Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 94

EP.94 Oh, Jonathan! Hero of the Empire!

“Take care of everything until the end, little brother. I hope you have a great time at the academy.”

It would have been better if you had helped me finish things, brother.

Just worrying about me isn’t enough. You should have stayed with me.

“Take care, Kyle!! Exercise diligently! Don’t eat too many sweets!! Make sure to come home during the holidays, okay?!”

Sister, you’re too much! If you’re going to monitor my workouts, you should have stayed longer!

Leaving your younger brother to handle everything alone and running off to exercise!

These were his inner thoughts that he couldn’t express outwardly.

“Sigh….”

Kyle let out a deep sigh and waved goodbye.

How could he hold them back when they claimed they couldn’t stay due to muscle loss?

If he tried to keep them, they might insist on exercising at the commendation ceremony.

Or they might even show up with bars and weight plates on their backs.

Thus, a few days before arriving in the capital, Kyle sent off his brother and sister.

“How could they leave, turning down such a great honor as the commendation ceremony?”

As he watched the two figures grow distant, Grand Duke Schrelitz spoke quietly.

“Kyle, is there some major issue in your hometown?”

“Pardon?”

“When they came to me, saying they had to return, they looked so serious and grave that I couldn’t even breathe for a moment. It was as if something really serious had happened. If it’s news of a close one’s passing, I’d like to offer my deepest condolences.”

“….”

On their side, it was due to muscle loss, but here, it was mistaken for news of someone’s death.

Well, to be fair, his brother’s serious demeanor was indeed very serious.

Honestly, even Kyle himself would lower his gaze and stare at the floor whenever Leo made that face.

“It’s not news of a passing. There was an urgent matter at home… uh, yes. Something urgent came up. Additionally, they were a bit tired from the aftermath of the fight with the Three Heroes.”

“Ah, I see. After all, those guys used not only mana enhancers but also that berserk potion. Defeating opponents that even the Top Ten struggled against must have been exhausting.”

Grand Duke Schrelitz laughed, realizing that even Jonathan were human after all.

In reality, Leo and Lea were not tired at all but were eagerly looking forward to getting back to their workouts.

“Then Kyle, shouldn’t you also go back to your hometown?”

“Well, that’s… true, but if I leave as well, I wouldn’t be able to face His Majesty. With the Fifth Princess personally attending and it being the first commendation ceremony in decades, there would be a lot of talk if none of the recipients were present.”

In fact, just Leo and Lea leaving could already stir up various rumors.

Fortunately, Kyle had fought first and even defeated Mathieu, the leader of the Three Heroes.

As the main figure of the commendation ceremony, he would be receiving the honor, not someone unrelated.

This would prevent most, if not all, of the potential gossip.

He subtly included the Imperial family in his thoughts, showing his consideration for them.

This was a moment where Kyle’s unique trait of being both part of and apart from Jonathan shone through.

‘Seeing Grand Duke Schrelitz, he’s a staunch patriot with high loyalty to the Imperial family. Showing that I consider the Imperial family’s honor in front of someone like him is beneficial.’

There were only three Grand Dukes in this vast Empire.

Unless they committed treason, their positions as Grand Dukes were eternal.

Therefore, building a connection with the Grand Duke’s family would be advantageous in any aspect.

In some way, today’s connection would be helpful in the future.

It might be trivial or very significant, but it would be beneficial regardless.

People are generally inclined to help those they’ve encountered a few times.

“Hm.”

As Kyle had predicted, Grand Duke Schrelitz was inwardly impressed.

‘Is he considering the honor of the Imperial family?’

It was a slightly different image from what he had heard about Jonathan.

He wasn’t excessively rigid or self-promoting. Instead, he humbled himself.

Since it was unnecessary, Kyle’s actions seemed both fascinating and desirable.

It indicated that even Jonathan was changing, and in a positive direction.

Someday, they might even become part of the Empire and pledge loyalty to the Imperial family.

Thinking this way made the future of the Empire seem very bright.

“We should hurry.”

“Pardon?”

“We shouldn’t be late for the commendation ceremony. Your brother and sister have given you the most prominent spot, Kyle. The main figure shouldn’t be late, right?”

Grand Duke Schrelitz lightly patted Kyle’s shoulder.

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Waaaah!!!-

Finally arriving in the capital, the gathered crowd cheered in unison upon hearing the news.

With thousands of people shouting at once, the atmosphere was overwhelming.

Young soldiers and knights, experiencing such a triumphant return for the first time, were visibly overwhelmed by the crowd.

They were so tense that they were sweating profusely.

It was understandable. It was natural. Grand Duke Schrelitz thought so.

But seeing Kyle standing next to him so calmly made him feel a bit awkward.

He thought, ‘Jonathan is different from us, no matter what they do or face.’

‘I’ve heard this a lot from Jonathan.’

When was it? Ah, yes, when they ran like they were possessed from dawn.

At that time, the people of Jonathan would sprint at full speed while shouting.

