"I had a feeling you were in the Capital as well."
Ulysses spoke with the voice of a man who knew he was right.
"Coming here was a coincidence. But how did you know I had arrived?"
"I figured it out while speaking with Baron Clausel. From his tone, it didn't seem like you were far away. However, our meeting here truly was a stroke of luck. I was simply heading back after dropping Fiona off at the Academy girls' dormitory—the building you were just staring at."
During the party Ren had missed, Lezard hadn't actually made any notable slips of the tongue. At most, the two fathers had engaged in a bit of subtle posturing over Ren. It was simply that Ulysses was far too perceptive.
"I see. As expected of Marquis Ignat."
"I am honored by your praise. Also, you may simply call me Ulysses."
Ulysses secretly smirked as the conversation flowed at a steady pace. Looking at the dignified young man standing beside him, he sensed a strength even greater than he had envisioned.
"The world of men is a funny thing. A person like you can be dragged onto the center stage by the slightest whim of fate."
"I would have been perfectly content staying shut away in my village."
"Hahaha! That's so like you! But think about it. Aside from the power-hungry fools involved in factional conflicts, your existence was a massive miscalculation for the Demon King Cult. Do you understand? They reached into a domain they should never have touched, and in doing so, they gave birth to the Hero known as Ren Ashton—someone who was never meant to exist in the first place."
"You're overestimating me. I'm just... the son of a country knight."
"But that is now a thing of the past. You're a brilliant boy; I’m sure you’ve realized that by now."
Even without being told, Ren was keenly aware of his reality. Since that realization had taken hold, his hunger for growth had only intensified. His conviction that he needed to polish his intellect as much as his physical strength was stronger than ever before.
"Take the Imperial Academy you were looking at, for example. From my perspective, there is no other institution that suits you. Don't you think so yourself? More so than back when Viscount Given first invited you?"
"...I wonder. I haven't really given it much thought."
"Good grief—you truly are a fascinating individual."
Ren looked up at Ulysses, taking in those refined features from a short distance. The handsome man, who shared a clear resemblance with Fiona, was smiling with fearless confidence.
"Tell me. Why do you speak as if you’re avoiding that academy? It doesn't feel like a simple aversion caused by your history with Viscount Given."
This was a question from Ulysses Ignat, the "last boss" of the first Legend of the Seven Heroes game. The strong-armed Marquis didn't look away from the silent boy, and Ren met his gaze without flinching. When the silence stretched on with no answer, Ulysses spoke again.
"Before a world-renowned, prestigious institution, it is clear that you recognize its value yet choose to shun it. But why? You, who did not fear Viscount Given, and did not fear Asval—you, who stand with such dignity even before me—what on earth are you running from?"
Ulysses’s words shook Ren’s heart. Every time he was questioned like this, he felt as if he didn't even know the answer himself.
(I...)
The idea that he had to avoid the Imperial Academy at all costs had been born from his fear of meeting the same tragic end as the game. But he no longer knew if that fear had any meaning. Ren had already saved so many people and fundamentally altered the destinies of others.
However, the logic residing at his core was not so easily discarded.
"—I just believe I’d be happier staying in the countryside rather than reaching above my station and suffering for it."
Seeing Ren speak with such self-deprecation, Ulysses’s eyes went wide. He blinked several times before erupting into a deep, booming laugh.
"Hahahaha! Above your station!?"
He clutched his forehead and looked to the heavens, laughing from the very bottom of his soul. Once he was satisfied, he wiped away the tears that had formed and looked back at Ren.
"Forgive me, I couldn't help but laugh it off."
"I noticed. You surprised me, laughing so suddenly like that."
"Please, don't look so sulky. After hearing words like that, how could I not laugh?"
Ulysses beckoned to him. As the Marquis abruptly began to walk, Ren followed closely behind.
"You fundamentally changed the fate of your village and the fate of House Clausel. Not stopping there, you changed the fate of Fiona—something even I, Ulysses, could not do. That is who you are: Ren Ashton."
"...I’ll say it again, you’re overestimating me."
"Is that so? I hate to sound arrogant, but one cannot perform better than I can through a mere stroke of luck."
Ren had no retort for a confidence backed by such absolute power.
"By the way, I am often told that I am a terrifying man. Why do you think that is?"
"Because your wisdom and influence are second to none. You are an individual capable of driving Leomel, the world's largest nation, into a corner."
"...Ho."
Ulysses felt a fresh jolt of amusement toward Ren, who stated those facts without a trace of fear.
"Then I shall say it again. You have significantly changed the destinies of many people, myself included."
At the bottom of the slope they were descending, a carriage waited. It was a pitch-black vehicle, with Ulysses’s butler, Edgar, sitting in the coachman’s seat.
