Episode 131

A long time ago—to be precise, around four years ago.

This was when Naria and Astasia were in the orphanage as Jabez and Eli.

“From now on, we will start the team division game.”

I used to predict future situations through several games with the orphanage children.

“In this game, I have one premise. You all can become heroes of Nostrum.”

The children listened attentively, blinking their eyes.

“I will give each of you a wooden plaque with your talent written on it. That plaque’s name is ‘Potential’.”

Whether from poor fallen noble families or orphaned, children born in Nostrum all longed to be heroes.

“I like heroes too. They’re cool. Respectable.”

I had the same desire before my regression.

“Exemplary heroes who save everyone and willingly sacrifice themselves for the country. Everyone wants to be one. For that, you need immense talent. You often see people with such talent around you, don’t you?”

My father, Crimson Gibraltar, was a hero of his time, and the Gibraltars had always been heroes.

“However, this talent is not your true talent. It’s just a talent created for the sake of the game.”

The children did not know.

“Some of you might have the talent of a genius traitor who would sell the country. Yes, from the empire’s perspective, you’re a hero.”

Although I said it was just a game, the talents written on the wooden plaques were characteristics of talented individuals I remembered.

“You could become a brewer making drinks, or the tenth best sword master on the continent, even if you can’t reach the Margrave’s level. Even if you’re not that strong, you might have the talent of a commander leading troops. And now…”

To truly divide the sides, I presented two ‘proxies’.

“It means nothing, but here are N Kingdom and T Empire.”

Jabez and Eli.

Nostrum and Tersian.

“Don’t attach any meaning. It’s just a side. One side has blond hair, the other has silver hair. That’s all.”

I made the two of them stand in front, representing the ‘factions’.

“Blond Kingdom and Silver Empire. You have to choose one to live in and become a hero of that country.”

It’s just a game.

Just a game enjoyed by 100 orphans at the orphanage instead of the academy.

“The background of the game is roughly like this: the kingdom is the country you lived in, but the king is incompetent, making it hard to live. The empire, aside from the king, is a country where social status is relatively equal.”

“…….”

“And you all are from the kingdom. However, about ten people will have a small mark on their wooden plaques. Those people are heroes from the empire infiltrating the kingdom.”

“…….”

It’s just a ‘simulation’.

“You now have to decide which country you will follow. If you have the talent of a master level, you can go anywhere, right?”

“But…”

“It’s neither Nostrum nor Tersian. This is just a game, a play. Isn’t it?”

“…….”

“Then, Jabez. Eli. How will you make the potential future heroes your allies?”

From an adult’s perspective, it’s just a childish and absurd game.

“Not just Jabez and Eli. You all should think about it too. If you become the chancellor of this country, or suddenly the king or royal family invites you saying ‘You are our hero,’ what would be the most effective thing to do for this country?”

The children might not know what administrative support was needed for the country, but they knew well how great heroes of Nostrum were recruited, dedicated, and sacrificed for the country throughout history.

“You can act like the hero you admire, or act as you please. There’s no need to argue about the results. This will proceed like this from now on.”

The game repeated.

That experience became strategy and tactics, and for someone, it became a valuable experimental field.

“Oh, right. Was the kingdom and empire approach too complicated?”

Rules should be simple.

If the game becomes ‘understood,’ it turns into inconvenient studying rather than play.

“Then let’s start with something very simple, a clear division.”

Though it involved complex relationships, sometimes viewing the world simply was a useful method.

“Before that, remember. This is just a game and a healthy discussion. We are not here to insult or fight each other, but just for fun. Or as a preliminary stage for a more complex game. So… let’s divide.”

A clear warning was given.

“A kingdom where bread and soup must be eaten separately in any situation.”

Approaching from the children’s perspective.

“An empire where there is no problem dipping bread in soup or using bread as a soup bowl.”

“…….”

The children’s expressions changed instantly.

As if they were nobles of the kingdom who saw people from the empire drinking heavily diluted coffee with cold water.

“So. What will you choose?”

We often played like this.

“Why should we dip bread in soup…?”

