Ch.6362. Lion King Parade

The eve of the Lion King’s Birthday Festival had arrived. Gilbert’s mental state was remarkably clear after receiving Camilla’s not-quite-consolation the previous day.

Recently, waking up several times in the middle of the night had become almost routine. The reason was, of course, the burden of not knowing when the enemy might strike.

Perhaps the only other time he had slept so poorly was when he had been shot down in the middle of enemy territory and barely escaped with his life.

But whether thanks to Camilla or not, he was finally able to sleep deeply despite his heightened mental state. He slept deeply until morning without waking even once.

As a result, his mind was very clear and sharp, and he felt no physical fatigue whatsoever. Considering he hadn’t been able to sleep deeply for quite some time, it was remarkable.

Even though his body was becoming closer to superhuman, he was still in an ambiguous boundary between human and superhuman.

Does the game system apply even in situations like this? Gilbert thought as he observed his completely recovered body.

Tactical Combat favored realism, but since it was still a game, basic game systems were applied. One of these was the system where resting outside of combat would fully restore health.

It wasn’t an all-powerful system that could cure injuries or status ailments affecting the character, but it was certainly capable of replenishing completely depleted health and stamina.

Whether this was truly a world inside a game or another world with a similar setting remained a mystery, but the fact that game systems applied to him was undeniable.

Since he could see game stat screens and skill windows, it made sense that the recovery system after sleeping would apply as well.

Upon arriving at the guest reception room, Gilbert filed away his thoughts about the game system in a corner of his mind. While discovering the rest system was important, there were more pressing matters at hand.

A servant from the academy opened the firmly closed door of the reception room. The interior decor was splendid, befitting the reputation of the Empire’s finest academy. Perhaps because this world was an appropriate blend of medieval civilization, medieval Gothic architectural styles were mixed in.

Stepping inside, Gilbert briefly observed the interior built with flying buttresses, ribbed vaults, and other architectural techniques before noticing two people sitting in the reception room and standing opposite them.

A man and woman with golden hair and red eyes.

They were Gilbert’s siblings.

“Have you arrived, Brother?”

Gilbert’s gaze turned to his younger brother, Glinda. The golden hair and red eyes were identical to Gilbert’s, but his physical build was different. It was the opposite of Gilbert’s massive physique, which looked as if it had been meticulously sculpted by a god.

At first glance, he appeared to have a slender frame similar to Ian. Of course, this was only in appearance; in reality, his body was robust and well-trained through exercise.

He had a sturdy physique compared to other men his age. After all, their father was the famous Margrave of Iron and Blood, so those genes couldn’t simply disappear. It was just that compared to Gilbert, he appeared relatively slight.

“It’s been a while. Sit down.”

At Gilbert’s words, Glinda and Dorothy sat down. A simple set of refreshments was placed on the table in the reception room, and as soon as Gilbert sat down, a maid who had been waiting served freshly brewed tea.

“I heard about your news through Dorothy. Though late, I sincerely congratulate you.”

“I only did what I could. There’s no need to make a fuss.”

Glinda’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Though they had exchanged only a few words, his brother had indeed changed, just as Dorothy had said.

His brother, Gilbert Lion Hart, before entering Medeia Academy, had been a person who embodied the word “arrogant” in human form.

He was arrogant beyond his abilities, and his empty interior was filled with pretense and bluster. Looking down on others was his default, and he didn’t hesitate to belittle others.

The expression “scoundrel” suited the eldest son of the Hart County family perfectly.

But not long after entering Medeia Academy, Gilbert had somehow transformed into a proper young nobleman. His demeanor and behavior naturally exuded the dignity befitting a child of a high noble family.

Has my brother truly changed? Glinda had heard from Dorothy that he had changed, but he couldn’t easily believe it until he confirmed it with his own eyes.

His brother had clearly become a different person from before. He could even understand why his only sister had suspected Gilbert might be a homunculus. Gilbert’s transformation came as such a shock to Glinda.

“You seem to have something to say.”

At Gilbert’s question as he picked up his teacup to savor the black tea, Glinda composed his expression. He realized that his expression had unconsciously faltered due to the unexpected turn of events.

