Kill the Emperor

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 101 : The Guest Who Arrived in the Five Dragon Carriage

Of course, ships accounted for the largest portion of logistics transport across the entire continent, including the Empire.

Unlike airships which consumed enormous costs, or land transport which was limited in quantity, transport using ships had no decisive restrictions.

For this reason, shipping using seas, rivers, and waterways had firmly established itself as the common method of the continent.

The Empire was no exception to this, and a grandly stretching river flowed near the city gates of the Imperial Capital ‘Akrishion’.

Buzz buzz.

And today, truly many people were gathered near the waterway, blossoming into conversation.

The gazes of the people, who had gathered and chatted for several hours, were directed toward the surface of the calmly flowing river.

Bubble bubble bubble…….

“It’s here!”

People who confirmed the quiet river surface fluctuating while raising rough bubbles shouted out.

Kieeeek--!

Giant beasts revealed their appearances while raising streams of water like waterfalls.

The King of the Sea, the ‘Sea Serpent’, let out a roar, announcing that its master had arrived here.

“My goodness, to use such ferocious beasts to pull a cart!”

“The size is really quite large. Just that fang seems to be the size of a human torso!”

The giant carriage pulled by the serpents also revealed its appearance above the water surface.

Despite having run under the sea for quite a long time, the carriage surrounded by giant bubbles had an impeccably clean appearance.

Kieeeek!

The five serpents, having howled once more, led the large carriage near the river with orderly movements.

Creak.

After a while.

What revealed itself out of the door of the finally opened ‘Five Dragon Carriage’ was a white-haired mage wrapped in a navy blue robe.

“Hoho, truly many people have come out to greet me.”

The mage burst into a hearty laugh while looking around at the people gathered to watch him.

His hair and beard had whitened so purely that not a single speck of black could be found, but perhaps thanks to the ears perked up on the sides of his forehead and the jade ornament hanging around his neck, it was difficult to read traces of frailty in his appearance.

‘Duke Nervian came here personally?’

And mixed among the crowd watching this spectacle, I, Hein Reichart, burst into admiration.

I had thought ‘Maganus’ would send a big shot, but I had not anticipated that a figure of this level would come.

Unlike other nations, Maganus followed a method where the King’s top disciple succeeded the throne, not a blood relative.

And ‘Nemed Nervian’ who revealed himself from the Five Dragon Carriage was the disciple of Maganus’s Late King, ‘Nuada’.

In other words, he was a figure who became the martial uncle to the current King Skada.

‘With what intention did they send…….’

To send the nation’s supreme elder, whom even Skada could not treat lightly, as an envoy.

I fell into thought to grasp the meaning this strong move held.

At that moment,

Phew-woong-

A blinding light burst out from the center of the Imperial Palace.

-Welcome. I did not think such a precious person would personally grace this place. Akrishima will not forget the kindness the Magic King has shown.

At the same time as the fleeting light subsided, projection magic of a tremendous scale that seemed to cover the entire capital city unfolded above the sky of the capital.

The one the projection magic contained was the 1st Prince of the Empire.

Themia welcomed the guest who came a long way with a benevolent smile that he rarely showed.

“Nemed Nervian greets the First Son of the Empire. Seeing the Prince’s bright appearance, my happy heart knows no bounds.”

Nemed did not bow his waist, but he expressed his respect with a motion of putting his two hands together in front of his chest.

‘Both must be clicking their tongues thinking the other is a terrible guy.’

Watching this scene, I shook my head and built a bitter smile.

Maganus, who sent a carriage led by five Sea Serpents under the sea.

The Empire, which welcomed it with illusion magic that could only be explained as astonishing.

The reason both countries showed such exaggerated showmanship was just one thing: to show off their nation’s power to the other party.

‘To engage in a battle of pride on this scale. Whether in the past or now, nothing has changed at all.’

Around that time I was shaking my head watching the manifestation of overwhelming national power that a small nation like Zodiac could not even imagine.

Rumble rumble-

Suddenly, the heavy cry of a Chimera cut through the crowd.

