Kill the Emperor

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 86: To the Empire (1)

"I'll say it once more, but while I am away, the thing you must prioritize above all else is His Majesty's safety."

"Understood, Your Excellency."

"If a rat loses its mind, there might be cases where it tries to bite a cat without realizing its own situation. In such cases, I don't need to explain how to handle it, right?"

"Of course."

I, Hein Reichart, facing the trip to the Empire, was busy with checks before vacating my spot.

A nation where the foundation was not yet fully established.

The part I was focusing on most was the safety of the King I had enthroned.

"In case an unsavory event occurs, focus on securing His Majesty's safety and defending the capital. If by any chance the situation grows beyond what you can handle, you can ask the territory for help."

"I will do so, Your Excellency."

"Well, considering your meticulousness, I don't think things will grow that big. But I say this out of precaution, so please pay attention."

In fact, my worry was indeed excessive precaution.

Even if the remnants of the nobles, like weeds already pulled out by the roots, plotted a conspiracy, the possibility of success was extremely low.

However, keeping even that possibility in mind, I left instructions for Ismael.

"Then you may leave now. Ah, on your way out, pass a word to the Head Chamberlain. Tell him business is finished, so escort the waiting guest in."

"Understood, Your Excellency!"

Shortly after Ismael left the office like that.

"......Sheldrick Apelheimer greets Grand Duke Reichart."

"Welcome, Master. Thank you for visiting."

Sheldrick opened the door and revealed himself.

"It is truly a relief that you came, Master. Actually, I was anxious about leaving on a long journey leaving behind His Majesty who ascended to the throne not long ago. Since someone who will be a great strength has come, my mind is much more at ease."

"......I am only grateful that you speak of a person who is ridiculously lacking in such a way."

"I explained last time where your position will be...... Ah, although we need to receive His Majesty's sanction, I will finish that before I leave, so you can start working immediately."

Did I think there was no need for further confirmation of intent since Sheldrick came to this place?

I was proceeding with the conversation while taking it as a fait accompli that Sheldrick would take on the role of Chief Minister.

"Grand Duke, I say this once again, I am truly grateful that you think highly of this lacking person's ability. However, the reason I visited the Grand Duke today is because there is something you must know before you make a decision."

"Please speak."

"......Grand Duke, actually I am not from this country."

"......Ah, really? That is a fact I did not know."

He said it with great resolve on his part, but my reaction was too indifferent.

A look of bewilderment was clearly revealed on Sheldrick's face.

"Is it alright for the Grand Duke to entrust Zodiac's internal affairs to someone who is not from this country?"

"Is there any reason it should not be alright?"

Sheldrick was rather speechless at the ridiculously bold reaction I showed.

"If there is a reason it should be so, please tell me. I will try to consider it even starting now."

"......."

"If not, shall we get right to the main point? I do not have much time. First, the Master's formal uniform and token will be delivered to your residence today."

Leaving the blank-faced Sheldrick behind, I began to proceed with the work at lightning speed.

"You can start work tomorrow, and you can ask Secretary Dorian for guidance on the location where you will work and other departments. Of course, if you need it, I can send a guide separately."

"......."

"The residence where the Master and your family will stay will be ready within this week, so I hope you endure it even if it is a little inconvenient in the meantime."

My work processing, which was being prepared readily, seemed to say 'I knew you would come find me in advance'.

Sheldrick threw a question with the intention of finding his balance amidst the torrent raging frantically.

"Grand Duke, I will ask one last time. Are you really alright with appointing me, who is from a foreign country, as Chief Minister?"

"Then I will also give you a final answer. Yes, it is alright."

Even this time, no hesitation could be found in my answer.

The torrent wrapping around Sheldrick only became stronger.

"What is the reason the Grand Duke does this much...... for a person like me?"

"Because this country needs the Master's ability. Not the Master's origin. Would this be enough of an answer?"

"What do you expect from me? There must be a reason you grant such grace to me, a shallow scholar with no experience, right?"

An opportunity too big to accept sometimes becomes a rock and weighs down on the chest.

"For the Master to fully display your abilities for this country. That is enough for now."

However, at the single word I threw with an indifferent expression, more than half of the rock weighing Sheldrick down shattered.

"Of course, separate from this country, I personally have something I expect from the Master too. However, I think it would not be fun to talk about that right now in this place."

Fun.

A frivolous word that might seem quite unsuitable for the current situation.

However, those words that came out of my mouth dug into Sheldrick's heart surprisingly accurately.

Looking at Sheldrick's eyes, trembling, unable to overcome the turbulence, I spoke.

"Let's talk about that later over a drink when we become a bit closer."

***

Clop, clop.

"Whoa-"

By the time the makeshift checkpoint that had firmly taken its place on one side of the main road came into view, I stopped the horse.

