I Became the Academy’s War Hero Chapter 76

Deep within the Imperial Palace, inside the Grand Hall—

In a small dining chamber reserved only for the direct descendants of the Imperial bloodline, four members of the royal family sat together.

Beside them, attendants and chambermaids moved gracefully, refilling their glasses.

Clink.

When a maid served a delicately prepared fish dish, they cut and lifted it to their mouths with a fork.

Watching the pitiful sight before her, Edel Ribenia couldn’t help but sneer.

“…Why don’t you just ask them to feed you directly?”

“Oh my, one should at least do their own part, Edel. We’re not children, after all.”

The one being mocked, Rachel Ribenia, simply smiled as she savored the lingering taste of her second glass of white wine.

“Mm. Still a bit young, but not bad. Secure around two hundred bottles.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The uncomfortable meal continued without end.

Having already finished her food, Edel only sipped the water in her glass while glaring at her two rivals.

The Second Prince, Abel Ribenia, and the Second Princess, Rachel Ribenia.

After the death of the eldest and first Crown Prince, Luel Ribenia, on the battlefield, Abel had long been considered the first in line to the throne.

His faction possessed both legitimacy and overwhelming influence—supported by none other than the Bernhardt Family, the most powerful noble house in the Empire, which had stood by him for over a decade.

Did Abel himself even know why Bernhardt was supporting him?

‘If he doesn’t, that’d be even more pathetic.’

Edel sighed quietly and pushed her empty plate aside.

‘That fool needs to realize his place soon, or things will get messy.’

While Bernhardt gradually seized control over the Imperial Household, that dull-witted Abel probably hadn’t even noticed what was happening.

By the time he finally did, it would already be too late.

Abel, who so desperately wished to be Emperor—pushing aside his comatose father would hardly be a challenge for him.

However, several reasons still stood firmly in his way.

The largest among them was none other than the Second Princess, Rachel.

Having dominated high society for years, she’d built connections with countless noble houses, giving her the widest network of allies in the Empire.

Using that foundation, she secured intelligence and capital rivaling Bernhardt’s, standing in fierce opposition to the reckless Abel.

The problem, however, was that she herself had many flaws.

Her greed and vanity—bordering on obsession—had long tarnished her reputation.

A foolish woman, “better than Abel, but only barely.”

That was the general consensus regarding Rachel Ribenia.

Edel emptied her glass, strengthening her resolve once more.

In the coming reforms, the two of them would be nothing but obstacles.

Their influence had already reached considerable levels.

If she didn’t remove them soon, it would become impossible to do so later.

‘I need to strike hard at this summit.’

As the final course—dessert—was served, Abel leaned back in his chair and flicked his fingers.

The attendant standing nearby immediately stepped forward, holding out an Oscuro cigar.

“Now that we’ve eaten our fill, shall we begin?”

As the cigar was lit, a strong aroma swiftly filled the room.

The attendants, sensing the shift in atmosphere, quickly exited the hall.

Just as Abel was about to speak—

Cough, cough.

A soft cough came from Edel’s right.

Light blonde hair, almost silver, trembled faintly.

The Fourth Princess, Alix Ribenia, realizing all eyes were on her, hurriedly bowed her head.

“M-My apologies!”

Abel waved a hand with a hearty laugh.

“Haha, it’s fine, my dear little sister. A bit of coughing is no crime.”

His eyes, however, gleamed sharply as he looked at his half-sister.

“If it’s too much for you, you may leave first. Would you like to?”

Though his tone was gentle, the message was clear—You don’t belong here. Get out.

But her answer was firm.

“N-No, brother. I wish to fulfill my duty as a host.”

Her voice trembled, but her eyes shone with determination.

“…Is that so.”

Then do as you wish.

Abel returned to his usual tone and resumed.

“You’ve confirmed the order of topics, so let’s hear the list of applicants. Rachel.”

Rachel flipped to the first page of the applicant list before her.

“Even after cutting it down, there are still quite a few. This side totals two hundred forty-seven.”

“That’s after cutting it down?”

“It exceeded two thousand before. Honestly, what kind of refugee group needs that many representatives?”

She scoffed derisively, and Edel interjected.

“That’s because there are over five hundred thousand refugees.”

“Whether it’s five hundred thousand or a million! Refugees or citizens, there isn’t even much difference in their standard of living, is there? What’s everyone making such a fuss about….”

“They had to suddenly leave their homes.”

“…What?”

“The beasts keep rampaging, showing no sign of stopping. They can barely manage to survive day by day, and they have no idea when they’ll be able to return home. That’s why they’re joining the summit, clinging to even the faintest hope.”

Despite Edel’s continued taunts, there wasn’t a single crack in Rachel’s expression.

‘As expected of my sister. No one manages their expression like she does.’

Well, she had been active in high society for years, after all.

While her younger sister quietly admired her in thought, Abel glanced at the list of names before him and spoke.

“Who are the ones we need to keep an eye on?”

