Chapter 29 - The Chill of a Forgotten National Hero
The imperial audience chamber of the palace, where countless ministers usually gathered by the dozens for meetings, held only three souls today. And even they were dazzling figures.
"Spring has fully arrived in all its glory. What a fine day. I'm grateful you've made time for me on such a pleasant spring afternoon at my request."
Seated upon the highest throne of gold was the current emperor, Isaac III Aslan. Despite his age, his sharp wits remained undimmed, and he surveyed those around him with the arrogance befitting the master of this hall.
"How could we not? If it is Your Majesty's will, we have no choice but to obey."
His son, Crown Prince Bernard Aslan, sat in his place and responded perfectly to his father's words.
"……."
And between them, gauging their moods with practiced ease while exuding his innate dignity as if it were the most natural thing... was Raval Lagrange.
"—Duke Lagrange, you have answered the summons, Your Majesty."
As the emperor had mentioned moments ago, this was a private audience requested after the usual council, which was why he remained.
As Raval bowed his head silently, Emperor Isaac flashed his signature bold smile from years past.
"No need to be so stiff, Duke Lagrange. I only called you here for a casual chat today."
"I see."
"Of course, given the matter at hand, it would have been ideal to have Grand Duke Pernov here as well... but with his heir at the Academy, he can't leave his territory just yet. Right?"
Hahaha—!
"But even just you will do fine. There's no issue with discussing it."
'The matter at hand.'
Raval felt he could already guess what it was. After all, he knew exactly what kind of man His Majesty was, having served him his entire life.
This jovial facade was just that—a facade. Peel back the layers, and you'd find a man more twisted than anyone, as vigilant and venomous as a serpent toward others.
A bundle of paranoia. That one phrase summed up the emperor.
In this stable era, with no outward or inward threats, the only reason to summon him—a man who had relinquished all real power—was obvious.
"Duke Lagrange, I have something I'd like to ask you."
"Ask anything, Your Majesty."
"About Sir Joseph, the Demon King Slayer."
...As expected. What else could it be but that boy?
"I'm glad to hear he's doing well. The reports paint him as quite the diamond in the rough, as always."
The emperor spoke without a hint of suspicion on his face, but Raval couldn't help swallowing hard.
"Today, I even heard how he flawlessly and honorably concluded the duel between Grand Duchess Pernov and the Einheart countess's heir. He resolved all the issues in his class with ease, too."
"Is that so."
"It's been five years since his retirement, but Joseph is still Joseph, eh? Haha...!"
…….
….
….
A chill ran down his spine.
"So, tell me. Did you place him at the Academy with intentions of bringing him into central politics?"
"Heavens no, Your Majesty. Never."
"I see. Had that been your aim, I was planning to appoint him to a key position after his year as professor."
No. Not at all.
The emperor had no such intentions. Raval had heard similar words before.
What the emperor had granted him after saying such things was merely a nominal promotion to duke and empty honorific titles like Imperial Military Advisor and Honorary Grand Marshal of the Imperial Army.
Titles that seemed like rewards on the surface but held no real military authority, unlike Grand Duke Pernov's in the north. Positions where he had to endure the capital nobles' snobbery every time—a gilded trap.
And now, promising the same to Joseph, whose position was even more precarious as a commoner origin? Vague words about "using him importantly," without any concrete plan, just to brush it off.
Besides, if he truly valued him, he wouldn't have allowed Joseph's retirement in the first place.
Asking now, after all this time...
'Poisoned chalice... Dangerous.'
Raval saw through it immediately. This was a trap. Or a probe, at best.
Allowing Joseph's retirement back then? Likely because the dangerous blade had sheathed itself without fuss, so no need to stir trouble.
But now that the blade had unexpectedly unsheathed itself...
The emperor suspected only one thing.
'—That I'm using him as a springboard for my own resurgence, even though I'm politically neutered.'
It made sense. Joseph had achievements that could easily garner public support.
And coincidentally, the man he'd placed there ended up as professor in his niece Sion's class.
As emperor, it was far more natural to read intent into it.
Hence the direct question: Did he intend to bring Joseph into central politics?
So, denying it outright had been the right answer. It was the truth, but even if it weren't, any ambiguity would have drawn scrutiny.
'Joseph has done nothing wrong...!'
Yet even giving the correct response left Raval with a sinking feeling in his chest, heavier than ever.
He owed Joseph so much.
He'd taken in the homeless boy and taught him the sword. But that sturdy man had long surpassed him, the hero, striving to protect everyone.
When Raval lost his arm, Joseph had stepped up and severed the Demon King's breath.
He owed him his life. He never forgot, not for a moment. Every breath reminded him it wasn't taken for granted.
That's why Raval had sacrificed himself to stay out of the emperor's sight, shielding Joseph and bearing the political weight alone.
But now, those efforts to repay the debt were putting Joseph in danger.
Guilt gnawed at him. Unacceptable. Unsettling.
