Ch.117117. The Secret Excursion of Imperial Princess Seraphina

The exchange event hosted by Demeia Academy concluded without any major incidents.

There was a duel between the successors of the Four Seasons’ Weapon Arts during the event, but this wasn’t considered a significant occurrence.

Rather, the fact that renowned weapon art successors from across the continent gathered yet only competed to test each other’s skills aligned perfectly with the purpose of the exchange event.

Testing their honed martial skills and recognizing their own shortcomings to improve further—

This alone was more than enough reason to hold the exchange event.

Of course, this was merely the surface reason.

From the beginning, the exchange event was a venue for invisible political struggles between nations.

The exchange event was precisely where nations gauged their political direction for the coming years by determining how well their academy members performed or assessing the caliber of other nations’ cadets.

The significance of this particular exchange event hosted by Demeia Academy was especially profound.

It was an event where the successors of the Four Seasons’ Weapon Arts gathered in one place.

The battle between these successors, considered the cream of the crop, was a matter of national pride and a struggle for the future.

They were heroes who would lead the future, and merely possessing such heroes meant a nation could exert significant influence over continental politics.

Given these circumstances, news of their confrontation at the exchange event spread rapidly throughout the continent.

Some said Spring Shield’s Maium had won,

Others claimed Summer Spear’s Edel was victorious,

While some insisted Autumn Bow’s Atalanta had prevailed.

“Of course it was Spring Shield’s Maium—don’t speak unless you’ve faced that shield.”

“You idiot, do you even know how Summer Spear’s Edel thrusts?”

“What nonsense. If you’re hit by Autumn Bow’s Atalanta’s arrow, you wouldn’t even know you’re dying.”

Everyone loudly proclaimed that their favored successor had won.

After all, these successors were their pride and honor.

However, they deliberately omitted one name.

Winter Sword’s Gilbert.

That very name.

They instinctively knew that as long as he participated, he would be the ultimate victor of the duel.

The reason was simple.

His achievements thus far had been nothing short of an epic saga.

As an academy cadet, he suppressed a rebellion and single-handedly fought against dozens of giant soldiers.

Not only that, he established a peace treaty with the Sigurd clan, who had been at odds with the Empire for ages, completely eliminating a potential threat.

The feats Gilbert had accomplished since enrolling at Demeia Academy could rightfully be called monumental achievements.

A cadet who was also a knight.

A knight who was also a hero.

That was the current standing of Gilbert, once known as the troublemaker of the Count’s family.

***

Gilbert found the sunlight streaming down particularly warm and pleasant.

It had been months since he first opened his eyes in this strange yet familiar place.

The expression “running without rest” hardly did justice to how he had charged forward with all his might.

From the moment he received the ultimatum from Count Lithuania and departed for Demeia Academy.

Winning the tutorial entrance mock battle and unlocking the system for the first time.

The sudden Resistance incident, and saving Briana who was originally destined to die.

None of the events had been easy. If his stats had been even slightly lower or if he had played Tactical Combat more loosely, he might have already died.

No matter how experienced a player one was, Tactical Combat was a game where a single misstep could lead to death. Controlling giant soldiers was by no means an easy task.

Moreover, this wasn’t a game world where one could restart multiple times. It was the real world where a moment’s carelessness could cost an arm, a leg, or even a head.

Furthermore, the “Gilbert” that Kang Do-jun had possessed was a character created solely for his entertainment, laden with all sorts of concepts.

The notorious troublemaker of a renowned count’s family.

A hopeless piece of trash.

Flawed trait skills.

Gilbert was a character composed entirely for fun and interest, mixing all these elements together.

Because of this, how much had he struggled in the early days after possession, with his rock-bottom reputation and infamy spread throughout the continent?

And how many people had suffered because of the character’s backstory?

He had severely cursed himself for creating the character without deeper thought.

But that’s all in the past now.

Gilbert felt the gentle breeze caressing his face.

Of course, it was still too early for such reflections.

Come to think of it, he still hadn’t found a way back to his original world, and the remaining main scenarios were far more challenging than all the ones he had cleared so far combined.

Just thinking about it sometimes made it hard to breathe, but having a little leisure was good for his mental health.

None of this could be finished in a short time anyway. He needed to invest time and proceed slowly, like running a marathon.

Perhaps he might die here without ever returning, but giving up didn’t suit his temperament.

So, take it easy and go slowly.

But with an unwavering heart, move forward steadily.

That’s what Gilbert thought.

“Lord Gilbert.”

“What is it?”

As he was leisurely organizing his thoughts in the academy garden, Gilbert opened his eyes at the call of a servant looking for him.

The attire the servant wore wasn’t that of an academy servant.

It was the formal uniform worn by imperial servants.

“Her Highness the Princess is looking for you.”

“The Princess?”

Gilbert expressed surprise at the news that Seraphina, the Imperial Princess and his mentor, was looking for him.

Why would she suddenly seek him out when they hadn’t met since the end of the exchange event?

Gilbert stood up from the bench and tidied his clothes.

“Lead the way.”

“As you wish.”

The servant, bowing politely as befitting an imperial servant, led the way to where Seraphina was.

“Do you know why Her Highness has summoned me?”

“She gave no specific reason. She simply ordered me to bring you to her.”

“I see.”

It wasn’t the first time Seraphina had suddenly sought him out, but this time it felt oddly unsettling.

Perhaps it was because Seraphina was suspected to be one of the seekers in the sub-scenario “Twisted Possessiveness.”

As the student council room where Seraphina was waiting came into view, Gilbert composed his complex feelings.

No matter how closely they were bound as mentor and disciple, Seraphina was the person closest to becoming the next emperor.

For the sake of receiving her help in the future, he couldn’t afford to get on her bad side.

