episode_0140

Pressia felt a headache that didn’t exist due to Ian’s arbitrary choice of faction. Even though I told him countless times that he had to be very careful about his decision, Ian ignored all of that advice.

Of course, it wasn’t that I didn’t understand.

Seraphina used him as a messenger to bring in Gilbert, Ian’s rival, and gave him an unplanned special position as an honorary student council officer, so it was understandable that he was very upset.

But the more times that happened, the more I needed to think calmly. In particular, since the faction would become the basis for Ian’s activities in the empire in the future, it was not something that should be decided emotionally.

In Presia’s opinion, choosing Prince Richard wasn’t such a bad choice. Since the prince was a war hero, if he gained his trust, there was a high possibility that they would go into battle together. Originally, making a contribution in the war was a shortcut to success, so if Ian could be active in the war, it could have been a good choice.

However, the current sentiment in the empire was to avoid war. The emperor, who had waged wars of conquest in his youth, grew old and did not show the same energy as before. He simply wanted to maintain the empire, which had entered a period of stability, and while he was in power, he never declared war unless a special occasion occurred.

In such a situation, going to the foot of Prince Richard, also known as Mt. Shingimyo, could have been a handshake.

In the end, his support base was limited to nobles who had experienced the war together, and their true value was revealed when the war broke out. In times of peace, Seraphina, which attracted talented people, had the advantage.

However, joining Seraphina’s faction meant that one had to stand out among so many talented people. In order to become the best, she had no choice but to beat the people who had assisted her for a long time and make a significant contribution.

Even though Ian was gradually moving beyond the level of a cadet, it was difficult for him to impress Seraphina.

In particular, Gilbert’s presence was a thorn in my eyes. He has already clearly impressed Serafina with his performance that is far beyond that of a cadet.

As if that wasn’t enough, he didn’t choose any of the two factions and kept updating his ransom.

That was what Frecia wanted from Ian.

In Presia’s opinion, the most desirable choice was not to hastily choose a faction, but to gain as much benefit as possible for both sides and then select the most advantageous formation.

Although it was already too late.

Pressia let out a sigh, but did not show it to Ian. This could have had the opposite effect now that the already quiet sense of entitlement had exploded.

“Pressia. Sorry. But I couldn’t bear it.”

[it’s okay. Don’t regret the choices you’ve already made. And Prince Richard’s formation isn’t all bad. Because there will be more opportunities to make a mark.]

“Thank you for saying that.”

[Rather, you need to make a plan for what to do next. Ian I don’t know when Princess Seraphina will hear that you have entered Richard’s formation. If that moment comes, there is a possibility that your standing in the student council will suffer.]

“I was prepared. I thought that if I continued like this anyway, I would be weighed down by Gilbert’s shadow.”

[It’s better than being indecisive. It’s not wrong. Princess Seraphina is partial to the brat. I guess it has to be that way, since what he has done so far has helped the princess a lot in her journey. Besides, even though I really hate to admit it, that guy’s giant soldier control skills are really useful.]

In an era where giant warriors were a national power, a great giant warrior knight was a special talent who had to be brought in at a cost of thousands of dollars.

If it was an academy cadet who had already received a level 5 knighthood, there was a need to bring him back from hell.

“Okay. But I don’t think it can be overcome. Because there’s a big wall between me and him that I can’t overcome.”

There was a reason why he could speak confidently.

He had already acquired the characteristic skill that was called a genius just by manifesting it.

Also, a characteristic skill related to controlling giant soldiers.

No one except Presia knew the exact information about the characteristic skill, but the fact that it was related to the Giant God Soldier was already a widely spread story.

A genius born into the Linebarrel family, one of the wealthiest families in the empire.

A child born to control a giant god soldier.

It was a modifier that Ian had been following ever since he rode the Giant God Soldier. Until the moment he entered Demeia Academy, he was always called a genius, and the world’s assessment was that the moment he entered the academy, it would become his world.

In fact, his skills were almost at the highest level except for Gilbert. Being able to control a giant god soldier at a faster speed than others meant gaining an advantage.

Although he is still not as good as Gilbert, Ian thought that it would not be far before he could surpass him now that he was receiving training in Prussia.

[okay. At the same time, that’s the problem. Ian.] But Precia did not take it easy.

As Ian said, there was an insurmountable wall between him and Gilbert called characteristic skills.

Although Ian had many inexperiences in handling characteristic skills, he was able to react more than 30% faster than other Giant God Knights. Considering the other conditions, it may not be possible to deal with a high-level giant knight, but it was right that there should not be a big difference with Gilbert, whose conditions were roughly similar.

However, objectively, Gilbert had better piloting skills than Ian. It was not confirmed whether he had any characteristic skills, but at least from Presia’s perspective, he was not using any characteristic skills related to the Giant God Soldier.

So, there is only one conclusion that can be drawn here.

Gilbert Lionheart is said to be a genius among geniuses, born with natural talent.

[That bastard is at that level even though he doesn’t have any characteristic skills. I said it was useful, but I’ll correct it. That guy’s skill in controlling giant soldiers is unrivaled. I’ve seen excellent Titan Soldier knights before, but he’s unrivaled.]

