Let's Do One Thing Together
Seeing him, I find him really likable.
Karl Adelheit. Eldest son of Count Friedrich.
Count Friedrich, his wife, and Ricata, and her too.
The Adelheit family has always shown fervent loyalty to the Empire.
And now, even the eldest son is showing off his loyalty.
Rescuing allies in battle is well-deserved praise.
That's enough for the Empire to thank this young hero.
But from my perspective, Karl did something more important.
'If the terror had continued as is, the damage would have skyrocketed, and it would have been full-scale war again.'
The Empire never loses. How could it lose to the Luzens?
But still, the Empire's soldiers would suffer casualties, which bothers me.
After returning from victory, being told to go back to the battlefield again, who would like that?
And the 3 years of war cost way more than expected.
This isn't a conquest war. It's just re-establishing the Empire's order as the continent's top power.
So, despite spending a lot on war costs, not much to gain immediately.
The Empire's firm position can be maintained, but it doesn't help fill the empty warehouses.
He blocked that. There was some damage, but it was enough.
More importantly, the 'Imperial Army veteran' didn't he crush dozens of Luzens bastards alone?
Karl showed the Empire's overwhelming superiority alone.
'Next, the exchange students. If the two kingdoms had rebelled because of that, it would have been tiring.'
Even though I knew, the Special Intelligence Agency made a mistake at the end.
They exposed the operation to civilians, leading to a fatal situation.
But the one who could cover it up was, as expected, the guy sitting in front of me, Karl.
It was easy. Think about it. First, deliberately provoke the Luzens to raise the stakes.
As if the Empire itself didn't notice, targeting the exchange students of the two kingdoms.
And that secret organization, Karl the returning student happened to stop it by chance.
The Empire's face was slightly damaged, but thinking about what comes next, it's tolerable.
The two kingdoms would show displeasure to the Empire too, but rather than that, they would be furious at the Luzens.
They fought the Empire in war, but why target their own students?!
With just that one point, it could calm the hardliners in the two kingdoms and unite them against the common enemy, Luzens.
'Of course, the Empire would take the upper hand in that alliance.'
The Luzens. Those disgustingly radical elves were trying to undermine the Empire's prestige.
In the end, it did happen, but as a result, it shattered their base.
Already, Heigens had declared they were giving up on negotiating with Luzens.
I think I understand why Mikaela praised him so much when he went to receive the medal.
If he knew all this and acted, it's beyond admiration, it's terrifying.
Even if he didn't know, if he did the right thing with a bit of luck, it's good for the Empire.
No matter what, in the end, it's good for the Empire. And since he's not a titled noble, calling him to public office is good!
'That's why Ricata dotes on her brother so much?'
Suddenly, the memory of that time comes to mind. She asked to meet, then immediately asked for help with returning.
She was very close to Mikaela. Because she did things for the Empire herself.
So, as a reward, and since they were in a relationship, she helped with a happy heart.
But looking at it this way, Ricata just didn't want to interfere with her brother's return life.
"Karl."
Anyway, now it's time to get to the main point.
"I already know, but another Medal of Honor will be awarded to you."
"...Is that so?"
Not a happy expression. I understand. Almost all medal recipients were like that.
Few thought of themselves as heroes or thought it was great.
Perhaps, it was natural. A hero isn't someone who calls himself a hero.
It's only when others praise them as heroes that they become true 'heroes'.
"Then this time too, Her Highness the First Princess..."
"Hm? Ah. That's not it. You, who are the first to receive two Medals of Honor in imperial history, if the same person does it, doesn't it look a bit odd?"
Suddenly, I wanted to see this friend surprised.
Originally, I was thinking of doing it at the designated place... but then no emotion, no fun?
"I want to do it myself. I want to award it at the Academy."
"...What?"
"His Majesty the Emperor showed interest too. But it's a bit awkward for His Majesty to come to the Academy. So, I plan to go to the Academy myself and award Karl the Medal of Honor."
Oh. Oh. Yes. That expression. That reaction. Very likable.
Ricata was similar to Mikaela, so she didn't have much fun with jokes.
But Karl, this friend. Ah, brother-in-law? Anyway. Unlike his sister, his reactions seem really good?
*
Something is going on that I didn't imagine.
Hey?! The scale is beyond what I can handle, Your Highness the Crown Prince?!
