1011. The Emperor’s Wind
While you’re at it, will you take care of the other misfortunes as well?
Before anyone realized it, the Emperor’s personality had changed again. This time, it was a sly attitude. He looked like a bartender set up in some back alley. It was a phenomenon that had become familiar by now. Krang answered without even wetting his lips.
That seems like a different matter. It seems like a loss to have only received a non-aggression pact.
I have been speaking with the Emperor for several days now. Although we do not share meals or host banquets together, we frequently cross paths. I heard that a noble named Lord Donapa is taking the lead in preparing the banquet,
so I was told there was no need to feel disappointed.
A banquet?
Do it or don’t.
Krang was still most curious about the Emperor sitting up there. Solving the Three Villains?
If Enki did it, there must have been a reason.
He gave great help with the task, and since it was ultimately accomplished thanks to Enkrid.
In fact, the final blow was delivered by one of the Empire’s Four Great Knights, but the Emperor attributed all the credit to Krang himself rather than the Empire.
It is all thanks to you. I will never forget.
Isn’t it basically being said like this?
Why are you praising me?
Krang had been reading the atmosphere around him for days. He was someone who, if necessary, was just as observant of others as Kreis.
Before becoming king, he had worked for a merchant guild for a while and briefly served in an intelligence guild.
Moving between various places naturally improves one’s perceptiveness.
Putting together what I am feeling right now, that is how I see it.
Rather than someone who welcomes me.
There are many people who dislike me, but even more so are the suspicious glances. It’s like, “Who on earth do you think you are?”
So why.
The doubts remain. Krang had come here at the Emperor’s invitation and was receiving unexpected hospitality. Regardless of how others viewed it, the Emperor’s attitude remained consistent.
It was thanks to that.
Jealousy?
Yes, I did see a few eyes like that. Whenever one of them exuded a particularly menacing aura, Saxony would stare intently at him.
Even on the way to the Emperor’s Great Hall, fierce energy and glares were exchanged several times.
Even so, the Emperor didn’t stop him and insisted on seeing only me.
The reason? Only one comes to mind.
I gauge myself.
Okay, I understand that much, but the question is why you are trying to gauge it. There is no need for that, so why?
The difference in power between the Empire and the Kingdom, and between the Emperor and yourself, is clear. I will need to speak with Encred to know for sure, but judging by the attitudes of the Royal Guard and Saxony, that is what I can sense.
Do not take three steps away from me.
These were Saxon’s own words. Having embarked on the escort mission with determination, he dismissed any other opinions. He
had pledged to protect the King in Enkrid’s absence, so he was simply remaining faithful to that promise; he did so because he believed he could not protect the King otherwise.
“There is an assassin in the royal palace who is at least on my level or better than me.”
This is a judgment based on what Saxony said.
The Empire’s power easily surpasses the Kingdom, even though this is not all there is to it.
Even though it is said that the vast majority of the actual Imperial Knights cannot even enter due to external engagements, the situation is this severe.
Once the decision is made to transcend currency and language, and for everyone to now play within the embrace of the Empire, and the battle begins, who could possibly defy the Emperor’s command
? Is there any kingdom capable of handling this power right now?
There isn’t.
Azpen, the South, Zaun.
Even if these groups, renowned for their knightly power, were gathered together to fight, the chances of victory would not be high. Even without being a military expert, this was obvious.
A king is supposed to be half military expert by nature.
If asked who studied and researched the most in Nowrilia, Krang was confident that he would rank among the top three.
Since he had never received formal training in subjects like imperial studies or military science, he dug into books, asked questions, pondered, and agonized with a desperate determination.
While Enkrid devoted himself to swordsmanship every day, Krang devoted himself to studying and developing his thinking.
All the knowledge he possessed, the keen eye for discerning what others desired, and the scheming to achieve his own goals—
it was a statement born from the very process of weighing and turning every ounce of his potential.
“What is it?”
I am asking without any rhyme or reason. There is no other option but to ask head-on and hear the answer.
