—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Inside the dark room.
Ed faced the middle-aged man who introduced himself as Sword Saint Eleiya.
It was hard to believe that he had met the Sword Saint at such an early time, but judging from his appearance, which was a carbon copy of his illustrations, he seemed to be the Sword Saint that he knew.
Meanwhile, Eleiya opened his mouth.
“Yes, I know well that you must be confused for suddenly being summoned here. I didn’t originally want to meet you in such a kidnapping manner.”
Eleiya said that and took a few steps forward.
He approached Ed and continued.
“But because of my position, there’s no time for me to take a break except for now. So, I had no choice but to bring you here using a space-shifting spell through my adjutant.”
…Space-shifting spell.
As that spell was mentioned from Eleiya’s mouth, Ed’s expression, which had been full of bewilderment, began to change into one of understanding.
If it was the space-shifting spell used by Eleiya’s adjutant, ‘Gram,’ it was possible to kidnap someone in an instant like this.
“Hmm. You seem to know something. You know about the space-shifting spell?”
However, the Sword Saint in front of him was one of the enlightened ones who could read people’s emotions with even the slightest change in expression.
If he easily showed his emotions on his face, all his thoughts would be read.
Ed kept that in mind and nodded with a tense expression.
“…Yes. I already know about it.”
“Hmm. A commoner knows even my adjutant’s technique. How did you find out?”
“……I heard it from Head Professor Elena.”
“…That young archmage? …Well, with your talent, you would have to prepare for many things. It seems she educated you on the information of key figures.”
Of course, Ed hadn’t heard anything from Elena.
Ed was merely selling his mentor to give his knowledge of space-shifting spells some plausibility.
And that worked perfectly on Eleiya.
Judging from the fact that the sharp energy that had been in his pupils was quickly withdrawn.
Soon, he sat down on a leather chair nearby and said.
“Let’s sit for now. It might be a somewhat long story.”
Eleiya was suggesting that Ed sit down.
Ed moved his gaze to where Eleiya’s hand was pointing.
There was a high-quality chair across the table.
It was definitely not there before, but the table and chair had appeared in an instant.
“Yes.”
But then again, the person he was facing was Sword Saint Eleiya.
Nothing would be strange no matter what happened.
He was a genius not only in swordsmanship but also in spells.
As Ed sat down on the chair, Eleiya raised the corners of his mouth and spoke.
“Good. Let’s get past the pleasantries and get straight to the point. Do you perhaps have feelings for my daughter?”
A somewhat aggressive comment that came straight to the point.
However, Ed calmly looked into Eleiya’s eyes.
If he hesitated in answering or avoided eye contact, Eleiya might think that he was lying, so he looked into Eleiya’s eyes and said in a clear and precise tone.
“I have never dared to wish for it.”
‘I have never dared….’
If he simply said that he didn’t have any, Eleiya might think that he was arrogant, so he answered with a manner of speaking that lowered himself but also turned the words around.
“……Is that so? So that’s what you think. Then, what would you do if I allowed you and my daughter to date? It seems to me that my daughter is fond of you.”
Then the second question followed.
If he had the Sword Saint’s permission, would he have the desire to date Enya?
However, Ed smiled inwardly.
He had grasped that this was also a kind of test.
“Even so, it is a relationship that does not suit my station. Above all, I don’t want to harm Enya-nim.”
Therefore, Ed once again uttered the perfect answer.
Then, Eleiya looked at Ed with an interested look and opened his mouth.
“I want to hear a more detailed answer. You don’t want to harm my daughter, you say.”
“……I have never been ashamed of my surname, but Fix standing next to Cruel will lower Cruel’s status. I don’t know about the few nobles who know me and acknowledge my abilities, but in the end, most nobles will judge everything by the surname attached to my name. I cannot tolerate Enya-nim being given the derogatory name of ‘Fix’s woman’.”
“……”
Eleiya was making a blank expression as he listened to Ed’s words.
He was genuinely surprised by Ed.
How could a commoner understand the intricacies of the nobility so well?
Now that it had come to this, there was no need to test him or beat around the bush.
It seemed like this commoner was a friend who could understand him.
“Then, I’ll ask you just one more thing. Why do you think I came to see you?”
However, he wanted to confirm just one more time.
