Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Inspection (2)
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Recall what we know about the Imperial Family.
[Trash.]
“They were trash.”
It was certain they were such deplorable people that an answer like that came instantly.
People who only looked after their own interests even as the entire continent burned.
Vultures who didn’t care how many others died as long as they could fill their own bellies.
Even Gray, whose temper was utterly wrecked, spat curses at those human mongrels.
There were exceptional cases like Princess Ilia, who was remarkably fine, but the fact that someone like her couldn’t even reveal her imperial bloodline showed the current state of the Imperial Family.
What pissed him off the most was that if they had just been incompetent, he could have swept them all away.
“…It wasn’t that easy, which made it even more infuriating.”
[In more ways than one.]
Each one had talents they could boast about, which made them all the more infuriating.
The 1st Prince and 2nd Princess both commanded the entire Imperial Army as Supreme Commanders, locked in fierce rivalry due to their outstanding abilities.
In an empire that prized martial prowess, standing at the pinnacle of all military might meant being closer to the throne than anyone else—that was likely why they competed so fiercely.
Moreover.
Though the entire Imperial Family was divided into factions clashing against each other, led by those two, even the imperial kin far removed from succession had their own specialties and talents.
Even Princess Ilia, a distant branch so sidelined she wasn’t even acknowledged as blood kin, displayed abilities far beyond her age, which proved it.
“Your Highness can now keep up with regular classes without issue. The professors are full of praise.”
[…I heard she hadn’t received even basic education. Wasn’t she barely able to read?]
Carlyle and the Holy Sword both chuckled at the thought of Ilia.
The princess, who fluttered busily here and there like a baby bird, was starting to feel like the party’s mascot.
She had an innately kind nature, like a trembling little animal.
Not just Vespa—even Panhima, who was prickly with others, and Gray herself had clearly cut back on hurling insults or blows at the princess.
“…”
It wasn’t normal to hurl insults or blows at a child not even ten years old, but one had to make allowances for Gray.
The Hero Gray would have done that…
[…I’m right here. Listening perfectly fine.]
“Oh, shoot.”
Anyway, the fact that she stuck to Gray calling her a friend despite all that abuse showed her mental fortitude was no joke.
…Though her face had gone deathly pale the moment she heard imperial kin were visiting Cradle.
Carlyle had some idea why.
“As Lady mentioned, they’re not coming with purely good intentions.”
Cradle was, after all, an ‘educational institution.’
To high-ranking nobles, it probably wasn’t a place they’d prioritize highly.
[Right in the thick of the succession struggle. Those trash princes and vermin princesses are scrambling everywhere to snag even one more merit.]
It was widely known that the Emperor was gravely ill, his life hanging by a thread.
The Imperial Family hushed it up as much as possible since it brought no benefit to spread it, but everyone knew the undercurrents of the post-succession power struggle were in full swing.
And among those, Cradle held considerable ‘symbolic’ importance.
Shea Whiteburn. Gray Chasefield.
It was the only place where two current and former Heroes coexisted. That was first.
Just their presence alone wasn’t special, but if…
[Something happened and they shone in the aftermath, it’d make for prime merit-mongering optics.]
“Even with two Heroes there, I shone brilliantly—something like that?”
[Exactly.]
And that was the second feature.
An incident breaks out inside the academy.
[Right on cue. The ‘magical beast riot’ incident.]
The Holy Sword spoke in a tone thick with weariness.
An event triggered around final exams at the end of the semester.
He’d heard it turned the whole academy into a sea of fire.
“…I get it, but…”
[What part?]
“The ones coming to rack up merits here—don’t they know about it to some extent, which is why they’re heading this way?”
[Yes.]
“The Dean and others don’t seem to know anything. How do they know and no one else?”
From the scale the Holy Sword described, it was a massive incident where hundreds could die.
Shouldn’t they warn others quickly to prepare?
It was simple common sense.
The response was anything but.
[Others not knowing benefits them more.]
“…Pardon?”
[They shine brightest if they’re the only ones in the know. So even if Dean Shea or others ask for info, they’ll hear it with one ear and let it out the other.]
“…”
…Ah.
People die or not, as long as they stand out the most—they’re just hoarding the info?
How nice.
