Chapter 20
Chapter 20
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Chapter 6: Bold Talent Selection
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The carriage had not been traveling long before Prince Claude began to nod off, looking tired.
Meredes quietly observed the prince's small frame.
'He's really so tiny. When will the Growth Elixir start taking effect?'
It was astonishing to think that this little boy had once been called the empire's greatest wastrel and a disgrace to the nation.
Even more astonishing was the fact that he was now revered as a war hero who had defended the empire's territory from the undead army, a living miracle of the gods.
How could public opinion about one person change so drastically in an instant?
Just watching from the sidelines was fascinating. Until now, most events in the world had failed to stir any particular emotion in Meredes, but this was undeniably impressive.
To her, the only things that mattered were the Lunenbreath family and Rania.
Rania especially was her benefactor, the one who had taken in the orphan Meredes and raised her into a proper elixir maker.
Because Rania cherished the prince like her own life and cared for him so devotedly, Meredes simply followed her orders faithfully for Rania's sake...
But in the last few days, a major change had occurred.
Freed from the poison's influence, the prince had become someone entirely different from the wastrel she'd heard about.
He still spoke arrogantly to everyone, as befitting a prince, but now his words carried a newfound consideration for others.
No matter the situation, he never lost his composure, always responding calmly and moving forward as if everything were proceeding according to his pre-laid plans.
Even then, he never lost his curiosity, constantly asking questions, and overlooked any rudeness from flustered opponents without a second thought.
To Meredes, his attitude toward objects was even more impressive than the fact that he had wielded the tremendous holy spell Turn Undead.
On top of that, he bore an uncanny resemblance to Rania, whom she respected most—a definite plus.
From afar, the two of them even gave off a mother-son vibe.
Amid all this growing fondness, the decisive event that changed everything happened.
-You can be confident in your looks.
That single sentence from the prince shattered the walls around her heart in an instant.
She had always been self-conscious about her tall stature and sturdy build.
As a child, even her parents had looked at her strangely and argued about her.
Walking down the street, most people would glance sideways, whispering with uneasy expressions.
Seeing how the world viewed her, she had distanced herself from it in turn.
She spent most of her time wandering mountains and fields under the pretext of gathering elixir ingredients. That brought her close to nature but far from people.
-You're tall with long legs. It's refreshing and looks great, right? In my eyes, you're cool. So don't hunch over—puff out your chest and walk tall.
The moment the prince said that, Meredes became a new person.
'I'm normal. And there's someone who says this about me.'
The existence of someone who, for the first time since birth, praised her appearance as cool instantly broke the seal that had bound her all her life.
'He accepts me as I am. Even though he holds the world's noblest status.'
For the first time, she felt truly free.
And for this little prince, she felt she could throw herself into a volcano and still be happy.
How joyful it would be to die for someone who recognizes and accepts you?
* * *
Returning to the mansion after about a week, I found the four sealed priests I'd seen in the grand temple basement kneeling in the garden.
"We greet the Saint. Thanks to you, Saint, the four of us have been freed from our lifelong duty. Please allow us to dedicate the rest of our lives to you."
Had they rehearsed? All four spoke in perfect unison.
But these guys, freshly freed, come straight here to grovel?
"You should've taken a month off to really relax. And one of you is new?"
"Yes. I am the sealed priest Trimum."
The black-haired priest who looked the oldest among them stepped forward.
"Unfortunately, when you visited, Saint, I was resting elsewhere. I missed witnessing your historic feat of annihilating the lich..."
"Shh. Keep that quiet."
"...Understood. You wish to keep your great deed hidden from others. Truly, as the scripture says, 'Let not the right hand know what the left hand does.' A model for all who serve the gods."
"That's not it."
I shook my head at the enraptured Trimum.
"For now, I want to avoid more attention. I'm already under enough spotlight. But if I take you in, what about your ties to the temple?"
"Your status as Saint remains unchanged in any circumstance."
"No, I mean you guys."
"We remain temple priests on the surface. We even get our monthly stipend, so please don't worry about that—just take us in."
Perfect answer. I smiled and addressed all four.
"From now on, you four are the Lunenbreath mansion's guards. You know my maternal family is House Lunenbreath, right?"
"Of course, Saint."
"Call me Prince from now on, not Saint. Especially in public or crowded places."
"Yes. Understood, Your Highness."
"Good. For now, you'll handle my personal protection and mansion security. But first... Rania!"
I called out to the head maid standing demurely at the mansion's front gate.
"This is Rania, the mansion's head maid. Introduce yourselves."
"I am Rania. It's an honor to meet all four of you."
Rania greeted them with a smile. To bolster her authority as well, I put on a slightly stern expression and warned the priests.
"In this mansion, the head maid ranks right below me. Follow her orders without hesitation."
"We will keep that in mind, Your Highness."
"Then introduce yourselves, starting with you, Trimum."
"Yes. I am Priest Trimum, leader of the four sealed priests—or rather, now the four escort priests. Hometown: Yoton. Age: 36."
"I am Priest Ostra, second-in-command among the escort priests. Hometown: Ellington. Age: 29."
"I am Priest Jamal. Hometown: Ernes. Age: 27."
"I am Priest Barisra. Hometown: Yoton. Age: 26."
The four priests introduced themselves in turn. To gauge the strongest-looking one, Trimum, I focused my Appraisal Eye.
