Chapter 95: Imperial Palace (1)

The short holiday had ended.

After the midterm evaluations, the Bayern Academy returned to its normal semester schedule.

Although everyone still seemed to be suffering from the aftereffects of the exams, time waited for no one, and they had to adapt, even if by force.

Now that the midterms were over, it was time to prepare for the final evaluations.

The thought of going through the same hardship again made the cadets sigh.

Still, each had something they had learned from this exam.

Those who had done well in the midterms planned to maintain their performance and solidify their rankings until the finals.

Those who had performed poorly aimed to seize a comeback opportunity during the finals.

Amid all this, Carl, suspected to have achieved the highest score in Bayern Academy’s history, was now seated in the office of Professor Leblik, a professor of History of the Empire and advisor to the Ancient Ruins Exploration Club, after receiving a summons from him.

“…So, you’re saying the academic conference presentation was suddenly moved up?”

At the sudden mention of the conference, Carl furrowed his brows.

The original schedule had been either at the end of the semester or after the vacation started.

Why had it suddenly been changed like this?

“That’s how it is. I only received the notice a little while ago, so I don’t yet know the details…”

“Until just a few days ago, I was taking my midterms, so all my time went there. Even if I start preparing now, it will take at least a month—right now, it’s impossible.”

Carl also showed reluctance.

It wasn’t just any presentation—it was related to ruins and history.

If he didn’t prepare thoroughly, he could tarnish his image, or worse, it might have been better not to do it at all.

He wasn’t about to risk everything and end up losing more than he gained, so he even considered declining the presentation entirely.

Sensing Carl’s hesitation, Professor Leblik grasped his hand with a desperate look.

“If the conference were just being unreasonable for no reason, I could cut it off at my level. But the situation has changed.”

“What do you mean?”

“His Highness the Crown Prince himself sent word that he would personally attend. So, it seems the conference is pushing hard to adjust the schedule for that.”

“…Haah.”

Why was the Crown Prince’s name suddenly coming up?

As Carl pressed his temples with a headache coming on, Professor Leblik spoke carefully.

“Prince Yulian has always had a deep interest in ancient ruins and history. You may not know this, but I suspect he even joined this club under a hidden identity in the past.”

“But still, if it’s impossible, it’s impossible…”

“Nothing is impossible.”

Professor Leblik tightened his grip on Carl’s hand.

“It won’t be that difficult. The professional content will already have been thoroughly examined and verified by the Imperial Palace. All you’ll likely be asked is what happened there. Please, I beg you.”

“Hmm…”

“His Highness will probably give you a separate reward as well. He’s known to love the field of heroes most of all.”

“The Academy will also grant you every benefit it can. Just the fact that you’ve met the Crown Prince will earn you plenty of credit.”

Professor Leblik was desperate.

The higher-ups had already decided Carl would be going to the Imperial Palace, so there was no way to back out.

Having been dragged into this himself, the professor had no choice but to beg his student.

“…Understood. I’m worried since I’m underprepared, but I suppose there’s no choice. So when is it?”

Carl nodded reluctantly.

In truth, thinking about it seriously, it was an enormous opportunity for him.

Not only would he establish familiarity with the Crown Prince, but he would also receive a personal reward from him.

‘There’s no reason not to go.’

As for supplementing materials, a week of effort should be enough.

But then, upon hearing Professor Leblik’s answer, Carl let out a hollow laugh.

“…It’s tomorrow.”

“…What?”

“I’m counting on you. The future of our history field rests in your hands, Cadet Carl.”

Thus, Carl, suddenly made the representative of the history field, could only let out another hollow laugh.

The next day.

Carl entered the Imperial Palace—a place he hadn’t planned to visit.

It all felt a bit too rushed, but what could he do?

After all, the Crown Prince himself wanted to meet him.

If there was one relief, it was that he hadn’t been dragged there alone.

“…”

Standing beside him, Laysis wore an expression as if she couldn’t understand why she was there.

Her body flinched as though she wanted to turn back immediately.

“…Carl, I think I’m going to throw up.”

“You should have done that earlier. I didn’t even eat breakfast in case I might.”

“Ugh… Can’t I just say I have nothing to do with this and skip it?”

“You already put your name down as my support. If you’re not there, they’ll definitely ask why.”

“Why did I…”

Laysis let out a silent scream.

Just the day before, after her lecture, she had been on her way to the library to review when Carl told her she had been invited to the Imperial Palace tomorrow.

To think it was the Imperial Palace, of all places.

Of course, as the princess of the Kingdom of Alforam, she had been invited there several times before.

But back then, she had gone as the princess of a nation.

This was the first time she had been invited under the name “Laysis,” so her nerves were even higher.

…Though to be fair, she had been extremely nervous when she went as a princess too.

“Well, it shouldn’t be anything serious. The investigation was already conducted thoroughly by the Imperial Family.”

“Then why did they call us?”

“Maybe they just wanted someone to talk to.”

