episode_0099

After completing his schedule in Wiesbark, Gilbert left the estate before the end of the break at Demeia Academy.

Of course, not all work at the estate was completed. There were still things left to do, such as officially handing over the position of successor to Glenda and digging up information from the man who had attacked him by surprise.

However, the story related to the successor was not a matter for him to decide, and there was nothing he could do about the information due to the prohibition.

In the end, more time was needed, and Gilbert, who had to return to the academy before the end of the break, had no choice but to leave the estate with regret.

I couldn’t hide my discomfort because I didn’t finish something perfectly, but I decided to attach significance to successfully clearing the main scenario.

And more than anything, there was one issue he needed to worry about right now.

“Why? Have you thought about sleeping together?”

Gilbert slightly shook his head at Brynhild’s words with a sly look on his face.

Brynhild did not go back even though Sigurd’s tribal alliance and the Infractus Empire successfully concluded a peace treaty, but chose the option of following Gilbert.

This was very unusual for a woman who loved her tribe more than anyone else, and was contrary to her tendency to never leave her tribe no matter which route she took in Tactical Combat.

Gilbert, curious as to why he did not leave for his tribe, asked Brynhild why he did not return and go to the heart of the empire he hated so much. Although peace was made due to the circumstances, it was expected that the hatred toward the empire that had been held for a long time would not be resolved.

And Brynhild gave a very clear answer to that question.

“There is no choice. Jiabi is from the empire, so I have no choice but to follow him.”

It was a surprising answer for Gilbert, but he had nothing to say in response to the fact that he was like that.

Although she only refuted the statement that she was Jiabi, her attitude was very firm.

Gilbert, who was pressed for time, put persuading Brynhild on the back burner for now. The first thing to think about was how to make Brynhild’s existence accepted at Demeia Academy.

Although Demeia Academy valued talent, it was limited to imperial citizens. It was clear that taking Sigurd, who until now had been called a barbarian and had a hostile relationship with him, to Demeia Academy would have quite a big repercussion.

So Gilbert decided to use the most powerful card he could this time. In fact, it was correct to say that there was no other way.

“Sister’s residence. I have a favor to ask.”

[Hoo. This time too? I have no idea what the priest will ask for. So, what does the priest want to ask of the woman?]

After returning to the academy through the warp magic circle, he immediately contacted Seraphina. The most powerful card he could currently use was Serafina, one of the heirs to the throne.

In particular, as Serafina’s help was great when making peace with the Sigurdians, her help was essential in keeping Brynhild at Demeia Academy.

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

[Are you talking about the great warrior who fought the priest? That’s strange. Even though they have made peace with the empire, if you are a great warrior of Sigurd’s tribe, you will have great antipathy towards the empire, so why do you want to come to the academy, which can be said to be the heart of the empire?]

Seraphina’s expression, which appeared to be a result of communication magic, was slightly stiff.

From Gilbert’s perspective, Seraphina seemed to think that Brynhild might hide his true intentions and do something by hiding in Demeia Academy.

If you think about it objectively, it was a very reasonable opinion. The position of great warrior of the Sigurd clan was not one that could be achieved simply because of outstanding military power. Just as knighthoods were not awarded to anyone in the empire, the position of great knight was not available to just anyone in the Sigurd clan.

The position of Great Priest was given only to those who knew the beliefs and honor that were most important to Sigurd’s clan and possessed the military power to protect those beliefs and honor.

It was common to think that Brynhild, who was in the position of a great warrior, suddenly came to the heart of the empire and had some hidden intention.

“The story is a bit complicated… but I will tell you briefly.”

[The priest seems to know something. Okay, tell me.]

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

It was questionable whether Seraphina would believe that Brynhild had come to Demeia Academy in search of a husband.

First of all, he himself was suspicious of Brynhild’s intentions, and there was no way he could convince Seraphina of that fact.

After organizing his thoughts, Gilbert decided to tell the truth as it was. The biggest reason was that there was nothing to say in the first place.

“Brynhild… seems to have said before that he would marry the person who defeated him.”

[And the one who defeated her recently… is the priest.]

“For that reason, I am planning to come to Demeia Academy.”

[…]

Gilbert broke into a cold sweat as he saw Seraphina staring at him silently.

I was bothered by the subtle pressure in his eyes.

Even though I was just looking at it, it contained so much meaning that I felt emotionally drawn to it.

Serafina, who had been silent for several minutes, finally spoke.

[I think I need to talk about this in a bit more detail. So come straight to where you have leisure. Gilbert Lion Heart]

“Okay.”

Who did it?

The scariest thing is none other than my wife calling me by my full name.

But Seraphina is not my wife, right?

However, even though Gilbert felt uneasy, he did not dare to disobey Seraphina’s words.

The reason would be the warning of the survival instinct that has been experienced countless times on the battlefield.

***

Gilbert felt suffocated and suffocated by the gaze of Seraphina, who was glaring at him without saying a word. Is it fortunate that Brynhild was not brought here?

However, Gilbert was right not to have brought Brynhild, but to have failed to bring him. At a time when Brynhild’s intentions were still unclear, it was too risky to have him meet Serafina, the closest person to the throne.

The great warrior of Sigurd’s people, with whom he had just made peace, would never do something dishonorable, but he always had to be prepared for something like this.

