51. Is This Even Possible!
The Crown Prince, Ruprecht Ragnar, was heading to the Emperor's private chambers after receiving an order.
“Minister.”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
In front of him stood the palace official who had just finished his report.
“How is His Majesty?”
“He said it's just a light cold and he's continuing with his duties.”
“Hoo...”
The Crown Prince couldn't help but let out a groan at the minister's words.
Who in the world would fall ill from just a cold and lie in bed instead of a chair.
Due to the constant forced marches and the unavoidable old age, his body had become so stiff.
At times like this, he should rest comfortably to recover. He should be able to shake off the fatigue and get up.
From the moment he was born until now, the Emperor, who existed solely to rule the Empire, didn't seem to have any intention of doing so.
'But that's the way it is for me too.'
The Crown Prince let out a light sigh, straightened his clothes, and entered the inner part.
“Your Majesty. I have come at your summons.”
“Come in. Crown Prince. Come sit here.”
The Emperor, who had been writing, pointed to the chair beside the bed after removing his glasses.
The Crown Prince approached and sat down, unconsciously staring at the Emperor's head for a moment, his father's hair now completely white.
“I heard the news. The Heigens side is proposing a meeting.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It seems like...”
“Regarding the discussion about the hardliners.”
Those who fought a bloody battle with the Empire over the southern supremacy for a very long time.
Even though some of their own kind had turned pro-Empire, they didn't let go of their bows and arrows until the end.
After devouring tens of thousands of lives until now, they were self-destructing.
“But that timing is a bit early, Your Majesty.”
“Early?”
“Yes. I thought it would take at least two more months, but they're already proposing a meeting.”
The cheerful and lively appearance he had when talking to Karl earlier was gone.
The Crown Prince now looked like a seasoned individual who was cautious and considered various possibilities as the Crown Prince and future Emperor of the Empire.
“The Crown Prince was thinking that far ahead. How wonderful.”
“Your Majesty?”
The Emperor let out a silent laugh and handed something to the Crown Prince.
“This is...”
“A report that was secretly uploaded a moment ago. It's quite surprising news, but I believe the credibility is sufficient.”
“Should I ask whose report it is?”
The Crown Prince asked cautiously, thinking it was impossible.
The Emperor nodded as if his guess was correct.
“Crown Prince. The one you allowed to temporarily return. Ah, no. I shouldn't call him that. The leader of the Rapid Response Team, Licata Adelheit. She was called the Queen of Blades.”
The Emperor himself mentioned the name and nickname.
This meant that the agent was overwhelmingly excellent.
“After you allowed her temporary return, she led the Rapid Response Team to the south.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. There, with the cooperation of the Heigens side, they planned to punish the Luzens who dared to draw their swords twice against the Empire. They also committed dirty tactics against innocent people.”
The Crown Prince still remembers the moment Licata rushed to him and knelt, shouting.
“Your Highness! I will take the liberty to ask! Just for a moment. Please allow me to return temporarily! As soon as I return, I will use all my power to punish those who dare to draw swords against the Empire... Ugh! I will punish those who harm the Empire and completely destroy their roots and return!”
Some people said that Licata's nickname, the Queen of Blades, was too childish.
But soon, her overwhelming ability and learning who her mother was made them shut up quietly and just clap.
If it weren't for the obligation to inherit the family title, she would have stayed until the end. And when the time came, she might be entrusted with even more important matters.
Such a Licata had temporarily returned. And as soon as she returned, she started moving in earnest.
- Arrived at the Southern Great Forest. Promise of cooperation from the Heigens side -
- Encountered the Heigens extermination unit. Mutual cooperation began -
- Operation name 'Divine Wrath' started. -
It seemed like the last report should be the Divine Wrath rather than the sister's wrath.
Recalling the parts he thought while looking at the report at the time, the Crown Prince opened his mouth.
“After the last report, I thought some time had passed and something had happened. But it seems that there was a top secret matter that could only be reported to Your Majesty.”
“So that's it. Look at it, Crown Prince.”
At the Emperor's urging, the Crown Prince unfolded the neatly folded report and checked the contents.
The content was, as expected, extremely simple and concise.
However, the content was not something that could be simple or concise at all.
“...Your Majesty. Is what I am reporting now correct?”
“Why? Even if it's my father's glasses, it won't make it blurry?”
“N-no...”
Too shocked. What on earth should I do with this?
The Crown Prince laughed “ha ha” repeatedly and checked the content again.
