Ch.6464. Lion King Parade

The pride of Demeia Academy and the highlight of the Lion King’s Birthday Celebration, designated as an imperial commemorative event, was undoubtedly the parade held on the eve of the festivities.

The parade, which began as a tribute to the great king who once ruled the continent, was modeled after the Lion King’s triumphal procession. Typically, the student who won the competition would take on the role of the Lion King and lead the procession, followed by a formation of volunteers selected from among the top-performing students.

Last year, the role of the Lion King was played by Imperial Princess Seraphina. Although different from the original Lion King’s gender, the event was started to honor his spirit, so there was no gender distinction for the role. Only the strongest student would be placed in that position.

Since Seraphina had once again won the overall competition this year, it was expected that she would reprise the role of the Lion King. However, with the rules changing as of this year, the student assigned to play the Lion King had been changed.

People who had already heard this news couldn’t hide their bewilderment. While the intention behind changing the rules wasn’t bad, the student who replaced Seraphina made everyone question the decision.

The Scoundrel Gilbert.

When he received the honor of playing the Lion King, no small commotion arose. Rumors circulated that this was preferential treatment for the eldest son of an influential count’s family, but when the reasons for the rule change and Gilbert’s selection were announced, the gossipmongers had no choice but to hold their tongues.

It was rare for an academy student to receive a knighthood. Exceptionally, Seraphina and Briana had received their knighthoods before entering the academy, but these were extremely rare cases. Even Gilbert’s father, the Iron Border Count, only received his knighthood after graduating from the academy.

In that sense, Gilbert was the person who best fit the changed regulations. Despite being a new student, he had been knighted and had achieved excellent grades. Though his reputation remained that of a scoundrel, he was a capable scoundrel who couldn’t be denied the role of the Lion King.

However, meeting the qualifications and performing the role well were two different matters. Moreover, last year’s Lion King was Princess Seraphina, who had shown an unprecedented level of authenticity.

Born with the disposition of an emperor, she conducted the parade as if the real Lion King had returned to life. Though the historical Lion King was male, people who watched the parade at that time evaluated that if the Lion King had been female, it would have been her. Seraphina’s portrayal of the Lion King was close to perfection, and many declared that no one would ever surpass her.

Given this, no one had any expectations for the Scoundrel Gilbert, who would be taking on the role of the Lion King this time. Even now, as the parade was about to begin, the sentiment remained the same.

But.

“W-what is this?”

“Is that really the Scoundrel Gilbert?”

“The Lion King… the Lion King has appeared!”

As the parade began, people repeatedly rubbed their eyes as if they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

A man sitting atop a massive black horse at the very front of the parade procession.

Golden hair brighter than gold itself and crimson eyes filled with indifference. The jet-black knight’s uniform covering his solid physique and the red cape embroidered with a golden lion made people think of only one thing.

The rebirth of the Lion King.

There was no other way to express this moment.

The audience was overwhelmed by Gilbert’s unexpected appearance. At this moment, no one thought of the count’s scoundrel son.

They only thought that the Lion King had appeared.

The red eyes swept over the speechless crowd. At this meaningless action, those with weak constitutions flinched and unconsciously stepped back. Their bodies reacted as if those seemingly empty eyes expressed the ennui of an emperor.

“Clap, clap”

One of the silent spectators began to applaud. As if entranced, others followed suit. This served as a catalyst, and as people regained their senses, they cheered for the Lion King who seemed like he would never appear again.

Last year’s Lion King, Seraphina, was thus forgotten in people’s memories.

Only the Lion King with indifferent eyes remained.

***

Meanwhile, Gilbert, who had become the Lion King and stood at the front of the parade procession, was a bit bewildered by the sudden enthusiasm. Following Camilla’s advice, who had been enthusiastic about parade preparations, he had merely looked at the people indifferently, but the previously silent crowd suddenly began to go wild.

“Lion King! Lion King!”

“Gilbert! Gilbert!”

What’s going on? What exactly is happening? Gilbert couldn’t help but wonder. As far as he knew, the greatest Lion King ever was undoubtedly Seraphina. Born with the vessel of an emperor, Seraphina exuded dignity just by standing still, allowing her to present the very image of the Lion King himself.

