Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Entry into the Imperial Palace
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"Is this the place?"
"Saintess, you don't have to do this..."
"It's fine. Treating the sick is my duty."
"Thank you, thank you. If only my son hadn't caught that plague..."
Deep into the night.
In the shantytown where the lowest-class commoners of the city Denfos lived.
Armis, wrapped head to toe in a traveler's robe, appeared following an old woman.
"But who is this person..."
Armis, treated as a saintess in Neruman.
She couldn't just wander outside freely under the knights' ironclad protection.
But when an old woman came to the temporary temple saying her son was dying of the plague, Armis had slipped out of the skyport at dawn.
If the knights found out it was the plague, they wouldn't let her go, so she made a promise with the old woman and snuck out.
Creak. Thud.
"..."
The door suddenly slammed shut.
"Who..."
The old woman vanished in an instant.
Armis turned in shock, and her eyes caught sight of several figures.
With the door closed, she couldn't see their faces—only their silhouettes.
"Gasp!"
In that moment, a man rushed in like the wind and clamped a cloth over Armis's mouth.
The breath she inhaled sent her body into a deep slumber.
"Move out now. We have to get out of Neruman before the lord returns."
"Yes, sir!"
The men in the darkness stuffed Armis into a sack in an instant.
Whoosh.
And they vanished outside as if nothing had happened.
Thus, Neruman's saintess Armis disappeared.
It happened exactly one week after Lord Kaier left his territory.
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'I can't go to Kirfone like this.'
One week after leaving the territory.
Unlike before, he enjoyed a leisurely journey and arrived at the imperial capital of the empire.
The hot welcome in Artman County was gone; in every territory he reached, he received proper noble treatment.
But he had not the slightest desire to land the skyport in Kirfone like this.
He wasn't idiot enough to stick his head into a den of starving lions who were dying to kill him.
'A place where I can flee immediately if danger comes. I need to leave Bebeto there.'
No matter the country, escaping this empire without Bebeto would be impossible.
A place where a single word could send you to heaven or hell.
The emperor's absolute domain.
It was the imperial palace of the Bazran Empire.
Unaware of his thoughts, three wyverns flew dozens of meters ahead.
He tugged the reins lightly, changing direction.
They had followed quietly for days without noticing a thing.
He urged Bebeto toward the distant imperial palace.
'Sister Irene, sorry.'
He could have told Irene in advance, but Viscount Betres tagging along would surely have stopped him.
Flap flap flap.
'If I'm going into the tiger's den, I might as well face the tiger directly.'
He'd heard the emperor was bedridden.
Such an emperor wouldn't invite him—the temporary lord of abandoned Neruman—to his birthday party for no reason.
There was definitely some scheme.
He didn't know much about the imperial family or nobles, but one thing was certain.
Never trust those half-human imperial and noble breeds.
'And I've got that. Heh heh heh.'
A trump card tucked in his bosom.
Normally, wyverns flying toward the palace would be shot down without fail, but he draped Bebeto in an imperial banner made of golden thread, symbolizing a noble under imperial command.
Something he'd borrowed from Irene for a bit.
Thus, he waved goodbye to the oblivious Irene in flight and headed straight for the palace.
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Thud!
'It's only been a short time, but why does it feel so foreign?'
He guided Bebeto leisurely into the imperial wyvern hangar inside the inner palace of the Bazran Empire's imperial family.
Before landing, he'd seen the imperial knight academy and the palace grounds.
As befitted the empire ruling the continent, the landscaping and buildings were artistically stunning, striking him as unfamiliar.
'Impressive...'
The inner palace of the imperial family, a place he'd never entered even once.
Even the hangar was fantastical.
Cool blue square stone slabs laid out like a checkerboard, with over twenty wyvern hangars lined up neatly beside them.
'Damn, it's better than my house.'
Wyvern hangars made of milky white stone similar to marble used in palace architecture.
Compared to the imperial hangar, his office in Neruman was doghouse level.
Groooar!
Bebeto let out a pleased roar, clearly liking it.
Click. Slide.
He unfastened the safety harness and helmet and dismounted to the ground.
Holding the air plate in a mithril basket meant as a gift for the emperor.
Thud thud thud thud.
As he descended, over ten knights came running.