What if they do not give an answer? I believe it is time to turn back. At the very least, I have already obtained what I needed. That is the non-aggression pact.
“what?”
The Emperor asks again. The Knight Commander simply stood silently behind the Emperor, displaying no gestures or intimidation.
Why did you call me?
Was it a bit too late? Krang thought so. He should have asked as soon as he arrived.
Of course, even if he went back in time, he wouldn’t be able to do so. How could he ask such a challenging question when he knew what the Emperor’s intentions were?
We must not go to war with the Empire.
This is Krang’s goal. If they fall out with them, erasing the Demon Realm becomes a distant task.
If Encred is someone who steps forward to fight.
It is my job to provide him with a place to fight.
‘Does.’
He would get it done somehow. His knight had killed Balrog and slayed the demon known as the Lord of the Mirror Realm.
Therefore, he felt he had to do his duty as well.
Although no one would say a word if he failed, Krang was someone who pushed himself to a cruel degree.
Honestly, among those living on the continent today who claim to do the right thing, how many actually aren’t?
Everyone stands here because they have experienced and overcome their limits.
Even a Royal Guard named Leervan is here now because he has surpassed his past self time and time again.
Even Marquis Marcus Vaisar, who appears idle brewing tea in his office, had nightmares three days a week and was struggling every day just to do something.
Anyway, now that he had the excuse of having resolved a disaster, his mouth naturally opened.
“Is it duty or will that guides you?”
The Emperor asked.
I think it’s both.
Krang answered without hesitation. It was an extension of his usual way of thinking. It was not something to worry about.
All I have left is a wish.
The Emperor’s eyes grow heavy. Boredom settles in the place where the slyness and smile once were. Krang does not know her. That is why the Emperor intended to introduce himself to her.
My body is subordinate to this castle.
It was a difficult story to understand, but it was just the beginning. The Knight Commander opened his mouth.
Dismiss the guards. It would be best to reduce the number of people listening to what is being said now.
Krang did not ask why he had to do that.
Everyone, get out.
He simply followed his words. Normally, the proper course of action would be to question why it had to be that way and explain that it was beneficial to him as well. Bram Ritzer, who had been speaking, looked at Krang in slight surprise.
He seemed frivolous just moments ago, yet now he was acting like this. Should I say they are of different calibers?
The head of the Royal Guard was about to say something but closed his mouth. If he had intended to target his own king, it would have been fine even if it wasn’t now.
And Lord Saxony remained by his side despite those words.
“No.”
I am simply expressing my intentions firmly.
“Oh, you stay.”
Krang spoke nonchalantly. This much should be fine. After all, the Knight Commander’s words were a suggestion, not a demand. That was the intention revealed in his tone.
Just as the Royal Guard leader was about to open the door and step back, a group of companions blocked his path.
Among them, Frock rolled his eyes and looked at him.
What is this now?
In the midst of this, Leervan spotted Encred and nodded slightly.
“Don’t block the road. Are these bastards on your side too? Why are you taking such worthless trash with you?”
Frock’s tone was unrestrained.
It wasn’t intentional, but Encred had just returned as the Royal Guard of Nowrilia stepped back. One
might expect them to flare up at Frock’s words, but the truth was the truth. Everyone, including the Captain of the Royal Guard, said nothing. They simply stepped aside.
The two squires guarding the door looked into the reception room. They were looking at the Commander. Bram nodded. Only after Frock and everyone else had entered did the two squires close the door.
The remaining Captain of the Royal Guard stood with his back to the wall, keeping a safe distance from the door. The uneven wall looked as if pieces of tree bark had been peeled off and pasted on.
It seemed as though the inside of a large tree had been hollowed out and constructed into the shape of a castle. That was the feeling.
It was a distracting thought. And a desperate attempt not to feel the humiliation from the insult received just moments ago.
“Captain, we are just doing our job. If we feel wronged, we just need to focus on training.”
Rearban spoke abruptly. The captain had been silent, so at the remark, he looked up.
Yeah, that’s right.
Thanks to a single remark from Rearban, the gloomy atmosphere lifted.
