152. In the End, Again Like This
A mother is a being that can't be satisfied without boasting about her child's test scores.
A man is a creature that can't endure not being told by his teammates that he carried the game.
The Emperor is a person who can only feel satisfied if he makes it known to the world that his Empire and his subordinates are so outstanding.
In that sense, I could understand a little bit of the Emperor's unbelievable behavior.
Of course, only a little bit. I can never understand beyond that. Damn it. Damn it!
‘Emperor! Did you really go senile!’
The moment I reveal my inner thoughts, even if it's just the Imperial Medal of Honor, I might be dragged straight to the underground prison.
But there's no helping it. If you search through the history of the Empire, there's never been a case where the Emperor left the palace to visit the Academy and awarded medals to his subordinates!
Previously, it was only once for a princess and once for the Crown Prince. Actually, that's also really unbelievable.
Normally, one would go to the palace to receive the medal, but there's no reason for the precious members of the imperial family to make an outing outside.
This too started when I, in a half-avoidant way, said ‘This student is a bit hard to move,’ and then ‘Ah, then we'll go. This way it's fine, right?’
At that time, I heard that there were some who said I was being specially treated too much.
Of course, now that I'm here, the ones saying that would probably be the Emperor personally throwing a pot at them.
“Thank you very much, Lord Karl Adelheit!”
“Lord!”
“Thank you very much!”
In that sense, I want to throw the pot at these four idiots right now. Ugh.
“You guys, what exactly are you doing?”
“What do you mean ‘what are you doing’?! We are simply doing our best as Guardian Saints for the Master!”
“It is the law that the Master's name should shine eternally in history!”
“By fulfilling this duty, please do not worry, Master!”
“...”
I looked at the three of them and turned my gaze to Joachim, the last conscience of the Hydras.
The other three are idiots, but at least I thought Joachim was somewhat normal.
But even that guy ended up betraying me.
“We are simply fulfilling the duty of the Guardian Saints!”
What duty of the Guardian Saints? You all said just a moment ago that you wouldn't do it even if you died!
Then suddenly now you're saying it with such enthusiasm? Do you think I don't know your true intentions!
“Lord Karl. Did you hear the news? It seems the Karl Adelheit Alchemy Foundation is planning new public support.”
“They are researching new methods for drought prevention and magic-based portable water supply. All the support for that is said to be entering under Lord Karl's name.”
“New employment support for veterans is also under Lord Karl's name―”
Revenge. They are seeking revenge. They clearly are seeking revenge on me now, having caused trouble without any consultation with them!
Otherwise, there's no way the alchemy foundation with my name would try to cover the world with my name!
Originally, I would have scolded them. Even if I didn't, those guys' surroundings would have strongly stopped them.
One noble's name becoming too excessively high in the Empire ruled by the Emperor?
Anyone would look like they're begging ‘Please catch me a bit.’ It's not like that.
If I were the Emperor, I would think ‘Hey? These guys keep crossing the line?’
But, right at that moment, if the Emperor himself is busy bragging about that noble more than anyone else?
With foreign envoys coming, if he's openly going there and handing out rewards while saying ‘Ah, this is what it means to be an Empire noble.’ and shouting it?
The result is obvious. Everyone is going ‘Wow!’ and saying ‘This is loyalty to the Empire and the imperial family!’ and happily taking me on a joyride with the Emperor.
Not a joyride. It's like being loaded onto a spaceship and sent beyond the sun.
“You bastards. No matter how you look at it, you're doing revenge like this? I know I was a bit excessive, but!”
“Knowing that I was excessive is fortunate, Lord!”
“We have accepted that will to be frozen for generations with our friends!”
“No, a bit.”
Do you know what the saddest thing is? That I can't back down now. My name has already been spread too much everywhere. Just saying ‘Karl Adelheit’ makes people clap their hands first.
If I suddenly remove my name here? Or if they withdraw the things with that name?