Red capes symbolizing the imperial guard knights fluttering, eyebrows twitching as they charged.
They must have noticed Bebeto's golden stripes only after landing.
"Halt!"
The lead knight among those who closed to five meters shouted to stop.
Sizzle.
Intense hostility directed at him.
The empire's elite imperial guard knights had realized he and Bebeto landed without formal permission.
"Haha, good work."
He burst into a friendly laugh, flashing a broad smile at the knights.
Clang!
But in return came the sharp cry of swords being drawn.
"How dare you bring a mongrel hybrid wyvern into this place!"
An imperial guard knight bellowed wrathfully at him.
The pale-faced knight in his mid-thirties seemed to know about Bebeto.
"And as a mere baronet!!!"
And of course, he knew too.
The imperial guard knight spewing murderous intent while calling him a baronet.
"Heh..."
A cold smirk formed as his prickly nature flared.
Clang clang.
Imperial guard knights and soldiers suddenly appeared from all sides.
Dozens of bows trained on him and Bebeto.
"Seize the intruder who violated the palace! Kill if they resist!"
"Yes, sir!"
Clearly the unit commander among the guard knights, holding a title himself.
He ordered his capture without question.
Step step.
Over ten knights advanced with swords drawn.
Blue mana rippled on their blades.
'Paying dog tax today?'
He'd disliked coming to the palace from the start.
If not for her invitation, he probably wouldn't have come.
A small conflict arose.
He had to settle it here.
Causing a commotion could bring all the empire's mages, knights, and sky knights.
"A mere baronet daring to wear imperial guard sky knight attire... Even a passing orc would laugh."
The unit commander knight needled him sharply.
Sneer.
His hand rested on his sword hilt.
Step step.
The fearless knights closed to five meters.
A distance he could kill them in one go.
'Birthday party my ass!'
His temper grew fiercer.
He decided to give them a beating.
Shing.
He swiftly drew his sword hilt.
"Stop!!!!!!!!!"
"..."
A sharp voice suddenly rang out.
"What are you doing! He's my guest!"
"Pr, Princess!"
A woman appeared, spitting icy words.
'Aegis!'
She must have run, clutching her dress hem.
Her flushed face glistened with sweat beads.
The knights shouted loyalty and saluted.
"Pr, Princess! This man invaded the palace without permission. This is..."
Slap!
Aegis's hand sliced the air, leaving a clear handprint on the knight's face.
".....!!"
The knights' faces twisted in shock at the princess's sudden action.
Moreover, the guard knight unit commander was noble-rank, not mere knight.
Even a princess couldn't strike a noble casually—it went against noble etiquette.
Aegis trembled, lips bitten, anger not yet sated.
"I clearly said he's my guest, the princess of the Bazran Empire palace... and you call him 'that guy'! Lord Kaier is a noble properly titled by His Majesty. Treating such a noble as a criminal disqualifies you from being an imperial guard knight upholding the palace's honor."
Aegis declared the guard knight unqualified.
'As expected of a princess.'
Gone was the reckless girl who'd helped him escape on Bebeto; here was Aegis displaying imperial dignity for all to see.
He recalled her fearlessly defending him before the crown prince.
"For tarnishing the palace's dignity, I sincerely apologize!"
The guard knight dropped to one knee, offering the highest salute a knight could.
"I'm sorry, Lord Kaier. I apologize on behalf of the imperial guard knight's rudeness."
Imperial guard knights served to carry out the emperor's commands and protect the imperial heirs and honor.
Aegis apologized in his stead for the guard knight's mistake.
'You bastards hit the jackpot today!'
Without Aegis, he would've flipped the place and left.
"No need. It's my fault for being lowly."
It was true.
If he were a powerful lord, would a mere guard knight dare order his arrest?
All because he lacked power.
'Next time, I'll make you bow your heads yourselves.'
He memorized their faces, the ones scratching his pride.
Thud thud thud.
Maids appeared running from afar—how fast the princess had come.
Ignoring the knight's apology, Aegis smiled.
'She's tougher than she looks.'
He bowed once more, impressed by her precise emotions and actions.
"Escort Lord Kaier's wyvern to the guest hangar."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Strict with the knights unlike her warmth to him.
"Thank you for your kindness."