And after a while, a female knight neatly dressed in platinum armor revealed herself in front of the Maganus delegation.

“I have come to escort the VIP. I am Isabella Tercios of the Imperial Knight Order.”

“Ah, that rumored person? Nice to meet you. I have heard rumors that the Empire’s precious gem has excellent talent in the sword, but I did not hear that you were such a beautiful person. It seems today will be a very enjoyable day that widens my horizons.”

“You flatter me. It is my honor to serve the Master of the White Crystal Tower.”

Although it was impossible to know what they were thinking inside, the Maganus delegation boarded the carriage while sharing a conversation that looked harmonious on the outside for now.

A super-large carriage that was at least three times more splendid than the Imperial Family exclusive carriage I rode the other day.

Rumble-

The carriage moved away from the people, leaving behind only the cry spat out by the Chimera.

Perhaps Nemed Nervian would have a very busy schedule afterward.

First, an audience with the Emperor, then he would have to deal with Themia, who was overseeing the Sacred Festival, and numerous small nations wanting to create a tie with Maganus at this opportunity.

And among the people who had to obtain Nemed’s time,

‘Nemed coming as an envoy isn't bad at least. If I can plant a good impression on a big shot of that level, it will be able to influence Skada’s decision to some extent in the trade to come.’

I was also included.

The images of the seven divine objects guarding the Magic Kingdom flashed through my mind.

‘……Anyway, if I have to request to borrow one of the Kingdom’s divine objects, going through that side first before going through Skada wouldn't be bad either. I have no choice but to make the request first and wait while doing what needs to be done until an answer comes.’

I, who watched the direction Nemed disappeared to, soon moved my steps.

Those footsteps were heading toward the pandemonium of the Imperial Palace, Suleiman’s laboratory.

***

“They say the palace where the Master of the White Tower is staying is crowded with people every day, Your Highness.”

“It’s something we expected, isn’t it? Duke Nervian is an Archmage to whom even that Magic King expresses respect. Even I would have been anxious to somehow make a connection once if there was a chance.”

Gillian answered in a drowsy tone, half-asleep, with a sleep mask wrapped around his eyes.

“By the way, they say Grand Duke Reichart is included among the people who sent letters to the Master of the White Tower.”

Among those including Hein who sent letters to Nemed, there was no one who did not use the most secret method they could mobilize.

Nevertheless, Hannibal was grasping their movements thoroughly as if looking into the palm of his hand.

“Is that so? It is something that could sufficiently happen. Originally, outstanding people are bound to be attracted to each other. From the Grand Duke’s position, there would have been even more need to form a tie with Duke Nervian.”

“Your Highness, it has already been nearly a month since Grand Duke Reichart came to the Imperial Palace, and less than a week remains until the Sacred Festival. Are you not intending to meet the Grand Duke?”

Eventually, unable to endure Gillian’s leisurely attitude, Hannibal threw a question first.

The fact that his Lord remained leisurely even though there was less than a week left for Hein to stay in the Empire weighed on his mind.

“We must meet. No, the Grand Duke and I will definitely meet.”

However, Gillian’s attitude was still leisurely without end.

“Actually, I tried this and that on my own to create a seat with the Grand Duke. But the time was not good at all.”

“Your Highness, did you say time just now?”

Clearly, his Lord was absolutely not an idle person.

However, even assuming that, it was not that he spent busy days to the extent of not having time to drink a cup of tea during the past month.

It was a matter that would be solved immediately if he just sent one letter to Hein.

For what reason was he saying the time was not good?

“Once is enough. There is no need to bother creating a seat multiple times.”

As if guessing Hannibal’s inner thoughts, Gillian smiled and added an explanation about the ‘good time’.

“Right now, just letting the Grand Duke know that a person like me exists in this Empire is sufficient. What I am most worried about right now is the Grand Duke, who came all the way to the Empire only to deal with nothing but trash, becoming disappointed in this country and feeling disillusionment.”

Gillian’s voice, which had been leisurely all along, sharpened a very fine edge when mouthing the word ‘trash’.

