Kays Translations

Chapter 13: Ulysses' story and Letter of Introduction

“I thought you were coming to the imperial capital too.”

Ulysses said with conviction.

“It's just a coincidence that I'm here. But how did you know I was in the capital?”

“I found out after talking to Baron Clausel. From the way he spoke, it didn't sound like you were far away. It was just a coincidence that we ran into each other here. I sent Fiona to the girls' dormitory at that institute you were looking at, and I just saw you on my way back."

In a party where Ren hadn’t seen or heard anything, Lessard didn’t have any particular slip of the tongue that would be considered a faux pas.

If anything, it was just a bit of a check between the parents as they fought over Ren.

All in all, Ulysses was just too sharp.

“I see. As expected of you, Marquis Ignat.”

“I’m honored by your praise. And you can call me Ulysses.”

Ulysses secretly chuckled as the conversation proceeded without hesitation.

He felt that Ren's imposing figure standing next to him was more powerful than he had imagined.

“The world of humans is interesting. Its funny how someone like you can be dragged out into the limelight at the drop of a hat.”

“I just wanted to stay in the village.”

“Haha, that's so like you! But think about it. Besides those who were fighting faction wars, your existence was a miscalculation for those in the demon king’s cult. Do you understand? They meddled in an area they shouldn't have meddled in and created a hero, Ren Ashton, who should never have been born."

“You’re giving me too much credit. I'm just the son of a country knight.”

“But that's in the past. You are a smart guy, and I'm sure you're aware of that by now.”

Ren is very aware of it even if he isn’t told.

And compared to before, the desire for growth has sprouted even stronger.

He has a stronger desire to improve not only his physical strength, but also his intellectual ability.

“For example, the Imperial Military Academy you were looking at. In my opinion, there’s no other school that can match you. I think you feel that way yourself, even more than you did when Viscount Givens asked you to join him."

"I don't know..... I'm not really aware of it.”

“Good grief---- you really are interesting to no end."

Ren looked up at Ulysses in front of him, looking at his handsome face up close.

The handsome man with a face somewhat similar to Fiona's was smiling fearlessly.

“Tell me, why do you speak as if you are avoiding the institute? It's not as if you are avoiding it because of Viscount Givens, is it?"

Legend of the Seven Heroes I, the question of Ulysses Ignat, the last boss of the Seven Heroes.

The stiff-armed man who asked the question didn’t look away from Ren, who didn’t answer, and Ren in turn didn’t look away from him either. They just looked at each other.

No matter how long he waited for an answer, he couldn’t get one, so Ulysses says something more.

“It’s clear that you see the value of the world-famous name in front of you, but you are avoiding it. But why? You’re not afraid of Viscount Givens, you aren’t afraid of Asval, and you aren’t afraid of me, but what exactly are you avoiding?"

Ulysses' words shook Ren's heart.

Every time he was asked a question, he felt like he didn't know the answer.

(I'm ......)

I should avoid the Imperial Academy at all costs..... I thought, fearing the same ending as the legend of the Seven Heroes.

But even now I don't know if that makes sense.

However, the underlying idea could not be overturned so easily.

“I just think that I'd be happier staying in the countryside than going through the pain of doing something I don't deserve.”

Ulysses's eyes darted to the side as he looked at Ren, who said this with self-mockery.

He blinked repeatedly and then laughed high.

"Ha-ha-ha! You don't deserve it!?”

It was a laugh that overflowed from the bottom of his heart as he put his hand on his forehead and looked up to the heavens.

When he was satisfied with that, Ulysses wiped away the tears that had floated up from laughing so hard and looked at Ren.

“I'm sorry, I just laughed it off.”

“I was surprised to hear you laugh so suddenly.”

“Don't look so uncomfortable. Of course I can't help but laugh when I hear words like that!"

Then, Ulysses beckoned Ren.

He suddenly started to walk away, and Ren somehow followed his back.

“You have changed the fate of your hometown and that of Clausel. Not only that, you changed Fiona's fate, which even I couldn't change. ---- That's you, Ren Ashton.”

“......I'll say it again, you’re giving me too much credit."

"Really? But In my experience, you can't do much with such an uncertain factor as mere luck.”

Ren had nothing to say in response to this confidence backed up by his ability.

“By the way, people often say I'm scary. Why do you think that is?”

“Because your wisdom and power are unparalleled. Because you are the individual who can bring the world's largest country, Leomel, to its knees.....”

“......Ho."

Ulysses was amused for the umpteenth time when Ren stated those words without fear.

“Then I will say it again. You have changed the destiny of many people, including me.”

At the bottom of the hill where they were headed, a carriage was waiting for them. Edgar, Ulysses' steward, rode in the driver's seat of this jet-black carriage.

“And you think you are not worthy of a single school building? I can’t help but laugh my head off! To use your own words, you have changed the fate of the largest country in the world, Leomel.”

Ulysses stood in front of the carriage.