'Is it too grand to use the word makeshift?'

A chuckle burst out of my mouth.

Neigh!

The crying sound vomited out by horses pulling carriages loaded with luggage.

The dull noise generated while loading and unloading luggage.

Even the procession of nobles chattering while exchanging lip-service greetings that seemed obvious yet not.

The temporary checkpoint was crowded with people waiting to board the Imperial Airship, 'Eskaiser', of the Empire.

'It has been quite a while since I saw that emblem.'

Confirming the Three-Headed Dragon emblem engraved on the upper part of the Eskaiser, my brow furrowed.

Before the emblem was changed by the hands of Gillian, who later succeeded the throne.

That Three-Headed Dragon symbolized the mighty power and ferocity of the Empire and drove every corner of the continent into fear.

To transport the envoys of each country attending the Sacred Festival, Emperor 'Calinero' scattered Imperial-owned airships all over the continent.

'There must be plenty of airships without that Three-Headed Dragon engraved on them.'

Yet the fact that he specifically sent that airship.......

'Does he want us to be terrified upon seeing his power? That vulgar parvenu nature truly hasn't changed.'

Actually, Calinero's intention worked to some extent.

"So this is the Empire's airship......."

"It is enormous. They say the money to operate this is more than our country's annual budget?"

"Look at that Three-Headed Dragon. They say they planted that flag in the spot where Duke Belfin's head was after he was beheaded for rebelling against the Emperor last time."

Except for unusually bold cases like me, most people seemed to have already shrunk back at the spirit of the airship and the Three-Headed Dragon.

"Where did you come from?"

As I approached the checkpoint, the Imperial soldier guarding the entrance asked a question.

Here, delegations from Zodiac, Nefam, and Volmada were scheduled to board.

"Hein Reichart from Zodiac."

"Then...... Do you mean you are Grand Duke Reichart?"

I nodded, and the soldier looking at the delegation roster asked again with a flustered expression.

"Excuse me but...... could you show me a token that can prove your identity?"

I held out a plaque that could prove my identity with an expressionless face.

"Please forgive my rudeness! Could you wait for a moment! A leading officer will come here soon and guide the Grand Duke!"

The soldier stood up from his seat with a startled face and paid his respects politely.

Of course, the soldier knew that Grand Duke Reichart was coming as an envoy.

However, he had not imagined that a person who was a Grand Duke by name would come alone without any accompanying personnel, and even ride a horse here himself.

"I am the Regiment Commander of Sona Regiment under the Mobile Corps of the 3rd Defense Command of the Imperial Army, in charge of guidance duties. I will guide the Grand Duke, so please come this way."

A while later, a high-ranking officer came and asked while guiding me inside.

"By the way, are there no other party members who came with Your Excellency?"

"None. I am alone."

"Then are there no other items to load onto the airship?"

"None. Only my horse and I need to board the airship."

"Ah, understood. Please follow me. I will escort you to the VIP room."

No attendants and no items to ship.

A look of bewilderment appeared on the officer's face.

Of course, officially, the Emperor of the Empire does not accept tribute.

There was a long tradition of thinking it shameful for the Emperor of the Empire, the master of the continent, to force gifts from rulers of small countries.

However, these are stories that are only accepted officially, and in reality, delegations dispatched to the Empire usually prepare gifts (written as gifts and read as bribes) in bundles.

Even if the Emperor does not accept gifts due to pride, the nobles and high officials of the Empire whom the delegations of small countries have to be mindful of were everywhere.

Therefore, the Sacred Festival was the Empire's biggest festival, and at the same time, the largest-scale collective lobbying site that shook the situation of the continent.

Therefore, small frontier countries like Nefam and Volmada also tighten their belts to prepare a considerable amount of tribute.

However.

"This is the VIP room where Your Excellency will stay. If you need anything, please press the call button next to the bed. A servant will immediately attend to Your Excellency's orders."

"Understood."

"Is there anything else you need?"

"No. I want to rest, so could you leave?"

"Yes, Your Excellency! I hope you have a pleasant trip."

Nevertheless, I did not prepare any gifts.

'Because the ones I have to fish for on this journey are big shots who wouldn't even think of budging for gifts like that.'

I took off the formal cape I was wearing and threw it, then lay on the bed and closed my eyes.

And about thirty minutes later.

Whoosh-

A strange floating sensation wrapped around my body.

When I opened my eyes and looked out the window, the airship had risen high into the sky before I knew it.

Screech-

Blue smoke burning as the Magic Stone combusted spewed out fiercely through the exhaust port.

Rumble!

Starting with the rotation of the outer wheel responsible for direction, the Eskaiser began to move its heavy body toward the Empire.

