I Became the Teacher of the Imperial Family’s Bastard

035. Founding Festival (1)

What is marriage?

My answer to that question is singular.

‘Preparation for the family’s successor.’

It’s a necessary task, and thus, something that must be done eventually.

Even beyond that, it was the same.

Didn’t my sister always tell me, even before my regression, while I was imprisoned?

To meet a suitable woman for Pharos, marry her, and produce an intelligent successor to stabilize the family.

That was my sister’s wish, and it was indeed necessary, so why would I refuse?

But if there was a problem, it was the current situation.

There are three bombs that could go off at any moment, anywhere.

Even putting aside the macro threats, there’s no time to meet women and giggle.

On the way to the capital after finishing preparations.

I subtly expressed that I wasn’t particularly interested at the moment.

“Isn’t it a bit too hasty? It doesn’t look good to be seeking a new betrothed so soon after breaking off the engagement.”

Of course, it was a meaningless resistance.

“We’re not getting engaged right away, are we? It’s important to broaden your horizons. You have to talk to many women to understand them well.”

What would happen if I said I’ve had enough of playing with women?

Do they believe that Yuren Paros, the former scoundrel, has no experience with women?

No, it seemed certain they believed that.

I briefly considered telling the truth, but soon gave up on the idea.

‘…It would be troublesome if you fainted today.’

There are secrets in the world that must be buried, and I believe this is one of them.

I tried to change the subject.

It was a counterattack.

“But don’t you have someone in mind, sister? You’re more urgent than I am…”

“No. For me, the family is more important than anything.”

“At least finding a betrothed…”

“How could I do that? My happiness lies in the family, so I can only find stability when this place is stable.”

She countered without batting an eye.

If you dig into the meaning, it would be something like ‘I’ll get married when you do.’

There is no change in expression, but a sense of stubbornness is felt.

In this way, I cannot win.

What kind of person is my sister?

She is the most stubborn of the stubborn, who believed in my release until the moment of her death, even when the whole world had given up.

A situation where I have no choice but to watch the young ladies.

A chill runs down my spine and cold sweat flows.

I should think of a way, but the relentless carriage has already arrived at the capital.

It was at that moment.

“Soga-ju!”

From afar, Erilda spotted us and approached with quick steps.

Her expression was quite irritable.

What now…

“I’ve been waiting for a long time. Could you follow me for a moment? His Highness the Crown Prince is looking for you. Ah, Lady Pharos. May I borrow Soga-ju for a moment?”

“Ah…”

A sigh escaped my sister’s lips.

But at this moment, it was a welcome sigh.

“…Yes, if His Highness is looking for me, I must go.”

My sister replied with a short bow.

Erilda paid her respects to my sister and then grabbed my wrist.

Thus, we arrived at the Palace of Dawn.

I spoke sincerely.

“Thank you.”

“Pardon?”

“Thank you, truly. Sincerely.”

“…Why are you saying that?”

Erilda frowned as if she found it disgusting.

But even that expression was welcome.

Thanks to it, the crisis was averted.

* * *

Once my head cooled down, I became curious.

Why would a busy person call for me?

The policies for the founding festival were already decided, so was there some special instruction to convey?

The answer came soon enough.

The crown prince, dressed splendidly for the banquet, greeted me through the mirror.

“Thank you for coming. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, well enough. But what is the matter?”

“There has been a change.”

“A change, you say?”

“The Elder of the Elves has arrived.”

I flinched at those words.

The Elder… In other words, the elder of the elves.

This meant more than just a high-ranking elf coming.

Elves, by nature, live for about a thousand years.

And the Elders are a race that has lived for even longer.

Historically, doesn’t it make sense?

“Are you talking about fossils?”

Survivors of the race wars.

Living history that fought directly with the founding emperor during the founding period of Orteair.

Their arrival was quite astonishing.

From the beginning, they never take the forefront in any event.

They are too well aware of their symbolic significance, and they are even more old-fashioned than the current elves, so they do not try to leave the forest.

