The Knight Commander Abandoned The Kingdom

Ludwig Academy

Phillips Marcus, the dean of the academy, was a hero who served as a mage in the hero’s party 30 years ago.

During those times when he supported the hero who pressed forward as a beacon of hope amidst the relentless assault of the demon king’s army and situations filled with despair.

Though it was a difficult journey, it was certainly the most brilliantly shining period of his life.

Although it was already 30 years ago, Phillips would occasionally reminisce about those times.

Being such a person, Phillips couldn’t help but praise Leon’s achievements.

Although somewhat declined from before, the threat of demon-kind was still the highest level on the continent.

It was remarkable enough that such a talent came to the Empire, but what was even more surprising was that Elric, who had become quite cunning since retiring from the frontlines, sent such talent to the academy instead of taking him in directly.

Who was Elric? Even during his hero days, he was the type who would stubbornly cling to his chosen companions until they joined him.

He could still vividly remember how Elric had practically kidnapped him when he was a promising young mage of the magic tower.

Either he had changed with age, or he respected Leon that much.

Considering that old man’s difficult personality, the latter possibility seemed more likely.

Phillips fell into doubt as he finished reading the contents of the letter.

‘This isn’t someone who would praise others like this.’

Even during his hero days, Elric was harsh in his evaluation of others.

Although his fellow companions at the time, including himself, were the best talents in their respective fields, he always showed signs of dissatisfaction.

But in this letter, there wasn’t a single criticism of Leon to be found.

Moreover, the letter was filled with generous praise for Leon’s character.

To think that someone who never formed attachments to people and never even started a family would say such things.

He became even more interested in the man called Leon.

‘Things are going to get quite lively from now on.’

Phillips smiled to himself as he muttered these words.

After all, the news of Leon’s appointment as an instructor at Ludwig Academy would spread rapidly.

With one week remaining until the end of enrollment applications, numerous monsters would squeeze through the not-yet-fully-closed doors of the academy upon hearing this rumor.

He had a feeling that this year would bring about the academy’s greatest golden age ever.

***

Scarlet Iliana, the Empire’s third princess, was said to be among the royal family the one who had inherited the most concentrated bloodline of the previous generation, possessing overwhelming talent.

She was internally nervous about her father’s sudden summons.

Her father’s name was Nicholas Iliana, the sole ruler of the Empire and the emperor who had reached the pinnacle of humanity.

Words from his mouth were law and truth.

The time of one who ruled with power that could bring down even the sun was incomparably more valuable than others’.

Therefore, that position rarely allowed time to be given to one’s children unless it was for something significant.

What matter could have possibly arisen for him to call for her?

Though Scarlet worried whether she had recently done anything to displease the emperor, she couldn’t think of anything.

Since she couldn’t remember doing anything worthy of praise either, she attended the emperor’s audience with trembling heart.

‘I come before the Emperor of the Empire.’

‘You’ve come, Scarlet. My beloved daughter and pride of the Empire. I called you because there is something I would like to recommend.’

‘What you wish to recommend is…’

‘Would you consider going to the academy?’

‘!!’

Scarlet’s eyes widened at the Emperor’s words.

Ludwig Academy is a good place. It’s the finest educational facility where only the continent’s best talents can attend. Scarlet too could learn many things there.

Nevertheless, she did not want to enroll in the academy.

There were various opinions about this. Some speculated that even the academy wasn’t good enough for the Imperial Princess’s standards, or that previous rumors about her had been exaggerated.

Among these, the most prevalent theory was that the noble Imperial Princess had no intention of associating with those beneath her.

After all, in public settings, Scarlet never spoke a word unless absolutely necessary.

However, such predictions were far from the truth.

Scarlet, the Empire’s Third Imperial Princess who was called the supreme genius, was simply extremely shy.

While from her perspective, engaging in minimal conversation at public events was quite an effort, those who didn’t know the truth saw it merely as the Imperial Princess’s arrogance.

Scarlet didn’t bother to correct this misunderstanding.

What good would it do her if rumors spread that an Imperial Princess was actually socially awkward?

Instead, she decided to make everyone bow down and deliberately continued her act of arrogance.

Life became truly comfortable after hiding her true self.

For Scarlet, who found socializing extremely stressful, no one dared to even think of approaching her first.

The reason for not attending the academy was simply that she disliked mingling with many people, but others interpreted it as they pleased.

So why was the Emperor now recommending enrollment when he hadn’t said anything particular before?

‘I thought there was nothing particularly worth learning at the academy, might I ask if there is a specific reason?’

But the Emperor didn’t answer her question and instead asked an unexpected one.

‘Scarlet, have I ever failed to obtain anything I’ve desired until now?’

‘Not that I know of. That is what it means to be the Emperor of the Empire.’

‘No. There was one person I couldn’t acquire despite my wishes. You must have heard the name Leon Meyer. He didn’t yield even to the temptation of becoming the second most noble person in the Empire.’

‘What?’

Rachel was shocked. The second position in the Empire – even though it didn’t come to pass, if this story spread, it would cause enough chaos to throw the Empire into turmoil.

‘It was truly regrettable to have something I couldn’t possess for the first time. He was a man who couldn’t be made mine even if I brought him by force.’

However, the Emperor raised the corner of his mouth as if pleased.

‘And now that man has come to the Empire of his own accord, saying he hopes to enter Ludwig Academy as an instructor.’

‘That’s…!’

‘I didn’t particularly control the news, so peculiar individuals from across the continent will head to the academy after hearing this rumor. It will be completely different from the academy as we know it.’

Leon, who was famously known for loving his country, had come to the Empire? Though unbelievable, it had to be true. This information came from someone whose words couldn’t be doubted.

‘Scarlet. Though you said there was nothing to learn at the academy, the world is vast. The experience at the academy will surely become a great strength for you, so this incompetent father would like you to think about it positively.’

Nicholas smiled warmly as he said this. It was advice given as a father to his child, not as the Emperor of the Empire.

‘…Thank you for your thoughtful advice.’

In such a warm atmosphere, Scarlet absolutely couldn’t admit that the real reason she didn’t want to go to the academy was because she was afraid of meeting people.

This was the moment when the Empire’s Third Imperial Princess, Scarlet Iliana’s enrollment in the academy was decided.

***

‘So… this is my house?’

‘I clearly stated that the Empire would promise you the very best of everything.’

The man smiled as he said this, but I was left speechless at the overwhelming sight before me.

The house that Jade, the Empire’s intelligence officer, guided me to was a magnificent mansion no less grand than an ordinary palace.

The well-maintained garden was lined with sculptures that were clearly of immense value at a glance.

What about the appearance of the mansion? It was an architectural masterpiece of perfect form that would draw exclamations of admiration even from those without aesthetic sense.

Above all, the location of the mansion made no sense.

This was Hafren, the imperial capital, notorious for having the highest land prices across the entire continent, which meant this mansion was worth dozens of times more than its exterior suggested.

How could it make sense for a single person to use a residence that only the most powerful figures in the empire could afford?

‘Isn’t this too spacious, even so?’

Though that was the intention behind the question, Jade interpreted it differently.

‘Haha, don’t worry. Just the loyal servants in the mansion number in the dozens, so you need not concern yourself about it being too spacious.’

‘……’

It was a little, no, very overwhelming.

On the way here, I had heard from Jade that I was a celebrity, but even with such sudden information, it hadn’t felt real.

Only upon seeing this surreal scene did I finally understand.

Unless the empire had gone mad, this was my current worth.