Chapter 61 – The Next Incident Zone, Right There

“….”

―*Gulp*

―*Shiver shiver shiver*

―*Fidget fidget*

So distracting it was driving him mad. Unable to endure any longer, Deus subtly turned his head to the side.

“Are you alright, senior?”

“Ah? Me, me?”

“Yes. You seem much more nervous than the other two.”

The male student representing the second-years mopped sweat from his brow, stating the obvious.

He was a noble, yes. Though even at a generous estimate, he was merely one among the many well-off lords from the provinces.

And this was the Imperial Palace. A basic condition for entering was possessing at least a noble title, and rumor had it that even that required the rank of Count or higher.

Worse still, the one they would be meeting wasn’t a proxy or even member of the Imperial family,

“Aren’t you… nervous, junior?”

“Me, you mean?”

“Yes. Standing before His Imperial Majesty, no less.”

Luciel’s declaration to bring Deus before the Emperor was soon to become a reality.

Following that, the schedule was altered, and the Emperor himself would now preside over the Commendation Ceremony, originally to have been overseen by the Crown Prince.

The official reason was to personally encourage those representing the many students, who were striving to become pillars supporting the Empire from the cradle, and to broadcast this message throughout the academy.

In truth, however, it was also an opportunity to call Deus aside for a private audience.

“…Nervous. Yes. I am. I am, certainly.”

A lie. To be frank, he wasn’t all that nervous.

Unfortunately, he was the sort who couldn’t be further from the idea of monarchies. He had only ever seen the Emperor’s grandeur and the Imperial Family’s importance in novels and videos.

Having no personal experience with it, even though it was a place that should make him nervous, other than thinking, “Just don’t make any mistakes,” there was nothing else weighing on his mind.

“Lies. No matter how I look, you don’t have the face of a man strung with nerves.”

“I assure you, I am quite nervous.”

A little. Yes. Truly, only a little.

“Of course. A hero who’s faced devils twice now is different, I suppose.”

“Didn’t you fight a devil once before, Senior, as a member of the expeditionary force?”

“I didn’t even get a proper shot in before I fainted, remember?”

“…Ah.”

I wasn’t aware. My apologies! Just as Deus was clearing his throat, Luciel, who had entered the palace ahead with the guards, appeared in the distance.

And beside her, a man Deus had never seen before followed.

‘…Who is that?’

In that instant, Deus’s eyes narrowed.

On the surface, he was an exceedingly ordinary-looking man. However, according to what his so-called ‘Strong Person Detection Radar’ was picking up, the result was that this man was almost on par with Shavel, whom he had met previously.

The difference was that Shavel’s character was exceptionally aggressive, but the man walking towards them… how should he describe it? Incredibly weighty and extremely restrained….

“Oho. I can tell just by looking. The junior standing over there must be that hero.”

“Yes, you’ve guessed correctly.”

Hehe. Luciel smiled once and approached Deus’s side.

“Junior? Allow me to introduce you. This is Lord Etendal Ransadorte.”

“Lord Ransadorte, I am Deus, the representative of the first-year class at the Cradle.”

Deus offered his greeting casually. But the reactions of those beside him were rather peculiar.

Not only the second-year representative but even Nefertima across from him was exclaiming, “Hwaek!?” in utter shock.

“Wait. Ran, Ransadorte, you say…”

“Lord Etendal Ransadorte? Sur, surely not?”

At that, Luciel burst into giggles and continued.

“Yes, yes. That’s right. He is the Lord Protector of the Empire, you see.”

“Hahaha. Such grandiose titles embarrass me. Your Highness. It would suffice to describe me as a useless retainer who only consumes meals while holed up in the Imperial Palace.”

Ah. Only then did he understand why his two Seniors at his side were reacting so… exuberantly.

Lord Protector. A title bestowed upon the highest-ranked defense-type Awakened in the Empire.

It originated decades ago during the early days of the Gate Crisis, to commemorate a defense-type Awakened who risked their life to protect the Imperial Palace when it was in peril.

Since then, the Empire’s greatest shield always resided in the Imperial Palace, protecting the Imperial Family, and receiving the highest honors.

“Please, don’t speak like that.”

“Isn’t it true, Your Highness? It’s nice to say I’m the Lord Protector, but in reality, I am an Awakened who can’t even properly go to the front lines. Hahaha!”

“The world knows you were perfectly forged on the front lines before coming to the Imperial Palace.”

Having said that, Luciel encouraged Deus and Etendal to shake hands.

“Haha. What an honor. To shake hands with the hero of the Cradle who might even surpass Shavel Seiber. No, perhaps he already has.”

“The honor is all mine.”

–Clench

The two men’s hands clasped. And for a fleeting moment, they shared the same thought.

‘Strong.’

‘Impregnable.’

One was surprised that a junior who had only just entered the academy was this strong. The other was impressed that even after being away from the field for a while, he was still this capable.

