Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Entrance Ceremony (2)
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Iron-Blooded Prime Minister.
The living legend who had reclaimed half of Liam after the Liam Kingdom crumbled and shattered under demonic assault.
Growing disillusioned with monarchy upon witnessing the Liam Kingdom's pathetic downfall under an incompetent king, he had dethroned the monarch and established a republic governed by the people.
Thus, the East Liam Democratic Republic was born.
The Iron-Blooded Prime Minister reigned as its head of state and prime minister.
An aged politician who had led the republic for over ten years through three terms since its founding.
That was the man known as the Iron-Blooded Prime Minister.
Some whispered he was a dictator devouring the republic from within, but he was undeniably a true revolutionary beloved by the entire populace.
Without him, most Liam citizens would have become citizens of a fallen nation, so it was only natural that his approval ratings soared among those who had directly experienced his deeds.
Though he couldn't reclaim the lands lost to the demon invasion, his swift measures—rallying the nearly disintegrated army, summoning mercenaries and adventurers within the nation, shifting to a wartime footing, and requesting reinforcements from the Hero Association—were bold decisions that might have redrawn the continental map had they come from anyone else.
Meanwhile, after founding the republic and gathering the scattered soldiers of the former Liam Kingdom, he learned of a unit fighting desperately on the front lines against the demons.
That unit was the special forces 'Totenkopf'.
The secret weapon of the now-defunct Liam Kingdom, specialists against demons.
Monsters where every executor could effortlessly handle mid-level demons.
Totenkopf was their containment facility and the most notoriously inhumane unit in the Liam Kingdom.
The succeeding republic was no different; under the tacit approval of the legion commander, Totenkopf had been used as mere tools.
It was a given that they were deployed to front lines surrounded by enemies, near-suicidal positions. Even after hard-fought victories, they were thrown back into consecutive battles.
Only after the Iron-Blooded Prime Minister belatedly caught on and executed those responsible had they escaped constant extreme conditions.
As the war with the demons entered a lull and Totenkopf was disbanded, he incorporated the harshly treated survivors into his personal guard, improving their conditions.
Amid this, one boy who had become unmoored was Fritz Werner.
The Iron-Blooded Prime Minister couldn't bear to put the emotionless boy, scarred by countless wars, back into a unit.
In the end, instead of his guard, he sent the boy to Academy City, hoping he would rediscover human emotions.
And now.
Visiting Academy City on a fine opportunity, the Iron-Blooded Prime Minister gazed at the executor who came up only to his shoulder.
A 17-year-old boy nearing 20 in appearance, but having known him for over a decade, the prime minister still saw him as a child and smiled faintly.
"Long time no see, Fritz."
"Have you been well, Your Excellency?"
"Of course. I'm always healthy."
After a light exchange of greetings, the executor glanced at the prime minister's companions with a faint smile.
"You've brought them as your escorts."
"Hahaha! Long time no see, kid!"
"His personality's a bit rough, but his skills are the real deal."
"...I'm worried he might give you a bad influence, Your Excellency."
"Hoho, don't be like that."
Even though it was mere polite banter, the Iron-Blooded Prime Minister beamed with delight before composing himself as someone approached from his side.
"Welcome to Academy City. I'm Iris Hera Behaight, Foreign Affairs Director of the General Student Council."
"To think I'd meet the famed jewel of the Behaights. A pleasure."
At Iris's appearance, with her sunset-red hair, not only the prime minister but even his chattering guards snapped to attention.
Observing them with a smile, Iris nodded inwardly at their flawless demeanor and addressed him.
"I deeply apologize that the Student Council President is unable to greet you personally due to event duties."
"No need. I've already heard about the emperor and the pope. Still, it would be nice to meet him sometime later."
"It will surely happen."
The Iron-Blooded Prime Minister nodded.
He had learned before departing East Liam that the Imperial Empire's emperor and Rosario's pope would attend the entrance ceremony, so he felt no great displeasure.
The Student Council President was likely receiving his own nation's Emperor Yeongnak.
'The pope must have the Executive Director with him.'
Quickly grasping the situation, the prime minister regarded Iris with a picture-perfect smile.
