Battle Race in the Fantasy World

EP.111 Good Changes, Bad Changes

Shortly before Yurika returned from Jonathan, another imperial council meeting was held within the Imperial Palace.

The topic was none other than the visit of the Alliance’s Three Heroes, ‘Mathieu Philibert.’

“What did the Alliance say?”

“They said it’s a very urgent matter.”

“If it’s urgent, they could use magical communication.”

“They seem to consider it disrespectful to the Empire.”

At the Foreign Minister’s words, the Emperor wore a vague expression.

The ministers seated around the table also tilted their heads as if to say, “Does that make sense?”

The Kingdoms Alliance, which had openly bared its teeth at the Empire,

now considered magical communication disrespectful and wanted to visit in person?

The change was so drastic that it was hard to believe it was sincere.

Hadn’t they just recently called for peace while stabbing them in the back?

“What will you do, Your Majesty? You can refuse the visit.”

It hadn’t been long since the conflict with the Alliance had ended.

If they refused the visit in such times, it could be misunderstood as the Empire having hostile intentions towards the Alliance.

Additionally, Mathieu Philibert was a leading pro-Empire figure.

If they coldly refused, it could put him in a difficult position and lead to the resurgence of hardliners.

“Hmm.”

After a brief contemplation, the Emperor shook his head at the Interior Minister’s question.

He had heard that the three siblings of Jonathan had acknowledged him.

If that was the case, he was certainly not a deceitful person who would resort to trickery.

If nothing else, the Emperor could trust the sharp instincts of Jonathan.

Additionally, the Emperor himself saw no reason for the Alliance to resort to trickery again.

“Even if they said it was urgent, they must have given a rough reason.”

The Emperor turned to the Foreign Minister and asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Foreign Ministry had already made a significant mistake once.

In reality, it was something the Emperor had secretly condoned, making it unavoidable for the Foreign Ministry.

But there was no way for them to know that, and even if they did, there was nothing they could do about it.

They could only be grateful that their lives were spared and perform their duties more diligently.

Being the Emperor’s closest aides meant they could be dismissed at any time.

“Upon pressing them, we found out there are some unsettling movements within their ranks.”

“Oh.”

What came from the Emperor’s lips was not a sigh of concern.

Rather, it was an exclamation of interest, as if he found it quite amusing.

“I can roughly guess what it is.”

The other ministers also seemed to have caught on.

The unsettling movements likely referred to factions within the Alliance opposing the pro-Empire stance.

It was understandable, given that the hardliners had been in power and were suddenly pushed out.

The two hardliner leaders among the Three Heroes, Grusi Nicholas and Bernadotte Brun, had lost their power and were completely incapacitated.

Now, the only remaining member of the Three Heroes was Mathieu Philibert, who was pro-Empire and chose a moderate stance.

The hardliners, having lost their power balance, had completely lost their footing.

They could predict what the future held for the hardliners in such a situation.

The unsettling movements were likely their desperate attempts to survive.

“…I can understand why Mathieu Philibert is coming in person.”

At the War Minister’s words, everyone else nodded in agreement.

The reason for his visit to the Empire was likely to inform them about the unsettling movements.

To inform them of the problem in advance and avoid the Alliance’s responsibility.

That seemed to be the reason for the urgent visit to the Empire.

“Speak, Philip.”

The Emperor addressed the Minister of Special Affairs.

“Can the Fifth Princess alone sufficiently pressure that man?”

“Your Majesty?”

“He’s one of the Three Heroes, isn’t he? The best among them. He once fought on equal footing with one of the Empire’s top ten. We can’t just fill the room with guards when such a man visits.”

It was clear from the start that the Emperor intended to exert pressure.

Welcoming someone from the Alliance while applying pressure during the meeting was a dual approach, yet it was a common practice in the world of politics and power.

“…The Fifth Princess alone might not be enough. It could even provoke his competitive spirit.”

“Yes. I thought so too. The child might even challenge him. That won’t do.”

The Emperor wanted to firmly suppress the envoy from the Alliance, the only remaining sword of the Alliance.

He knew they didn’t want to fight the Empire anymore.

He also understood the sincerity of sending their most important figure to visit the Empire personally.

However, showing the Empire’s superiority was a completely separate matter.

If they came to bow their heads, they should be made to kneel entirely.

They needed to feel the overwhelming superiority and dominance of the Empire.

