Chapter 55

Chapter 54

The Hero Didn't Study - 2

Although I was momentarily stunned by the spear attack from Ryutis that pierced my sternum, it was just that level of shock. No matter what, I'm not the kind of lunatic who would have a seizure over an innocent comment. If I were, I would have turned the principal's office upside down on my first day.

Even though I often use the fact that I didn't go to the Northern Academy and instead took the civil servant route as a self-deprecating joke, it's fine. To me, entering the civil service feels similar to pursuing a master's degree. It's just that the sudden timing and the unexpected words from that guy made my mind wander.

'If only I weren't royalty.'

If I weren't royalty, I would have given him a good beating a long time ago. Especially since Ryutis is the prince of Armein, the second most powerful nation after the empire, it requires a higher level of patience, which is maddening.

If there were a legal opportunity to beat Ryutis, I'd be willing to pay up to five gold coins. Just take my money and go.

"Seeing you all, I think not going to the Academy was a good choice."

Despite my thoughts, I saw a few people still sizing me up, so I decided to defuse the situation first. I'm not angry about this torture.

When I saw Louise and Erich's expressions relax, I felt a bit moved, thinking that at least someone here cares about my feelings. The other three are so expressionless that I can't tell. Ryutis is not even worth discussing. Bastard.

"Sorry for the long chat. Ignore me and continue what you were doing."

I changed the topic, fearing what might come out of Ryutis's mouth if I let him speak freely. Looking at the club members who were back to studying, a bad memory resurfaced.

"Seats are reserved. You'll be told what to do when you get there."

Mentioning the Academy brought up a deep-seated memory of the root of all evil. The grandmaster's infamous statement from four years ago. "Seats are reserved? You'll be told what to do when you get there?"

'Trusting me was foolish.'

The seat was a one-way VIP ticket to hell, and the team leader who was supposed to tell me what to do died shortly after I arrived. Even the mid-level staff left, leaving the team in chaos. The worst part was that I became the team leader because of the high status of my family.

Thinking about it now still gives me a headache. I had to take on the heavy responsibility of stabilizing a team in turmoil due to the deaths of the leadership, before I even learned what my job was.

Of course, a newly appointed civil servant had no ability to handle such a heavy responsibility. Thanks to that, the minister, who was then a director, actively helped me. At the time, I was grateful, but now, it's just frustrating.

'One strange promotion led to a big mess.'

After becoming a team leader, I was promoted to section chief, and then to the head of the inspection department. None of the three promotions were normal. The events that happened in between are another story. When your career luck goes bad, it goes this bad.

Feeling disheartened, I looked at the club members whose futures were still undecided. While most of them are high-ranking and don't need a job, if any of you ever need to find employment, make sure to get a normal job.

As time passed, a somewhat unique scene caught my eye.

"Thus, the death of the Overlord reinforced the proposition that an individual cannot defeat a group. No matter how strong an individual performs in battle, ultimately, war can only be won by a collective, such as a nation."

"That's what it means."

Lather, with a gentler expression than usual, was explaining, and Louise, nodding, was listening with interest. The prince of the Jubeun United Kingdom was teaching the history of the Kephelephen Empire to a Kephelephen noble, even going beyond the exam syllabus. How far is he going to teach?

'Is this right?'

Isn't it usually the other way around? Even if imperial history is a part of the education for continental nobles, shouldn't the nobles of their own country know it better? I felt a strange sensation, but seeing Louise's serious expression, I let it go.

Yeah, it's been two years, so he might not know everything. Imperial history focuses more on the aftermath of events rather than the events themselves, making it difficult to delve into. The empire, which values the royal family's perspective, has even included the events of two years ago in the textbooks.

"Hmm?"

While watching the somewhat unusual history lesson, Lather, who had been explaining smoothly, hesitated for the first time.

"Six Swords? I've never heard of this."

Ah.

"It's a revision from this year. If you read last year's book, you might not know."

"Is that so? I'm relieved. I was worried I might have studied in vain."

I answered Lather's question. The empire hasn't fully disclosed information about them, but this is the first time they've been mentioned in a revision, so I know about it. It's also related to me, and the Ministry of Education contacted me.

It wasn't bad news for me. The name that was hidden due to circumstances two years ago is finally coming to light. Considering how many people's names are buried forever, waiting two years is not bad.

"Since it's important, you should pay attention."

The names remembered by a prince of another country. That must count as a promotion, right?

***

Lather's gaze, which had been on the sword, returned to the textbook.

'Six Swords.'

The name mentioned in the textbook is not extensively described. It's just a few lines, but the short content is not something to be ignored.

Six Swords. In the final battle of the two-year war, which the empire calls the Great Suppression War, six heroes who sacrificed their lives to eliminate the Overlord.

'Strange.'