But I can’t help but feel that this is a bit stuffy.

As soon as Gilbert received Seraphina’s call, he came to see her. I thought it was an urgent call because the work was serious.

However, when I met Seraphina, she was just looking at Gilbert without saying anything. It was clear that she was in a displeased mood, but the princess’ usual relaxed appearance was no longer visible.

I thought about whether to speak up first, but I thought it would be better to keep quiet because there have been so many cases of reporting after taking preliminary action without her consent recently.

Surely he was right.

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

“Gilbert Lion Heart”

This time, unlike usual, they called him by his full name instead of his title of priest. Considering this, Gilbert decided to treat him as a knight of the empire rather than as a priest of Serafina.

“You called. Her Royal Highness.”

“I would like to hear your thoughts.”

“Are these God’s thoughts?”

It was a random question.

Seraphina, who expected to ask questions about Brynhild, instead asked about his intentions.

Gilbert turned his head and secretly looked at Seraphina’s face. I saw eyes shining like bright red rubies, just like my own.

He was quite perceptive in this regard and easily realized the meaning of her question.

“As I said before, I am the shield of the empire.”

“Even if Yeo doubts the Lord’s loyalty?”

Gilbert’s prediction was correct.

The recent peace with Sigurd’s people and Brynhild’s departure to Demeia Academy.

These two things upset Serafina. It also included the suspicion that Gilbert might betray him.

There was certainly a feeling that the peace treaty with Sigurd’s people, who had been enemies until now, had been concluded too hastily. Although all of this was done in Serafina’s name, she only listened to Gilbert’s one-sided request.

It was true that Seraphina was very considerate of Gilbert’s convenience, but if things proceeded so radically, it was not unreasonable to doubt his intentions. That is usually the case with the position of all beings.

“Even so, it doesn’t change. Because my loyalty is always towards the empire.”

Gilbert expressed his will in a firm tone.

Even before he was possessed by this world, he was a soldier who was loyal to his country.

That didn’t change even after coming here. Although the person changed due to a change in status, the essence did not change.

Did Gilbert’s words seem quite decisive?

Seraphina’s expression noticeably relaxed. It may not mean that all doubts have been eliminated, but it could have meant that he would trust Gilbert’s actions that he had observed so far.

“A priest always has a knack for putting women in trouble.”

When the title was finally changed to priest as usual, Gilbert secretly breathed a sigh of relief. I don’t know how much Seraphina believed what he said, but it was significant that she was able to overcome her doubts.

“I am sorry for unintentionally causing concern.”

” was done. No matter what the process is, in the end, this too will become your strength. By the way, are you saying that the great warrior of the Sigurd clan has come to be the priest’s partner?”

After passing one hurdle, another hurdle came. It was also the most difficult question.

“To be honest, I have no way of knowing exactly what the intention was. On the surface, it says so, but I don’t think it can be completely trusted.”

“I see… In that case, I will ask the priest. If Sigurd’s great sermon is sincere, what does the priest plan to do?”

Seraphina’s eyes, which had calmed down, became sharp again. Gilbert responded immediately to this situation that seemed to break out in a cold sweat.

“I don’t really care. Even if that’s what she thinks, I don’t think so.”

“Is that so… I understand. First of all, I will accept the priest’s request. It would be best to keep it next to you to keep an eye on your enemy’s intentions. So, let the priest keep her aside and reveal his intentions.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“No. I just left the work to the priest.”

Gilbert said hello to Seraphina and left the room. Fortunately, it seemed like they were successful in keeping Brynhild at Demeia Academy.

I’ll have to talk to the academy director for more details, but with her support, there shouldn’t be any major problems.

***

Seraphina, who had been watching the spot where Gilbert had left for a moment, tapped the armrest with her index finger again. It was her habit to come up whenever she was deep in thought.

Loyalty goes to the empire.

Seraphina pondered Gilbert’s words.

It was an excellent answer for Seraphina, who plans to lead the empire in the future. Although I doubted him for a moment, I put my doubts aside after seeing his unwavering eyes.

The priest I had observed so far was not someone who changed his mind that easily. All of his actions were for the sake of the empire, and he was never motivated by self-interest.

However, for Seraphina, who was in the position of a ruler, it was like a habit to be suspicious of even small things. Her behavior was to nip in advance any sprouts that might be harmful to the empire.

This time too, it was to prevent any possible danger, and I did not doubt his loyalty itself.

However, even though she received the answer she wanted, Seraphina’s feelings did not improve at all. I even felt like something was stuck in my chest.

That feeling came to me when Gilbert told the story of the great battle of Sigurd’s clan called Brynhild. It was a somewhat absurd story that they followed him to the center of the empire to make a marriage engagement with him.

But for some reason, after hearing that story, the feeling that I had rapidly worsened continued to this day.

Maybe it was because of her excessive desire for talent.

I wonder if Gilbert might be taken away…

“It might be too much to think about.”

Seraphina shook her head. I was thinking so hard that my thoughts seemed to go in a strange direction.

She got up from her seat. When thoughts were complicated, there was nothing better than swinging a sword.

Seraphina walked to the office where her teacher Brianna was, accompanied by Yannick, who was waiting outside.

It felt like we needed to spar for the first time in a while.