episode_0014

The sudden strike that pierced through my chest left me momentarily speechless.

Seriously, the Sword Emperor himself resorting to a sneak attack?

“I gave it my all.”

I meant it.

I genuinely unleashed the pinnacle of the Defeat Sword.

Even the Commander would’ve acknowledged it if he’d seen it.

But it seemed even the Sword Emperor, the so-called King of Swords, struggled to comprehend the Defeat Sword.

Well, it is a bit complicated.

“From my perspective, it looked like you were trying your hardest not to win.”

A remark that cut straight to the core.

But isn’t victory more than just winning?

For my future, the growth of the Little Sword Emperor is necessary.

Didn’t Violet, the novel transmigrator, say it herself?

That sword-obsessed Princess Hestia from the original story let go of the sword.

I may not care about the original plot, but I can’t afford to lose a free laborer to clean up the mess of future events.

If you fold now, you’re screwed.

Actually screwed.

“I’ve never given my all like this in my entire life.”

I meant it.

And I’ll keep doing so.

So our dear Little Sword Emperor can grow strong and roll around diligently in place of Ellen.

Of course, I’m not saying this without a plan.

I’ll mobilize the entire Kingdom’s education curriculum to ensure his focus on the sword only intensifies.

And as a bonus, I’ll push the romance agenda as hard as I can.

Prince Ellen?

Once he returns to the kingdom, noble ladies will be lining up to throw themselves at him.

A few are probably already lurking in the academy.

They say first loves never work out, so I’ll make sure the romance novel’s heroine remains nothing more than a bittersweet memory.

Of course, this is only because the world runs on romance novel logic.

Our poor Prince Ellen, trapped as the sub-male lead in this cliché-ridden world… Yeah, that tracks.

From what I’ve heard of the future, his role up until the academy arc is basically just “antagonist vibes.”

But that only accounts for about 50% of his presence.

According to Violet, the cheetah’s already sprinting ahead, so the original plot might change.

Then what’s the problem with the other 50%?

It’s a matter of common sense.

I mean, Daisy. She’s the daughter of an Imperial baron.

The Little Sword Emperor, the border count’s brat, or the future merchant guild head—marrying them wouldn’t be an issue.

Even Prince Acid could spin it as a romance that transcends status.

But Prince Ellen and the magic-wielding side? That’s a national-level problem.

Dating is fine, but if a foreign prince tries to marry a noble lady from another kingdom, things get messy.

Not impossible, but…

The moment the defeated Imperial Prince and other sore losers start causing diplomatic incidents, it’ll spiral out of control.

So, Prince Ellen’s first love has to be stopped.

This isn’t just my judgment—it’s the Commander’s.

No, scratch that. It’s a direct order from the royal family.

“…I see.”

Did my sincerity get through?

The Sword Emperor still looked skeptical, but he nodded anyway.

“If you say so, then I suppose that’s how it is.”

Honestly, even the Sword Emperor can’t argue.

Unless I deliberately lost, the fact remains—I won.

To everyone else, it looked like an incredibly close match.

Even Prince Ellen saw it that way, and someone of the Sword Emperor’s caliber could only suspect something was off.

In terms of the Defeat Sword alone, my skill surpassed even the Commander’s—a true genius.

“In that case, I’d like to make a proposal.”

He called it a proposal, but it didn’t sound like I had the option to refuse.

No, more accurately, he seemed certain I wouldn’t refuse.

“I’ve been assigned to oversee a club this time.”

“Oh…”

A club where the Sword Emperor is the advisor?

This is information Violet never mentioned.

Did fate change? Or was it just too minor to bring up?

“I’ve agreed to teach swordsmanship to a few members there.”

A swordsmanship club, then.

I’ll admit, I had my reservations about joining one.

But aside from this year, the Kingdom’s Academy’s clubs are considered slightly inferior in skill level.

At my level, I didn’t think it’d be much help, so I planned to focus on personal training rather than club activities.

But if the Sword Emperor’s the advisor? That changes things.

“So, I’d like you to join the flower arrangement club.”

“I refuse.”

What the fuck, I knew it.

Even if the Sword Emperor’s teaching swordsmanship, I thought it’d at least be a swordsmanship club.

“What?”

Clearly not expecting a refusal, the Sword Emperor’s eyes widened in disbelief.

But—

“I need some time to myself.”

Even if the Sword Saint were teaching there, a flower arrangement club is a no.

Wait, fuck. Now that I think about it, the future Sword Saint is actually in that club.

“Anything else you’d like to say?”

“…No.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

“……”

Leaving the Sword Emperor staring in stunned silence, I exited the office and headed straight for the dorm.

And then—

“Emergency!”

—Was “emergency” really the code phrase?

I immediately contacted the homeland.

At my emergency call, the Commander’s face twisted before he let out a deep sigh.

—It’s the day of the regular meeting. You could’ve waited a bit. Why the sudden emergency line?

This is bad for my heart.

I wanted to reassure the grumbling Commander, but…

Life rarely goes the way you want.

“The Sword Emperor’s become a club advisor and plans to teach swordsmanship to the members.”

—Damn it. I already figured the Imperial Academy would poach our talent, but this is a finishing blow.

With the Kingdom’s nobles still hesitant…

Prince Ellen’s studying abroad at the Imperial Academy has others considering the same.

