‘Ugh!’
Duke Aziz snapped back to reality, recalling that day’s memory.
Was it because of the too horrifying experience?
He had even erased the name Dwener from his mind.
That’s why he couldn’t recall it.
“Are you alright? You’re sweating…”
“Yes, yes! I’m fine, Your Majesty. It’s just that I haven’t been able to sleep well lately due to being so busy…”
“Tsk tsk. No matter how busy, one must sleep well. Stop by my pharmacy and pick up some medicine.”
“…Your grace is boundless.”
“Anyway, he turned out to be much more competent than expected.”
How did Dwener come to be perceived as a competent individual?
There were several reasons for this:
First, he noticed the demon attack and evacuated the students.
— Before Rodelin went to fight Lérang, she had instructed the student council. Since no one else was there at the time, Dwener ended up issuing the evacuation order.
Second, he quickly sent a message to summon knights from nearby territories. Lucia, who was on her way to the academy, received the message and arrived at the scene first.
— He moved quickly only because he wanted to save his own life. Perhaps it was the fly’s instinct for survival kicking in.
And third, the biggest reason Dwener received praise for being competent:
“Not only that. He even honored the forgotten sacrifice of a hero.”
The act of commemorating Luterus and the parrot’s sacrifice and erecting a statue.
“Being ready to openly acknowledge a student’s death and take responsibility, even at the risk of being expelled from the chancellor’s position… Not just anyone can do that, right?”
He simply followed Zero’s advice.
Despite such a (?) misunderstanding, it was undeniable that Dwener was evaluated as competent.
By now, Duke Aziz could grasp the situation.
‘He called us to praise.’
Duke Luke for Lucia and Rodelin’s achievements, and himself for recommending Dwener.
That’s why he was here.
‘Well, it’s not just for that reason, I guess.’
Such a cunning emperor. There must be a hidden reason.
The emperor’s words continued.
“The added saying was even more remarkable. To bear disgrace is the true honor. It’s the finest adage of our times, isn’t it?”
…This too was merely following Zero’s words, but those unaware of the truth had no choice but to believe it.
Duke Aziz’s mind whirled.
The demon’s shard incident. He had been briefed about what happened.
The demon’s defeat, the discovery of the corpse, the youngest of the Lucid family accusing the eldest in a major event.
The process and outcome of constructing a statue in the academy to honor the hero.
At that time, he was annoyed for judging rashly just because Dwener was a parachute…
“Yes, Your Majesty! Dwener enjoys literature and the arts. But I never knew he was capable of this.”
“Exactly. It’s not easy to write such an adage without a love for literature.”
“He surely wouldn’t be able to match Your Majesty. If Dwener saw Your Majesty’s literary talent, he would be amazed.”
“Ha, this man. What would that make Chancellor Dwener then?”
The emperor’s praise followed by Duke Aziz’s flattery.
Now, a question mark appeared above Duke Luke’s head.
To bear disgrace is the true honor?
‘Isn’t that… something Rodelin said? Why is it known as something Chancellor Dwener said?’
Did Rodelin persuade him with words she heard from the chancellor?
But there was no sign of that.
If anything, that Dwener fellow must have heard it from Rodelin.
He had much to say, but Duke Luke decided to keep his mouth shut.
Not only because he wasn’t sure, but because it was a case where the Lucid family intervened to protect Luterus’s honor after Rodelin accused Lucia.
To argue and risk exposing Rodelin’s scheme was not worth it.
It was just a matter of interpretation, but there was nothing to gain from revealing it was done intentionally.
‘It’s best to let it go.’
Above all, he did not want to imprint Rodelin’s name in the emperor’s mind.
Even though he was always loyal to the emperor, he did not wish to involve a child still attending the academy.
Thus, Duke Luke decided to remain silent.
“So, about the next noble conference… Shouldn’t the newcomers also attend? Not just them, but the high nobles must also engrave this saying. I’d like to adopt it as a guiding principle for national governance for a while. What do you think?”
He was referring to the phrase ‘To bear disgrace is the true honor.’
Duke Aziz immediately bowed.
“Such an honor! Chancellor Dwener will be moved by Your Majesty’s vast magnanimity!”
“Ha, well then, that’s settled. Of course, rewards must follow. Let’s see… a sixth-grade award for Sir Lucia, and a seventh-grade award for Chancellor Dwener.”
The ranking system for awards ranged from one to nine.
The higher the number, the better the award, and from the seventh grade, there were many additional rewards.
Normally, such proposals would face harsh opposition in the noble conference.
‘But with the emperor’s determination this strong…’
It was a directive for them to cooperate when the proposal was brought up in the noble conference.
Being pillars of the empire, Duke Luke and Duke Aziz had their own following. With their cooperation, it would not be difficult to pass.
There was a good reason for saving the students, after all.
Thus, the origin of the saying became attributed to Dwener.
“I would also like to commend your youngest daughter with an award… but let’s pass this time. Too many are blinded by jealousy.”
“I am grateful for your heavenly consideration.”
Dealing with the demon’s shard, eliminating a teacher who made a contract with a demon, and fighting the fourth-ranked demon Bineus.
Even several awards would not be enough, but since Lucia was already set to receive an award and Rodelin was too young.
Excessive attention can harm a growing tree.
Since Duke Luke did not want to involve Rodelin anyway.
He had no complaints.