The harder he tried, the more tangled it got.
Still, he had to protect Joseph. For his good daughter and loyal brother-in-arms, it was the bare minimum.
"Your Majesty."
So Raval spoke frankly to the emperor.
The sparrow before my eyes chirped busily, relaying Sir Raval's words in his very voice. It felt just like a phone call.
"So what did you tell him, Sir Raval?"
「I told him the truth. You're just a guy who got screwed by a housing scam tragedy and took a job at the Academy to get back on your feet. That's the facts—how could His Majesty suspect otherwise?」
"No one fears a controllable pawn."
「...You remember that.」
"Of course. Who said it? You wanted to strip away my threat and turn me into an object of pity."
「I know you hate pity, but what choice did I have? Otherwise, His Majesty wouldn't have stayed quiet.」
Haa....
Chew.
That damn emperor is such a pain in the ass. Back when we were ripping the Demon King's head off, he acted like he'd give us his liver and gall bladder. Now he's full of weird suspicions.
If that's how it's gonna be, maybe we should've just all died together taking down the Demon King.
「I'm ashamed. I said I'd handle it, but His Majesty pours endless attention on you...」
"No, I get it. Of course he would."
In the end, Sir Raval's report boiled down to this: He'd responded truthfully and managed the situation, but my success stabilizing Mist Flower Class had undeniably intensified the scrutiny.
And...
「For your safety now, you should avoid drawing attention.」
"How? I'm a professor."
「Isn't that the basics of being a salaryman? Just do the minimum.」
"...You know that stuff too, huh? Even a moldy count like you."
「Experience teaches. I'm old as dirt.」
If it was truly for my retirement's sake, he was telling me to stop causing a fuss and lay low.
"Anyway, got it. Give me some time to think."
「...Sorry, Joseph. I know you're resting, but I had to tell you.」
"It's fine. I'll swing by later to talk."
「Thanks.」
With that, the sparrow dissolved into mana and scattered away. The room fell silent, leaving only me in the empty quiet.
….
….
Goddamn it, for real.
When I pulled off that rematch, I thought I was killing it. And I was trying to.
Because I'm a Demon King-slaying vet, and getting sneered at by idiot professors was unbearable. I didn't want to tarnish Sir Raval's name. And I wanted to be a reliable uncle to Sion.
The result? All seven Mist Flower misfits, who started with zero answers, were effectively stabilized.
Like Headmaster Adelheit said, isn't that damn good for a professor?
But politically, that "doing well" was the problem.
"Let's see..."
I stared at the ceiling, ticking off fingers.
Day one: Subdued the so-called modern sword saint Zigrinde with my scabbard, became a security hero. Got every truant to class.
In the process, single-handedly shut down Rothschild's illegal gambling den...
Officiated the grand duchess's formal duel solo. Tutored Pernov directly, making her able to hold her own—limited, but equal—to Einheart's sword saint.
'...Hah, no wonder they're suspicious. How does this look from above?'
Perfectly reasonable.
Thrashing around in the Academy, standing out among peers. Building connections with future heirs.
Looks exactly like an ambitious climber eyeing a top spot.
Other professors either lack skill or motivation to achieve this much.
So, judging by my track record, which emperor would buy that I'm just here for the paycheck?
Sir Raval's acting not landing? Maybe inevitable.
Click, click—.
I lit a cigarette and took a satisfying drag.
'Alright, options: three.'
One: Trust Sir Raval. I know the man—spent his life play-acting as a materialist to protect his people. He won't let me burn.
But.
'I begged him once to handle it this way, but if things have escalated this far, I can't rely on him alone. It's clear he's starting to buckle.'
Rejected.
Two: Lay low as he says.
But as I said, impossible.
'Even after all this hard work stabilizing them... Mist Flower kids can flip on a dime if something blows up. Staying quiet? Situations won't let me.'
Sir Raval's worried, telling me to slack off. But that'd just screw Sion over again with class drama.
Like that sad face in the carriage back then. Hate seeing that again.
Last: 'Go see the emperor myself.'
Absolutely batshit crazy. Sir Raval would faint.
But my logic was solid.
The emperor's interested in me. Sir Raval's handling it as best he can.
But it's all guesswork now. Better to confirm in person.
Plus, he'll summon me soon anyway. Then I'm on the defensive.
But if I go first? At least plants the idea I'm mindful of his gaze.
Tsss—.
I stubbed out the cigarette.
No booze meant no sleep anyway, but now I had another clear reason.
'Yeah. Gotta see him. Fuck—I'm scraping by trying to live, and some prick's tripping me up. Pisses me off.'
And everyone's protecting me, but they're missing something.
I'm a possessor.
I may be broke, but I got pride.
Never liked that emperor bastard from the start.
Trying to fuck over my precious big bro who suffered in my place.
Makes me wanna crack skulls. Who the hell thinks they can play king on my head?