So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

There was a farewell ceremony.

Even though the semester hadn't ended yet, Obern had no choice but to quit his professorship.

But who could say anything? The reason for his departure was to accompany the prince to the Empire as his royal tutor.

Whether this was the Court Count and king's intention or not, I'm not sure.

These days, the image of Prince Phili, who was known as the delinquent prince, had changed a lot.

Everyone in the kingdom knew that his 'study abroad' to the Empire was essentially the same as being taken hostage.

Naturally, Phili had become the 'tragic prince.'

Just earlier, when we were walking on the main street after leaving Emerald Academy.

No one would have expected so many people to come out and pay their respects to Phili.

And there was one more person whose image had improved even more than Phili's.

'You survived, Obern.'

'...Indeed.'

It was Obern.

The crime he committed wasn't exposed, and he didn't end up in prison.

He became a hero.

Moreover, in his current situation as a rising star, he chose without hesitation to accompany the prince, saying he would take care of him.

Now that everyone knows the trip to the Empire is essentially being taken hostage.

That was clearly a heroic action.

'The Court Count can't do anything about it now. Uwahaha.'

It would be difficult for the Court Count to touch Obern anymore.

Though it's a bit disappointing that things are going according to Tower Master Balanyar's intentions.

The Empire's ambassador and his entourage were already waiting in front of the warp gate.

And finally, there was one more modest farewell ceremony.

Especially those close to us.

Amain, Rania, Roil, and others were waiting in front of the warp gate.

We shared our parting emotions.

'Take care, Amain.'

"Master..."

Amain hugged me tightly.

I also hugged him with my tail and patted his back.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

'We'll surely meet again. Until then, become a proper mage.'

"A mage? ...Yes, I understand."

I meant for him to diligently practice magic, but Amain seemed to take it as meaning he should achieve 6th rank or higher.

Though I don't know when we'll meet again, it will surely be a difficult path.

After exchanging farewells with Rania too.

Rania, Phili, and Amain all hugged together.

It was pleasant to see that sight.

"My lady, please take care of yourself."

There was one more person exchanging farewells with Rania.

"Sir Jarein will assist you well, so follow his guidance... After I finish my business in the Empire, I'll return too."

It was none other than Oliver.

Oliver revealed a shocking fact.

He said that he was actually not a citizen of the kingdom but from the Empire.

So he would take this opportunity to leave for the Empire with us, as Prince Phili's servant.

Only two companions were allowed for Phili.

His teacher Obern, and one servant to attend to him.

But if they brought a servant from the palace, who knows who they might send.

In a situation where the Court Count might try to plant his own person, Oliver's volunteering was welcome news.

Rania smiled slightly and said:

"Have a safe trip. Uncle."

"...!"

Oliver's eyes widened slightly.

Uncle, huh. It might sound like just a distant title to some.

But to Oliver, it must have sounded like 'dad' or 'uncle.'

"How did you grow up so fast..."

That's why Oliver, who usually looked cold-blooded, suddenly hugged Rania.

Rania finally made a crying face and shed a few tears.

What a beautiful farewell. Hmm hmm.

Finally, we entered the building with the warp gate.

From here on, it's an area where only authorized people can enter.

"Sniff, sniff sniff."

Phili was crying softly.

I climbed onto his shoulder and smacked his back.

'Hey! Pull yourself together!'

"Huhu..."

'You're going to the Empire and you're already showing such weakness? Are you going to act like this in front of the Empire's ambassador too?!'

"..."

'Stop!'

Phili stopped crying too.

This is why friends with low mental strength... Even I, with my mental strength of 20, remained composed when my birth mother blew up and killed my siblings.

Try surviving once in a Horn Jaguar's stomach, then you'll know what's truly scary in the world.

Of course, as a teacher, I understand well that Phili is timid.

Still, we can't appear weak in front of the Empire's ambassador.

"Oh, you've come."

Margrave Sareb.

He was waiting for us.

"Prince, pleased to meet you. I am Margrave Sareb."

"Pleased to meet you, Margrave."

Originally, even nobles should show proper respect to a prince.

However, the Margrave spoke casually with semi-formal speech, and Phili greeted him politely.

It couldn't be helped.

The Empire's ambassador was diplomatically equal to Solion's king after all.

"I look forward to your guidance."

Phili was slightly tense.

How strict or arrogant would the Empire's ambassador be?

Even if he received outright insults, Phili was in no position to say anything against it.

"Be at ease, everyone. We have a long journey ahead. I've prepared a carriage for you all, would you like to see it?"

But fortunately, the ambassador acted casually.

"Ah, yes!"

"Originally it's the size of a six-horse carriage that should be pulled by six horses."

There really was a huge carriage in front of the warp gate.

A carriage that could comfortably fit ten people.

However, what was strange was that only two horses were pulling it.

No matter how excellent the bloodline of the horses, they shouldn't be able to move the carriage.

"Come here and look at the axle of the wheels."

There were three pairs of wheels, six in total.

Looking closely, the shape of the wheels was extraordinary.

"We made a power source using magic stones to move this huge carriage. Does Solion have carriages like this?"

"...I've never seen one."

"Of course not. How could such things be rolling around in the frontier? This is none other than Imperial capital technology."

It seems the typical arrogance of Empire nobles can't be helped.

"I prepared this for you, Prince. Have a comfortable journey here."

Margrave Sareb said while patting the carriage.

The treatment is much more generous than expected.

Is this Imperial Margrave actually a nice guy?