125. Outcome
My memories from my past life were gradually fading as time passed. When I recalled them, they felt as vivid as if I had been there just yesterday, but looking back now, they all seemed like distant history.
The present life was so chaotic that I was too busy to pay attention to it.
But there were a few things I remembered clearly. For example… that school life passed by in the blink of an eye, whether I studied hard or not?
“What the hell? Midterm season already?”
Sitting on the bench, I pondered. How did time fly by so quickly?
Since returning from Lasquer, a lot has happened. Among them, the most amazing event was that these four idiots finally decided to fill up the entire fifth year.
“What kind of nonsense is this? Again, you're failing?”
My shout drew reactions from Schlippen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim.
These guys were grinning like they knew something I didn't. Were they really testing if my heart would burst and die?
They weren't from some minor noble family ruling a tiny village. All four were from major noble houses. Two were marquis families, two were imperial counts. In the hierarchy of nobility, their territories were higher than Friedrich County!
These guys, who hadn't even failed academically or been demoted for a semester due to a grading mistake, now sitting around saying “Ah, I guess I have to fill the year like this”?
If their parents were mine, I'd have rushed over and spanked them until they cried.
“This is all because there was a good reason.”
“Yeah, sure.”
They nodded confidently, as if not knowing I was feeling inside. Then they started listing those “good reasons”.
“Being here with you means we can discuss things quickly. Like takoyaki and hotteok, and those hot packs. And stuff about the alchemy foundation!”
“And being with the Empire's military hero gives us lots of benefits too!”
“When I'm with Karl, I don't get bored. If I forget, something happens?”
“Let's stay close from now on, Karl. We're friends forever, right?!”
Hearing that, my inner thoughts screamed. What else was there to say.
But since Selena was making a face next to me like it was lame, I barely held back.
“Hey, what do your family heads say to you?”
Actually, this was the most curious part. Even if they wanted to fail another semester, if the family heads didn't approve, it was impossible, right?
The young masters of the marquis and imperial count families had failed the academy for a whole year? If other nobles heard this, what would they think?
But when I asked, the four shook their heads and said “Not at all?”
And then added, “My father said I could do whatever I want.”
“Our family head too. As long as Karl and I become closer, he's fine with it.”
“Our mother also said that.”
“Everyone agrees.”
“…”
Since the family heads approved, I had nothing more to say. Okay, that was settled.
What else did I remember? Walking with Eloise a few more times?
She insisted it was a strong date, but I still couldn't agree. A date should have a certain atmosphere, right?
If asked if I had no feelings for Eloise, honestly, yes, I do.
Hearing that, Selena might hit me or cry saying I'm disappointing, but I wouldn't change. Because she already knows everything! I told her I wasn't thinking about it.
Anyway, I was accompanying her on what might be a date or a walk. The problem was Eloise herself. This woman didn't fit the “mood” at all.
“Eh! This is too embarrassing! What is this? Here!”
“Should we have dinner? We can just eat at the student cafeteria.”
“You said you'd treat me. You said you wouldn't give up even if another girl was there. But why are you acting like this?”
“Why did you suddenly become this position where you're feeding me food? Are you doing it on purpose? Really??
You told me not to feed me, but you're happily kicking your legs.
The four idiots and even Selena looked at the scene and sighed, “What kind of weird thing is this?”
The conclusion was one of two things. Either they said it but were secretly avoiding embarrassment, or they only thought of aggressively approaching positions and hadn't imagined the opposite situation. Personally, I leaned more towards the latter.
Lavrenti… is really busy. To exaggerate, she's almost on par with Selena.
“Sorry, sorry, Master…!”
“Then why are you apologizing?!”
“I'm still lacking academically, so my grades are this pathetic…”
It wasn't the military, but the academy. Not shooting, but academics deciding superiority. In such a place, Lavrenti's first midterm exam… well, honestly, it wasn't great.
To be more precise, she said she tried hard, but the effort didn't show much.
But I understood. When you join the military, your head gets toughened. I felt it intensely, not once but twice. Damn, I didn't expect my past memories to be this pathetic.
For that reason, Lavrenti was holed up in the library, refusing to come out. She was determined to make up for her mistakes in this final exam.
