Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Chapter 23

New Year’s Festival, the largest festival to start the year of the Larchen Empire.

“Isilis!”

Faylos called her.

“Why?”

“You have to show up at this New Year’s Festival. The people of the Empire are worried because you didn’t show up last time.”

“I was going to do that anyway.”

“Then, we’ll have to receive the envoys as well.”

“Of course. I don’t like having outsiders come into the palace, but now I have to introduce the Princess, too…”

“Oh, have you made up your mind?”

“What if I haven’t?”

There was no other way. To protect the princess, who was not born with magical powers, she couldn’t keep hiding as she was the child who would become the heir of the Empire. She was also the child who would become Empress if Isilis had no other children.

“I have to let her take my place.”

“There will be those who are dissatisfied that she was not born with magical powers.”

“It is unavoidable. Even if she is not a wizard, the possibilities are endless.”

She was the child of a sword master and a great wizard. Even if she was not born with magical power, there were cases where the magic appeared late, or she could have a talent for swordsmanship. Isilis also gathered some information about the outlier people within the Empire, so she decided to move slowly.

“Well. After all, she is of the Imperial Family.”

“The Imperial Family is the imperial family. Everyone will have to get down on their knees.”

“Then, at the New Year’s Fesitval?”

“Right.

One of the Empress’ duties during the New Year’s Festival was to show herself to the people of the Empire. It had been a long-standing tradition for the Empress to personally appear to pray for a year’s well-being to congratulate the people of the empire, but last year, the people of the Empire were terrified because she had not appeared.

“Ha… Now I can lay down this heavy crown.”

“How was the position of the Emperor you dreamed of for a while?”

Faylos sighed and replied with a smile.

“It’s a seat I never want to sit in again.”

“You said you wanted the best?”

“I don’t want to be given a seat like that.”

“That is very fortunate. One less person to kill.”

Looking at Isilis, who spoke playfully, with tired eyes, he asked another question “How are you going to deal with it?”

“The content recorded in the video is not enough. I need something more.”

“We’ll have to wait longer.”

“Yes.”

Once she was caught on their trail, she would have to wait.

“Are you going to leave the Imperial Palace now, Fayl?”

“I have nothing else to do here, so I have to leave.”

“You can stay…”

“No.”

As he answered so firmly, Isilis smiled faintly.

“I’m just saying it.”

“You are so lonely. Ilis.”

“The Empress is such a position.”

“The predecessor Empress was less because she had her husband…”

“Stop.”

Seeing her waving her hands, Faylos shut his mouth.

“Bring in Duke Verus and Marquis Miller.”

“I’ll take your orders.”

Faylos’ back as he left the office looked reassuring. That light step was something she was envious of. It was not that the Emperor’s crown was properly placed on his head. How could he already be having such a hard time…?

“If I had been lying down, I would have left him my seat.”

Still, she was able to breathe a sigh of relief because he had worked so hard.

“Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty…!”

“I know that I am the Empress who rules this empire, so stop calling me.”

Duke Verus and Marquis Miller looked delighted as they entered.

“No, how did this happen? You appointed an agent without saying anything—!”

“Duke.”

Duke Verus got dazzled by her soft call.

“Yes.”

“An imperial family member was born.”

“Yes… I see. What?”

Isilis laughed as Duke Verus got startled.

“That… Did Your Majesty say you had a child now?”

Unlike Duke Verus, who had lost his mind at her words, Marquis Miller, who had at least regained his senses, asked.

“Yes.”

“Where?”

As she beckoned, the nanny appeared from behind, holding the Princess.

“Oh!”

As Duke Verus approached and saw the Princess’s face, he hesitated before actually opening his mouth.

“But…”

“She didn’t have magical powers.”

Knowing what he was about to say, Isilis uttered it first.

“I have no intention of having any other child other than this one for now. So, let’s find a way.”

“What?”

“How to put the Princess on the throne?”

“Yes. Come find a way to designate the Princess as the successor.”

“Your Majesty… Until now, there has never been an imperial family member who did not possess red magic power before ascending to the throne.”

“Isn’t it time for the old customs to disappear?”

“…The nobles will not accept it.”

When Marquis Miller said that, she smiled coldly, curling her eyes.

“I know that, too. What do you think I have done in the last year and a half?”

The Imperial Palace of the Larchen Empire was opened. As the guards of the imperial castle began to receive guests, envoys from all over the world flocked to the scene. He could see the officials arranging the envoys at the gate.

“I think the way into the palace has been opened.”

“I think so.”

