pappabearbooks Chapter 144
Chapter 144
Chapter 144
When I stepped up onto the banquet hall podium, people who had been too busy watching the Sword Saint or others to pay attention to me until now sharpened their eyes and openly cast their gazes my way.
Perhaps because they had seen me during the Verification of Qualifications, there were truly only a handful who doubted me.
What made up the majority were admiration, along with jealousy and envy, and no small amount of unease.
Standing before them, I lightly steadied my breathing. In an ordinary setting, I would have invoked the authority of an Imperial Prince and, at the same time, crushed such negative reactions with the standing of a master. But these were people who had each reached a realm of their own. They might read the room, but they would not submit.
“Leios von Ribera. It is an honor to meet the many heroes famed across the continent here today. I humbly ask for your guidance.”
As I spoke and slightly bowed my head, a murmur spread through the hall. That was only natural—on the continent, especially within the Empire, the name Ribera was all but absolute.
Those who inherited that bloodline would rather die than bow their heads to others.
That arrogance and lofty pride were famous even across the continent, so it was no surprise that they were taken aback.
‘Good reactions.’
For me, however, bowing my head was nothing at all. In reality, I had always been the one lowering my head, so I could practically be called a professional at it.
The number of hostile gazes directed at me decreased, if only a little. At that, I gave a light shrug and looked toward the Sword Saint.
“…….”
He seemed slightly surprised by my behavior as well, but soon nodded faintly with a pleased expression, as if to say I had done well.
“Now then, since all the trivial talk is finished, let us properly enjoy the banquet.”
At the Sword Saint’s gesture, a sweet melody once again filled the previously quiet banquet hall. The feasts prepared throughout the hall grew more splendid as time passed, and at his words, vitality returned to the hall.
“…Do we really not need to move around?”
After the Sword Saint’s opening address ended, Petra and I returned behind the partition and lounged on the sofa.
As she kept sitting there eating refreshments, she seemed a little conscious of the eyes around us.
And understandably so—everyone over there kept sneaking glances this way, looking as though they wanted to strike up even a single word with us. But I gave them not even the slightest opening.
“If we move right away, it’ll just cause unnecessary commotion. We’ll go for only the choice ones.”
“The choice ones?”
“The Empire’s Sword Masters will come on their own once people’s attention wanes, and as time passes, those of similar level will naturally pair up. The ones I mentioned earlier in the day will probably belong to that group as well.”
If that happened, there would be no need to approach them one by one. Of course, speaking when people were alone was better for building rapport, but the current situation was somewhat special.
The Third Imperial Prince of the Empire, and the disciple of the Sword Saint.
In truth, they wanted to build ties with me more than I did with them. There was no need for me to step forward and lower my own value.
“I wonder if the others are having fun.”
As the time passed beyond evening, my thoughts turned to those who were in the Holy Kingdom.
“I suppose so. They might be chatting happily right about now.”
“…It would’ve been fine if we’d gone there.”
I felt a little sorry, thinking she might have gone along with my stubbornness. Petra gave a wry smile and shook her head.
“No, it’s fine. I came because I wanted to.”
“How are things with the others?”
“I think it’s good, but I’m not sure how they feel…….”
She fidgeted with her fingers, a slightly uneasy expression on her face.
“Even if it’s just a one-year difference, in a place like the Academy it can feel pretty big. …And since my relationship with you is what it is, whenever that kind of topic comes up, the atmosphere tends to get a bit awkward.”
“I see.”
I could only give a vague reply. I didn’t know how my relationships with others besides Petra would develop in the future, but even now, I didn’t think it was bad. You could say I was just turning my eyes away from something complicated, but that was honestly how I felt.
“If it comes to that, why not tell them it’s fine to come in as a concubine, just like you did with me?”
“…Are you really the one saying that?”
At my words, she let out a hollow laugh with a trace of disbelief. I enjoyed her reaction, slipped an arm around her waist, pulled her into my embrace, and spoke.
“Don’t overthink it. Everything will settle in one way or another.”
“That sounds irresponsible if you only half-listen…….”
“Well, what can I do? I’ve always been this kind of person.”
“Honestly, I’m wondering if it’s really okay to entrust my future to someone like you.”
“Unfortunately, it’s already far too late to back out.”
We spent some time like that. The fact that there were countless people just beyond the partition gave the moment a strangely peculiar feeling.
It seemed Petra felt the same—she cast a glance that way, yet leaned her body against mine.
“…Sorry to interrupt when you seem to be having a good time, but there’s someone I’d like to introduce.”
At that moment, someone approached us with an awkward voice. Petra startled and tried to get up, but I tightened the arm wrapped around her waist, restraining her so she couldn’t slip away.
“You…!”
She glared at me, her face flushing red. It seemed she was fine when we were alone, but still embarrassed about being seen by others. I enjoyed her reaction and turned my head.
“Someone you want to introduce me to—who might that be?”
“It’s General Rubel of the Oscar Empire. He said he wanted to see you through me.”
At Philip’s words, a thin smile formed on my lips.
