Illusion Sword Master

＜ The Life of a War Hero (2) ﹥

Two weeks later.

I, who had recovered to some extent, and the members of the Magic Research Association were riding a carriage returning to the capital.

Despite the many events that had occurred in the short time we spent in the 6th Legion, everyone was in their usual mood.

“You were amazing, Ethan. You defeated a high-ranking orc. If it weren’t for you, the Zephyr family’s reinforcements would have arrived too late, and we would have been wiped out.”

“It’s nothing amazing. If you hadn’t helped me when it mattered, I would have been killed and couldn’t have done anything.”

I responded to Roem’s words with a mix of embarrassment and humility.

It wasn’t false modesty.

The experience of fighting against Grola was terrifying to recall. Every time its axe swung, I had to cross the boundary between life and death.

I had worked hard in the Magic Department, not wanting to live a life of being bossed around by orcs, but I ended up fighting not just any orc, but a high-ranking orc with demonic powers.

“And to think I even missed the rear ticket after going through all that hardship.”

The more I thought about it, the more frustrated and helpless I felt.

“No, I was helpless. I overestimated my abilities, and I couldn’t even withstand a few axe swings. Next time, I won’t be defeated so helplessly.”

Roem, as if knowing my thoughts, clenched his fist and said, “Ethan, let’s train when we get back. We’ve learned something from this experience.”

The determination to become stronger was good, but… this guy, he was wearing mismatched shoes.

“Yeah, if the timing is right.”

I didn’t have the energy to correct him, so I just responded vaguely and turned away from Roem.

“Menka, did you see our magic unit’s performance? When we return to Zephyr, you can also work with them! You can even learn magic from your father!”

“No, I didn’t see anything.”

“What? Didn’t you see the lightning strike from the sky? The Zephyr family’s ultimate lightning magic was unfolded before your eyes, and you didn’t see it?”

“I was busy catching orcs.”

Sera was still trying to tease Menka, and Menka was being stubborn.

The atmosphere between the two was still the same as usual, but Sera’s behavior had become slightly strange.

She would glance at me and then quickly avert her gaze when our eyes met.

“I’m going crazy.”

I was about to go berserk.

I had only tried to make connections with the noble people who could send me to the rear lines, but Sera had misunderstood my actions as romantic feelings.

This misunderstanding had even reached the Duke of Zephyr.

As a result, the Duke of Zephyr seemed to think of me as a potential son-in-law, a member of the imperial family, and was planning to use me greatly.

In the end, not only did I fail to gain recognition from the rear, but I also received high expectations from both Duke Zefer and the Third Prince.

It was as if I had taken off a small burden only to be saddled with an even greater one.

“Ugh, where do I even start to resolve this?”

I barely managed to hold back the curses that were about to spill out of my mouth.

Thinking about Duke Zefer, who cherished Serah, I couldn’t bring myself to utter a single complaint.

“Right, Ethan.”

Menteca called out to me.

When I turned my gaze to her, she showed me a bright, innocent smile that I had never seen before.

Her laughing face made her look like a gentle young lady, not a ruthless, bloodthirsty human flamethrower.

“I knew she could smile like that too.”

But that warm feeling was shattered by her next words.

“The aerial bombing was fun. Let’s do it again next time.”

“No, I didn’t enjoy it.”

I didn’t want to do that sort of thing again.

The chronic battle fatigue and orc allergy I had were already severe, and this time they had flared up even more. The thought of dealing with them for the next hundred years was unbearable.

The carriage was passing through the city gate of the Imperial Capital.

I looked out the window.

The familiar battlefield scenery made me appreciate the peace of this place all the more.

“Magic Academy’s 427th students!”

“Heroes of the Western Front!”

“Did you defeat the Orc King?”

The crowd gathered around the carriage, cheering and welcoming us.

Something was off.

The Western Front had been breached, and the 6th Army’s defense system had collapsed.

We were supposed to be defeated remnants, but instead, a grand celebration was being prepared for us.

“It seems like the central government had a hand in this beforehand.”

I quickly grasped the situation.

It was likely a propaganda effort to cover up the horrific losses on the Western Front.

They wanted to portray us, who had barely survived the orc attack, as young heroes who had gone to the battlefield before graduation and returned with honors.

Up to this point, it was easy to predict, but the scale of it was beyond my expectations.

First, when we arrived at the central square of the Imperial Capital, a red carpet leading to the stage awaited us.

“Well, it looks like we’re going to walk on the red carpet here too.”

The crowd’s cheers continued, with flowers scattered from above using magic, and a military band playing a grand march.

Anyone would think we were truly heroes who had returned victorious from war.

“Serah Zefer!”

“Did the Zefer family’s private army single-handedly recover the Western Front’s losses?”

Serah, who was familiar with this kind of situation, waved her hand leisurely, enjoying the crowd’s reaction.

“Roem Carlen! Take me!”

“Mom, why is that handsome oppa wearing mismatched shoes?”

“I don’t know? Is that the latest trend among the nobles these days?”

Roem finally confirmed his shoes and made a sad face.

“It’s Mencia Admin!”

“The bloodthirsty and destructive human weapon of the empire! It’s fortunate that you’re on our side, isn’t it?”

Mencia, as always, remained calm, but whenever a new nickname was given, he seemed satisfied, nodding his head.

And…

“Is that Ethan?”

