The Demon Prince goes to the Academy - Chapter 548
Chapter 548
Bertus tends to go back and forth between the imperial capital and the allied camp.
But this time, because the case was special, Bertus watched the battle from beginning to end.
Despite the vassal’s dissuading him that he had to return to the ecliptic because it was dangerous, Bertus watched everything.
I saw monsters sweeping the battlefield and countless magical monsters and humans falling.
“Six minutes and forty-seven seconds… … .”
And even the first maneuver of the Titans.
The Grand Duke of Saint-Ouan, who was in charge of research, and Adelia, who actually played a decisive role in the design of Titan, stood in front of Bertus.
Neither of them has yet heard of the sad news that happened to their classmates.
“If you look at this whole war, it would only be a very short time, but the fact that the war situation could be turned upside down in just that little time… … . Interesting. No, I wonder if war is like that in the first place.”
“… … .”
“I will try to increase the activation time a little more, Your Majesty… … .”
Adelia was restless and said that in a voice crawling in front of Bertus.
“I am not blaming you. It was so good. no it was great It’s more of a problem if you run the titan too long and cause fatal permanent damage. Rather, I think it would be better to operate it for such a short time.”
“Is that so… … .”
“I can’t afford to build another Titan. If a titan is destroyed, there will be no next titan.”
It was no different from a project that depended on the fate of the empire.
Even at the time when the Empire’s resources were intact, a huge amount of resources were invested to such an extent that it would never allow the creation of war weapons of that level.
Since it was a war on which the fate of mankind depended, no matter how successful it was, it was an irrational decision to delegate full authority to a wizard who was only 20 years old.
When it comes to magic materials, the reality is that the Empire can’t afford to build a golem half the size of half of that, let alone the titan that currently exists.
Therefore, if the Titan is permanently destroyed by long-term operation, it cannot be recreated.
Adelia, who thought that more people could have been saved if the activation time was a little longer, couldn’t help but become depressed at Bertus’ words.
Materials are more important than people.
Titans are not humans.
However, if you have to exchange Titans with one Allied division, the reality is that you have to exchange them.
The reality is that war weapons are more important than humans.
That’s why Bertus’ words that it’s more important to keep the Titan alive until the end of this war than to save people by operating the Titan for a long time were a gruesome reality and contained undeniably cruel logic.
Bertus stares at the Archduke of Saint-Ouan, not at the depressed Adelia.
“What about the damage rate?”
“There was about 14 percent damage to the outer frame.”
At those words, Bertus narrowed his brows.
“Are there that many?”
It maneuvered only slightly less than 7 minutes.
No matter how intense the short battle was, Bertus couldn’t help but feel bitter that the Titan had been damaged that much.
“Titan was designed to be divided into inner armor and outer armor. The Titan is wearing a kind of buffer frame that overlays the outer armor on the core frame. As long as there is no damage to the inner frame, automatic repair is possible even if the outer frame is damaged. For example, you can think of it as wearing plate armor that automatically repairs itself.”
“… … I’m glad you’ve been restored.”
It’s a golem designed for long-term operation, not one-off, and there’s a risk of collapsing on its own due to its terribly gigantic size.
That’s why, Bertus sighed in relief when he heard that the Titan’s exoskeleton was practically a buffer zone and would automatically repair itself.
It was an all-out weapon project, but it doesn’t pay off if you have to use it only a few times.
“Anyway, I hope both of you will continue to work on the maintenance and improvement of Titan.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, yes!”
Listening to their answers, Bertus sat down in a chair.
“The Grand Duke, please talk to me for a moment.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Adelia returned, and only the Archduke of Saint-Ouane remained in Bertus’ barracks.
The cries of monsters can be heard from far away.
The occupation of Serandia is not over. Four more days were needed for the troops to rest properly.
Organize the surroundings, secure safety, and set up a garrison.
The end of the long march and battle does not come easily.
“… … .”
“… … .”
After talking, Bertus listened to the sounds outside for a while and said nothing.
The Archduke of Saint-Ouan was also silent.
“If Archduke Harriot had existed, would Titan have been better built?”
“… … .”
“What do you think?”
At the sudden mention of the youngest daughter, the grand duke stares at the emperor in silence.
He wasn’t even smiling, and he wasn’t even that serious.
Harriet de Saintoine.
It’s a subject as sensitive as that of the demon king, and of course it’s an even more sensitive subject to the archduke.
