[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 125
Memories of my past life fade a bit more with each passing day.
At the time, it felt like I had just been there yesterday, but looking back, it’s all in the past now.
Besides, my current life is so hectic. I’m too busy focusing on that to dwell on the past.
Still, there are a few things I remember clearly. For example… school life, whether you work hard or not, passes by in the blink of an eye.
‘How is it already finals season?’
Sitting on a bench, I pondered. How did time pass by so quickly?
A lot has happened since my trip to Lasker. The most significant event was that these four idiots decided to stay for the full five years of school.
“What do you mean, you’re repeating a year again?”
My scream was met with the cheerful grins of Shulifen, Wilhelm, Alexander, and Joachim.
Are you guys seriously experimenting to see if I’ll die of frustration? Huh?
Let me repeat, these guys aren’t from some small, insignificant noble family in the countryside.
All four of them belong to high-ranking noble families. Two are from marquessates, and two are from imperial counties.
In the hierarchy of the noble world, their families rank higher than my own Friedrich County!
And these guys… It’s absurd enough that they failed a semester, not due to poor grades but a misunderstanding about lecture scores.
Now they’re saying, ‘Well, since we’re here, we might as well stay for the whole year!’
If I were their parents, I’d rush over and spank them until they die!
“There’s a good reason for all of this.”
“Of course there is.”
These guys, who didn’t seem to understand my frustration, nodded confidently. Then they started listing their ‘good reasons.’
“Being here with you means we can discuss things quickly. From bungeoppang and hotteok to those hand warmers, and even matters related to the Pension Foundation!”
“And there are many benefits to staying close to the hero of the Imperial Army!”
“It’s never boring when Karl’s around. Something always happens, right?”
“Let’s stay friends forever, Karl. We’re friends for life, right?!”
The thought that came to mind when I heard that? The greatsword I carry yearned for action. What else could it be?
The only reason I managed to hold back was because Selena was right next to me, giving them a look of disdain.
“Um, didn’t your family heads say anything about this?”
This was what I was most curious about. No matter how much they wanted to repeat a year, it wouldn’t be possible without their family heads’ permission.
The heirs to marquisates and imperial counties repeating a year at the academy? How would they face the ridicule of other nobles?
But to my question, the four idiots shook their heads in unison, saying, ‘Not at all?’ They even went as far as to say—
“My father actually told me to do whatever I want.”
“My father said the same. He welcomes anything that strengthens our bond with Karl.”
“My mother said so too.”
“Same here.”
“…”
If their family heads approved, there was nothing more I could say. Alright, that settles it.
What else was memorable? Going on a few walks with Eloise? She insists on calling them dates, but I can’t agree with that yet. Shouldn’t dates have a more… romantic atmosphere?
If you ask me if I have any feelings for Eloise, I’ll be honest. Yes, I do. I have some feelings.
Even if Selena were to hit me or cry in disappointment after hearing this, I wouldn’t change my answer. Because Selena already knows! She said she doesn’t mind.
Anyway, I’ve been going along with these walks, or dates, or whatever they are. The problem is Eloise herself. She’s completely incompatible with the concept of ‘mood.’
“Eek! This is so embarrassing! What’s this? Here?!”
“Dinner? Can’t we just eat together at the student cafeteria?”
You said you liked me. You said you wouldn’t give up even if there was another woman. But why are you acting like this? Why are you suddenly clueless? Are you doing this on purpose?
You told me not to kick the bowl of rice you’re feeding me, but you’re the one kicking it away!
[PR/N: In short, ‘You’re sabotaging your own efforts!’]
The four idiots, and even Selena, sighed and said, ‘What the hell is she doing?’ after witnessing this spectacle.
I came to one of two conclusions—either she was shy and avoiding me after saying all those things, or she had only thought about actively pursuing me and couldn’t imagine the opposite scenario.
Personally, I leaned more towards the latter.
Lav was… very busy. Almost as busy as Selena, to exaggerate a bit.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Master…!”
“Why are you apologizing?!”
“I’m still lacking academically, and my grades are so miserable…!”
This was the academy, not the military. It was a place where academic achievement, not marksmanship, determined one’s worth.
Lav’s first midterm exam results were… well, not exactly stellar. To be more precise, she claimed to have studied hard, but it didn’t show in her results.
But I understood. I had experienced firsthand how the military could dull one’s mind, not just once, but twice.
Damn it, I never thought my past life memories would be this miserable.
Anyway, for that reason, Lav had practically shut herself in the library, determined to make up for her mistakes in the final exams.
