Surviving as a Villain at the Academy

64 – Change and Recognition.

Now I was at the medal award ceremony.

The imperial family decided to award medals to those who made great contributions in the recent demonic flood incident, and said that various benefits and rewards would be given to those who received the medals.

And of course, I was among the targets. Not long ago, I remember Lord Ethan, who had become my swordsmanship teacher, telling me that I would receive the White Lion Medal.

Of course, I wasn’t really interested in the medal I would receive.

Ruslan receives two medals. One is a medal awarded by the Holy Kingdom, and the other is a medal awarded by the Empire.

The name of the medal was extremely complex. Was it the Battle Cross of St. Andrew or the Imperial Military Service Medal?

Battle Cross of St. Andrew. It was a medal named after the great paladin Andrea, who died while fighting the demon legions of Hell. The official name was even longer, but it is usually abbreviated to the Combat Cross.

First of all, it can be said to be a medal worthy of a saintly country, with the names of saints attached to the medal. I heard that it is a medal of great honor even in the Holy Kingdom…… I could sense the saint’s intention in giving it to Ruslan.

It can be seen as a tearful attempt to somehow recruit Ruslan.

…… But what can I do? Due to his twisted plan, he might have to fight the paladin he recruited, but Saint Adrian?

Well, that’s something to think about later.

Ruslan knelt in front of the emperor in a very solemn manner, as if he had never expected to receive a medal directly from the emperor.

After that, the emperor gave Ruslan a rather lengthy speech. They even go so far as to exaggerately claim that he is a hero who saved the system and all.

The imperial family seemed to welcome the birth of a talent like Ruslan. He even went so far as to come personally to avoid being taken over by the Holy Kingdom…… That’s what it means to be treated like a real protagonist.

The cheers of the people surrounding Jedo Square were deafening.

“It’s your turn next. Do you have any impressions?”

“Not really. “You can just say something like, ‘I’m very sorry,’ or something like that.”

“Well. Is that really true? “I guess Ethan told your story to the Emperor?”

“…… Even so, I only dealt the final blow to Behemoth. No need to make a fuss. “It seems like you forgot to begin with, but I am an attempted rape criminal.”

And that is a bigger flaw than you might think. People want a hero, but I am not the hero they want. No matter what good deeds Frach did before he was possessed, he’s going to bite me for the fault of trying to rape Aris Winslet.

It doesn’t matter if I just talk behind my back, but people who bother me will definitely show up. Things like envy or jealousy.

There are probably a lot of people like that, whether you know it or not.

So, I liked that my location was vague. I have nothing to gain by standing out for no reason. People’s praise and admiration…… This is not what I want right now.

What I want is to see the ending of the story. Seeing everyone’s happy ending and living comfortably in this world.

I gave up the idea of going back. Not only did I not know how to go back, but I didn’t think the person who dropped me into this world would let me back easily.

In the beginning, there were no regrets in the original world. He was simply a human being who could not die.

“I am not the hero they wanted to begin with. I have no intention of moving as they wish. “It’s easier to leave that role to Ruslan.”

“I see.”

“Do you want me to be revered by people?”

When asked that question, Asti nodded quietly.

“Why?”

“I don’t want to hear people who don’t know much about you criticize you. In that case, it would be better to at least be admired.”

“…… Everyone goes through something like that. “You know it because you lived a long time in the first place.”

“I know, I know. But, as you know, I am very sensitive to emotions. “That’s why I don’t like the ill-feelings of an unspecified number of people being directed at you or towards people I think are okay.”

“I think it’s worth it.”

I understood what she said. Even I would get angry at the people around me if that happened.

“I know it’s something that can’t be helped. Still…… “As much as possible, I want you to hear only positive things from others.”

She said that and gently took my hand.

“That can’t always be the case. “But it’s not that bad because I ended up meeting you.”

“Uh, ah.”

I tell you what, if Prach hadn’t tried to rape Aris Winslet, she and I would never have met.

“Meeting you was much better for me than the notoriety that came from it…… “I don’t really care.”

“You really shouldn’t go around saying things like that anywhere else.”

I thought it was quite embarrassing, so I just nodded without saying a word.

While I was chatting with Asti, the time had come for me to head to the emperor’s presence.

Hearing the voice asking for the recipient of the White Cross, I immediately pushed past the crowd and moved forward.

* * *

In the center of Jedo Square, the emperor was waiting for me with a majestic expression. I approached the Emperor, bowed respectfully, and knelt down on one knee before him.

As if being ordained a knight.

“Raise your head.”

Hearing the solemn words of the emperor, I raised my head and looked at him. His eyes had a strange color.

“I heard that you saved the lives of many soldiers and people during this demonic flood.”

“I just did what I had to do.”

“Even if it is something that needs to be done, it is difficult to carry out. Many lives were saved because of this. Not only did it save their lives, it also saved their families. Even I have seen many scenes of those who volunteered as soldiers dying in vain, and only sorrow remains for those who remain. But you broke the chain of all that misfortune. “It is also a chain of misfortune that countless people have to go through.”

The emperor raised his voice and gave a long speech. I just put on a sad expression and was humbled by his words.

“But even if it wasn’t me, someone else would have done it.”

“And I know everything you’ve done. I won’t reveal it because you don’t want to reveal it…… “I know that your merits are not limited to the White Lion Medal.”

The emperor lowered his voice in his last words. After all, the emperor knew that I killed Behemoth.

He continued speaking.

“Why did you make that choice? “Don’t you want to exalt Lancel’s name?”

“Because it’s too much.”

“Is it too much? What is too much? Ah, this isn’t the right place to talk. First, let’s finish the medal award ceremony and then listen to it separately.”

Listen separately? Could it be that they want to call me aside and ask me why I made this choice?

…… It wasn’t that I didn’t really understand.

That’s because I am Lancel’s successor.

I received the white lion medal that the emperor hung around my neck, and quietly retreated while hearing the cheers of the people. The medal award ceremony also ended earlier than expected. It seemed like the emperor’s personality, who disliked unnecessary ostentation and ostentation, was fully revealed.

The speech was long, but it was clear that the time of the event itself was shortened by the length of the speech.

Well. Even though you’re already the emperor of an empire, you’re probably splitting your time…… If it was natural, it was natural.

* * *

And now. I was talking alone with the emperor.

“Shall we continue with the question from earlier? You said it was too much to reveal your merits. “What on earth is too much?”

“People’s attention is like poison. “The more that interest grows, the more likely it is that it will do me more harm than good.”

“It’s poison. “Is that because of a crime you committed?”

“…… That’s one thing, but more than that, I’m not the hero people want me to be. I’m just a hard worker struggling to survive every day. “Even if they expect me to be a hero, I know I won’t live up to their expectations, so I try to hide it.”

“It does not live up to expectations…… “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes. Also, it is to avoid being absorbed in the praise that people send. People who are pushed around by others tend to become arrogant, which makes them more likely to make bad choices. “Just like I committed a crime before.”

“Are you wary of arrogance?”

“That’s right. If I don’t guard against arrogance, I will commit the same sin again. Since I have a lot to shoulder, I don’t want to get caught up in people’s expectations and attention.”

“Edmund educated me well. I get it. Let me respect your wishes. And…… I look forward to it in the future. “Lancel’s little master.”

“…… Thank you, Your Majesty.”

That was the end of his private relationship with the emperor. Apparently, it seemed to have received quite positive reviews from the emperor as well.

I sighed and rubbed my chest. I was worried because it was a sudden solo meeting…… There didn’t seem to be any major problems.