I’m an Ordinary Returning Student at the Academy

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]

Chapter 147

Having fulfilled the Emperor’s orders, the Minister of the Imperial Household Ministry stood silently beside his liege.

‘Hmm.’

Karl Adelheit, the Young Lord of Friedrich County.

Has there ever been a noble who visited the Emperor’s chambers so frequently?

Even the Dukes didn’t come this often. Not to mention, Karl wasn’t even a titled noble yet, just a Young Lord.

“He received a miracle in the Holy See? Young Lord Karl Adelheit?”

The Emperor’s laughter at the news from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Holy See was still vivid in his mind.

It was understandable.

In truth, the Minister of the Imperial Household Ministry himself had been dumbfounded when relaying the news.

A miracle, indeed. And not one that appeared as a saint ascended to the Light, but one that manifested simply as a response to a prayer.

He suddenly recalled Karl’s recent audience with the Emperor. There, he had claimed it was merely good fortune. He hadn’t made any noble sacrifices or held any resolute determination.

He had thought it was humility. But could that be true? Had he accomplished all those things without any spirit of sacrifice or determination? Then how could the actions of others be explained?

And the manifestation of the miracle in the Holy See confirmed his suspicions. No matter how lucky one might be, could luck alone cause a divine miracle?

It was love.

It was affection.

It was like a divine tribute to the most radiant soul.

Even the Minister of the Imperial Household Ministry, who had only believed in Goddess as much as anyone else, had come to believe this.

“Sit.”

“Your Majesty.”

That must be why he was granted such an immense privilege. A noble, in the presence of the Emperor, sitting on a chair and facing the Emperor himself.

The people of the Empire would be shocked if they saw this.

Yet, in the end, they would accept it. The Medal of Honor alone was enough, but a divine miracle? How could anyone explain that?

“Come, sit down. Or do you wish to make me even more uncomfortable?”

“Absolutely not!”

Karl quickly sat down, startled by the Emperor’s playful joke and feigned frown.

Karl must also know that this is the Emperor’s affectionate jest towards a subject who continues to elevate the Empire’s prestige. That’s why he’s responding with such exaggerated reactions.

“I’ve heard all about it. You’ve had quite a busy vacation.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It just happened that way.”

“You’ve worked hard. For an academy student, vacation should be a time to rest. Since you’ve been so busy, I must offer my condolences.”

“I’m deeply honored.”

For a moment, the Minister of the Imperial Household Ministry almost burst out laughing.

The Emperor was essentially teasing Karl, saying, ‘How are you doing, since you couldn’t enjoy your vacation?’

And Karl, in a very polite manner, was whining, ‘Oh dear, it was so hard for me.’

Of course, he didn’t actually laugh. He had been in court for years, so he wouldn’t make such a mistake.

“Young Lord Karl Adelheit.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You first.”

“…Your Majesty?”

“It seems you have something to say, so I’ll give you the right to speak first.”

Upon hearing those words, the Minister of the Imperial Household Ministry and the Chamberlain immediately prostrated themselves and exclaimed.

“Your Majesty!”

This was the Imperial Palace, the residence of the Emperor, the heart of the capital.

Nothing, except for Goddess, could precede the Emperor. The Emperor initiated conversations, told stories, and concluded everything.

Yet, he was expressing, ‘Speak your mind. I will listen.’

This was a privilege that had only been briefly granted to the founding fathers who had greatly contributed to the establishment of the Empire, and only in its very early days.

It was a line that even the Dukes dared not cross for the sake of Imperial authority!

“Your Majesty, this is too much. I beseech you to withdraw it.”

Karl, perhaps also feeling that this was inappropriate, tried to get up from his chair and kneel again.

“It is the Emperor’s will. I will not accept the refusal.”

Of course, Karl obediently returned to his seat upon hearing the Emperor’s slightly stern response.

“…Then.”

After a moment of hesitation, Karl decided to just go for it.

Honestly, the Emperor had asked him to speak his mind first, so wouldn’t this be the right thing to do?

“There’s no need to give me anything more for what happened in the Holy See. It was just, truly… a coincidence. I can continue to work hard for the Empire. But I would rather not receive anything more for the sake of the Empire.”

“Is that your wish?”

The Emperor quietly gazed at Karl, thinking what a strange fellow he was.

Strange. Extremely strange. It couldn’t be anything but strange. Why was he acting like this?

Anyone in the Empire would want to spread their name further. No, it was only natural for any person to feel that way. Who in the world could be without ambition?

