Published at 5th of December 2020 03:35:05 PM
Chapter 273
RMSBS - Episode 273 . The Banquet (4)
“His Majesty would like to see you . ”
Guiltian’s speech had barely just ended, and someone had already approached Desir .
It was clear that the Emperor had something important to talk about . If that was not the case, then there was no reason to deliberately pull Desir aside .
“I’ll be away for a moment . Be right back . ”
Desir headed towards Guiltian, leaving Romantica and Pram behind, who were still in shock .
There was no one around Guiltian . Not even Adjest, who had entered the banquet hall together with him . Perhaps he cleared everyone in advance of Desir’s arrival .
“I stand before the Great Emperor . ”
Guiltian smiled and beckoned him to the chair on the opposite side .
“Have a seat . ”
He seemed to be in a very good mood .
When Desir sat down, Guiltian handed him a glass made of gold .
“I got some fine wine and I wanted to drink it with you, so I called you . ”
“I am honored . ”
Guiltian poured the wine into Desir’s glass himself and they gently clicked their glasses .
“This… ”
After taking a sip from the wine, Desir could not help but be amazed .
It was fine wine indeed .
While it was subtle, it was rich in aroma and while it was bitter, it was clean . These harmoniously mixed flavors of wine made him realize that it was a fine wine indeed . He did not even know that much about alcohol, but he could tell .
Guiltian looked at Desir with a contented look before speaking again .
“You did an exceptional job . You have distinguished yourself, and the Empire, in the war . With your dedication, the Empire was able to experience a moment that shone brighter than any other . ”
He continued while filling his glass with wine .
“A befitting reward is to be granted for your distinguished service . Desir Arman, I would like to reward you with a dukedom . ”
“… … !”
At that moment, Desir was dumbfounded . He thought that he would receive some kind of reward, but this was unexpected .
As a Royal Guard, he was already receiving the same treatment as a Duke .
However, the essence of his status as a commoner had not changed . Even though he was a Royal Guard, there was clearly a difference between him and rest, all because he was not a nobleman .
However, right now, Guiltian was offering him a dukedom .
To him, a mere commoner!
As this offer was unprecedented in the history of the Empire, even Desir, who went through hell and high water, was left bewildered .
There were four dukes in the Hebrion Empire, so if Desir became a duke, then he would be amongst the top five noble families, only a step below the Imperial Family .
‘C-Calm down . ’
Desir’s hand, which was holding a glass of wine, shook involuntarily . Even though he was not particularly interested in authority, he could not help but be tempted by this offer .
“This reward is too excessive for me, even if I rendered distinguished service . It’s too much to be awarded for just leading them to victory . ”
On the other hand, something seemed out of the ordinary, so Desir did not readily accept his offer .
It was necessary to doubt anything that was too good to be true . Besides, the Emperor was not a character who willingly suffered a loss .
“Your Majesty, I think that’s an excessive reward for what I did . ”
“That may be so . Surely many nobles will oppose . However, my intention will not change . ”
Guiltian drank from his glass .
“Even though you’re still young, you’re the best magician on the continent, who surpasses even the Great Sage, Zod Exarion . Though your current distinguished service does not measure up to his, I believe you’ll make even greater achievements in the future . ”
“You mean… ”
“I would like you to strive for the Empire as a Duke of the Empire . ”
‘… He’s very straightforward . ’
Hearing his outrageous words, it struck him that not anyone can be an Emperor .
Basically, the dukedom was a reward with his future as collateral . Guiltian did not hide his true intentions and at the same time, showed Desir that he respected and valued him .
Thanks to his frankness, Desir was not offended, even though it could have easily been an uncomfortable conversation for anyone else .
‘There’s no reason to decline the offer . It would be stranger to not accept it . ’
Hebrion Empire shared the continent with the Western Kingdom Union . Who could reject the powerful duke position within such a powerhouse?
Desir closed his eyes for a moment and pondered .
‘If I become a noble, I’d be able to protect more people . ’
It was an attractive idea for anyone, but it was even more attractive to Desir .
In his previous life, Desir had been a commoner until the very end . Every step of his life had been heavy and lined with unnecessary burden . From the very beginning, he had been placed in the Beta Class, and never received a proper education .
He also lamented his lack of strength while clearing the Shadow Labyrinth, all because he was not able to learn more . He was enraged by the fact that he was not able to protect his comrades .
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He hated his cursed life as a commoner .
‘But… ’
Desir opened his eyes and answered with a determined voice .
“Your Majesty, I thank you for the generous offer, but I will have to refuse . ”
Guiltian looked at Desir in silence .
He did not seem angry . His eyes were filled with curiosity .
