Kill the Emperor

Translator: AkazaTL

Pr/Ed: Sol IX

***

Chapter 103 : Equivalent Exchange

Glug glug glug-

“I really like talking with young people.”

After filling my cup following his own, Nemed continued speaking in a calm voice.

“Young people are, ah, if it was rude, I apologize. Since I have aged quite a bit, words come out like this. Please understand with a broad generosity, Grand Duke.”

“No. It is fine to speak comfortably.”

Actually, even if Nemed called me a young person, there was nothing to be a problem.

Whether looking at national power, strength, or influence, no matter what, Nemed was in a firmly superior position compared to ‘Hein Reichart’.

“Thank you for saying so. Then I will continue speaking. I think it is a truly desirable thing for young politicians like the Grand Duke to step forward to the front lines of the political stage like this. Because I believe the vigor of young people is also absolutely necessary for this world to become a slightly more livable place. Seeing as how it is, the Grand Duke is clearly a person overflowing with vigor.”

Nemed’s finger, smooth unbefitting his age, swept long across the rim of the cup.

“Because if the Grand Duke were a person without vigor, you wouldn't be able to boldly say you want to borrow the Ark of Setien.”

“If my words and actions felt rude, I apologize.”

“Hoho, there is no need for that. If I really thought the Grand Duke’s action was rude, I wouldn't have even created a seat like this.”

Nemed laughed heartily and waved his hand, but I also knew well that my proposal could seem rude.

“Duke Nervian, although cases are rare, I understand that there haven't been zero cases where the 7 Great Divine Objects of Maganus were away from the Kingdom.”

“You know well. Actually, there have been such cases a few times.”

Like the words of the two of us, among the 7 Great Divine Objects, cases where they were lent to other countries under the King’s permission were not completely nonexistent.

“I hear your knowledge regarding the sword is very deep?”

Of course, very, very tricky conditions were attached each time though.

“I already know the fact that the Grand Duke possesses excellent talent enough to be counted on one hand among warriors of the same age. Since such an outstanding talent has emerged, it is truly worthy to be called the great fortune of Zodiac.”

“Rumors are bound to be exaggerated. Since you say so, I don't know what to do with myself.”

“So, actually there is one thing I want to ask the Grand Duke.”

“Please speak.”

“A sword, I mean, could you explain to me what kind of thing Blade Aura is?”

“Me?”

“That is so. Actually, my childhood dream was to become a cool knight appearing in fairy tale books. But my body didn't follow at all, so I couldn't walk that path. But seeing the Grand Duke who seems to have drawn out the dream I had in my childhood exactly as is, I was reminded of that time, you see. Could I perhaps ask a favor?”

If Nemed was truly curious about the theory of the sword, he could just ask a knight of his own country.

Even though Maganus was called a Kingdom of Mages, there was no way there wouldn't even be a knight to give that level of explanation.

But for some reason, Nemed threw the question to me.

“Since you say so, I will tell you once within what I know. A sword is fundamentally domination over space.”

And I began to give an answer to Nemed’s question.

“From a point to a line, again from a line to a plane, and from a plane to space. As one becomes skilled, a knight expands their dominance over their surroundings. They say knights who have reached the highest stage can fully dominate the surrounding space.”

“Ah, I think I have heard of it. They say if a valiant knight cuts the empty air, the dimension is cut away. Right now, is the Grand Duke talking about that?”

“Although exaggeration is mixed in, it is not completely wrong. To a truly excellent knight, a blind spot does not exist. Because even if it is a place where vision does not reach, domination is possible with just will. So knights often use the expression ‘Sword Barrier’ referring to that stage.”

“Oho!”

“And a knight who has reached the level to form a Sword Barrier can suppress an opponent who has entered their dominance without even touching them.”

“Ah, then is it for a similar reason that those facing a knight with a large skill difference often cannot overcome the pressure and collapse with a thud?”

“That is correct. They have been deprived of control over their own body. In other words, a sword is essentially a means to increase dominance over the space between the opponent and me. And the one who wins in that competition of dominance can win in the battle with the opponent.”

Hearing my explanation, Nemed nodded his head with a pleased expression, clapping continuously.

“Excellent. It was a very good explanation that even a layman like me could understand. The Grand Duke is not only talented in the sword, but your eloquence is also very excellent.”

“You flatter me.”

“By the way. Perhaps, how much does the Grand Duke know about magic?”

“I have interest, but due to lack of talent, it is practically as if I know almost nothing about magic.”

