CHAPTER 149: NINE HUNDRED YEARS IS LONG ENOUGH [1]

Aint played the recording crystal he had received from Gerhard.

The numerous spectators filling the stadium, their cheers.

His Imperial Majesty the Emperor!

All of it was directed at the Emperor of this country.

"...That man."

So that’s the current Emperor.

The Emperor had brilliant golden hair, similar to Aint’s, and clear gray eyes.

His sturdy physique was like that of a warrior.

The momentum, authority, and dignity felt through the recording crystal made it clear that he was a person who most befitted the word "Emperor."

"..."

If it was this impressive just viewing through a recording crystal, how would it have been to see him in person?

Aint swallowed dryly.

The Emperor slowly waved to the people and began his speech. The dignity imbued in each and every word was enough to instill loyalty where there was none.

Judging by appearances alone, I can somewhat understand why Armian lost the throne to someone like him.

In fact, nine hundred years is a long time to hold power. It was time to lose the throne, and when capable people emerged, that was the natural result.

"What?"

Aint tilted his head at the sudden remark. It seemed contrary to the image Gardner had shown so far.

Why are you surprised?

Objectively speaking, Schwaben gaining the throne was simply because they did well. Of course, it could also be because Armian was incompetent.

In fact, that wasn’t very important.

Even the first Emperor didn’t think Armian would maintain the throne forever.

At most, three hundred years. Nine hundred years far exceeded that expectation.

The structure of the Armian Empire was bound to be that way from the beginning.

To defeat the demons, the divided kingdoms had to unite, but who would join if only offered mediocre benefits to become vassals?

To incorporate proper kingdoms into the Empire, something worth giving up the throne had to be offered.

Not just empty hope in words, but a substantial reward.

"You mean that was the imperial throne?"

Yes.

The hope that though they would become vassals now, they or their descendants could hold the imperial throne.

A system that made that possible.

That was how the current Empire was born.

Some opposed it, but at the time, the survival of humanity was more urgent than Armian’s throne. It was unavoidable.

Nevertheless, the fact that Armian’s throne continued for as long as nine hundred years was almost a miracle.

That speaks to the greatness of the first Emperor’s achievements. Well, it also means there were fewer incompetent rulers among the Armian emperors than expected.

At least, there weren’t many who disgraced the first Emperor’s name, Gardner muttered.

"...Then why did you curse Schwaben as usurpers to me?"

Because I am not a vassal of the Empire, but a vassal of Armian.

Those two were distinctly different.

Even if Armian was a patchwork empire, and it wouldn’t have been strange for anyone to ascend to the imperial throne.

I wanted Armian’s throne to continue, and I still do.

That’s why Gardner volunteered to become the ego of the sword.

To prevent demons from appearing again and to save humanity.

If we fail to prevent it, the first Emperor’s achievements, our sacrifices and efforts, will all be meaningless.

And if, as everyone expected, Armian had lost the throne, then to restore it to its rightful place.

So I will make you Emperor.

That was the last loyal heart that could repay the first Emperor’s grace.

Aint momentarily hesitated at that heavy loyalty.

"...Why go to such lengths?"

Because the first Emperor saved me when I was sick, starving, and dying on the streets.

What, are you suddenly averse to it because it’s burdensome?

"It is burdensome, but I don’t dislike it."

Aint couldn’t understand how deep loyalty could persist for a thousand years.

It could be seen as obsession or fixation. But as an Armian, it would be a lie to say it wasn’t welcome.

"Our goals are the same after all."

Above all, since that loyalty was flowing in the direction he wanted, there was even less reason to refuse.

He also needed help to defeat the demons.

I thought you were just a child, but that’s not entirely true.

As expected of an Armian.

"I want that seat to be mine."

Aint’s gaze fixed on the Emperor in the recording crystal.

"For that, I can’t remain a child."

Even if the first Emperor had foreseen this situation.

Even if it was a predetermined course for Armian to lose the throne.

It didn’t matter.

To Aint, who had grown up hearing about the history of the past nine hundred years, the throne rightfully belonged to Armian.

The recording crystal continued to play, and soon images of the headmaster and Professor Rosalia stepping forward appeared.

"This is it."

At this point, Aint, Gerhard, and Ariadne had taken their seats in the stands. And the news of the large-scale magical beast assault had spread.

Afterward, the headmaster canceled his plan to announce the malignant creatures.

In the situation where magical beast legions were rampant, announcing the malignant creatures would likely only amplify fear.

Instead of ’Malignant creatures were here, but we successfully eliminated them!’, it would be ’Not only are magical beasts running wild, but malignant creatures were also secretly operating in the academy! The malignant creatures have officially begun to move!’

There’s nothing you can do right now. As the parvenu said, staying put is the best option.

"I know."

That was what he intended to do anyway.

The shocking news cast a war cloud over the academy, but there would be no need for students to step forward. The Empire isn’t weak enough to mobilize them.

You never know.

They might recruit volunteers in the name of experience.

"That could be possible."

He thought there was a good chance the academy might do something like that.

==

The contact from the Judges was well within the range of predictable events.

The same went for the Chief Judge personally contacting Aint.

But the monster wave starting from the Tacklakan desert wasn’t. Nor was the inclusion of magical beasts.

Magical beasts and monsters were clearly different. Therefore, the shock delivered by their assault was more than just a monster wave.

’Since they’ve been exposed anyway, are they planning to move openly?’

It did seem more impressive for malignant creatures to reveal themselves by moving a legion and turning a territory into a wasteland, rather than being caught and exposed by their enemies.

At least to the humans who suffered.

’Was it like this in the original history? There’s no way to know.’

There was no way to tell if the malignant creatures were acting out of increased anger due to the altered history, or if this was always meant to happen.

If only he knew that much, it would be easier to deal with. The previous prophecy was already over, so wasn’t it about time for the next one to arise?

’Well, it’s not like there’s anything I can do right now anyway...’

It was an issue far from the academy, and such large-scale warfare was a matter for his father to handle directly.

Father would probably make an enormous profit from this opportunity. War means money.

’Enviable.’

That money should have been mine.

No, it was still too early to be greedy. War would expand anyway. There would be many opportunities to make money.

’At times like this, it might be good to establish a separate company, but...’

But when thinking about the Golden Turtle Company, that thought quickly recedes.

There was no need to leave the protection of the Golden Turtle Company and start again in the barren wilderness.

Father wouldn’t allow it anyway, so why bother?

’For now, I’ll purchase as many weapons, armor, and artifacts as possible at the academy branch level.’

Since he said he would give full authority over matters related to demons and malignant creatures to the branch, this much should be fine.