“What’s it to you, brother? I’ll handle the explanation, so stay out of it, will you?”

“You? Handle it well? Even a passing dog would laugh at that, dear sister.”

Twitch.

“Do you really not understand that now isn’t the time for us to be at each other’s throats? If the refugees all migrate elsewhere or start an uprising, things will get a lot more complicated. Now’s the time to work together.”

Provocation followed by persuasion.

For a reckless brute of a brother, he was at least trying to use his head—but Rachel wasn’t foolish enough to miss his hidden motives.

“Let me guess, Bernhardt told you to say that?”

“……”

“They must’ve said something like, ‘We have a common enemy, so internal conflict cannot be tolerated,’ and told you to convince the subordinate nobles, right? Then they’ll settle everything in a way that benefits themselves and blame the rest on me and Edel to gain sympathy from the citizens. I won’t let that happen.”

“…You’ve grown quite imaginative, my dear sister.”

“The Bernhardt Family is far more dangerous to me than the five hundred thousand witless citizens.”

With her arms folded, Rachel made it perfectly clear that she had no intention of cooperating.

“Well… fine. If that’s truly how you feel, so be it.”

Realizing further persuasion was pointless, Abel sighed and moved on to the next agenda.

“Next is the Hokma issue. How many applicants?”

Edel glanced at Alix seated behind her before replying softly.

“Originally five hundred forty-one, reduced to eighty-nine.”

“You, mentioning a person of interest? Unlikely. Then—”

“There is one.”

Abel blinked in mild surprise at his younger sister’s sudden response.

“…And who might that be?”

Without a word, she flipped through the application list.

Only when she reached the seventh line from the last page did a faint smile appear on her lips.

Edel looked at her two siblings and said quietly,

“Eugene Carter.”

A declaration of war, my dear siblings.

Hearing that name from Edel’s mouth for the first time, the two widened their eyes simultaneously.

“Eugene… Carter?”

“Who’s that supposed to be?”

“Carter Family… Carter Family… never heard of them.”

“Obviously not nobles, then. Is he a soldier? A citizen representative?”

“……”

They’d never cared much about national affairs—but not even knowing the name was beyond disappointing.

‘How pathetic.’

She had planned to reveal information bit by bit to draw their interest, but perhaps there was no need for that now.

Edel sighed softly and began listing parts of Eugene Carter’s profile.

“He’s of a baron family—technically a noble. Served quite a while in the Imperial Special Task Force, and he’s also a recipient of the Medal of Honor. Currently serving as an instructor in Karbenna.”

Rachel clapped her hands softly in mild surprise.

“So he’s a self-made elite, huh? Rare, but not unheard of. Still, why label such a man as someone to watch out for?”

“He’s got complaints about both the Special Task Force and Karbenna. He’s got initiative too. I figured he must’ve found something worth bringing to public attention this time.”

“…So you’re saying we should sway him in advance?”

Abel crossed his arms, smirking.

‘Quick on the uptake, aren’t you.’

Well, it wasn’t hard for them to take the bait.

Edel had long been known as someone with no greed for power.

While she argued for increasing citizen welfare, she also asserted that both nobles and citizens could only exist if the Imperial Court stood firm—an ostensibly elitist, yet balanced stance.

Given that, now that she’d taken charge of the Hokma issue, they couldn’t help but assume she was on their side.

In response to Abel’s smirk, Edel curled her lips faintly.

“I already sent one of my maids to keep tabs on him.”

“As expected, you’re the most thorough among us.”

“So, what did she find?”

“She said he’s been in contact with Michel Bernhardt.”

“…Michel? That dropout Michel?”

Edel nodded silently, and both siblings sneered at once.

“Even if you’re desperate, siding with a Bernhardt reject?”

“Still, don’t you think caution’s necessary? She’s a Bernhardt after all. She must know quite a bit.”

“They didn’t seem like allies. Probably just exchanging words. Once the summit’s over, they’ll part ways.”

“True. Eugene… Carter, was it? He’s probably aiming to rebuild his family anyway. Michel Bernhardt’s hardly a suitable long-term partner.”

“So, make your case well. I’ll decide which of you two benefits from it.”

Abel gave her a sharp glance, as if to say, oh really?

Rachel, too, mirrored the same look.

“So now you’re bargaining with us?”

“Shouldn’t I at least get paid for the intel, sister?”

Edel lightly tapped the table and spoke earnestly.

“The Hokma issue isn’t something to take lightly. It’s tied to the Empire’s prestige and affects our actual tax revenue. For now, we’re fine since the manufacturing process is monopolized—but who knows when that technology might leak?”

“…Are you suggesting Michel Bernhardt might know the formula?”

“Or Eugene Carter. Or maybe both.”

Watching the two fall silent, Edel leaned back and crossed her legs.

“The order and the presiding chair can’t be changed anymore. I’m the only one who can keep them from playing their hand.”

“……”

“So? Are you two feeling any more inclined to negotiate now?”

A confident smile spread across her lips.