Reincarnated as a Genius Prodigy of a Prestigious Family - Chapter 226

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Reincarnated as a Legendary Talent Genius of a Noble Family Episode 226

153. I Ask You

A splendid banquet was held.

A magnificent banquet where all the nobles worth mentioning had gathered. Naturally, Father and Mother were there, and my sisters were present too.

Since this was a celebration for me as the champion, everyone had made time after a long while.

That’s why the family had gathered together.

“This father wants to cry. Hm? You two have no thoughts of marriage, and you don’t even contact us frequently. What exactly is the problem? This dad here, if I just drop a subtle hint, outstanding young men from all across the Empire would come running!”

And Father immediately poured out his lamentations upon seeing my two sisters.

Actually, marriage isn’t really an issue.

Father is surprisingly open-minded about that matter.

Since he married Mother through ‘romance,’ he wants both sisters to meet someone they like and live happily.

“Once a week. I’m not even asking for daily contact. Let’s agree on that.”

“I’ll try my best.”

“Try your best?!”

I wonder if I’ll feel like this when I have a daughter and raise her.

Both sisters are the type to be buried in their own work, so it’s not like they’re being rebellious or anything…

I’m not really sure.

“Dane, congratulations on your victory.”

“I knew you’d win after all.”

For some reason, both sisters looked much, much better than I did.

And strangely, these two who usually don’t indulge in luxury were wearing expensive accessories they’d gotten from somewhere.

“Our youngest, congratulations on your victory.”

I received Mother’s congratulations too. Mother smiled brightly and patted my head.

“Should I not pat your head like this anymore? Is it a bit embarrassing with other people watching?”

“Not at all.”

Even at thirty, even at forty, the fact that Mother’s touch feels good won’t change.

No matter who’s around.

I felt something after seeing the Baroness who asked me to definitively defeat her son.

“Oh, I heard the news. You used Nighthorn to treat the Countess? That’s amazing.”

I scratched my head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“It just came to mind.”

“It’s truly amazing. Mom has… never saved anyone with that before.”

Should I understand that she’s used it for assassination countless times then?

Of course, that’s not the point.

The dagger Mother gave me, Nighthorn, has a blade made of a mineral called ‘Etril.’

A mineral that absorbs anything and releases anything.

You can inject poison with it, and you can also suck out poison.

I’ve used it to save Sidrain by sucking out the poison when he collapsed while wandering in the forest, and I saved the Duchess as well.

“Please help many people with it in the future. Now it suits you perfectly, Dane, more than Mom.”

I smiled brightly at those words.

Then a voice came from behind.

“Well, I think this is the first time I’ve seen my student looking so embarrassed and smiling like that.”

I saw a familiar face.

It was Professor Keltas.

“Oh my, Captain.”

Mother seemed genuinely surprised, covering her mouth with her hand before continuing with a very pleased expression.

“How long has it been? You’ve been well, haven’t you?”

“Hehe, it’s embarrassing to hear the Captain title after so long. Have you been well, Countess? Your beauty remains unchanged.”

“Hohoho. Should I say it feels like my skin has gotten better living in the warm south?”

So they know each other.

Well, since Professor Keltas mentions Father familiarly, it’s not surprising he knows Mother too.

“Our youngest is doing well, isn’t he?”

“He’s doing so well it’s problematic. Ahem. Because of this fellow, my cushy position… ah, no. He’s doing so well that I haven’t been motivated lately.”

“Hohoho. As expected.”

Before I knew it, Father had joined us too.

“Who do we have here? Isn’t this Captain Keltas?”

“Oh ho, little Sogress.”

“How long will that nickname last? That nickname could be passed down to our son now.”

“I’m already calling him that. Hahaha.”

While the three of them were chatting, I quietly slipped away.

The tarts in the banquet hall had been catching my eye since earlier.

They seemed to be topped with fruit I’d never seen before, and I felt like I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t taste them.

But I realized the tarts were quite far away, more than I’d expected.

“Oh, congratulations on your victory! Dane Sogress! I’m from the north…”

“Dane Sogress! Finally meeting you face to face! I was just talking with Count Sogress and he was praising you so much! Oh, I’m…”

More precisely, my steps had become incredibly slow.

From the moment I left my family’s embrace, countless people kept talking to me without pause.

I couldn’t just give casual responses either, as I could feel everyone’s strong determination to exchange words with me after hearing my answers today.

Among them, the most frequently heard words were, as expected…

“Young Dane, I hear that nowadays noble marriages aren’t just arranged by parents who agree and force it anymore. So, would you be interested in meeting my daughter? I’m sure you’d find her very appealing.”

Marriage proposals.

“Ahem. Wasn’t your daughter meeting with that Heian fellow until recently?”

“Uh, ahem! How is that meeting! They just exchanged greetings briefly!”

“Hmm. For just exchanging greetings, quite a few people saw them holding hands and walking around the Academy…”

“What kind of rumors are those!”