"Hee hee, kindness? Lord Kaier is my precious guest."
Flash.
The princess Aegis burst into clear laughter.
She shone.
Forgetting the unpleasantness, she smiled, revealing neat teeth.
He suddenly felt glad he'd come to the palace.
Groooar!
'She noticed quick.'
Three black wyverns appeared overhead.
Spotting him and Bebeto, they circled above.
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"Mobilize all knights and soldiers for a thorough search! Knight Zenis, Knight Liker, Knight Sedlian—take off immediately and scour the area!"
Derbal, always calm in handling affairs, was pale as a ghost.
The sudden disappearance of Priestess Armis.
She'd vanished like a lie from the prayer room where she was praying.
Chaos erupted in the skyport and city of Denfos.
No battle, yet a first-level alert was issued.
'I have to find her. Before the lord returns, I must!'
Before leaving for the palace, his lord had specially entrusted him with Armis's protection.
Derbal wanted to die.
His lord had trusted him enough to grant temporary command of Neruman, yet he'd failed that trust.
"It reeks of pros. Only they could pull off something this clean..."
Liker, former mercenary guild master, scowled.
"Assassins' Guild level at least."
And the assassins' guild was mentioned.
"Ah, Assassins' Guild..."
Derbal's face drained of color.
One of the dark guilds specializing in abductions and hits for pay.
Rated capable of killing key nobles or even royals in any kingdom.
Designated illegal by empires and kingdoms, under strict watch, but they never showed their faces.
"Still, we have to find her. Even if it costs our lives!"
No—even if it cost his life, Derbal wanted to bring back Priestess Armis.
The agony of failing his lord's command.
Derbal swallowed bloody tears in his heart.
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'Is, is this the imperial palace!'
It made "another world" sound tame.
He'd guessed from the hangar alone how much money and care went into it, but it exceeded imagination—his eyes widened hugely.
'Beautiful...'
The Bazran Empire palace, holding centuries of history.
Ancient dignity permeated every building.
Compared to Earth's castles from movies or internet, ten times more grand and beautiful.
Entering through the massive stone door connected to the hangar, he lost himself in the sight.
The palace, lavishly adorned by sculptors, architects, and artisans.
Lifelike sculptures, unseen flowers and trees everywhere.
Fountains dotted about.
A scene he'd never witnessed before.
'But how long has she been waiting for me?'
Aegis had run from the fairly spacious inner palace to the hangar.
Impossible unless she'd spotted him from the start.
And she'd needed mana to run that distance.
"That building over there is Isabel Palace, where I live."
From imperial knight academy history class.
The palace named after Isabel, the founding emperor Bahillain's eldest daughter.
A quaint three-story white palace not far from the imperial hangar.
'They said imperial family in the inner palace each own a palace—it's true.'
Isabel Palace wasn't huge.
Three stories with about thirty terraces—cozy.
Of course, there was a garden.
A charming one with far more white flowers than others.
Rivaling the pricey gardens of world stars.
'Isn't she treating me too well?'
She was a princess of the Bazran palace.
A league above a young baronet.
Yet she walked beside him with a soft smile.
Wavy golden hair suiting her, ample hem of a blue dress.
"You came sooner than I thought. I expected tomorrow."
"I flew posthaste to the dear princess's letter, more precious than an imperial edict."
"Really?"
She turned, tilting her head cutely at his words.
Her sky-blue eyes sparkled with joy.
"A gift from my heart."
He stopped, pulling a brooch from his cloak pocket.
"Oh my!"
A brooch with a red emerald crafted by dwarves.
Framed in mithril clearer than silver, a 500-won-coin-sized red emerald.
Dwarves made only a few a year—top of the top masterpieces.
"Dwarves in my territory made it."
"S, such a precious thing..."
Dwarf handicrafts surpassing Chanel or Gucci on Earth.
Her face lit up brightly, proving even she weakened for gifts.
'Worth giving.'
Not pearls before swine, but a brooch shining like the sea goddess mermaid princess's necklace.
Seeing her joy warmed his heart.
'The palace...'
He turned to gaze at the true imperial palace of Bazran.
The full vista filled his eyes.
And he imagined.
His future paradise palace would be dozens of times cooler and grander.
