Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 102

EP.102 Good Changes, Bad Changes

“I will not accept the title.”

The owner of this small territory, yet a person of great significance, Baron Dagon Jonathan.

His response left the envoys from the Empire looking troubled.

After decades, a commendation ceremony was held, where Jonathan received an imperial medal.

To be precise, it was Kyle, the youngest of Jonathan, who received it, but he represented Jonathan.

There were two others besides Kyle who had made significant contributions.

Kyle received the medal and was hailed as a hero of the Empire.

It was only fitting that Jonathan also received a corresponding reward.

Thus, the Emperor intended to bestow a higher title.

At present, with the Margrave in place, it was ambiguous to immediately grant an earldom.

So, the plan was to eventually recall the Margrave and appoint Jonathan as an earldom.

Recalling the Margrave meant there was no longer a need to defend that region.

It also meant placing full trust in Jonathan and putting them at the center.

But now, Jonathan was refusing the title, leaving the envoys in a difficult and bewildering position.

“Baron Jonathan, the title is the Emperor’s way of expressing his gratitude to you and all of Jonathan. If you do not accept it, His Majesty will be greatly disappointed.”

“We already refused the earldom in the first agreement. There’s no reason to accept it now.”

“But….”

“Instead, we will gladly accept another gift.”

Baron Jonathan turned his gaze to where three men and women stood.

“Sending strong individuals, including ten top-tier fighters, to Jonathan on a monthly basis. This pleases me more.”

It was beneficial for the Empire as it prevented their strong individuals from stagnating.

And for Jonathan, it was advantageous to compete with skilled individuals from other places.

They had not done so previously because it was a waste of time to seek them out individually.

If they kept their promise and visited every month, there would be nothing to lose.

Previously, the top-tier fighters had visited, but not on a regular schedule.

However, this time, they secured a definite promise of a monthly visit.

Competing with those who have shed blood and sweat in their efforts is as enjoyable as training itself.

Even if they were weaker, their efforts were admirable, and their sweat was precious.

“Once again, I look forward to it, Baron Jonathan.”

The first to speak was, as expected, the Fifth Princess, Yurika.

Sparring with strong individuals, especially with those from Jonathan, was always enjoyable.

Especially since, although she was one of the top-tier fighters, she was also a princess and often had to be mindful of others.

But the people of Jonathan, like Riona or Kyle, didn’t care about such things at all.

They simply exchanged blows to see who was stronger, who would be the first to fall.

“Why am I here again….”

The person sighing beside her was, unfortunately, Logan Stefan.

He had previously accompanied Yurika and had a proper bout with the people of Jonathan, as one of the top-tier fighters.

He had begged to be excluded this time, but his request was ignored.

“Aren’t there still people in Jonathan you haven’t sparred with?”

With just that one sentence from the Emperor, Logan had no choice but to head to Jonathan.

As if by magic, there were indeed a few people he hadn’t sparred with due to scheduling conflicts, and he had returned to the Empire.

He had been so exhausted that he had slept for days as if dead.

This time, they had scheduled a whole week, making him feel like he was going to die.

“Brother, why do you look so defeated? I’m actually looking forward to it!”

Standing beside Logan and patting his shoulder was an enormous man.

It was ‘Srode Schneider,’ known for having the most solid body among the top-tier fighters.

He was excited about sparring with the people of Jonathan and training with them.

He continuously expressed his anticipation in an extremely enthusiastic tone.

‘You idiot. Just wait a day. You’ll swallow those words.’

Did he think he would be complaining from the start? Absolutely not.

The title of one of the Empire’s top ten fighters isn’t earned just by swinging a sword, throwing punches, or having a sturdy body.

One must invest all their time solely in honing their skills.

Training isn’t a choice. It isn’t forced either. It must become as natural as breathing.

Only then can one possess the martial prowess befitting the title of a top ten fighter.

Thus, none of the top ten fighters consider any training to be mere training.

While some might wonder how they manage to swing a sword ten of thousands of times, the top ten simply do it.

Having done so all this time, none of them find it difficult or wish to avoid it.

‘Nevertheless! Damn it! Jonathan is really beyond that!’

Even for those for whom training is as natural as breathing, Jonathan’s regimen seemed excessive.

There is a limit, but Jonathan’s limit seemed far beyond theirs.

They didn’t rest when they should, nor did they stop when they should.

Watching Srode laugh heartily, Logan shook his head.

At least Yurika could endure because she was inherently a bit unusual.

Srode, who wasn’t much different from Logan, would probably last a day, two at most.

“Baron Jonathan, I must reiterate. The title….”

The imperial envoy, appointed as a special envoy, spoke again in a desperate tone.

He had been told not to insist if it wasn’t accepted, but it was still the Emperor’s will.

Accepting it would be better for everyone.

