I’m a hero, but I don’t know if I should retire

Wait a second…

But is that really such a simple thing to do?

‘Come to think of it, I only know how to grip a sword and swing it around. I’ve never dealt with the headaches of political strife.’

House Esther was still strong. Unlike before her regression, she didn’t have to risk her life to rebuild it.

The house enjoyed the full support of the Empire’s citizens, and its head, Theos, was revered as a war hero.

Because of that, she had thought it would naturally be easy to check and dethrone Axiderm.

‘Goodness, has my thinking become as simple as a child’s just because I’m in a child’s body?’

It’s not going to be as easy as it sounds.

Axiderm wouldn’t have inherited the throne by chance. He must have gathered talented individuals and carefully crafted his plans to claim the position.

‘If that’s the case, understanding Axiderm’s plans and movements is just as important.’

Political strife, after all, was often a battle of information.

Until now, no one would have suspected Axiderm of becoming emperor, but Adelia knew otherwise.

‘So I’ll start by gathering information based on what I know.’

Just then, someone knocked on her door.

“Adel, are you awake?”

The voice calling from outside the door was Derek’s.

‘Brother? Why is he here at this hour?’

Startled, Adelia hastily crumpled up the paper she had been scribbling on.

“Y-Yeah! I’m up! Just a moment! Don’t open the door! You can’t open it!”

Adelia darted to the fireplace and hastily threw the crumpled paper into the flames.

She watched the paper catch fire and burn away in an instant before quickly scrambling back to bed.

Pulling the blanket up to her chin, she called out, “You can come in now, Brother.”

At her permission, the door opened, and Derek stepped inside.

“Yawn—. What brings you here at this hour?”

Adelia feigned just waking up, mixing a yawn into her words. Derek chuckled softly at her act.

“It’s morning, Adel.”

“Huh?”

At his words, she glanced out the window—and sure enough, the sun had already risen.

‘I completely lost track of time.’

Clearing her throat, Adelia sat up in bed. Derek, who had been followed into the room by Sera, spoke to her maid.

“Help Adelia get dressed.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

Adelia tilted her head in confusion.

“Why? What’s going on?”

Derek gave her a faint smile as he answered.

“Father has arrived.”

“…What?”

Startled, Adelia jumped off the bed and asked again.

“He’s back? Already?!”

“Yeah, seems like he hurried.”

‘But… there’s no way he could’ve arrived so quickly, no matter how much he rushed. He would have had to ride without rest, not even sleeping, to barely make it today…’

‘Could he really have ridden all night without sleeping?’

Adelia swallowed dryly, her thoughts racing.

***

Knock, knock.

When they arrived in front of Theos’s office, Derek knocked on the door.

“It’s me, Father.”

A moment later…

“Come in.”

Creak—.

The door to the office opened, releasing the scent of oak furniture into the air.

For some reason, Adelia couldn’t lift her head as she followed Derek into the office.

The shadows cast by the lamplight flickered eerily across the floor.

Scrrr—.

The sound of a chair being pushed back broke the silence, prompting Adelia to finally raise her head.

Her eyes met Theos’s as he rose from his chair.

‘Father…’

He looked exactly the same as the last time she’d seen him, back when she was nine years old and he had departed for war. Not a single thing had changed.

Theos stepped out from behind the desk and walked toward the sofa. Adelia’s gaze followed his every movement.

He didn’t look like someone who had just returned from a war. There wasn’t a single scratch on him, nor did he show any signs of fatigue.

With his unchanging expression and inscrutable eyes, it was impossible to tell what thoughts he harbored. He had never revealed his true feelings, so no one could ever read him.

He was always like a towering mountain—steadfast and immovable.

Cold and indifferent, yet always returning with victory, her father was just as she remembered him.

“Sit.”

“Yes, Father. Come on, Adelia, let’s go to the sofa.”

Derek said, gently trying to lead her there. But Adelia couldn’t move an inch.

“Adelia?”

Fear? Anxiety? No, it wasn’t any of those things.

A whirlwind of indescribable emotions pinned her feet to the floor.

‘Why…’

‘Why did someone so strong, so steadfast, meet such a futile end?’

“Adelia, what’s wrong?”

Sensing something was off, Derek called out to her again.

At the same time, Theos’s steps came to a halt. He turned to look at Adelia, their eyes meeting once more.

In that moment, countless suppressed questions surged up within her, threatening to spill over.

‘What happened that day on the battlefield? Was there something I didn’t know?’

The absence of both Theos and Derek had led to the downfall of the house, leaving Adelia to rebuild it alone.

And in doing so, she had become the Empire’s hero.

She had accepted the Holy Sword and moved obediently under the Emperor’s command, becoming a loyal hound.

