Kill the Emperor

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 89 : Iron Rose

“Hiyah!”

Early dawn, before the sun had even risen.

A group of people galloping down the long road stretching between the fields.

At the forefront was a female knight with long silver hair tied up tightly.

“We need to speed up a little more. Thirty minutes have already passed since the airship crash-landed!”

Was she used to galloping down dark roads like this?

In the sharp voice of the woman urging the knight order from the front, a dignity that did not match her appearance was felt.

‘How dare those bastards, to an envoy heading to the Empire!’

The knight bit her lip while clutching the reins tightly.

It was three hours ago from now that the emergency signal came in from the airship carrying the envoys of Zodiac, Nefam, and Volmada heading to the Empire.

The airship, which was flying precariously, barely succeeded in crash-landing on a field near the capital, but.

Because communication was cut off in the middle, nothing could be guaranteed about the safety of the passengers.

‘If by any chance something happens to the envoys, my brother’s position will take a hit…….’

Already in a situation full of jackals trying to tear her brother apart, what if a major accident occurs right from the start of this Sacred Festival he is hosting after a long time?

The reason she led the knight order and galloped first as soon as she heard the news of the airship's crash landing was also here.

If a problem occurred, she had to arrive at the scene first and handle the accident.

Grind-

The woman’s beautiful brow furrowed.

“Hiyah!”

The woman spurred her horse once again and galloped down the road with ferocious momentum like a meteor falling to the ground.

Only after galloping fiercely for another thirty minutes or so did she arrive at the scene where the airship had crash-landed, and from her mouth…….

“What…… is this?”

A somewhat dispirited voice flowed out.

The airship was ambushed by an unidentified group in the air, followed by urgent communication.

Inwardly, she had galloped here expecting a very miserable and horrific scene.

“Greetings to Your Highness the Imperial Princess.”

“Grace!”

However, the first thing that came into her view upon arriving at the crash site was the sight of the envoys, crew, and guards gathering in groups of threes and fives, warming themselves in front of a campfire.

Although there were some injured among the guards, their appearance did not look like people who had suffered a desperate crisis from an attack no matter where or how one looked.

“Grace! You were safe! Thank goodness, really thank goodness!”

And the knight, who discovered a welcome face among the group, rejoiced as if she would jump and embraced the middle-aged woman.

Although Grace was conscripted for this task and ended up riding the airship, in fact, she was a very affectionate person to her, having served her in the detached palace for over ten years.

“Greetings to Your Highness the Imperial Princess!”

Following Grace, the soldiers who were resting stood up and paid their respects.

“Didn't those people just call that knight Imperial Princess?”

“Surely, Her Highness the Imperial Princess came here directly? Furthermore, wearing armor?”

“Still, if she is the Imperial Princess, shouldn't we not be like this?”

The envoys who were warming themselves by the fire stood up awkwardly and looked at each other with bewildered faces.

“What happened? Grace, didn't you say you were attacked?”

But the knight asked Grace about the details of the incident with an expression as if she didn't care about the gazes looking at her.

“……What? One envoy single-handedly defeated all the assassins and even piloted the airship to succeed in landing?”

Truly an unbelievable saga.

She opened her already large eyes even wider and asked.

“What does that mean? In the last communication received, didn't you say all forces were poisoned by an unidentified drug and were in a situation where they couldn't resist properly?”

“I thought so too, but fortunately, there was one person who was fine. Thanks to that person's performance, we were able to be safe like this.”

“Everyone else was poisoned, but he was fine alone? Is that…… possible?”

Was it because she couldn't easily believe the words Grace conveyed?

The female knight asked Grace back repeatedly several times.

“Yes. Seeing that he even took charge of piloting in place of the injured captain after handling the situation, he really seemed fine.”

However, Grace only nodded her head repeatedly.

“Where is that person now?”

“He went to check saying there might be a concern that the airship's combustion engine could explode.”

Hearing Grace's answer, the knight fell into thought with her arms crossed.

The Grace she knew was a very prudent and thoughtful woman.

There was no way such Grace would spout nonsense no matter how urgent the situation was.

“Understood. First, I'll take a look inside.”

“Your Highness! It is dangerous. We will examine the airship so…….”

Despite the dissuasion of the knights who followed behind, the knight opened the door to personally examine the condition of the airship.

Drip-

The first thing to welcome her as she stepped inside the airship was puddles of body fluids that hadn't completely dried yet.

The corpses of insect humans and streams of sticky body fluids flowing along the bodies were scattered everywhere.

Squelch squelch-

Passing through the puddles of sticky body fluids grabbing her ankles, the female knight headed to the control room.

‘Most of the bodies are the attackers’.

Despite the sudden attack, the fact that the damage is this minor means the initial suppression was that perfect.

