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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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My arms were finally healed. The cast had been removed ages ago, replaced by a thin bandage, and now even that was deemed unnecessary.
Every time I went to the hospital for a check-up, the doctors would swarm me. They’d never seen anything like it, apparently.
It wasn’t a burn, nor mana erosion, and healing magic had no effect. They were fascinated.
Fortunately, it was the type of injury that healed naturally, though it took longer than expected. I’d have to be more careful about increasing Vafe’s size in the future.
“Hee hee hee! Finally, we can spar again!”
“…”
Trie, as expected, was the most enthusiastic about my recovery.
She’d been barging into the residence, demanding spars even outside our scheduled training sessions. It was becoming a nuisance.
“Am I the only one you can spar with? Why do you always seek me out?”
“Well, there are former high-ranking knights at the mercenary guild, but they’re all too easy… After sparring with you, I can’t be satisfied with anyone else.”
“…”
Was that a compliment? Regardless, dealing with Trie’s boundless energy was exhausting.
“I’m itching for a fight. How about we go all out, no restrictions?”
“Are you insane? We almost brought the ceiling down last time!”
“We’ll be careful. Please? Pretty please?”
“Damn it…”
Even a glancing blow from Trie with her internal circuits fully activated was excruciating… I gritted my teeth and drew my sword.
A tense silence filled the training room.
“Oppa. Lady Erica is here.”
“Ah. Send her in.”
“Alright. I’ll bring her down.”
“Attendant, you’re not even hiding it anymore…”
I’d told Erica she could come every morning. I’d promised to have Trie teach her about internal circuits, but I’d forgotten to ask Trie first.
I glanced at her nervously, and she returned a questioning look. Footsteps echoed on the stairs, and Erica appeared at the entrance to the underground training room.
“Hi there.”
“Erica. Say hello. This is your new instructor for internal circuits.”
“What? Me? Who said anything about that?”
Oops.
I’d forgotten to ask again.
“I… I was about to ask if you’d be willing to teach her.”
“Without any compensation? Hmm…”
“Erica. Quickly, try to appeal to your future master.”
“What? I thought you were going to teach me.”
“Hurry. Before she gets offended.”
“Ugh… Fine! I’ll… I’ll pay you 50,000 Tirions per lesson!”
“You’re hired, Erica. I look forward to working with you.”
“Uh… Okay…”
Trie’s demeanor shifted, and she offered Erica a handshake.
Watching them, I felt a strange sense of amusement. I hadn’t expected the daughter of House Schultzenberg to be swayed by money, but it seemed a large enough sum could change things.
Money truly made the world go round.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting another student. We’re in the middle of a spar. Can you wait a moment?”
“Sure. I came early anyway.”
“Excuse me… Master Hainkel? I apologize for the interruption.”
“…”
The door opened again, and Emilia entered.
“Wow, Attendant, you change your tune the moment Erica arrives.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
“Ahem! There’s someone wearing a hat outside who wishes to see Master Hainkel. They refuse to give their name…”
This felt familiar.
Emilia was fidgeting nervously, having likely guessed the visitor’s identity. I knew who it was, but I couldn’t just let an unidentified person inside.
“I suppose we’ll have to end our training session early.”
“What? Why? We haven’t even started yet!”
“I haven’t learned anything yet, either!”
“A distinguished guest has arrived. If you wish, you may come upstairs and greet them.”
“Distinguished guest…?”
Trie and Erica tilted their heads. They must have thought I was being metaphorical. They’d find out soon enough.
I led Trie and Erica upstairs. As expected, a familiar hooded figure stood at the front door. Trie and Erica flinched, likely reminded of the cultists.
“Your Highness. This is inappropriate. You should have sent a formal invitation to the Imperial Palace.”
“Your Highness?”
“Schlus, what are you—”
“I’m carrying something far too valuable to risk attracting attention. Discretion is necessary.”
“…”
Erica and Trie, who had been looking at me with pity, now stared with wide eyes.
I pulled back the hood, revealing Her Highness Aria’s golden hair and beautiful face.
“Y-Your Highness…!”
“Try not to kneel. You just said you didn’t want to attract attention.”
“Oh… Right…”
Trie and Erica, about to kneel, stopped abruptly and stood up straight. Their gazes remained lowered. Instinct told them to show respect to royalty, but they were clearly suppressing it.
“Are you going to keep me waiting out here?”
“Please, come in.”
“I came this early specifically so you wouldn’t make me wait while you attended your classes.”
“Wise decision.”
“You…”
Even as Aria entered, Erica and Trie remained frozen, like malfunctioning robots.
