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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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Chapter 111
It’s been five years since I began assisting the Emperor in governing the empire.
During that time, I’ve had countless experiences and faced numerous challenges.
And judging from those experiences, unexpected events tend to occur at the most unexpected times.
Yes, just like right now.
“I implore you, Your Highness. Please recall the promise you made to me before—”
“…”
This is a bit… no, quite sudden.
Isn’t this the same Karl who used to find meeting me incredibly burdensome?
I can still vividly remember him whining about receiving another medal every time I summoned him to the Imperial Palace.
But now, this same Karl, without even being summoned, sent a message through Rika.
He said he had something important to discuss and asked me to spare some of my precious time.
Thinking this would be a once-in-a-lifetime event, I quickly sent a reply urging him to enter the palace.
Karl rushed over and knelt before me.
“Karl. My dear brother-in-law. Please calm down and get up.”
“Your Highness.”
“I understand what you’re trying to say. So please stop acting like you’re about to bang your head on the floor. Will you listen to your brother-in-law?”
I don’t want to be a pitiful husband who gets bossed around by his bride-to-be even before the wedding.
Thankfully, Karl stopped hesitating, stood up, and politely sat down beside me.
“So, you came here to ask me for that favor, is that right?”
What Karl wanted to ask of me, judging by its content alone, was something even he, a high-ranking nobleman, couldn’t handle.
He wanted to interact with the Lasker delegation. He wanted to have a friendly match, as the warriors call it.
To put it simply, he just wanted to fight them.
Needless to say, this was a huge breach of diplomatic etiquette.
Displaying force in front of those who have come for diplomatic reasons is a situation where neither side has anything to gain, whether they win or lose.
Even if relations between the Empire and Lasker were still hostile, as they once were, there would be no reason to do such a thing.
We’re getting along quite well now.
“I’ve also heard the news. Some Laskerians have abandoned their ship and are looking for a new captain, right?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“And that captain happens to be in our Empire’s harbor.”
“That’s correct.”
We don’t interfere in Lasker’s affairs.
That’s the secret agreement between our Empire and Laskers.
Even without that agreement, we have no intention of getting involved in their matters.
Our Empire also needs to focus on domestic affairs rather than external expansion.
The war with Luzernes dragged on longer than expected.
Thankfully, it was confined to only one region. If it had been an issue for the entire Empire, the recovery period would have been much longer.
Anyway, whether they find a new captain or not, whether their turmoil continues or not, the Empire doesn’t care.
Yes, that is, until they cause trouble within our territory.
“They’ve clearly crossed the line. No matter how urgent it is.”
The Academy is a formal educational institution located within the Empire’s territory and supported by the imperial family. It’s under the Empire’s protection.
And they, although from Lasker, came as foreign exchange students.
They’re trying to cause trouble that could potentially complicate the relationship between the two kingdoms? Trying to persuade the Fifth Princess? What if the Second Princess’s faction finds out first and starts saying that the Empire is secretly backing them? What then?
“But, Karl. I have one question.”
“Yes?”
“This is clearly Lasker’s fault. So it’s natural for the Empire to express its displeasure. But why do you, of all people, have to get involved?”
Actually, that was what I was most curious about.
Wasn’t Karl the one who said he didn’t want to attract more attention?
Didn’t he say he wanted to live a quiet, peaceful life?
Then why did he suddenly make this choice?
If he steps forward like this, he’ll be in the spotlight again, so I couldn’t understand why he was making such a request.
“…To me.”
Karl said with a faint smile. It wasn’t a bright smile of joy.
“The Academy was the place I longed to return to. Not just the Academy itself, but a place away from the battlefield, filled with tranquility and peace, a positive kind of hustle and bustle. I wanted to escape from that hell and live the ordinary life that those who left before me desired.”
“….”
“I hate it when that’s disrupted. I really hate it when my sanctuary is tainted by another war. I hate it so much that I want to destroy it all.”