- Luzens leader, Darnang Naval. Preparing for a large-scale counterattack. Killed. -
- Based on the situation at the time, the location, the deployment of nearby imperial army units, and the interrogation results of Darnang's close escort factors, it seems that the person who killed Darnang was the Imperial Army. -
- The most likely person is Sergeant Karl Adelheit, who was conducting the rescue of our troops at the time. -
“...Your Majesty.”
“If you want to go to the Academy, come back tomorrow, Crown Prince. Go there and ask that hero.”
Really, just in case. Is this true? In a situation where there are already several circumstantial evidences, if Karl says 'Ah, I shot one bullet at the Luzens elves I saw.' then?
'Can this be filled with the Medal of Honor?'
As the Crown Prince was laughing inwardly, the Emperor opened his mouth.
“More than that. Now, I think I should tell Count Friedrich as well.”
“That is...”
“I didn't mention my marriage problem because you have a woman you like. Even though there were many opinions that it was worrying because there were no imperial heirs. However, it can't be helped anymore. Now that the external noise has ended, it's time to solidify the internal. The one who leads the imperial family must also have the duty to be a member of the imperial family.”
At those words, the Crown Prince nodded. In fact, even without that, he was planning to officially announce the relationship with Licata when she returned.
He had liked Licata for over 3 years. But he only confessed 2 months ago.
Originally, he had planned to reveal his feelings earlier, but he held back because her younger brother Karl had not yet returned from the battlefield.
In front of her who cherished her younger brother so much, if he acted without thinking, even the Crown Prince would have to sweat a bit.
'So, what happens to the title.'
Either way. Licata inherits it as the Empress of the Empire and also as Count Friedrich.
Later, if there are several children, he could divide the territory.
Otherwise, he could pass the title to the next successor in the family line.
'It seems Licata would choose the latter of the two.'
The Crown Prince thought so and was busy coordinating his schedule for tomorrow. Because he had to go find Karl and confirm the important matter that had come up.
*
“...So, I went into the forest without any plan to rescue the squad members. You say I wasn't discovered? Well, it's not something to brag about, but I am really good at hiding. Like a dark knight... Ah, remove this. Ah, don't say that.”
Anyway, you reporters! Always turn your eyes to the strange parts! Erase it, please!
“...So, on the way, I happened to encounter the Gganf camp. I had to pass by, but it seemed like I might get caught. So I deliberately fired a shot and immediately left the spot. Then, the guys thought it was a surprise attack and were in a panic. In that gap, I passed through and finally met the squad members.”
Well, that's the end of the interview. If I give more, the other reporters will definitely stick to me saying 'I! Why did you give me 5 minutes and that human gave more than 5 minutes! I want as much as that too!'
Time commitments must be kept strictly. For me, and for others.
“Sigh.”
I don't know what kind of commotion this is.
At first, I thought I was just an academy student who had returned after enlisting as a soldier.
I thought I would be remembered as a high-grade senior with little memory of such a senior.
Honestly, that was the fate of a returning student. It was military enlistment too. But then...
“Seniors! Karl-senpai! My big uncle who worked in the army is inviting you for dinner!”
“I respect you, senpai! It's an honor to live the academy life with you!”
“Um, could you possibly come to the military department lecture this time?”
Wow. Popularity is really good. Huh? That human, popularity is really good. Hahaha.
...It's sad. Yeah, I'll tell you honestly. When I return to school, I wanted to hear 'oppa' at least.
People are like that. Older sister or noona rather than auntie, oppa rather than hyung or oppa.
Of course, that's better. And as a returning student, I want to be called oppa or hyung intimately.
'Why? It's obvious.'
I want to be a person who feels like 'Ah, you're back!' rather than an outsider asking 'Who are you?' in this place where I took a leave of absence for personal reasons and returned.
I have a mind to belong to some group rather than wanting attention from juniors.
But I had no intention of becoming a popular person in this way.
I just wanted to be there as a student like them, I didn't think about being a Medal of Honor recipient.
I wanted an academy where I could recall peaceful times. Not the hellish battlefield!
'What... It would be too much to ask.'
Who to blame. I myself made the scale of the work too big.
From rescuing hundreds of allies to blocking the train terror, preemptively dismantling diplomatic disputes. If someone says 'Ah, you're just an ordinary academy returning student, huh?' then that would be strange.
If it really happens, my sister would immediately chase me and say 'Are you ignoring Karl's achievements like this?! Hah! Can't be! You made me a monster! Go, Karl. Hurry!' right?