Because of what the youngest daughter did, the grand duke had to endure many things.
Just as the emperor shows no sign of anger or reprimand, the archduke does not show any emotion at the mention.
Originally, the Grand Duke was not a person who expressed a lot of emotions, but after his daughter disappeared along with the demon king, he became less talkative.
Emperor’s question.
Titan.
and the presence of the youngest daughter.
“I do not know.”
That was all the Grand Duke had to say.
“Because I don’t know what you mean when you say, ‘It’s made better.’ If you’re talking about longer start-up times, more weapons, or stronger exoskeleton, I think you can. However, as you said, if the Titan is damaged after being operated for a long time, I don’t know if it can be called well-made.”
Bertus laughed at the Grand Duke’s words.
“okay. Titans may not need improvement.”
“I can’t help it if you think it’s an excuse for an engineer who didn’t make it properly.”
“Not at all. There is no reason for me to do that.”
Bertus leans back with his arms crossed.
“Actually, that’s the reason why I bother to say things that bother me when it’s not enough to print and attach medals to the Grand Duke.”
The emperor clicked his tongue briefly.
“I can give it to Adelia, but I can’t put a medal on the Grand Duke. All the magicians of the principality.”
“I know, Your Majesty.”
sins committed.
I wonder if it should be called a sin, but people consider it a sin.
Titan isn’t made by Adelia alone, but it will be made by Adelia alone.
Everyone knew that the technology of the Grand Duke and the Duchy of Saint-Ouan had entered, but it would be considered to be providing technology to pay for sins.
The Grand Duke was neither particularly sad nor angry. Because I had no interest in that in the first place.
“After the war is over, we can discuss achievements and awards, so what’s the point of talking about it now? But the reason I say this is because I wanted to tell you that many people would be terrified if they knew that one of the keys to this weapon was in the hands of the Archduke, when they couldn’t even wear a medal for such a feat.”
“I guess so.”
At the grand duke’s calm reaction, Bertus blankly stared at the ceiling of the tent.
“People who are frightened do strange things. If you use and gather them well, an empire could be created, but… … . If people find out that there is a killer living next door, they will rush to that house and set it on fire.”
“Like we invaded the Dark Lands whether or not the Dark Lands attack humanity.”
“Wouldn’t it be possible for a neighbor to start a fire, murderer or not?”
“Likewise.”
“Whether the Grand Duke is a cooperator of the Demon King or not, people can set fire to the Duchy of Saint-Ouan in the Grand Duke’s tent.”
“The Allies saw the Titan stomp the monster today and know that one of the keys is in the Archduke’s hands.”
“grandee.”
“Beware of frightened people.”
“I’m sorry I can only say this.”
frightened ones.
Those who looked down on the Grand Duke became afraid of the Grand Duke.
In the attack of the Demonic Church, the frightened humans accused the innocent people of the Demonic Church and slaughtered them.
I hate the Grand Duke because I don’t know where the demon king is and I don’t know where the youngest daughter who followed the demon king is.
The grand duke had no reason or thought to explain the numerous behind-the-scenes remarks.
So far, the Archduke has been of great help in the war. And today, the Grand Duke was a decisive help.
However, the weight of that help is so great that people rather fear the Archduke.
Titan.
You will fear what will happen if it tries to step on the allies.
The Archduke might have other thoughts.
People who are terrified of themselves may say strange things and do strange things in fear.
The emperor was warning about it.
There are no prizes.
In the end, they are just servants of sinners.
“You may return to the principality if you wish.”
“I’ll have to leave the Titan’s key behind.”
“… … Yes, that can’t be helped.”
The Emperor cannot reward the Grand Duke, but gives him a chance.
A chance to step back from this war.
Anyway, no one acknowledges the honor of the Grand Duke.
Even now it will be dangerous. Therefore, the more you serve, the more you give people a chance to resign, who should only receive fear, contempt, and hateful gazes.
Rather, the Allies will welcome it.
Because the Grand Duke who created the dangerous weapon is stepping down on his own.
Although that amount of power reduction will occur, and the achievements of the Titans will be stolen by other wizards who open their eyes to the vision of the Principality of Saint-Ouan.
What is the use of everything in front of death. Material and intellectual gains are secondary.
You can risk your life to fight, but you can’t even take honor, and you can go back to your hometown now that you’ve left an achievement that will go down in history.
It was a very big concession from the emperor’s point of view, who had to preserve even a little more power.