“The wizard who beheaded the Orc tribe leader!”

“Did he also lead three others to command the battlefield?”

“He directly researched the magic swordsmanship technique! He’s an amazing genius, isn’t he?”

I just wanted to run away.

The more my reputation grew, the more people would push me onto a more terrifying battlefield.

I hurried my friends along, trying to shorten this painful time.

On the stage, where the Red Carpet ended, a middle-aged man with an awe-inspiring presence stood tall.

Though he resembled the Third Prince overall, his lean body and sharp facial features gave him a much more rugged impression.

He wore a lavish ceremonial attire adorned with the imperial symbol, the golden lion.

Thanks to his distinctive attire, it wasn’t difficult to identify him.

Benedict, the First Prince of the Empire.

— It seemed like a big reward was expected.

The First Prince’s sudden appearance at this opportune timing.

I could understand what the ‘big reward’ Zephyr had mentioned was.

It seemed like they were trying to raise the value of their daughter, Sara, and their son-in-law candidate, me, by putting the First Prince forward.

“You should pay your respects to His Highness, the First Prince Benedict.”

We knelt on one knee, waiting for the next words, as the attendant beside the First Prince spoke.

“Sera Zephyr, Roem Karlen, Mencia Admin, come before me.”

The First Prince opened his mouth.

‘Uh, this is unsettling.’

As only the other three were called, I felt an ominous premonition.

“I’ve heard of your achievements. Despite not having graduated yet, you’ve accomplished feats that can be a model for frontline wizards. Therefore, I award you the 5th-grade Military Merit Medal.”

The First Prince, using the imperial tone, praised their achievements and personally pinned the medals onto their uniforms.

The 5th-grade Military Merit Medal.

Although it was the lowest rank among the five grades, it was still an honor that lower-ranking nobles could be proud of.

Moreover, it was unprecedented for students still in their academy days to receive a Military Merit Medal.

“Wowwwww!”

The audience, witnessing the birth of new heroes, erupted in cheers and applause.

“Ethan, come before me.”

The First Prince called me out, leaving the other three students behind.

I stood up and walked forward according to his command.

He looked at me with a smile that felt ominous, different from how he treated the other students.

“I heard that there’s a student in the Magic Academy who caught Dietrich’s attention. I was curious about what kind of talent that unsociable kid was.”

“I am but a humble servant of the empire and the imperial family. It’s difficult for me to raise my head, as I feel unworthy of such great honor.”

“Humble as I may seem, there’s no need to be overly courteous. I’ve already told Zephyr about the general situation. You’re in love with Sera, aren’t you?”

Sera’s misunderstanding had been passed down to the First Prince through her father.

If I revealed the whole truth here, wouldn’t it create a huge commotion?

“How would it turn out? My life would still be tiring either way.”

I replied with a sense of resignation.

“Yes…”

“You don’t have to be so humble. Love isn’t a sin, is it? Zephyr has already given you an opportunity. It’s not impossible. It’s a time for choice, and you just need to pick a good master.”

It was the same as what Zephyr had said, trying to sway the nobles of the Third Prince’s faction to their side.

“No need to be burdened. You’ll soon find out which choice is wise for ending the empire’s chaos.”

The First Prince, who had given me a heavy burden, also awarded me a medal. However, the shape and color of the medal were much more magnificent than the previous three.

“A 4th-grade Military Merit Medal?”

This was only given to those who had achieved great merits in large-scale battles.

As far as I knew, it was unprecedented for a student of the Magic Academy to receive this medal in nearly 30 years.

“Ethan here has led a single medium-sized unit and three mages to slaughter 1,000 orcs and behead the orc king, Grola, single-handedly.”

The First Prince announced loudly to everyone.

“By the authority and responsibility vested in me, I, Emperor Benedict, hereby award Ethan, a student of the Magic Academy, the 4th-grade Military Merit Medal.”

It seemed that Zephyr and the First Prince had agreed to promote me, exaggerating my achievements.

“Woohoo!”

“Ethan! Ethan! Ethan!”

“The Orc Slayer of the West!”

In the center of the imperial capital, I was the main character of the celebration, and the First Prince said to me,

“Come to think of it, you’re still a commoner, aren’t you?”

“Yes… That’s right.”

“You can’t remain a commoner. I’ve prepared a small gift for you.”

He handed me a document.

“I’m grateful, but I’ve already received an excessive reward. My loyalty is not seeking a price, I assure you.”

I refused without even checking the contents of the document.

The more I received favors, the more the First Prince and Zephyr would try to manipulate me.

“Aren’t you trying to make me indebted to you? It’s nothing, just take it.”

My refusal was rejected.

“The glory you’re feeling now is only a small part of what I can give you. You’ll be promised things you can’t experience under the strict Dieterich.”

Ugh… When did I get entangled in this?

All I wanted was the Daldian rear support.

“Ethan! Ethan! Ethan!”

I tried to ignore the loud cheers, and sneaked a peek at the contents of the document.

Since I had already received it, I might as well know what it was.

“A Certificate of Nobility”

“Hmm.”

The document was awarding me a baronetcy, which, although not hereditary, would still be recognized as a noble title in the empire’s class society.

13 Years of Living in Another World

From being an abandoned orphan on the battlefield to becoming the Empire’s war hero and noble.

I couldn’t go back.

＜The Life of a War Hero (2)﹥ End