Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Entrance Ceremony (4)
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"Huu..."
"You did well."
After finishing the boring speech, I descended to the back of the stage.
At the same time, Seon-hwa, who had been waiting, handed me a water bottle.
"Thanks."
"That was an excellent speech. With this, public opinion is firmly on your side, Young Master."
"How's the entrance ceremony going?"
"Some of G3 finished a bit early, but most are still in progress."
"Hm. That's a relief."
Good thing I started the speech early.
Thanks to that, I could wrap it up before noon and head to the entrance ceremony venue.
The issue would probably be...
"So, His Majesty the Emperor is at the entrance ceremony venue, right?"
"Yes. Word is he's observing it alongside the Iron-Blood Chancellor."
Emperor Yeongnak, who had come targeting Noah from the start.
How shocked I'd been when I went out early that morning to greet him!
'No way he'd prioritize Noah over Se-hee...!'
The Emperor, showing more interest in a fresh talent than his own youngest daughter, had headed straight to the entrance ceremony the moment I stepped away for the speech.
By now, he was surely fawning all over Noah.
'I can't let that crazy royal geek steal my Noah!'
Noah was the protagonist I was raising meticulously myself.
Like hell I'd let some other bastard poach her.
"Speech's done, so let's head straight to Slaine."
"Understood. I'll summon the escorts."
"No, no time for that. Just the two of us."
"Y-Yes...? Eek!?"
Right after, I scooped Seon-hwa into my arms and leaped out the window.
"───?!"
The fierce wind tore a cry from her lips, but I let it flow past one ear as I stepped on the air and leaped once more.
In an instant, we reached the rooftop across the way.
"Th-the car's waiting! So...!"
"This is faster."
No car, however swift, could match the speed of bounding across rooftops.
No matter how I sliced it, this was more efficient.
With that thought, I pulled Seon-hwa even tighter—cutting off whatever she'd been about to say—and launched into the air again.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Meanwhile, Noah—who had the Emperor's undivided attention—was utterly miserable, on the verge of death.
The gaze that hadn't left her for a second during the speech grew even more brazen once it ended and the ceremony neared its close.
It was so intense that the people around her were starting to stare at Noah, following his lead!
'Why the hell is he doing this...!?'
But all she could do was grumble inwardly.
She couldn't possibly show any dissatisfaction toward the Emperor.
Her opponent was someone who could erase a nobody like her with a mere gesture.
Facing the Emperor himself, it was only natural for Noah to tread more carefully than usual.
In the end, the most she could manage was to hang her head low and avoid his eyes as best she could...
"I heard you're a student cherished by my Martial Emperor. Hmm..."
And that flimsy tactic shattered the instant the Emperor approached her directly.
"Hmm."
"...!"
Overwhelmed by those deep blue eyes, like an endless abyss, Noah squeezed her eyes shut without thinking as his hand reached toward her.
"Indeed, an unripe fruit."
"Uh...?"
"Sometimes, a bud not yet bloomed holds its own beauty. How brilliantly you'll flower, you who are still just a sprout. I eagerly await it."
But as the Emperor gripped her shoulders lightly and patted her reassuringly, pure bewilderment bloomed in her eyes.
"Th-thank you...?"
"Haha! No need to look so frightened. I'm merely here out of curiosity about you."
'Liar──!'
Noah wanted to scream it at the top of her lungs.
Just simple curiosity? What kind of nonsense was that!
'He'll devour me with those eyes alone!'
His stare was so piercing that even Camilla, who'd stuck faithfully by her side until now, had backed away from Noah.
"By the way, this is impressive. I've seen countless talents, yet one as veiled as you is a rarity."
With that, the Emperor smacked his lips once.
Noah felt goosebumps ripple across her skin.
"Like father, like daughter. Both exceeding my expectations. Kehhehehehe...!"
"D-do you know my father?"
"Hm? You..."
Puzzled by Noah's question at first, the Emperor soon nodded in realization.
"I see. Your father and I share a past connection. One might call him my benefactor."
Benefactor?
Had her father helped him back in his active days?
Alex's name was openly listed among the Emperor's comrades, but it was such a common name that Noah had never once suspected her dad might be the Hero of Light.
Besides, the Alex at home was nothing but a hopeless family man, overflowing with doting dad energy—hardly a match.
Meanwhile, having read Noah's thoughts perfectly, the Emperor chuckled heartily and spoke up.
"Haha! Indeed, my benefactor. Countless crises I overcame thanks to that man."
"I never imagined my father was Your Majesty's benefactor!"
"The battlefield was that perilous. Four Heavenly Kings dominating everywhere, demon executives raining magic at every turn—it was hell itself."
Dismissing it now as fond memories, the Emperor gazed at wide-eyed Noah and laughed merrily.
'That insatiable curiosity is straight from her mother.'
Recalling his old comrade Elise, the Emperor then beckoned the princess at his side.
