Turning the Tables
Ok-ja and Lee Cheri glared at me with icy eyes.
That was the exact look.
The chillingly charismatic aura they exuded whenever they stood on stage.
Yet, the moment an interview began, that gaze would instantly melt into sweet, flirtatious charm. Their chic demeanor would vanish without a trace, replaced by bright, eye-smiling grins.
In the past, I had been completely fooled by it. I had believed that lovely facade was their true nature.
But now, I knew the truth hidden beneath. Those eyes, brimming with greed. They didn't care about their fans at all; they only chased their own success. That was the true face of Rosemary.
"You seem to be misunderstanding something,"
I spoke, meeting their gazes head-on. But before I could continue, Ok-ja cut in.
"Drop the attitude, will you?"
...I am seriously going to kill you.
We were in the presence of the Emperor. I wanted to unleash a torrent of curses right then and there, but I had to hold back. Suppressing my rising anger, I began to speak.
"I received the imperial invitation a mere two days ago. During that time, I stayed exclusively at my family's estate to train. There are more than enough witnesses to verify this. Isn't that right, Isaac?"
"Of course, Young Master."
"So, the claim that I leaked the information is utter nonsense. If a rumor did slip out, wouldn't it have originated from within the palace itself?"
At my words, the Imperial Knights, including Eden, flinched. It was a bold statement that essentially blamed the palace, but none of them could refute it. After all, the palace had failed to guarantee my safety.
"Which brings me to my point. I suspect the reason the attackers targeted only me among the hero candidates is because of the ability I possess. For the record, the only time my ability of 'Knowledge' was ever mentioned was during today's meeting."
Hearing this, Lee Cheri, who had been listening from the side, chimed in.
"...What on earth are you implying! You aren't suggesting the culprit is in this room, are you?"
"It is merely a hypothesis. Isn't that right, Lee Cheri?"
"W-What?"
I deliberately emphasized her real name. Not her title as the Imperial Princess, but her Korean name, Lee Cheri. When I addressed her as such, everyone in the room looked at us with confusion.
"How amusing. Anyone watching would think you're the real deal."
The eyes of the Rosemary members widened in shock. They stared at me, their faces filled with disbelief. You should have treated me better from the start.
I hadn't walked into this place without a plan. It was only natural to keep a trump card up my sleeve.
"Your Imperial Majesty, if I may be so bold, there is something I must report."
"...What is it?" the Emperor asked.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't have dared to speak up so casually, but given the gravity of the situation, the Emperor lent me his ear.
"As the Hero of Knowledge, I wish to reveal a certain truth. It concerns our true identities."
"...Identities? Speak clearly. What do you mean?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Let me give you an example. Take Princess Cheri here. Is she truly Your Majesty's daughter—"
"W-Wait a minute!!"
It was Lee Cheri who cut me off in a panic. Her face drained of color instantly. Seeing her pale expression finally gave me a sense of satisfaction.
"I understand what you are saying! It... it makes perfect sense. You believe the details of the meeting were leaked, right? And that is why you suspect the people here!"
"Hm, I am honored that the Princess understands."
"O-Of course! It is entirely the palace's fault for failing to ensure the hero's safety. Ok-ja de Blackwood...? The enemy's intrusion was not this man's fault. Perhaps you should apologize."
Her usual haughtiness was nowhere to be found. Lee Cheri broke into a cold sweat, nervously reading my expression. With the tables turned in an instant, Ok-ja looked as if she had just swallowed a toad.
"That's... it was purely my speculation..."
Ok-ja's lips trembled slightly, clearly loath to utter an apology. But I wasn't about to let her off that easily.
"Hm, so where is the apology?"
"You fu— I was merely considering the possibilities. It seems there was a misunderstanding."
"Even if you are the daughter of a Count, insulting my family is highly disrespectful. I believe an apology is in order."
"Ugh... you pi—"
"Pardon? What did you say?"
"...N-nothing. That was my mistake. If I offended you, I... apologize."
