Book 1 Chapter 460

460.

The Emperor of Rodren.

Charles Dio Rodren sat on his throne, looking down at his subjects with a bored expression.

Kneeling below Emperor Charles, those who bowed their heads spoke.

“Your Majesty. Even if Leo Flobe’s reputation is high, for a hero-in-training who hasn't yet reached the rank of a hero to join Imperium goes against tradition. Please reconsider!”

“Please reconsider!”

The invitation for Leo to join Imperium was, literally, solely Emperor Charles’s decision.

Of course, he had summoned the heads of Gerdinger and Rwalin, who had been the Emperor’s closest confidants for generations, to discuss it.

For Seld, the head of Gerdinger, Leo’s special admission was not bad at all.

In fact, from Seld’s perspective as head, it was a huge welcome.

No matter what anyone said, Leo was Seld’s nephew and a direct descendant of Gerdinger.

'Moreover, Leo's skill is not inferior even when compared to heroes.'

He just hasn't yet reached the rank of a hero.

His practical strength is equivalent to a hero's.

If such a nephew received special treatment and joined Imperium, Gerdinger's reputation would be even higher.

Chaed Rwalin also had no reason to object.

'If Leo Flobe were just a Gerdinger, it would be one thing, but he is a wizard.'

Not just an ordinary wizard, but a wizard recognized as the successor to Seyrun, the Comet Wizard.

Leo’s reputation as a wizard is already very high in the world of magic.

'Leo Flobe joining Imperium won't necessarily strengthen Gerdinger's influence.'

Rather, as an all-class, his neutral alignment would likely be strong.

'And he's close friends with Chelsea.'

It was already a well-known fact that Leo, Chelsea, and Karl were best friends since their first year.

Therefore, Chaed had no reason to oppose Leo's admission either.

After Leo's special admission was announced,

many nobles requested an audience with Emperor Charles.

The reason was to cancel Leo's special admission.

It is true that the imperial family of Rodren and the founding meritorious families of Gerdinger and Rwalin are the dominant forces in the empire.

However, no matter how immense their power, Rodren is too vast for just the three families to control the empire.

To command such a huge force, politics must be involved, and naturally, interests are bound to intertwine.

Therefore, there were certainly those who were dissatisfied with the special treatment given to Leo.

The one who gathered these forces and stood before the Emperor was Etherka Dekni, the Knight of the Snowstorm.

Having earned the title of Hero, he is the captain of the Imperial Knights of the Rodren Empire.

Hailing from a lower-class knight family, he rose to the rank of hero and was a man with immense pride in himself.

His goal was to seize the title of the strongest knight in the Rodren Empire.

However, he was always relegated to the position of second-best, overshadowed by Seld Gerdinger.

As a result, within the empire, he led an anti-Gerdinger faction no less powerful than Rwalin's.

“Sir Etherka. Are you saying that Leo Flobe is not sufficiently qualified?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. He has not yet proven anything that would make him suitable for Imperium.”

“Leo Flobe already rose to the position of student council president of Rumern at a young age and has been conquering the world of Great Heroes. Furthermore, this time, he made a great contribution to the subjugation of Erebus with the Brave. Although he hasn't yet been listed in the Hero Record, I believe it is sufficient, don't you?”

At Seld's words, Etherka said with an unexpressive face.

“Sir Seld. Isn't that merely defending him because he is your nephew? Being the student council president of Rumern doesn't necessarily mean one will become a hero. And the world of Great Heroes wasn't conquered by Leo Flobe's strength alone. The same goes for the feat of subjugating the fragment of Erebus. Ultimately, wasn't it because Sir Arion was there that the fragment of Erebus could be subjugated?”

Etherka scoffed.

“Nothing has been proven. In such a situation, granting special privileges could tarnish the name of Imperium and, furthermore, could be a blemish on Your Majesty's reputation, I fear.”

Etherka's eyes narrowed as he finished speaking.

“I thought the head of Rwalin would restrain Sir Seld Gerdinger.”

“I, too, believe Leo Flobe is a talent suitable for Imperium.”

Chaed replied calmly.

As the three heroes faced off, Emperor Charles opened his mouth.

“One of the reasons I intend to admit Leo Flobe into Imperium is because other hero guilds have also shown interest in him. As Emperor, I have a duty to prevent the empire’s talents from being leaked externally.”

“We are simply moved by Your Majesty’s grace in considering the future of the Empire. However, Your Majesty.”

Etherka said firmly.

“If he is a talent who would turn his back on the Empire for that reason, then I believe he is an unnecessary talent for the Empire. Granting special favors for such a person, I believe, would make loyal subjects who truly follow Your Majesty uneasy. Therefore, please reconsider.”

At Etherka’s words, his followers once again bowed deeply.

Emperor Charles narrowed his eyes, watching them.

'It is an undeniable fact that Leo Flobe is a necessary talent for the Empire. No matter how powerful the Empire is, there is no other talent like him.'

An all-class like Kyle, the Hero of Beginnings.

Moreover, his achievements in each class are extraordinary.

Emperor Charles had not ascended to the rank of a hero, nor had he contracted with Pegasus Arti, the oath-taker who had been passed down in his family for generations.

But that's the only thing he hadn't achieved.

He was a powerful summoner.

Therefore, he knew very well how preposterous Leo's achievements as a summoner were.

A talent that must be acquired by any means necessary if it truly serves the Empire's path.

However, politics doesn't work with just that.

There will be those who dislike Leo's existence and will try to deny and hinder him by any means.

