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The exchange meeting hosted by the Demia Empire Academy concluded without any major incidents.

Although there were duels between the successors of the four seasonal weapon techniques during the meeting, these were not significant events.

Rather, the fact that the renowned successors of the continent’s weapon techniques gathered and only competed to test each other’s skills aligned perfectly with the purpose of the exchange meeting.

To compete with honed skills, recognize one’s shortcomings, and strive for further improvement—that alone was more than enough reason to hold the exchange meeting.

Of course, this was only the surface-level reason.

From the beginning, the exchange meeting was an event where invisible political battles between nations took place.

It was a place to gauge how well the members of one’s own academy performed and to assess the level of cadets from other academies, thereby determining the political trajectory for the next few years.

Especially this time, the exchange meeting hosted by the Demia Empire Academy carried significant weight. It was an event where the successors of the four seasonal weapon techniques gathered in one place.

The battles between these elite successors were not just a matter of pride for their respective nations but also a fight for the future. They were the heroes who would lead the future, and merely possessing such a hero could exert immense influence on the continent’s political landscape.

Given this situation, news of their clashes at the exchange meeting spread rapidly across the continent.

Some claimed Miyum of the Spring Shield had won, while others argued for Edel of the Summer Spear or Atalanta of the Autumn Bow.

– “Of course, it’s Miyum of the Spring Shield. If you haven’t faced that shield, don’t even talk.”

– “Idiot, do you even know how Edel of the Summer Spear thrusts?”

– “You’re the one talking nonsense. Atalanta of the Autumn Bow’s arrows will kill you before you even realize it.”

People loudly proclaimed that the successor they supported had won. These successors were their pride and honor.

However, they intentionally avoided mentioning one name.

Gilbert of the Winter Sword.

They instinctively knew that if he participated, he would be the ultimate victor of the duels.

The reason was simple.

His actions up to this point were nothing short of an epic tale.

As an academy cadet, he suppressed a rebellion and single-handedly fought against dozens of colossal mechs.

Not only that, but he also brokered a peace agreement with the Sigurd clan, who had been at odds with the Empire for years, completely eliminating a potential threat.

Gilbert’s achievements since enrolling at the Demia Empire Academy could hardly be overstated.

A cadet who was also a knight.

A knight who was also a hero.

This was the current position of Gilbert, once known as the black sheep of the Count family.

***

Gilbert felt the warmth of the rare sunlight streaming down.

It had been several months since he woke up in this strange yet familiar place.

He had run forward with all his might, as if there was no time to rest.

From the moment he received the final ultimatum from the Count of Lithuania and left for the Demia Empire Academy.

Winning the tutorial-like entrance mock battle and unlocking the system for the first time.

The sudden twist of the Resistance incident and saving Briana, who was originally destined to die.

None of these events were easy. If his stats had been even slightly lower or if he had played Tactical Combat carelessly, he might have already died.

Even for a veteran player, Tactical Combat was a game where a single misstep could lead to death. Controlling colossal mechs was never an easy task.

Moreover, this wasn’t a game world where you could restart multiple times. It was a real world where a single mistake could cost you limbs or even your head.

On top of that, the character Gilbert, whom Kang Do-jun had possessed, was a character designed purely for fun, with all sorts of concepts slapped onto him.

The infamous black sheep of a noble family.

A hopeless trash.

A flawed characteristic skill.

All of these were mixed together to create Gilbert, a character built solely for entertainment and interest.

Because of this, in the early days of his possession, he suffered greatly due to the character’s terrible reputation and widespread infamy across the continent.

How many people had suffered because of the character’s backstory?

He had even cursed himself for creating such a character without thinking deeply.

But that was all in the past.

Gilbert felt the gentle breeze.

Of course, it was still a bit early to be reflecting like this.

After all, he still hadn’t found a way to return to his original world, and the remaining main scenarios were far more difficult than any he had cleared so far.

Just thinking about it sometimes made it hard to breathe, but it was good for his mental health to take things a little easier.

After all, nothing could be accomplished in a short time. He had to take his time and move forward like a marathon.

He might die here without ever returning, but giving up wasn’t in his nature.

So, take it easy and move slowly.

But with an unyielding heart, move forward steadily.

Gilbert thought so.

“Lord Gilbert.”

“What is it?”

As he was leisurely organizing his thoughts in the academy garden, he opened his eyes to the call of a servant looking for him.

The servant wasn’t wearing the uniform of an academy servant.

Instead, it was the formal attire worn by the imperial family’s servants.

“Her Highness the Princess is looking for you.”

“Her Highness?”

Gilbert was puzzled by the news that Princess Seraphina, his liege and the Empire’s princess, was looking for him.

Why would she suddenly seek him out after not meeting him since the exchange meeting ended?

Gilbert stood up from the bench and straightened his attire.

“Lead the way.”

“Understood.”

The servant, bowing respectfully but with the dignity of an imperial servant, led the way to where Seraphina was.

“Do you know why Her Highness summoned me?”

“She didn’t give any specific instructions. She only ordered me to bring you to her.”

“I see.”

It wasn’t unusual for Seraphina to summon him out of the blue, but this time, it felt unsettling.

Perhaps it was because Seraphina was suspected of being one of the characters in the sub-scenario “Possessor of Desire.”

Gilbert composed his complicated feelings as he saw the student council room where Seraphina was.

Even though they were bound by a master-servant relationship, Seraphina was the closest to becoming the next emperor.