Whether this unusual boy could see through even the reason why he had come to see him.
Soon, Ed opened his mouth.
“Isn’t it because you came to check my worth?”
“……”
“Lord Cruel made the effort to come and check on me in person. If I didn’t seem valuable, you wouldn’t have even looked at me. I think you came to see me to find out what my worth is, since I have become Enya-nim’s friend.”
“……”
Eleiya quietly stroked his chin.
He had thought that Ed was an unusual boy since he had read the reports, but he had never imagined that his judgment and diplomacy would be this excellent.
To think that he could see such a seasoned veteran-like composure from a mere 18-year-old boy.
Ed was a talent that he wanted in many ways.
“Yes. You saw it correctly. It’s true that I came to see you in person and make a judgment. After checking in person, you’re even more amazing.”
“……”
“Then, can you guess this as well? How highly do you think I regard you?”
Eleiya was curious.
He wanted to know how this boy would evaluate his own value.
Soon, Ed answered.
“I’m sorry, but I would like Lord Cruel to answer that.”
However, Ed’s answer was unexpected.
His answer was to pass the baton.
In common terms, it was “first-come, first-serve.”
Ed began to explain the reason.
“I was suddenly summoned here and tested by you, My Lord. You’ve asked all your questions to assess my worth, and now that they’re done, I believe it’s my turn for an answer. Please, judge my value.”
“……”
Eleiya stroked his chin again.
It was a logic that left him speechless in many ways.
In short, “You kidnapped me and I answered all your questions, so shouldn’t you answer this one now?”
Wasn’t that exactly what he was saying?
Therefore, Eleiya answered the value of Ed that he had in mind.
“…A person loved by the future Cruel family head, and an advisor and counselor who will lead the Cruel family. I see even that far.”
In other words, he was saying that he would entrust him with the important position of being the one who was loved by Enya and would lead the Cruel family with her.
For Eleiya, it was the greatest honor he could give to a commoner and the greatest treatment he could give him.
However, Ed’s thoughts were different.
“A loved one who is also an advisor and counselor. That means I will become Enya-nim’s male concubine.”
Male concubine.
In other words, it was a word that meant a male mistress. [T/N: damn…]
Eleiya nodded and answered.
“That’s right. But don’t worry. Enya will gain absolute power. Even if Enya cherishes you, no one will complain about it. Even if you were to be the ‘Prince Consort’.”
Prince Consort.
Originally, Prince Consort was the term used to elevate the husband of a queen.
However, before the Imperial family conquered the continent, the Cruel family was also a kingdom, so by custom, the husband of a female Grand Duke was called the Prince Consort.
“The guy who sits in the Prince Consort seat is just put there for the sake of an alliance between families, but in the end, everything will be according to Enya’s will. So, once Enya has received her formal succession and is married, no one will complain about your relationship with Enya. I will make it so. In the end, Enya and you will be the actual managers of the family.”
Even if he was a male concubine, he would be the one who would monopolize the love of the Cruel family head and be the actual manager of the family.
This was the value of Ed that Eleiya had evaluated.
For him, it was no different from giving Ed the highest score.
“It is an honor that you think of me that way.”
And Ed, who knew this well, expressed his gratitude for the time being.
It was a deal that was useless for him, but from the perspective of Eleiya, a high-ranking noble, it was no different from giving him the best treatment.
“However, it is not a position that suits me.”
However, from Ed’s perspective, it was no different from a deal that sold himself off cheaply.
A mere male concubine of Enya, Ed was looking much further into the distance.
“……What is the reason?”
However, even when refusing, one shouldn’t ignore the other party’s goodwill.
The point was to express a clear refusal while not offending Lord Cruel.
Soon, Ed looked at the flustered Eleiya and continued.
“I am Fix. I make things. Therefore, I think that all things must always be used for their intended purpose. No matter how much value is placed on that item.”
“……”
“Because if an item fails to perform its function, it will eventually lose its essence. An item that has lost its essence will eventually be discarded after its use is over.”
Ed was using items as an example to softly refuse Eleiya’s offer.
At that, Eleiya smiled.
He said to Ed.
“Then, what is the purpose of that item? I called the highest price, but I’m curious what item it will be used for.”
“……You have to keep watching. It’s the time for hammering right now. I haven’t even quenched it yet.”