“Well, you can eat it like that. It’s soft.”

“Doesn’t it get soggy?”

“That’s because you haven’t eaten hard bread!”

No, often. A lot.

“Does this have to do with the kingdom and empire…? Sir, aren’t you testing us?”

“Does that matter! How can you use bread as a soup bowl! That’s an insult to bread!”

“Bread bowl…? Sounds delicious…?”

“Do you think bread is baked for that! Do you know how hard it is to bake bread! If it was for making bowls, we wouldn’t bake bread at all!”

There were many trials, disputes, and conflicts in the game.

“…Two princesses, watch carefully. Seeing them act like this will be very helpful in the future.”

If childhood experiences help later, it becomes a good opportunity.

The orphanage was ultimately a stepping stone for activities at the academy.

And although the children started to argue emotionally, coming up with all sorts of bizarre and foolish logic to persuade the other side.

If even one plausible opinion could be found among a hundred absurd ones, the game had achieved its goal.

“Indeed.”

And.

“It may not be helpful, but I will take it into consideration every time.”

Naria, as always, had a perfect memory.

Even if the subject changed, the teams changed, the children’s talents changed, and the game rules changed.

“Hey! Just admit it! You’re from the empire, right? You must have been an imperial in your past life! How else could you say you eat fruit with salt!”

“No, no! I just like the empire’s side in this game… You, you! We come from the same hometown, and you look at me like this?! Huh?!”

“Shut up, you traitor! Anyway, you’re an imperial! Am I right?! How could you put salt on a tomato instead of sugar!”

“Why are we making such a fuss over this?! My talent is just… huh? Why is this splitting in half… Ah!”

Throughout the entire process of these absurd and ridiculous games, Naria would remember and store all these conversations in her head.

“Be quiet! I am always right!”

“Hey, look at this! The young master is playing tricks again!”

“…Master of easily inciting others…? Oh! M-Master!!”

“I never said you had only one talent, nor did I say you don’t have hidden talents.”

And in the future, she would use them in her own logic.

The content might change a little.

“Next time, instead of bread bowls, we should divide teams with fried chicken.”

“Fried chicken…?”

“Fried chicken should be eaten as it is. No, it should be eaten with sauce.”

“Is there any point in arguing over that, Master…?”

“Eli. Usually, in such things, true intentions come out when one’s own interests are involved.”

Children, after all, were human too, and they were simpler, unable to hide their true intentions as adults did.

“We will decide tomorrow’s special lunch according to the opinion of the winning side.”

“…….”

Absurdity.

“How can you eat fried chicken with sauce! It gets soggy!”

“That’s the taste!”

“Shut up! You imperialist! Your tongue must have betrayed you after tasting ketchup!”

“What does ketchup have to do with it? I will eat fried chicken with ketchup!”

“Heretic! Traitor! You traitor!!”

The children’s illogicality sometimes becomes a powerful force.

And four years later, the present.

Naria Gio Nostrum, at Orosol Academy, brought out the ‘invincible logic’ that emerged whenever debates occurred among the children back then.

Tradition.

Conservatism.

And patriotism.

The central plaza of the academy.

Flutter, flutter.

Naria Gio Nostrum was waving a flag on a pole.

From a distance, those who saw the flag gathered at the plaza, and seeing those gathered waving the flag, others also wondered what was going on and gathered, thinking, ‘What’s happening?’

“Everyone.”

At that moment, a cool breeze blew, causing the flag to flutter even while Naria stood still holding the pole.

“Join my club, [Patriot Club].”

At Naria’s declaration, the expressions of those gathered in the plaza began to change one by one.

“There is only one condition to join my club. Love Nostrum. That’s all.”

Though others were watching from afar, where they could not be seen, it seemed that Naria had truly embraced her determination.

“Age, gender, status, origin. None of that matters. If you love Nostrum, you are qualified to join my club.”

I didn’t have mind-reading powers, but it felt like I could hear the voices of the students gathered in the plaza.

-So if we don’t join the club, we’re traitors and rebels?

Where in the world was such a law?

How could you divide the world in such binary terms?

