Chapter 257 : Chapter 257
Chapter 257
Secundus arrived in the capital.
Hearing the news, Ferbias stopped in his tracks, while the one who delivered the report remained prostrate.
Instead, Director Kentil raised his voice.
“What did you just say, Lehotos?”
Kentil began to fly into a fiery rage.
He pointed his finger and rampaged as if forgetting he was in front of the Emperor.
“The Three-Mi Grand General? The Grand Generaaaal? Did you forget this is before His Majesty? Are you saying he is even higher than His Majesty?”
“...Ah....”
Realizing his mistake, Lehotos urgently pressed his head down further.
“...Ah, no! I, I was just in a, in a hurry...!”
“Get out! Get out right now!!”
Kentil chased Lehotos out.
He also sent out all other attendants and such along with him.
Ferbias did not stop him.
“.......”
The Emperor gazed intently at Kentil.
Hearing the news that Secundus had come, his head was complicated.
So he wanted to dismiss everyone, but he was cautious that it might look like he was being fickle for no reason.
Director Kentil read such thoughts of Ferbias and got angry instead, and chased people out instead.
He was a terribly sharp-witted man.
Because of that, it was unpleasant.
The fact that a mere flatterer read the Emperor's thoughts felt annoying beyond measure.
If Kentil were even a little less useful, he would have wanted to cut off his head right away.
“Kentil.”
“...Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Why do you do things you weren't ordered to do?”
“.......”
Director Kentil bowed his head deeply.
“...I apologize, Your Majesty. I feared your mood might be uncomfortable....”
“I will let it pass this time.”
Golden pupils flashed.
He scattered golden light here and there.
“If you do something like this next time, even you will have to be prepared.”
“...Your grace is immeasurable....”
“Hmph....”
Ferbias snorted.
Nothing comes out of reprimanding Kentil further.
More urgent was the matter of welcoming Secundus who had arrived.
Kentil asked carefully.
“...What should we do, Your Majesty...?”
“What do you mean what?”
He said while grinding his teeth.
Since he felt like he had taken a hit from Secundus, he couldn't be pleased.
“Are you telling me to cast out a Grand General who ran all the way to the capital with a single letter of mine? Let him in.”
“Yes, understood. The people we summoned....”
“The banquet guests must be prepared, obviously. Tell them to be fully prepared.”
“...Of course.”
Kentil took a step as soon as Ferbias finished speaking.
It was to fulfill the order he received.
The Emperor stared at the Director's back.
When Kentil also disappeared, Ferbias was truly left alone.
Only then could he exhale a sigh.
“......Ha. That Secundus fellow.......”
Ferbias was bewildered.
“He came back immediately knowing it was a place where he would die? Why on earth?”
He could not understand.
“My appearance has become truly ridiculous.”
Of course it would be ridiculous.
Many still support Secundus.
If he eliminates Secundus at a time like this, naturally there will be backlash.
It is like carving another disgrace onto the name of Emperor Ferbias.
But Ferbias had no choice either.
“...I was going to cut him off anytime, and they say sooner is better but.... If it becomes like this, Secundus will....”
He suddenly craved a cigarette.
“......Will end up becoming a hero.”
No, still, a dead hero would be better than a living traitor.
Ferbias tried hard to reason with himself.
The loss was significant.
Because Secundus came back immediately at the word to come back like a fool, all the plans he had set up were twisted.
“However, Secundus. What does that matter....”
Ferbias glared at the door.
Thinking of his half-brother who would be approaching from outside.
“Since you will die today.”
***
“Mm. I felt it last time too but....”
Secundus was walking through the Imperial Palace while being guided.
Even though it was no different from the hometown where he lived when he was young, it was awkward.
The most recent time he came to the Imperial Palace was half a year ago when he received the title of Three-Mi Grand General.
He scratched his chin.
“It changed so much.”
The atmosphere of the people was especially so.
Even if it is natural to be as strict and stiff as the Great Imperial Palace of the Millennium Empire, now the degree was severe.
Officials couldn't raise their heads, and maids or attendants walked sticking to the walls as if they were nonexistent people.
Even if one tried to meet their eyes, their heads were bowed deeply so one couldn't meet them.
“How did it become so brutal?”
There is no need to say because of whom.
It is the fault of Ferbias Caseptus, the 50th Emperor.
But he would probably not consider it his fault.
Because Ferbias was that kind of man.
A person who makes everywhere he goes uncomfortable yet firmly believes like a chimney that he doesn't make others uncomfortable.
So a person who is even more uncomfortable, yet presses squeeze squeeze on everyone's breath because he is incomparably outstanding!
“By the way, where are we going? Mm... Lehotos?”
“...Do you know my name?”
“Why did you think I wouldn't know?”
Secundus tilted his head.
“You are from the Centurion of the 1st Legion, aren't you?”
“That is correct.”
“Since you were under Grandfather Deballo's direct command, I heard your name as I came and went. Aren't you currently the general in charge of total security of one of the Four Gates?”
“I am in charge of the West Gate, Grand General.”
“Mm. Right. I have heard of it.”
Lehotos was somewhat moved.
The fact that the Three-Mi Grand General, the second son of Great Emperor Continua, remembered him approached him as a great resonance.
Yet guiding him to a place of death, the guilt was severe.
Secundus looked at Lehotos's face which was turning dark and burst into a hearty laugh.
“Relax your face a bit. It is not because of you.”
He patted Lehotos's shoulder.
“I came knowing everything. You are just doing your job. Lead me to the banquet hall quickly.”
“......This way.”
“Isn't the Grand Banquet Hall the opposite way?”
“For today's banquet, His Majesty has prepared a special place....”
“Mm. Since it's the detached palace side, human presence will be rare.... Anyway, let's go.”