Yes, the Emperor’s sword and dog.

A ruthless, sharp-edged beast of destruction.

The memories of her past life clawed their way into Adelia’s mind once more.

‘Why did you bear such dishonor, only to die so senselessly? Why?!’

There were so many questions she wanted to ask, so many things she longed to hear.

But there was no one here to answer.

No one in this room—no one in this world—remembered that life but her.

And that was infuriating.

The fact that she alone carried the burden of remembering that horrific life was a bitterness she could hardly bear.

The emotions she felt toward Theos were entirely different from those she experienced with Derek.

Perhaps it was resentment, or maybe it was the longing to lean on him, like a child seeking comfort.

And yet, the sheer joy of meeting Theos, alive and breathing in front of her, filled her heart.

Still, Adelia had to swallow even that overwhelming emotion. She pressed her lips tightly together before finally opening them.

“I’m so glad you returned safely… Father.”

“…”

She forced a cheerful expression as she walked over to the sofa and sat down.

In truth, she wanted nothing more than to run to him, to embrace him as she had done with Derek.

To tell him how grateful she was that he was alive, and how happy she was to see him again.

But that wasn’t the kind of relationship they had. They had never been that close.

Theos had always been a reserved father, and Adelia herself was never one to openly express affection.

‘So, this is just right.’

This joy, too, was a feeling she would carry alone.

Though her behavior seemed slightly awkward, neither Derek nor Theos made any comment.

After a brief exchange of glances, the two men also took seats on the sofa.

“So, you want to cancel your enrollment at the academy.”

Theos leaned back deeply into the sofa, crossing his long legs casually.

Adelia met his gaze, responding calmly.

“Yes, Father.”

After a moment of silence, Theos spoke.

“Adelia.”

“Yes.”

“You understand, don’t you? Enrolling in Vienteola Academy is an incredible honor and a great source of pride.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

‘Vienteola Academy.’

The premier academy of the Empire and directly tied to the Imperial Knights.

Simply being admitted was considered a tremendous honor for one’s family, but to enter as the top student was on another level entirely.

Moreover, Adelia was the youngest ever to be admitted and the first female student.

It was an unprecedented achievement, one that could make her a living legend.

Adelia steadied her expression and replied firmly, her voice unwavering.

“I understand how significant this is. I mean, Father, you even rushed to finish the war and came back quickly because of it. But my decision not to attend the academy hasn’t chan—”

“Adelia.”

“…Yes?”

Theos interrupted her mid-sentence.

“The reason I returned quickly wasn’t…”

He paused, letting out a sigh as if carefully choosing his next words.

“Your health… Is it better now?”

“Oh, yes. I’m perfectly fine now.”

“I see…”

Theos studied Adelia’s complexion briefly, then rose from the sofa, his expression unreadable.

“I’ve prepared a carriage. We’ll head to the palace immediately without delay.”

“Yes, Father.”

Derek responded, rising to follow Theos.

Adelia, who had been blankly watching the two, finally spoke, directing her question at Theos.

“Are you… permitting it? Canceling my enrollment at the academy?”

‘Just like that?’

As Theos draped his coat over his shoulders, he glanced at Adelia and replied,

“The early morning air is cold. Dress warmly before coming down.”

“…”

***

By the time they arrived at the palace, the sun had fully risen.

After meeting with the emperor in the audience chamber, Theos stepped out and spoke to Adelia.

“You’ll have to go in alone. Can you do it?”

“Yes, I can.”

“…Alright. Go on, then.”

“Yes.”

Adelia took a deep breath, steadying herself before stepping into the audience chamber.

Theos watched her until the doors closed, then turned to Derek and said,

“…There will be no deployments for the time being.”

“What?”

“I spoke with the emperor and settled it. I’ll remain at the duchy, so you should return to the knights.”

Derek, his face paling at the unexpected news, replied hesitantly.

“Surely, Father…”

“…”

When Theos remained silent, Derek’s face stiffened further, and he whispered as if in disbelief,

“Father! Even though you’re His Majesty’s closest confidant, you wouldn’t resort to… threats, would you?”

“I didn’t.”

“…Truly?”

“Yes.”

Theos replied curtly, his expression unwavering.

Still skeptical, Derek cast a doubtful look at Theos, who turned his gaze toward the doors of the audience chamber.

“She’ll be out soon. Wait here and take Adelia back once she’s done.”

“And you, Father?”

“I have somewhere to go.”

At Theos’ reply, Derek nodded.

“Understood, Father. Have a safe journey.”

“Yes. I’ll see you at home.”

“Yes, Father.”

Theos looked away from the audience chamber and turned to leave. Derek watched his father’s retreating figure for a moment.

‘He must be heading back to the temple.’ 