“Duke Aziz, speaking of which, your son is about to graduate, isn’t he? I heard he’s been leading the academy well as the president of the student council.”
“You overpraise him, Your Majesty. He is still lacking.”
“That’s how all parents view their children. He wishes to enter politics immediately after graduation? We might see him at the noble conference soon then.”
“He has many shortcomings, so there’s no way he would pass the exam, but if he does, I’ll make sure to teach him a lesson.”
Contrary to Duke Aziz’s words, Aywin’s political debut was almost a foregone conclusion.
Not only because being the president of the student council was the fastest route to politics, but also because of the exceptional abilities he had demonstrated thus far.
He was the only one in the empire’s history to have received a seventh-grade award while living at the academy.
Considering that among those attending the noble conference, many have not even received a fifth-grade award, this was a significant accomplishment.
“Let’s move on to the next agenda item then.”
Duke Luke and Duke Aziz adjusted their posture.
‘It was not just a meeting for praise after all.’
Moreover, starting with praise meant there was something else they wanted to request.
It was about aligning their stories ahead of the noble conference that would take place in two days.
“The priests from the Holy Kingdom have decided to be dispatched to the academy.”
“Dispatched?”
“Yes. Considering that demons appeared twice at the start of the semester, and a teacher who had made a contract with a demon appeared, it seemed a bit delayed… but it looks difficult.”
The proposal from the Holy Kingdom to dispatch priests.
It was a topic that had come up occasionally before, and the empire had been considering it positively.
The only known way to halt the progression of ‘Erosion’ so far was through divine power.
If the students became familiar with it during their academy curriculum, it would greatly benefit them.
“But the timing is quite coincidental.”
“That means it’s not just for that reason, right?”
Both Duke Luke and Duke Aziz expressed the same opinion.
If viewed from a political perspective, it was for the sake of exchange, but more broadly…
“To check on the ever-growing empire. And…”
“To suspect whether the empire has colluded with demons.”
The emperor nodded.
“I agree with that thought. There won’t be any problems. If there are those who interact with demons, we can catch them, which is rather a good thing. However…”
The academy was not only at the heart of the empire but also a place where future talents resided.
There was a risk of instilling biased views or incorrect doctrines in the growing children.
Moreover, in case things went wrong, there was also the possibility of the students being taken hostage.
“It’s too rushed. We need to hear others’ opinions, so I’d like to buy some more time.”
“Unfortunately, that seems impossible. If we do not accept, they hinted that they would become quite busy.”
Becoming quite busy meant not to expect any support in the future.
“If we do not accept, we are to deal with Erosion on our own, then.”
“Exactly.”
“…Impudent.”
A subtle anger emanated from Duke Luke.
And this was no different for the emperor and Duke Aziz.
‘If it weren’t for Erosion, we could have unified the continent by now.’
To see those who had been bowing their heads for hundreds of years suddenly strut around proudly at the appearance of Erosion was intolerable. But.
“The disadvantage is on our side, so we have no choice.”
“The scholars are doing their best to research ways to eliminate Erosion, so let’s just be patient for a while.”
Erosion was a terrifying disease.
It turned healthy land into barren ground where not even a single blade of grass could survive.
They wanted to crush the Holy Kingdom right away, but it was time to be patient.
The empire was not so foolish as to be consumed by simple rage and spoil everything.
“That seems to be the case. I trust you now understand the reason I called you here.”
To persuade other nobles at the noble conference in two days.
That was their role.
“It’s important to instill the perception that the academy is safe.”
“In case of an emergency, we must ensure that the children will not be taken as hostages. We’ll have to devise some safeguards for that.”
The emperor nodded.
“I’ll take care of the preparations. I trust you will handle the rest well. See you all in two days then.”
They left the room with a firm escort from the knight.
Once again facing the long corridor.
Only the sound of their footsteps quietly echoed.
‘Ah, that stubborn man. Would it kill him to have a conversation?’
Duke Aziz grumbled internally.
There had been times like this before, and he had often initiated conversation, but each time Duke Luke had shown discomfort.
As he continued to grumble internally.
“You’re quite lucky.”
Duke Aziz was taken aback.
The rock… no, Duke Luke had spoken.
“Yes?”
“You’re quite lucky. Both in the past and now… It’s quite strange, isn’t it?”
It was a clear sneer.
For Duke Luke, who valued honor, to sneer at someone.
To an ordinary person, it would be equivalent to a severe insult.
“Ha, Duke Luke. What do you mean by that…?”
“Weren’t you the same when you dealt with the Lester family? You easily found evidence of treason that no one else could find.”
“…”
“To find something that we had all been searching for so desperately… It’s really strange how lucky you are, isn’t it?”
The chilling gaze of Duke Luke.
Duke Aziz shrank slightly but then straightened his shoulders.
He too was a duke.
Even if the Lucid family was renowned, he had no right to belittle him.
‘I’m not the same as before. I must give him a piece of my mind!’
Duke Aziz adjusted his posture.
Suddenly, he doubled over.
“Ah, Duke! You’re right. I was indeed lucky. To have such fortune come my way, the heavens must have looked after me.”
“…”
“To have secured a position among the pillars of the empire, even now it feels unbelievable. But it’s reassuring to have a steadfast duke like you. I always trust, follow, and rely on you. And also…”
Of course, what came out of Duke Aziz’s mouth was extreme flattery.
Duke Luke was.
Truly a fearsome man.
–TL Notes–
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