Following Lehotos's guidance, Secundus moved his steps.
It became increasingly difficult to see people.
Secundus smirked psh.
If he encountered a person in the middle, they were heading somewhere carrying weapons.
‘My my. At least don't make it obvious.’
It is an Imperial Palace where weapons cannot be possessed.
Without the Emperor's authorization, people carrying weapons cannot roam around in a swarm like that.
In other words, it was clear those were soldiers Ferbias called.
They must be gathering in one place to kill Secundus.
Secundus found it hard to hold back a bitter laugh.
‘Saying he'll kill someone being this clumsy....’
However, he had to die for him.
Secundus returned to the capital to die.
He walked for several days without rest, but there is no fatigue.
It is thanks to having such a robust body.
He pointed at the soldiers and asked.
“Lehotos, those people seem to be going in the same direction as me.”
“...Yes, it appears so.”
“By any chance, were they also invited to the banquet?”
“......Yes, Grand General.”
“Mm. There is such a banquet where one goes carrying weapons. I should have brought mine too.”
Besides, they look menacing too!
The muscular prince who looked more menacing than anyone laughed loudly guffaw.
Then he asked towards the man standing beside him.
“Lehotos.”
Secundus's voice has a serious air.
“Were you also invited to the banquet?”
“......Yes.”
“I see. I wondered why you were harboring a dagger, but the question is solved.”
Lehotos trembled, his hand trembling inside his pocket.
He was holding the dagger tightly while keeping his hand hidden all along.
Because he had to stab Secundus whenever an opportunity arose.
It wasn't his will, but the Emperor's order.
“Mm. Actually. I think I lost an important item as I entered the capital.”
“...What item...?”
“I don't know what I lost either. But it probably fell near the West Gate. Could you bring it to me if it's okay?”
“......Grand General.”
Lehotos ended up letting go of the dagger he was holding tight inside his pocket.
Secundus's intention was clear.
He was trying to save him.
So that he wouldn't have to rush at him holding a knife from now on, wasn't he giving him a justification to avoid this place.
“Come to think of it, ‘could you bring it’ is strange. Since I am a Grand General, couldn't I just order.”
“.......”
“Lehotos! Go to the West Gate and find my item! Right now!!”
Secundus said so and pushed Lehotos's back.
Lehotos hesitated and took a step.
At first, he moved away slowly, then soon ran.
Then suddenly he turned his back and bowed deeply at the waist.
It was a meaning of gratitude for saving his life.
Secundus clicked his tongue.
“He bows when I save him without making it obvious after all the trouble. What does he intend to do if he gets caught later.”
Well, he'll figure that much out on his own.
Secundus whistled.
His heart was light.
Along with it, his steps were light too.
“I feel refreshed.”
He became alone.
In front, plenty of those trying to kill him were waiting.
Yet he is alone.
He liked the word alone.
There was no one to help him, but there was also no one he had to protect.
“Just for today, it might be okay to be a little... stubborn.”
The door to the banquet hall opened.
***
“Secundus Debius!”
Ferbias Caseptus shouted from a high seat.
“My brother!”
“Mm, I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”
Secundus bowed his head without hesitation.
Ferbias did not come down from his seat and gestured.
There were many men between them.
Every one of them was gripping a weapon.
There was no one whose face was laughable.
“I am truly grateful that you accepted my invitation at once. How did you run here so quickly when we are still at war?”
“Since Your Majesty calls, as a subject, naturally I must come.”
“Hah, did you consider me your lord?”
“I always did, though.”
“Then why didn't you show your face even once in the past 7 years even if you call me that?”
“I thought the conquest Your Majesty entrusted was a priority over returning to the capital.”
“Right. Say whatever you want.”
Ferbias smirked psh.
Secundus was the same.
They are half-brothers.
However, they were busy firing off old emotions without listening to each other's words.
“Anyway, enjoy today. It is a place prepared for you.”
“...Mm. There is something I wish to ask, Your Majesty.”
“Call me Brother.”
“Yes, Brother. I will ask a question.”
Secundus narrowed his eyes.
He slowly scanned the hall.
This place is the banquet room of the detached palace where Secundus once lived.
Close to a hundred men were packed tight.
“Since it is a banquet, why is there neither food nor alcohol?”
“Because it is not a place to eat food and alcohol. But if you want, I will give you at least some alcohol.”
Ferbias gestured.
One of the men threw a glass bottle at Secundus.
It aimed exactly at his face, but Secundus caught it without difficulty.
It was wine.
The quality wasn't bad, but it was a very cheap item for something from the Imperial Palace.
“These days even in the West they drink better alcohol than this....”
Secundus burst into a hollow laugh and raised a finger.
Then poke, he pierced the bottle, and the glass didn't even break, just a hole was made.
The hole poured out wine gurgle gurgle like a faucet.
Secundus wet his throat with the red liquid.
“I ask again, Brother.”
“Right, ask.”
“Why did you gather only men in a swarm like this? There are at least over a hundred.”
“There must be this many to welcome you properly.”
There wasn't a single unfamiliar man.
They were packed with skilled people whose names Secundus had heard at least once.
Besides, there were even two Ten Great Generals by Ferbias's side.
“Everyone is holding weapons, so it seems they are absolutely necessary to welcome me.”
“Naturally.”
“Locking the doors tight like this as soon as I entered.”
“It's not something where you should run away saying the banquet is boring after we managed to meet.”
Ahem. Secundus, slightly tipsy, smiled small.
“Then... this is truly the last question, Brother.”
He laughed revealing his teeth.
His facial muscles distorted, becoming a ferocious appearance.
It was a savage appearance enough that a few men nearby unwittingly inhaled sharply gasp.
“You are going to kill me, right?”