The Sponsored Heroines Are Coming for Me

Cold sweat trickles down my back.

Caught between the Foreign Minister of the Empire and the Archbishop of the Vatican, I can only feel a chill run down my spine.

These men—powerful enough to make someone like me disappear without a trace—fighting over me is a situation I’d gladly avoid.

Yet here I am, right in the middle of it all.

To summarize the current situation.

I, Ian Blackangers, am credited with a decisive role in taking down Evan, the Fifth Disciple of the Bloodstone Cult.

The Empire and the Vatican have reacted to this achievement in very different ways.

The Britannian Empire is crafting plans to turn me into a hero and use me as a political tool.

They call it “hero-making.”

The fact that an academy student was able to eliminate a high-ranking member of the Bloodstone Cult provides the perfect material for propaganda.

A hero is always a convenient figure to calm public unrest, especially amidst the Empire’s tense succession battles.

And who is this hero meant to be? None other than me.

“…”

Soon, my name will be splashed across newspapers, and I’ll become a household name overnight.

—Academy student defeats high-ranking member of the Bloodstone Cult—

A story where the weak overcome the strong is a universal favorite. It seems the Empire intends to exploit that narrative fully.

‘Even if they try, I have no intention of letting them use me.’

On the other hand, the reaction from the Holy Constantine faction is as follows.

— Holy Constantine has a differing opinion. We’d prefer that the student’s custody be handed over to us.

They refuse to let me become a hero.

On top of that, they’re determined to take me into custody.

The Vatican is making their intent to detain me abundantly clear.

Sigh.

With this level of obsession, one might think I’ve crossed them in the past…

‘But a bit of reflection reveals the reason.’

The Bloodstone Cult.

The Vatican has more to gain than the Empire when it comes to using them for propaganda.

After all, the Bloodstone Cult is a religious sect, and rooting out such heretics should rightfully fall under the jurisdiction of the Vatican, which is founded on the Deus faith.

In short, this is a political tug-of-war.

Ordinarily, the Vatican of Holy Constantine should be the ones ousting the Bloodstone Cult and basking in the public’s praise.

But now, they’re forced to hand over that glory to the Empire.

— What’s the Deus Church even doing if they can’t properly eradicate a heretical cult?

If questions like this start circulating, the Vatican stands to lose.

It’s clear why they’re so adamantly opposing me.

“Archbishop, this happened within the Empire’s territory.”

“I’m aware. However, we cannot compromise on this matter, Minister.”

And so the battle of wits between the Empire and the Vatican began with me in the middle.

Thus began the standoff between the Empire and the Holy Constantine over me.

The resulting tension is palpable.

“…”

I stole a glance at Count Lipenstein.

He too was gazing at me with a solemn expression.

Now I understand why he said I’m vital to these talks.

Just as he mentioned, I’m at the very core of this meeting.

Not as a person but rather as an agenda item.

Noticing my look, Count Lipenstein gave me a dignified nod and spoke.

“Pardon me for interrupting your discussion, gentlemen.”

The two officials, who had been growing more heated, fell silent and turned to the Count.

Strictly speaking, there’s a considerable gap in rank between Count Lipenstein and these two high authorities, yet they showed him ample respect.

“If it’s Lord Lipenstein speaking, we should certainly listen.”

“Please, go ahead.”

He possesses an ability to command universal respect.

That is Count Lipenstein’s most formidable strength.

‘I’ll keep that in mind.’

I made a point of memorizing his every movement and manner of speech.

Count Lipenstein smiled kindly, raising his hand slightly to capture everyone’s attention. With a light bow of his head, he began to speak.

“The reason I invited Ian here today is because I anticipated that this topic would become significant.”

He gestured toward me.

Was he telling me to stand?

As I rose from my seat, the Count gave a small nod of gratitude.

He continued.

“Since Ian Blackangers is the subject of our discussion, wouldn’t it also be important to hear his own thoughts?”n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

The Empire’s Foreign Minister, Blitter, frowned slightly, barely maintaining his decorum as he replied.

“Hmph… Count Lipenstein, as you surely know, personal stories are powerless in the face of politics.”

Tap, tap, tap.

Blitter’s fingers drummed against the table as though he found the entire situation a waste of time.

But Count Lipenstein remained unfazed.

“That is true. However…”

He let a moment of silence hang in the air, drawing everyone’s attention before continuing.

“Perhaps Ian Blackangers has certain… backing, shall we say?”

