episode_0137

Two days have passed since Gilbert received a recruitment offer from Prince Richard.

Including that day and until yesterday, nothing special happened.

Prince Richard’s official schedule to inspect the Demeia Academy began today, two days later, so it seemed like he didn’t want to do anything notable.

Thanks to this, Gilbert was able to get enough time to think.

Currently, he had received offers to recruit from both Princess Serafina and Prince Richard.

Princess Seraphina, who has a strong desire for talent, had already reached out to Gilbert to join her faction.

Prince Richard also suggested that he join the faction, perhaps signaling the beginning of a battle for the throne.

Considering the remaining main scenarios, choosing one of the two was good in many ways. Receiving the full support of the person who would become the next emperor was the same as having the empire on your back.

However, the problem was which of the two to choose. Of the two, it was highly likely that becoming the next emperor would depend on which one Gilbert chose.

His popularity had skyrocketed thanks to imperial propaganda. Although the adjective ‘fool’ was still attached to him, it actually created a dramatic contrasting effect.

The count’s bastard comes to his senses and becomes a hero of the empire.

It was like the first verse of a heroic epic.

Gilbert knew how important narrative is to people. In the world he lived in, politicians exaggerated even small stories and used them for political purposes.

That was the power of story, or narrative. People like people with narratives, and they admire the main characters in stories they have not experienced and will never experience.

Gilbert’s current situation was the same. The hardships and hardships that Gilbert experienced from being a fool to becoming a hero were appropriately dramatized and a poem was created, and the subjects were enthusiastic about him.

Of course, Gilbert’s reputation was as precarious as a sand castle built on a sandy beach. He could be swept away by a single wave, and if he fell over, there were more than a few wild cats that would bite him.

That’s why the reputation of the past was holding me back. The evaluation that a fool is a fool will definitely follow.

However, until it collapsed, Gilbert’s popularity was bound to be overwhelmingly high. It was the same as performing dangerous aerobatics, but it was originally a high-risk, high-return.

Now that he has good support from his subjects, if he takes one side, the subjects will follow them. Those in power who rely on power and the people on their backs even take care of their cause.

The rightful position as the next emperor.

Gilbert stroked his chin as a habit. He still couldn’t make a decision.

From a military perspective, Richard, known as Shingimyosan, was quite attractive.

First of all, Gilbert was not a person well versed in power tactics. Although I received military training, it was only a flight tactic specialized in modern warfare and aerial warfare.

Even if there were fighter jets here, considering the difference in technology compared to the current era, it was at a reference level. If you go under Richard, who is writing a legend of undefeation, your chances of winning a fierce battlefield will increase.

As Gilbert, who had to somehow clear the main scenario, he couldn’t help but be intrigued.

However, even though Richard was second in line to the throne, the gap with Serafina, who was first, was already widening. If he opened his crouched body, he could have narrowed the gap somewhat, but it was too late, so I hesitated to choose him.

On the other hand, Seraphina was also a good option. We had already built up a good relationship with her, and thanks to having benefited from her countless times, the perception that we were part of her clique had spread to some extent.

There were some nobles who were watching because it had not been announced yet, but the moment he clearly joined Serafina’s faction, he was able to receive all of their support.

The talents gathered by Seraphina, who had a strong desire for talent, were well-known in all fields, so with their help, clearing the main scenario was not difficult.

However, the reason I was reluctant to join her faction was because of the sub-scenario that I was still confused about. I had no idea what kind of ripple effect it would have if I turned away from Seraphina, who just looked like one of the seekers.

Gilbert’s worries deepened. I tried to figure out which one to choose with the least risk, but no clear answer came out.

They say life is a series of choices.

Gilbert shook his head as if shaking off his thoughts about a difficult problem he had encountered for the first time in a long time.

He said that there is a handshake at the end of the book.

After thinking about this and that, Gilbert finally made a decision.

The decision he made was very simple.

If there was a problem with choosing between Richard and Seraphina, you just had to choose neither.

Just as Alexander III had solved the Gordian knot long ago, he decided to reject both offers.

***

[So what are you going to do Ian?]

Ian sighed deeply in response to Precia’s question. I’ve been thinking about it for days, but no answer came.

He thought about Prince Richard, whom he had met not long ago.

Appreciating Ian’s abilities, he bluntly suggested that he join his faction. It was an offer that made my mouth water so much that I would have accepted it before I got Presia.

However, since he had obtained Precia and had already received an offer to recruit Seraphina, he carefully withheld his answer. His price had risen too much to make a hasty choice.

To be honest, Ian, who was full of recognition, wanted to enjoy this situation a little more. He shrugged his shoulders at the fact that the prince and princess, who could be said to be the most powerful people in the empire except the emperor, were interested in him.

I couldn’t help but smile because it felt like what I had been lacking for so long was fulfilled. That’s how thirsty Ian was for recognition, and he didn’t want to easily miss out on a good opportunity to fill it.

And the current situation was very favorable to him. To compare it to an auction, it was like a situation where two buyers were competing for a quality item.

Ian was confident that he knew his own value better than anyone else. His talent was so outstanding that the two heirs to the throne, the prince and princess, took notice of him, and his family background was strong.

In this situation, it would have been foolish not to raise his price further.