“I’d like to know the reason . ”
“It’s not that I don’t want this duke position . It’s just that there is something I want more than that . I would like to request that instead of the dukedom, Your Majesty . ”
“Then what is it that you want?”
Desir took a deep breath and answered .
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“I’d like to establish my own academy, Your Majesty . ”
“… Is that something you wish for, something more valuable than dukedom?”
Guiltian seemed confused .
A duke of the Empire was a position with the power that came close to King’s authority . There was nothing more ridiculous than asking for the establishment of an academy over that power .
Unable to ascertain his intentions, but recognizing his sincerity, Guiltian was perplexed .
“Why do you want this?”
Desir straightened up and answered his question .
“To turn coincidence into inevitability . ”
“Turn coincidence into inevitability… ?”
It wasn’t a reason that was easy to understand .
Desir continued .
“I’ve been able to come this far just with pure luck . In the past, Desir Arman was an orphan of ordinary commoners who knew nothing of magic . It was a cursed fate, destined to lead nowhere, until I met Professor Bridgette by complete coincidence . ”
In most cases, commoners of the Hebrion Empire never learn whether they have the Blessing of Mana . They never attempted to find out, and no one ever attempted to tell them . That was the way life was .
“However, most commoners, and I am no exception, are not gifted with fortune . They are born and die without knowing that they have such talents . Even if they are aware of their gifts, they die without being able to flourish . ”
Before becoming a returner, Desir had experienced that painful life firsthand .
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Desir was able to become a magician through sheer luck, but was discriminated against because he was a commoner . The Hebrion Academy that he entered only after expending relentless effort was of no help to a commoner, banishing him to a worthless class for the sin of being born without status .
That inadequate education made brilliant skills languish . In his previous life, Romantica met a premature death because she never realized her full talent .
‘I can answer their question now . ’
The answer to Raphaello’s question from his previous life, and to Romantica’s question today .
“I hope that by expanding the education system and enabling the commoners to learn freely, I can make a place where my existence would have been an inevitability rather than a coincidence . ”
As Desir experienced the Shadow Labyrinth, he realized that there were many outstanding individuals among the commoners . People like Romantica and Pram .
“So you want to establish a second Hebrion Academy . ”
“That would not be enough . I want any citizen of the Empire, not only a select few, to be given an equal opportunity at education . ”
Desir’s request was a bit two-faced . When he requested to establish an academy, he did not really want to establish one institution . The true meaning of his request was…
“I hope that a minimum amount of education, in other words, a public education system, could be introduced to all of the citizens of the Empire . ”
After he finished explaining, Desir swallowed hard .
Guiltian, who was listening carefully in silence, remained silent . It was impossible to read his thoughts from his expression .
Seeing that he was not answering him immediately, Desir assumed that he was seriously reviewing his proposal .
And he was .
However, introducing a public education system that Desir requested would mean that they had to establish academies all over the Empire .
A huge national budget was consumed by maintaining one Hebrion Academy . It was evident that an astronomical amount of money would be consumed in order to expand and manage a few hundred or a few thousand of them .
It was not impossible to do, but the stakes were high .
‘If more people like him could be found, then it would definitely be a worthwhile investment, but… ’
Desir Arman .
It was impossible to put a price on him . When Guiltian had offered dukedom, he had done everything in his power to keep Desir by his side .
Desir was basically making an investment proposition at the risk of his life .
“One thing . ”
After long contemplation, Guiltian managed to open his heavy mouth .
“I will grant your request on one condition . ”
“What would that be?”
“You have to be in charge of this matter . ”
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Seeing Desir’s perplexed expression, Guiltian smiled faintly .
“I’m sure only you can perfectly fulfill your idea . Make sure to work hard to achieve your ideals until your last breath . ”
Only then did Desir realize Guiltian’s intention .
‘So that was it . ’
Guiltian tried to award him with a dukedom in order to keep him in the Empire .
However, when Desir declined that offer, he used his proposal to make him stay .
‘It will take a while for the system to be properly implemented . He would have to remain in the Empire for at least several decades . ’
In the end, Guiltian was able to achieve his goal .
‘It’s a rather good outcome for me . ’
Desir was going to stay in the Empire regardless .
If he could introduce the system himself, using his ideals as the foundation for future growth, it was more than he hoped for .
“I will do my best, Your Majesty . ”
And with that, the conversation ended .
Both of them got what they hoped for .
Desir received an opportunity to fulfill his ideals and Guiltian tied the best magician on the continent to the Empire .
Desir put down his glass and bowed to Guiltian . It was at that moment when he turned around .
“Desir . ”
He heard Guiltian’s voice . It was the most affectionate tone he heard from him until now .
“Please take care of Adjest . ”
Platinum blond hair swung in front of his eyes .
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