It was self-satisfaction derived from self-display. No human could escape it.

It was a kind of instinct, a survival instinct etched in long history, and simply a natural course of things. There was no reason to refuse it so vehemently.

“I… I have already received more than enough, Your Majesty. I’m receiving an overflowing amount of love.”

“Receiving an overflowing amount.”

He knew. He knew he was receiving an overflowing amount. But still, wouldn’t anyone want to receive more, even if it overflowed?

“Many people willingly gave their lives for me on the battlefield. I have already been sufficiently rewarded for everything I did there. And since then, I’ve gained friends, regained the starting point I lost due to foolish thoughts, and everyone around me is already happy. So, I believe I’ve received all that I need.”

The Minister of the Imperial Household Ministry, who had been bowing his head, stealthily glanced at Karl.

Now, he truly didn’t understand.

At first, he had thought Karl was just a young noble who spoke well and strived to gain the Emperor’s favor.

But now, he could vaguely understand why Karl accomplished such great things, why the Goddess bestowed miracles upon him, and why he was involved in all sorts of events.

Goodness without a thought for good or evil, determination without a desire for anything. Simply following where his heart leads him, he seeks his own light.

A phrase he once heard from the Radiant Church came to mind. He didn’t know why, but it echoed clearly in his ears.

“…I expected as much. Once again, this is your response. If you keep this up, I’ll only want to give you more. Are you perhaps aiming for this? If so, at least I’d be at ease.”

The Emperor shook his head, looked at Karl for a moment, and then spoke.

“As you might have already guessed, I can’t give you nothing. A divine miracle is no small matter. This situation, where Sainthood is being discussed, can’t be ignored. You are a noble of this Empire, my subject. As the Emperor who receives the loyalty of such a noble subject, I cannot do nothing.”

If you were still in the military, I would have simply given you another Medal of Honor.

A third medal really isn’t necessary. I know. Why worry about it when you can’t even receive it anyway? So, I was thinking of creating a medal named after you.

The Minister of the Imperial Household Ministry and the Chamberlain felt their minds going blank in real-time.

The Emperor was having such a casual conversation with a mere young noble. If other nobles saw this, they would rub their eyes in disbelief, wondering if they were hallucinating.

“So, how about this?”

The Emperor smiled as he presented a proposal to the ever-loyal subject who had been strengthening the Empire’s prestige lately.

“I wish to reward not you, but all those you hold dear. No, calling it a reward would be an insult. I wish to express my gratitude, which should have been done long ago. Not for being wounded or dying in battle, but for willingly fulfilling their duties and serving others, not me. I want to make heroes of them all.”

“….”

“It will take time. It will be difficult. There may be opposition. But it will be done. For the sake of this glory. So that this radiance does not end in my reign. For the current Crown Prince, for the Imperial Heir growing within the Crown Princess, for that Heir’s child, and that child’s child… So that this Empire may shine brightly for eternity, I intend to do this for that driving force, that power.”

How does that sound? At the Emperor’s final words, Karl immediately rose from his seat, as if to say, what more could he ask for?

“If that is what you wish. Even if they are forgotten, those who were steadfast in their duty, who were true to themselves even when no one acknowledged them, those who gave their all and received nothing… If such glory is bestowed upon them, wouldn’t that be the source of loyalty that shines for eternity?”

The Emperor smiled at Karl’s answer.

Yes, with such a response, it seemed doable. Those who were already heroes, and those who never considered themselves heroes…

Everyone would become heroes of the Empire and be respected. There would be no mockery of nameless, pointless sacrifices.

“Then, it seems this matter is settled. Next, I shall speak first.”

“As you wish.”

“It’s nothing major, Karl. I merely wish to lessen your burden.”

“Your Majesty?”

As Karl looked up, puzzled, the Emperor pointed at Karl’s chest.

“You have too many medals, Karl. It must be quite a hassle to wear them all at official events.”

“…Yes, it is.”

“So, I’d like to propose a replacement for those medals. Hmm, what should I call it? Yes, let’s call it a medal bar. What do you think?”

He would create a medal bar and give him a few more medals along with it.

Honestly, he couldn’t not give them. The rewards for others were one thing, but Karl’s were a given.

Still, with a medal bar, he wouldn’t have to carry the weight, so it would lessen his burden, wouldn’t it?

The Emperor, picturing Karl’s delighted face at the thought of a medal bar, smiled a little wickedly.

[Translator – Angel Dust]

[Proofreader – Prototype]