Ch.78People Leave Behind Their Names When They Die.

“Ah, should I call you a warrior instead of a knight?”

“You can call me a knight if you want. I heard they’re going to give me a knighthood soon anyway. So knight would be correct.”

“I like how straightforward you are. Better than I expected.”

The goodwill in her eyes grew even deeper.

She seems to really like me. Judging by her taste, she might get along well with Frider too.

“By the way, I heard rumors that you’ve reached Master level. Is that true? If so, I’d like to learn a thing or two from you.”

Leonore grinned broadly.

It wasn’t competitiveness. She surely knows she couldn’t win anyway.

It was just a pure desire to train herself by sparring with someone stronger than her.

Oh, this is trouble.

I think I’m going to like her too.

To the point where I wouldn’t want to be enemies with her later.

Honestly, I tend to like these straightforward personalities.

Not in any inappropriate way, just person-to-person appreciation.

“Not possible right now, but maybe later when I have the chance. I’m still recovering, so it would be difficult.”

I’d rather not delay my recovery with strenuous exercise.

“Come to think of it, I heard you were badly injured fighting Werebeasts. I guess that’s why you look somewhat weak. Well, can’t be helped then. Make sure to spar with me next time, okay?”

“Sure. After I’m fully recovered.”

“I’d like to chat more, but I can’t keep my brother’s guest too long. So this is it for now. See you again.”

“Yeah, next time.”

Leonore turned away without hesitation.

After watching her leave for a moment, I turned back to Ernst.

—-

Ernst’s office was surprisingly simple.

A modest space with only wooden bookshelves and tables, leather-covered wooden chairs and a desk.

The only decorations, if you could call them that, were a longsword, halberd, and black iron armor displayed on one wall.

The windows were covered with curtains, so the only light came from the mana lamp on the ceiling.

Leopold with his simple palace and lavish office.

Ernst with his lavish palace and simple office.

Their contrasting personalities were quite interesting.

And the contrast wasn’t limited to just their offices.

“I am Ernst Wittelsbach. You’re a bit late.”

A calm first greeting.

Ernst looked more like a military officer at war than a prince.

Dull blonde hair cut short, a plain purple imperial uniform without any decorations. A rugged sword hung at his waist.

His expression was as rigid as a sculpture, and his deeply sunken eyes looked both strong and melancholic, like a cliff bathed in the evening sun.

With his beard, he looked more like he was in his thirties rather than twenty-three.

This one seems to have aged in reverse compared to the First Prince. He should have dodged the passing years.

“I’m Haschal Aishan-Gioro. Sorry for being late. I was talking with Princess Leonore.”

“And you’re quite impertinent too. This isn’t the Ka’har palace.”

He was subtly strict.

You started with a remark at me too.

You’re neither the Emperor nor the Crown Prince, just a prince like me.

“Oh, I’m truly sorry. Prince Leopold and Princess Leonore were so gracious as to allow someone as lowly as myself to speak informally. I seem to have made a grave mistake. Please accept my sincere apologies for showing such disrespect to the ‘Third’ Prince of the Empire?”

“…Alright, enough with the sarcasm.”

“I’m grateful for the ocean-like mercy of the Third Prince… Imperial honorifics really don’t suit my tongue.”

Ernst shook his head and sat down in his chair.

I also sat in the chair opposite him, staring at him intently.

“Well then… since we have things to discuss in private, let’s send our knight escorts away. Is that acceptable?”

“Sure, whatever you want.”

I shrugged and looked toward Nigel.

“Nigel, could you wait in the reception room as the Prince suggested?”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

The Royal Guard standing next to the Prince and Nigel both bowed respectfully before leaving together.

Judging by his imposing presence, that guard seems to be Master-level.

“I heard you visited my brother first.”

Ernst opened his mouth. So he’s going to bring that up.

“Isn’t that natural? It’s proper etiquette to visit the elder first.”

“It might be natural, but I wouldn’t call it wise. Well, fine. Let’s get straight to the point.”

So he wants to quickly discuss only the essential matters.

He really would have been better suited as a soldier than a prince.

“I heard you’re going to be the heir to the Margrave of Landenburg. Would you rather become the Empress of the Empire instead?”

“I decline. We don’t suit each other anyway.”

This guy is talking about marriage too?

“You might suit the appearance, at least. Not the inside, though… but it’s been proven long ago that one can become Empress even with a rotten interior.”

He doesn’t seem to like his mother much.

A proper exterior with a rotten interior – that’s clearly about your mother.

“Rotten interior? That’s a bit harsh.”

“I’m not talking about the princess… I’ve said too much. So, why do you decline? Do you prefer my brother?”

“It’s not that. I just don’t plan to marry anyone. There’s not much merit in it anyway. Being a Grand Elector or Empress is basically the same thing. The Grand Elector position might even be better.”