I support that. If you want something, you should take it. Besides, if you get expelled for failing academically, there's nothing more miserable.
The Lasquer princess. But now not a princess, Lepia is doing well. I worried she grew up too delicately, but surprisingly, she has good sociability.
It seems she gets along well with Eloise and Lavrenti, and recently made many new friends.
Given how well she's doing, what was the Emperor worried about when he asked me?
“Master.”
Looking back, the family servants were staring at me. The carriage from the main family had just arrived.
“Has it already gotten this late?”
“Yes, Master. You should head back soon.”
Sigh. A sigh escaped me. While others worried about midterms, I was wondering what this was all about.
Recently, something happened that made my heart sink. It seemed like a good intention, but I felt uncomfortable.
“Why are they trying to name something after me.”
Yes, my name. Karl Adelheit. They might even create a medal with my name on it. Discussions have been ongoing between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice, and now it's reached the Imperial Household Ministry.
Going to the Imperial Household Ministry means waiting for the Emperor's approval.
Shocked, I immediately asked the Crown Prince. Please, please give me time to present my opinion in front of the ministers of the departments related to the Emperor.
“Absolutely not. Aside from other things, that's definitely not okay.”
Embarrassed? Burdened? Well, there might be that reason too. I won't deny it.
But if asked if that's the main reason, I can say no. The reason I shouldn't have a medal named after me isn't that.
*
The Emperor carefully examined the reports submitted by the heads of each department.
In the current situation, the reasons why, the reasons why not. After confirming everything, he nodded to the Imperial Household Minister.
“Medal named after oneself.”
Where could there be a more glorious moment? Although I've received the Medal of Honor twice, this is completely different. If anything, this would be even greater in the future.
How many people in imperial history have left a medal named after themselves? According to the Emperor, it's so few that it's within five fingers.
This moment could be included. So, although I can refuse politely, I can't explain the reasons why I shouldn't do it in front of the Emperor and many ministers like this.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes. Come in.”
The door opened, and Karl, the protagonist of today's meeting, entered cautiously.
He was about to kneel and greet as usual. But the servants standing beside him stopped him. It wasn't necessary. You have the right to do so.
The Emperor also stopped Karl's greeting. Instead, he first gave a light bow.
“Welcome. Young Master. Yes, I heard you have something to say here today.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I'm just overwhelmed by such a precious time.”
“This is a request from the Medal of Honor recipient who sacrificed everything for the Empire. You can't refuse that, right? Yes. What is it you want to say? Go ahead.”
Karl took a light breath and spoke.
“I humbly request that the establishment of a medal named after me be treated as if it never existed.”
“I want it to be as if it never existed.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor, who had been stroking his chin, looked at Karl.
“I want to ask for the reason. Young Master.”
“Because it shouldn't be done.”
It shouldn't be done. Why? What is bothering him so much that this person, who received the Medal of Honor twice, from elves, knights, and the church, is acting this way.
“There were greater heroes than me. There were those who willingly sacrificed for the Empire. I can't stand in front of such people.”
“They will understand.”
“Yes. They are greater than me, so they will understand. However, I cannot accept it. I never wanted to surpass the previous heroes. Just receiving the same treatment as them is enough.”
If there were no previous heroes, I wouldn't have existed either. Those heroes didn't want to leave their names. They didn't expect to be remembered.
They just stepped forward decisively. For a single Empire citizen. For that future. Even to honor their wishes, I will walk the same path as them.
“…”
The Emperor stared at Karl for a moment and then spoke in a cautious tone befitting the master of the Empire.
“Karl Adelheit Young Master. I have one question.”
“Speak, Your Majesty.”
“Is the reason for refusing because of guilt towards those who went before? Is it that you feel sorry for receiving the same treatment while leaving them behind?”
Karl thought for a moment and shook his head, with a faint smile on his lips.
“It's not because I'm sorry for them, Your Majesty. If they were in my position, they would have said the same thing. So am I.”
We have already enjoyed the greatest honor of bravely fighting for the Empire. We don't need more than that.
“…Yes. If there is something necessary, it's that the next heroes after us should receive better treatment than us.”