Of course, she did not neglect to grasp the situation even while moving her steps.

Finally arriving at the entrance of the control room, she recited in a low voice the name she heard from Grace a moment ago and……

‘Grand Duke of Zodiac, Hein Reichart.’

She, having recited the name she heard from Grace a moment ago in a low voice, swallowed dry saliva once and grabbed the doorknob.

“This is the Imperial Knight Order. I am opening the door.”

Thinking she might be misunderstood as a remnant of the assassins, she revealed her identity before opening the door.

But perhaps there was no need for that.

“…….”

Because the man in the control room had an expression as if he didn't care about such things in the first place.

Seeing the empty control room, the knight had to receive a dizzying shock.

Pooling blood, chunks of insect flesh rolling everywhere, and even the acrid smell.

The appearance of the man guarding the control room filled with the aura of death alone was disparate from the surrounding situation enough to feel absurd just by the fact that he was alive.

“Are you someone from the Akrishima Empire?”

The moment her eyes met the man's, the knight had to feel an anxiety close to fear rather than relief that the situation had ended safely.

“Yes. That is correct. Could you tell me your name?”

Even though she already knew the name, she deliberately asked the man's name to hide her agitation.

“Hein Reichart. I came to this place receiving the order of His Majesty King Friedrich of Zodiac.”

However, the knight was not the only one agitated at this point.

Because Hein was also quite flustered by this unexpectedly early reunion.

The woman probably saw Hein for the first time, but Hein knew very well who the woman was.

The Imperial Princess of the Empire, the only biological younger sister of the 1st Prince among the numerous children of the Imperial Family, the Flower of the Imperial Family, the Iron Rose.

A knight who was beautiful like a flower when wearing a dress, and brave like a famous sword on the battlefield.

The last loyal subject who guarded the side of the 1st Prince, who was falling into ruin during the Empire's civil war, until the end.

And,

‘The Imperial Princess of the Empire whose head I cut off with my own hands.’

Just around the time the rumination of memories ended in Hein's head, she revealed her name with that truly familiar voice.

“Isabella. I am Isabella Tercios of the Sacred Knight Order.”

***

“Your Highness, did you hear the news that the airship carrying the envoys was ambushed?”

“I heard it a moment ago. General.”

Hannibal, who hurriedly entered the palace as soon as he heard the news about the airship, sat facing Gillian immediately.

“Whose doing would it be?”

“Well. It is a truly difficult problem. There are too many people foolish enough to do such a stupid thing, so it is truly difficult to speak rashly.”

Unlike Hannibal with a somber expression, Gillian's expression looked quite relaxed.

“You know well too, don't you, General? That there are overflowing lowlifes here who would not hesitate to commit such an act if only they could damage my big brother's position.”

Of course, behind that relaxation, cold contempt was deeply imbued.

“To damage the 1st Prince…… Then does the Prince think the mastermind of this operation is inside the Imperial Family?”

“If not inside, where would it be? General, even if you search the entire continent, there would be no bastards bold enough to dare bare their teeth at the Imperial Family's airship, excluding my dear brothers.”

The basis of the conjecture Gillian put forward was surprisingly simple, but more accurate than that.

“It is just pitiable that among the brothers who inherited the same father's blood, there is a bastard who knows nothing of honor or anything and is out of his mind just to bite the enemy.”

“…….”

“Ah, maybe it might not be one.”

“Prince!”

“Now, then let's end the investigation on the mastermind at this point. Shall we talk about the baseness of selecting the target? General, why do you think the culprit of this conspiracy targeted the airship departing from Zodiac?”

“……Isn't it because the national power of these three countries is weak?”

“Correct. The culprit thought that even if diplomatic friction occurs due to this incident, if it's about these three countries, they could push through with the Empire's authority. In the point that they targeted the weak, this matter is particularly base.”

As the conversation progressed, the energy of contempt dwelling in Gillian's eyes became deeper and deeper.

“But what's really interesting is that the person who suppressed this situation is Hein Reichart again. General, speak honestly. Honestly, you were thinking I am showing too excessive interest in Grand Duke Reichart, right?”

“……I will not deny it.”

“I am looking forward to it. What expression the General will make after actually meeting the Grand Duke.”

Gillian's atmosphere, which had been cynical all along, changed suddenly after the name ‘Hein Reichart’ came out.

“So where is Grand Duke Reichart now?”

“Since sister Isabella went to the site where the airship crash-landed, wouldn't he be coming here by now?”

A mischievous smile suddenly formed on the face of Gillian who had his arms crossed.

“By the way, I'm worried. It would be a big problem if the Grand Duke falls for my sister.”

***

Thump thump thump-

The creature pulling the alloy carriage, which was much more gigantic than a general carriage, was a Chimera with a heavy physique born through crossbreeding.