And now the Sword Emperor’s offering lessons outside his classes as a club advisor?

For swordsmen, there’s no more enticing bait.

Normally, that is.

“But, Commander. The club’s called the flower arrangement club.”

—Since when was the Imperial Swordsmanship Club called that?

“Don’t dodge reality. You know exactly what kind of club it is.”

—Why?!

The fact that “what the fuck” didn’t slip out first really drove home that this is a fantasy world.

Wait, no—it’s a romance novel world. Did the platform’s censorship block swearing?

“I don’t know.”

It’s the romance novel’s fate, I wanted to say, but I’d just told Violet I’d live in reality.

So realistically, I’ll just say I don’t know.

Honestly, if I had to guess why the Sword Emperor chose the flower arrangement club over a swordsmanship one…

“It’s for his grandson, isn’t it?”

—He abandoned his family, but he’s still looking out for his grandson?

Seeming to find the answer plausible, the Commander fell into serious thought.

—Isn’t this your fault? You should’ve held back. Why’d you have to win so hard?

“He’s the Little Sword Emperor. The genius meant to inherit the Sword Emperor’s name. But he was so weak I panicked!”

This tragedy happened because the Commander’s intel was off.

At my defense, the Commander scowled and grumbled.

—Who knew he’d be that weak? I thought he’d at least be on your level.

We created a monster, but we didn’t expect it to work in this world too.

Come to think of it, Violet said if Prince Ellen’s a hydrogen bomb, I’m at least an atomic bomb.

Damn, it feels like just yesterday my talent exploded into a sword instead of potential.

Now that unused talent’s finally going off!

“So, I’ve already started operations.”

—Operations? On who?

“The Little Sword Emperor.”

—Really?

Even here, the word “really” came up, but unlike Violet, the Commander’s my superior.

“The reason is—”

Since this is a fantasy world, I can’t whip out a PowerPoint presentation.

But I can ramble.

“To turn Prince Ellen’s first love into a memory, the best solution is to pair him with someone else.”

—Why the Little Sword Emperor of all people?

“First, even if we call it a romance operation, the Prince of Leon losing to Dale is unthinkable.”

—Obviously.

No matter how much we rig things, Leon losing to Dale is impossible.

“And causing issues with Ilias would be a bad idea.”

—Right.

Ilias, one of the continent’s top three merchant guilds.

The kingdom has no reason to make enemies with them.

“Plus, the second son of the Rias family is hopeless.”

—Why?

“He just digs holes all day.”

Gerald, the border count’s second son, is a cheetah by Violet’s standards.

Which means… during the academy arc, he’ll just be running around doing nothing useful.

“So, the best candidates for the operation are Prince Acid and the Little Sword Emperor, Aslan.”

—The Imperial Prince is too risky?

“That’s part of it, but Aslan’s easier to connect with.”

Since swordsmanship will keep linking us, it’s simpler to work with him.

“But the Prince already has a supporter, it seems.”

I could tell from our conversations.

Violet… you little shit, you’re on the Prince’s side.

Even if it’s not as extreme as in otome games, male-oriented novels also have shipping wars in the comments.

From talking to Violet, I could guess which male lead she’s pushing.

“Even if it fails, getting involved with him won’t cause problems. So I’ve decided to back the Little Sword Emperor.”

Aslan, the Little Sword Emperor.

He may be worse than me, but he’s still a skilled swordsman.

He’s excitable, but his looks are decent, and his personality’s great.

His friendships aren’t bound by status—he’ll spar with anyone who learns the sword.

He naturally embodies the academy’s “no status division” rule, influencing others to follow suit.

He’s got the makings of a romance novel male lead, and his growth potential is guaranteed.

“Please approve this.”

—…You confident?

“Among the education officers, is there anyone better at their job than me?”

At my bold claim, the Commander answered instantly.

—Daniel.

Damn it, he’s the cheat key.

In this romance novel world, I could argue I’m doing more work than Prince Ellen’s future right-hand man.

But in reality, I can’t beat Daniel, who handles everything for the Crown Prince of Leon.

“…After Daniel, then?”

—You’re next.

So I’m still considered second-best in the kingdom, huh?

Wait, why did that thought echo? Must be my imagination.

Feeling more like a side character by the second, but the boss once said:

Second place is still impressive.

—Fine, I’ll trust your judgment on the ground.

Seemingly convinced, the Commander decided to back the second-best’s plan.

—So, what do you need from us?

“First off—”

I recalled the information Violet had shared.

For a second, I pictured her throwing a fit about me taking intel without cooperating, but I mentally flipped her off and moved on.

“Before the midterms—”

The real events start after the promised midterms.

So until then—

“Have the spare education officers study flower arrangements first.”

—Flowers?

“It’s the flower arrangement club.”

Since Daisy likes flowers, I’ll have kingdom-exclusive blooms delivered straight from the mountains.

“And have Intelligence secure tickets.”

—What tickets?

“Plays, performances—anything happening in the academy’s jurisdiction.”

The transmigrator decrees: all male leads are trash.

For the hopeless Little Sword Emperor, who can’t even manage a proper kiss before graduation—

“We’re doing this by the book.”

First, we’ll prepare a classic date course.