Moreover, the king and Solion's influential figures were present.
Obern sat in the professors' section watching below with sweaty palms.
The children seed very nervous too.
'They need to do well... right?'
'Yes...'
As Snake said.
Just as he was about to watch the match, that's when.
Soone approached.
"Professor Obern?"
Turning around irritably, it was a man wearing distinctive clothing.
Imperial style.
Even Obern was startled.
"The ambassador is looking for you."
"The ambassador...?"
He knew an imperial ambassador had been dispatched from the gleaming capital, traveling with a retinue of servants and guards along the winding eastern road that would bring them to the kingdom's borders within a fortnight.
The imperial ambassador was officially equal in position to Solion's king, a diplomatic courtesy established by ancient treaties that required the monarch to receive them as a peer rather than a subordinate, though both parties understood the true balance of power between their realms was far from equal.
Given such a position, soone of powerful status would have co.
"Yes, the Outer Minister and First Class Administrator, appointed ambassador by His Imperial Majesty's order, Marquis Magan Sareb."
"Ah..."
Outer Minister, First Class Administrator, Imperial Marquis - none of these titles were insignificant.
Moreover, the Sareb family was naturally a powerful house that even Obern knew.
"Please guide ."
He had no choice but to follow.
Marquis Magan Sareb was an even greater figure than the Court Count that Obern feared.
The Imperial Ambassador had indeed taken his seat in the sa row as the royal family.
Those seated around him were all wearing imperial clothing too.
And among them was a middle-aged man with a long beard and sharp eyes.
"So you are Obern Grimoire."
"Marquis Sareb. It's an honor to et you."
Even Obern couldn't maintain his usual acted arrogance.
Why had he been called?
The string of tension was pulled taut.
"Don't be nervous. Sit here comfortably."
"Yes, thank you."
After seating Obern, Marquis Sareb gestured to his subordinate and received so docunts.
"Obern Grimoire. Born in District 4 of Solion Impel. Mother..."
What the Imperial Marquis began reciting was Obern's life story.
"Peer relationships were not good. Graduated second in class from the Capital Magic Gifted Academy with genius evaluation. Second? Hmm... Then studied abroad in the Empire."
Obern's spine tingled.
The things Marquis Sareb was saying were quite detailed information.
So included such intimate details that he couldn't imagine how they were discovered.
Like how he hated raw tomatoes, or when he ran away during class.
"For soone called a genius, you didn't achieve particularly great results. Obern Grimoire."
"..."
His heart was pounding.
Obern is soone with many things to hide.
He pretended to be a genius when he wasn't, and recently killed soone. Kovent.
Could the Marquis have discovered even that?
"The Empire's intelligence network is very excellent. It's easy to thoroughly investigate soone with just a person or two."
His heart was pounding thump-thump.
Snake always noticed such things imdiately.
'Obern, composure.'
He managed his expression to show as little as possible.
It was sothing he was used to.
"You submitted a defection application to the Imperial Magic Research Institute. And the institute rejected you."
"...!"
"No substance. That was their evaluation of you."
Could they have known from back then that Obern was a 'fake' himself?
Then from now on Obern's future would...
"Hahaha."
But who would have expected the Marquis to burst out laughing at that mont?
"Why such a serious expression?"
"...Pardon?"
"This is embarrassing. To think the Imperial Magic Research Institute's judgnt was only at that level."
He tapped the bottom of the docunts.
"You've achieved remarkable results in the short ti since coming here."
"Remarkable results..."
"Gno Balanyar is a magical prodigy recognized even by His Imperial Majesty. Do you know how much he praised you at the last conference? Said you developed new systems for hell magic and telekinesis. I don't know much about magic, but those IMRI fellows must have been quite shocked."
Obern swallowed hard.
Ah, Chancellor Balanyar, Sir Snake, thank you.
His legs felt weak with relief.
He cursed the Marquis before him inwardly.
'Damn bastard. Nothing better to do. Calling over soone minding their own business just to make them nervous.'
'Hey hey, Obern should use nice words.'
He probably hadn't called just to shower praise.
"Defect to the Empire even now."
"Pardon?"
Today he kept responding in ways unfit for his character.
"We are always generous to talent. How about coming back with when I return?"
"Ah..."
"The treatnt will be double what you receive here. An opportunity to beco an imperial citizen. I don't make such offers to just anyone."
A truly arrogant tone as if bestowing charity.
But Obern knew there was no exaggeration in the Marquis's words.
Double the treatnt and entering under an imperial noble? And he personally ca to persuade?
This was a chance that wouldn't co again in life.
The original him might have imdiately prostrated himself pledging loyalty.
He should do that but.
His mouth wouldn't open.
"..."
"What, is the treatnt not satisfactory?"
Rather than being displeased, the Marquis seed genuinely puzzled.
"I'm very grateful for such... a generous offer but..."
Even he didn't know why he was doing this but.
"I have things I must do here."
"Things you must do."
Fortunately, Marquis Sareb didn't get angry.
"You an teaching the prince?"
"...As the sester isn't over yet."
"Haha, hahaha!"
When the Marquis laughed, the people beside him laughed together.
Obern felt his face flush hot.
"Yes, that's right. Your loyalty is admirable. But I'm not displeased. You may go."
"Then, thank you again for your gracious words."
Obern gave a greeting in imperial etiquette.
To him as he was leaving, the Marquis said:
"Situations might change. I'll keep the opportunity open."
"...Thank you."
Sohow an odd tone.
And.
Bang!
The match began.
Cheers erupted from all around, and a giant mantis appeared.
The mantis imdiately charged, and Rania and Phili ran in with axes and shields.
"Aaaahh!"
And Phili, while running, scread and changed direction to run away.
"Sigh."
Was this really the right choice.
Obern's mouth turned bitter.
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