Return of the Calamity-Class Death Knight
Chapter 364: SS 12

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Side Story Chapter 12: Enrollment Briefing (1)

Hello. It's Theo.

This might sound out of nowhere, but lately, I've been deeply contemplating life.

What is life? How should we live? Can I change my life through my own will?

You might ask, what's with this weird talk all of a sudden? Am I going through puberty or something?

No way. The reason I'm pondering like this is none other than...

"Of course Theo should come to the Empire! Why don't you know that the Empire's Academy is the best on the continent!"

"You can't send a faithful child like Theo to such a worldly place. Theo must enter our Church's Theological Seminary."

"I can't stand watching you two old fogeys. Nothing's more important than diverse experiences. Our Fafnir Mercenary Group's Training Camp is the perfect fit for Theo."

The Emperor of the Empire, the former member of the Church's Five Great Elders, the former Mercenary King of the Fafnir Mercenary Group.

Seeing these famous people arguing with each other gives me a headache.

How did it come to this? I was just looking for a school to enroll in.

***

The incident started with a single comment from Mom.

"Theo is old enough to enroll in school now."

It was during breakfast with the whole family gathered, and Mom suddenly said that.

Everyone stopped eating and looked at Mom.

It must have been a completely unexpected remark.

"Hmm, that's right. There are schools. I've forgotten about that until now."

"Our family was small until recently, so we didn't think about sending the kids to school."

Grandpa and Grandma nodded repeatedly as they spoke.

Normally, enrolling in a noble school costs a lot of money.

The admission fee is expensive, and the tuition is no joke either.

So, unless you're from a decent noble family, it's something you can't even dream of.

"Louise, have you decided which school to send him to?"

"I'm still thinking about it. Whether to send him domestically or abroad. If abroad, where to send him. Each has its own pros and cons."

There are educational institutions called schools in the Apple Kingdom too, but there are many in other countries as well.

Of course, their fame varies.

From what I know, the Empire's Academy is the most famous.

After that, the Church's Theological Seminary and the Fafnir Mercenary Group's Training Camp are well-known.

"Sis, that sounds like a good idea. Theo might inherit the dukedom later, so it's good for him to study in advance."

"I've heard you can build various connections there. It'll be a big help when Theo becomes an adult."

Younger Uncle and Aunt readily agreed.

Everyone seems to welcome the idea of me enrolling in school.

But I don't want to go to school. I hate studying so much...

Sitting at a desk for a long time is hard, and memorizing stuff is annoying.

I sneakily tugged at Uncle Damien's sleeve, who was sitting next to me.

Uncle was about to put a piece of cut meat in his mouth but stopped and asked me.

"Theo, what's wrong?"

"Can't you stop them for me?"

"If that's what you want, I can do that."

"Really?"

Uncle is the best, after all.

"But I'd like it if you went to school."

"Why?"

"Life is unpredictable. You might suddenly face a horrific event."

Uncle's tone was very serious.

So serious that it was hard to talk to him.

"That's why people need to prepare. Learn anything, hone your skills. That way, you can overcome whatever comes."

Somehow, Uncle's eyes looked very sad.

I can't be stubborn when Uncle says it like this.

"...I'll go to school."

I decided to quietly give up my stubbornness.

Only then did Uncle smile contentedly and pat my head.

"Good thinking."

It's sad that I have to enroll in school, but seeing Uncle happy makes me feel good too.

Anyway, I wonder which school I'll end up in. Imagining it makes me a bit excited.

But neither I nor my family knew.

What kind of waves it would cause on the continent that Damien Haksen's nephew is enrolling in an academy.

***

The first to obtain the information was the Empire.

"Your Majesty, it's reported that Damien Haksen's nephew is considering enrolling in an educational institution!"

"What? Is that true? Theo is trying to enroll in school?"

The Emperor of the Empire.

Howard Adelardt jumped up from his seat in surprise.

"Then, of course, he should come to our Empire, right? Where else is as excellent as the Empire's Academy!"

The Empire's Academy was renowned as the continent's top educational institution.

With a long history, excellent faculty, and above all, the chance to build deep connections with the Empire's nobles.

That's why nobles from other countries overflowed with desire to enroll in the Academy.

Of course, it wasn't easy for nobles from other countries to enroll in the Academy.

Even if they were royalty.

But if it's Damien Haksen's nephew, the story changes.

The hero of the continent! The existing transcendent being!

If Theo enrolls in the Academy, the relationship with Damien Haksen would become even stronger.

It was an opportunity the Empire couldn't miss.

However, the Emperor wasn't trying to accept Theo for such grand national reasons.

"To have Theo in the Academy... This way, I can meet Damien more often!"

Because the Emperor of the Empire was an ardent supporter of Damien Haksen.

He not only blindly supported every single one of Damien Haksen's actions but also made collecting items related to him a hobby.

There was even a time when he visited Damien Haksen too frequently and got refused meetings.

"This won't do! I need to go to the Haksen Ducal House right away! I can't go empty-handed, so prepare gifts!"

"How shall we compose the delegation? I think sending the Sword Saint would be..."

"What are you talking about!"

The official was startled by the Emperor's roar.

The Emperor said to the official with a displeased face.

"Of course, I have to go myself!"

The Emperor's face, shouting like that, showed unconcealed anticipation.

***

The Church's headquarters.

Two elderly people were sitting in a simple room.

