Ch.9999. Preparing for the Exchange Competition

After completing his schedule in Bismarck, Gilbert left the territory before the end of Demeia Academy’s break.

Of course, not everything in the territory had been finalized. There were still matters like officially transferring the heir position to Glenda, and extracting information from the man who had ambushed him.

However, the heir succession wasn’t his decision to make, and regarding the information, there wasn’t much he could do because of the prohibition.

In the end, more time was needed, but Gilbert had to return to the academy before the break ended, so he reluctantly left the territory.

Though he couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling of leaving things unfinished, he decided to find meaning in having successfully cleared the main scenario.

And above all, there was one matter that required his immediate attention.

“Why? Feeling like sharing a bed?”

At Brynhild’s brazen words, Gilbert slightly shook his head.

Despite the successful peace treaty between the Sigurd Tribal Union and the Infractus Empire, Brynhild chose not to return home but to follow Gilbert instead.

This was extremely unusual for someone who loved her tribe more than anyone else—a stark contrast to her character in Tactical Combat, where she never left her tribe regardless of which route was taken.

Curious about why she wasn’t returning to her tribe, Gilbert asked Brynhild why she wasn’t going back and instead heading to the heart of the empire she so despised. He expected that despite the peace treaty, her long-held hatred for the empire wouldn’t have dissipated.

And to that question, Brynhild gave a very straightforward answer.

“I have no choice. My husband is an imperial, so I must follow him.”

Gilbert was dumbfounded by her response, but he had nothing to say if that’s what she claimed.

He could only object to being called her husband, but her attitude was extremely firm.

Pressed for time, Gilbert put aside trying to persuade Brynhild. Figuring out how to get Demeia Academy to accept her presence was a more urgent matter.

While Demeia Academy valued talent, that was limited to imperial citizens. Bringing a Sigurd person—whom they had called barbarians and maintained hostile relations with until now—to Demeia Academy would certainly cause significant repercussions.

So Gilbert decided to use the strongest card available to him. It would be more accurate to say it was his only option.

“Master, I have a request.”

[Oh? Another request? I have no idea what my disciple wants this time. Well, what is it you wish to ask of me?]

After returning to the academy via a warp magic circle, he immediately contacted Seraphina. His most powerful card at present was Seraphina, one of the imperial succession candidates.

Especially since Seraphina’s help had been crucial in establishing peace with the Sigurd people, her assistance was essential for allowing Brynhild to stay at Demeia Academy.

“The great warrior of the Sigurd tribe I mentioned before wishes to come to Demeia Academy.”

[You mean the great warrior who fought with you? How strange. Although we’ve made peace with the empire, a Sigurd great warrior would likely harbor resentment toward the empire. Why would they want to come to the academy, which could be considered the heart of the empire?]

Seraphina’s expression, visible through the communication magic, was slightly stiff.

From Gilbert’s perspective, Seraphina seemed to think Brynhild might be hiding her true intentions and infiltrating Demeia Academy to cause trouble.

Objectively, it was a very reasonable concern. The position of great warrior among the Sigurd tribe wasn’t something one could attain simply by being physically strong. Just as the empire didn’t bestow knighthood on just anyone, the position of great warrior among the Sigurd tribe wasn’t available to just anyone.

The title of great warrior was only given to those who understood and could uphold the beliefs and honor most important to the Sigurd tribe, and who possessed the strength to defend those beliefs and honor.

It was natural to think that Brynhild, who held the position of great warrior, suddenly coming to the heart of the empire must have some hidden agenda.

“It’s a bit complicated to explain… but I’ll keep it simple.”

[It seems you know something. Go ahead, tell me.]

Gilbert hesitated for a moment. He wasn’t sure if he should tell Seraphina everything he knew.

He doubted whether Seraphina would believe that Brynhild had come to Demeia Academy to find a husband.

He himself was suspicious of Brynhild’s intentions, so how could he convince Seraphina?

After organizing his thoughts, Gilbert decided to tell the truth. The main reason was that he had no alternative explanation.

“Brynhild… has apparently been saying for some time that she would marry the person who defeated her.”

[And the one who recently defeated her was… you, my disciple.]

“That’s why she wants to come to Demeia Academy.”

[…]

Gilbert broke into a cold sweat under Seraphina’s silent, penetrating gaze.

Her subtly pressuring gaze made him uneasy.

Though she was just looking at him, her eyes conveyed so much that he felt mentally cornered.

After maintaining silence for several minutes, Seraphina finally spoke.

[We need to discuss this matter in more detail. Come to where I am immediately, Gilbert Lion Heart.]

“Understood.”

Who was it that said?

The scariest thing is a wife calling you by your full name.

But Seraphina isn’t my wife, is she?

Despite his discomfort, Gilbert didn’t dare defy Seraphina’s command.

If there was a reason, it was the warning of survival instinct honed through countless battlefields.

***

Gilbert felt his breath catch under Seraphina’s silent, piercing gaze. If there was anything fortunate, perhaps it was that he hadn’t brought Brynhild to this meeting?

But it would be more accurate to say that Gilbert couldn’t bring Brynhild rather than chose not to. At this point, when he hadn’t fully grasped Brynhild’s intentions, arranging a meeting with Seraphina, who was closest to the imperial succession, would have been too risky.

