83 – 83. High Evaluation
Hurry, Alan.
Princess Victoria anxiously awaited Alan’s arrival.
“Things are getting complicated. I originally wanted to deliver good news.”
She had recently met the emperor.
Coincidentally, it was also because of Alan, or more precisely, to consult about the honor to be bestowed upon Alan Maydoff.
It was normal to confer a military decoration, but Victoria had persuaded her father to direct the Golden Cross Medal to Alan. It was a decoration for those who served the imperial family, and she wanted to give it to Alan to convey that everything he did in Dalsrim was for the imperial family.
And the nobility.
Victoria had requested to confer one of the titles that had been separated from the imperial family long ago but now had no owner to Alan.
Even the thought of establishing a marquisate in Dasurim and bestowing it upon him crossed my mind, but I gave up on it because it would only burden him. It was wiser to keep him under the influence of the imperial family. To show that the imperial family embraces Alan, rather than restricts him.
“I should do at least this much.”
However, Emperor Buhwang’s reaction was a bit strange.
It felt like he was uneasy about something. The emperor openly expressed his confusion, saying, “Why do you hold Alan Maydov in such high regard?” I couldn’t understand why he was so reluctant when it was only natural to take care of a deserving subject.
“In the end, Father still doubts Alan.”
How can I clear up the misunderstanding about Alan?
I have explained multiple times that Alan’s loyalty is genuine and that he has no intention of betraying the empire. But the emperor’s expression didn’t loosen up. Instead, it seemed uncomfortable just mentioning Alan.
So, as I pondered over this problem, another incident occurred.
This time, it was an accident at the Academy, not Dasurim.
“Your Highness, Leon Roderdale has joined the ranks of the Masters.”
“This is not the time for that. Start working to intercept that friend before Siena moves…! Collect information on his family, create an outline, and if necessary, offer special privileges…!”
“Ephedrine made him a Master. Isn’t it the medicine that Your Highness commissioned from Maydov Pharmaceuticals before? If things go well, it could be an opportunity for Your Highness’s insight to be widely recognized. Please discuss Alan’s progress quickly!”
Her attendants were already causing a commotion.
Victoria understood why they were acting this way, but she let it slide.
When her uncle, who had been restraining Alan, suggested that he be added to Alan’s achievements, she couldn’t help but laugh. And when he suggested distancing herself from Alan, it was too late to put on an act now. It was an excessively reckless act.
She had no intention of complying, of course.
The situation was not favorable enough to discuss intercepting.
“I need to come up with a plan. If I make a mistake, the Academy could become tarnished.
The expression “tarnished” was too mild.
It could become a disaster, a slum. Or something worse.
Leon’s figure, laughing with his gums exposed as he shouted “벌렁이몽롱이,” was still vivid in Victoria’s mind. The thought of such a person increasing in number was terrifying.
Perhaps Allen had the same thoughts.
Victoria planned to confront him as soon as he arrived and discuss countermeasures.
“Of course, I should also deliver good news afterward.”
She intended to cautiously inform him of the efforts she had made to dispel his unpleasant misunderstanding and how she could help him.
It wasn’t because she wanted recognition from Allen. She just wanted to confirm his support as a powerful heir to the throne.
She soon sensed his presence.
…
“Your Highness, did you summon me?”
Allen finally arrived in front of her.
The matter must have been quite serious, as Allen’s face appeared quite grim.
He was a knight who handled difficult situations with ease. So this must mean that the current matter was serious. Or perhaps it was due to the exhaustion of his mind and body from the difficulties he had faced until now.
“That’s right. Anyone else would have already collapsed in this situation.”
Victoria raised her hand without realizing it.
She felt as if she should pat his shoulder.
But in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to do it and let her arm fall. It was because Allen looked up with a short sigh. His face, which had been filled with concern, had returned to normal.
“I apologize for showing such a pathetic appearance, Your Highness.”
“Allen, my knight.”
“It seems you summoned me because of the commotion at the Academy… Yes, as expected. It was my fault for not handling it properly. I will take care of it alone. Your Highness, you may step back.”
“How is that your responsibility as a knight? It’s absurd.”
“It’s not simply because of a sense of responsibility. Honestly, I want to turn away as well. But… ultimately, I was the one who produced morphine and ephedrine. It’s most efficient for me to handle it since it’s my area of expertise.”
Well then.
Victoria, forgetting what she was about to say, stared blankly at Alan.
In terms of responsibility, Victoria couldn’t escape either. After all, the appearance of ephedrine in the world was due to her request.