This founding festival is no different.

The Elders had no plans to participate in this event.

But suddenly, an Elder was among the group of elves.

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For what reason?

As the thought crossed my mind, the prince spoke.

“Haven’t there been quite a few incidents? Starting with the appearance of the Orc Champion…”

“…A demon? That was just two days ago.”

“Does time even matter to them? Especially to the Elders.”

So they used spatial magic.

If it’s the Elders, it’s entirely possible.

The important point is how this ties into the appearance of the Elders.

It was Erilda who provided the answer.

“Rather than focusing on the incident itself, they probably want to see the human who resolved it. Why, it was you and the prince who handled it, wasn’t it?”

“Huh?”

“It’s a matter of legitimacy. Do you know why those old-fashioned things haven’t come to the forefront until now?”

I nodded.

“They don’t feel the need to converse. It’s a famous saying, isn’t it?”

It was a few hundred years ago.

Among the emperors of the empire, there was one who sent an invitation to the elder of the elves.

It was a gesture of goodwill to have a meal together for better relations, and the elder’s response was this:

– It is not worth conversing.

It was a statement that accurately pointed out the old-fashionedness of the elders, and depending on how you looked at it, it was mixed with contempt.

But the reason there was no counterattack was because it was an era of goodwill.

And the relationship between elves and humans is ultimately a relationship bound by ‘promises’.

Returning to the main point, I could understand why the crown prince was telling me this.

“Are you asking me to find out what the elves’ promise is?”

“Isn’t it unsettling not to know why they are maintaining goodwill? Also, the fact that the elder stepped forward directly means that we might have qualified.”

It’s a reasonable statement.

Given the circumstances, it’s highly likely that we have something that piques the elder’s interest.

And if we know what that promise is…

“…we can use it to draw them into an alliance.”

“Above all, elves are far from demons. Their god hates demons.”

“Indeed, they are far from suspicion. If we can form an alliance, it would be beneficial.”

The crown prince smiled faintly.

“I’m sorry for asking so many favors. Since His Majesty is attending the meeting, I must focus on overseeing the banquet.”

“No, it’s within the range of what I can do… I’ll at least try to talk to them.”

Of course, it’s questionable whether those busybodies will even talk to me, but there’s no way to know without trying.

I stood up.

Then the Crown Prince added a word.

“Oh, this time, be especially careful with your behavior. You’re a hero, aren’t you?”

“Do you think I’ll cause a scene?”

“You did at the last banquet.”

If it weren’t for Aria, I wouldn’t have done that.

Moreover, this time, I didn’t want to attract attention either.

Even without doing so, rumors that I stopped the demon summoning have already spread beyond the entire capital to the guests.

There are already plenty of people gossiping about me, so why create more unnecessary rumors?

“I’ll be going.”

“Yes, please take care.”

With that, I left the Dawn Palace.

I arrived at the banquet hall and immediately went to my sister’s side, avoiding the gossiping people.

“Did you finish your business well?”

“Yes, but sister…”

“Ah, you have a request, don’t you? Unfortunately, matters regarding your fiancé will have to wait.”

That’s enough.

I was clenching my fist for no reason.

My sister spoke in a voice with a faint hint of laughter.

“Young Master, thank you.”

“Pardon?”

“Thank you for growing up so splendidly. That’s what I wanted to say.”

My sister’s gaze was directed towards the banquet hall.

“There was a time when I was very worried about you, Young Master. I had faith, but the way the world saw you was quite… “

“…Was it something to be ashamed of?”

“…It’s a story that can now be called a memory. On my way here today, and while waiting for you, I heard many stories. Everyone calls you a hero. They call you Pharos.”

I felt an awkward sense of pride, and my sister continued speaking.

“I am proud. That you have grown up not to disgrace the name of Pharos.”

I couldn’t respond.

Because I felt that this was not enough of a reward for the sacrifices you made.

