Ch.7171. Hero

After the attack on Demeia Academy, Gilbert had been truly busy.

In the game, it was simply portrayed as him being hailed as a hero who stopped the academy attack and receiving rewards from the imperial family and academy, but reality was different.

He had to navigate the political power struggles between the imperial family and the noble faction, and serve as a figurehead for propaganda to cover up the academy attack incident. While he was a specialist in combat, he was completely inept in politics, causing him to be swept along without finding his bearings.

The nobles, well-versed in political maneuvering, were desperate to use Gilbert for their own gain. Both the imperial and noble factions spared no effort in trying to draw the newly born hero to their side.

A young hero who was still an academy cadet?

There couldn’t be a better figurehead. They calculated that if they could bring him to their side, they could secure public support and strengthen their political foundation.

But there was one fact that these nobles, blinded by immediate gain, overlooked—just because Gilbert was politically naive didn’t mean he lacked political backing.

The person who became Gilbert’s political patron was none other than the undisputed frontrunner in the Great Infractus Empire’s succession race.

That person was the First Imperial Princess, Seraphina Rector Infractus.

Princess Seraphina quickly made it known that Gilbert was her disciple whenever nobles tried to extend their political reach toward him. She didn’t elaborate with lengthy explanations; she simply reminded them of this one fact.

Yet no noble failed to understand the implication of her words. In politics, a single word could completely change the meaning. None of the nobles were unaware that he was Briana’s most recent disciple.

Seraphina’s statement implied that Gilbert was not to be trifled with, and firmly established that she was his political patron.

Once Princess Seraphina declared herself Gilbert’s political patron, the nobles who had been trying to use him quickly washed their hands of the matter as if they had never been involved. Since she was known to be closest to the future throne, challenging her by approaching Gilbert would be tantamount to opposing her directly.

Though she was among the younger contenders for the succession, her political foundation was more solid than any of her competitors.

She commanded the civil officials with her innate royal charisma, and received fervent support from military officials thanks to her experience on battlefields at a young age.

To directly oppose Seraphina was nothing more or less than political suicide.

Ironically, Gilbert, who had gained such a formidable political patron, had to serve as a figurehead at his patron’s request. The attack on Demeia Academy had caused greater ripples than expected, and he couldn’t refuse her earnest request to help calm the public’s unrest.

While Gilbert was politically uninformed, he wasn’t a fool incapable of discernment.

Seraphina’s words made perfect sense.

Since the academy, a symbol of the empire, had been attacked, it was natural for public sentiment to worsen. As leaving it unaddressed would do no good, he followed Seraphina’s instructions without protest. It was also a way to repay her for extracting him from the troublesome political games.

After several days of being summoned here and there to make appearances, he was finally able to return to his original position. Though the award ceremony was still pending, at least he no longer had to travel around to stabilize public sentiment.

“You’ve worked hard during this time. Thanks to my disciple, public sentiment has stabilized considerably.”

“I’m glad if things went well.”

“This is all due to my fortune in having such an excellent disciple. Doesn’t the birth of a handsome hero always excite people?”

Seeing her wink, it seemed she wanted to tease Gilbert. Recently, Seraphina had developed a hobby of playing mischievous pranks on Gilbert.

As the subject of these pranks, Gilbert could only sigh.

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

“I’m in a good mood right now, so you may ask anything. I’m even willing to generously answer if you inquire about my body measurements.”

“Your Highness!”

Yanik, who was guarding Seraphina, cried out in shock at her explosive statement. It was too vulgar for an imperial princess to utter, so Yanik’s eyes widened in alarm. Normally, such behavior toward Princess Seraphina would constitute lèse-majesté, but Yanik was exempt from this charge.

“Yanik. I am not yet deaf.”

“Then please be more careful with your words so I don’t have to shout!”

“My, I can’t even make a joke.”

“Would you like me to report this to the Head Imperial Maid?”

“That’s a cowardly threat. Tattling is wrong, Yanik.”

