episode_0037

It was natural to think Yerika had called, as the sound came 30 seconds after she hung up.

[In that short time, it sounds like you were just on the phone with Yerika.]

I never imagined the Emperor would call. Of course, my communicator was connected to the Emperor, so I knew we’d talk eventually, but I never expected it at such a timing.

[Now that I think about it, you called my daughter Yerika. If my memory serves me right, you called her Princess-nim until last time. Just when did you two get so close? I’m truly curious, won’t you tell me?]

I couldn’t speak. Because I didn’t know what to say!

Yerika had told me to call her by her name when we first talked on the phone. So, at the time, I didn’t attach much meaning to it.

My dilemma about how to answer was short. I should just tell the truth: Yerika told me to call her that, so I did. What’s so special about calling someone by their name?

I was about to open my mouth, but the Emperor spoke faster than I did.

[Do you know something?]

“Yes? What are you talking about?”

[You are the only person who calls Yerika by her name, besides her family.]

“…………”

Phew, let me think again.

The Emperor clearly asked when I became so close with Yerika. My first meeting with Yerika was when I was returning to the dormitory after being kidnapped by the Emperor. At that time, we just exchanged simple greetings and parted ways.

The second meeting was when Yerika suddenly entered while I was talking with the Emperor about Phantom Thief Cardinal. Yerika asked me to tell her if I knew anything about Phantom Thief Cardinal.

The third meeting was when I got injured while learning Shadow Walk from the Emperor and received healing from Yerika. I talked with Yerika while I was being healed. We didn’t have any particularly special conversations.

After receiving healing from Yerika for the first time, for some reason, whenever I learned from the Emperor and got injured, Yerika would continue to heal me. Since I never *didn’t* get injured while learning from the Emperor, it was practically like meeting her every day.

My deliberations were long, but no particularly meaningful result came out of them.

“Last time, while we were on the phone, Yeri—no, Princess-nim asked me to call her by her name.” In the end, the answer I chose was to tell the truth. No matter how I thought about it, this was the best answer.

[During your call last time, that means today wasn’t the first time you’ve talked to Yerika.]

Huh? Was it not?

[Now that I think about it, Yerika seems to be talking to someone every night before bed these days. And the time Yerika started talking on the phone was after you entered the Academy. Do you think this is a coincidence?]

“It’s not a coincidence, is it?”

No one in existence would confidently say it’s a coincidence after hearing the Emperor’s words now.

[Furthermore, Yerika also said today that she wants you as her escort knight.]

Since it was a conversation I had with Yerika just before the Emperor’s call, I couldn’t help but flinch.

[At first, when Yerika said she wanted someone as her escort knight, I refused.]

“…………”

[But when she said she wanted you as her escort knight, I allowed it. That’s because I was confident that by the time you graduate from the Academy, you’ll be stronger than most Imperial Knights. But hmm.]

The Emperor stopped speaking and tapped something. Since both the Emperor and I were silent, the sound of the Emperor tapping something seemed unusually loud. Although it was most likely the sound of him tapping a chair. To me, that sound seemed like him contemplating how to kill me.

I pondered how to escape this situation, but no matter how much I thought, I couldn’t find an answer.

[Your Majesty.]

At that moment, a lifeline of salvation descended upon me. I heard someone calling the Emperor through the communicator.

[Em, Empress.]

The Emperor stammered as if flustered. There was only one person in the world who could make the Emperor like that. The Emperor’s wife and Yerika and Lucas’s mother. The former Saintess. The current Empress of the Empire.

[I don’t… meddle… in Yerika’s…]

[But Yerika…]

There was only one thing I could be sure of: the Emperor was getting scolded by the Empress.

[Your Majesty.]

[I understand.]

A moment later, the sound of the Empress leaving came through the communicator.

[……………]

Since the Emperor didn’t say anything, I spoke first.

“By the way, Your Majesty, what did you call me for?”