The Grand Duke’s troubles did not last long.
“Your Majesty, I know that many people hate me.”
“I know that many fear me.”
“How many stories of anger, hatred, and contempt must have been heard by such people until now. I did not refute, respond to, or provide any explanation for their comments.”
“But it wasn’t because he admitted he was guilty.”
The Archduke of Saint-Ouan looks at Emperor Bertus.
“I’m not fighting for my sins, and I’ve never thought of it that way.”
“… … .”
Many speak of the Archduke’s mistakes, sins, and faults.
However, just because he did not refute him did not mean that the archduke had admitted his guilt.
The Archduke confidently states that there is not the slightest sense of guilt in my heart.
“Unjust hatred and rebuke for sin cannot have any influence on my decision. Honor exists within me, and I am the only one who judges its damage.”
“Your Majesty, so even if they hate and fear me through some delusion, I’m only acting out of honor and conviction. Just like people didn’t enter the war because they wanted to pay for their youngest daughter’s sins, and they didn’t create Titans.”
“I am only fighting because I believe this is right.”
“So, as long as the purpose of the war is not wrong, I and my soldiers will keep their positions.”
“It’s been a family teaching that’s been passed down through generations, and I just follow it, not always.”
walk the right path
The emperor looked at the Archduke of Saint-Ouan, who said that he had no intention of being swayed by the words and principles of the world because he had established that level deep in his heart.
It was an attitude that could not be called arrogant.
No matter what the world says, it is neither wrong nor sinful unless you admit it yourself.
Whatever the demands of the world, go the way you believe is right, don’t go the way someone tells you to go.
That is the old teaching of the family.
this war is right
That’s why he only goes to war, and he has no faults or guilt in his heart, so he keeps his post.
Because it is right.
Shiloh.
No matter how the world views you or judges your actions. Isn’t that exactly the same attitude as Harriet de Saintoine, who believed in Reinhardt and followed him?
“If you decide to do so, I’m happy, but I can’t promise that I’ll be able to protect you and your soldiers.”
“It’s okay, Your Majesty.”
As if that was something he had to do on his own, the Archduke showed no sign of regret at the emperor’s words.
Bertus gave the Archduke a chance. But he gave up on himself.
It was a decision he made based on his convictions, so even if evil befell him because of it, the grand duke faced an end according to his choice. So, Bertus felt that the Archduke would not blame him no matter what.
“Then it seems the story is over. I wish you all the best in the future.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The work of the Grand Duke is the work of the Grand Duke.
If you can’t do your own thing, you’re the one who will die blaming yourself for your lack of ability.
Should I say it’s the opposite? Or should I say that he is a person with strong convictions and pride?
For those who deserve to be called single, the emperor no longer urged them to choose another option. Because I wouldn’t even listen to it in the first place.
A truly aristocratic attitude.
It had been a while since he had seen it, so Bertus felt unfamiliar with it.
“finally.”
“… … .”
Seeing the Grand Duke about to leave, Bertus called him one last time.
“Can I have one more example?”
“yes.”
Bertus wanted to ask.
“Do you think you raised your daughter in the wrong way, Grand Duke?”
He is a person who does not mix public opinion with his own judgment.
Bertus wondered what the Grand Duke thought of his missing daughter.
The Grand Duke said he did not feel any guilt.
Do you think that your daughter’s sins are only her sins and not your own?
Do you really think your daughter didn’t sin?
Bertus was curious about that.
“… … .”
The Grand Duke was silent for a while with his back turned.
The Grand Duke, who was silent, opened his mouth in a calm tone.
“I may have raised it the wrong way.”
At those words, Bertus couldn’t help but be slightly surprised. Because I didn’t expect the Archduke to say that.
“But it wasn’t wrong.”
However, the Grand Duke’s words that followed were even more surprising.
“ha ha ha… … . Ha ha ha ha ha… … .”
It is not something to say in front of the emperor. It’s a sensitive statement that can cause a lot of political problems in many ways. It’s no different from saying that the daughter who followed the devil is right.
What the Grand Duke heard from his daughter is not the truth.
Even if I was born again, even if I go back to that moment, I will regret making the same choice as the day the sky opened.
I just believe in that word.
I am sure that my daughter, who grew up to be able to say such things, could not have been raised wrong.
“in fact… … . I think so too.”
Hearing that bomb-like sound, Bertus laughed and agreed with the Archduke’s words.