I smirked openly at Ok-ja, who was biting her lip in sheer frustration.
Noble or not, I had no intention of dancing to their tune.
Thanks to my title as the Hero of Knowledge, my words carried a certain weight. If push came to shove, I was fully prepared to expose the truth and let them face the consequences of their lies.
"My daughter is correct," the Emperor spoke. "Children of Blackwood and Russell, I understand your suspicions, but I do not wish to see the hero candidates squabbling among themselves."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"...I-I apologize," Ok-ja muttered.
"This incident is entirely the fault of the palace for failing to protect the hero. Once again, I promise a thorough investigation into the attackers and guarantee your safety."
With the Emperor's declaration, the emergency meeting drew to a close. It seemed Lee Cheri had somehow managed to smooth over my remarks about their identities afterward.
Once the storm had passed, the attendees began to leave the room one by one. The members of Rosemary, who had been glaring at me for a while, also walked out without making a scene. Except for one.
Choi Seoyeon, who had been hesitating at the back, bowed politely toward me before exiting the door.
...What is she playing at?
First, she healed me, and now this bow. It seemed to be entirely her own doing. Was she seriously trying to apologize now?
"Ha."
Not a chance. In my eyes, she was just as much of a murderer as the rest of them. Naturally, I had no intention of ever forgiving her.
Deciding to ignore it, I followed the guidance of the knights and left the room with Isaac.
The remaining two days passed without incident. It was a continuous cycle of being treated to lavish banquets and touring the major facilities of the imperial palace.
Of course, there was absolutely no conversation between the Rosemary members and me during this time. At first, the people around us were visibly uncomfortable, but now they seemed to accept it as the norm.
The palace facilities we toured over those two days were all massive in scale. Grand, towering structures—such as the banquet hall, the library, and the chapel—stood scattered around the main palace building.
But the highlight was undoubtedly the Imperial Academy. Located behind the main palace building, the Academy was a colossal dome-shaped facility, easily the size of several soccer fields combined.
The massive, glass-fronted structure was said to be large enough to accommodate all eight hundred Academy students and the one hundred Imperial Knights.
So that's where they want me to go.
I had never seen a building of this scale even back on Earth. The students and knights lived, ate, and trained inside that very facility to hone their skills.
"The Academy's security and educational facilities are the absolute best in the Empire. Plus, it's a place where young men and women in the prime of their youth gather! Ah... isn't it romantic?"
Eden boasted about the Academy's grandeur with his signature sly grin. It had been like this since yesterday. Whenever they had a spare moment, the Imperial Knights would sing the praises of the Academy to us.
They were clearly trying to keep the hero candidates close so they could secure our help when the Total Lunar Eclipse occurred.
"Becoming a student of the Imperial Academy is a great honor for any family. Fully funded tuition, top-tier facilities, and even a chance to join the Imperial Knights! Well? Doesn't it sound tempting?"
For a commander to go this far to pitch it, there must have been an order from the Emperor to win us over.
Beside me, Isaac nodded and whispered.
"That is true, Young Master. When Lord Oliver entered the Imperial Academy, the entire town was in a festive mood."
Was it really that big of a deal? Hearing all this, it certainly sounded appealing. But my interest didn't lie in family honor or anything of the sort.
I can get stronger there.
My current strength was still far below my expectations. At the Academy, I might be able to grow faster than before. More than anything, the desire to learn was driving me.
A short while later.
Upon returning to the main building, we were summoned to the office once again. It was almost time for us to return to our respective estates. Before that, the Emperor had called us together to bid us farewell.
Just like before, the office held the Emperor, Eden, Grace, and the four hero candidates, including myself.
"How was your tour of the palace over the last two days?" the Emperor asked.
"It was grand, Your Majesty."
"It will soon be time for you to return. As I mentioned, please give serious thought to entering the Imperial Academy within the week."
So it came down to this after all.
Well, if the Emperor really wanted to, he could have forced us to stay. Giving us time to deliberate was his way of showing consideration.