For the Emperor, for Jonathan, and for himself as the appointed envoy!

“You look quite frail.”

However, the response was entirely unexpected.

“Run around with the children of the territory. It might improve your condition.”

Instead of furthering a fruitless conversation, take care of your body.

And while you’re at it, I’ll teach you some exercises, so give it a try.

Baron Jonathan was considerate enough to offer advice, even to the Emperor’s envoy.

‘That guy is going to have to declare himself dead.’

To Logan, he just seemed like a poor ordinary person being bullied.

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[Is it truly impossible to persuade him?]

A serious concern that had been on his mind lately.

He was confused about whether he was an academy student or a civil servant.

Why did ministers keep visiting or contacting him?

He had nothing to do with the Empire’s public affairs, yet they appeared whenever he was about to forget.

Today, it wasn’t even the Minister of Education, who had become like a neighborhood uncle.

It was the Minister of Internal Affairs, whom he had only met once before.

“I’m sorry, Minister. If my father has already made up his mind, no one but my mother can change it. No matter what I do, he won’t accept the title.”

Previously, Grand Duke Schrelitz had casually mentioned the promotion of the title.

Kyle had shown no reaction to that part.

For other nobles, a title promotion was the highest reward.

It was impossible to even discuss it without making significant contributions.

If title promotions were easy, the nobility would be filled with counts and marquises.

But Jonathan was different from other noble families. Very different.

They had only accepted the title because they had to become nobles.

It was said that they had initially been offered an earldom instead of a barony.

At that time, the people, including the current Jonathan, had waved it off, saying they didn’t need a title, and settled for a barony.

“Anyway, my father is satisfied with the fact that the top ten fighters and other strong individuals will come to Jonathan on a monthly basis. He considers that a significant recognition from the imperial family.”

[Will that really suffice?]

“Yes. For the people who rarely leave the territory due to circumstances, there’s nothing more enjoyable.”

Jonathan had developed a habit of complaining about muscle loss no matter where they went.

Even though they carried bars, plates, dumbbells, and kettlebells everywhere they went, they still complained.

They complained about not having other equipment to overload different parts of their bodies.

[If that’s truly the case, then it’s a relief, but it’s still a bit troubling. To refuse a title personally bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor twice. Especially this time, when the merit is clear.]

“Let’s put it this way. By accepting the earldom, the relationship with the Margrave, with whom we’ve been close, might become ambiguous, so we are satisfied with our current position.”

[That’s a more definite reason for not causing friction with the Empire.]

The Minister of Internal Affairs, beyond the magical communication, did not bring up the title promotion again.

Honestly, contacting Kyle was just a hopeful attempt.

He didn’t expect Kyle to have any decisive means to change Baron Jonathan’s mind.

[Anyway, thank you. It was a sudden contact, but you responded.]

Of course, I had to come. I was walking down the hallway when those burly men came to escort me.

At this point, it’s confusing whether the dean’s office is really for the dean or a meeting place.

The dean was even considering creating a separate meeting space for the ministers and Kyle.

‘Thank goodness. I was a bit late for my appointment, but now I have an excuse.’

Why does our professor always extend the lecture by 10 minutes?

As a result, I was a bit late for my appointment with Elga at the café today.

And to top it off, I got summoned by the Minister of Internal Affairs, making me very late.

“You’re late.”

When he entered the café, Elga was sitting there with a slightly pouty expression.

She seemed to have waited for quite a while, but there was no drink in front of her, indicating she waited for Kyle before ordering.

“I’m sorry, Elga. The lecture ended late, and then something came up.”

“What was it?”

“The Minister of Internal Affairs suddenly contacted me.”

“…Kyle, are you an imperial civil servant?”

“No, I’m not. But lately, I’ve been wondering if I might be.”

Honestly, it wouldn’t be a problem if he received a civil servant’s salary.

Even though he wasn’t a civil servant, he seemed more like one than any actual civil servant.

Which student goes to meet ministers at all hours?

“Kyle.”

As he sipped his ordered tea, pondering what to talk about, Elga, who had been watching him, slowly began to speak.

“Do you have any plans this weekend?”

“There’s nothing major this weekend. However, in the afternoon, I have training with the Saintess, and in the evening, I’m supposed to help Nell with her training. And after that, I need to do my own training.”

“So, you’re free from morning until just before the afternoon?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“That’s a relief.”

Elga knew well how serious Kyle was about his training.

So it was even more fortunate. If she had scheduled something in the afternoon, Kyle would have refused.

“Could you spare some time from morning until lunch?”

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask what it’s for?”

“Didn’t I mention it before?”

Before? She mentioned it before? What did she say?

Kyle tilted his head, indicating he didn’t quite remember.

Elga sighed lightly and reminded him.

“Grand Duke Littorio.”

“…Ah.”

“My father wants to see you.”