*Knock knock*

“Your Highness. I have brought Lord Gilbert.”

“Let him in.”

With Seraphina’s permission, the tightly closed door of the student council room opened.

The student council room hadn’t changed from when Gilbert used to play Tactical Combat.

As if reflecting her personality, there was somewhat plain furniture, and various books were neatly arranged on the shelves.

“Mentor.”

“You’ve come, disciple.”

Seraphina was holding a quill pen soaked in ink, suggesting she had been processing documents before Gilbert arrived.

Normally, for practicality, the feather would be trimmed except for the shaft, but Seraphina was different.

Perhaps to showcase imperial dignity, she was writing with an elegant quill pen, her hand movements fluid and graceful.

Gilbert couldn’t help but admire the scene—it was as if she had stepped out of a painting.

The sunlight filtering through the large window behind her, combined with the quill pen, made her seem like the protagonist of a novel.

In fact, considering she was originally a character set in Tactical Combat, that wasn’t entirely wrong. The only difference was that this place had become reality.

Seraphina greeted Gilbert warmly as he entered and closed her document folder. The matter wasn’t urgent enough that it couldn’t be postponed a little.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“I had intended to call for you sooner, but I couldn’t find the time.”

At Seraphina’s gesture, Gilbert sat in the guest chair prepared in the office.

Being a chair for guests, it was exceptionally comfortable. He suspected it might be the most expensive item in the office.

“Would you like some tea?”

“I would be grateful if you offered.”

Gilbert noticed that Seraphina’s reason for calling him was once again to draw him into her faction. So he indirectly expressed his intention to maintain neutrality once more.

Joining Seraphina’s faction was part of Gilbert’s plan for the future. The upcoming main scenarios would be quite troublesome without becoming part of her faction and receiving full support.

But now wasn’t the time. It was still premature for him to stand at the forefront as her sword. For the sake of the upcoming main scenario, he needed to maintain his neutrality a bit longer.

And then there’s the sub-scenario to consider.

Gilbert observed Seraphina as she elegantly sipped her tea.

Currently, one of the forcibly accepted sub-scenarios, “Twisted Possessiveness,” was suspected to involve Seraphina. Though he still hadn’t fully grasped what the scenario entailed, just the name alone didn’t sound promising.

That’s why he had been keeping a slight distance from Briana lately, and rushing to join Seraphina’s faction could lead to unpredictable consequences. Keeping his distance like this was the best choice for now.

“Huh huh. Are you refusing again? Even though I desire it so earnestly, my disciple always looks for ways to evade.”

“Even so, my loyalty always lies with the Empire.”

“That sounds like you’re saying you’ll only look my way when I become the Empire.”

Seraphina’s eyes sparkled unusually.

Did I touch on something I shouldn’t have?

Gilbert suddenly felt a chill.

When playing Tactical Combat, Seraphina had always been a mysterious figure. Partly due to her status, but also because of her unique aura.

But the Seraphina here was both similar to and different from the one in the game.

Whether it was the butterfly effect of reality or because he was Gilbert and not Ian, he felt that her desire for talent had become particularly intense.

Especially those eyes.

Those eyes that seemed determined to bring him into her faction by any means necessary continued to trouble him.

Perhaps the sub-scenario was making him feel this way.

“Well, that’s fine. I already knew you wouldn’t be easily obtained.”

“I apologize.”

“No need. I’ll save it as a pleasure for the future. Besides, I haven’t explained why I called you here.”

Gilbert straightened his posture. It seemed the busy princess was finally getting to the reason she had summoned him.

Sitting upright like a student listening to a teacher, Gilbert paid close attention to Seraphina’s words.

“Do you remember the reward I bestowed upon you?”

“Reward… you say?”

Reward? Weren’t there quite a few?

Gilbert’s mind raced at the unexpected question.

Given how much she had used him for propaganda, the rewards he had received were numerous.

Besides gold and treasures, he had already been granted a 5th-grade knighthood despite being an academy cadet.

All of this had political calculations behind it to heroize Gilbert, but he had no complaints and gladly accepted everything offered.

Thanks to that, his once-terrible reputation had all but disappeared.

But being specifically called to discuss rewards made it hard to grasp her intention.

“My disciple can be quite dense at times. Have you forgotten the greatest reward I bestowed upon you?”

Seeing her lament, it seemed there was something more he had received. Gilbert continued to search his memory but couldn’t recall anything specific.

“I apologize. It seems my disciple’s dullness has made me forget.”

“I thought you were perfect, but you’re unexpectedly obtuse. Have you truly forgotten that I granted you the right to my time?”

My time?

Hearing Seraphina’s words, Gilbert finally recalled the forgotten memory.

After the academy attack incident, when he had an audience with Seraphina, she had granted him the right to spend time with her.

Of course, due to various events and incidents that followed, he had completely forgotten about it until now. Was she intending to fulfill that reward now?

For Gilbert, who wanted to maintain some distance, this was the worst timing.

“Judging by your face, you’ve finally remembered. As it happens, I now have the time for it.”

“My disciple.”

“Huh huh, are you looking forward to it? I am as well. But don’t worry, I don’t intend to go like this. That wouldn’t allow us to spend a cozy time together.”

Gilbert looked at Yanik, who was standing guard for Seraphina, with a pleading expression.

– I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do.

But Yanik avoided Gilbert’s gaze, pretending not to notice.

Seraphina was someone who had to fulfill what she had decided, no matter what.

Once she started being stubborn, no one except the Emperor of the Empire could stop her.

Yanik shook his head very slightly, as if telling Gilbert to give up.

Seeing this, Gilbert could only slightly bow his head.

Princess Seraphina’s incognito outing decided.