He hadn’t even quenched it yet.
At those words, Lord Cruel’s shoulders began to shake.
Soon, he burst into hearty laughter and opened his mouth.
“Hahahaha! Right! The item isn’t even finished yet. It seems I came to see the item too early. To be haggling over an unfinished item, how ridiculous is this?”
Eleiya said that and stood up.
His face was covered with a deep smile.
“I’ve made a fool of myself. I’ve ended up disturbing a blacksmith who’s in the middle of hammering. But do not forget this. Among the four ducal families of the Empire, it was the Cruel family that recognized you first.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
“…Alright. It was nice meeting you, it was an enjoyable conversation after a long time.”
“The honor was mine.”
After hearing Ed’s answer, Eleiya nodded and turned his back.
Then, before leaving this virtual space, he turned back to Ed for the last time and said.
“Your relationship with Enya. I’ll leave it entirely up to your judgment. My daughter is more lovely and has the greatest talent than anyone else… but she doesn’t have the composure like you. It would be nice if you could help her from the side.”
“Of course, Enya and I are friends.”
“…Friends, I hope those words were sincere. Even after facing you directly, I can’t figure out what you’re really thinking.”
Eleiya left those last words and told Ed to enjoy his lunch before sending him back.
Then, Eleiya’s figure disappeared in an instant, and the entire room began to collapse.
The virtual space created by Eleiya was disappearing.
-*Pah!*
Soon, Ed could realize that the surrounding scenery had changed in an instant.
“After being freed from the space-shifting magic and illusions, he found himself back at the academy.”
“…This is—”
The fountain.
It was not far from where he had been with his group.
Thanks to that, the group quickly spotted him.
“Ed! You suddenly disappeared and it scared me!”
Enya ran toward him as soon as she found him.
However, Ed was feeling a sense of incongruity in Enya’s reaction.
It felt like he had been talking to Eleiya for at least 40 minutes, but Enya’s reaction was lukewarm.
At the very least, she should be angry if he had disappeared for 40 minutes without a word.
“Uh, Enya. How long have I been gone?”
So, Ed asked Enya about this question.
Enya splashed some of the fountain’s water on her neck and arms as she answered.
“…Well, about 5 minutes?”
“…5 minutes.”
“Yeah. Why?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
Ed answered that and thought about Eleiya.
The ability to compress a perceived 40 minutes into just 5 minutes, truly a mysterious ability worthy of being called the strongest magic swordsman in the Empire.
“More importantly, where are we going to eat?”
At that time.
Isabella, who had appeared out of nowhere with a hazy expression, asked that question.
She was still in a somewhat dazed state, having just finished her ‘Emotion Feasting’.
Soon, Ed answered.
“Shall we just eat at the school cafeteria? The menu is quite delicious there.”
Since the Imperial Academy was the best training facility in the Empire, the school food was also excellent.
Moreover, Ed’s group, who had received an S-class, was able to eat the most delicious menu, so the side dishes were also excellent.
Though, of course, the quality was a step down from the personal chefs of a ducal household.
“Well, the school food isn’t bad.”
“Commoner… If that’s what you want… Well… I suppose..”
“Let’s go. There won’t be any seats left.”
Thus, Ed’s group, who had reached a peaceful compromise, headed to the student cafeteria.
Soon, after receiving their food, they began to eat, sitting in the order of Isabella, Ed, Enya, and Claire.
-Whooooosh-.
However, even while eating with a dazed expression, Isabella was releasing a cold wind toward Ed to cool him down.
Isabella, who had to have what she liked, was appealing to Ed in her own way.
‘Wait, this is not bad…?’
However, Ed was cooling off with Isabella’s ‘hand fan’ and thinking about something else.
The ‘Equipment Review,’ which would be held in a week.
How about creating a device that could create a cool breeze like this at the review, which he had to pass in order to maintain his status as an academy student?
In other words, he was considering introducing the brilliance of Willis Haviland Carrier, the inventor of air conditioning, to these unenlightened medieval people.
“Commoner, it’s cool, right? Come to our territory sometime. Unlike here, the northern wind of the Graham family is cool.”
And as he listened to Isabella’s following words, he thought.
There was no need to do that, he would create the northern wind of the Graham family with his own power.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