“Don't be like that, how about speaking once even within what you know?”

At Nemed’s urging, I had no choice but to give a short answer.

“Distortion, and mutation. I know to the extent that the most core elements implementing magic lie in these two, but this is all I know.”

Of course, it was a lie.

I was perhaps the person with the most knowledge about the essence of magic on this continent.

“You said you knew nothing, yet you know well about the essentials forming the core.”

Nemed nodded his head with an expression that he was proud.

“Then do you have some interest in magic?”

“Of course.”

“Then since the Grand Duke gave a flavorful explanation about the sword, this time I intend to return the favor, would you listen once?”

“If you give teachings, Sir, I am only thankful.”

Nemed, showing a beaming smile, extended both hands.

Then a flame formed in his right hand, and a lump of ice formed in his left hand.

Apart from the scale, using two magics of completely different attributes simultaneously was a very tricky thing.

However, the hand movements of Nemed, the head of the White Crystal School and a mage ranking within five fingers on the continent, were smooth beyond comparison.

“People who don't know well about magic usually think of this as a miracle upon seeing it. Since flame or cold air suddenly forms in the empty air where there was nothing. But not at all. The essence of magic lies in rational exchange, not in absurd words like miracles.”

Crackle! Whoosh-

The flame and cold air changed their appearance into lightning and storm in an instant.

“Causing a very minute crack in the laws already existing in this world is exactly the essence of magic. What must be paid as a price for causing that essence is mana. So if you look into it, mages are a kind who immerse themselves in figuring out ways to twist the laws dominating the world. And the major premise dominating all this process is exactly exchange. In other words, my usual theory is that the essence of magic lies in thorough calculation, not absurd miracles.”

‘Magic is not a miracle’.

Since this was something I also agreed with, I could nod my head without difficulty.

“And mages like me call this mechanism ‘Equivalent Exchange’. Ah, the explanation is getting long so it's boring, right? Be at ease. The explanation is all finished.”

Nemed spoke after emptying his full cup about halfway in one breath.

“So what I want to tell the Grand Duke is that the kind called mages are a breed who can do anything provided a proper price is given. And the King I serve is a very, very excellent mage.”

Grin.

A large smile formed on Nemed’s mouth after finishing the explanation.

Smirk.

A vivid smile that I rarely showed also formed on my mouth.

Eventually, what he wanted to say was-

The Ark of Setien can be lent.

However, only if you can pay a price befitting it.

“Thank you truly for the good words. Duke Nervian.”

“I am the one who feels like the stuffiness is washing away after chatting to my heart’s content after a long time thanks to the Grand Duke. If His Majesty learns that I spent such an enjoyable time here, he will also be very happy.”

This confirmed that he would convey today’s proposal to Skada as is.

And if it were words spoken by a figure ranking within the official top 5 of Maganus, Skada would also think seriously about my proposal.

‘Things worked out better than I thought. It’s a relief that Nemed is a person who communicates well, no, that he is an Elfian.’

Although we couldn't discuss detailed matters yet, just this much was sufficient for now.

Because just making Skada keep my proposal in mind was enough to call my trip to the Empire a great success.

‘Anyway, right now I am also not ready.’

Glug glug glug-

Nemed filled the cup to the brim again and emptied the cup truly deliciously.

“I feel it is a very regrettable thing to part after saying only what needs to be said like this. If the Grand Duke is not busy, how about having a little more drink with me before going?”

The bottle that was already half empty when I arrived completely disappeared with the cup just now.

Nemed took out a new large bottle from inside the closet.

“Having dealt with only loose guys with nothing to look at for the past few days, meeting a young man who is not only bright but even bold makes me very pleased. Here, accept a cup.”

In addition, I realized only today that the rumor that a ‘terrible drunkard’ follows Nemed was true.

I silently held out my empty cup, and Nemed filled my cup generously while making an expression that he was truly enjoying himself.

“Then shall we drink one cup first and start talking? It is a truly good night!”

That night, the sound of clinking glasses was heard for a long time in Nemed’s quarters.

Like that, the last night before the Sacred Festival deepened.

***

Phew-woo-

Around the time the first star shot from the ground to the sky reached the deepest part of the night sky.

Phew-phew-shu-phew-shuk-

Soon following behind it, hundreds, thousands of stars were shot up into the night sky.

Along with the fireworks grandly brightening the night sky of Akrishion, the Sacred Festival announced its start.