"And yet, you claim a single school is beyond your station? Of course it's funny! To use your own logic, you have moved the very fate of the Empire itself."
Stopping before the carriage, Ulysses opened the door himself and stepped inside. He invited Ren in, telling him, "I'll give you a ride."
"My apologies for being so overbearing," Ulysses said as they sat across from each other. "I know this is our first face-to-face meeting."
"N-No, not at all! It’s hard to put into words, but... what you said was actually quite helpful."
He wasn't lying. Speaking with Ulysses made the lingering dread he felt toward the Academy seem somewhat trivial. It was indeed laughable that he, who had changed so many other lives, was still so afraid of his own uncertain fate.
It felt as if Ulysses was asking him: Why don't you believe you can change your own destiny too?
Considering he had altered the path of the game’s final boss—a man powerful enough to bring a nation to its knees—Ren realized he truly had no leg to stand on.
The carriage began to move, the sound of wheels rolling over the cobblestones filling the interior.
"Never forget this. While some may suffer for reaching too high, you are generally not within that category."
"Even though I'm just a country knight's son?"
"That is merely the circumstance of your birth. Right now, you are strong. Regardless of the situation, the boy who emerged victorious against Asval is undoubtedly a 'Strong One.' With that physical strength, you are someone capable of crushing any amount of trouble or absurdity that comes your way."
Ulysses’s voice resonated deep within Ren’s heart.
"That strength has brought you a rare kind of freedom. Even with the responsibility of protecting those dear to you, you still have freedom to spare."
"............"
"Of course, your strength is no longer limited to the blade. Baron Clausel is gaining political power under your influence, and while it's difficult to be open about it, I would like you to remember that the Ignat family is at your back as well."
For Ren, who knew exactly how dangerous the Marquis was, a friendship with Ulysses was incredibly reassuring—so long as the man didn't let his power run wild. Furthermore, Ren realized he was now a key figure in ensuring Ulysses stayed on the right path.
"Therefore, freedom is a proof of strength. If the Academy is beyond your station, then every other student there is acting beyond theirs as well."
"...May I ask one thing?"
"Certainly. What is it?"
"I understand the meaning of what you’ve said, and I agree that I should rethink my views. However, there is just one point that doesn't quite sit right with me."
Ren’s voice shifted from silence to a tone of slight exasperation. He spoke to Ulysses without his previous hesitation.
"It might have just been convenient because we were looking at the Academy. However, it feels like you are pushing that school very hard. That’s not just because it’s the most prestigious institution in Leomel, is it?"
"Ah, you caught me?"
"...So it was as I thought."
Ulysses looked slightly sheepish, while Ren watched him with a knowing expression.
"My daughter attends that school. I can't help but think it would be incredibly reassuring to have someone like you there to watch over her."
"Yes, I figured as much."
"But don't misunderstand me. While my daughter is a factor, I truly believe the Academy will benefit you. My doubts about your way of thinking were genuine as well."
There was no lie in his words. Ren sensed that, and he was grateful for the Marquis's honesty. While Ulysses clearly cherished his daughter, he hadn't resorted to underhanded manipulation. He had recommended the Academy to Licia earlier as a warning about the shifting political landscape, not as part of a calculated plot to lure Ren into enrollment.
Ulysses didn't push the subject of the Academy any further. Instead, he said, "There is still time before you are old enough to attend. You should take a while to think it over."
He reached into the breast of his jacket and pulled out an envelope, handing it to Ren.
"I heard that you weren't suited for Holy Sword Arts."
"H-How do you know that?"
"In a letter from Baron Clausel some time ago. I'm considering offering the same introduction to Lady Clausel if she wishes, but I wanted to give this to you first."
The envelope was addressed in Ulysses Ignat’s elegant handwriting, though it didn't specify a recipient.
"Please accept it as a token of my gratitude."
"Thank you. ...May I look inside?"
Ulysses nodded, and Ren opened the envelope. His heart leaped with anticipation. Honing his swordsmanship was a primary goal, and he couldn't hide his excitement. However, as he unfolded the parchment inside, his eyes went wide.
"Are you serious about this?"
"I am. There are many schools in this world, but if you aren't suited for Holy Sword Arts, then this is the only logical place to introduce you to."
"I... I mean, I understand the logic, but..."
The letter read:
By the name of Ulysses Ignat, I grant Ren Ashton permission to set foot within the Lion Sanctum.
The Lion Sanctum was the institution that managed all documents and relics related to the Lion King. It was also a place that had caused Ren immense frustration during his time playing the game.
The institution was a rare, elite entity within the Imperial Capital, but it was famous for one reason above all else:
In the nation of Leomel, the Lion Sanctum was the undisputed headquarters of Strong Sword Arts.