Dorothy, sitting beside him, nudged his side with her elbow as if to say “I told you so.” Normally, she would have cautioned him to maintain proper conduct, but currently, Glinda was too preoccupied with analyzing Gilbert to think about anything else.

It wasn’t just his conduct that had changed. The indifferent eyes looking at him contained something that even Glinda, known as the Hart family’s genius, couldn’t easily discern.

Compared to the old Gilbert, whose thoughts were always transparent, the current Gilbert’s thoughts were completely unreadable.

Though he had accepted that Gilbert had changed, it was still shocking for Glinda, who had prided himself on his ability to read people.

But he didn’t make the mistake of letting his expression falter again. Glinda’s training wasn’t shallow enough to repeat the same mistake.

“So even you can make such an expression, Glinda. Was my transformation that surprising?”

“Not at all, Brother.”

He tried to maintain his composure while answering the penetrating question, but it seemed useless against Gilbert. He simply continued drinking his tea silently, as if he already knew everything.

Glinda had prided himself on his talent for hiding his true feelings as much as reading others, but that pride crumbled in this moment.

His transformed brother seemed to have gained the ability to see through people’s hearts.

“See, I told you! He’s not like our eldest brother at all…!”

Dorothy, who had been quiet until now, whispered to Glinda. Her second brother had been half-doubting what she had said until he met their eldest brother.

Of course, she understood his reaction, as she herself had found it hard to believe despite seeing it with her own eyes.

But could a girl her age be expected to be completely rational?

No matter how rational Dorothy appeared, her heart was as sensitive as other girls her age. She couldn’t help feeling a little hurt that Glinda hadn’t completely believed her.

However, Glinda had no mental space to consider Dorothy’s feelings. For Glinda, who had been preparing to be the heir in place of his incompetent brother, Gilbert’s sudden transformation was difficult to accept.

Since coming of age, he had received heir training in place of Gilbert for the sake of the Hart County and its people. It was the conclusion reached by the vassal council, including the Count of Lithuania, as Gilbert’s scoundrel tendencies showed no signs of disappearing with age.

Glinda also thought this was natural. His brother was unsuited to be the Margrave of the border. The very idea of entrusting a border region to a scoundrel was absurd.

For this reason, his life had been a continuous education to become the Count of Lithuania, and he firmly believed he would become the Count of Lithuania in the future.

But one day—or more precisely, when his brother Gilbert entered Medeia Academy—strange rumors began to circulate.

News that the scoundrel son of the Count of Lithuania had changed.

At first, no one believed it. There was a strong perception that Gilbert, who had been a scoundrel in the territory for so long, couldn’t have changed so drastically.

However, Gilbert’s actions proved the rumors true. Starting with winning the entrance mock battle at Medeia Academy, he became a disciple of the Empire’s First Sword, and finally received a knighthood for suppressing the Resistance that had rebelled against the Empire.

When news of these significant achievements reached the Lithuania territory, everything changed rapidly.

The vassals who had insisted on stripping Gilbert of his heir position immediately fell silent. The former scoundrel Gilbert had become a knight through the endorsement of Princess Seraphina, who was likely to be the next Empress.

Of course, public opinion hadn’t changed. They simply stopped loudly demanding his immediate removal as heir, still doubting the qualifications of Gilbert, who hadn’t received proper heir training.

Glinda shared this opinion, but the Gilbert he saw in person exceeded the rumors. There was no trace of the discourteous, vulgar appearance he once had.

That’s when he realized: Gilbert had become someone more suited to be the heir than anyone else.

“Brother, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

Glinda organized his thoughts in a short time. Now that Gilbert was showing the qualities of a worthy heir, he no longer wanted to take that position. His terrible reputation would still be an issue, but time would solve that problem.

“What is it?”

“I’ll be frank. You must be well aware of your standing in the Lithuania territory. The vassals and the people have no trust in you. I’m curious about what you plan to do in such a dire situation.”

He had given up on the heir position. There was no reason to doubt Gilbert’s abilities, who had received a knighthood while still an academy student. If asked whether he regretted his efforts until now, there would be some regret, but he had never coveted the heir position from the beginning.

He only wanted peace for the people of the territory. That’s why Glinda asked how Gilbert planned to proceed. Despite recognizing his change, the future of the Lithuania County depended on his thoughts.