Only then could peace be ensured for the next year, ten years, or even a hundred years.

“Should we bring in more of the top ten? What do you think?”

“There are two individuals we can summon immediately. However, it will take some time.”

“Hmm. It bothers me a bit to command something that takes time for such an event.”

The Emperor stroked his chin, deep in thought.

At that moment, the Minister of Special Affairs spoke up.

“Your Majesty, there is someone most suitable for this.”

“Who is it?”

“Kyle Jonathan, who is at the Imperial Academy.”

At the mention of Kyle Jonathan, everyone seemed slightly surprised.

It wasn’t the suggestion of bringing a mere baron’s son into the palace that elicited this reaction.

It was the extremely risky suggestion of using Jonathan again that shocked them.

“It’s not something I hadn’t considered.”

There was no more suitable card to exert pressure than Kyle.

After all, Kyle was the one who had defeated Mathieu.

Just having that young man stand before him would surely create immense pressure.

And people, when under pressure, tend to say things they shouldn’t.

The Emperor might have been considering that aspect as well.

“However, I am a bit concerned.”

The Emperor’s words carried a hint of caution.

Ultimately, it meant using Kyle again for the sake of the royal family.

It could risk throwing the barely appeased Jonathan back into turmoil.

Though they were known as battle-crazed and training-obsessed, they weren’t oblivious.

If they felt they were being used, they could turn hostile at any moment.

They were people who never tolerated insults. The Emperor knew this well.

Perhaps sensing the Emperor’s thoughts,

the Minister of Education, who had been silent until now, cautiously spoke up.

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t it be different if we offered a substantial reward?”

“A substantial reward, you say.”

Jonathan had already refused a promotion in rank.

Kyle had received a medal but didn’t seem to flaunt it at all.

In such a situation, what kind of reward would make them smile?

“We are planning to expand the indoor training hall at the Academy.”

Upon hearing the Minister of Education’s words, the Emperor smiled.

It seemed he had figured out what conditions to present to summon Kyle without any issues.

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The Emperor’s prediction was spot on.

As he sent someone to the Academy with the order to summon Kyle to the palace, he cleverly included conditions in the message.

The conditions proposed by the supreme ruler of the Empire were as follows:

“They’re expanding the indoor training hall at the Academy? That’s good news. But even if they expand it, it’s still managed by the Academy, and you’ll just be using it. Honestly, management should be done by someone who knows it better. So, how about this: we’ll put you in charge of managing the indoor training hall. It’s not mandatory, just a suggestion. If you take it, you can formally request various budgets from the Academy and, under the guise of management, kick out anyone you don’t like from the indoor training hall.”

Upon seeing these conditions, Kyle thought, ‘How can I just let this go? I absolutely have to do this.’

Managing the gym might be a bit annoying and tiring,

but it also meant gaining authority, which had its advantages.

‘Those who come to the gym and just sit around in front of the equipment, those who don’t take a hint and move, those who chat and flirt instead of working out—they’re all out.’

Since this is a romance fantasy, it’s impossible to completely avoid romance.

Kyle himself came to the Academy hoping to have a girlfriend.

He had no intention of criticizing romance itself. He just wanted to set some boundaries.

When at the gym, one should focus solely on their body.

Conversations should be limited to, “Are you done with this equipment?” or “How do you use this?”

Flirting in the sacred gym space was absolutely forbidden.

For these reasons, Kyle gladly accepted the order to enter the palace.

“I’m ready to depart, Your Highness the Fifth Princess.”

“Yes, let’s go quickly. He’s waiting.”

On the way to the Imperial Palace, Yurika, who had arrived at the Academy earlier, joined Kyle in the carriage.

If it were any other day, Kyle would have looked at Yurika with suspicion, but not today.

‘If I can manage it, that would be the best. Only those truly committed to working out will be allowed. Anyone who sneaks in just to test the waters will be kicked out immediately.’

The reason trainers tolerate hopeless clients is simple: money.

But that wasn’t the case now. Money was neither the goal nor the means.

Moreover, Kyle himself would be managing the indoor training hall. He had been given authority!

He could selectively allow people in. No one could complain if they were turned away.

If they had any complaints, they could take it up with the Emperor. After all, this was the Emperor’s order.

“…Kyle.”

“Yes, Princess?”

“You seem to be in a really good mood.”

“I’m the same as usual.”

Kyle said, though he was smiling far too brightly to be believed.