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The Lion King’s Birthday Celebration Event lasted for three days. Starting two days before the Lion King’s birthday, the event was essentially a festival for the entire Empire.

One of the biggest reasons was that the normally inaccessible Demia Empire Academy opened its doors to the public, and the famous Lion King Parade could be witnessed during the eve of the birthday celebration.

The Lion King Parade of the Demia Empire Academy was a grand spectacle where the top cadet, who had won the overall competition tournament, took on the role of the Lion King. Leading the parade like a triumphant general, the cadet was followed by other cadets in formation.

While it might sound like any other parade, its scale and grandeur were enough to captivate anyone. Thanks to this, the Lion King Parade became one of the Empire’s most iconic events.

Last year, the role of the Lion King was taken by Seraphina, who was rumored to be the next in line for the throne. The parade was the largest in history, and Seraphina’s natural majesty perfectly suited the role, earning her the title of the greatest Lion King ever.

Naturally, people expected Seraphina to reprise the role this year. After all, no cadet could surpass her, and she had once again won the overall competition tournament.

However, their expectations were completely off. An official announcement revealed that Seraphina would not be this year’s Lion King. People were naturally curious about who could have possibly taken her place.

Some speculated it was the child of a high-ranking duke, while others thought it might be the offspring of a prestigious marquis.

Amidst the heated debates, someone mentioned a name no one had expected—a man known as the worst troublemaker since the founding of the Empire.

A man who, despite being a mere academy cadet, had earned a knight’s title.

A man who single-handedly destroyed multiple Resistance colossal mechs.

Gilbert Lion Heart.

The name of Gilbert, the eldest son of the Lion Heart family and the so-called shame of the Lion Heart Count family, began to surface.

Upon hearing his name, people protested. While his recent actions had been groundbreaking, many still couldn’t accept that he had changed and believed he didn’t deserve such an honorable position.

Even those who had seen him firsthand agreed that his colossal mech piloting skills were unmatched, but they remained skeptical about his change in character. Most believed that someone else would take the role of this year’s Lion King.

Unfortunately, their expectations were once again shattered. Lucas, the academy head and a marquis, officially announced that Gilbert would be this year’s Lion King.

People were outraged by this unprecedented decision, but there was little they could do after Lucas’s declaration. In the Empire, only a handful of people had the authority to challenge Lucas, and even Princess Seraphina, who should have been the Lion King, remained silent.

In this situation, no one dared to oppose Lucas’s decision, and all they could do was cast suspicious glances at Gilbert, questioning whether he truly deserved the honor.

But what they didn’t know was that Gilbert himself dreaded taking on the role.

***

“Priest. You don’t look well. What’s the matter? Speak to me.”

“Princess Seraphina…”

“Ahem.”

“Was this your plan?”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. If you cut off the beginning and end of your words, even someone as intelligent as I am won’t be able to follow.”

Gilbert felt the urge to punch Seraphina, who was feigning innocence in front of him. Her unchanging expression and sly smile made it clear that she was behind this Lion King situation.

Even though she was a cadet at the Demia Empire Academy, her status as a princess hadn’t disappeared. Moreover, she was the closest to inheriting the throne.

Additionally, Marquis Lucas, the academy head, treated Seraphina almost like a granddaughter and rarely refused her requests. Thinking about it, there was more than enough justification to change the selection criteria.

“Did you change the selection criteria for the Lion King?”

“It’s flattering that you think so highly of me, but I’m just a mere academy cadet. How could I possibly do something so grand?”

“It’s entirely possible for you.”

Her amused smile turned his suspicion into certainty. She was definitely involved.

“Hoho. Priest. Even so, it’s not a bad thing. Being the Lion King in one of the Empire’s grandest events is a golden opportunity. Who wouldn’t want such an honor?”

She elegantly sipped her tea, her ruby eyes sparkling like stars. She looked like a child who had just received a fascinating new toy.

“Was it really necessary to break tradition?”

“Hmm. The tea tastes wonderful.”

“Princess. You’re avoiding the question.”

Gilbert frowned and spoke firmly. Under normal circumstances, such behavior would have been considered disrespectful, but given his status as a cadet and his shared background with Seraphina, it was just within acceptable limits.

Still, he was probably the only one who could get away with it.

Seraphina savored the exquisite flavor of the tea, a special product supplied to the imperial family.

“Priest. There’s only one reason I changed the long-standing tradition. It’s for the incoming freshmen.”

“Freshmen?”

“Yes. The honor will now go to the winner of the 1st Year Competition Tournament. Think about it. If we continued to select the overall competition winner, the same person could hold the role until they graduated. As long as I’m at the academy, there won’t be another Lion King.”

Gilbert nodded inwardly as he watched Seraphina savor her tea.

Indeed, in Tactical Combat, unless a user defeated her through sheer skill, she never relinquished the role of Lion King. Her pride wouldn’t allow it.

But now, for some reason, she had willingly given up the position. He couldn’t see any benefit for her in this. The concern she mentioned earlier didn’t seem significant enough to warrant changing the rules.

“You still don’t seem convinced.”

“It feels like you’re trying to make things difficult for me.”

“Oh my. This is why I dislike perceptive priests. It’s no fun if you figure it out too quickly.”

Could it really be true?

If there was no benefit, then the only reason left was to tease him. But he couldn’t believe that she would change the selection process for such a trivial reason, especially for one of the Empire’s most important festivals.

Of course, amusement wasn’t the sole reason, but it certainly played a significant role. Her gleeful expression made it hard to believe otherwise.

“Seeing you in distress is a first for me. That alone makes my plan a success.”

“Princess.”

“Don’t look at me like that. Do you really think I changed it just to tease you? Of course, that wasn’t entirely absent. But there was also a necessity to change it. The symbolism of the Lion King role in the parade is significant. I wanted to select the Lion King from the new talents entering the academy each year. I wanted to show that the academy’s talent is endless, just like the Lion King’s relentless conquests.”

“So you wanted to emphasize the symbolism?”

“Exactly. And while I was at it, I thought I’d have a little fun teasing you. I don’t do inefficient things. You know that well, Priest.”

Gilbert agreed as he watched Seraphina set down her teacup with grace. In Tactical Combat, Seraphina was indeed efficiency-driven. Her royal dignity made it difficult for anyone to approach her casually.

Though being fellow cadets lowered the barrier somewhat, it wasn’t as relaxed as it was now. This was another aspect that had changed as reality set in.

“In that sense, you must take on the role of Lion King this time. In just half a year, your actions have left a deeper mark than any other academy cadet.”

“I guess… I have no choice.”

The academy invasion was set to occur on the very day of the Lion King’s birthday. He had planned to scout the invaders’ routes beforehand, but everything had gone awry.

No choice then.

If time was short, he’d have to make it. He resolved to prepare for the parade while finding a way to carve out the necessary time.

“So, I’m counting on you to do well as the Lion King. Of course, I have no doubt you’ll excel, Priest.”

“I accept the command.”

“You’re always so stiff, Priest.”

As Seraphina shook her head, Gilbert picked up his teacup. Though it had cooled slightly, the aroma still lingered.

 

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