"The damage caused by the Total Lunar Eclipse has persisted for two years now. Three thousand casualties during that time... Can you believe it? Please, for the sake of the suffering citizens, make a wise decision."
We nodded solemnly at the Emperor's heavy concern. And just before we exchanged our final farewells, Lee Cheri suddenly spoke up.
"Father, I have something to request."
"What is it?"
"I would like to have a brief discussion with the other hero candidates before we leave. If it is alright, could we have some time to ourselves?"
The Emperor patted Lee Cheri's shoulder.
"Yes, you are right. There must be matters for the heroes to coordinate among yourselves. Go ahead."
"Thank you."
What was she planning now? Following Lee Cheri's lead, we moved to an adjacent meeting room. I was highly annoyed, but for now, I had to play along.
The four hero candidates took their seats. In this room, it was just me and the members of Rosemary. Naturally, the atmosphere turned freezing cold in an instant.
Silence hung heavy in the room. The first to break it was Princess Lee Cheri.
"The reason I asked for this time is because of you, Yeong-sik de Russell."
My eyes met Lee Cheri's as she stared at me. Her gaze was icy, as if she wouldn't tolerate a single word I had to say.
In the past, I would have been too tense to speak, but things were different now. I looked straight into her eyes and spoke.
"What do you want to say?"
It was laughable watching her act like a proper princess. It was the same act she used to pull during her Rosemary days, thoroughly hiding her true nature. But I knew exactly what lay beneath.
"You asshole! How dare you speak to the Princess like that!"
As expected, Ok-ja flared up and snapped.
"Sigh... Scar... I mean, Ok-ja. Calm down. I expected at least this much."
Oh? Surprisingly calm, aren't we?
"I'll get straight to the point. Yeong-sik de Russell, I don't want you entering the Imperial Academy."
"And why is that?"
"Do you really need to ask? We were summoned to this world because of you. And on the very day of Rosemary's comeback after six years, no less. If it were up to me, I'd ask Father to have you executed on the spot."
"...Ha."
"Do you honestly think we can cooperate under these circumstances?"
I wondered what nonsense she was going to spout, but this was beyond shameless.
"I've been listening to you talk, but you're awfully bold for a bunch of murderers."
Clatter.
At my words, Choi Seoyeon, who had been sitting quietly, flinched. She seemed to have bumped her knee against the table in surprise, but Lee Cheri didn't even blink.
"Don't get it twisted. The one who killed you was our manager, not the members of Rosemary."
"...Standing by and running away is murder. Are you trying to deny it, or are you just stupid?"
"You bitch! Watch your mouth, you fat pig!"
"Ok-ja, stop!"
SLAM!
Lee Cheri slammed her fist onto the table.
The impact was as if a boulder had struck it. The books and water bottles resting on the table clattered to the floor. At that, Ok-ja shut her mouth instantly.
"...Yeong-sik de Russell, are you planning to seek revenge? With that pathetic ability of yours?"
I grit my teeth at Lee Cheri's provocation. I wanted to beat her to a pulp right then and there, but now was not the time.
This visit was merely a scouting mission. I had no intention of causing trouble inside the main palace building.
"You're sorely mistaken if you think you know the extent of my abilities. And what about you? I hope you aren't acting cocky just because you've got a bit of physical strength."
"...I could have you sent to the executioner's block with a single word if I wanted to."
"You're the one who's mistaken. Don't forget, I can walk out of here right now and expose your true identities."
This time, it was Lee Cheri who fell silent. Beneath the table, I could see her hands trembling with rage.
"Tsk... Either way, stay far away from the Academy. The three of us are more than enough to save Ruesellon."
"I'll be the judge of that."
Lee Cheri and I locked eyes in a tense standoff. Neither of us showed any sign of backing down. I had no intention of losing to her.
At that moment.
Between the two of us, Choi Seoyeon timidly raised her hand.
"Um, girls..."