To me, you were always more of a Pharos than anyone else.

I still had a long way to go to catch up.

I was just a fool who had only now found a place to wield my strength.

So, I said throughout the winter,

“…I will try to improve. Steadily.”

That was all I could promise for the future.

Silence lingered between us.

My sister’s laughter softly filled the gap.

Fortunately, there was no time for awkwardness to settle in.

Ba-ba-bam!

The founding festival banquet had begun.

* * *

The empire’s founding festival was not just an important event within the empire.

It could be seen as a continental summit of various races, led by the empire.

So why did the founding festival play such a role?

Why did the empire become the center?

To understand that, one had to look at history.

The first human nation established was Orteair.

Thus, any human nation founded afterward had to be a kingdom branched from Orteair, making the hierarchy clear.

It was the same for other races.

In history, it was the founding emperor who thrust a sword into their necks.

He completed the liberation of slaves and was the first to establish an equal relationship with them. He also gathered the previously antagonistic races for negotiations, making the empire the leader of this alliance both militarily and morally.

Of course, a thousand years is a long time.

There were races like the orcs who were excluded from the alliance, and new races like the harpies who joined the alliance.

The hierarchy within the alliance had changed fluidly, and there were times when the empire’s power weakened.

But that was just a part of the changing past.

In this era, no one disputed the empire’s claim to leadership.

“The Crown Prince is entering!!!”

With the orchestra’s performance, the Crown Prince entered the hall.

All eyes were on him.

Already famous as the reincarnation of the founding emperor, the Crown Prince’s prestige was soaring to the heavens, especially after bringing the head of the Orc Champion as a coming-of-age ceremony.

As long as he doesn’t make any major blunders, this situation will never change, and it’s my role to ensure that the Crown Prince doesn’t go astray.

I watched the Crown Prince walking towards the center.

Suddenly, thinking about the past, it seemed awkward again.

‘He looked better as a homeless person.’

Seeing him now, so clean and tidy, after only seeing him covered in blood and laughing while wielding a sword, I still can’t get used to it.

In fact, if you peel off one layer, he’s still the same hot-tempered and reckless person as before, but it’s surprising how much importance people place on appearances.

Lost in such thoughts for a moment.

“I thank everyone for gathering here today.”

The Crown Prince began his speech.

I fiddled with the switch.

‘It’s about time to start.’

The necessary people have all gathered.

My first role.

‘The traces of the devil…’

I had to find another demon.

Mana subtly resonated with the switch.

My vision cleared, and the world bleached into shades of gray.

A new world unfolded, one that couldn’t be seen in ordinary times.

Miracles, mana, and nature.

The tiny creatures of the spirit realm, the divine radiance, and the refined mana each took on different colors and shapes.

Moreover, if there were whispers exchanged using abilities at this moment, even their flow could be seen.

-This generation will be strong. A terrifying talent.

Someone was praising the crown prince like that.

I let it pass and continued to scan the banquet hall.

Thus, the conclusion.

‘Nothing.’

At least within my visible range… that is, within the imperial banquet hall, there was nothing related to demons.

I had checked on the way here as well, and considering I hadn’t seen anything, it seemed safe to say there were no demons inside.

Of course, a few more verifications would be needed, but for now, I could relax.

It was the moment I was about to gather the mana.

Tingle―

I felt a gaze.

A gaze strong enough to catch on the mana immediately.

I lifted my head.

And then, I saw it.

‘···Elder?’

The old elf man, cloaked in the mana and spirits of nature.

Even though everyone was looking at the crown prince, he alone was openly staring this way.

He too had dismissed it, seeing nothing related to demons.

Why is he looking at me?

Could it be that the mana I leaked was caught by his senses?

A monster that has lived for over a thousand years.

I thought it was entirely possible, and that thought was soon overturned.

Realizing belatedly exactly where his gaze was directed.

‘The switch?’

What the elder was looking at was the switch hanging from my waist.

End

ⓒ papapa.

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