What? Who is coming? The Crown Prince? No way, what's this chaos!
Even more terrifying than the previous words. The Emperor... showed interest?
"Um, Your Highness. I'm, it's too much of a burden for me."
"It would be burdensome. But what can I do! The first Medal was already awarded by Her Highness the First Princess. Karl. And again, another Medal is being awarded. It's already amazing with just one, and adding another? Even if the recipient is the same, the awarders can't be the same. Someone more amazing needs to do it!"
That's right, it's correct. Yes, it's correct, but... still, it's getting too big in scale!
What I wanted was a really ordinary Academy returning student, right?
If juniors ask for a meal, I treat them appropriately. When talking about military life, "Uuu!" sounds.
When doing assignments, I'm drained. During exam periods, I die. During vacation, "Hehe!" laughing returning student!
Like now, the princess comes and gives the medal, stops the terror, protects the exchange students.
Now, the Crown Prince coming to the Academy saying 'Congratulations on the second medal!' is something I couldn't even imagine!
"Karl. Anyway, it seems you're underestimating your own position too much."
"Your Highness."
"What is the Medal of Honor. It's given to those the Empire must remember and honor. If you, people like you, are forgotten, the Empire can't exist as the Empire anymore. That's why we do this. Even if it's burdensome, it must be done."
Not just for me now, but for the people like me in the past.
And for future heroes who will one day walk the same path as me.
So, the Crown Prince said "Please understand just a little" and laughed "Haha!" and patted my shoulder.
"Would you like another cup of tea? Or do you need more cookies? These cookies are really delicious!"
Immediately, I wanted to say 'No thanks!' and refuse.
But recalling what the Crown Prince has said to me so far, that thought subtly disappears.
Everything being done to me now is not just for me, but praise and applause that all those who fought for the Empire should receive.
So, I think I should accept it to the best of my ability.
"...Yes. Your Highness. I humbly request it."
"That's right. That's exactly what I mean, Karl. Here, another one. This tea I brought is really good. It goes well with these sweet cookies. Eat a lot and take it. Ah, if needed, I can pack it too."
No. Your Highness. Packing is fine. I'll refuse.
"Um, then the medal awarding ceremony."
"The sooner the better. It's good when interest in heroes is high, for both sides."
"Then before the midterms, please. If it's noisy, the juniors might get hit by it."
"Kuhahaha! That's right! I also went to the Academy and know, it's definitely hell there! How can there be such terrifying assignments and merciless exams!"
What? The Crown Prince was also a student at the Academy in the past. Unexpected?
There, this person also suffered through assignments and exams, suddenly a sense of kinship arises.
"By the way, I can't not talk about your sister."
"I didn't know that Your Highness knows my sister."
"Didn't Ricata tell you? Hmm. Well, there will be a time to explain again later."
Explain again. Why not here?
"More than anything, a while ago, she suddenly asked for a favor, and it was quite troublesome."
"Troublesome? Is it that my sister did something...?"
"Temporary return of the Special Operations Execution Department. More precisely, it means returning to the field."
"Ah..."
"Of course, it's impossible for a retired person to just come back as they please. Nevertheless, Ricata received permission. She's such a capable friend. Everyone said they were sorry they retired too early."
That's because the next head of the family is Friedrich Count, so we have to prepare?
Otherwise, I might suddenly become a count.
I don't care about other things, but I really don't want that. There are too many things to do!
"I was done with dangerous things, but anyway...."
Knock knock—
Just as the Crown Prince was about to continue, a knock sound suddenly came, and someone entered.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"No. Is it urgent?"
The Crown Prince looks at the message being handed to him.
In the meantime, I drank a cup of tea and stuffed a cookie into my mouth.
This is really delicious. As expected, palace cookies are different.
"...Hmm."
Umm. A sigh came from the Crown Prince's mouth. This is definitely not a good reaction.
It might be better to run away quickly before it sparks at me....
"Karl."
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"You. Don't you have any thought to do one thing with me?"
This is suddenly what? I have to explain the rest.
"Ah. I'll explain everything, so don't worry. Hmm. Actually, this just now. It's from the Heigens side. Not the Gganf, but those friends who are qualified to hear the elves' voices."
"Is that so."
"Yes. These friends decided to send a delegation to our Empire this time, but they made an odd request."
They want something? What is it?
"You are to attend that place."
"...Me?"
"Yes. Karl. You."