Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 103

EP.103 Good Changes, Bad Changes

When Elga first asked if he had time on the weekend, what Kyle had hoped to hear was, “I want to train properly too, can you teach me?”

That would have been ideal. He could easily accommodate such a request.

Just because she was a noble lady didn’t mean she should only flutter her dress and sip tea; that was very bad for her health.

All she did was sit and chat, chat while drinking tea—that was all!

She needed to move! Get off her butt! Were her legs just for show?

Humans were born with the best conditions for movement.

Even if she didn’t enjoy exercising like the people of Jonathan, it was good to do some exercise for her health.

But Elga’s next words made him sigh involuntarily.

“A meeting with Grand Duke Littorio.”

“Yes, Kyle.”

“…It seems I suddenly have an urgent appointment this weekend.”

“What do you mean? Do you really have an appointment?”

“Not exactly, but it seems one will come up.”

“What is that supposed to mean!!”

That was exactly what Kyle wanted to say to Elga.

What does that mean! I thought it was just a joke, but it’s real?!

You really want me to meet Grand Duke Littorio? A person from Jonathan?

He thought he should have made an appointment for the weekend after all.

It would have been great if the Fifth Princess, Yurika, had come and dragged him out for a sparring session.

Unfortunately, she was currently heading to Baron Jonathan’s territory and had not yet returned.

‘They say even dog poop is hard to find when you need it.’

Comparing a princess to dog poop—such a thing could get him dragged away for insulting the royal family.

But as they say, even if you curse behind someone’s back, it doesn’t matter, even if it’s the king.

Kyle cursed Yurika, who had conveniently left at this time.

“Are you worried about meeting my father?”

“Of course, I am, Elga.”

“Why? Thanks to you, Littorio and Jonathan….”

“That’s not it, Elga. It’s a different issue.”

He had dreamed of a quiet, peaceful, and sweet, typical romance academy life—attending the academy, working out, and dating.

But romance? Forget it. He was living a spectacular academy life.

At some point, meetings with ministers had become frequent, and now he was being treated like a civil servant.

He had gone into battle, crushed the Alliance’s three heroes, and even met Grand Duke Schrelitz.

In summary, he had gotten too involved in the Empire’s political scene.

If rumors spread that a direct descendant of Jonathan was stepping into politics, it would be quite problematic.

Starting with the nobles, even the royal family might react sensitively.

A place with overwhelming power finally stepping into politics?

To them, it would be like an unstoppable massive tidal wave approaching.

But that wasn’t what Kyle was worried about.

He didn’t care how the nobles saw it or whether the Emperor was concerned.

If they were too weak to handle the tidal wave, what could he do about it?

What Kyle truly feared was something else.

“Our Jonathan does not dwell where dirty water flows.”

There was no way he didn’t understand what that dirty water meant.

Once, Kyle had quietly asked his father, Baron Dagon Jonathan, whether their family would ever fully integrate into the Empire.

To that, Baron Jonathan had laughed heartily and answered.

Constantly training the body, pushing oneself to the limit, and becoming stronger.

That was all they focused on. That was all they concentrated on.

Greater power, more benefits, higher positions—these would only harm a healthy body and mind.

‘If this reaches my father’s ears… Wow, just imagining it sends chills down my spine.’

Our youngest is teaming up with nobles and doing strange things? Ha ha ha.

I’m worried he’s partying and drinking instead of training.

The moment those words came out, his older brother and sister would be dispatched.

And what would happen next was so obvious that he didn’t even want to imagine it.

“Elga, it’s just that I feel a bit burdened by this meeting….”

“Last time, you seemed to accept it quite positively.”

“That was because the situation was different then.”

He hadn’t received any medals, nor had he suddenly been called a hero.

He had no acquaintance with Grand Duke Schrelitz at that time.

In fact, the political circles were trying to send him back to Jonathan.

“If you’re worried about how others might see it, don’t be. It’s an unofficial visit.”

“……”

With that said, there was no reason to refuse.

If it was an unofficial visit and a secret meeting, it might be okay.

If it didn’t become the talk of the town, all potential issues would be resolved.

Moreover, while meeting the Grand Duke was a problem, refusing the meeting was also a problem.

Aside from the Emperor and the direct royal family, weren’t they the highest figures in the Empire?