[Ahem, I heard you got into a fight with the Prince of the Arsheun Kingdom, with expulsion on the line.]

It had only happened today, but both Yerika and the Emperor knew about it.

“Did Your Majesty also hear it from Lucas-ssi?”

[If I wish, I can know everything that happens in the Academy.]

What this meant was simple. The Emperor has informants in the Academy. There are many talented people in the Academy. It would be stranger if there weren’t informants.

[He’s quite strong, even among the third-years. He seems good with a sword too. For an ordinary first-year, the duel would probably end in an instant.]

“But then again, I’m not an ordinary first-year, am I? If that person and I fought, who do you think would win?”

[Unlike you, Prince Ropri is a third-year, so he handles a sword skillfully and has plenty of stamina. Moreover, as a prince, he must have consumed quite a few elixirs.]

“So Your Majesty thinks that person will defeat me?”

[Of course, you’ll be the one to win.]

Although that worm had better stamina than me, was good with a sword, and had consumed many elixirs, the Emperor was confident that I would win.

[If there’s anything to be cautious about, it would be that you don’t know what magic tools and artifacts Prince Ropri might bring to the fight.]

“It doesn’t matter what magic tools and artifacts he brings. I’m going to win no matter what anyway.”

[If you lose, come under my wing. I will take responsibility and nurture you for three years.]

“That wouldn’t be so bad. Though, of course, I don’t plan on losing.”

Fortunately, it seemed the Emperor didn’t intend to talk about Yerika any further.

[Ah, come to think of it, there’s something I haven’t told you yet.]

The Emperor spoke as if he had forgotten something.

“Is something wrong?”

[Come to the Imperial Palace this weekend. I’ll check how much your skills have improved since then.]

He won’t make me hit a scarecrow to check how much I’ve improved. I’ll definitely be fighting the Emperor, just like when I was learning from him. In other words, if I were to translate what the Emperor said: It means he’ll beat me until I’m on the verge of death this weekend.

Should I say I have plans this weekend and not go?

[By the way, if you refuse, I might be a little disappointed.]

“I’ll definitely go!”

. . .

Ring – ring.

Not long after ending the call with the Emperor, a sound came from the communicator. To avoid making the same mistake as before, this time I checked who was calling before answering. Fortunately, the person who called this time was Yerika, not the Emperor.

[Who were you on the phone with for so long?]

As soon as I answered, Yerika spoke. It seemed she had tried to call me while I was on the phone with the Emperor. By the way, her tone was like that of a wife interrogating her husband.

‘Is this a bit of an exaggeration?’

[Jester-nim?]

“There’s a very obsessive person.”

Hearing my words, Yerika spoke in a slightly colder voice.

[Hmm~ Is it a woman?]

“No. Unfortunately, it’s a man.”

[Really?]

Even though I said it was a man, Yerika somehow seemed not to believe me.

“Of course. Why would I lie to Yerika?”

[Among the people connected to your communicator, who are the women?]

I didn’t know why she was asking this, but there must be a reason. Currently, only three people were connected to my communicator: the Emperor, Lucas, and Yerika.

“There’s only one woman: Yerika.”

“…………”

Even though I answered Yerika’s question, for some reason, she didn’t say anything.

“Yerika?”

The answer came after a short pause, along with a sudden remark.

[I didn’t hear what you just said, could you say it one more time?]

“Yerika.”

[The one before that.]

“There’s only one woman: Yerika?”

[Ahem, I see. I’m the only woman, then.]

And Yerika said nothing again. Although I heard a laughing sound through the communicator, it was probably an error.

[Jester-nim?]

Yerika called me in a slightly trembling voice.

“Yes.”

[I can’t sleep, so could we talk for a bit longer tonight?]

Being able to talk with Yerika until I fell asleep—I was more than happy.

“Of course, if Yerika wishes.”

After that, I talked with Yerika about trivial things until I fell asleep.