Even if it means denying the truth.

'That's what politics is.'

But Emperor Charles was also determined to push through his will by any means necessary.

'Leo Flobe will grow into a hero who surpasses the Sword Saint. Considering the times, he is absolutely necessary for the Empire.'

Just as Emperor Charles was about to speak.

Knock-!

A knock was heard beyond the meeting room door.

Along with it, a messenger entered the meeting room.

“Urgent news.”

“What is it?”

“The news is that Leo Flobe has been listed in the Hero Record!”

At those words, the meeting room began to buzz.

Etherka's face twisted.

“No special exception will even be necessary now.”

It was then that the opposition fell silent at Emperor Charles’s words.

Another messenger hastily appeared.

“A report has come from Dellan, where Your Imperial Majesty's letter was delivered!”

“Yes, did he say Leo Flobe would join Imperium?”

Emperor Charles asked with a relaxed smile, and the hesitant messenger carefully opened his mouth.

“The report is that Leo Flobe refused to join Imperium.”

“What?!”

At the completely unexpected answer, Emperor Charles's face hardened.

The meeting room began to buzz.

“What is the reason? Did he perhaps join another guild? Or did he refuse, saying he couldn't join yet as a student?”

“According to Sir Zis Gerdinger and Lady Rozes Rwalin, he intends to establish his own guild.”

At those words, everyone wore a look of utter disbelief.

“Establish a new guild?”

“How arrogant.”

Amidst the murmuring, Sasha, who was attending the meeting, muttered.

“That's so like Senior Leo.”

“You seem rather pleased?”

Lis, who was next to Sasha, asked with a smile, and Sasha covered her mouth with a folding fan and replied.

“Did I seem that way?”

Sasha narrowed her eyes and glanced at Lis.

“Senior Lis, you seem to be enjoying yourself too.”

“It's quite enjoyable to watch an unpredictable cousin.”

***

The news that Leo was listed in the Hero Record spread throughout the world.

People cheered at the birth of a new hero.

Thousands of years have passed since the existence of the Hero Record was revealed.

There were certainly heroes who were listed in the Hero Record at Leo’s age.

But there was no hero with a career and power as brilliant and overwhelming as Leo's.

Numerous media outlets flocked to interview Leo.

The attention on him grew increasingly热烈, but Leo himself was very indifferent.

His name appeared in newspapers day after day, but for Leo, it was just annoying.

Time passed, and summer vacation eventually came to an end.

“You’re really amazing. If it were me, I would have truly enjoyed this situation in front of people.”

Karl clicked his tongue at the Rumelia City pier.

At Karl's words, Leo curled up the corners of his mouth.

“For someone like that, you were pretty harsh in rejecting the invitations from the Dwarf Hero Guilds, weren't you?”

Leo wasn't the only one who received invitations to join hero guilds.

Many approached not only Leo but also other promising students.

Among them, Karl was a prime example.

“You, who obtained Dweno's Alchemist's Tome as a conquest reward, must be the talent that dwarves covet more than anyone, right?”

“Hey, that’s not talent! You haven’t seen the dwarves’ eyes!”

Karl grabbed his own arms and trembled.

“They looked like they were going to dissect me at any moment!”

Leo burst out laughing, seeing Karl's disgusted face.

“By the way, are they going to change the school rules?”

“They’ll never change them.”

Leo narrowed his eyes.

The principals of each military academy are not the type of people to change school rules.

'Even if they did change, I would stop them.'

It was unacceptable to send unprepared individuals to the battlefield.

Leo, who lived through the Age of Calamity, knew.

No matter how outstanding their talent and excellent their skill, how powerless those who were not properly prepared were when they stood on the battlefield.

How heavy the deaths of unbloomed boys and girls weighed on one’s heart.

'During the Age of Calamity, we had no choice due to a shortage of hands.'

In the Age of Calamity, with the world on the verge of destruction, anyone who could fight had to stand on the battlefield.

'But now it's different.'

Now there is plenty of time to prepare.

It was when Leo sighed softly.

“Gasp! It's Leo.”

“He's a celebrity now, should we get an autograph?”

Classmates noticed Leo and reacted with surprise.

“Wow~ The hero is indeed looked up to by many friends.”

Karl said slyly.

As Leo chuckled at his words, a female student from the Summoning Department approached, blushing.

“Um, excuse me. President. Can you sign for me?”

“Me too! Me too!”

“I want to hear stories about the battle with Erebus too!”

That started it, and students swarmed around Leo.

“Gasp?!”

Karl, pushed by the wave of people, moved away from Leo.

“Wow~ It really feels like I’ve become a person from a completely different world now.”

Karl scratched his cheek.

Heroes are originally objects of admiration.

And with products related to them pouring out, that says it all.

'Should I take this opportunity to create Leo-related merchandise and make a big profit?'

Karl seriously considered it.

The current pier is exclusively for second-year students.

'If we go into the school, students from all grades will gather.'

It was when Karl stepped backward, looking at Leo.

Thump-!

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t see…”

“Found you. Karl Thomas.”

Karl, who was apologizing, flinched and turned around at the eerie voice from behind.

And finding someone standing there with a murderous look, he showed a flustered expression.

“Emio? How are you here?”

At those words, Emio’s face twisted.

“You insolent bastard. Are you saying I shouldn’t be here?!”

“No, it’s not that you shouldn’t, but.”

Karl hesitated with a troubled expression, then said.

“You were expelled last semester, weren’t you?”