In the Jubeun United Kingdom, the Overlord, Kagan, was also closely monitored. As I explained to Louise, Kagan's death proved that an individual cannot defeat a group.

Before the empire killed Kagan, there was a dangerous public opinion spreading across the continent that a superhuman, unaffected by the state, could shake a nation. Fortunately, this opinion was quelled when the empire killed Kagan, but it was a close call.

I was confident that the information on Kagan was thorough, proportional to the intensity of that moment.

'Kagan was definitely killed by the torturer.'

In the final battle, the empire's army was led by the Victor, and Kagan was killed by the sword. The empire widely publicized that the Victor led the empire's army to victory in the battle where Kagan was killed.

While the empire didn't completely erase the sword's achievements, it did remain silent to highlight the Victor's contributions. In fact, within the empire, the news of Kagan's killer didn't spread widely among the lower nobles and commoners.

In such a situation, suddenly bringing up the Six Swords? Without even widely publicizing the living Kagan's killer? I wondered if the sword was included in the Six Swords, but it wasn't.

'There's something going on.'

Mentioning the Six Swords, which could dilute the Victor's achievements, and the fact that the actual killer of Kagan is not included in the Six Swords. There's definitely something, but I can't figure out the empire's intention. More accurately, the current emperor's intention.

I didn't expect such a bomb to be hidden in this year's revised textbook. In my country, we didn't properly check the empire's revisions, thinking they were routine.

"Lather? What's wrong?"

"I was just thinking about something. Let's continue."

I was able to snap out of my thoughts at Louise's call. I was a bit flustered by the unexpected information.

'There's nothing I can do here.'

There are limits to what I can find out in the confined space of the Academy. It would be more efficient to inform my country and let them handle it.

Lather's gaze turned to the sword, who was looking out the window. The emperor's hunting dog and known to be close to the Victor. The sword might know something about this incomprehensible event. I'd like to ask him directly.

***

Lather's gaze is intense. He's probably thinking hard about the implications of this revision. He must suspect that there's some hidden agenda.

'There is, actually.'

This revision is heavily influenced by the current emperor, who is increasingly obsessed with imperial authority. The emperor, who is so obsessed with imperial authority that he can even get rid of relatives without hesitation, seems to have decided that it's time to curb the influence of the Victor, the father-in-law of the crown prince.

As the story of the Six Swords spreads, the details of Kagan's death will gradually come to light, which will slightly diminish the Victor's prestige as the main figure who led the war to victory. The fame that the Victor has monopolized so far will start to be distributed.

'This is troublesome.'

Every move of a politician has a meaning, which is a headache. I'm satisfied that the ones who have been in the shadows for two years are finally in the spotlight, but the only thing that concerns me is the potential harm to the Victor.

But the emperor is just trying to keep things in check, so it should be fine. If he really wanted to harm the Victor, he wouldn't use such a minor check. This check is a polite warning: "I'm watching you, so be careful."

Compared to the emperor's usual moves, this is a simple and mild check. Lather could figure it out with a bit of thought. Still, I should greet the Victor the next time I see him. I owe him a lot.

Time passes quickly during exam periods in every world. It feels like just yesterday that I saw the club members studying in the club room, but the theory exam is already over.

Yes, the "theory" exam.

The day after the theory exam. To discuss important matters, I called Villar to the club room.

"The Academy is grateful for the cooperation of the three countries. We wouldn't want any of the esteemed guests to get hurt."

After the theory exam, what comes next? Of course, the practical exam. And in this Academy, the practical exam means a fierce duel with swords and magic.

Fortunately, with the power of magic and holy energy, minor injuries can be quickly healed. Even a skilled mage or priest can reattach a severed limb and revive someone on the brink of death. I know this from experience.

But who would tell a royal, "Don't worry, we can reattach your arm if it gets cut off"? That person's head would be cut off first.

"I will patrol the dueling grounds to check for any unusual incidents."

"Yes, understood."

That's why we're doing this. Starting the day after the practical exam, we will be stationed around the dueling grounds to prepare for any injuries.

It's not a difficult task. Watching duels and preventing injuries is something that experienced knights and mages do regularly. The only difference is the tension because the duelists are royals.

"Poor the students who have to face the royals in the duels."

The real challenge is for the unknown students who have to swing their swords or cast spells against the royals. Looking at the match-ups, they might cry.

But what can be done? The match-ups are also a part of one's skill. Just like in a game character sheet, luck (LUK) is one of the evaluation factors in life.

Anyway, that's how it is. Thinking about it this way might make it easier for the student.

Author's Note

I expected it, but the reaction to the subtitle was exactly as I feared, which was a bit painful. Readers, knowing the 1998 drama meme doesn't mean I watched it in real-time...

Thank you for reading this chapter!