Looking at the people in line, Berthas spoke to Hector.

“Did you say New Year’s Festival is today?”

“Yes. Tonight, starting with the Imperial Palace banquet, the New Year’s festival is said to be held.”

“Then we should enter the palace today too.”

“That’s right.”

“Envoys from all over the world, come this way!”

A new person appeared and shouted. A person who appeared to be an official was in charge of guiding.​

“If my eyes weren’t wrong, wouldn’t that be Berthas Hillenton?”

“Usman Khalifa.”

Crown Prince of the Khalifa Empire, a desert empire. Odd eyes with hair that looked like melted gold. The golden eye and blue eyes were shining.

A face with moderately tanned skin turned to Berthas.​

‘…I didn’t know that there would be an exchange with Larchen.’

He was a man whom Berthas had competed with several times on the battlefield.

‘He’s a difficult person to deal with…’

“What are you doing here?”

“I came on a mission. You?”

Since it wasn’t the battlefield, he didn’t need to set his sword. Usman, who narrowed his eyes at Berthas’ words, got off his horse.

“…I also came here because there is something wrong with Larchen… I wouldn’t have come if I had heard that Hillenton was pulling you off the border.”

A few years ago, it was Usman who lost to Berthas in a war with his empire. It was a victory due to Berthas’ tactics and Usman’s absence. After that, he fought with the sword with Berthas several times to recover the land though it was not easy.

Usman was also the Crown Prince of the Empire so Usman left for a while as he could not focus on border affairs only. While they were enemies, they recognized each other as good rivals.

“It’s different to see you in a place like this.”

“Right.”

Berthas replied as he struck Usman’s arm, pretending to be friendly and placing his hand on his shoulder.

“If I had known you were here, I would have gone to the border.”

“I am here because of the Emperor’s orders. I also know I can’t do anything without his words.”

Usman shrugged his shoulders as he glanced at Berthas with somber eyes.

“Anyway, nice to see you here. Again, do you have any intention of defecting to our empire?”

“No.”

Usman smiled faintly as he looked at Berthas shaking his head.

“The gates of our empire are always open to you. So, if you change your mind, let me know.”

Hector gritted his teeth as he leaned on the horse and saw them talking, “How many people in our army that that person killed, are you going to do that kind of stupid thing?”

“He said the same thing before.”

“This isn’t the first time?”

“Of course.”

“Did you leave him alone?”

“He is not an ordinary person.”

Watching Hector nod at his words, Berthas moved forward. It was now Hillenton Empire’s turn.

“Are there all five delegations?”

“That’s right.”

“Who are you?”

“Berthas Hillenton. I am the Duke of the Hillenton Empire.”

“In addition to the Duke, four companions. Verification has been completed.”

​The official handed over five cards to Berthas.

“What is this?”

“This is the Imperial Pass. You should always carry it with you. It can be checked at any time. You will need it in order not to be disturbed by the imperial barrier.”

With a brief explanation, the official went to the next person.

“Larchen is a really thorough place.”

Hector said to Berthas in admiration. He was surprised, too. Although they had the same name of the Empire, the status of Larchen and Hillenton were different. A barrier in the imperial castle… If so, did that mean it was always protected by magic…?

Handing out the cards to his men one by one, Berthas opened his mouth.

“Be careful with your actions at all times.”

“Don’t worry. Who are we?”

“Without that idiot-like crown prince, it wouldn’t be a big deal.”

A servant bowed his head politely in front of them as they entered the imperial castle.

“I will guide you.”

Without making a sound of footsteps, the group walked along the moving servant. Guided to an accommodation in the detached palace, they unpacked in their assigned room.

“The banquet starts at the time the full moon rises.”

“Yes.”

The garden view from the window was beautiful. Seeing the trees swaying in the wind gave him a peaceful feeling.

“Peace?”

It was ironic.

…Those who feel at peace in the imperial castles of other empires.

As he pulled out a jewelry box from his unpacked luggage, it was a music box adorned with jewels. It was brought by him as a gift to the Empress of the Larchen Empire.​

“It must be because of the Imperial Family member that they closed the gates of the Empire.”

“Do you really think so?”

When Hector next to him asked so, he nodded his head.

“Otherwise, they are not the ones to lock down the Imperial Castle.”

“Is my previous bet valid?”

“Of course.”

“If not?”

“Then, I will give my money to Sir that this music box will be thrown away.”

“After all, there is no way for an Empress to have a music box with a child’s lullaby recorded there.”

Hector murmured, hoping that Berthas’ sharp sense of humor would be off this time.

—

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