Chapter 56 – It’s Okay. I Don’t Die Easily.

“Ugh…”

So, it comes to this. With a light sigh, Luciel stared at the document in his hand.

[In order to support the Cradle’s young heroes who are working tirelessly for the empire’s peace and the continent’s prosperity, we plan to invite several students to the Imperial Palace for commendation.]

[The invitees are planned to be representatives from each grade level of the Cradle.]

It wasn’t as if this *never* happened. But the most recent record…how many years ago was it?

Mostly, the Imperial Family would send someone to the Cradle to deliver the Emperor’s praise directly to the students. Or an Imperial personage would visit in person to boost morale.

In any case, sending people *to* the Cradle was the customary thing.

But this time it’s different. They’re actually choosing representatives and summoning them to the Imperial Palace.

What could this signify? It meant the Emperor himself would appear to praise, and even comfort them.

The Cradle’s students hadn’t even accomplished anything particularly noteworthy yet.

The Emperor only appeared personally for one thing: to honor those who had saved the empire from numerous threats. (A prime example being Shabel, who single-handedly destroyed dozens of gates a few years back.)

‘And yet, they insist on summoning the students to the Imperial Palace…’

A superficial reason. A kind of justification for this somewhat sudden event.

And the decisive reason for this is, most likely…

—Knock knock

“Senior. It’s Deus.”

Yes. Probably because of that man.

“Come in, Junior.”

The door opened, and the colossal man entered.

—Thump

“Ouch.”

He was so tall that he lightly bumped his forehead on the doorframe.

It’s not like the door was low. He had to pause and bow his head to get through.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“Yes. It’s about something, a place you’ll need to go to at the beginning of next month, Junior.”

“A place I need to go to… Perhaps a field assignment?”

Not quite. A better place than that. Or perhaps, a place that could be more difficult?

Saying this, Luciel beckoned Deus closer and handed him the document.

“…Hmm.”

“Startling, isn’t it? I understand. This hardly ever happens, you see. Even when comforting and praising students, the Imperial Family would send a spokesperson or one of their members.”

Words of comfort and praise, but essentially it’s an invitation. And only one from each year.

That meant one would definitely be Luciel. Another, Nefertiti. One more from the second year. And finally, from the first year, most likely… no, just certainly, it would be him.

“I’ll be frank with you, Junior. The stated reason is that they’re calling representatives from each grade, but in reality, it’s the Imperial Family showing their interest in none other than you, Deus. Probably, with a high probability, it’s my older brother. Or… well. You understand, don’t you?”

The Crown Prince came out, so who’s next? Truthfully, it was obvious.

“Can a person of my humble origins dare to have an audience with His Imperial Majesty?”

“Certainly, in the empire of the past, such a thing would have been impossible. But not now. Faced with the unprecedented threats of gates and monsters. And now, with a new and immense enemy called demons. Holding onto those things is something that neither I, nor my brother, nor His Imperial Majesty are stubborn enough to do.”

Indeed. If the higher-ups were hopeless, the empire wouldn’t have survived the past decades.

In ＜Gate Opens on the First Day of Mercenary Work＞, kingdoms fell one after another in less than a year.

Clearly, this world is one with more hope and far greater potential than that one.

“The beginning of next month… that leaves us with exactly one month.”

“Yes, seems so. Ah! Just in case, don’t you worry. Surely, a royal invitation wouldn’t come with ‘just sort yourselves out and come on over,’ now would it?”

As early as this week, or by next week at the latest, officials from the Imperial Household’s etiquette department will arrive.

It’s one thing for Her Highness the Princess and Neferti, being a duchess’s daughter, but the valedictorian of the sophomore class is a mere nobleman, and Deus a commoner, so they’ll be taken care of.

Of course, this courtesy and convenience is only extended to the students of the Cradle.

For they are the ones who willingly shoulder their duty to this Empire, the Imperial Family, and its people.

Even more than this, so long as no lines are crossed, the Imperial Family is ready to lend an ear.

“…So, the sophomore valedictorian, the student council president, and you, senior, will be going together.”

“Yes. Singling out Deus would draw too much attention. There’s no benefit to having exceptions, so we’re using existing roles as a rationale.”

“…”

Right. The Imperial Academy. Or, the Imperial Palace. One of the two. Or perhaps, both.

Whatever the case, something is bound to happen. At the very least, something on the scale of the menagerie or the Duchy. Or perhaps, even grander, meaning a new devil is all but certain to appear.

And just because of that, Deus felt a headache already brewing.

Not just anywhere, but the Imperial Academy. Or even the Imperial Palace. The repercussions would be far too great, no matter what.