It's hard to form an image, but it drops very quickly. The moment someone says ‘Is there any problem with me?’ the country really goes to hell.
“Well, this is a joke. Karl.”
And these guys, who aren't even nobles, immediately turn serious.
“The news that you received the medal from the Emperor has already spread throughout the Empire.”
“By the way, there's also this opinion. No matter how you look at it, it seems inappropriate for the Empire's owner to personally come and award the medal. As a proper subordinate, shouldn't you go to the palace?”
“Among the nobles, there's also talk about this part.”
In short, their words mean that because the Emperor moved, they made the reason even more solid. By making the Emperor move, they are reinforcing the legitimacy.
If they raise my name value in advance, the nobles will have a bigger burden in raising their voices about the Emperor moving.
They say they stepped up to prove their loyalty, but if they get a backlash, nothing is more unjust.
So, before misunderstanding, tell them in advance. This is because the Emperor is doing it after calculating the Empire's interests, not because he has no choice, to show the people's hearts.
They don't have to suffer for the image of a loyal subject, so they pretend to stop it appropriately and then back off when they see the signs.
“This is an unprecedented event, Karl. Since the Emperor is moving, a greater justification is needed.”
“It is to more firmly show that the Emperor's footsteps are never light.”
“We did this for some serious reasons. Remember that.”
“...They say so. Karl.”
I know, you guys. If there was only one reason to torment me, I would have gone crazy.
With a legitimate reason like this now, I can listen to it. I'm rational, after all.
A sudden thought comes to mind: maybe the Emperor secretly pushed their backs?
*
Finally. Finally, that day came.
Originally, it was the start of the Academy's autumn festival. Really, without anything special, it was a day when students gathered at booths instead of classes and spent their own time.
However, this time, at least as much as the start of this year's autumn festival, it was completely different from other times.
Starting with the Empire's major dignitaries, the unofficial envoy group from Heigens, the cardinal group from the Holy See, the knight group from Lasquer, and even the mages from Abillesti.
Whether this was a simple Academy festival or a parade commemorating the Empire's victory was unclear, but something was happening.
And a little later, the moment that could be called the highest highlight of today's event arrived.
“The Imperial Guard is here. Behind them are the Imperial Knights!”
“Oh my, I never thought I'd see them like this...”
The Academy has children of high noble families, but conversely, there are also children of relatively low noble families.
Among them, there are even commoners. These are those who aim to advance only on the foundation of ability.
How many chances would they have to go near the palace? How many chances would they have to see them right in front of them, those who are the Emperor's spear, sword, and shield.
Therefore, it was only natural that those young students were both very tense and extremely excited by their appearance.
“Make way! Everyone, make way!”
And behind them, the one who would turn all those gathered at the Academy today into ‘whatever’ was approaching.
“Long live the Emperor!”
“Empire, eternal!”
“God! Protect the Empire and the Emperor!”
Every time the carriage passed, regardless of gender, age, status, everyone knelt and shouted with sincerity. Even though it was an echo that wouldn't come back, they didn't care at all.
Meanwhile, the carriage thoroughly passed the controlled Academy gates and entered beyond.
The inside was already lined up with guards and imperial knights. Normally, they would have controlled everyone more thoroughly than this, but this time, more ‘audience’ was needed.
*
I'm going crazy. The only way to express Karl's current state is this.
And actually, really, with hands and feet trembling, expressing the current psychological state without exaggeration.
Having received the medal from the Emperor. Even though it's at the Academy, in front of all the students and guests, I am amazed at myself or ashamed.
“Lord Karl. It seems it's time to move soon.”
“Ah, yes. Understood.”
Following the Special Intelligence Agency agents waiting in advance, I walk the Academy corridor.
Even though the distance is quite far, the cheers and cheers from afar, and the calls of people shouting the name of the Empire hero under the Emperor's tacit approval.
Hoo, Karl took a deep breath and slowly walked to the end of the corridor. And finally, standing on the central platform where the bright sun was shimmering beyond the shadows.