To use a Chimera, which costs an enormous budget to create one, for merely pulling a carriage?

Should I call this a display of national power? Or should I call it a waste of power.

Rattle rattle rattle.

I was riding in the carriage located at the very front of the procession heading to the Imperial Palace.

Just around the time I was about to close my eyes to avoid this awkward scene, the Imperial Princess's voice was heard.

“Is the carriage perhaps uncomfortable?”

“No. Your Highness. I am grateful for the grace Your Highness has bestowed. I just thought I might be receiving too undeserved treatment.”

The only ones riding this huge carriage, which seemed enough for thirty strong men to ride and still have space, were just me and Isabella.

In fact, this carriage was a carriage exclusively for Imperial Family members that only Imperial Family members could use.

Of course, the reason why only I boarded this carriage unlike other envoys is-

“You do not need to think like that. If not for the Grand Duke, the Imperial Family would have risked a great disgrace today. It is our rule to give treatment befitting one who has contributed to the Empire, so the Grand Duke does not need to feel uncomfortable about all this.”

Because Isabella claimed the above.

Since I couldn't just refuse Isabella's kindness, I rode the Imperial Family's exclusive carriage, but in fact, I was not comfortable with this situation of facing Isabella alone.

‘I have a lot to worry about anyway, but since I saw this woman from the start, my dreams will be troubled tonight.’

It was understandable, as the memory of cutting off Isabella's head was an unpleasant memory that tormented Hein of the past life for a long time.

Of course, Hein of the past life, that is, Alexar, had taken countless human lives with his own hands.

But the reason Isabella's death remains particularly in memory among them is because she was too precious a talent to cut off her head.

Isabella was a strong, wise, and just knight.

If conciliation was possible, I would have conciliated her somehow.

But eventually, she did not change her will, and I beheaded her, whom I met on the battlefield, with my own hands under the name of ‘Great Cause’.

But as always, a great cause can be a reason to kill someone but-

‘It cannot remove the guilt.’

And now that I realized my belief, which I adhered to even while killing Isabella, was wrong.

“Sir Alexar! Do you truly think this is the best!”

Her last cry she left behind came to mind vividly, making me uncomfortable.

“…….”

Therefore, I pretended to look out the window and did not meet Isabella's gaze.

“…….”

Isabella also seemed to have nothing particular to say to me, so no conversation passed between the two until we arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Palace.

And around the time the carriage was just passing through the main gate of the Imperial Palace.

“Grand Duke, the envoys including the Grand Duke will meet the 1st Prince in a short while now.”

Isabella, who had been silent all along, opened her mouth.

“I don't know if the Grand Duke knows, but the 1st Prince is a bit unique.”

“……I have heard rumors to some extent.”

“Right. Then it is fortunate. So I hope you won't be too flustered even if the 1st Prince occasionally shows an overly distinctive appearance.”

“I will keep your words in mind, Your Highness.”

“Then I also plan to go to where the 1st Prince is as soon as the report is finished, so I will see you again in a while.”

Ending with these words, Isabella got off the carriage and headed to the Headquarters of the Sacred Knight Order.

Thump thump thump-

A deep sneer formed on my lips left alone in the carriage.

‘Unique? With just that.’

To contain the 1st Prince's madness, the word distinctive was too narrow in scope.

The word that could express him suited ‘Mad Dog’ best rather than being distinctive or unique.

‘I should start preparing my mind.’

I closed my eyes with my hands clasped behind my head.

Since I have to deal with a mad dog from now on, I wanted to take a rest even for a moment.

And, when Isabella just stepped into the hallway heading to the Headquarters of the Sacred Knight Order.

“Imperial Princess Isabella!”

Someone shouted in a lively voice and hugged her tightly.

“Julie!”

“Your Highness, is it true that you rode a carriage alone with a strange man until a moment ago?”

“What strange man? I just led the envoy to the Imperial Palace.”

Looking down at the small girl clinging to her waist, Isabella waved her hand.

“Heh…… Usually you really hate being alone with a man?”

“That's because the guys His Majesty tries to attach to me are only idiots thinking of hitting on me.”

“Huh? Then does that mean the person called Grand Duke didn't make a move on the Imperial Princess? Wow! With the Imperial Princess in front? And alone too? Is he a man?”

“What move. He didn't even look at my face straight once?”

Stroking the head of the endlessly chattering girl, Isabella tried to pass it over as if it was not a big deal.

“Imperial Princess, you are too much. Where do you think there is a man in this world who can look straight at the Imperial Princess's face?”

“Right, right. Let's leave it at that.”

While stroking the girl named Julie once again, Isabella's gaze was directed towards the palace castle where the envoys would be heading.

‘I hope my brother doesn't cause an accident…….’