The end-of-year finals.
The match between Wolfram von Lohengrin and Rudika Hassan Shadow drew an enormous amount of attention from those around them.
To what extent? Even the second-year Knight Department, who had no real connection to the matter, was abuzz over their sparring.
The reason was simple.
The moves Wolfram von Lohengrin had been showing recently were like a storm.
He hadn’t been expelled, he’d joined the student council expedition, he’d raised a failing first-year to the top of the grade, and he strode through Zefflin leading a black iron steed and a red wolf.
Was this rampage, surpassing even the student council president, a tyrannical act carried out under the name of an imperial descendant, or the realization of a grand plan that couldn’t have been done during his term?
Since all students could view other students’ status books, Wolfram’s stats were updated daily and publicly posted at least once a week.
But everyone tilted their heads when they looked at Wolfram von Lohengrin’s stats.
How did he even get in with stats like that?
Of course, his recent growth in talent was frightening. But even so, it was only 14.
Moreover, under current regulations, the student council president’s stats always appeared at the top of the list, so there were plenty of hostile gazes.
And now he was fighting Rudika Hassan Shadow—who, among the third-year Magic Department students, could easily rank within the top ten of Zefflin in pure total stat ability.
Wasn’t the battle lineup alone enough to get hearts racing?
The rumors quickly formed three factions.
One was the faction supporting Wolfram’s complete defeat.
Wolfram von Lohengrin’s opponent was too strong for him to pull off a miracle.
How could he possibly face a monster with Talent 21? The number 21 was a number that would go down in history.
These were people who held ill feelings toward Wolfram. In other words, those who maliciously envied him. The trashy student council president who had previously sowed discord between the Knight Department and the Magic Department, and had ruled with tyranny, was now fighting an assassin. Naturally, they hoped for his miserable defeat.
The opposite side were his supporters—those who endorsed Wolfram von Lohengrin’s unprecedented moves and idolized him as a “villainous hero.”
They believed that even if his talent was 8 and all other stats were terribly outmatched, Wolfram von Lohengrin would still show them something.
Knowing full well that this belief was futile, they were still enthusiasts or extremists hoping for the emergence of a 【Villainous Hero】.
Finally, there were the neutrals—or more precisely, those who claimed a mocking neutrality.
Think about it. Rudika was a member of Wolfram’s crew. There was no way they would fight seriously.
This was all political theater. If Wolfram won, that was politics. If he lost, that was also politics to divert attention.
In the first place, they wouldn’t seriously spar—that was the thought of this group.
This match had already been formed as a crew between the young lady of the Shadow family, called the King of the Underworld based in the south, and the incompetent imperial prince.
Anyway, it was clear that this match would bring a storm to Zefflin, and now everyone sought out other crew members nearby to get even a bit more information and to bring their imaginations down to reality.
“What do you think, Neferian?”
“About what?”
“Well… Neferian is also part of Senior Wolfram’s crew, right?”
“…Ah. Well, if we’re talking factions, yes. But given my position, it’s hard for me to say much. Haha.”
“Oh, right. Neferian is in the special Royal Guard course… Sorry. I didn’t consider your position.”
Of course, Nefty, the top student of the second-year Knight Department, was also flooded with countless questions.
She could have avoided answering because she was a Royal Guard candidate, but if she hadn’t, she would have undoubtedly been exhausted.
In fact, the one most curious about the outcome of this match was Neferian herself.
Neferian had sparred with Rudika before.
And the result was, predictably, disastrous.
“I couldn’t land a single hit on Senior Rudika.”
That speed didn’t even allow you to track it with your eyes.
So it wasn’t hard to predict Senior Wolfram’s defeat.
But…
“I don’t think Senior Wolfram will just lose quietly, though.”
He would probably resist.
If so, another question arose.
Wolfram von Lohengrin defeats Rudika Hassan Shadow, whom he couldn’t even touch.
Then…
“Am I really worthy of being a Royal Guard, Senior?”
If Senior is stronger, couldn’t he just do everything alone?
A strange unease bloomed in Nefty’s heart.
—
And Nefty, using her own privileges, watched Wolfram’s sparring match from the very front.
Everyone in that place was speechless.
The presence emanating from Wolfram made the seat where Wolfram von Lohengrin sat feel as though it was disrespectful to look upon the great bloodline raised high.
It’s true that after the initial forced provocation, complaints and grievances flowed from the audience.
But once that intense presence spread from his body, no one could raise their head.
**【This is the imperial court. Bow your heads.** 】
Wolfram seemed to be saying just that.
A moment later, when the true battle between Wolfram and Rudika began, those who had adapted to the pressure could take in the fight.
Was it a battle?
A sparring match?
Or… a scene from myth?
The Emperor’s throne, rising high like the sky.
Seated upon it was undeniably Wolfram von Lohengrin, Talent 14, Stamina 2.
And below him—one who must look up as if gazing at the sky, crawling on the ground.
Talent 21, the strongest assassin of the current era. Rudika Hassan Shadow.
The complete opposite of their stats.
In this situation where the weaker one looked down on the stronger from above, the audience couldn’t even make a sound.
**【Arrogant.** **】**
“…Ha! Wolfram!”
A fist made of immense magical power struck the earth. The assassin couldn’t even approach that great throne.
The great bloodline does not permit the entry of any evil.