I cheered her on.
If you have a goal, you should strive to achieve it. Besides, there’s nothing more miserable than being expelled from the academy for poor grades.
Lefia, the princess of Lasker, or rather, the former princess, was doing well. I was a bit worried because she had been raised sheltered, but she turned out to be quite sociable.
I heard she was getting along well with Eloise and Lav, and she had made many other friends as well.
I wondered why the Queen of Lasker was so worried about her that he asked me for a favor.
“Young Lord.”
I turned my head to see the family servants looking at me. It seemed the carriage sent from home had just arrived.
“Has it been that long already?”
“Yes, Young Lord. It’s time for you to go.”
Sigh.
While others were only worried about final exams, I had to deal with this.
Recently, something has been bothering me. It was something that was meant to be good, but it made me incredibly uncomfortable.
‘Why do they want to name it after me?’
That’s right. My name. Karl Adelheit. They were talking about creating a medal with my name on it.
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Justice had already discussed it, and now it was even in the hands of the Imperial Household Ministry.
If it had reached the Imperial Household Ministry, it meant they were waiting for the Emperor’s approval.
Panicking, I immediately asked the Crown Prince for a favor. Please, please let me express my opinion in front of the Emperor and the ministers.
‘Absolutely not. I don’t care about anything else, but that’s a definite no.’
Was it because I was embarrassed or burdened? Well, those reasons might be part of it. I wouldn’t say they weren’t.
But if you asked me if those were the main reasons, I could confidently say no. There were other reasons why a medal named after me shouldn’t exist.
* * *
The Emperor meticulously reviewed the reports submitted by the ministers of each department.
He read through all the reasons why it should be done and why it shouldn’t be done in the current situation.
After confirming everything, he nodded to the Minister of the Imperial Household Ministry.
‘A medal named after oneself.’
What could be more glorious? He had already received the Medal of Honor twice, but this was a completely different matter. If anything, this would be even more significant in the future.
How many people in the history of the Empire had left behind a medal with their name on it?
As far as the Emperor knew, it was less than five.
This was his chance to be included among them. Even if he were to decline out of courtesy, there was no reason to explain his refusal in front of the ministers and the Emperor himself.
“Your Majesty.”
“Yes, bring him in.”
The door opened, and Karl, the main character of this meeting, cautiously entered.
He immediately knelt to greet them as he had before. However, the attendants standing beside him stopped him, as if to say he didn’t need to do that, that he was worthy of more.
The Emperor also gestured for Karl to rise. He even offered a light salute first.
“Welcome, Young Lord. I heard you have something to say today.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m deeply grateful for this precious time you’ve given me.”
“It’s a request from a Medal of Honor recipient who has dedicated everything to the Empire. How could I not grant it? So, what is it you want to say? Let’s hear it.”
Karl took a deep breath and spoke.
“With all due respect, I request that the establishment of a medal named after me be rescinded.”
“You want it rescinded.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor stroked his chin for a moment, then looked at Karl.
“I want to hear your reason, Young Lord.”
“Because it shouldn’t be.”
Because it shouldn’t be. Why? What was bothering him so much that someone who had received the Medal of Honor twice, who was recognized by elves, knights, and the Church, would say such a thing?
“There have been heroes greater than me. There have been those who willingly sacrificed themselves for the Empire. With such people existing, I cannot dare to stand before them.”
“They would understand.”
“Yes, they would understand because they are greater than me. But I cannot accept it. I never want to surpass the heroes of the past. I am content with being treated the same as them.”
If it weren’t for the heroes of the past, I wouldn’t exist either. Those heroes didn’t want their names to be remembered. They didn’t wish to be honored.
They simply stepped forward resolutely.
For the sake of a single citizen of the Empire.
For the future. To honor their will, I too will walk the same path as them.
“…”
The Emperor looked at Karl for a moment, then spoke in a cautious tone unbefitting the ruler of the Empire.
“Young Lord Karl Adelheit, let me ask you something.”
“Ask away, Your Majesty.”
“Is the reason for your refusal a sense of guilt towards those who came before? Do you feel sorry for receiving this honor alone, leaving them behind?”
Karl thought for a moment, then shook his head with a faint smile.
“It’s not out of guilt for them, Your Majesty. If they were in my place, they would say the same thing. That’s why I’m doing this.”
We have already enjoyed the highest honor of having fought bravely for the Empire. We need nothing more.
…Well, if there’s one thing we do need, it’s for the heroes who come after us to receive even better treatment than we did.
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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