episode_0068

There are a total of three weight classes in the duel competition hosted by Lorenzo di Fiorene.

1. General public

2. F~D level warriors and equivalent superhumans

3. C-grade or higher warriors and equivalent superhumans

In other words, you can participate even if you are not a warrior.

In other words, there are people who come simply for entertainment purposes.

Some people participate to test their skills.

This means that in this world where things to see are rare, there are nobles who come to enjoy barbaric bloody battles.

Of course, among them, there are managers who came looking for useful heroes.

The attitude of the organizers towards the manager was not very kind.

“Cannot be permitted.”

If possible, I wanted to have a place to stay inside Fiorene Castle.

Of course, it’s the safest, and it’s close to the area where the duel competition is held.

However, the attendant resolutely refused.

“A manager who dares to have no fundamentals… .”

Beyond being firm, he was also cheesy.

I understand.

Only invited VIPs are allowed to stay inside the castle.

A warrior of at least S rank or higher, or a superhuman with equivalent skills or achievements.

Whether you are a noble or a wealthy person, special conditions are required.

And Lorenzo is a person who is rude and likes to use authority.

Since he is a person below Lorenzo, he has no choice but to resemble him.

“Hmm.”

I stared at the attendant, who had his head erect as if he was showing off his chin.

I know Lorenzo.

So, I could say right now, ‘You should come out as the head of the family,’ but I don’t necessarily want to cause friction.

The interior of Fiorene’s castle is amazing… I don’t know because I haven’t tried Hanji, but it doesn’t meet my expectations.

Above all, I have found out that Lorenzo, the head of Fiorene, is a member of the Anti-Imperial Coalition, so I don’t want to provoke them more than necessary.

Although they are old to begin with, they are not close friends… .

“I can’t help it.”

Vivian and Helena were looking at me uncomfortably from behind, so I tried to go back right away.

The attendant’s expression quickly hardened when he looked behind me.

The surroundings had been noisy since a while ago.

I thought it was because of this festival atmosphere… , When I turned around, it wasn’t.

A blond young man wearing an ivory uniform with gold trim and tassels and a purple cape was approaching me.

Next to him were a military police officer wearing dark and intimidating black armor and an Aegis soldier wearing brass-colored iron armor.

There were only two of them, but those two would be enough for security.

Wolfgang, commander of the military police.

Aegis leader Leon.

Because it would be those two people.

I immediately recognized the identity of the young man at the center.

Considering his identity and the purpose for which he came here, he probably should have brought more soldiers.

There are a lot of people here, so I’ll just go with the two of us.

Many people recognized him and bowed their heads or approached him hesitantly.

On the other hand, those who did not know who he was were curious and were shocked when they asked the people around them.

Vivian and Helena, who did not know him, stood awkwardly.

The two of us whisper together.

“Who, who is it… ? Are you a high person? ? Helena knows… ?”

“Mo, I don’t know… ! But, it seems to be coming this way… !”

Their eyes returned to me.

When I gave him a reassuring gesture, the young man came up to me.

“Ian. It’s been a while.”

“I meet you, Prince.”

Oedipus Julianus Humil.

The eldest son of Emperor Julian and the first in line to the throne.

Vivian and Helena were startled by my greeting.

The two quickly got down on one knee.

“Ah, uh, uh, prince, uh… .”

“Hwahwahwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha… .”

Vivian didn’t know what to do,

Helena stuttered like someone shivering from the cold.

“… Stop getting up.”

The young man grinned as he got up from his knees.

“You still like to make fun of others.”

“Is that possible? I was just observing proper courtesy.”

That was half true.

I deliberately didn’t tell Vivian and Helena anything.

Of course, I was surprised too.

I knew that the emperor would take some action, but I did not know that he would send the prince himself.

Vivian and Helena were unable to get up even though they were watching.

“Ian’s new warriors.”

“My name is Vivian… .”