As Theos’ shadow disappeared down the corridor, Derek leaned against the railing with a clear view of the doors to the audience chamber.

***

“The little star of House Ester, I presume.”

The Emperor greeted Adelia with a refined smile as she entered the audience chamber.

Adelia gracefully lifted the hem of her dress and curtsied.

“Adelia Esther of House Esther greets the Empire’s radiant sun.”

“Rise.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Kendrick Varetian. This was Adelia’s first meeting with the current emperor, Kendrick.

‘So that’s him—the Crown Prince Carsses’s father.’

In her past life, Adelia had never met Kendrick in person.

Not long after she enrolled in the academy, Kendrick had unexpectedly passed away.

So, in her previous life, the emperor who had commanded Adelia wasn’t Kendrick, but his half-brother, Grand Duke Axiderm.

‘He resembles the Crown Prince.’

For a brief moment, the emperor’s smiling face overlapped with Carsses’s in her mind.

‘As expected of father and son—even their smiles are alike.’

When Adelia had served as Crown Prince Carsses’s guard, he would occasionally wear a similar smile.

A smile that seemed to encompass everything—serene and warm.

“What are you thinking about?”

“Ah.”

Adelia realized she had let her thoughts wander in front of the emperor.

“Meeting Your Majesty for the first time, I must have been so nervous that I lost myself for a moment…”

The emperor burst into laughter.

“No need to be so tense. I didn’t summon you here to mete out punishment.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Emperor looked at Adelia intently and remarked,

“The youngest top scorer ever, and only seven years old. Perhaps the exam was unusually easy this year?”

Adelia replied calmly,

“I wouldn’t want to diminish the prestige of the Imperial Academy in such a way.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, intrigued, and spoke again.

“Then it must be that you have an extraordinary talent.”

“I believe it is due to my father’s exceptional teaching.”

“…”

At Adelia’s calm response, the emperor’s lips curved into a faint smile.

A brief silence filled the audience chamber.

Then, after a moment, even the emperor’s slight smile faded as he spoke in a stern voice.

“Adelia Esther. Do you still intend to cancel your enrollment?”

“Yes.”

“Enrolling in Vienteola Academy is an honor that elevates your family’s prestige. Even so, you still wish to cancel?”

“Yes.”

“You’re willing to give up being the top scorer and becoming the first female knight in the Empire?”

“Yes.”

As Adelia continued to respond with an expression devoid of hesitation, the emperor’s voice softened noticeably.

“I’ll arrange a private dormitory for you.”

“Excuse me…?”

“You’ll have a personal training ground, and if you wish, I’ll assign the royal chef to you.”

“…”

“You’ll receive an annual scholarship, and you’ll be allowed weekly outings. You won’t need to submit any special request forms; you’ll have the freedom to come and go between the academy and the duchy. Oh, and you won’t have to take exams. If there are subjects you don’t want to study, you’re free to skip those classes as well. …How does that sound?”

“…”

A hint of confusion flickered in Adelia’s eyes.

‘What is this situation? Is the emperor… begging me to enroll in the academy?’

The terms were undeniably exceptional. But still…

“…Your Majesty, I—”

Just as Adelia was about to voice her refusal again, the emperor cut her off with a resolute tone.

“What will you do if I don’t allow you to cancel your enrollment?”

“Would there be any need for such measures?”

“I’ve already told you. You’re the youngest ever to pass, and the first female student. That alone is reason enough to keep you.”

“…”

Adelia said nothing, merely gazing at the emperor. Seeing this, Kendrick’s expression grew more serious as he continued.

“If someone of your caliber were to be lost, it would greatly diminish the prestige of Vienteola Academy—and my own reputation. People would even say I was swayed by the whims of a mere seven-year-old child.”

Adelia swallowed dryly, uneasy at the sudden shift in the emperor’s demeanor.

‘He’s not wrong.’

But if she were to enroll in the academy…

‘It would make it nearly impossible to stop Father and Derek from dying in the Roschark War.’

Adelia’s crimson eyes wandered over the floor of the audience chamber.

Then, as if gauging her reaction, the emperor, who had been silently watching her, stroked his chin and spoke.

“That’s why I’m proposing this: I’ll grant your request to cancel your enrollment—but on one condition.”

Adelia’s gaze, which had been fixed downward, slowly rose to meet his.

“…What is it, Your Majesty?”

“You know, I’m not the type to make offers like this lightly.”

The emperor muttered, clearing his throat with a slight cough.

“I’ve never made this offer to Theos either.”

“….”

What kind of offer is he trying to make, drawing this much suspense?

Adelia watched the emperor closely, waiting for the next words to come from his mouth. Then, the emperor slightly lifted his chin and spoke.

“How about becoming the Crown Prince’s swordsmanship instructor?”