Carl couldn’t figure it out either.

Why had the Crown Prince suddenly stepped in and summoned even them?

‘Let’s hope nothing goes wrong.’

After a short wait, permission to enter the Imperial Palace was finally granted.

Royal Knights in pure white armor personally came to guide them and had them wait in a reception room for a while.

“…”

Laysis was once again memorizing the materials she had brought, down to every detail.

It was to make sure she could respond properly in case of a sudden question.

“If I make a mistake, please grant me asylum in the Kingdom of Alforam.”

“Alforam isn’t that great. If you want to go somewhere else, let’s just find a new place together.”

As they exchanged nonsense, a summons came—apparently, the Crown Prince’s side was ready.

Following the Royal Knight guide, they walked deep into the Crown Prince’s palace.

‘This doesn’t seem like a place for a presentation.’

If it were truly for an academic conference, there should have been supervisors or a verification panel present, but the area ahead was practically empty.

“This way.”

The Royal Knight slowly opened the door, revealing the inside of a reception room.

Yulian was already seated inside.

He looked up from his book with a bright expression when he saw his visitors.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. It’s an honor to invite you like this.”

Yulian von Ribera.

As the heir to the Emperor, he was, without a doubt, the second most powerful man in the Empire.

At twenty-seven years old, he was three years older than Carius.

“Carl Leipzig.”

“Laysis Alforam.”

Carl and Laysis entered and offered the formal noble greeting.

“Come in, come in. I don’t intend for this to be overly formal.”

“…Forgive me, but wasn’t this supposed to be a presentation?”

“Hmm? I’ve decided to skip the conference presentation. The verification has already been completed here. Ah, would you have preferred to present? Your names should already be recorded in the accomplishments.”

“No, it’s just that we were told on the way here that it was an urgent presentation.”

“It seems there was a communication issue. Having spent some time in this field myself, I know very well how long preparation for such a presentation takes and how thoroughly it is reviewed. I’ve caused you unnecessary trouble.”

“Not at all.”

Carl let out a small, silent breath of relief.

It seemed this sudden event had been the result of the academic society and Professor Leblik panicking at the Crown Prince’s command.

That made it easier for Carl to look at Crown Prince Yulian with ease.

‘He certainly has an impressive build.’

His well-trained body stood tall and broad—perhaps half again as wide as Carl’s own.

“I called you here to express my thanks, but it seems I’ve troubled you instead. I apologize.”

“Not at all. It is nothing but an honor for us.”

“Haha, I’m glad to hear that, but it’s really I who should be thankful. I never imagined such historically valuable artifacts would be unearthed in my time.”

“They’ve already been verified?”

At Carl’s question, Yulian nodded.

“We even brought in the Cult for verification. You know the inner sanctuary, correct? Among the artworks there, some were confirmed to have been crafted personally by 《Rest》 and 《Justice》. Historically, they are priceless. If they’re acknowledged at the continental conference at the end of the year, your names will be recorded in history.”

Yulian seemed genuinely proud of this fact.

He displayed a pure enthusiasm for history and ruins, perhaps even more so than Dane or Senior Rubel.

“Ah, I’ve been talking on my own. The truth is, I’m so grateful that I was considering giving you a separate reward.”

The reward they had been waiting for.

At those words, Laysis, slightly tense, spoke first.

“Your Highness, I am grateful, but your words alone are enough for me.”

“Hmm. Is this because of diplomatic concerns? That’s unfortunate.”

“Yes. Thank you for your understanding.”

Carl glanced at Laysis.

It was merely a gift for a ruin excavation—could that really cause a diplomatic issue?

‘There must be something I don’t know.’

Carl, on the other hand, had nothing holding him back.

Instead, he quickly began thinking about what he should request to get the most benefit.

Seeing this, Yulian laughed heartily.

“Take your time to think. I’ll even add the princess’s share to yours. And don’t worry about the others—I’ll reward them separately.”

“Thank you for your generosity.”

Carl bowed his head.

What could he request that would both satisfy the Crown Prince and benefit him the most?

In truth, this had been the question on his mind ever since hearing from Professor Leblik and on the way here.

Money and goods no longer held much value to Carl.

The Madeira Trading House, run under NOX, was steadily gaining momentum and had reached the level of a mid-tier merchant group in the Empire.

If he needed money, he could simply take it from there, so there was no need to display greed before the Crown Prince.

‘That leaves only one thing.’

Carl closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and looked at Crown Prince Yulian.

“I would like to see the legacy left behind by 《Justice》.”

“Oh?”

Perhaps it was an unexpected request, for Yulian widened his eyes.

“Would simply seeing it be enough?”

“In truth, I would love to take one with me, but artifacts related to heroes belong to the Empire, do they not?”

“Not all of them. It depends on their value and purpose. …Hmm, then let us go take a look.”

Carl smiled inwardly.

From the way Yulian looked at him with interest, it seemed he had chosen the right answer.

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