Even though it was exhausting to speak a few words while running, they were shouting.

It was shocking, but Kyle quickly adapted to it.

Perhaps because of that, Kyle showed no signs of shrinking or being nervous, even as he entered the capital and ascended the platform.

His calm demeanor was so striking that it even made others feel flustered.

The reason Kyle was surprised lay elsewhere.

“We meet again, Brother Kyle!”

“Saintess? You came as well?!”

Startled by the Saintess’s appearance, Kyle quickly bowed in greeting.

The Sword Brotherhood Knights, who had seen Kyle’s usual demeanor, were surprised by his polite behavior.

Additionally, the people from the Church were pleased to see the main figure of the commendation ceremony treating the Saintess with such respect.

“I heard about your remarkable achievements, Brother Kyle. When I learned there would be a commendation ceremony, I wanted to come and congratulate you. So here I am.”

“I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

“It’s nothing compared to what you’ve done. I heard you led the victory without taking a single life.”

“Ah, yes. I was fortunate.”

It wasn’t just a humble statement; it was truly luck that allowed it.

If things had gone wrong, Leo or Lea would have crushed the heads of the Three Heroes.

Fortunately, the opponents had shown their limits, so it didn’t come to that.

As for Mathieu, he hadn’t doped in the first place, so there was no reason for rage.

Kyle wasn’t being modest; he was stating the facts.

However, the Saintess, the people from the Church, and even the Imperial knights standing nearby couldn’t help but think:

‘As expected of Brother Kyle. To be so great yet so humble.’

‘He accomplished such an incredible feat, yet he doesn’t boast even a little. Truly an admirable person.’

‘That’s the true demeanor of a knight. Now I understand why His Grace the Grand Duke holds him in high regard.’

Unaware of the small misunderstandings piling up, Kyle was simply happy to hold the Saintess’s hand.

The Saintess, too, seemed unbothered by Kyle holding her hand.

Seeing this, the people from the Church smiled broadly.

“Oh, look at me. We can talk more later, Brother Kyle.”

“Let’s do that. I’ll tell you in detail at the academy.”

After exchanging brief greetings, Kyle waited behind the platform for his turn.

Outside, the Empire’s victory was being celebrated grandly.

And with the Saintess coming to congratulate them, the cheers reached their peak.

‘As expected, the Saintess is the best! Absolutely!’

What could be more gratifying than seeing others adore your favorite character?

Internally applauding and shouting along with them, “Saintess!” he received the signal to get ready.

Kyle checked his attire and stepped outside.

“Waaaah!!”

There were so many people. The cheers were loud, but definitely quieter than those from Jonathan.

Kyle wasn’t intimidated at all by the countless crowd in front of him.

Thanks to this, Yurika, watching from the platform, couldn’t help but smile.

‘Haah.’

Watching Kyle climb the steps to the platform made her legs feel weak.

The aura of a strong person he exuded felt even stronger today.

She had to resist the urge to just hug him and drag him to the training grounds.

Anyway, once they were married, they could do that as much as they wanted.

If she did something rash and Kyle pushed her away again, it would only be regrettable.

The Emperor’s congratulatory speech was read, followed by the awarding of the medals.

As Yurika pinned the medal on Kyle’s chest, she subtly touched his chest.

Saying it was firm didn’t even begin to describe it.

It was only natural for Kyle, who had defeated Mathieu Philibert, the leader of the Three Heroes.

Unconsciously, Yurika gulped.

“I hope you continue to strive for the Empire. Kyle Jonathan.”

“It is an honor, Your Highness.”

Desiring to possess him, wanting to be possessed by him, willing to do anything—such were the thoughts of the princess.

“Please don’t come at me, please don’t come at me,” Kyle fervently prayed.

Meanwhile, the crowd cheered and applauded the honorees from all directions.

As the commendation ceremony finally concluded, the crowd once again erupted in applause.

Today, there were no mentions of northern barbarians or exaggerations of the Imperial family’s achievements.

To them, Kyle and Jonathan were heroes who had brought glory to the Empire after a long time.

“Brother Kyle!!”

The Saintess was smiling brightly and waving from the front row.

Kyle spotted her and raised both hands in response.

Since she had come all this way just for him, he couldn’t help but be more attentive.

‘Let’s quickly wrap up the commendation ceremony, talk a bit more with the Saintess, and then get back to the upper and lower body workouts I’ve missed… So much to do.’

As Kyle was thinking this and swiftly descending the platform,

“Kyle.”

A sudden, firm grip on his wrist stopped him in his tracks.

“Can we talk for a moment?”

Oh, not again.

“Your Highness, I’m a bit busy and tired today….”

Her gaze was icy. A metaphorical dagger seemed to pierce his chest. This didn’t feel good at all.

She might suddenly attack him or bring up the topic of marriage.

Neither option was welcome, so he tried to politely decline….

“If you avoid me, I might just propose to you right here, in front of all these Imperial citizens.”

“Let’s go, Your Highness. I will listen to whatever you have to say with utmost sincerity.”