'The part I need to check with the most attention on this journey is the succession structure of the Imperial Family. I must check with my own eyes how much of a crack the Princes, who must be moving busily in all directions by now, have created in the 1st Prince's position.'

I closed my eyes again and began to check the harvests I had to obtain from this trip to the Empire.

'I also need to see how successful Magic King Skada was in uniting the Anti-Empire Alliance, the Imenmaha Alliance. Ah, did Veradora send an envoy this time? If they didn't send an envoy.......'

Checking the items to confirm that, I fell asleep without realizing it.

***

Knock, knock.

"Grand Duke Reichart, Your Excellency! Dinner is ready."

"......Understood."

"Shall I prepare it separately here?"

"No. I will go to the dining hall, so you may leave."

When I opened my eyes at the knock announcing the meal, the window was already dyed pitch black.

Whoosh-

Watching the blue smoke scattering while cutting through the night sky, I entered the dining hall.

"What shall I prepare for you?"

"Anything."

"Then I will bring it according to the prepared course."

As I entered the dining hall and sat on a chair in an empty corner, a waiting servant approached and asked for my preference.

"What kind of sauce would you like?"

A moment later, an appetizer with boiled raw shrimp and fruit as the main dish was placed in front of me.

"I will sprinkle it myself, so could you bring me a glass of wine?"

"What vintage would you like?"

"If it's white wine, anything is fine."

Before I knew it, the gazes of the people filling the dining hall were focused on the table where I sat.

Most of the envoys boarding the airship were from Zodiac's neighboring countries, Volmada and Nefam.

Naturally, the boisterous events that occurred in Zodiac over the recent few months were conveyed to them in detail as well.

However, since the opportunity to witness that Grand Duke Reichart, whom they only heard of through rumors, had come, it was natural for their eyes to focus on me.

"Oh my, is that person the widely rumored......."

"He is very different from what I heard in rumors. They said he was like a bloodthirsty evil spirit. To think he would be this handsome."

"I know. Doesn't his hair look just like silk?"

The Young Ladies of noble families, who gathered in groups of threes and fives critiquing this and that, soon began to chatter about my appearance.

"Is it true that such a slender person cut down those terrifying Alcala Apostles on the battlefield?"

"Exactly. Look at those eyelashes. Isn't his skin even finer than ours? Hoho."

Actually, the general reputation regarding me wasn't that good.

Because I purged countless nobles in the process of seizing power.

"For such a young person to hold a heavy responsibility for a country, and even be so exceptional in appearance. I don't know who he will promise his future to, but that person is truly......."

"From what I heard, there is no one he has promised his future to yet."

"Oh my! Really? Do the young ladies of Zodiac have no eye for men? How could they leave such a beautiful person......."

However, to the young ladies of noble families, my exceptional appearance seemed to appeal more strongly than the bad reputation surrounding me.

My fair appearance had been famous since my days as a prodigal son, and anyway, I was a 'prodigy' who held the power of a country in his hands at the age of twenty.

Therefore, to the immature young ladies, the 'danger' I harbored actually approached them as a charm.

Meanwhile, the noble Young Ladies weren't the only ones worrying about whether to talk to me.

'It would be good to at least get acquainted with the Grand Duke on this occasion.......'

'What should I say to start a conversation?'

The nobles who joined the delegation were also agonizing just the same.

There were a few diplomatic letters sent in the Grand Duke's name, but this is the first time I appeared in person at a foreign event.

Then, regardless of their own feelings, they would have to at least break the ice with me.

While people were lost in such contemplation.......

"If Grand Duke Reichart does not blame my rudeness, may I say a word?"

A young man with a good-natured impression, with his curly hair combed back neatly, approached me first.

"I have heard of Your Excellency's high reputation from long ago and have admired you. However, I happen to have a few bottles of good white wine, so I visited Your Excellency like this, risking rudeness."

Did he listen carefully to the conversation between the servant and me?

A bottle of white wine that looked extremely luxurious was held in the young man's hands.

"The wine prepared by Eskaiser wouldn't be bad either, but I guarantee that this item I prepared will be superior in every aspect. Would you grant me the honor of presenting this wine to Your Excellency?"

Just as the young man said, the white wine in his hand seemed to be a rare high-quality product.

"What is your name and affiliation?"

I asked the question, but in fact, I already knew the young man's name.

That good-natured smiling eye and the voice that makes the listener feel good automatically; I wouldn't be able to forget them even if a hundred years passed from now.

The young man in front of my eyes was the figure who acted as Magic King Skada's 'Moneybag' during the Unification War and acted as the housekeeper of the 'Anti-Empire Alliance' led by him.

The young man who received my question carefully placed the wine on the table, gathered his hands, bowed his head, and spoke.

"My name is 'Mikhail Enderose'. I am in charge of the Northeast Branch of the Wind Tail Merchant Guild, though my ability is meager."