blonde hair and clear gray eyes suited her well.
A bit younger than me, maybe.
Man, what radiant hair.
Do we have that bright a blonde in the clan?
Tap tap—
Hmm... No elders for sure.
Pat pat——
Side branches are numerous, some blondes, but this bright...
Grab—!
"Hey! Cut it out!"
"Whoa!?"
Unable to endure her poking the mask, I stood up.
"What're you doing to someone else's mask?!"
"If there's a weird mask, checking underneath is common sense! Come on, quit stalling and show your face!"
"Like hell!"
I dodged her jumping grabs with light footwork. She tired quickly, puffing her cheeks.
"Grr! Insolent! Do you know who I am?!"
"And you, do you know who I am?"
"Who you are doesn't matter! Just apologize and... Gah!"
"Cheeky brat. How old are you?"
"Urgh... S-six... six years old."
"I'm eight. You're six. Who's older?"
"B-but I'm nobler than anyone..."
"Me eight. You six. Whose age is greater?"
"...Yours."
"Right? Use respect with elders then."
"B-but I...!"
Smack!
"Hiiing... O-okay..."
A large bump on her head, tears welling as she fidgeted her fingers, head bowed in frustration.
Whip out, now dangle the carrot.
"Good girl."
"...!"
A light pat on the head for praise, and she flinched back.
"W-what was that?!"
"Hey. Polite speech."
"W-what... was that?!"
"A compliment?"
"C-compliment? Wh-what..."
"Anyway, still don't know your name. Let's introduce. I'm Yeon Je-seong, Young Clan Head of the Yeon Clan. Now you know who you're dealing with?"
"Yeon Clan? Young Clan Head? Lame! I'm... Se-hee. Yeah, Se-hee!"
"Se-hee? No family name?"
"Family name... later."
What a picky girl.
I nodded reluctantly and chatted with Se-hee for a while.
"Chatted" sounds refined, but reality differed.
"...So! My brothers keep bothering me all the time! Last time, I snuck out past the maids, and somehow they found out!"
"This time too! If not for the tribune, I couldn't shake these maids or enjoy this cool garden!"
"Huh? Tribune? And you ditched the maids?"
They're your guards, right?
This garden's especially remote even for the clan; usually, they'd guide to ones near Grand Void Hall or Pure Abode Pavilion.
Specifically to this secluded spot?
After ditching her guard maids?
"No way..."
Guessing Se-hee's identity spiked my unease.
"Hey, let's go."
"Eh? Why? I wanna play more."
"No time. Hurry."
"Hmm... Because I kept using informal speech? Sorry if..."
Whoosh—
"Knew it!"
"Eek!"
Realizing her identity, I'd been alert. Sharp sounds from the bushes beyond; I scooped Se-hee and dodged.
Leaving bewildered Se-hee behind, I twisted to evade the flying darts.
Assassin tools, surely poisoned.
I might survive, but Se-hee would be done if hit.
'Must protect Se-hee, can't block with hands. Pure evasion, call for help nearby.'
Thankfully, my maids trailed me. They'd handle the assassins.
"Wh-what's...?"
"Shh. Stay quiet. It'll end soon."
"I-impossible! What can you do alone?!"
"Gotta make the impossible happen."
Or we die.
Whoa, those blades are viciously sharp.
Sliced by that, bones won't matter.
"Who sent you?!"
"......"
"Whose orders?!"
"......"
Seasoned assassins ignored my barrage, silent.
My eyes scanned rapidly.
'At least four assassins. If more lurk hidden, we're done.'
Pray these are all.