“Beautiful, weak, kindling, Helena… !”

“You two get up too. I feel uncomfortable when Ian’s coworker does that.”

“Ugh!”

The two suddenly stood up at the thought of daring to make the prince uncomfortable.

The prince smiled bitterly as he looked at the two.

Unlike his position as Emperor, he is not an authoritarian person.

It’s not that he doesn’t have the ambition to become emperor, but he has a strangely soft heart.

“I heard the story vaguely from His Majesty.”

Anti-Imperial Coalition and Holy Unified State.

And Lorenzo, my expulsion, things like that were implied.

“How can I help… . Huh?”

As I was answering, I closed my mouth.

This is because someone appeared behind Edipus.

When I recognized the small object, Ediphus sighed in embarrassment.

“Ha… . I also found out only when I arrived here.”

There are two mental epidemics in the Superbia Manager Guild.

Penny’s disease and Philip’s disease.

But much before that, there was the first person to suffer from Philip’s disease.

To some extent, he envied Philip so much that he even added ‘Philip’ in the middle of his name.

Compared to that person, the stories about Philip’s disease in the Manager’s Guild are nothing more than a blip.

And that seriously ill patient is now in front of me.

Grace ‘Philip’ Sophia Humil.

“That Grace is Phil… .”

The emperor’s youngest daughter, and the one whose assassination I prevented… .

“Hmm! I, Grace, send greetings to Ian.”

You will become the princess.

Hold the hem of your skirt and give an elegant and dignified bow.

Her curly blonde hair and matching amber eyes make her look like a chick.

As I was looking at her looking up at me with a look on her face hoping for a compliment, my head started to hurt.

Who on earth would receive such a polite greeting from the princess?

The eyes of curious people gather.

Vivian and Helena also look at me in confusion.

I asked Edipus quietly.

“Did Your Majesty tell the world to know my identity?”

“… It didn’t seem like he had any intention of doing so. His Majesty probably didn’t know that Grace would come here. Even if he knew, he would have stopped me… .”

That too.

Given the circumstances, it seems like it came out secretly.

Perhaps the emperor, who realized this by now, would have been distraught… .

“… It is an honor, Your Majesty the Princess.”

“Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm. Hmm!”

“You need a quiet place.”

Edipus cast his gaze behind me.

The attendant, who had coldly rejected me earlier, looked at me and the prince in turn with a pale complexion.

The prince is not a person who uses authority, but he is a person who can be authoritative when necessary.

Edipus walked towards him and gave brief instructions.

“Guide me.”

Who are you and what purpose are you here?

What is your relationship with me?

do not reveal

He was a person who didn’t need to do that.

Nowadays, the imperial family of the empire has that level of status, and the emperor there is an acceptable person.

Moreover, the County of Fiorene is land given to Lorenzo by the imperial family.

This means that it is not independent autonomy.

So, the servant had no choice but to bow down.

“I will serve you as an honor to the family… !”

A few butlers came out to guide us inside.

Seeing that he was surprised to see the prince, it appears that he did not announce his visit.

“, please eat it this way… .”

It’s nice to have recognized power.

Because it crawls on its own.

Vivian and Helena followed closely beside me, following the prince.

For your information, Mercy and Kati were sitting on top of me as a fairy and a cat respectively, watching the situation unfold.

“How do you feel, how does it feel to be a popular person?”

“It’s inconvenient.”

Mercy asked and chuckled.

On the other hand, Vivian and Helena, who followed behind, could not even open their mouths.

This is because Grace, who was right next to them, glared at them with narrowed eyes.

“… … .”

“Princess. How have you been?”

I took the pressure off them by talking to them.

“Oh! Ian! Thanks to you, I was safe and had a great time. Ugh heung heung.”

Grace followed next to me and chattered.

Vivian and Helena’s deep sighs of relief were heard from behind.

“Ian, are you doing well? Did you not want to see me? Ah, the letter I wrote every night while thinking of Ian… .”