Instead of viewing the world in black and white, there were also grays and colors in between. Why divide it into black and white?

They wanted to argue, but who dared?

“Everyone who loves the great Nostrum, let’s love Nostrum together with me.”

The opponent was a person of power.

“I stand here as someone who loves Nostrum. At Orosol Academy, I will temporarily set aside my status as the sole princess or the next monarch to interact with those who truly love Nostrum.”

Temporarily setting it aside meant she would reclaim it later.

So if they didn’t join the club, it meant they didn’t truly love Nostrum and would be labeled as rebels?

Wasn’t this essentially an ideological test?

‘Exactly.’

It was a test.

“Come here and sign. If you are a citizen of Nostrum. If you came to study at the academy in Nostrum. If Nostrum lives within you.”

“Uh, um….”

Everyone hesitated, glancing at each other.

No one dared to step forward and place their hand on the club registration form and list on the desk.

At times like this, the most effective way to grab people’s attention.

Just like when we played [Team Division Game] or [Spy Game] at the orphanage—

“Andy Jefferson.”

“H-Hii?!”

One person.

Would become the scapegoat.

“The eldest son of the Jefferson family. Step forward.”

“Wh-Why me….”

“The Jefferson family are descendants of Sir Kiponio, the great hero who pledged loyalty to the kingdom 213 years ago. Correct?”

“Y-Yes, but….”

“As a descendant of Sir Kiponio, you must hold respect for your ancestor, who has allowed you to live as a member of the baron family until now.”

“Ah, th-that….”

He took the bait.

Conversely, it meant he took it properly.

“Descendant of a hero. Love and dedication to Nostrum. Do not worry. You have potential.”

“……!!”

“I believe Nostrum lives and breathes within you. Surely, you wouldn’t say that as the descendant of the great Sir Kiponio, you do not love Nostrum, right?”

“I-I love it! Of course!”

“Then sign.”

“…….”

“Prove your love for Nostrum by signing up for the club.”

It’s absurd.

“T-This is absurd! No matter if you’re the princess, forcing me to join like this is…!”

“Force? But even so, I must have you join my club.”

“……Why?”

“I can see it. Your potential. The towering pride like that of the legendary Sir Kiponio. Yes, call it intuition.”

It’s absurd, but with one word, the story changed.

“I believe you will become a hero for this country, Sir.”

Romance.

“Anyone who loves Nostrum can become a hero.”

“……Why are you so insistent on having me join the club?”

“Reason? Does the Nostrum royal family always need a reason to make someone their own?”

And, history.

“There’s no particular reason. I just trust my intuition.”

“…May I have the application form?”

The first club member signed the application form.

“Hmm.”

I watched Andy Jefferson sign with a somewhat choked expression.

And seeing the familiar shadows watching Andy, I prayed over and over inside.

‘Please.’

Andy Jefferson.

Take him away.

‘Master-level fraud, let the empire believe he’s a hero.’

One piece of information as a regressor.

Andy Jefferson was a noble from the kingdom and a traitor, having deceived many of the empire’s upper class despite being from the kingdom—

-Margrave! I am not a swindler! What I mean is, those who were deceived are at fault! They didn’t even ask about their family’s well-being and sent money recklessly—

Bang—!

I shot and killed him myself, the kingdom’s cancer, an unprecedented swindler.

“For Nostrum!!”

“Yes. For Nostrum.”

Only I knew this information.

Naria didn’t know either.

Therefore.

Even if he became Naria’s closest aide at the academy.

“I, Andy! As a member of the Jefferson family, as a noble of Nostrum, I solemnly pledge to love Nostrum!”

No one, not even Hapsburg, knew if this man was truly a hero or not.

Unless I told them.

‘Betray. Before your true nature is revealed.’

In terms of imperial culture.

Originally.

‘Betray, and show your talent to the Crown Prince splendidly.’

A lottery ticket wasn’t known to be a dud until you scratched it.

‘The unprecedented swindler, [Siren].’

In the future.

The Imperial Newspaper referred to this man as [Fisherman of the Voice].