Then they’d start fighting among themselves, and there were names I hadn’t heard in a while.

“Ahem. I’m Baron Opent.”

“Hello, Baron.”

“I understand you’ve met our Silvia a couple of times…”

Next to him, Silvia was looking at me with quite provocative eyes.

She’s definitely beautiful.

“So it was true that Silvia Opent only has eyes for Dane Sogress…”

“If only she’d look my way just once…”

Just from what I could overhear, it seemed quite a few people had feelings for Silvia.

But I don’t feel particularly moved.

“Perhaps, is there something about our Silvia that doesn’t appeal to you?”

Baron Opent was asking quite directly.

At this point, it’s time for me to draw a clear line.

“It’s not that she doesn’t appeal to me.”

“Then?”

“But it’s not that she appeals to me either. That’s all.”

At my words, Baron Opent was flustered, and Silvia’s eyebrows twitched.

It’s really true.

What can I do when no one appeals to my heart?

“Where else would you find such a beauty? And our Opent Barony is…”

After that, a stream of family boasting flowed out.

Roughly translated, it was essentially saying that if they joined hands with the Opent Barony, our Sogress County would become more prosperous and gain greater wealth.

But well.

What does that have to do with me.

It’s good for the family to prosper, but none of my family members would want that to happen through me doing something I don’t want to do.

Most importantly-

I don’t like it.

“Dane, if you have me, you can obtain everything. Me, our family, and the loyalty of the families around our house.”

Look at her delivering those lines.

Any clueless man would fall for it.

But my answer remained the same.

“I’m sorry about that.”

“….”

Baron Opent was shaking his head, and Silvia was looking at me with an even more shocked expression than before, when-

“His Majesty the Emperor is entering the banquet hall!”

Now that’s good timing.

The moment the magically amplified shout spread in all directions, everyone’s gaze focused on one place and conversations stopped as if by agreement.

And Emperor Danter VIII entered the banquet hall.

His height and build were a span taller than others, along with his neatly grown beard.

Everyone bowed their heads to his appearance that would have overflowed with dignity even without the imperial clothing and accessories that proved his status as emperor.

“Mm.”

The Emperor entered the banquet hall and briefly looked at the people.

A banquet hall where all the nobles of the Empire had gathered.

What action would the Emperor take at this place today, which held meaning beyond a simple ‘celebration’?

Would he just offer appropriate ceremonial greetings and blessings before leaving?

“I am very grateful to you all who attended this grand celebration today and elevated the honor of the Danter Cup winners.”

Or would he approach some noble and take strategic action?

“I am very pleased to be able to hold this precious occasion that comes once a year.”

Mad Emperor.

Some recalled that nickname which was still valid for several, and some swallowed dry saliva because of it.

The Emperor would not forgive those who crossed him even at occasions like this, and would execute them on the spot.

While everyone kept their heads bowed, waiting for the Emperor’s next words or next action….

“This year was a series of very impressive matches. Especially… matches like the youth division finals.”

The Emperor openly and specifically mentioned the youth division finals match he had watched.

And then-

“You showed matches of higher quality than ever before, which was very pleasing to the eyes.”

At those words, gazes naturally dispersed.

Dane, and Leila.

The two protagonists who no one initially expected but proudly made it to the youth division finals.

And people knew.

That the Emperor, who had gone to watch the adult division finals every year, suddenly changed his schedule to watch the youth division finals.

Therefore, Baron Opent, who was right beside them, clearly realized one thing at this moment.

A boy who receives the Emperor’s favor.

Could he really covet such a person?

He didn’t know what his daughter Silvia might think, but….

Such a thought suddenly occurred to him.

That he could no longer approach him.

“I suddenly had such a thought. A boy once boldly said this in front of me: ‘The Empire must become one.'”

A fact that those in the know all knew.

A certain boy had once shouted ‘The Empire must become one’ at an audience with the Emperor.

“Isn’t it quite surprising? When everyone is busy trembling at the word ’emperor,’ he brought up words that everyone had forgotten.”

And what was even more surprising was the fact that the Emperor, far from getting angry at those words, burst into hearty laughter.

“In that sense, I thought while watching the finals.”

The real surprise was just beginning.

“What would a unified Empire look like?”

The Emperor shifted his gaze as he said this.

“Dane Sogress.”

To the one boy who had left the strongest impression on him recently.

Dane raised his head.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Just like during the previous audience, he looked directly into the Emperor’s eyes, and the Emperor showed a faint smile.

“I ask you.”

The question thrown while everyone was watching was this:

“What do you think a unified Empire is?”

The Emperor asks.

In front of everyone watching, what exactly is a unified Empire?

But this wasn’t a test, nor a question with some scheme hidden within.

The Emperor’s pure curiosity.

The expectation that he might be able to find an answer to his own concerns.

That was what filled the question.

Dane seemed to realize this too, as he only showed the same faint smile as the Emperor.

Eventually-

“The unified Empire I envision is like this.”

Dane began to answer the Emperor.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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