“… . That much?”

[Ian. I know you don’t want to admit it. Because it’s the same for me too. But we need to face reality.]

Ian gritted his teeth.

Since it was what Frecia said, it was definitely true.

In his opinion, the only explanation for Gilbert’s manipulative skills was that he was born with it.

“Okay. I guess so.”

[Of course, it won’t be so bad that you can’t win. He says he’s talented, but so are you. Ultimately, the limit is set. And that threshold is much higher for you, Ian. About half a year at most. He can do it because he hasn’t been riding a giant god soldier for more than a dozen years. So just follow me!]

“Okay.”

Ian made a firm resolution to Precia’s words.

Admit what needs to be acknowledged.

Because that was the attitude of a great man.

***

***

Prince Richard’s inspection ended in one week. The Demeia Academy attack incident, which could be said to be the only blemish, ended with an unguardable card called Gilbert.

Since a cadet who had already blocked dozens of giant monsters single-handedly was named an honorary student council officer, it was impossible to disparage him further. If more than a dozen giant god soldiers invaded the academy, it would no longer be an exaggeration to say that it was a declaration of war against the empire rather than an attack.

Because the inspection team knew that fact, they couldn’t let Seraphina’s student council suffer because of the attack. Other than that, the work was done flawlessly, so there was actually a justification for conducting the inspection.

Although a week was quite a long time, there were many cases where inspections lasted more than 15 days, so this time it could be said to have been relatively short.

Gilbert was a little concerned that it seemed like he had joined Princess Serafina’s faction, but after receiving a message from Prince Richard that he would wait for an answer, he was able to relax for a moment.

It was a structure in which no matter which side you chose, you had no choice but to pretend to be with one of them. Fights between heirs to the throne often lead to bloodshed, so if they get involved incorrectly, there is a high possibility that it will turn into a nuisance.

It was too dangerous for him to walk on such bloody ice as he was not good at political battles that did not involve riding a giant soldier or fighting with his body. I wouldn’t mind dying in a war, but I didn’t want to even think about being discharged in such a dishonorable manner if I got caught up in a political fight.

Anyway, Prince Richard and the inspection team returned to the imperial palace on the first week. It was only then that the Academy officials, who had been anxious due to the inspection team going from place to place, could take a breather.

“Gilbert! An honorary student council officer! What happened again?”

“Hmm…”Just when Prince Richard had passed away and I was wondering if I could train at my leisure now, Camilla came to visit. They seemed to think that something interesting had happened when Gilbert was promoted to an unheard-of position as an honorary student council officer.

“It’s no big deal.”

“If you say it’s not that big of a deal, how can being an honorary student council officer be anything like that?”

Camilla put her hand on Chuck’s waist and blocked Gilbert’s path.

“Because of this inspection, I had no choice but to take charge temporarily. That’s all.”

“Umhuhu! Right. Now I understand!”

She, who was clearly gloomy after Operation Gehenna, regained her smile after dinner with Gilbert. If it had gotten to that point, I would have felt proud that comforting her was worthwhile, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

After receiving Gilbert’s comfort, Camilla became overly energized.

Whenever I got a chance, I would visit him and tell him to go find something fun.

For the first few times, I was able to hang out with Camilla, who had successfully completed the awakening event and had regained her energy, but when one person called me twice and two people started calling me five times, I started to avoid her more and more.

But each time, Camilla found Gilbert, who was hiding like a ghost.

That was the case today too.

He came to a place she didn’t usually go to, and she managed to find him.

“I’m curious. How did you know I was here?”

“Huh? Of course, I have a good sense of where interesting things are.”

Camilla smiled brightly and made horns by attaching them to her head with both hands.

It seemed as if they were looking for something fun to do here.

“Interesting?”

“Well, you’re the one I’m most interested in these days, Gilbert!”

Camilla repeatedly folded and unfolded her two straight index fingers. It seemed to express that he had just received something interesting.

Gilbert seemed to vaguely understand why she was looking for him. He seemed to have noticed that he was involved in most of the major incidents that occurred.

“Nothing interesting happens even if you are next to me.”

But I couldn’t keep hanging around her, so I played it off.

If I showed an awkward attitude for no reason, they might chase me more.

“Even if you say that, I already found something interesting.””

“What?”

“Umhuhu. I heard it’s exciting!”

Ahaha, laughing, Camilla spun around.

Scarlet hair fluttered and flowed along the spinning body.

She stopped turning and grinned, and what she found most interesting was reflected in her dark eyes.

Tall height and strong body.

Golden hair that looks like melted gold and eyes as red as ruby.

Gilbert.

He was the most interesting thing to her at the moment.

After chatting to Gilbert for a while and satisfying her desire for interest, she slapped her palms together as if she remembered something.

“Oh, by the way, Gilbert. I heard it’s starting soon?”

“Start?”

“Okay. Subdue monsters. They say it starts soon!”

Gilbert’s expression became subtle after hearing her words.