I don’t know for sure, but one thing is certain.
Lasker probably didn’t intend to, but they’ve provoked a beast that was regaining its sanity.
“So I want to warn them. It’s all good, but don’t do that in my sanctuary. My enemy is Kanf—I apologize. I misspoke. I’ve had enough with the Luzernes Elves, so don’t cross the line. I want to let them know.”
“I understand.”
Those who return from the battlefield are mostly like this.
They seem like ordinary people, but the moment they encounter anything that reminds them of the past, they react fiercely.
If someone tries to touch what they wanted to protect, they become merciless beasts.
If someone threatens the place they wanted to return to, they become an unstoppable force. That’s what it means to be a survivor.
“However, there’s one thing. I don’t think I can grant your request.”
“Your Highness?”
Karl looks at me, surprised by my words.
Calm down, brother-in-law. I don’t mean anything bad.
“You asked me for a favor. But this isn’t something you should do. It’s the Empire that should express its discomfort, so it should be done in the Empire’s name. You’re just acting on its behalf. Therefore, this isn’t something that should be handled as your personal request.”
Within the Empire’s territory. Within its borders. Inside the Academy, no less. That shouldn’t happen. And even without the kingdom’s princess knowing? That’s not right.
“In fact, I want to ask you a favor, Karl. In the current situation, using others might make it seem too forceful. But using someone too weak might not uphold the Empire’s dignity.”
With the rise of magic and gunpowder, knights no longer possess the overwhelming power they once did.
However, they are by no means weak.
Their swords are still sharp, and their strength maintains Lasker’s status as a powerful nation.
Therefore, to ensure the Empire’s victory, we need to send someone of equal skills.
But Lasker would be well aware of such individuals, making it appear as if the Empire is deliberately instigating conflict.
On the other hand, sending someone too mediocre might result in defeat. It would be a great humiliation.
Considering all these factors, the best card we can play is Karl.
He hasn’t fought on the Lasker front, so they don’t know his level, but we can be confident in him. And with his strong determination, there’s even less to worry about.
“You’re the only one who can do this. Against the knights of the delegation, without making it seem like the Empire is intentionally trying to humiliate them, and without losing.”
And there’s one more thing.
“Actually, my father secretly gave an order.”
“An imperial order? What is it?”
“He sent someone to the Friedrich County.”
To awaken the knights’ nightmare, which they had briefly forgotten.
* * *
Heh heh. Heh heh heh. Keu heh heh heh!
I can’t stop laughing.
Oh my.
I never thought this day would come again.
I thought it would never happen until the day I died.
To wear armor again, carry a sword, ride a horse, and head towards where they are!
“Are you that happy?”
Ceylon, lying beside me, narrows her eyes and glares at me.
I immediately stop laughing and clear my throat.
“It’s an imperial order, my dear. It means I’m still a useful sword to His Majesty, so how can I not be happy?”
“But the smile you’re making doesn’t seem like it’s because of that.”
“No, absolutely not.”
Suit yourself. Ceylon says, pushing her sword forward.
“You’re too excited, my dear. The imperial order was simply for you to go to the Lasker border and enjoy some horseback riding. Don’t forget that. And don’t do anything unnecessary.”
“Oh, come on. I’m not a child. Why are you worrying like that?”
Ceylon pokes me in the side.
She seems to have done it lightly, but I swear, for a moment, I thought a few of my ribs were broken.
“Anyway, be careful.”
“Are you worried about me?”
“No. Lasker… Don’t go wild like you used to.”
“Coming from you, my dear, I can’t possibly accept—Gaaah. S-sorry!”
The preparations are complete.
All that’s left is to send the letter I hastily wrote upon receiving the imperial order to the border first, and then for me to rush there.
* * *
At the same time.
The Lasker knights were in an uproar.
< We shall meet again soon. >
A very concise message.
But the sender was far from simple.
Baba Yaga is coming.
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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