Unless the imperial power overwhelmingly dominates the Grand Electors… but that’s not the case.

Rather than being an Empress with high status but little actual power, living like a queen in a border territory might be better.

“True. You’re not wrong. Let’s move on to my second proposal then.”

Ernst rested his chin on his hand and looked at me.

His sharp gaze made it seem like he was glaring with hostility.

“I’ll be direct. Become my ally. Youngest Master, Were Eater.”

A deep voice. Sharp eyes.

His calm tone carried strong force.

It was hard to tell if he was persuading or commanding.

“Ludwig gave you the position, and you’ll seize power and honor yourself. What do you want? Vast wealth? Imperial favor? I’ll accommodate as much as possible.”

“Well? I don’t particularly want anything. But do you understand what you’re saying? It sounds like you’re openly planning to supplant your brother.”

“You already know that, yet you’re deflecting. With different mothers between us, and Leopold treating me like an enemy, what choice do I have? I have no intention of being meekly eliminated, so I must take the throne. It shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Leopold didn’t seem like such a harsh person…

But who knows. Leopold was never meant to become Crown Prince anyway.

Not while Ernst is alive.

“Leopold said there’s not much difference between you two right now.”

“It’s just a temporary rebound. How long do you think that will last? He’s like a sinking ship. So think wisely.”

“Well, that remains to be seen, doesn’t it?”

No one knows what the future holds.

…Truly, no one knows. Not even me.

“…You seem to have made up your mind already.”

“Not exactly. Neither of you has made me an attractive offer, so let’s say I’m neutral.”

Actually, I have made up my mind, but I should give the impression that there’s still some room for negotiation so he won’t try anything unnecessary.

I need to buy time at least until I recover.

“Ha, neutral. Fine, let’s leave it at that for now.”

He clearly doesn’t believe me.

But it seems he’s willing to let it go for now.

“But remember this. Having established yourself as an imperial noble, there is no neutrality in the fight for the throne. Eventually, we all must make a choice. I hope you make a wise decision when that time comes.”

“…Is that the end of our conversation?”

Ernst nodded and stood up.

“Yes. Originally, mother wanted to meet the princess too… but I wouldn’t recommend it. If they meet, there will only be friction. I’ll smooth things over, so you can just leave. Consider this my last favor.”

That was fortunate at least.

I wanted to avoid walking into Isabella’s den if possible.

“Thank you for that. Well then, I’ll be going now.”

“I won’t see you out.”

I also stood up from my chair and turned around.

It was time to go back.

“…Take care of Leonore. She’s still immature.”

Ernst added one quiet remark as I was leaving the office.

—-

Nothing special happened after that.

Except for that guy Evian returning to the special quarters.

He was a tanned blonde delinquent who looked like he stepped out of a painting.

Short-sleeved shirt with all buttons undone, a gold chain necklace. Short pants that barely reached below his waist.

Several earrings adorned his ears.

With his delinquent appearance and frivolous manner of speaking, it was hard to believe he was a prince of Panam.

I heard he came back because the brothel where he usually stayed had burned down.

Frider told me with a disgusted expression.

“He should have burned to death while whoring around.”

“That would have caused problems in its own way.”

I was worried we might have another guy hitting on us here… but surprisingly, he showed no interest in us.

Apparently, he doesn’t approach women who might cause him trouble if he messes with them.

That was fortunate at least.

….I must make sure he never meets Millia.

—-

My energy was recovering smoothly, and my previously weak eyes were gradually returning to normal.

I thought the Daffodil nickname would disappear because of this… but it didn’t.

According to Frider, I had changed from having a languid, tired impression to looking healthy and confident.

When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t see much difference from before… does one’s aura affect appearance that much?

It’s hard to notice such things about oneself.

Oh, and the black iron armor I ordered was finally completed.

I went to Asha’s room to see the new armor.

The appearance wasn’t much different from my previous armor, but it felt somewhat heavier due to the material.

Not enough to affect movement, though.

Each scale linked together on the soft fur gleamed with a dark luster.

The glossy black fur also looked extremely tough and durable.

It seemed like the leather alone could block most sword strikes.

“This looks good. What animal’s hide is this?”

“Boris.”

“……What?”

Is there such an animal?

Right, this is a fantasy world, so there might be animals with names I don’t know.

Right?

“Boris, Boris. It was the best leather I could get.”

Asha smiled nonchalantly.

…So I didn’t mishear.

Is this okay? I mean, ethically speaking.

Even though Werebeasts are trash, they’re still humanoids, right?

Is it really a common idea to make clothes from them?

Unable to find words to respond, I just let out an awkward laugh.

In the end, I gave up objecting and accepted the armor.

It was too late to ask for a new one, and apart from the unsettling feeling, the defensive performance itself was excellent.

Well… as long as it performs well…

—-

And so, time passed, and the day of the ceremony finally arrived.