He opened the door of the carriage with his own hand and went inside. He told Ren to come inside and invited him to join him in the jet-black carriage.

“I'm sorry. It's the first time we've met, and I'm talking to you like I’m a big shot."

“No no! That's not true! It's hard to describe, but it was helpful!"

What I just said wasn’t a lie.

Talking to Ulysses, who sat down in the seat in front of me, I didn't think that the aversion I remembered for the Imperial Military Academy was tiny until I saw it. But I thought it would certainly be funny, as if I, who had changed so many destinies, was afraid of my own uncertain ...... fate.

How could I not think I could change my own destiny?

It was as if I had been told that.

Ulysses is the last boss in Legend of the Seven Heroes I, and as Ren mentioned, he’s a powerful man who can drive Leomel away by his personal power.

In light of the fact that he had changed his fate, Ren honestly couldn’t think of any words to reply.

The carriage began to move, and the sound of the wheels could be heard as it moved along the cobblestones.

“Try not to forget that you aren’t in the category of those who can suffer painful repercussions for behaving inappropriately.”

"I'm only the son of a country knight.”

“It is only a birthright. You are strong now. Whatever the situation, you are definitely a strong person who won against Asval. With your physical strength, you are strong enough to overcome a certain amount of trouble and unreasonableness.”

Ulysses' voice penetrated Ren's heart.

“That strength has brought you a rare freedom, a freedom that is too much for you to bear, even with the responsibility of carrying a precious being.”

“............”

“Of course, your strength is not limited to your physical strength. Baron Clausel is also gaining strength under your influence, and even though it’s difficult for him to be outspoken, I want you to remember the Ignat family as well.”

Ren's friendship with Ulysses is especially encouraging to him, as he knows his power well.

Even if his opponent is the last boss of the game era and especially, if that power doesn’t go out of control.

Also, Ren now must be an important person who is related to Ulysses in some way, if not as a bulwark ---- to prevent Ulysses from going out of control.

“Hence, freedom is proof of power. If you aren’t worthy, then all the students of the Imperial Military Academy are not worthy.”

“May I ask you a question?”

“Yes, what is it?”

“I understand the meaning of what you said, Ulysses-sama, and there are some things that I think I should change my mind about. But there is one thing that doesn't add up."

Ren suddenly changed from his previous calmness, and his voice sounded like he couldn't help it.

He also told Ulysses without hesitation.

“The reason I was looking at the Imperial Academy of Military Science was probably just as well. But even so, Ulysses-sama seems to be all about recommending that academy. It’s not only because that academy is the most prestigious in Leomel, is it?”

“Oh, did you know?”

"So that’s what you meant after all.”

Ulysses looks embarrassed, and Ren looks very knowledgeable in front of him.

“My daughter goes there. I'd be very proud to have someone like you in her life.”

“Yes, I thought so.”

“But don't get me wrong, okay? Despite my daughter, the idea that the Imperial Military Academy would be good for you is also true. Also, I questioned your thinking."

There was no lie in his words.

Ren knew that, and he was grateful that Ulysses had put it honestly into words.

Ulysses also cares about his daughter, but he wasn’t trying to force him to do anything. About an hour earlier, he had recommended the Imperial Military Academy to Licia as well, but that was just a reminder of the future of the faction, and there was no intention to make it easier for him to decide to enroll, for example, by leading Ren there as well.

I was able to assert that there was not a single thing that was calculated because it was just a separate matter.

As proof, Ulysses didn’t talk about the Imperial Academy any further.

Instead, he said.

“There’s still time before you are old enough to attend the academy. You might want to give it some more thought.”

He reached into the pocket of his jacket. He immediately took out an envelope and handed it to Ren.

“I heard you weren't cut out for holy swordsmanship.”

“How did you know that?”

“Baron Clausel wrote to me a while ago. I would like to make the same introduction to Clausel-san, if I may, but first I would like to present this letter of introduction to you.”

The envelope Ren received was from Ulysses Ignat in his own handwriting.

It didn’t say to whom it was addressed.

“Please accept it as a sign of my appreciation.”

“Thank you. May I take a look inside ......?

Seeing Ulysses nod, Ren opened the envelope.

It's sudden, but he couldn’t help but feel excited.

Honing his swordsmanship is one of his important goals, so he was honestly pleased.

Ren, however, opened the parchment inside the envelope and his eyes darted to the parchment.

“Are you serious about this?”

“I'm serious. There are many schools in the world, but if the holy sword technique isn’t for you, then this is the one you should introduce, right?”

“No...... I understand your logic, but......”

The letter of introduction reads as follows.

『In the name of Ulysses Ignat, I give permission for Ren Ashton to enter the Holy Office of Lion.』

The Holy Office of the Lion is the institution that manages materials and relics related to the Lion King, and for Ren, it’s also the institution where he had to suffer many times during his gaming days.

The institution is rare in the Imperial City and has other unique characteristics.

The Holy office of the Lion is considered the headquarters of hard swordsmanship in Leomel.

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