Alongside the Ribera Empire, the hegemon of the Eastern Continent, the Oscar Empire held dominance over the Western Continent.
And General Rubel was one of the most formidable figures even within the Oscar Empire.
He was still in his early fifties; given a bit more time, it wouldn’t be strange for him to take on the role of Sword Saint in the Oscar Empire.
“I’ll be back in a moment.”
“Please be careful.”
Petra nodded with a stiff expression, apparently knowing the name as well.
As I stepped out from behind the partition, glancing eyes once again stabbed into me. I straightened my disheveled attire, moved alongside Philip, and asked,
“Did he mention me personally?”
“He did. It seems the 모습 you showed during the Verification of Qualifications left a strong impression. Even between empires, an irregular like you is something to be cautious about.”
“He sounds excessively cautious.”
“Well, you can judge the rest for yourself.”
Perhaps to avoid planting unnecessary preconceptions, he held back further commentary. Still, I could sense a strange emotion mixed into the way he looked at me.
“…What is it?”
When I pressed him on it, he scratched his cheek with the same awkward expression as before and said,
“Well, it’s just… Ever since I heard about you from my father, I’d had the image that you were quite ascetic. So I thought you could remain that composed even in response to Esmeralda’s approach, but….”
“But?”
“Seeing you today, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Then again, your fiancée really is exceptionally charming. Did you notice how the hall’s gazes gathered when you entered earlier? Nearly half of them were completely entranced.”
At that, I stroked my chin. Doubt crept in again as to whether bringing her here had been the right decision. But I soon shook off the stray thoughts and shook my head.
“Well, standing before others is her freedom, so there’s nothing to be done about that. …But if there’s anyone who tries any pointless schemes because of it, I’ll tear off their limbs and throw them to the orcs as feed.”
When I said that with genuine seriousness, Philip looked at me with slightly appalled eyes.
General Rubel lived up to his name—a man of tremendous build. He was easily a head taller than me, and sideways he was broad enough to equal two of me standing together.
He looked like an upgraded version of Sword Marshal General Isaac. As I flinched slightly, he let out a hearty laugh and extended his hand toward me.
“Pleased to meet you. I’d heard there were many hidden dragons in the Ribera Empire, but this is the first time I’ve come face to face with one.”
“It’s an honor for me as well to meet you, General. I was a bit concerned, having once sparred with a student of the Oscar Empire during the Academic Festival, but it seems the Oscar Empire is still going strong.”
“Hahaha, if he faced you, then that fellow was rather unlucky.”
“You could say that, hahaha.”
From the clasped hands, I felt a pressure meant to push me down. I wore a friendly smile, but likewise poured strength into my grip.
‘Testing me by provoking me the moment we meet.’
To others, it probably looked like a simple greeting, but there was a barb hidden in Rubel’s words.
He had heard there were many hidden dragons, but this was the first he had met.
That implied that everyone else was nothing but chaff, and I countered by likening our relationship to the Oscar Empire student I had utterly crushed during the Academic Festival.
General Rubel appeared adept at concealing his true feelings, but in reality, his boiling point was low.
That earlier provocation had been meant to gauge me, but when I pushed back instead, a faint vein rose at his temple, betraying his irritation.
“…….”
I casually surveyed our surroundings. As I spoke with Rubel, those nearby pretended to chat among themselves, yet devoted all their attention to us.
After all, we stood in positions that could represent the faces of our respective empires.
Relatively weaker nations had to keenly hone their senses toward the confrontation between the hegemons who had divided the Eastern and Western Continents, lest they be crushed like shrimp beneath fighting whales.
“…The Emperor has raised a monster, hasn’t he?”
Rubel spoke while glancing toward Philip beside him. Philip merely smiled faintly and responded calmly, as if indicating it wasn’t his place to intervene. Rubel then turned his head back toward me and asked,
“Or was it the Sword Saint who raised you?”
He continued to prod at my nerves without reservation. I shrugged and replied,
“I understand well how General Rubel rose to his position, but unfortunately, I grew up on my own. I imagine His Majesty or my master would give you a similar answer if you asked.”
You might have climbed to your place by feeding on a master’s backing, but I had overcome adversity and trials alone to reach this realm.
“…….”
At my words, Rubel seemed momentarily at a loss for what to say.
In truth, I might have crossed the line slightly. Even so, what could he do about it?
If the Oscar Empire stood behind him, then the Ribera Empire stood behind me. On top of that, for reasons unknown even to me, I enjoyed the Emperor’s favor. If I were to clash with General Rubel of the Oscar Empire, I’d receive praise rather than reprimand.
‘Honestly, I don’t think I’d be at much of a disadvantage even if we drew swords right now.’
As one of the strongest figures in the Oscar Empire, he was several steps above Philip and other masters, but I had plenty of cards of my own.
At the very least, I wouldn’t be overwhelmed one-sidedly.
That was why I responded so openly to his provocation.
If things went wrong, I could always hide behind my master. Thinking to see how Rubel would react, I watched him closely—only for him to burst into loud laughter and clap a hand on my shoulder.
“My apologies for being so prickly. The truth is, I made a wager with your master.”
“…A wager?”