"It's said that Theo is looking into institutions for education."

The old woman with a hunched back spoke.

She looked shabby at a glance, but her clothes were not.

She was wearing white robes that only the Holy Empress could wear.

"Heh heh, Theo is already that age... Children really grow up in the blink of an eye."

The old man smiled contentedly at the Holy Empress's words.

The old man's identity was no small matter.

He was the former member of the Church's Five Great Elders and currently known as the Holy Empress's proxy, Cheongyeum.

"I remember when I first met Theo. He was such a cute and smart kid. He'll adapt well no matter which school he enrolls in."

"Since he's Damien's nephew, he'll handle it well. However, there's a problem."

"A problem?"

Cheongyeum couldn't understand at all.

Who is Theo? None other than Damien Haksen's nephew.

For a problem to arise for such a Theo?

"It's said that the Empire has sent a delegation to enroll Theo in the Academy."

"Is that true?"

"It's certain. And the Emperor himself has stepped forward."

Cheongyeum's eyes widened.

As if he couldn't hold back, he clenched his fist tightly.

"Howard Adelardt... Not missing an opportunity, truly like an old tiger."

Damien Haksen currently held an enormous position on the continent.

His single word, a single action could shake the continent.

If they could embrace Damien Haksen's nephew, they could maintain an even closer relationship with Damien.

If the already powerful Empire gets Damien Haksen on its back as well?

No one would be able to stop the Empire's might, for sure.

However, Cheongyeum wasn't averse to the Emperor's approach for such reasons.

"Agnes is already struggling because that young brat, the Sword Empress, is wagging her tail at Damien Haksen. I can't just watch this!"

Agnes, who currently occupies one of the Five Great Elders, was Cheongyeum's disciple.

That's why Cheongyeum was keenly aware of the conflict between Agnes, the 2nd Mercenary King, and the Sword Empress.

"I can't bear to see Agnes crying!"

"I feel the same."

The Holy Empress was the same.

The two were close, but since they were devoted to the god, they couldn't form a marital bond.

Thus, the two secretly regarded Agnes as their own child.

In this world, what parent would just stand by and watch their child cry?

"Your Holiness, send me. I'll go and persuade Theo!"

"Indeed, you must get Theo to enroll in our Theological Seminary."

The Empire's Academy was the most famous educational institution on the continent.

But the Church's Theological Seminary was not lacking at all.

It was just avoided by nobles because it's a religious school, but in history and quality, it matched the Academy.

"This is an order as the Holy Empress. Make sure to enroll Theo in the Theological Seminary."

"I accept the command."

Cheongyeum knelt and replied.

***

Fafnir Mercenary Corps.

This place, called the continent's top, strongest, largest mercenary corps, was also buzzing with talk about Theo.

"What? The Empire and the Holy Theocracy are moving to enroll Damien Haksen's nephew?"

In a large tent where dozens of people were seated, a young boy shouted as if he couldn't believe it.

Contrary to his youthful appearance, the boy was sitting in the highest seat.

Around him were plenty of scantily clad women.

The 1st Mercenary King of the Fafnir Mercenary Corps.

Karl Hopper pounded the armrest with his fist and vented his frustration.

"Ha, unbelievable. They're trying to get close to Damien that way?"

"Father, are you just going to watch this?"

The man sitting right next to him asked the Mercenary King. The Mercenary King threw his goblet and shouted.

"Are you crazy! Why would I just watch! We have to join in too!"

"But Father, is it okay for us to interfere?"

"What do you mean? We have a training camp too! Is our training camp just any training camp? We gathered all the smart bastards and set it up!"

The Fafnir Training Camp was called a training camp, but it didn't fall behind compared to average noble schools.

Because they traveled across the continent and recruited scholars with outstanding knowledge as instructors.

Moreover, the combat training was at a level they prided as the best on the continent.

"Compared to the Academy and the Theological Seminary, our mercenary corps' training camp is a bit..."

But no matter how excellent the training camp was, it was true that it paled in comparison to the Academy and the Theological Seminary.

"You idiot."

However, the Mercenary King didn't back down at all.

Instead, he shouted with a voice full of confidence.

"Why is our training camp lacking? Rather, it has a special advantage that the other two places don't have!"

"Huh? What is it?"

"Experience."

At first, the mercenaries gathered in the tent didn't understand what he was saying at all.

"Our Fafnir Mercenary Group travels all over the continent. We see a lot, hear a lot, and experience a lot."

Oh?

Thinking it made quite a bit of sense, the mercenaries nodded.

"Is that all? Where else can you get experiences like wielding weapons yourself, fighting, almost dying? The Academy? The Theological Seminary? You absolutely can't get that in places full of those softies!"

Hmm?

Is that really an advantage?

The mercenaries felt deep doubt but didn't particularly refute it.

They knew well that splashing cold water when the Mercenary King was excited would make things troublesome.

"Then, who should we send to the Haksen Ducal House? Athena is on a mission right now."

Currently, the 2nd Mercenary King was Athena Hopper, but the full authority was held by the Mercenary King.

To be precise, they were in the process of gradually transferring the Mercenary King's powers to Athena.

"I hear the Emperor and Cheongyeum are going themselves?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Then, we need to send someone of matching rank."

Everyone made expressions like 'no way.' And their worries hit the mark exactly.

The Mercenary King grinned and said.

"This body will go personally."

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]