“There’s nothing to think about.”

Gilbert put down his teacup and looked at Glinda with calm eyes. There wasn’t the slightest tremor in those eyes.

“Nothing to think about… I don’t understand what you mean.”

“It’s exactly as I said. I don’t need to think about it.”

“Brother.”

Is he planning something outrageous?

Glinda called Gilbert’s name in frustration, but his brother raised a hand to cut him off. His lips moved involuntarily, having so much to say.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but listen to me. I’m well aware of how the vassals and people think of me. With my actions over the years, it would be impossible not to know.”

“That’s precisely why, Brother. When you eventually succeed Father’s position, all of that will hold you back.”

It wasn’t just an internal problem; there was a high possibility of external noise as well. His misdeeds had spared no one, even fellow nobles. In noble society, where appearances were paramount, this was a significant weakness. Even though the Hart County family kept its distance from politics, they were still nobles at their core.

“Indeed.”

“Brother, this isn’t something you can dismiss with just ‘indeed.'”

“No, it is something I can dismiss. It’s something I don’t need to think about.”

“Brother!”

Glinda couldn’t contain himself and stood up abruptly. Having decided to give up the heir position, he had intended to assist his brother Gilbert, but Gilbert’s words were frustratingly vague.

“No need to get upset. Glinda, I intend to give up the heir position.”

“Brother…?”

Glinda, who had stood up in frustration, froze in thought at Gilbert’s sudden statement. Wondering if he had misheard, he looked to the side and saw Dorothy also staring at Gilbert with a blank expression.

“What do you mean by giving up the heir position?”

“It’s exactly as I said. The next heir was already being directed toward you, not me. I have no desire for the heir position now. I don’t want to think about solving the problems you mentioned either.”

“Brother, this isn’t something you can say so lightly!”

“Do you think this is a wrong decision? I don’t think so.”

Glinda sat down weakly. Indeed, it could be seen as more efficient for Glinda, who had been receiving heir education for a long time, to take the position. If one were to find fault with him, it would only be that he wasn’t the firstborn. In noble society, where appearances were everything, this was a significant flaw, but if the heir Gilbert gave up, the situation would change.

But he couldn’t understand the reason for this decision. What kind of change of heart had occurred at Medeia Academy that made him willing to give up the heir position he had once clung to?

He desperately tried to read Gilbert’s inner thoughts, but still couldn’t discern his intentions. No, there was one thing Glinda could understand.

“I’ll say it again. I’m going to give up the heir position.”

Only that he was sincere about giving up the heir position.

***

Gilbert sighed deeply as he watched the dazed Glinda and Dorothy leave. It seemed his act to deceive the perceptive Glinda had worked well.

As he had previously told Briana and Seraphina, he sincerely intended to pass the heir position to Glinda. He was a soldier, not a politician. Even with modern knowledge, the only knowledge he could use without proper heir education was basic noble etiquette.

On the other hand, Glinda was a character who would naturally stand out as the Hart County heir in Gilbert’s absence, and he had high potential even in Tactical Combat.

There was no guarantee that the future would unfold as Gilbert knew it, but with the main quest in place, it was clear that the broad framework wouldn’t change. With returning to his original world likely tied to completing the main quest, he didn’t have time to be tied down to the Hart County. If he could ask for help in clearing the main quest after passing on the heir position, that would be perfect.

Moreover, it was better in many ways for Glinda to take over the Hart County in preparation for when Gilbert returned to his original world. If the Margrave’s position were to falter, it would only bring chaos to the Empire.

At the very least, he hoped that Seraphina, whom he was beginning to care for, wouldn’t suffer because of it.

After organizing his thoughts, Gilbert checked the time. There was still plenty of time before the parade, so he planned to rest a bit more. If not for Camilla’s words the previous day that had brought him peace, he would have been frantically searching for those planning to attack the academy, but not now.

He hadn’t let his guard down, but he had stopped keeping his nerves on edge every moment.

Perhaps becoming too hasty didn’t suit him. Maybe it was something that happened as he assimilated with Gilbert’s body.

Planning to catch a brief nap before the parade began, Gilbert gently closed his eyes.

A cool breeze blew in through the window. It was just the right strength to tickle his bangs and lull him to sleep.