Rumble rumble-

“His Majesty the Emperor arrives!”

With the Emperor of the Empire, ‘Calinero’, revealing his appearance riding a carriage led by 16 Bahmuts, the excitement of the festival heated up to the peak in an instant.

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

“Congratulations. Your Majesty!”

“Under Your Majesty’s reign, the Empire will be eternal!”

Walking amidst the shouts that the delegations of each country and the nobles of the Empire spewed out as if competing in loyalty, Calinero responded by raising his hand high.

Stylishly trimmed silver beard and broad shoulders.

Even a manly face exuding a strong impression, matching very well with his grand physique.

If judging only by appearance, Calinero had a magnanimous appearance truly befitting a sage king.

Since he was even wearing golden armor made with painstaking effort by the Empire’s masters, a plausible spectacle was completed on the outside.

‘Only on the outside, that is.’

A cold smile formed on the mouth of me, who was mixed among the crowd clapping.

If someone asked me what kind of person Calinero was, I would answer in one word.

‘A top-grade moron among morons who doesn't even live up to his face.’

Unlike his magnanimous appearance, Calinero was narrow-minded, foolish, and even prejudiced.

He neglected study and kept close treacherous subjects who only said sweet words, and because he habitually implemented unbalanced policies, the livelihood of the Empire fluctuated not just once or twice.

If the Late King ‘Vladimir’, a renowned sage king, had not made the Empire’s system healthy and established a solid imperial authority.

The Emperor’s authority would have been shaken severely long ago.

‘On top of that, he scattered his seed in all directions. Is the fact that his affection for the children obtained from the 1st Empress is exceptionally special the only bearable part?’

If the Emperor had failed to properly hold the center even in selecting a successor, the Empire’s chaos would have accelerated further.

‘Though it is a tragedy that the son receiving love beyond his undeserved share is a dog-like scoundrel worse than his father.’

As time passed, the heat of the Sacred Festival became fierce.

This reached its climax with Themia, wearing silver armor engraved with the same emblem as Calinero, boarding the Emperor’s carriage.

“Oh, my son! Hahaha! You worked hard during that time!”

Affection overflowed and dripped in all directions from the eyes and expression of the Emperor hugging Themia abruptly.

Although Calinero was entirely dim and lacked distinct subjectivity, the affection contained in his eyes looking at him was clearer than anything.

“Long live His Majesty the Emperor!”

“Long live the Prince!”

Leaving behind the cheers that grew so loud they could not be any louder, the carriage carrying the Emperor and Themia headed outside the Imperial Palace.

They had started the tour of the capital, an essential course of the Sacred Festival.

Rumble-

As the Royal Guards riding Chimeras escorting the Emperor and the accompanying personnel exited the Imperial Palace, the palace became somewhat quieter.

“Now, we also have a drink!”

“We should. Since it will take at least three or four hours for His Majesty to finish the tour of the capital city.”

The nobles who finally caught their breath gathered in threes and fives and began to tilt their cups.

Leaving behind the people laughing and sharing liquor cups, I moved my steps to a hill located on the outskirts of the Imperial Palace.

Since living the life of Hein Reichart, I had discarded all lingering attachments to the Empire.

However…….

But it seemed there was one lingering attachment I couldn't discard after all, and that was exactly…….

‘I remember it was around here.’

The fireworks were viewed from a prime spot in a corner of the Imperial Palace.

Ever since that first day I entered the Imperial Palace after meeting Gillian, I used to always watch the fireworks shot up to the sky from that spot.

And now with a body and mind that could not be the same as before…….

Phew-woo-woo-

The fireworks viewed from the same spot as before were beautiful enough to be ironic.

Phew-phew-woo-

Like that, I watched the fireworks soaring into the sky while hardened like a statue.

At that moment,

“It is a truly good night, isn't it?”

A voice breaking the short rest I had obtained after a long time was heard.

However, a voice too elegant to match the word ‘break’.

“I would like to share a greeting briefly, would that be okay?”

I could know who it was without bothering to turn back.

But I turned back without hesitation.

Because the owner of this familiar voice was a person I absolutely had to meet.

Whoosh-

The fireworks stretched their branches to every corner of the night sky without rest.

Under the splendid fireworks, silver hair that seemed like crushed moonlight scattered in all directions.

Inside the silver waves, a boy spoke.

“I am the 9th Prince of the Akrishima Empire, Gillian Tercios. Nice to meet you. Grand Duke Reichart.”