“Backing?”

Blitter’s eyes narrowed sharply.

“A mere Academy student from a defunct noble house? What sort of backing could you possibly mean?”

Blitter turned his gaze toward me. It was clear that he’d done some basic research.

He must already know a fair amount about me—though probably not as much as Count Lipenstein.

Lipenstein’s voice broke the tension.

“Minister Blitter, you are a known supporter of the First Princess, are you not?”

“Indeed.”

“I assume you’ve considered how utilizing Ian Blackangers might benefit Her Highness, the First Princess.”

“…I cannot deny that.”

Count Lipenstein’s piercing line of questioning did not relent. He turned to me next.

“Ian Blackangers, who do you support?”

It was a sharp question, and his eyes were clear and unyielding, almost as if they could pierce through me.

So this is why I was important.

It was clear what the Count wanted from me: to declare which of the three imperial successors I supported.

I smirked slightly.

Part of me wanted to ask just when he had figured it out.

Was it when the Princess first arrived at Lichten Academy?

Or had he eavesdropped on one of my conversations with her?

Whatever the case, I gave it a moment’s thought.

Should I reveal that I’m aligned with the Third Princess?

‘There’s no reason not to.’

Asteria Estrid, the Princess of Rebellion.

A political declaration of my support for her.

Though I’ve kept it hidden until now, it would soon become public knowledge as she began to act in earnest.

The timing was right.

‘Besides, she’s not plotting treason at this stage.’

In that case, coming out with it now was advantageous.

If my revelation could prevent a war between the Empire and the Holy Constantine, then not saying anything would be foolish.

“I support the Third Princess, Asteria Estrid.”

“And to what extent?”

Blitter immediately pressed further.

I responded firmly.

“Enough to consider myself one of Princess Asteria’s closest aides.”

Scratch, scratch.

Blitter scratched his bare forehead, clearly troubled.

It was only natural.

For the sake of the Empire’s interests, he would have to make use of me.

But for the sake of the First Princess, whom he supported, he would have to abandon me.

Balancing personal loyalty with national interest was a dilemma even seasoned politicians found challenging.

Finally, Blitter spoke.

“If the First Princess were to make you a hero?”

“Even then, no.”

“What about gold, treasures, or wealth?”

“My answer remains the same.”

“A high-ranking position in the imperial government?”

Persistent questions.

I bowed politely to Blitter.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve already received great assistance from Her Highness Princess Asteria. I cannot part from her.”

“Hah.”

Blitter let out a brief sigh and leaned back in his chair.

He closed his eyes momentarily, lost in thought.

The dilemma between national interest and personal power—what would he choose?

“… This matter shall be considered null and void.”

Naturally, his personal gain took precedence.

Just moments ago, he was vehemently refusing to hand me over to the Holy Constantine.

Now, he had cleanly abandoned the effort.

I held no intention of blaming him for it.

His choice might very well align with the nation’s best interests. Power, after all, allows one to influence more the greater it becomes.

To achieve larger ambitions, sometimes one must withdraw from smaller battles.

Politicians are inherently calculating beings.

“It seems this matter has been resolved.”

The fox-like Count Lipenstein said with a warm smile and a nod of approval.

‘Well, I guess the same goes for me.’

After all, I was here simply to resolve the “war crisis” flag.

Count Lipenstein and I were temporary allies with aligned purposes. And it seemed our objectives had been fulfilled brilliantly.

The remaining disputes were skillfully handled by Count Lipenstein.

I began to relax.

At this point, it seemed there was no need to worry about a war between the Holy Constantine and the Empire.

Even an assassination attempt didn’t seem like a significant threat in the current circumstances.

‘With the level of security surrounding the meeting hall…’

Assassination wouldn’t be easy.

Though, a name of someone capable of bypassing such security did come to mind.

‘But I already dealt with her.’

She had already lost to me and disappeared.

As for the Bloodstone Cult, if they had anyone capable of an assassination attempt, it would’ve been Evan with his shadow manipulation techniques.

And I had already defeated him too.

‘… Maybe it’ll go smoothly like this.’

A fleeting hope crossed my mind.

But as always—truly, without exception—such hopes are usually misplaced.

— Ziiiiiiiiing!

Suddenly, my ears were ringing.

I realized what had happened only after hearing the subsequent explosion.

A thin beam of light, like a laser, had pierced through the roof and carved its way down.

— KABOOM!

An enormous explosion erupted right next to Minister Blitter.