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 .

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 .

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 . ”

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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