They kept glancing at me, their faces pale, as if I were a ghost. I needed to get rid of them. I subtly gestured for them to leave while Aria wasn’t looking.
“Well, that was a fun spar, Schlus! I’ll be going now. It was an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
“M-Me too! Please excuse us, Your Highness…”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Huh?”
“You’re Schlus’s precious companions, are you not? Unless you’re pressed for time, stay and keep me company.”
“Um… Yes… Of course…”
Trie and Erica reluctantly closed the door and returned.
They could have easily excused themselves, claiming they were busy. I knew, because I’d done it myself. Though, it hadn’t been intentional at the time.
‘She could have at least sent a message.’
Aria’s sudden visit had created problems for three people.
“I’ll bring some tea…”
“Your attendant hasn’t changed. Still causing no trouble, I see.”
“Yes. She’s an excellent maid.”
“Pfft…”
“…”
Aria suddenly burst out laughing, and I stared at her, bewildered.
Emilia flinched with every giggle as she headed towards the kitchen. She was definitely nervous. This was Aria’s second surprise visit, she should be used to it by now.
The four of us filled the living room. Erica and Trie sat stiffly on either side of me. Aria sat opposite us, a relaxed smile on her face, her gaze sweeping over Trie and Erica.
They squirmed under her scrutiny, and I sighed.
“If you didn’t come here to torment my friends, please state your business and be on your way.”
“Do you have a death wish? You’re being incredibly rude.”
“I’m saying this for your safety. You need to return to the Imperial Palace immediately.”
“This place is dangerous? The Imperial University, with security second only to the Imperial Palace?”
“To be precise, I am dangerous. Many seek my life.”
“Oh?”
Aria looked intrigued and reached into her pocket. She pulled out a small glass vial filled with a shimmering liquid. I recognized it. From the Imperial Palace.
‘Appraisal.’
It was an Elixir.
The one the Emperor had promised.
“This is the finest Elixir in the Imperial treasury. Consider it compensation for my debt.”
“I gratefully accept.”
“For your service in eliminating those villains and defeating that ancient monster, I’d like to award you another Order of the Black Eagle, but… alas, His Majesty has decreed that an Elixir is the highest reward you may receive.”
They didn’t want to set a precedent. No one had ever received the Order of the Black Eagle twice.
It would imply that those who’d only received it once were lesser heroes. I understood the Emperor’s reasoning, but it was still irritating.
I’d risked my life for the Empire, and they were trying to brush me off with another raise. This was only giving me more reasons to overthrow him.
“Don’t you think this is rather shabby treatment for the hero who saved the continent’s finest university?”
“I’ve received many blessings from His Majesty. I don’t think so.”
“You may speak freely in my presence… Well, when I ascend the throne, heroes like yourself will not be treated so poorly. It is my belief that a nation that fails to honor its heroes is doomed to fail.”
“…”
She was openly criticizing the Emperor for his poor treatment of heroes, and I couldn’t say a word.
Using Aria to assassinate the Emperor was the cornerstone of my plan, but criticizing him before earning her full trust would only lower her affection for me. I needed her to want to overthrow him herself.
“Is that all?”
“Are you rushing me, Schlus Hainkel?”
“Yes. The sooner you leave my side, the safer you will be.”
“You keep making these ridiculous excuses. I thought you were different from the other nobles, but I was mistaken. Be honest, Schlus Hainkel. Do you simply dislike my presence?”
“…”
Aria’s displeasure was palpable.
I couldn’t hesitate. Any delay would damage her affection for me.
“How could I dislike the presence of my beloved sovereign? I wish you could stay forever. However, I speak out of genuine concern for your safety, so please do not misunderstand my intentions.”
“You’re amusing. Ha… Really… Hmph… I was joking. And you took it seriously… Hee hee…”
Aria giggled, fanning herself with her hand.
Was she hot? I’d have to tell Emilia to open a window when she brought the tea.
Speaking of which, where was she? It shouldn’t take this long to brew tea.
“I’d love to just leave, as you so desire, but…”
“I didn’t say I wanted you to leave.”
“Silence. I have another matter to discuss. You are the daughters of Lichtenburg and Schultzenberg, correct?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“That is correct.”
“Then which of you intends to become Schlus Hainkel’s principal wife?”
“Huh?”
Damn it… Was this why she’d come?
Aria’s playful gaze shifted between Erica and Trie, and their jaws dropped.
A sudden headache pulsed behind my eyes.
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Looool, she really came to make a mess huh xD
All that happens with Emilia listening in the background…