We are merely doing our duty.
The captain spoke. They stared at the closed door. They met the eyes of one of the two squires for just a brief moment.
Though they, too, were not knights, they stood there with the resolve to protect the Emperor. They were in the same predicament, not much different from one another.
A worthless chaff? Was hearing such words a reason to break their spirits?
Encred.
All of the Royal Guards, without exception, thought of the mad Knight Commander. They knew his beginnings. It was thanks to Rearvan. That is why their spirits were never broken.
* * *
The atmosphere is strange.
Kahal spoke while holding his head high as he looked at the Emperor. He did not seem to have any intention of kneeling. He had spoken exactly as he felt, noticing the subtly awkward atmosphere, and upon hearing this, the Emperor opened his mouth.
It took a long time.
It was difficult to read any emotion in her words. Even Enkrid, who was more than accustomed to the tone of a fairy, felt the same way as Temares, the mind reader.
He was really good at running away. I caught him thanks to this guy.
Kahal spoke, nudged Encred’s forearm as he stood beside him. Even though he was one of the Empire’s Four Great Knights, he wasn’t supposed to just barge in like this when coming to meet the Emperor. This was only possible because Kahal had been granted permission to enter at any time once he resolved the phenomenon of the monster Malapais appearing.
In this regard, Krang received special treatment. He was free to meet the Emperor whenever he pleased. That was why there were those who envied him. Anyway,
aside from Krang and Saxen, who were already there, Encred, Rem, Sinar, and Temares were together. Esther remained outside the inner fortress.
Well, whether she felt unpleasant or uncomfortable every time she entered,
Encred didn’t ask for details and let her do as she pleased. Then, she mentioned that she would visit the Wizard’s Tower whenever she had spare time.
“What were we talking about that you’re being so stiff?”
Rem asked and Krang answered.
I just asked the Emperor why he had summoned me.
Does asking make them answer? They did.
“My wish is to die. You are the one who will grant my death. That is why I wanted to see you in person.”
It was completely baseless, yet no one said anything. Even Rem kept his mouth shut and just stared.
What is he saying? Asking to be killed? It was an absurd statement.
“You seem to have a habit of conversing in a way that leaves room for misunderstanding. So, with what shall I kill you? Is there, by any chance, a tradition where I become the Emperor of the Empire if I kill the Emperor?”
In the meantime, Krang said.
“There is no such thing.”
“Then I suppose there is no reason for me to kill you.”
The Emperor smiled. Why did her temperament change in real time?
It was because the Emperor had lived for such a long time. Her personalities were not merely dozens, but exceeded hundreds.
Is life suffering? I do not know. I have lived for so long that I have become numb to it.
However, she simply had not forgotten the vow she had made to herself long ago.
That vow to put an end to all of this when the time came. Though
she did not know back then that it would take this long.
The Emperor rose from his seat.
Wooddddd.
Behind the flowing robe, which was transparent yet opaque, a bundle of brown branches was visible to everyone. It was an astonishing sight every time it was seen. As
she spread her hand, something resembling a wooden doll walked out from beneath the stairs, within the shadows.
Barely the size of a fist, it had short legs and a cute appearance as it waddled along.
If Esther had been here, she would have been terrified. She had created and commanded a wood golem without the use of any spells or magical energy.
Even a proverb spell could not do such a thing. It was as if she were equating the very place she was in with her own spell world.
Since assimilation is a concept entirely different from projection of the spell world,
the very fact that she could do this with a single gesture was that surprising. Fortunately, Esther was not present. There
were a total of four dolls. One clumsy, short-statured doll stood in the center, with one above and two below.
“First, you must know the conditions of my death. Come up.”
The Emperor spoke to Krang. Krang approached without fear.
With everyone watching, the Emperor took Krang’s cheeks and pressed their foreheads together.
Look.
That voice was heard only by Krang. Soon, Krang read the Emperor’s wishes and felt and saw a part of her life.
I want to die.
Dream, wish, long-cherished desire. Whatever you call it, her words were sincere. She truly wished for it.