So whenever the best Lion King was chosen, it was always Seraphina, but judging by the current reaction, that seemed about to change.

In fact, Gilbert had played the role of the Lion King quite often during his days playing Tactical Combat. Although it was very difficult to defeat Seraphina in competition as an academy student, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

Weren’t veteran players known for their obsession with conquering the unconquerable? Gilbert was one such user, and after much struggle, he had managed to reach a level where he could defeat Seraphina.

Naturally, he had taken on the role of the Lion King and participated in the parade, but he had never received such frenzied cheers then. Despite his excellent control skills, there was an inherent limitation to the character of Ian.

How could even a count’s son overcome Seraphina, who was born with the vessel of an emperor?

Moreover, since it was fixed in the game’s settings, Gilbert had never once been called the greatest Lion King.

But this time, whether because it was reality and not a game, or due to the influence of “Gilbert” that even he didn’t know about, he was receiving wild cheers. If he listened carefully, he could even hear people saying he was the best Lion King in the history of the parade.

“Hmm-hoo-hoo! Just as I thought!”

Camilla, who was playing the role of the Lion King’s aide right behind him, was covering her mouth and chuckling. She looked as if she had known this would happen all along.

“Did you expect this?”

“Of course! My eyes never deceive me!”

Though she was trying to be discreet since the parade was in progress, Gilbert glanced back and saw Camilla with an expression that suggested she could barely contain her joy. He couldn’t understand why she was so pleased that he was being called the greatest Lion King ever.

Since she was an eccentric who always prioritized fun and interest, he simply assumed she had some sort of fixation.

Ignoring Camilla’s giggling behind him, Gilbert guided the black horse along the predetermined parade route. He didn’t originally have a riding skill, but whether the original Gilbert had a talent for horseback riding or not, he was able to acquire the skill as soon as he mounted the horse.

Gilbert’s body had memories of learning to ride, but it was the original Gilbert who had learned it, not him. Because of this, he had felt a bit of unease, but his worry proved unfounded as he naturally acquired the skill. Perhaps it was the talent of his original self, who had a knack for riding and moving, that shone through.

Anyway, with the assistance of the riding skill, he continued the march, circling the Demeia Academy once before heading towards the academy’s main gate.

This parade, modeled after the Lion King’s triumphal procession, always had a set final sequence: a speech at the academy’s main gate followed by drawing a sword and raising it high. It was a kind of declaration and aspiration to become a talent that would illuminate the empire by inheriting the Lion King’s spirit.

Finally arriving at the academy’s main gate, Gilbert skillfully turned his black horse to face the parade procession and audience that had followed him. After deliberately taking a moment to look at them carefully, he grasped the hilt of the ceremonial sword at his side.

This was a kind of signal, a parade tradition. It meant that he was about to begin the Lion King’s triumphal speech, the highlight and final event of the parade, and people typically remained silent to hear the speech.

The people who had been applauding and cheering until now all fell silent upon seeing Gilbert’s action.

Gilbert quietly held the sword and recalled the words he had prepared. He hadn’t prepared anything grandiose. He never had exceptional eloquence to begin with. Moreover, Seraphina, the previous year’s Lion King, had delivered a memorable speech.

No matter how hard Gilbert tried, it would be impossible for him to craft such an eloquent speech. In the end, all he could do was borrow something that didn’t exist in this world but did in his own.

Taking a deep breath and focusing his eyes, his baritone voice, amplified by magic, spread to all who were watching.

“Remember that we must die!”

Do not be arrogant.

For no human always wins.

“Remember that we are human!”

Do not be conceited.

For humans cannot be omnipotent.

“Look back, remember that even though we are here now, we are nothing more than human!”

Do not forget death.

Remember that humans always die.

As Gilbert uttered his final words, he drew his sword and raised it high into the sky. The audience, who had been listening to Gilbert’s brief but heart-piercing speech, erupted into even louder cheers at the sight.

Memento Mori.

Indeed, the answer always lies in history. Having successfully completed his speech, Gilbert suppressed the corners of his mouth that were trying to rise, inwardly nodding in satisfaction.

***

The moment the triumphal speech, the final sequence of the parade, ended.

[Listen, members. The time for revolution has come.]

The attack begins.