Chapter 283

A few days ago, before the news of the northern wall’s fall had spread, the capital was buzzing with a festive atmosphere due to the emergence of a hero.

A hero. Someone who has surpassed the realm of a master.

No one could consider Ha-shal-leur a mere master anymore. It was clear that her achievements were beyond what any ordinary master could accomplish.

Thus, it was inevitable that a new term would be coined. To the people of today, the realm beyond a master was an unknown territory.

No one knows who first uttered the word “hero,” but it settled in surprisingly quickly and naturally. Given the might and deeds displayed by Count Mediane, it was hard to find a more fitting term.

Though some within the Empire’s nobility resisted… they were, after all, a minority. They couldn’t go against the tide.

===========

What do you think nobles are best at? It’s sniffing out the scent of power.

Especially when it’s a rising star with no established faction yet, but someone who is destined to rise higher than anyone else in the future… It’s no surprise they cling like dogs in heat.

If they can pull you to their side, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and even building a favorable relationship is a tremendous achievement.

In the end… whether I wanted it or not, I was thrown into the heart of power.

Some would be extremely wary of me, while others would cling to me, hoping to extract some benefit. They wouldn’t pose a threat to me, but it was undoubtedly a huge hassle.

In fact, even though it was well-known that I was recuperating, requests to meet the hero and express gratitude were persistently repeated.

At least they seemed to have gotten the information that I detest men’s advances, so no one dared to mention anything about political marriages.

No, it’s not that they stopped… it’s more like the target changed.

—-

“Leonor, there’s something I want to ask.”

I tossed the newspaper I was reading onto the bedside and spoke to Leonor, who was lounging around under the guise of guarding me.

Leonor, who had been idly practicing her swordsmanship by flicking her wrist, smirked as soon as she saw my expression, as if she already knew what was coming.

“Just looking at your face, I can tell. Something unpleasant must’ve been written, huh? You look like you could tear a few people apart. Not that your scary face would have much effect, though. So, what do you want to know?”

“Do you think it would be legally fine if I hung the guy who suggested changing my nickname to ‘Red Empress’ on the cathedral wall?”

[I agree. It would be quite a spectacle to hang him on a fallen cross.]

The editorial claimed that the term “Empress” was inappropriate as it undermined the imperial authority, but it was clear what they really meant.

Whoever wrote it must have been made entirely of guts. It was a statement that could flip both my and Duke Bien’s positions. They must have eight thousand lives or something.

“If you want to do it, just do it. Leopold or Marquis Ludwig will handle the aftermath. Who in the capital could even arrest you? You’ve already cut down the Empire’s greatest swordsman.”

Her tone was casual, as if it were no big deal… but it was essentially a warning not to do it.

While no one could stop me given my power, it would cause enough controversy that Leopold or Ludwig would have to clean up the mess.

…Honestly, I was just venting because I was so annoyed. I had no real intention of doing such a thing.

If it were more than just an editorial and someone actually tried something like that… the story would be different.

Things would probably calm down once Duke Bien returned. He wouldn’t let such rumors persist, especially since he’s positioned himself as the future emperor’s father-in-law thanks to Adelaide.

That also means there’s a chance the Duke might see me as an enemy… but I doubt it.

Having witnessed what I did and what I’m capable of on the Zeren Plains, Duke Bien wouldn’t make such a foolish and dangerous decision.

—-

Though I absentmindedly tossed the newspaper aside due to the infuriating editorial, it contained quite a lot of information.

The punitive force heading to the Venes territory had achieved victory, the restoration of the waterways was progressing rapidly, and the reconstruction of the collapsed imperial palace had been halted for some reason. Things like that.

It seems Leopold managed to win safely. It would’ve been a disaster if he had lost after defeating Isabella.

It was written that it would still take some time for him to return, but it was certain that he would ascend to the throne immediately upon his return.

Emperor Leopold…

“Do you think Leopold will make a good emperor?”

“Why are you asking me that now? You’re the one who practically made him emperor. He would’ve been dead long ago if it weren’t for you. Did you have some plan when you pushed for him?”

Leonor asked, sounding incredulous.

Well, I chose him because he was better than Ernst, who would’ve become Isabella’s puppet, but I have no idea how competent Leopold will be as emperor.

“I chose him because it seemed better than making Isabella the empress dowager.”

“…That’s true. Anyway, from what I can see… he’ll probably be fine. He’s clever and has a way with words, and he’s neither extravagant nor cruel, so he won’t become a tyrant or a despot. He might be swayed a bit by the electors since they helped him win, but… that cunning man won’t just become a puppet.”

Surprisingly high praise. Though there was a bit of sarcasm mixed in, it was a positive assessment that he wouldn’t be a bad emperor.

“That’s a relief.”

I guess I can leave him to handle things on his own from now on?

It’s not like I can afford to get tangled up in imperial matters any longer.

With Isabella, the latter-stage enemy, taken down years earlier, the future is now completely uncharted territory.

I have no idea when or in what order the enemies will appear.

Monsters. Beastmen. Ka`har. Fairies. Dragons. And even fanatical heretics.

The known enemies alone are countless.

It’s going to be a long road…

I sighed and pulled out a cigarette.