“Kyle, you won’t be put in a difficult position. The Grand Duke wants to thank you for upholding Littorio’s honor.”

“Hmm….”

“And there’s a reward for it too. You know the indoor training hall at the academy? When I told my father that you always train there, he said he would donate to the academy to expand the training hall to your desired size and equip it with everything you want….”

Snap—

“In fact, I’ve always wanted to meet His Excellency, Grand Duke Littorio. Absolutely.”

This news was more welcome than any medal or title of hero.

He had been missing the exercise equipment from his hometown lately.

The Grand Duke’s family offering to expand the training hall as a donation was fantastic news.

Hearing this, Kyle grabbed Elga’s hand tightly, his eyes shining.

“Oh… really? Then I’ll relay that message.”

“That would be great, Elga.”

“Um, Kyle? About holding my hand….”

Elga’s voice was small, and her face was flushed.

But Kyle was more focused on something else than on whose hand he was holding.

“I’ll let you know in detail later how to expand it, what to do with the interior, and other very important aspects. Littorio is truly the best Grand Duke’s family, Elga.”

“Huh? Oh. Th-thank you, Kyle.”

This is how a proper Grand Duke’s family should be. Absolutely.

Still holding Elga’s hand, Kyle began praising Littorio.

Thanks to this, Elga, with her hand still held, could smile a little happily.

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Outside the academy, there were various facilities for students and staff.

This café, located not far from the back gate, was one of them.

It was close by, and the owner’s skills were excellent.

Thus, it was a place frequented by both commoners and noble students.

However, during the weekend, when it should have been bustling with the most customers,

it received only a few patrons before putting up a ‘Closed’ sign.

“….”

The tension on the owner’s face was still evident.

It was understandable, as the sudden visitor that morning was a giant among giants.

Aias Mentain de Littorio. The head of one of the only three Grand Duke families in the Empire.

He had unexpectedly shown up at the café.

‘Lately, it seems like incredibly important people have been visiting.’

Not long ago, it was a princess. Before that, it was the Saintess.

While he had dreamed of attracting famous people and gaining popularity from it,

he had only expected children or young ladies from decent families at best.

He had never dreamed of hosting people so significant that he was afraid to handle them.

Ting-a-ling—

“Oh my goodness!! T-today we are closed! I’m sorry, but….”

The tense owner tried to stop the customer who had just entered.

The waiting guards of Littorio gestured that it was okay.

Thanks to this, the owner belatedly realized that the person who had just entered was none other than the lady of that family.

“I-I’m sorry, Lady. I mean….”

“No. I apologize for causing such a disturbance on the weekend.”

Elga placed a small pouch on the counter.

“This is a token of apology.”

“It’s q-quite alright! The knights have already paid a sufficient amount!”

“How much did our family’s knights pay?”

“Thirty imperial silver coins.”

Thirty silver coins would cover an entire day’s revenue.

They had rented the place from morning until lunch, or perhaps slightly beyond, so it roughly matched.

“Please accept it.”

However, Elga decided to add her own payment on top of that.

She handed over forty silver coins.

When the owner tried to refuse, Elga forced him to take it.

“That payment was for the ones who arrived first. So, I need to pay separately for myself and the other guests who came with me. As a lady of a Grand Duke’s family, I can’t pay less than the knights, can I?”

With her insistence, the owner finally accepted the money.

“…Isn’t that paying too much?”

Kyle, who had been quietly observing the situation from the back, spoke up.

Suddenly barging in and renting out the entire café was certainly an inconvenience.

However, thirty silver coins more than compensated for the trouble caused.

It was more than enough to cover any inconvenience.

But why add another forty silver coins on top of that?

“Think of it as keeping my conscience with money. Or perhaps a foolish money play by a naive young lady.”

Whether she didn’t want to answer or felt embarrassed,

Elga responded and then walked further inside.

Watching her, Kyle just laughed.

Keeping one’s conscience with money, huh. Well, it’s better than selling one’s conscience to save money.

It’s not that those with wealth are more excessive; rather, it’s good to show class because they have it.

Thinking this, Kyle quietly followed Elga.

“…There he is.”

Inside the café, at a spot where many buildings on the outskirts of the academy could be seen,

sat the Grand Duke of the Empire, the head of Littorio, and the father of the woman now walking.