However, Alan seemed determined to shoulder all the responsibility alone. Perhaps he was worried about burdening the nobility, deliberately mentioning efficiency.
The moment Victoria once again realized what kind of person Alan was.
However, Victoria had no intention of burdening him with her baggage.
“Alan Kye. I’m sorry, but that won’t do.”
“Excu…?”
“Just because I made dangerous substances doesn’t mean I have to bear infinite responsibility. In that case, all the technicians working in the weapon workshop should be punished as well.”
“But I didn’t just make it.”
“Enough. I’ll take the responsibility.”
Only then did Alan Maydolf nod with a surprised expression. Although she didn’t hear a thank you, just that was enough to make Victoria feel proud.
A feeling of the debt she owed to Alan washing away a bit. It was a gratifying moment for Victoria to be able to help a competent and responsible subordinate.
“Now, there’s a lot to talk about.”
Considering the situation, she decided not to show any signs of joy.
But despite her thoughts, her mouth corners kept twitching.
**
From Noble mtl dot com
Judging by Victoria’s reaction, it didn’t seem like she would demand the creation of an awakening agent. He had pretended to be melancholic on purpose to see if she would try it out, but it was a pointless endeavor.
Moreover, she even made sensible remarks with a bright expression.
“…Alan. From what I know, Leon Roderdale was already a genius surpassing the master before the appearance of the health syrup. Perhaps his growth was hindered due to the health syrup.”
“…….”
“And even if it helps… I don’t want a prodigy who lost his mind to dru*gs. The Elf Grand Mage, although a powerful sorcerer comparable to the master, babbled and died, pierced by a sword. Is that correct?”
“Indeed.”
It was a seemingly natural reaction, but strangely felt peculiar.
It could be because I’ve seen too many insane scenes, or perhaps I’ve committed too many insane acts, leading to an unfamiliarity.
However, Victoria didn’t seem to completely escape from the flower garden.
“Anyway, isn’t an Awakening Elixir essentially nonexistent without the contribution of a mage? It might cause a disturbance for a while, but there’s no one daring enough to pressure the mages.”
That’s what she said. Of course, I politely countered.
“Your Highness. They will try to find the raw material for ephedrine, the ingredient of the health syrup. Or they might try to secure morphine. Since morphine is widely used in the army, there are ways to obtain it if they try.”
“…I see.”
“If they can’t even get morphine, they might resort to using op*ium. They’ll realize it’s ineffective as they consume it, but by then, it will be too late.”
“Are you saying that Leon will increase to hundreds of people…?”
“More precisely, it’s hundreds of Leons without any skill.”
At these words, Victoria finally smiled and turned into a serious expression.
Not only did she change her expression, but she also corrected her posture that was leaning towards me and lowered the hand that was supporting her chin.
Originally, this guy looked good in a serious demeanor. It’s not like she’s someone who laughs while discussing serious matters like this.
“Well then, how should we resolve this?”
“Your Highness, I regret to inform you, but a resolution is impossible.”
“Then…?”
“Whatever we do, there will always be students who will get involved with dru*gs. There are students who operate op*ium dens by renting closed-down hotels. Now that they have come up with the excuse that it helps with their training, they will enjoy it more freely.”
“……”
However, it didn’t mean we were just going to sit back and do nothing.
“There is a way to minimize the damage.”
“Are you suggesting reducing the number of contaminated individuals?”
“Yes.”
In the past, there might have been a sense of relief at this point.
But Victoria’s expression had become even more serious.
She must have realized that the situation was much worse. Or perhaps she considered herself the one who provided the catalyst. …If I only thought about Victoria’s feelings, I would have offered some comfort by now, but unfortunately, I didn’t have that luxury.
Instead, I presented a difficult condition.
“However, Your Highness, if you want to resolve this matter, you must give up one thing.”
“What is it?”
“You must give up Leon Loaderdale, the friend who became a master while still in school. And you must personally send him away, even though I’m not suggesting you kill him. The person in question might even be satisfied.”
Victoria closed her mouth and looked at me.
My face reflected in her clear, deep blue eyes.
It wouldn’t be an easy decision. Even if she was bound by dru*gs, a master was still a master. It was normal to fiercely contemplate how to make use of him.
“It’s ridiculous to cling to just one master when there are so many extraordinary ones.”
But Victoria didn’t hesitate and murmured.
It might be a pretense of humility, but her expression was too serious for me to brush it off. I gave up. After a brief awkward silence, we began discussing specific measures. It was to minimize the damage caused by this incident.