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'Whoa, this is imperial life.'
Those invited by royals could stay in that royal's palace.
Only nobles with verified status, he'd heard.
And he was receiving that treatment fully.
'Over 40 pyeong for sure.'
Unlike from outside, Isabel Palace was lavish as a princess's home.
Cool sky-blue carpeted corridors, masterpieces and sculptures everywhere.
Magic lamps and items, most he'd never seen.
Moreover, his guest room.
Surely the best view and largest in Isabel Palace, barring Aegis's own.
'Springs in the mattress? Ace Bed, step aside.'
Antique-style furniture and furnishings.
A bed twice king-size sat aside; sitting gave long-missed cushy bounce.
'That's Glory Palace where the emperor stays.'
Isabel Palace sat slightly higher, overlooking nearly the whole inner palace.
The most striking central palace.
The towering seven-story Glory Palace.
"Nice..."
Midsummer, yet the room was refreshingly cool.
After a refreshing bath in the spacious bathroom, he finally felt alive.
Proper rest after so long.
Knock knock.
"It's Aegis."
"Come in."
Even in her own palace, she treated him utmostly.
'Is it okay for a princess to be this demure?'
Typical princesses were brats chowing down sass for breakfast, but Aegis wore "I'm demure" on her face.
Now too, in her own palace, she knocked carefully and sought permission.
"Any discomfort?"
'Never!'
"Haha, more comfy than my house."
"Then I'm glad."
She bloomed like a lily at his words.
A fresh scent spread with her smile.
"Princess, prepare to go outside."
"Pardon? Outside? I prepared dinner for you..."
'Dinner too?'
Her words made him gulp.
Imperial palace dinner, incomparable to noble feasts tasted with Irene.
But he needed to step out briefly.
Lots to prepare.
"I came hastily without proper attire. Tomorrow's the emperor's birthday ball—can't go like this."
"Hee hee, no worries there."
Confidence filled her face before he finished.
"I already prepared your banquet attire. No need to worry."
"Wha!!"
He jolted at her words.
Her unexpected favor.
Even bold him was shocked.
She beamed purely at his surprise.
Thud thud thud.
Urgent footsteps outside then.
Bang!
"Brother Kaier!"
'Huh?'
A kid burst in rudely.
'Razsion...'
Cute little Prince Razsion.
Sky-blue eyes like Aegis's trembled with joy.
"Haha! Long time, Your Highness."
"Razsion! What are you doing before a guest!"
"Sis! Lord Kaier saved my life. So he can be my brother, right? Right, Brother Kaier?"
Smarter after months apart, Prince Razsion.
Grown bold enough to stand up to sister Aegis.
"What are you..."
"Yeah. Razsion's my little brother."
He cut off Aegis, siding with Razsion.
"Bro~!"
Thud. Hug.
Only their third meeting, yet the kid hugged tight.
Pat pat.
He happily stroked the kid's hair hanging at his waist.
"..."
Aegis watched with wide eyes.
"You've grown a lot."
"Hee hee, to be a cool sky knight like you said, Bro. I trained hard. I can protect Sis alone now!"
Kids' hearts were similar, prince or not.
The little one craved his praise.
Proudly tapping the small sword at his waist.
"Razsion, why call Lord Kaier 'brother'? Any reason?"
Second time seeing Razsion call him brother, curious Aegis asked.
"Yeah! Back at the library—no, wyvern emergency landed and..."
"Library? Wyvern emergency landing?"
"..."
Both knew it spelled trouble for them, so Razsion clammed up.
"Man's secret, Lady Aegis."
"Right! Man's secret!"
The sly kid emphasized "man" backed by him.
"Fine, I won't ask."
"Hee hee... Thanks, Sis."
'They get along great.'
He'd sensed their close sibling bond at the library first time.
Rare for palace-raised royals.
"Bro, it's stuffy here—let's go out. Datero grew a head taller since last time."
Razsion grabbed his hand.
Treating him like real big bro, all friendly.
"Razsion, be careful outside."
"Don't worry, Bro. I'm not that dumb."
Up close, two front teeth missing on Razsion.
Prime mischief age.
'Shall I see the sights.'
Escorted by the empire's little royals out.
Like strolling with the president's kid at the Blue House.