Although the great warrior of the newly allied Sigurd people wouldn’t likely do anything dishonorable, one always had to prepare for contingencies in such matters.

But this is rather stifling, he thought.

Gilbert had come immediately after receiving Seraphina’s summons. He assumed it was urgent given the gravity of the situation.

However, Seraphina simply stared at him without saying anything. She was clearly displeased, lacking her usual composure.

He considered speaking first but decided it was better to remain silent, given how many times he had acted first and reported later without her consent recently.

His judgment was correct.

Eventually breaking the silence, Seraphina began tapping the armrest with her index finger.

“Gilbert Lion Heart.”

Once again, she addressed him by his full name instead of calling him “disciple” as usual. Noting this, Gilbert decided to treat her as an imperial princess rather than as his master.

“You called for me, Your Highness.”

“I would like to hear your thoughts.”

“My thoughts, Your Highness?”

It was an unexpected question.

He had expected questions about Brynhild, but instead, she asked about his intentions.

Gilbert quickly scanned Seraphina’s face while racking his brain. He saw eyes that shone like bright red rubies, just like his own.

Being quite perceptive in such matters, he easily understood the meaning behind her question.

“As I’ve told you before, I am the shield of the empire.”

“Even if I were to doubt your loyalty?”

Gilbert’s prediction was correct.

The recent peace with the Sigurd people and Brynhild’s planned attendance at Demeia Academy.

These two things had disturbed Seraphina, even raising suspicions that Gilbert might betray her.

Indeed, the peace with the Sigurd people, who had been enemies until now, seemed to have been established rather hastily. Although it was done in Seraphina’s name, it was only because she had granted Gilbert’s unilateral request.

While it was true that Seraphina often accommodated Gilbert, it wasn’t unreasonable for her to question his motives when things progressed so radically. That’s typically how it is for those in supreme positions.

“Even then, my loyalty remains unchanged. My devotion is always directed toward the empire.”

Gilbert declared his resolve in a firm tone.

Even before his transmigration to this world, he had been a soldier loyal to his country.

That hadn’t changed since coming here. Although his status had changed—even his very person—his essence remained the same.

Perhaps Gilbert’s words seemed quite resolute?

Seraphina’s expression visibly softened. While she might not have dispelled all doubts, it could mean she was willing to trust Gilbert’s conduct as she had observed so far.

“My disciple always has a talent for putting me in difficult situations.”

Finally, her form of address returned to the usual “disciple,” and Gilbert secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t sure how much she believed him, but he took comfort in having dispelled her suspicions for now.

“I apologize for causing you concern unintentionally.”

“It’s fine. Regardless of the process, this will ultimately strengthen my position. But about this great warrior of the Sigurd tribe who has come seeking to be your partner?”

Having overcome one hurdle, another appeared. This was the most troublesome question.

“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure of her intentions either. While that’s what she claims on the surface, I can’t fully trust it.”

“I see… Then let me ask you this. If the Sigurd great warrior is sincere, what do you intend to do?”

Seraphina’s gaze, which had softened considerably, sharpened once again. Feeling like he might break into a cold sweat, Gilbert answered immediately.

“I’m not particularly concerned. Regardless of her thoughts, I have no such intentions.”

“Is that so… Very well. I will accept your request for now. To understand an enemy’s intentions, it’s best to keep them close. So keep her by your side and discern her true motives.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Not at all. I’ve merely assigned you a task.”

Gilbert bowed to Seraphina and left the room. It seemed he had successfully secured permission for Brynhild to stay at Demeia Academy.

While he would need to discuss details with the academy’s headmaster, her support alone should resolve any major issues.

***

After Gilbert left, Seraphina continued to stare at the empty space for a moment, tapping the armrest with her index finger. It was her habit whenever she was deep in thought.

Loyalty directed toward the empire.

Seraphina mulled over Gilbert’s words.

For Seraphina, who intended to lead the empire in the future, it was an ideal response. Though she had doubted him momentarily, she dismissed her suspicions upon seeing his unwavering eyes.

From what she had observed, her disciple was not someone whose heart changed easily. All his actions had been for the empire’s benefit, and not once had he acted out of self-interest.

But as a ruler, Seraphina was in the habit of being suspicious even of small matters. Her approach was to nip in the bud anything that might harm the empire.

This time too, it was to prevent potential danger in advance, not to doubt his loyalty itself.

Yet despite receiving the answer she wanted, Seraphina’s mood didn’t improve. She felt a tightness in her chest, as if something were lodged there.

That feeling had emerged when Gilbert mentioned Brynhild, the great warrior of the Sigurd tribe. It was a somewhat far-fetched story that she had followed him to the heart of the empire to form a marital alliance.

But for some reason, her mood had rapidly deteriorated upon hearing that story and continued to remain poor.

Perhaps it was due to her excessive desire for talent.

The fear of losing Gilbert…

“Perhaps I’m overthinking this.”

Seraphina shook her head. She seemed to have let her thoughts drift in a strange direction from thinking too deeply.

She rose from her seat. Nothing was better than swinging a sword when one’s thoughts were complicated.

Seraphina, accompanied by Yanik who was waiting outside, headed to the office of her mentor, Briana.

It seemed like a good time for a sparring match after a long while.