Finals (1)
In the middle of the night, Findel was burning with heat.
The stories of the contest held from the morning continued into the evening, and people heard rumors about the rise of the swordsmanship contest.
The Shureid Imperial School will open next year, and all those who have reached the top 4 will be recommended for admission.
It was expected that next year’s magic tournament would be very fierce, as all of the 4 finalists were over 15 years old, so unfortunately they couldn’t enter.
Perhaps because of this, the prices of buildings around the school increased, outsiders looked around the school site, and construction was carried out in places that were vacant.
The contest was stimulating the economy of Findel as the organizer intended.
In addition, the story of Schreid School will spread across the country.
It was almost certain that the school would not spare any support for the next few years, and since it was an educational institution sponsored by the imperial family, there were already overflowing people who wanted to enroll their children.
Rumors persisted about what to do to get into school, even though there was no proper school window yet.
In the end, the eyes are focused on the children who participated in the quarterfinals of the swordsmanship competition.
There was only one reason why there were so many rumors about the Shrade Imperial School, which hadn’t been properly disclosed yet.
It was the visit of the Emperor of the Faerun Empire to Findel.
When the news spread, the people of Findel became even more enthusiastic. There couldn’t have been anything more significant than this to be able to attend a tournament that was attended by the emperor himself, not by anyone else.
And finally, word came that the Emperor had almost arrived in Findel.
Even in the evening, the gates of Findel were fully open, ready to welcome the best guests in the empire.
Residents were already crowding near the gates and filling the main roads, and soldiers had to step in and clear the way for the procession to pass.
Even the lord of Findel, Earl Gordon Carlisle, came out to meet the emperor, and finally a group of people appeared from afar, shining brightly.
The residents who discovered it were silent, and the silence spread to everyone in an instant.
Thanks to that, the people who were trying to advance to each other stopped in place, and the soldiers sighed and set up their display more clearly.
Both the seemingly sturdy horses and the riders riding on them, all clad in tight heavy armor, were leading the pack, and countless knights were moving in line behind them.
Among them, what stood out the most was the splendid and huge carriage located in the center.
After that, several wagons followed, but they did not reach their majesty.
“All troops!”
Gordon Carlisle, a middle-aged man in his 40s who watched them as they reached the gates of Findel, raised his voice.
“Salute to His Majesty the Emperor!”
Remembrance!
The soldiers raised their right hands over their left breasts at the same time as if they were united.
The noise was so loud that the villagers were startled and shivered.
The soldiers stopped and waited for the Emperor’s procession to come, and then those who passed through the gate slowly slowed down and stopped in front of Gordon.
“God, Gordon Carlyle dares to ask the Emperor!”
Gordon raised his voice and lowered his head, and soon a knight next to the carriage answered instead.
“Earl Carlyle, come this way.”
“I will obey your order.”
Gordon answered with his head still lowered and moved to the side of the emperor’s carriage, and through the dim window he heard the emperor’s voice.
“Thank you for coming to meet me personally, Count.”
“As a servant of His Majesty, this is a natural courtesy. Even in the midst of busy construction, he personally visited Findel, so how can he stay still?”
“I heard that you put a lot of effort into preparing for this contest. No matter how much I thank my count, it won’t be enough.”
“No. I’m just worried that His Majesty’s face will not be reflected enough.”
“You are humble. Now, let’s not do this, let’s go in and talk.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will take you straight to the Yeongju Hall.”
Saying so, Gordon lowered his head even more, and the person waiting brought a horse and rode on it.
“Go!”
With a loud cry, the emperor’s procession started to move again.
The sight of well-trained people marching as one set a fire in people’s hearts, and soon someone raised their voice.
“His Majesty, Hurrah!”
Had I even waited for it?
Countless residents who were watching began to speak with all their might at once.
“Waaa!”
“hurray! hurray!”
“Welcome to Findel!”
Deafening noises echoed from both sides, but the procession escorting the emperor was not disturbed at all.
Without even stopping the shouters, they just moved on silently, and Gordon also kept his back straight and matched the speed of the emperor’s carriage.
“Ah, come to think of it, indeed.”
At that moment, the emperor’s voice was heard again from inside the carriage, and Gordon did not miss it and pulled the horse closer and listened.
“Is Prince Olivia inside?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“That’s good. What if I can’t meet you this time?”
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“I’m not avoiding Your Majesty, so please don’t misunderstand.”
The carriage, which ran like that, arrived at the largest mansion in Findel.
However, the emperor did not get off the carriage right away, and the door of the carriage was finally opened after the imperial knights scattered and filled the perimeter of the lord’s house without leaking.
“Welcome again to Findel.”
Gordon bowed his head in greeting to the aged emperor who finally came out of the carriage.
He was wearing an emperor’s crown over his neatly combed blond hair, and his well-groomed beard added to his mature beauty.
The biggest feature was the golden eyes that embracing the shape of light.
He is the current emperor of the Faerun Empire.
It was Leonhart Ox Faerun.
Following the lead of the escort knight, Leonhart strode towards the lord’s house, followed by guidance and entered the spacious reception room.
“Whoa, looks like I’m going to live.”
As soon as the door closed, Leonhart said so and threw himself on the sofa.
“It’s too tiring to come all the way here and be formal. Isn’t that right, Count?”
“It’s just an honor to be able to serve Your Majesty after a long time.”
“Uh huh, don’t you? Tsk, more than that, where is Miss Olivia?”
“I told my sister that His Majesty has arrived, so he will be back soon.”
As if waiting for the words to end, a knock sounded, and when Leonhart gave permission, the door opened and an old lady entered.
Her white hair was neatly braided, and a smile hung on her face, which showed traces of age but still showed elegance.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, Your Majesty.”