An offer has been made to both the prince and princess, so isn’t it only natural that they should go to a place that desperately wants him?

Even Precia, who gave him advice, advised him to handle it carefully, so his current judgment was definitely not wrong. It was best to enjoy the situation a little more and make a choice the moment the price reached its peak.

Ian thought so.

“Well, I’m still thinking about it. Precia You need to be careful like you said.”

[good job. Cadet Ian. I think Teacher Lee will be in tears over Cadet Ian’s progress.]

“Are you imitating the professor this time?”

[Isn’t this what you like? The way you looked at Professor Brianna the other day wasn’t unusual, right?]

There was a bone in the horse.

Ian felt a chill down his spine for a moment. He tried to hide it in his own way, but Precia, who was quick-witted, seemed to already know how he was looking at Professor Brianna.

Of course, Ian was not stupid enough to admit that fact outright.

“That’s amazing. Because he is a sword saint.”

[Well, it’s a skill worth considering. But, Ian, your gaze was quite impure to be considered a look of respect, wasn’t it?]

If only he was really quick-witted…!Ian only complained to himself. It was fortunate that the images were not connected, so I could not clearly see his inner thoughts.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to complain like this.

“That can’t be possible. I just have respect for Professor Brianna.”

[If you can’t even speak… . Anyway, it’s a good thing I didn’t rush to decide on either offer. To put it bluntly, Ian, you know that your position is very awkward, right?]

“… .Me?”

Ian frowned. It was a face that said it could not be tolerated.

Presia sighed naturally.

Presia likes most things about Ian, but she doesn’t like this side of him very much.

He tended to be very narcissistic. The standard for evaluating oneself was too low to be considered pride.

Should I say that self-objectification is not done well?

In a good way, it could be portrayed as overconfident, but it was correct to say that Ian had crossed that line. I felt like I was watching a child bragging that he was the best.

But what can I do? He is the master I chose.

Just being able to sign a contract with him was enough for Ian to have potential. Since Precia existed to fill in these shortcomings, her role was to comfort them and guide them on the right path.

[you idiot. Do you know where the rival bully you hate so much is now?]

“You are treated as a hero of the empire. But I can do it if I put my mind to it. I have myself.”

Presia felt good seeing Ian proud of his existence. Precia herself knew best that that was foolish. However, he couldn’t help but feel good that his contractor thought of him as the best.

Even though she was the best artificial spirit that Atlantica boasted, there was a soft girlish sensibility in a corner of her heart.

[Thank you so much for your words. But the current situation should not be viewed so optimistically. Have you forgotten when you sparred with that gangster?]”… I cut the iron sword in half.”

[okay. that. I’ve reached the point where I can control that damn guy’s thoughts. It is said that the will to cut was put into the sword rather than just throwing mana indiscriminately.]”Is that really that much of a difference? This is possible if you have a lot of mana.”

[you idiot. What if I state the obvious? Putting one’s thoughts into words is not something that can be said so simply.] Precia felt a little frustrated.

Ian was usually intelligent, but whenever the story of Gilbert was brought up, Ian frowned and became petty. This may mean that Gilbert’s sense of entitlement was great, but in order to defeat him, it was necessary to face what level he had reached.

[When sharing the state of nothingness, it is said that when you can handle the thoughts, you have entered the rank of superhuman. Some people say that is the true beginning.]

“He has already reached such great heights?”

[okay. That’s how bad that idiot is.]

“Phew… Yes, I understand. I know he has reached great heights, but what does that have to do with the current situation?”

[Ian. Did the offer from the prince and princess go only to you?]

“That’s…”

Ian’s good mood, which had been good for a long time, plummeted to the floor. It wasn’t something he hadn’t thought of. I was just intentionally ignoring it.

Although he was an excellent offering for the prince and princess, he was not the best offering. At the moment, the best property in the empire was for sale.

Gilbert the Lionheart.

The eldest son of the Earl of Hart and a man recently called a hero of the Empire was the best bid.

“Okay. I’m sure he got an offer too.”

[that’s right. So, you have to think about it carefully. Depending on where he went, we may have to make different choices. Or it might be better to do it faster than him.]

Either way, it bothered Ian that he was in a passive position. It was miserable for him to be in a position where he had to see and move on from the choices Gilbert made.

“You’re saying it’s not something I’d enjoy?”

[huh. I have to admit what I have to admit and look to the future.]”I understand. It looks like it was covered in cold water.”

Ian slapped his cheek with both hands until it made a loud sound. My cheeks were red and tingling, but I felt like I had come to my senses. I shouldn’t get carried away with the feeling of victory or relax just yet.

He still had an obstacle called Gilbert, and only by overcoming that obstacle could the proper story begin.

Precia was proud of Ian for coming to his senses and did not spare any advice to him.

[okay. That’s it. Don’t let your guard down, see how that bully behaves, and deal with it. That’s the best choice we can make.]

“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”

[And don’t worry. Because this sister will make you the best, Ian!]

“Suddenly you’re my older sister… Well, in terms of age…”

[hey! This is what it looks like in terms of age! wanna die?]

“It’s not wrong.”

[Ian!!!]

Ian burst out laughing at Precia’s screams.

I felt that no matter the situation, he could become the best.

With Precia.