I continued walking along with the prince, holding Kati, who was wagging her tail as if she was uncomfortable for some reason.

*

The sudden visit of the prince caused complete chaos.

I couldn’t see it from the reception room where I was guided, but I could hear it.

The sounds of servants walking and talking frantically running through the hallways and stairs.

We were only served simple refreshments and tea, and a light conversation took place.

“I became friends with Ian when I was managing the first party.”

Edipus explained this to Vivian and Helena.

“Philip was very busy, so most things had to go through Ian.”

“I see… .”

The two seemed to have reached a reasonable understanding.

The chatter wasn’t long.

Neither the prince nor I came to this place or this place for that purpose.

The prince sent Grace away first.

“Iing… .”

“Grace.”

Edipus dismissed her whining with one word.

Grace eventually had no choice but to leave under the guidance of others.

Leon, the leader of Aegis, followed her.

“Vivian, Helena. When I find a room, I will let you know through Katy, so please come and enjoy the festival outside.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Okay!”

The two noticed it right away and went out with Mercy and Kati.

After sending out all the attendants, only me, Edipus, and Wolfgang were left in the drawing room.

Wolfgang grinned as if he could finally talk.

The smile also contained the expression that it was a long time since I was happy to see you.

I also gave him a proper greeting.

“Did you come because of Lorenzo?”

I confirmed that I don’t have ears to hear, but I lower my voice for no reason.

“Nothing else than that.”

“It looks like you didn’t come to inform Lorenzo.”

“Isn’t he a timid personality? They were worried that they would run away. And, several people on that list are missing.”

Wolfgang elaborated.

“The military police suspect that several of them are hiding here in the County of Fiorene, or at least that Fiorene is hiding them in a place only she knows.”

“Is there any evidence?”

“This is circumstantial evidence… . They searched every possible hiding place, but found no trace. In that case, the newly incorporated Fiorene has no choice but to be the most influential.”

“Hmm.”

It’s a plausible inference.

Since I don’t know all the information the military police have, I have no choice but to accept it.

“His Majesty told me to get as much help as possible… . Is it possible?”

What he meant was, is it possible to know with the power of a prophet?

“We can help you wherever possible. However, I will tell you in advance. Lorenzo’s betrayal is something that has never happened in the future I have seen.”

“I see… .”

“So, this time, I can only give you advice as Ian, the manager, not as a prophet. Although we don’t have a deep relationship, I also know Lorenzo.”

It may not be trustworthy, but I couldn’t lie.

It’s not that big of a deal.

If the prince came here without telling us, he must have at least a plan.

It will not be a situation where you have to rely on my prophetic advice.

“The more information, the better. What makes the selection is the ability of the acquirer. I will listen.”

Including the second episode, I started explaining with the personality of a person I knew named Lorenzo.

While Edipus listened intently, Wolfgang recorded every word.

The story wasn’t very long.

“… That’s about it.”

“What an unexpected harvest. Do you gain such insight when you live as a prophet?”

“It won’t have any effect.”

Edipus laughed lightly and gave Wolfgang an order with a glance.

He took out a luxurious leather pouch from somewhere and handed it to me.

“It’s a gift.”

“… Are you talking to me?”

Isn’t this out of the blue?

Still, it’s not strange.

Sometimes the imperial family sends gifts.

I was waiting for someone to check so I opened the pocket.

A purple liquid sparkling with bright light flows from a smooth glass bottle.

“… Elixir?”

“I didn’t know what you would like, so I prepared the most common one.”

The highest point that all potions aim for.

It is a ‘miracle’ drug in itself that cures all fatigue, diseases, and wounds just by drinking it.

There are a total of 4 elixirs in the Empire, one of which I already received and used.

And this is already the second one.

One more problem.

Only the emperor has the authority to summon elixirs.

The prince read my eyes and struck the bow.

“This is a gift from me.”