“Olivia Ball! Please sit down.”
Olivia lightly bowed her head and sat down on the sofa Leonhart had given her, and the cape that covered her empty right sleeve fluttered lightly.
Leonhart looked at Olivia’s eyes again after a moment.
“I invited you to Row Garden for a cup of tea, but how did you come to see me first?”
“I couldn’t help it because my body was like this. Whenever I watch Raw Garden, my shoulder always hurts.”
“Huh, that’s a good excuse.”
Leonhart laughed lightly at the words, whether joking or serious, and just in time, the servants quickly put tea and refreshments on the table.
Olivia held the teacup in front of her with her left hand and opened her mouth again without drinking.
“I’m kidding about my shoulder, but it’s true that I’ve been sick for the past few years. Fortunately, my body has improved recently and I am moving slowly.”
“To think that the ball that was called the Empress of the battlefield was so weak. It must have been a lot of years.”
“Now it is just a lie. And how dare you say such a title in front of Your Majesty?”
“Let’s not do this among ourselves. Obama cares so much for you. I also watched Gong’s performance on the battlefield. Now that I’m older, I really envy the Count.”
Suddenly sparks flew in himself, and Gordon took the tea he was drinking from his mouth and looked at him as if he was talking.
“Isn’t the Count calling Olivia his sister? In fact, it’s not just once or twice that I want to do the same with Gwain.”
“Keep your body tight. It’s my blood, so of course it’s called that.”
“Oh, man. Maybe the Count is getting old, and now he can’t carelessly concentrate, tsk.”
“Look back at Your Majesty, who tries to act like a child even when she is old.”
Leonhart and Gordon had been close friends since childhood, so they were able to talk comfortably with each other like this.
Both of them knew very well that this was thanks to Olivia, who was called the strongest knight in the Empire and the Empress of the battlefield.
Since Olivia acted as the right-hand man of the previous emperor, there were naturally many opportunities for the two to meet.
Olivia was also smiling happily at the conversation they hadn’t seen in a long time, and Leonhart looked at her again and spoke.
“Will the ball attend the contest tomorrow? I didn’t want to talk about it if I wasn’t feeling well, but I’m just talking about it because it looks okay.”
“Yes, it’s fine. I heard that there were interesting kids in this swordsmanship competition, so I was looking forward to it.”
“Oh, is that so? You should also look forward to this, too.”
It was probably the first tournament to be held, and since the people of Findel were the targets, it was Leonheart who was only thinking of filling the seats.
But when I saw those words come out of Olivia’s mouth, and not from anyone else, I wondered if I could really expect a little more.
smart smart
At that moment, a cautious knock was heard.
“Come in.”
At Leonhart’s words, the knight who was guarding the door opened it, and a beautiful flower-like girl came inside.
“Abama!”
“Oh, dear. Someone said, isn’t it our princess?”
Leonhart immediately got up from his seat and spread his arms, and Diana immediately ran up to him and held him prisoner.
Then Leonhart sat down again and carefully placed Diana on his lap as he said.
“I almost didn’t recognize you because you got prettier while I couldn’t see you.”
“Has it only been a week?”
“That is too long for a father.”
“Whoops. Uh, but did you come alone? What about your big brother?”
“I came separately because I had a schedule. We will arrive in Findel by tomorrow morning.”
Leonhart said that and tidied Diana’s slightly disheveled hair behind her ear.
Leonhart, who had shown the image of a loving father and daughter, lowered Diana down on her lap, and as soon as Diana stood on the floor, she greeted Olivia this time.
“Grandma Olivia, long time no see. Have you been strong in one direction after the gas?”
“hahahaha, thanks to you, I’ve been doing well. But where did you learn that?”
“I read it in a book and tried to write it. I really missed you, Grandma.”
“Oops, this. My body seems to have grown up already, but I’m still a fool.”
Diana, who had greeted politely, immediately jumped up and hugged Olivia, who held Diana with one hand and gently stroked her back.
In the meantime, Leonhart, who had received a report from a knight who had approached at some point, called out to Diana with a deliberately stern expression.
“Diana, is it true that you wandered around Findel avoiding the guards?”
“Oh, uh, yes… … .”
Diana immediately separated from Olivia and bowed her head with a sullen expression.
“No matter how much I allowed it, was it so frustrating that you even threw out the escort? Or was the skill of the escort lacking?”
“No, it’s all my fault. I am… … It’s because I was stubborn to play with my friends more.”
“friend?”
At the unexpected word, Leonhart looked at Gordon first, then looked away again.
Gordon had two children, but they were not Diana’s age.
Then, is it one of the sons of nobles who came first?
“Yes, this is a friend I met in Findel. Her name is Rize, and she is very pretty. And again very strong. I participated in a swordsmanship competition, but I was almost late for the match. Even so, I continued to win and advanced to the quarterfinals. See you tomorrow with me… … .”
Diana, who was excitedly bragging about her friend, realized belatedly that she was being scolded and gradually changed her voice to a crawl.
Also, when Leonhart learned that Lize was a commoner, it seemed as if he would say something.
Even though she revealed that she was a princess, Rize considered her a friend regardless of her social status, but her father was an emperor who ruled the empire, so even though their positions were different, they were very different.
“Lizera… … You are one of the promising players in this swordsmanship competition.”
It was Olivia who spoke like that.
After thinking about something for a moment, Leonhart shifted his gaze from Diana to Olivia.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, he said he was a strong contender with a kid named Patrick. If the two kids go head-to-head, it will be the final.”
“Hmm, that’s right. Lizera… … .”
Leonhart nodded and muttered, and Diana glanced at him anxiously, wondering if she had said something inappropriate.
Leonhart, looking at Diana, raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, let’s look forward to it.”