He couldn’t afford to displease her if he wanted her help in the future.

*Knock knock*

“Your Highness, I’ve brought Lord Gilbert.”

“Let him in.”

With Seraphina’s permission, the firmly closed door to the student council room opened.

The student council room was no different from when Gilbert had played Tactical Combat.

The furniture, reflecting her personality, looked rather plain, and various books were neatly arranged on the shelves.

“My liege.”

“You’ve come, my servant.”

Seraphina, who had been processing documents until Gilbert arrived, held a quill pen dripping with ink.

Normally, for practicality, the feather would be removed, leaving only the shaft, but Seraphina was different.

Perhaps to showcase the dignity of the imperial family, she used the ornate quill pen with graceful movements, writing smoothly.

It was a sight so picturesque that even Gilbert couldn’t help but admire it.

The sunlight streaming through the large window behind her and the quill pen created a harmony that made her seem like the heroine of a novel.

In fact, considering she was a character from Tactical Combat, it wasn’t entirely wrong. The only difference was that this world had become reality.

Seraphina welcomed Gilbert warmly and closed the document folder. Since it wasn’t an urgent matter, she could postpone the writing for a bit.

“I heard you were looking for me.”

“I had planned to summon you sooner, but I didn’t have the time.”

Gilbert sat on the guest chair in the office at Seraphina’s gesture.

The guest furniture was exceptionally comfortable. He suspected it might be the most expensive item in the office.

“Would you like some tea?”

“If you offer, I will gratefully accept.”

Gilbert sensed that Seraphina had summoned him to try to pull him into her faction again. So, he subtly reaffirmed his intention to remain neutral.

Joining Seraphina’s faction was part of Gilbert’s long-term plan. The upcoming main scenarios would be much more troublesome without her full support.

But now wasn’t the time. It was too early to step forward as her sword. For the sake of the upcoming main scenario, he needed to maintain a neutral stance.

And there was that sub-scenario lingering in his mind.

Gilbert discreetly observed Seraphina as she elegantly sipped her tea.

Currently, Seraphina was suspected of being one of the characters in the forcibly accepted sub-scenario “Possessor of Desire.” He still hadn’t figured out exactly what the scenario entailed, but the title alone didn’t bode well.

That’s why he had been keeping a slight distance from Briana lately. If he hastily joined Seraphina’s faction, who knew what trouble might arise? For now, keeping his distance was the best choice.

“Hoho. Are you rejecting me again? Even though I desire it so earnestly, my servant always finds ways to evade.”

“Nevertheless, my loyalty always lies with the Empire.”

“That sounds like you’ll only look at me if I become the Empire.”

Seraphina’s eyes sparkled unusually.

Did I say something wrong?

Gilbert suddenly felt a chill.

When playing Tactical Combat, Seraphina always had a mysterious aura. Her status and unique demeanor contributed to that impression.

But the Seraphina here was both similar to and different from the one in the game.

Whether it was the butterfly effect of reality or because he was Gilbert and not Ian, her desire for talent seemed particularly intense.

Especially those eyes.

The look in her eyes, determined to bring him into her faction by any means necessary, kept bothering him.

Perhaps the sub-scenario was amplifying that feeling.

“Well, fine. I already knew you wouldn’t be easily obtained.”

“My apologies.”

“No need. I’ll consider it a future pleasure. More importantly, I haven’t explained why I summoned you here.”

Gilbert straightened his posture. It seemed the reason the busy princess had summoned him was finally coming.

Like a student attentively listening to a teacher, Gilbert sat upright and focused on Seraphina’s words.

“Do you remember the rewards I bestowed upon you, my servant?”

“Rewards… you mean?”

Rewards? There were quite a few, weren’t there?

Gilbert’s mind raced as he tried to recall.

Given how he had been used for propaganda, the rewards he received were numerous.

Gold, silver, jewels, and even the title of a 5th Grade Knight, despite being an academy cadet.

All of these were politically calculated to glorify Gilbert, but for him, there was no downside, so he accepted them all.

Thanks to that, his once terrible reputation had quietly faded.

But why bring up the rewards now? It was hard to grasp her intentions.

“My servant, you can be quite dense at times. Have you forgotten the greatest reward I bestowed upon you?”

Her sighing tone suggested there was something more. Gilbert racked his brain but couldn’t recall.

“My apologies. It seems my servant’s foolishness has caused me to forget.”

“I thought you were perfect, but you can be surprisingly slow. Have you truly forgotten that I granted you the privilege of spending time with me?”

Time with her?

Gilbert finally remembered the reward Seraphina had bestowed upon him after the academy assault incident.

Of course, with all the subsequent events, he had completely forgotten about it. Was she planning to enforce that reward now?

This was the worst timing for Gilbert, who wanted to keep his distance.

“Judging by your expression, you’ve finally remembered. I happen to have some free time now.”

“My liege.”

“Hoho, are you looking forward to it? So am I. But don’t worry, I don’t intend to make it awkward. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy our time together.”

As Gilbert watched Seraphina laugh cheerfully, he glanced at Yanic, who was guarding her, hoping for help.

– Sorry, there’s nothing I can do.

But Yanic avoided Gilbert’s gaze.

Once Seraphina set her mind on something, no one could stop her except the Emperor himself.

Yanic subtly shook his head, signaling Gilbert to give up.

Seeing this, Gilbert could only nod slightly.

***

Princess Seraphina’s decision to go incognito.

 

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