“From the Hell invasion to now, how are these fucking bastards consistently fucking bastards?”
[They say the God-like Emperor’s only failure in life was raising kids.]
Apt commentary.
Carlyle scowled and scratched his cheek.
Anyway, he got the situation.
One question remained.
“Lady’s taking me along to escort those rushing imperial kin, right?”
[Yeah.]
“Then why does she seem so… displeased?”
[…]
Stripped of context, it wasn’t unusual. For Gray, it was just duty. Part of being the Hero.
But the moment Vespa asked to join, her mood soured dramatically.
No precedent for snapping at Vespa, but she was clearly upset at not going alone.
‘…Is it that big a deal?’
Wouldn’t it be good if Vespa stepped up? She hated fighting but her skills were proven.
[There’s a superstition. Or tradition, if you like.]
“Yes?”
[Escorts for imperial kin usually come in pairs of two types. Same gender as the imperial. Or mixed gender.]
“Why?”
[To avoid any nonsense like the imperial and escorts getting too cozy.]
“…”
[Based on that logic, mixed escorts are often married couples or close allies.]
“…”
[…At least they act that way outwardly.]
“…”
Hmm.
Ah.
Such a tradition existed.
Was she upset it’d be broken, inviting nitpicks? That made sense.
[Idiot.]
“…”
He grumbled, but whatever.
“Well, I’m the most comfortable choice, right? No one else can handle the Hero.”
[You don’t think there’s any ulterior motive…?]
Ulterior motive.
Ulterior motive?
“What, the Hero wants to date or marry me?”
…That beast in human form?
Someone who hadn’t grasped half of human emotions…?
[Not quite that far, but.]
“Honestly, romance is tough for me.”
[…]
The Holy Sword shut up tight.
Like it had taken a massive shock.
It only spoke after a long pause, confirming as much.
[…Is it tough because you’re the Hero? Because you’re Gray Chasefield?]
“No, it’s tough no matter who the partner is.”
Silence stretched long again.
Unlike the prior shock, this held complex, subtle emotions.
[…Why? There are plenty of attractive women around.]
He acknowledged that. All good people, one and all.
But as romance prospects.
“…They all feel like daughters, honestly?”
How many times did he think he’d seen them?
How many lifetimes had he repeated with them? How many times had he tried to protect them?
Humanity was guarded by the Hero and companions, but paradoxically, Carlyle had strived hardest to protect the Hero and companions. He’d seen it all, good and bad.
Even if it was romantic feelings once, now he didn’t know what that even meant.
To Carlyle, they were just people he had to look after.
Beyond looking after.
“I just want them happy.”
That was the last emotion left.
Familial love.
Kids he’d taken to heart, hoping they’d live happily on their own.
Romance with them? What nonsense. Every time he saw them, he felt like a dad.
[…]
A heavy silence rose from the Holy Sword.
Heavy bordering on regretful.
“Hero? What’s wrong?”
[…Just thinking your road ahead is long.]
“Yeah. Gotta stop the world ending this time so you and they can be happy. Mountains of work—”
[Not you. Me and other women.]
“…?”
Carlyle rolled his eyes in confusion, and the Holy Sword spoke in a world-weary tone.
[Yes. That sort of thing.]
“…”
[Separate from no interest in romance, you’re also hopelessly oblivious.]
His path of hardship was a mountain.
Truly.
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And the next day.
An incident hit Carlyle that felt like it would open his own mountain of hardship.
“…Hey.”
Cardinal Felix before him spoke with moist eyes.
As always, her demeanor was horrifyingly casual for her station.
She’d rushed over before the imperials arrived, saying she had something to discuss, and called Carlyle out.
“I have something to say. Really important. About you and me.”
“…”
…Though the topic veered a bit.
“…Wanna come to my room for some coffee?”
Her flushed face as she said it.
Undoubtedly.
Not the vibe of just coffee and goodbye.
[What the fuck.]
‘…Yeah. Situation’s too sudden—’
[No, just realizing a blind spot.]
‘Pardon?’
[She won’t see you as a daughter. First time meeting this loop.]
‘…’
[Maybe, unfamiliarity means she could sweep you right off your—]
‘Feet?’
What was this now.
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