“Have you considered that you’re the one making me do this?”

Watching the banter between the two, Gilbert inwardly shook his head.

Even in the game, the comedic exchanges between Seraphina and Yanik were a common sight. Yanik would often panic and try to stop her whenever she made casual jokes to the protagonist, Ian.

Usually, this was a kind of event that could be seen after reaching a certain level of affection, but now Gilbert himself was witnessing it instead of Ian. While comparing reality to the game felt strange, by that measure, it seemed Seraphina had developed quite a fondness for Gilbert himself.

Well, she wouldn’t make such jokes to just anyone.

He took a sip of tea and set the cup back down. The aroma was better than ever, suggesting high-quality tea leaves had been procured.

“Your Highness. Let me say again, if you continue with such behavior, I will report everything to the Head Imperial Maid.”

“Oh my. I cannot find my loyal servant anywhere. How grievous this is.”

“That won’t work on me.”

“How unfortunate. Hmm… ah yes, disciple, you said you had something to ask?”

Finally ending their banter, Seraphina turned to Gilbert, who had been quietly drinking his tea.

Gilbert, whose posture had slightly relaxed while drinking, straightened himself.

“It’s about the attackers. I was informed they call themselves the New Resistance… but is there any other information?”

“Information…”

Seraphina’s expression, which had been smiling until just moments ago, sharpened.

The attack on Demeia Academy had caused a great commotion in the Infractus Empire. It was an unprecedented incident where 100 god-machines invaded the academy headquarters, which had never allowed enemy infiltration since its establishment.

Not only had the prestige of the empire and academy fallen, but it was also a tremendous blow to their pride. Moreover, hadn’t there been an incident where a small number of god-machines infiltrated during the midterm evaluation?

Even considering that the academy’s influence was minimal on that uninhabited island at the time, it was still unacceptable. This was tantamount to a declaration of war against the empire.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have much information about them. Those who participated in this attack didn’t know much. They seem to have allocated their personnel with failure in mind.”

“They’re certainly meticulous.”

“From the information we’ve gathered, they appear to be the former Resistance. Probably the work of their chairman who safely escaped from the Resistance suppression that you and I participated in.”

So he was there.

Gilbert stroked his chin with his right hand, deep in thought.

At that time, Gilbert had believed the Resistance chairman was Brecht. Since this world applied the game’s lore directly, he had naturally assumed the Resistance chairman was him.

In the end, while there was indeed a Resistance burning with Brecht’s vengeance, contrary to what he knew, Brecht wasn’t the chairman—it was a man named Van Dyke, a name he’d never heard before.

In a way, it seemed like an irregularity, but conversely, it was a good reminder that this place was reality, not a game. It was after that incident that he established the principle to reference game knowledge but not to blindly trust it.

“The problem is that we can’t properly gauge their strength. During the suppression of the former Resistance, their god-machines numbered only about a tenth of those in this attack. Yet this time, ten times that force attacked the academy. This is a number that a mere rebel group couldn’t possess.”

One hundred god-machines was a force comparable to the number of god-machines owned by a small nation’s royal family. Even considering that some would remain to protect the capital during inter-state wars, it was an absurdly large number.

Moreover, the god-machines they brought were second-generation models, superior in performance to those at Demeia Academy. The fact that they could mobilize 100 such god-machines, which were still in active service in many countries, meant that the New Resistance’s scale was at least that of a small nation.

This was undeniably burdensome even for the Infractus Empire.

“I cannot help but wonder what the imperial intelligence department was doing while the New Resistance amassed such power.”

“Did even the imperial intelligence department fail to notice anything?”

“Yes. As you say, even the empire’s intelligence failed to detect it. Despite it happening within the empire itself.”

What kind of people are they?

The scale had grown beyond the game. Those who had merely decorated the first chapter of the main story had torn off a huge chunk and become a main antagonistic force.

He couldn’t even begin to guess whether this Van Dyke had such capability, or if the power behind them was as large as to rival the empire. No matter how he tried to piece together information, there was too little to work with.