At this very moment, the one dominating this area, this space, was the pinnacle of humanity—the one who inherited that bloodline alone.
“Ah… Ahhh…”
“That is, an imperial descendant.”
Some could only utter a few syllables that didn’t form words, mixed with tears.
Those with a bit more ability could only utter five syllables of admiration.
Gaze upon that throne risen so high.
Acknowledge the infinite stairs that stretch below it.
Engrave who stands closest to the sun and nearest to the sky in this place.
Watching the imperial descendant resting his chin on one hand and occasionally tapping the armrest with the other, everyone thought the same.
“…As expected of Senior. Hehe.”
“Yes. Wolfram. Amazing.”
The conversation between the adorable junior and his fiancée carried pure admiration.
But Nefty absolutely could not share their feelings.
“…To be with that person. No, to be by that person’s side.”
Deep in Nefty’s heart, a strange heat bloomed.
Royal Guard.
The only being by the imperial descendant’s side, guarding them.
Nefty had heard about the position of Royal Guard in the special classes prepared only for her.
‘The Royal Guard is, in a way, more than family.’
‘You ask if I’m bluffing? No. The Royal Guards who have become guardians of the imperial family are the only ones who are naturally permitted to bear arms before them.’
‘That is the contract between the Royal Guard and the imperial descendant. Their trust.’
‘And also, the Royal Guard is the final freedom an imperial descendant can choose.’
‘What do I mean? Think about it. Accepting someone from outside as a member of the imperial family cannot exclude all sorts of political factors.’
‘But the guardian is given full authority by the imperial descendant. That’s why everyone looks up to the Royal Guard as something great.’
‘There are usually no political dynamics between a Royal Guard and an imperial descendant. Only trust. And a strong bond. You could call it a relationship beyond family.’
For him, at least, there could be no betrayal from family.
But even so, the phrase ‘a being who can surpass family’ made Nefty’s face flush.
Senior Wolfram.
That person who descends from the sky to the earth.
When it came to her becoming a Royal Guard, he had never once doubted her qualities or trust.
Rather, he had never considered anyone other than her for the selection.
“…Senior.”
In this place.
The number of people looking up at his majesty.
Easily over a thousand.
But only Nefty had the right to walk up that throne and raise her sword by his side.
“…I see. That’s what it was.”
It’s not a sense of superiority different from others.
It’s not a desire to taste the omnipotence of standing in that sky.
That’s not what this trivial thing is.
“I want to see it.”
She thought she was slowly fading away in this academy.
She came to Zefflin with the resolve to protect her family, and someday she would become a guard for Gluco Village.
But was that truly her dream?
She wants to protect her family. Her younger siblings are precious. She wants to protect her mother too.
But, if she were permitted, if she could be forgiven for it—
“In that high sky, in the same direction as Senior, at the same height.”
She wants to see the dreams that person dreams, together.
She wants to watch over the steps that person takes, from beside them.
She wants to casually transcend the heavens, speak of dreams with composure, walk beyond the sky, and protect the weakest imperial descendant who makes everyone kneel, dreaming that person’s dreams alongside them.
“Isn’t that… truly.”
Isn’t that truly something that makes your heart race?
A flustered breath escaped Nefty’s flushed lips.
—
As the sea breeze blew.
Nefty’s words rang clearly in my ears.
Clear and vivid.
With distinct meaning.
Without any extra embellishment.
She said she wanted to become my Royal Guard.
“Will you accept my sword, Senior?”
Neferian.
Nefty’s hands trembled slightly as she gracefully offered her sword with both hands.
“……”
“I know it’s too late. I’ve kept you waiting too long. But… I’ve finally made up my mind. I want to become your Royal Guard.”
Nefty closed her eyes tightly.
Nefty as my Royal Guard.
Neferian—even during the 20,000 hours I played, her trust never once dropped below friendly. She always believed in me and was a comrade I could rely on. She wasn’t a heroine, but… no, she was actually in my party more than the heroines who had branching routes.
But.
“Nefty. I have an ideal relationship between a sovereign and a Royal Guard.”
“…Yes?”
“Raise your head, straighten your chest. Stand up tall and look me in the eyes.”
“Yes.”
“The Royal Guard and the imperial clan never betray each other. We look at the same place, walk toward the same direction, and face the same trials. Do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“Meaning—there is hierarchy between me and the Royal Guard, but no subservience.”
“……”
That was the relationship between Eve and Kelter in Eve’s route, which I had played.
I truly envied that kind of bond and friendship.
Because I never had such a person, nor such an opportunity.
Nefty’s hesitant posture corrected itself. With her usual bright eyes and clear smile, she looked at me. Her hands trembled slightly, but that clumsiness was just like Nefty.
The moment I grasped Nefty’s sword with one hand, a system window appeared before my eyes.
**【Neferian wishes to become a Royal Guard.** **】**
**【Unlike regular party members, a Royal Guard is treated as a permanent party member and cannot be removed from the party.** **】**
**【Even if they are in a different region, party effects are maintained.** **】**
**【Caution: Once a Royal Guard is chosen, it cannot be changed again.** **】**
**【Will you accept Neferian as your Royal Guard?** **】**
There was no hesitation in my finger pressing ‘Yes.’
“Take care of me, Nefty.”
“Yes! Senior! Please take care of me!”
**【Congratulations!** **】**
That day, Nefty became my Royal Guard.