‘It’s like dropping a bomb in the middle of a country’s capital, not just some big city. And that’s despite the great magic network being so well-maintained. The social chaos will be monumental.’

This isn’t some democratic nation he knows, but a country existing under an absolute monarchy.

The importance of the capital. And the symbolism of the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor resides, cannot be overstated. Chaos and stability could hinge on a single event.

Naturally, the Empire is well aware of the importance of both places. That’s why they are entirely outfitted with Sealstones.

Even when gates sprouted across the Empire, the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Academy remained serenely quiet.

But. A devil appears in such a place? Could it even be handled?

Leaving aside the damage, if the news spread throughout the Empire, the gradually stabilizing situation would boil over and turn upside down again.

‘This… where have I seen this before?’

Right. He’s seen it plenty. Like ＜The Mercenary Company’s First Day, A Gate Opens＞. Or other novels.

Where the well-defended sanctuary. The city. Or even, the nation, eventually and completely collapses in such a manner.

He’s seen enough depictions of how a massive wave, after enduring several crises, smashes through a place where it ‘should never be breached’.

“Junior.”

Here’s a question. The Imperial Academy and the Imperial Palace are both perfectly protected by Sealstones. How on earth can a devil appear in such a place?

Could it be that devil, Astaroth, whom he saved last time, is returning? While not impossible, she wouldn’t have recovered from that damage so quickly.

“Deus, Junior?”

Astaroth it isn’t. She will at least be excluded from this matter.

That means a new enemy will eventually appear. But devils can only enter this world through gates, so if they can’t use that, it’s pointless.

‘Two possibilities. Like the events in the Duchy, approaching from afar. Or…’

Or. The problem originates from within. The situation may be slightly different but, like in the Cradle.

“Junior!!”

“Ah, yes, Senior.”

“What are you thinking about, so lost in thought? I called you several times.”

“It’s… well.”

If things continue as they are, the Empire’s capital, or even the Imperial Palace, could become a sea of fire.

I was trying to narrow down the possibilities, would you like to hear them?

“Come to think of it, I heard that you and the student council president have been very busy lately.”

“…?”

“Ah. Forgive me. Upon saying it, it sounded rather strange, didn’t it? So, I heard you’re working on devising a counter-demon tactic for the Chairman, one the Chairman can actually utilize.”

“It seems the Student Council Chairman spoke of this.”

“Yes. Adding that he feels like he’s going to die. Not just from exhaustion, but truly, genuinely, die. There was some screaming involved, wasn’t there?”

Deus then, in a chillingly calm tone, crushed Nefertiti’s opinion with, “He’s exaggerating.”

For the record, this was his honest assessment. He was truly holding back, toeing the line. Providing just enough. Why was he claiming he was going to die? It wasn’t like he was fighting demons.

“A jest. Or perhaps a prank. People don’t die so easily.”

“The Chairman seemed serious…”

Luciel, tilting her head for a moment, then continued, “Anyway. Deus, junior. Might I also be of assistance?”

“Me assisting you, senior?”

“Why not? You said it yourself last time. To come to you if I found myself stuck. That you’d help in any way possible.”

In the current situation, you possess overwhelmingly more experience against demons.

In a situation where it is self-evident that a new danger is coming to the empire, i would like to learn as much as possible.

So, help me as you said before. In any way.

“…”

Deus remained silent for a moment at Luciel’s words.

Not because of some hidden reason. Simply because things were going smoothly. Because he felt satisfied.

*’I was just mulling over how to ask if she’d consider receiving some new training from me first.’*

The other party was his senior. And also a princess.

He may hold an overwhelming advantage in skill, but that was precisely why he needed to approach this cautiously.

A wounded pride, no matter what measures were taken afterward, could never be truly mended, and it would only make their relationship more uncomfortable.

“Are you truly, in need of my assistance?”

“Yes. I too have encountered demons, so I know them to a certain extent. How powerful they are. And how even worse ones might emerge, making even these ones seem like mere toys in comparison.”

“…”

“Protecting this empire, this world, from their grasp. Returning everything to its original state with my light, with my sword. And with my romance. That is what I desire, Deus.”

Unwavering eyes, voice. And perfectly controlled aura.

Not a single trace of falsehood resided within. Only sincerity remained.

“Since you have requested my aid. I shall consider it an honor, and assist you with all my strength.”

“Thank you. Truly–”

“However.”

The condition he always set was the same. For Nefertiti as well. And now, for Luciel too.

“You must be, prepared.”

Prepared? Wasn’t what she’d shown already preparation enough? What else—

—*Kreeeeak!*

—*Uhdududuk!!*

“…?”

Wait. Junior? Why are you suddenly… stretching your shoulders? And why do I hear the sound of steel grinding together from your body… ?