“That’s not all, disciple. Do you remember what I said earlier?”

“You said they planned this attack with failure in mind. That means they were willing to sacrifice that many god-machines as disposable pieces.”

“You see it clearly. This means the New Resistance is not just a potential threat. They are an imminent danger.”

Seraphina took a sip of the now-cold tea, perhaps feeling a bit thirsty. When the maid standing nearby hurriedly tried to prepare hot tea, Seraphina slightly raised her hand to stop her.

“And there’s one more thing we need to consider. Do you know what that is?”

“Identifying potential traitors within the academy?”

“Correct on the first try. My disciple is not boring at all.”

Though she spoke as if disappointed, Seraphina’s eyes sparkled. As a master, she couldn’t help but be pleased that her only disciple was so perceptive.

“As you say. Although we were complacent in believing it could never be infiltrated, we had faith it wouldn’t be easily breached. I can assure you, penetrating Demeia Academy is by no means an easy task. Yet they raided it with such ease. While this could mean many things, I have one particularly strong suspicion.”

Seraphina was almost certain there was a traitor. Though the investigation was still ongoing, circumstantial evidence pointed in one direction.

As she recalled this fact again, her eyes began to blaze with anger.

“I will surely capture that damnable traitor, cut off their limbs, and hang them on the academy gates until they beg for death. To dare play games in the academy while I am watching with wide-open eyes—this is an insult to me.”

Though her voice wasn’t loud, it expressed a chilling anger that was unsettling just to hear.

Could a winter night without a coat feel like this?

Gilbert felt the overwhelming pressure and inwardly clicked his tongue.

“Huff. I got excited and showed an unseemly side.”

“Not at all. I felt the same way.”

“Your brother was in danger, wasn’t he? You must be even more furious than I am.”

Clicking her tongue, Seraphina contained her anger. There would be time to unleash it after capturing the masterminds.

Come to think of it, I had a reason for calling my disciple.

Seraphina, calming her mind as usual, recalled her original purpose for summoning him.

“In my anger, I forgot something important.”

“Something you forgot, Your Highness?”

“Yes. The most important reason I called for you.”

What is it?

Gilbert felt uneasy seeing Seraphina suddenly calm down and smile. Though there was nothing strange about her smile, he felt somehow uncomfortable.

“Gilbert Lion Heart.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

But his unease proved unfounded as Seraphina returned from being a master to being the First Imperial Princess. The imperial aura surrounding her naturally pressed down on Gilbert.

Gilbert didn’t resist this pressure but naturally accepted it, rising from his seat to kneel on one knee before her, showing proper respect to royalty.

He could feel Seraphina’s dignified gaze looking down at his slightly bowed head.

“I cannot help but commend your efforts. Despite still being an academy cadet, you were at the forefront in facing the empire’s enemies. As a result, you protected numerous academy cadets and imperial subjects, and rescued the empire’s great star, Countess Briana Tepeo Malkirab. This is an achievement worthy of pride, and I extend my praise for your efforts and loyalty.”

“I, Gilbert Lion Heart, merely did my duty as a shield of the empire.”

“Nevertheless, there must be a suitable reward for your devoted service. I hereby grant you my time.”

“I, Gilbert Lion Heart, gratefully accept the reward you bestow…”

Gilbert, responding with ingrained noble etiquette, felt something odd and slightly raised his head. He seemed to have misheard the content of the reward.

“Disciple, your expression is strange. As if you misheard.”

“Just now, I clearly…”

“Do you want to confirm because you’re too happy? I said I am granting my time to my disciple.”

“I don’t understand what that means.”

“Really. I don’t know if my disciple is intelligent or not. Is it so difficult to understand that I’m granting you my time? It means exactly what it says. I’m giving you the honor of spending time with me.”

Why are you giving that to me?

Gilbert felt a headache coming on as he looked at Seraphina’s mischievous smile.