Race: Human
Current Strength: D-
Potential Strength: C+
Current Holy Magic: B
Potential Holy Magic: B+
Huh?
Wasn't this guy one of the top priests outside the grand temple? Why is his holy magic only B-grade?
Just to check, I appraised the blond youth Barisra beside him.
Race: Human
Current Strength: E
Potential Strength: D
Current Holy Magic: A
Potential Holy Magic: A+
What?
Barisra has higher holy magic grade? Did they just pick the leader by age?
"Barisra, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Are you the strongest in holy magic among them?"
"No, that's..."
The youngest, Barisra, trailed off in surprise. Trimum stepped forward, impressed.
"Barisra has the highest attainment in holy magic among us. To discern that just from looking—truly, one blessed by divine miracle is different."
"Just a hunch. But have you trained as a knight? You look sturdy."
Trimum's build rivaled that of an average knight. He chuckled sheepishly and nodded.
"As a youth, I focused on physical training to inherit my house. Then an unexpected event caught the grand priest's eye, leading me to the priestly path."
Sounds like nobility from the family talk. As if to show off, he cast the holy spell Strength on himself, flexing his muscles.
"Of course, my combat skills fall short of a full-time knight, but we will protect Your Highness's sacred body by any means necessary."
"We'll give our all to protect you!"
The other three chimed in unison like they'd been waiting. Priests of this caliber, buffed to the brim with spells, could definitely overpower low-grade knights.
With Trimum's physical training, the synergy would be even better. I nodded with a smile.
"Pleased to work with you. Now, I need to head out, so Trimum, you're on escort duty. The other three, guard the mansion. Rania?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Guide these three priests around the mansion and assign them guard points."
"As you command. But while you were away, sad news arrived that I should inform you of first."
"Sad news? Who?"
"The passing of Your Highness's cousin, Baron Fennell. He went missing some time ago, but his death was confirmed recently, and the funeral began yesterday."
Baron Fennell—it's been over ten days since Albert and I killed him, so Jess must have hidden the info until now.
Anyway, acknowledging his death now means... Albert's funeral might soon be held as a state affair?
"Got it. I'll visit when I have time."
"The funeral will continue for three more days at the baron's mansion. Then, will the three priests follow me?"
Rania led the three priests into the mansion. Trimum, left alone, leaned in to add,
"As for protection, even with reinforcement magic, we're only about low-grade knight level in close combat. But by using holy magic creatively, one of us could handle four or more average knights easily, so no worries."
"Reverse Gravity or Holy Chain?"
"Exactly, Your Highness. You truly know holy magic well."
"Figured I'd study up since I could use it. Reverse Gravity, huh..."
That settled the next tech tree. Nodding, I recalled the candidates I'd pondered in the carriage over the past three days.
"Good. Let's move now."
"Understood. Where to, Your Highness?"
"Imperial Military Academy."
Time for serious talent scouting. I turned toward the carriage parked in the garden, running through the list of must-haves in my mind.
* * *
"We received official notice days ago that Your Highness would visit..."
The principal of the Imperial Military Academy, Baron Lionel, sweated profusely, glancing nervously.
"But deploying cadets who haven't graduated yet... As principal, I can't help but worry. Won't Your Highness reconsider even now? One regular knight from the army would be far more helpful than five cadets."
"No."
I set down the teacup my secretary offered and shook my head.
"It's settled. The undead task force will draw from the academy's senior class. Selected cadets will graduate immediately and receive full knight status."
Graduating the academy doesn't make you an imperial knight right away.
You first become a trainee knight for at least a year of evaluation, then pass tests from your assigned knight order's officers.
It's so grueling half the cadets quit knighthood for other paths. Skipping all that for instant full knight? Pretty enticing offer, right?
"Sigh... Understood. Then I'll select five promising seniors."
"Already picked them."
"Pardon?"
The baron, rising toward the cabinet, flinched and asked again. I sorted my pre-selected list and told him,
"I've already decided who to take."
"Your Highness personally...?"
His stiff expression showed worry I'd snag the real prospects. But he'd brighten up once he heard the names.
"Today, just three. Bring senior cadets Kyle Goosef, Lin Berg, and Panal Leaf here."
"...Yes? Just those three?"
As expected, the baron's face lit up. The top prospects must be 'agreed' to go to famous knight orders. No names called, so relief.
"I know how this place works. No need to torment you, Baron, so relax."
"Ah, indeed. Your Highness's wisdom leaves me in awe. Ha, hahaha..."
The baron laughed awkwardly and rummaged through the cabinet files. Part of me wanted to chew him out for not using prospects as bait to pit knight orders against each other for bribes... but not now.
"Here... Oh, apologies, Your Highness."
"What?"
"Two of the three cadets you named are on leave."
He pulled three files from the cabinet and returned to the table. I skimmed them and frowned.
"Leave? Seniors?"
"Seniors rarely take leave, but Berg is attending a major family funeral. Leaf is due back in three days for the same reason."
"Funeral? Whose... Ah."
The files included leave requests: 'Attending Baron Fennell's funeral.'
Of course.
House Fennell, which produced an empress, commands many noble houses big and small.
Berg is a minor branch offshoot, so attending a major elder's funeral is natural.
Leaf isn't nobility, so unrelated at first glance, but his family's shop operates under Fennell influence—had to go.