So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

Chapter 283 An Unexpected Meeting (2)

Moreover, the king and Solion's influential figures were present.

Obern sat in the professors' section watching below with sweaty palms.

The children seemed very nervous too.

'They need to do well... right?'

'Yes...'

As Snake said.

Just as he was about to watch the match, that's when.

Someone approached.

"Professor Obern?"

Turning around irritably, it was a man wearing distinctive clothing.

Imperial style.

Even Obern was startled.

"The ambassador is looking for you."

"The ambassador...?"

He knew an imperial ambassador had been dispatched from the gleaming capital, traveling with a retinue of servants and guards along the winding eastern road that would bring them to the kingdom's borders within a fortnight.

The imperial ambassador was officially equal in position to Solion's king, a diplomatic courtesy established by ancient treaties that required the monarch to receive them as a peer rather than a subordinate, though both parties understood the true balance of power between their realms was far from equal.

Given such a position, someone of powerful status would have come.

"Yes, the Outer Minister and First Class Administrator, appointed ambassador by His Imperial Majesty's order, Marquis Magan Sareb."

"Ah..."

Outer Minister, First Class Administrator, Imperial Marquis - none of these titles were insignificant.

Moreover, the Sareb family was naturally a powerful house that even Obern knew.

"Please guide me."

He had no choice but to follow.

Marquis Magan Sareb was an even greater figure than the Court Count that Obern feared.

The Imperial Ambassador had indeed taken his seat in the same row as the royal family.

Those seated around him were all wearing imperial clothing too.

And among them was a middle-aged man with a long beard and sharp eyes.

"So you are Obern Grimoire."

"Marquis Sareb. It's an honor to meet you."

Even Obern couldn't maintain his usual acted arrogance.

Why had he been called?

The string of tension was pulled taut.

"Don't be nervous. Sit here comfortably."

"Yes, thank you."

After seating Obern, Marquis Sareb gestured to his subordinate and received some documents.

"Obern Grimoire. Born in District 4 of Solion Impel. Mother..."

What the Imperial Marquis began reciting was Obern's life story.

"Peer relationships were not good. Graduated second in class from the Capital Magic Gifted Academy with genius evaluation. Second? Hmm... Then studied abroad in the Empire."

Obern's spine tingled.

The things Marquis Sareb was saying were quite detailed information.

Some included such intimate details that he couldn't imagine how they were discovered.

Like how he hated raw tomatoes, or when he ran away during class.

"For someone called a genius, you didn't achieve particularly great results. Obern Grimoire."

"..."

His heart was pounding.

Obern is someone with many things to hide.

He pretended to be a genius when he wasn't, and recently killed someone. Kovent.

Could the Marquis have discovered even that?

"The Empire's intelligence network is very excellent. It's easy to thoroughly investigate someone with just a person or two."

His heart was pounding thump-thump.

Snake always noticed such things immediately.

'Obern, composure.'

He managed his expression to show as little as possible.

It was something he was used to.

"You submitted a defection application to the Imperial Magic Research Institute. And the institute rejected you."

"...!"

"No substance. That was their evaluation of you."

Could they have known from back then that Obern was a 'fake' himself?

Then from now on Obern's future would...

"Hahaha."

But who would have expected the Marquis to burst out laughing at that moment?

"Why such a serious expression?"

"...Pardon?"

"This is embarrassing. To think the Imperial Magic Research Institute's judgment was only at that level."

He tapped the bottom of the documents.

"You've achieved remarkable results in the short time since coming here."

"Remarkable results..."

"Gnome Balanyar is a magical prodigy recognized even by His Imperial Majesty. Do you know how much he praised you at the last conference? Said you developed new systems for hell magic and telekinesis. I don't know much about magic, but those IMRI fellows must have been quite shocked."

Obern swallowed hard.

Ah, Chancellor Balanyar, Sir Snake, thank you.

His legs felt weak with relief.

He cursed the Marquis before him inwardly.

'Damn bastard. Nothing better to do. Calling over someone minding their own business just to make them nervous.'

'Hey hey, Obern should use nice words.'

He probably hadn't called just to shower praise.

"Defect to the Empire even now."

"Pardon?"

Today he kept responding in ways unfit for his character.

"We are always generous to talent. How about coming back with me when I return?"

"Ah..."

"The treatment will be double what you receive here. An opportunity to become an imperial citizen. I don't make such offers to just anyone."

A truly arrogant tone as if bestowing charity.

But Obern knew there was no exaggeration in the Marquis's words.

Double the treatment and entering under an imperial noble? And he personally came to persuade?

This was a chance that wouldn't come again in life.

The original him might have immediately prostrated himself pledging loyalty.

He should do that but.

His mouth wouldn't open.

"..."

"What, is the treatment not satisfactory?"

Rather than being displeased, the Marquis seemed genuinely puzzled.

"I'm very grateful for such... a generous offer but..."

Even he didn't know why he was doing this but.

"I have things I must do here."

"Things you must do."

Fortunately, Marquis Sareb didn't get angry.

"You mean teaching the prince?"

"...As the semester isn't over yet."

"Haha, hahaha!"

When the Marquis laughed, the people beside him laughed together.

Obern felt his face flush hot.

"Yes, that's right. Your loyalty is admirable. But I'm not displeased. You may go."

"Then, thank you again for your gracious words."

Obern gave a greeting in imperial etiquette.

To him as he was leaving, the Marquis said:

"Situations might change. I'll keep the opportunity open."

"...Thank you."

Somehow an odd tone.

And.

Bang!

The match began.

Cheers erupted from all around, and a giant mantis appeared.

The mantis immediately charged, and Rania and Phili ran in with axes and shields.

"Aaaahh!"

And Phili, while running, screamed and changed direction to run away.

"Sigh."

Was this really the right choice.

Obern's mouth turned bitter.