“Enough with the pleasantries. Let’s move. By now, preparations should be complete inside to receive our guests.”

Ettendale took the lead, the students of the Cradle following close behind.

“…”

As he walked, Deus continued to cast furtive glances, scrutinizing every inch of his surroundings.

The inner workings of the Imperial Palace were even more impenetrable than he had imagined. Could a traitor truly emerge from within these walls and achieve what he desired? The thought gave him pause.

*If only I could pinpoint Sealstone’s location… but it would be rather suspicious if a guest like myself started asking such questions.*

Who could possibly harbor a hidden agenda and act upon it within this flawlessly guarded palace?

Someone who, of course, Luciel and the rest of the Imperial family wouldn’t even consider suspecting…

“Hmm.”

Come to think of it, isn’t that person walking right in front of me?

Ettendale Lansadorte. Disregarding everything else for now, he certainly fits the criteria.

He enjoys the Imperial family’s utmost trust, so no one would suspect him of plotting anything. At the same time, his skills are undeniably exceptional, allowing him to pull off practically anything.

However, if I reconsider the aspects I initially dismissed, the possibility vanishes entirely.

*No real reason to betray them. No mistreatment or burning desire for revenge against the Imperial family. Quite the opposite, he enjoys the highest honors as Guardian General.*

Of course, it’s possible for those who have everything to want even more, or to betray for some other reason.

But based on what I’ve seen so far, suspecting him of treachery seems far-fetched.

Besides, when he shook his hand, Deus felt a strangely irritating, yet nostalgic sensation.

It was similar to the feeling he got from “Old Man” back in the day. Someone who had weathered every harsh storm and made it this far. The kind of aura that inexplicably inspires trust.

No. It’s not him.

“Still lost in thought even after arriving here, junior?”

Neferti, who was beside him, commented with an incredulous tone.

“All fine and dandy, but focus now. We’re on our way to meet His Imperial Majesty! We can’t have you acting like this!”

“Surely His August Imperial Majesty, in his infinite wisdom, will graciously excuse the minor slip-ups caused by the nerves of a young student? Haha!”

“…?”

Wait, what? Did I hear that right? Neferti stared at Deus, utterly bewildered.

Who would have thought such a line would come from his mouth? Someone who looks like he would scoff, “I do not listen to the words of those weaker than myself!”

*

“Your Majesty, the Guardian General awaits with those who came from the Cradle.”

Ah, yes. That’s right. He had hoped to meet them sooner, but pressing matters had caused the delay.

The disquieting signs of unrest that had been surfacing in various corners of the Empire recently. Each report that reached him only added to his unease.

“Very well. Show them in.”

The mass gate manifestation incident alone had been disruptive enough.

If only it had stopped there. But as is so often the case, misfortune seemed to breed more misfortune.

“Our investigation suggests that the monsters we have considered our enemies until now were merely beasts bred by a far greater foe.”

A truly terrifying revelation. Yet, it was a conclusion he could not deny.

That the calamities that had devoured and overcome so many heroes were nothing more than creatures cultivated by some unknown entity.

Worse still, behind them lurked beings several times more powerful and terrifying than the monsters themselves!

If this truth were to become public, it would unleash a tempest upon this fragile peace.

The supremacist zealots who spouted the absurd notion that only those with abilities should remain would only grow more emboldened.

If not for the victory that one young man had delivered.

“Your Imperial Majesty.”

The Warden of the Realm, Etendal, offered the first greeting, followed by a familiar face stepping forward.

The Third Princess. Luciel Margretel. So very like the Empress, and the daughter he had cherished all the more for it.

And yet, a brave child who had willingly stepped forward to become an Awakened, driven by duty and love for the Empire.

Beside her stood a young woman he hadn’t met in person, but had heard much about.

‘Wasn’t she the youngest daughter of Duke Chester, cherished beyond measure?’

A father holding his daughter dear was only natural. Thus, the Emperor understood the Duke’s lingering worries.

‘That one is rather tense, isn’t she?’

Judging by the order, she must be the second-year representative. However, her complexion was poor; her nerves must be getting the better of her.

Come to think of it, how often would a mere noble’s child have reason to enter the Imperial Palace, let alone meet the Emperor? It was perhaps fitting that she was so fraught with anxiety.

It would be best to send her back soon, for the young lady’s sake. And finally…

“…Hmm.”

At some point, the Emperor had unwittingly let out a sound of admiration.

The Imperial Palace was home to many excellent knights. Not to mention a large number of exceptionally skilled Awakened.

In particular, the Warden of the Realm standing right beside him was the best of the best.

Even Shabel visited frequently, so the Emperor’s eye was naturally attuned to the highest caliber.

And yet, upon meeting Deus, someone he had never encountered before, the Emperor simply smiled, remarking that he now had a rough idea of how they managed to capture the demon.