Chapter 6: The Prime Minister Proposal
Academy Mana Computing System Room
Flash
The saintess emerged from among the mana orbs locked in darkness.
“I expected there would be trials.”
She and her lord husband were sent to earth as punishment for their sins against the divine.
Naturally, they would face trials meant to test them.
Trials of love, designed to keep her and her lord husband apart.
“But by overcoming those trials, our true love will shine brightly! I will follow your will, O Deus.”
Her immense holy power connected to the academy’s computing system.
– Bisus Granginol
– Artoria
She erased her name from her courses and reassigned herself to Bisus’s classes.
The academy’s security, impregnable even to great mages, was no match for Artoria, hailed as the most talented saintess in history.
It was easier than taking candy from a child.
“Perfect. Now I can attend classes with my lord husband!”
The world had tried to separate her and Bisus by scheduling them in different classes, but Artoria was proud to have overcome it all.
Humm
She unleashed her holy power once more to erase traces of her intrusion, then quietly left the system room.
“Hehe. O Deus, as you commanded, I’ve cleared the first hurdle.”
She fantasized about returning to heaven with Bisus, becoming angels together.
“Hihi!”
This time…
She’d do all the things they couldn’t before…!
Uh? I didn’t issue any such command.
Deus, observing the saintess from the heavens, was terrified by the overwhelming desire he sensed within her.
“It’s been so long… my beloved Bisus…”
Bisus hurriedly pulled up his pants and turned around.
“P-Princess?”
“It’s fine. I’ve confirmed no one else is around. You don’t need to keep up the act anymore. …Are you afraid of that republic country bumpkin waiting outside?”
Seeing Bisus too flustered to respond properly, Claudia assumed he was being cautious, just like in her previous life, avoiding direct talk due to their surroundings.
“No need to worry. I’ve deployed a barrier around us. Not even the headmaster could break through it.”
The headmaster is an 8th Circle mage!
A barrier even a great mage can’t breach?
If the princess had a dream too, could her skills have advanced through those future memories?
If so, her current 6th Circle level might surpass even Headmaster Beatrice.
Considering the clash between Claudia and Sofia earlier, it wouldn’t be surprising if both had transcended their limits to become a great mage and a sword master, respectively.
Bisus took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts.
Based on what the princess has said, in her dream, I must’ve been a capable vassal… or something like that.
I need to make a quick judgment.
If she senses anything off, who knows what she might do?
Recalling the princess’s character from the novel, Bisus felt chills run down his spine.
Stay calm.
I can do this.
Even if the plan’s gone awry, I’ve studied the princess extensively and prepared multiple scenarios.
Acting as her vassal? I can handle that.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes! Bisus!”
Claudia’s face lit up with a radiant smile as Bisus addressed her.
Ugh, this is so weird.
The princess, showing emotions?
She was a character who barely showed any feelings until the novel’s end.
“To be honest, I don’t fully grasp the situation, but I assume Your Highness has experienced the future and regressed. Unfortunately, I have no memory of the future we shared.”
“…As expected of you. You figured out my situation the moment you saw me.”
Claudia fell into thought at Bisus’s words.
“So, you’re saying you don’t remember the future.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Then he’s forgotten all the days we spent together.
All those happy times…
That’s a shame.
But doesn’t that also mean he’s forgotten the wrongs I committed against him?
If so, I might be able to win him over and make him happy this time!
She dreamed of a hopeful future where she could live for Bisus, her past mistakes erased.
Wait, does this mean I’ve been acting foolishly in front of someone who doesn’t even know me?
This is my mistake.
“Your Highness.”
“Why, what is it, my dear?”
“In that future, was I something like your vassal?”
“Vassal… yes.”
Yes, you were my vassal.
My one and only, irreplaceable vassal.
The one who gave everything for me, who could never be replaced.
The only one who understood me and stood as my equal.
The one I foolishly cast aside with my own hands.
…This time, no matter what, I won’t let you go.
“You were the prime minister of the empire. My one and only cherished vassal.”
“…I see.”
Bisus nodded calmly on the outside, but inside, he was freaking out.
…What? Prime minister?
What the hll was I in her dream?!
Prime minister? The second-in-command of the empire?
So she came to recruit me already?
To serve as her vassal!
Was that why Sofia and the princess were fighting over me earlier? Because I was a capable talent?
Having a job lined up after graduation is great, but the problem is the academy’s destruction happens before that.
I need to survive that first before worrying about employment.
“You don’t seem very surprised.”
“What? No, I’m extremely surprised.”
Of course I’m shocked.
I went to the headmaster’s office because she called me, failed to shake off Sofia, and ended up going arm-in-arm with her, only to find the princess waiting.
Since Artoria and Sofia had dreams about me, I suspected Claudia might have too—and I was right.
“Even as an academy student, your brilliance shone. I went to great lengths to win you over.”
Claudia seemed lost in reminiscence.
“The Holy Kingdom, the republic, even my brother. Despite all those rivals, I was the one who won you in the end.”
Though foolishly, I didn’t know my own fortune and cast you aside.
She clenched her fist tightly.
“It won’t be different this time, my dear.”
“What?”
Thud
Claudia stepped forward and slammed her hand against the wall, pinning Bisus in a classic wall-slam pose.
“Come with me to the empire. I’ll use all the empire’s resources to make you happy.”
“…Hic.”
Bisus tried to stay composed, but her intensity made him hiccup.
Her confident smile, gazing at him up close, was more dazzling than any beauty he’d ever seen.
“That’s…”
Make me happy? Is this a proposal or what?
Claudia was known for her love of recruiting talent in the novel.
I know this is a recruitment pitch, not a confession.
If I misinterpret it as a confession and act rashly, I’ll lose my head.
It’s insanely tempting.
A recruitment offer from the Iron-Blooded Princess, guaranteed to become emperor? I want to say yes right now.
I could avoid this academy full of monsters, live comfortably under her protection.
But if I do, I won’t grow at the academy and become the talent she wants.
Once my incompetence is exposed, I’ll be discarded immediately.
“I’m grateful for the offer, but I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“…What?”
Claudia’s eyes shook violently at Bisus’s rejection.
“Rejection? You’re rejecting me?”
He’s casting me aside?
He doesn’t want me anymore?
I thought I could start anew in this life, but I was wrong?
If so… is there any point in living?
A life without him, what’s the meaning?
If that’s the case, then maybe…
“It’s just that it’s difficult right now.”
“What?”
“Your Highness has things you must do, don’t you?”
Claudia met Bisus’s steady gaze.
“I’m still lacking. I don’t want to ruin Your Highness’s plans in my current state.”
…Right. Bisus, you never wanted to show me your weaknesses.
You always tried to present your best self to me.
Does he mean his current skills aren’t satisfactory?
And the things I must do…
Claudia thought of her brother, constantly obstructing her.
“The task Your Highness must complete. And if I can hone my skills to be worthy of you. Could you make the offer again then?”
The task.
I see.
The current Bisus knows nothing about me.
In the previous life, he followed me because of our bond, but now, there’s none of that.
Is he saying I need to prove I’m a lord worth serving?
“Very well. I’ll take care of it in six months.”
Defeating my brother and securing the succession.
It took about a year and a half last time.
Fine.
I’ll show you.
The true ability of the one you’ll serve.
Six months?
What’s she talking about?
Is she giving me six months to decide on her next offer?
Not even giving me time!
Tap tap tap
“Why’s he taking so long?”
Sofia stood outside the bathroom door, arms crossed, tapping her foot.
“…Did something happen?”
It’s taking too long.
“I’d better check.”
Creak
Sofia opened the door to the men’s bathroom.