“Should a patient really be smoking that, miss?”

“What’s the big deal? No one’s stopping me. Besides, light it for me, will you?”

I flicked the cigarette I was holding toward Leonor. No need to waste my energy on Up-hwa when there’s someone to light it for me.

“My life, seriously…”

Grumbling, she approached the bedside.

Leonor struck a match and lit a cigarette for him.

“Phew…”

He exhaled a puff of smoke through the open window, pondering what lay ahead.

He needed to grow stronger. Not just himself, but everyone else too.

The fact that Freide, Ophelia, and Leonor had reached master-level strength was encouraging, but thinking about the future, they alone wouldn’t be enough. If an enemy like Valenstein showed up, all three of them would end up as funeral offerings.

…And when the hell is Damien going to reach master-level? He needs to at least get there before he can even think about going for the holy sword. Otherwise, he won’t be able to pull it out anyway.

Was the training intensity too weak? In a world where severed limbs can be healed, maybe I should’ve just gone all out and broken every bone in his body to toughen him up.

—

That evening, Nigel finally woke up. By then, I had also been assured that I could move around a bit, so I headed straight to her room.

“I’m ashamed. My lack of strength nearly caused us to fail, and Sir Bels was seriously injured too…”

Typical Nigel. The first thing she said upon seeing me was self-deprecating. She’s great, but her self-evaluation is way too low. She’s so earnest that she tends to overdo the self-criticism.

“Not at all. In fact, thanks to your efforts beyond expectations, things turned out well.”

Honestly, I hadn’t expected to beat Ernst. I just hoped we could hold out until Isabella lost control of the insects using her illusion.

A fully realized Ernst could take on four masters alone, but with Bels, who had a favorable matchup, I thought the two of us could at least hold our ground. But who would’ve thought we’d take him down first?

It was largely thanks to Ernst not being able to properly attack Leonor, but it was still an astonishing achievement.

“Anyway, focus on resting and recovering for now.”

Ah, saying that won’t work on a training addict like her. She’s the type to wrap herself in bandages and claim that exercising is part of her recovery and rehabilitation.

So then…

“We’ve taken down Isabella, but the war in the east and north isn’t over yet. You know that, right? If you push yourself too hard and delay your recovery, making it impossible to return to the battlefield, there’s no greater shame for a knight.”

“I’ll keep that in mind…”

Nigel nodded. With that said, she should finally get some proper rest.

—

The journey back after being discharged was pure chaos. Someone must’ve leaked that I was being discharged, because the crowd was so thick that the carriage could barely move.

And of course, the carriage provided by the hospital didn’t even have curtains to cover the windows.

“Look! He’s finally here!”

“Long live Count Medean!”

“The Radiant Knight! The Empire’s hero!”

The overly enthusiastic cheers made my face burn.

“You’re quite popular, miss. Just half a year ago, all you had was a bad reputation. Who would’ve thought it’d turn into praise in just six months? The world works in funny ways.”

Leonor, sitting next to me, smirked. She had her head turned so far back that no one could see her face.

“The Daffodil Goddess!”

What the hell is that idiot saying…!

Seriously, he just keeps popping up when I least expect him. Still hanging around the capital as an academy student—maybe he’s exempt from military service because he’s a eunuch or something.

“A daffodil? Indeed…! That delicate yet dignified beauty…! She’s the very image of a daffodil! You know your stuff!”

A few men chimed in, and soon the word “daffodil” was echoing all around.

Ugh… I just want to disappear…

Once things with Leopold are settled… no, even then, I can’t leave the capital. I’m still part of Remnant Academy, after all. Though I could probably take on all the professors at once without breaking a sweat, but what’s the point now?

Maybe I should just apply for early graduation? I don’t know if that’s a thing, but if I pester Leopold enough, he’d probably make it happen.

—

We were making our way through the crowd, but the carriage was moving at a snail’s pace. As a result, I had to endure the relentless praise pouring in from all sides.

“She’s so pretty… Is that lady the Red Empress?”

…If the person who said that had been a man over twenty, I would’ve hung him from the carriage. But no matter how annoyed I was, I couldn’t get mad at a little girl who looked no older than six or seven.

“Why don’t you wave back? They’re going crazy out there.”

“I’m not in the mood… Why doesn’t this carriage have anything to cover the windows?”

I groaned, clutching my forehead. If they were going to put windows in, they should’ve at least added curtains. Why just leave them bare?

“I took the curtains off.”

…What?

An unexpected confession. The culprit was right here!

“Why would you take off perfectly good curtains…?”

“It was stuffy, and it’s the procession of the hero who saved the Empire. It’d be a shame not to show your face.”

Leonor shrugged.

“Plus, if you hide your face, some idiots might start thinking you’re hiding serious injuries or something.”

…A response that left no room for argument.

“Sigh… If that’s the reason, I guess there’s no choice…”

“Besides, I hate stuffy spaces. A cramped area blocked by fabric? No thanks.”

Wait, so she took them off just because she didn’t like it? I wanted to argue, but Leonor’s expression was so serious that I didn’t feel like pressing the issue.

Does she have some kind of claustrophobia or anxiety disorder…?