“So we must not rush. We must give the Grand Duke time to compose his mind. There is still time, and since an opportunity will come once, it will be fine to have the meeting with the Grand Duke then.”

Gillian’s two hands, which had been fixed with arms crossed, headed toward the sleep mask covering his eyes.

“When that day comes, a rain of stars will fall, right?”

The pupils seen beyond the removed mask shone brightly.

Gillian closed his two eyes again and spoke as if whispering.

“Before the rain of stars stops, I will meet the Grand Duke.”

***

“Is the Chief Head inside?”

“I am truly sorry, Your Excellency. Since the Chief Head is currently striving on a very important experiment, he said to refrain from entry if possible until the experiment ends. I am apologetic, but could you wait just a little bit? It will not take that long.”

At the words of the researcher whom I had become acquainted with while going in and out of the laboratory a few times, I nodded my head.

“I understand. I will wait.”

“I am awed, Your Excellency. As soon as the experiment ends, I will convey to the Chief Head that Your Excellency has come. Perhaps refreshments…….”

“No. It’s fine. Then since I will be in the garden located at Outdoor Building 3, please contact me with the pager if the Chief Head comes out.”

“I will do so, Your Excellency.”

From that day I met Zephyros at Suleiman’s laboratory, I visited the laboratory about once a day.

Thanks to that, I was now in a state of knowing the laboratory facilities to some extent.

Chirp chirp-

Rarely for the laboratory which was full of only artificial aspects, this outdoor garden was steeped in the scent of nature.

Around the time about ten minutes had passed since I sat in an armchair and closed my eyes, deciding to kill time until contact came.

Rustle.

The sound of tree branches spread on the ground rustling was heard.

It wasn't that I had purposely cleared people away, but until now, there had been no researcher who stepped into the space where I was first.

Because to the researchers, an outsider was always an uncomfortable existence.

But these visitors did not stop entering without hesitation, whether they knew I was inside the garden or not.

“It’s been a while. Grand Duke, have you been well during that time?”

“Hein Reichart greets the Princess.”

I confirmed the person who revealed herself breaking the silence, stood up from the seat, and expressed respect.

Behind Isabella, who was dressed in informal formal wear rather than her usual armor, the court ladies serving her were bowing their heads.

“I greet Grand Duke Reichart.”

Isabella, seeing her court ladies bowing their heads toward me, clapped her palms once, and spoke while making an expression as if she just remembered.

“Come to think of it, I had no peace of mind during that time so I could not even say thank you to the Grand Duke. I thank you, even if belatedly, for saving my precious friend.”

“I was truly thankful, Grand Duke.”

Only after seeing the face of the woman who came one step forward from the group of court ladies and bowed her head again, could I know why Isabella was bowing to me.

“No. As a warrior holding a sword, I only did what I naturally had to do.”

Recalling the incident on the airship, I shook my head while making an expression that it was no big deal.

And after the greetings, both Isabella and I were silent.

‘Come to think of it, did that friend Mikhail return safely? A reaction will come from the Wind Tail Merchant Guild side before long.’

I had nothing to say as I was thinking about the merchant I met on the airship, and,

‘It doesn’t seem like a person who is shy of strangers like the fourth older brother would have invited an outsider.’

Isabella needed time to judge the reason why I was here in her own way.

Usually, even if envoys visited the Empire, they only stayed as if dead in their lodgings and did not think to roam around the Imperial Palace.

Much less, this place was the laboratory directly supervised by the 4th Prince.

Unless one was friendly with the person in charge of the facility, it was not a place where an outsider could easily set foot.

‘Just receiving a gift from Older Brother was surprising enough, but to be here already…….’

Thinking anew that it was a very rare thing for Themia to bestow unilateral kindness on someone, Isabella’s pupils changed a little larger.

She suddenly became curious about the inner thoughts of this small nation Duke who was roaming all over the Imperial Palace and making ties with key figures while wearing a blunt face.

Isabella, hiding these inner thoughts of hers firmly, showed a bright smile and threw a question.

“Grand Duke, for what matter have you visited this place?”