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The pride of the Demia Empire Academy and the Empire’s commemorative event, the Lion King’s birthday celebration, was undoubtedly the parade held on the eve of the festival.

The parade, which began as a tribute to the great king who once shook the continent, was inspired by the Lion King’s triumphal procession. Typically, the cadet who won the competition tournament would take on the role of the Lion King and lead the parade, followed by selected cadets who had achieved outstanding results.

Last year, the Lion King was played by the Empire’s Princess Seraphina. Although the Lion King’s gender was traditionally male, the event, born from a desire to honor him, did not discriminate based on gender for the role. The strongest cadet was simply chosen for the position.

This year, it was expected that Seraphina would reprise her role as the Lion King after winning the overall competition, but the rules changed, and a different cadet was selected for the role.

People were puzzled by the news. While the intent behind changing the rules wasn’t bad, the cadet chosen to replace Seraphina left everyone bewildered.

Gilbert, the troublemaker.

When he was given the honor of playing the Lion King, quite a stir was caused. Rumors spread that it was a favor to the eldest son of a powerful count family, but once the reasons for the rule change and Gilbert’s selection were announced, the gossips had no choice but to stay silent.

It was rare for an academy cadet to receive a knighthood. While there were exceptions like Seraphina and Briana, who received their knighthoods before even entering the academy, such cases were extremely rare. Even Gilbert’s father, the Iron-Blooded Frontier Count, only received his knighthood after graduating from the academy.

In that sense, Gilbert was the most fitting candidate under the new rules. Despite being a new cadet, he had already been knighted and had achieved excellent grades. Though his reputation was still that of a troublemaker, he was a capable troublemaker who was undeniably qualified for the Lion King role.

However, meeting the qualifications was one thing; performing the role well was another. Last year’s Lion King, Princess Seraphina, had set an unprecedented standard.

Born to be an emperor, she led the parade as if the real Lion King had returned to life. Although the historical Lion King was male, those who watched the parade at the time agreed that if the Lion King had been female, it would have been her.

Seraphina’s portrayal of the Lion King was near perfect, and many believed no one could surpass her.

Thus, no one had high expectations for Gilbert, the troublemaker, as he took on the role of the Lion King. Even as the parade began, the sentiment remained the same.

But.

– What, what is this?

– Is that really Gilbert, the troublemaker?

– The Lion King… the Lion King has appeared!

As the parade started, people rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

A man riding a massive black horse at the front of the parade.

Golden hair brighter than gold, indifferent crimson eyes, a black knight’s uniform covering his muscular frame, and a red cloak embroidered with a golden lion—all of it made people think of only one thing.

The return of the Lion King.

There was no other way to describe the moment.

The audience was overwhelmed by Gilbert’s unexpected appearance. In that moment, no one thought of him as the troublemaker from the count family.

They only saw the Lion King. That was all they could think of.

His red eyes scanned the speechless crowd. The weak-hearted instinctively stepped back, as if his empty gaze expressed the weariness of a king.

– Clap, clap.

One of the silent spectators began to clap. As if under a spell, others followed suit. The applause became a catalyst, and the crowd erupted into cheers for the Lion King, who they believed would never be surpassed.

Last year’s Lion King, Seraphina, was forgotten.

Only the indifferent Lion King remained.

***

Meanwhile, Gilbert, now the Lion King at the front of the parade, was slightly taken aback by the sudden frenzy. He had simply followed Camilla’s advice to look indifferently at the crowd, but the once silent spectators suddenly went wild.

– Lion King! Lion King!

– Gilbert! Gilbert!

What? What on earth is happening? Gilbert couldn’t help but be puzzled. To his knowledge, the greatest Lion King was undoubtedly Seraphina. Born with the bearing of an emperor, she exuded majesty even when standing still, embodying the Lion King perfectly.

So, if anyone were to be chosen as the best Lion King, it would always be Seraphina. But judging by the current reaction, it seemed that was about to change.

In truth, Gilbert had played the role of the Lion King many times during his days of playing Tactical Combat. While it was extremely difficult for an academy cadet to defeat Seraphina in the competition, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

Wasn’t it famous for veterans to obsess over the unbeatable? Gilbert was one of those players, and after much hardship, he had managed to reach a level where he could defeat Seraphina.

Of course, he had participated in the parade as the Lion King before, but he had never received such frenzied cheers. Despite his excellent piloting skills, the inherent limitations of the character Ian had held him back.

How could the young master of a count family surpass someone born to be an emperor like Seraphina?

Moreover, the game’s settings were fixed, so Gilbert had never once been called the best Lion King.

But now, whether it was because this was reality and not a game, or due to some unknown influence of “Gilbert,” he was receiving insane cheers. If he listened closely, he could even hear people calling him the greatest Lion King in parade history.

“Hehehe! As expected, as expected!”

Camilla, who was playing the role of the Lion King’s aide right behind him, was giggling behind her hand, as if she had anticipated this all along.

“Did you expect this?”

“Of course! My eyes never lie!”

Though she was careful not to draw attention during the parade, Gilbert could see Camilla’s barely contained joy from the corner of his eye. He couldn’t understand why she was so thrilled about him being called the greatest Lion King.

Given her eccentric nature, he assumed she was just having fun.

Ignoring Camilla’s snickering, Gilbert led his black horse along the designated parade route. Though he didn’t originally have horseback riding skills, he seemed to have inherited the talent from the original Gilbert, as he effortlessly acquired the skill upon mounting the horse.

While Gilbert’s body had memories of learning to ride, they were the original Gilbert’s memories, not his own. Despite some initial unease, his worries proved unfounded as he naturally mastered the skill. Perhaps the original Gilbert’s talent for riding was shining through.

In any case, with the help of his newfound riding skills, he continued the parade, circling the Demia Empire Academy before heading towards the main gate.

The parade, inspired by the Lion King’s triumphal procession, always concluded with a speech at the academy’s main gate, followed by the drawing of a sword as a final gesture. It was a declaration of intent to carry on the Lion King’s legacy and bring glory to the Empire.

Finally arriving at the academy’s main gate, Gilbert skillfully turned his black horse to face the parade and the spectators. After a moment of silence, he grasped the hilt of the ceremonial sword at his side.

This was a signal, a tradition of the parade. It marked the beginning of the Lion King’s triumphal speech, the highlight and final event of the parade. The crowd, who had been cheering and applauding, fell silent at Gilbert’s gesture.

Gilbert quietly held the sword and recalled the words he had prepared. He hadn’t prepared anything grand. He wasn’t particularly eloquent. Moreover, last year’s Lion King, Seraphina, had delivered a memorable speech.

No matter how hard Gilbert tried, he couldn’t match that. In the end, all he could do was bring something from another world that didn’t exist in this one.

Taking a deep breath, he focused his gaze. His deep voice, amplified by magic, reached everyone watching.

“Remember that we must die!”

Do not be arrogant.

For no human can always win.

“Remember that we are human!”

Do not be complacent.

For humans cannot be omnipotent.

“Look back, remember that we too are merely human, even if we are here now!”

Do not forget death.

Remember that humans always die.

As Gilbert uttered his final words, he drew his sword and raised it high into the sky. The audience, who had been moved by his short but piercing speech, erupted into even louder cheers.

Memento Mori.

Indeed, the answers lie in history. Having successfully delivered his speech, Gilbert suppressed a smile and nodded inwardly.

***

The moment the parade’s final event, the triumphal speech, ended.

[Comrades, listen. The time for revolution has come.]

The assault begins.

 

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