"I'll escort you to the entrance ceremony venue first. Then we can tour the city interior."
"Understood. I'd also like to visit the research district if possible."
"It's possible. We'll adjust the schedule."
As Iris signaled a nearby staffer, they promptly contacted the labs via flu.
Watching with satisfaction, the Iron-Blooded Prime Minister soon followed Iris's lead to Slaine Academy's entrance ceremony hall.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Upon arriving at Slaine, he was greeted by a short, elderly man.
"Ho ho, to meet the famous Iron-Blooded Prime Minister. I am Joo Cheon Il-Jeong, principal of this academy."
"Oho! You're the renowned Tai Chi Sword Heaven!"
The prime minister expressed great admiration at the old man's introduction.
Joo Cheon Il-Jeong was the retired hero known as Tai Chi Sword Heaven!
A top ranker representing the heroes two generations back, now retired, yet his skills were said to surpass most active heroes.
'So Slaine's principal is him.'
Judging by the name, from the Imperial Empire.
One of the exceptionally brilliant non-humans, at that.
'Same origin as the Student Council President. And a recluse who's taken up the mantle again...'
Noting it mentally, he shook the principal's hand lightly.
"Come inside. I'll guide you to the hall."
Moments later, guided by the principal to the ceremony hall, he beheld the crowd filling the entire venue.
"Hmm, it's been a while."
"...Have you visited Slaine before?"
Iris, beside him, asked at his murmur.
"In my youth, I was a Slaine student myself. Not from the Combat Department, mind you."
"I see. Then old memories must come flooding back."
"Indeed. Fond ones, at that."
Gazing distantly at the hall for a moment, his eyes caught platinum blonde hair, and he turned toward it.
"Hoo."
'A boy... no, a girl.'
As his gaze shifted to the girl, faint mana wafted from her.
Magic so advanced even seasoned mages would struggle to detect it was nullified by his national-treasure-grade artifact.
Only then did he perceive her true nature, letting out a soft groan.
'Platinum blonde... a Rosario saintess candidate?'
But he immediately dismissed the thought.
'No, all Rosario saintess candidates would have enrolled at Saint Maria without exception. We've confirmed that much.'
Besides, there was another anomaly even if that weren't the case.
'That girl's hair color. Not typical for a saintess candidate. Far superior...'
Yes, like a saintess or grand saintess—radiantly bright.
Meanwhile, noticing the prime minister's gaze on the girl, Iris spoke up.
"That boy's a new enrollee this time."
"You may already know, but he's the student who slew the demon behind the mana beast gate incident. Even our instructors are keeping a close eye on him."
At the principal's following words, the prime minister's expression changed.
"A demon? She... no, he personally?"
"Yes. He dueled it one-on-one and subjugated it."
As Iris affirmed confidently, he fell silent briefly.
'Rosario affiliates couldn't subdue a demon in single combat. Paladins or inquisitors are possibilities, but they wouldn't have hair that color.'
Yet there was one exception.
A being with such lustrous platinum hair, unaffiliated with Rosario.
His eyes widened as realization dawned.
'Could it be an Apostle!'
Apostle.
A true hero blessed by the goddess with immense holy power.
Alex, who felled the previous Demon King, and the great hero who defeated the first were both called the goddess's Apostles—equivalent to Demon King slayers.
"Truth be told, until the Student Council President took interest in that student, there were many concerns in the city. But now, his monumental achievement has silenced them all."
"...The Student Council President took personal interest?"
At Iris's words, the Iron-Blooded Prime Minister was convinced.
'An Apostle.'
A true hero deeply blessed by the goddess, no less.
"Yes. There was talk when he showed interest in a student who barely passed. In hindsight, the president has incredible insight."
Ignoring Iris's words with one ear, the prime minister smiled inwardly.
'A failing student soloed a demon...'
What better proof could there be!
'I came lightly to see Fritz, but I've found an unexpected gem.'
With that thought, the Iron-Blooded Prime Minister stepped forward with his cane toward the girl.
'If I can bring that girl into the republic's fold, Liam will be even more secure!'
His eyes gleaming as he approached the girl.
The girl—Noah—stared back at him with a deathly pale face.