"You called, Your Majesty."
"My daughter, for all her shortcomings. She's a freshman like you—get along."
Putting on a show of fatherly affection, the Emperor fixed his gaze on the apologetic Noah.
"Nice to meet you, Noah. I'm Hwang Se-hee. Let's be friends from now on."
"Eek! P-Princess! The honor is mine!"
"No need to be so stiff. I'm just an ordinary student here, after all."
"Quite right! Flaunting authority in Academy City is utter folly! Any of my subjects who dare such foolishness will face dire consequences."
"Hehe, of course. I'll keep a close eye to prevent it."
The Emperor gave a slight nod to the princess's words, then shifted his gaze to an approaching figure.
"Hohoho, might the Emperor of the Imperial Empire be too stern with the students?"
"...Iron-Blood Chancellor. What do you mean by that?"
"Fresh freshmen who've only just entered Academy City. Children still peering at the world from their wells—surely one more chance wouldn't hurt."
"A foolish question. None of my children are blind fools. The moment they enroll as freshmen, they shed their status and become mere students."
"Hoo... As expected of a great empire's sovereign, such confidence. This old man must take notes."
"Hmph. Just you?"
He knew full well.
Beneath that banter, the Iron-Blood Chancellor was even harsher on students than he was.
"Everyone knows how you dealt with the student who abused their status to oppress classmates."
At once, those around let out deep sighs.
"A freshman in Academy City wielded their status like a weapon to bully peers. Upon hearing, you recalled the brat home and beheaded them on the spot, didn't you?"
"Hohoho, the Republic was in its early nation-building days then, requiring firm persuasion of the populace. Abolishing a centuries-old class system isn't child's play. An example was needed."
"Hmph. Excessive strictness borders on oppression."
"A agonizing decision on my part... You'd understand, wouldn't you?"
Ignoring the Chancellor's query, the Emperor turned back to Noah.
Her uncomfortable grimace brightened instantly into delight.
But someone beat the Emperor to her side.
"Oho! If it isn't student Noah! What a coincidence."
"Hmm. You two know each other, then."
"Hoho, the hero of the city, no less. Heroic deeds deserve praise, even outside one's borders—natural, isn't it?"
"Hoo..."
Polite words on the surface, but the undertone was anything but.
'No way they just met? For real? I beelined for her the second I arrived!'
The Emperor's face soured sharply.
"Hmph! Honoring heroes demands proper ceremony and venue! Noah, anticipate it. I'll commend you personally!"
"Hoo, I'm looking forward to it. Ah, student Noah—I nearly forgot this."
With that, the Iron-Blood Chancellor handed Noah a palm-sized card.
"This is...?"
"An entry pass to our Republic. With it, you can enter without any formalities."
Noah's eyes widened as she stared at the card again.
Plain and roughly colored at first glance, it was in truth an artifact of immense value.
Signed personally by the Iron-Blood Chancellor, no less.
If it hit the market, merchants would queue up offering fortunes for it.
"Well, a few minor perks besides, but nothing to fuss over."
"Th-this is too burdensome!"
"Hoho, it's fine. Just a passing thought."
"Um... but still..."
"Don't overthink it. Our Dong-Riam Democratic Republic lies closest to the frontlines, so as a hero, you'll visit someday. Other active heroes carry the same—nothing special."
"...In that case, I gratefully accept."
Noah tucked the card carefully into her bosom.
The Chancellor beamed with satisfaction at her.
Meanwhile, the onlookers unanimously retorted in their minds.
'Liar──!'
'No way a pass from the Iron-Blood Chancellor is just any pass!'
'Only a handful even possess one!'
'Not your average active hero—only elite rankers have them!'
'Just flashing that in Dong-Riam gets you state guest treatment!'
Everyone gaped at the Chancellor handing out such a treasure like a street giveaway.
Watching the exchange, the Emperor inwardly gnashed his teeth, cursing the Chancellor.
'You filthy raccoon! Daring to poach the talent I outbid everyone for...!?'
It had been so seamless he nearly let it slide right under his nose.
Having swiftly assessed the Chancellor's ploy, the Emperor jumped into the conversation.
"Excellent idea! A city hero deserves a fitting gift. Formal commendation later, but a token present now..."
That was the moment.
Everyone attuned to qi flow looked skyward in unison.
"L-look up there! A person in the sky...!"
"That person's...!"
"The special speech ended less than three minutes ago...?"
"Urgh! His pressure feels even heavier today!"
Even ordinary folk, numb to qi, felt the air itself shoved aside and gazed upward.
"Already here, is he."
The Emperor wore a wry smile at the sight—and at that instant—
"Iron-Blood Chancellor. Emperor Yeongnak."
A cold voice rang from the sky.
"Scouting Academy City students is a clear violation of the law."
With a heavy aura rolling off him, Yeon Je-seong landed squarely before Noah.
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