“… Thank you very much.”

I felt like I could vaguely understand the emperor’s thoughts through those words and this situation.

He personally sent the Emperor to a place where only the Wolf Gang and military police could come.

The elixir that only the emperor could grant was gifted to him by Edipus himself.

‘… ‘They are already preparing to succeed to the throne.’

I don’t know what you’re thinking.

The prestige of the empire that established the current warrior system and the emperor at its center is by no means trivial.

It won’t be easy… Since I lack political intelligence, I don’t know the specific method or purpose.

However, I just do my job.

*

We were given two rooms to stay in, the largest and most luxurious in the castle.

Lorenzo, who was preparing for the competition, must have heard the news, so the prince and I went on our separate ways again.

He goes to see Lorenzo.

I’m looking for warriors to recruit.

‘Previously, I mostly visited and observed things as observers, so should I focus on going to places I haven’t been to before? .’

Still, it would be best to look at the participants first.

Even so, the probability of finding talent among non-participants is probably lower than that.

I found a place where I could see the full list of participants.

There are many people gathered, including those who are participants, those who are armed and reading the list with a solemn expression, and those who are just spectators, looking around with interest.

I joined the crowd and looked through the list.

‘Umm… . There are new names, but there are no particularly memorable or standout characters.’

This was the case in all three weight classes.

I’m thinking about going somewhere else, but I’m going to take a step back… .

“Why can’t I participate?”

A woman calmly protested to someone.

I guess my application for on-site participation was rejected.

“It is against the regulations.”

The receptionist shook her head resolutely.

“It does not violate any regulations. Look, I’m a superhuman in this weight class, and it’s nowhere in the list… .”

“Phew… .”

The receptionist rudely cut her off with a sigh.

“Lorenzo gave the order himself.”

“… Are you saying you rejected me directly?”

I tried to just ignore it, but it was a bit strange.

Lorenzo would like as many people as possible to participate.

But, did you really have to pick one person and reject him?

Who on earth are you?

“Yes.”

With the receptionist’s sharp reply, I looked at her.

Her jet black hair was tied up tightly, but the ends were split.

The dry, brittle hair had no nutritional value, and the hair thickness was sparse.

‘I can feel that the mana circuit is twisted even from afar… . ‘Is it because the level is so low that I don’t receive it?’

“On earth, how far can my father take me… .”

“Please leave.”

I tried to go back because I wasn’t interested.

“Lucia di Fiorene. There is no place for you here.”

The name stopped me in my tracks.

… Di Fiorene?

Among all the superhumans I know, Fiorene, there is no one named ‘Lucia’?

for a moment.

Didn’t he just say father?

Of all the children who inherited Lorenzo’s blood, the eldest son would be the only superhuman, right?

There was another child who was a superhuman?

I reflexively turned my head to her.

Just then, as she was about to step away, our eyes met.

His face is covered in bandages, but only his purple, gun-less eyes are visible.

Suddenly, what I had heard through memory correction flashed through my mind.

‘Could it be that this person is the last survivor… .’

The eye contact was brief.

As Lucia weakly tried to move away, I caught her without realizing it.

“Wait… .”

“… ?”

Calm yet wary eyes look up at me.

I thought it would be better than following him and talking to him later, so I caught him, but what should I do?

“… Why are you like this?”

His breathing is rough, like an asthmatic patient, and even his voice cracks.

I can feel the mana circuit, so I’m guessing he’s a superhuman, but what kind of disease does he have like this?

“Is this your purpose for participation?”

“… Yes?”

“Duel contest. If you want to participate, I can help you.”

I don’t know.

First of all, I thought that was what I wanted, so I threw it.

It was because he might be the only survivor or know information about him.

And what I say is not a lie.

I can do it with my own abilities, but if anything, I can just use the prince.

But I just threw it out without any hesitation. Is this okay?

“Then please help me.”

Oh, right away like this?