Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Audience (5)
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"I swear it."
His voice rang out strangely loud. That single phrase echoed through the audience chamber. After a brief silence, the emperor lifted the sword from Ronan's shoulder.
"...Raise your head."
Ronan did as instructed. The emperor was gazing down at him with a stern expression. Ronan's own reflection in those pitch-black eyes mirrored the same gravity.
"You are now the Empire's sword and its new Dawn. With power in your grasp, you must remain ever vigilant against the temptations of evil. Shadows appear only beside the light, after all."
"I will keep that in mind."
"Now, rise and accept your sword."
Ronan stood. The emperor, who had knelt, extended Baron's sword toward him. Ronan took it reverently with both hands, striving to embody the dignity it demanded.
'It's light. Useless in real combat.'
That was his first impression as the Empire's Dawn. Joy aside, it all felt utterly unreal. Time would sort it out eventually, but getting used to it would take more than a moment.
With that, the investiture ceremony concluded. The heavy tension that had filled the air began to dissipate. The emperor, who had been watching Ronan quietly, let out a chuckle.
"You're so stiff. Now that the ceremony's over, let's drop the formalities."
"I'll do my best."
"Hearing that makes me glad. A secret agent can't very well walk around with that sword, so wear this instead."
The emperor rummaged in his inner pocket and pulled out a round metal disc. It was the color of a setting sun, about the size of a woman's palm.
Its thickness matched three gold coins stacked together. Both sides bore an engraving of a hawk with wings spread wide. Ronan tilted his head.
"What's this?"
It was unfamiliar. Unlike the badges used by inspectors or military police. The emperor handed it to Ronan.
"The Dawn Badge. A very old artifact."
He explained that while the enemies they faced had changed, Dawn agents had existed since ancient times. The badge in his hand dated back to the era of the Blood Emperor. Ronan took it, raising an eyebrow.
"It's incredibly light."
He could scarcely believe he was even holding it. It might weigh as much as a chunk of Ramancha cut to the same size. The emperor nodded proudly.
"That's because it's made of blood mithril."
"Ah."
Ronan nodded as if it made perfect sense. Blood mithril would explain it. Though not true mithril, its hardness and rarity had earned it the name.
'To think I'd see the real thing.'
Prized as a dream metal for its strength and lightness, it was exceedingly rare. Rumor held that only the Valon imperial family could procure and work it, though its truth was unknown. A meaningful smile played on the emperor's lips.
"Handy for starting fresh if you're broke. Even at the worst pawnshop, it'd keep three generations from lifting a finger."
"I can really sell it?"
"Of course. Only if you've committed a grave crime and fled to another country, mind you. If you're caught, you'll rot in an underground dungeon for life."
Ronan couldn't help but chuckle. Now he saw the emperor had a decent sense of humor. He bowed in thanks and tucked the Dawn Badge into his bosom.
"Thank you. I'll put it to good use."
"Only flash it in critical moments. Officers caught off-guard might faint at the sight."
Ronan nodded. The emperor's serious tone suggested regular army folk knew of it; he'd just assumed the ignorant penal legionnaire didn't. The emperor's face grew solemn again.
"Then, shall I assign your first mission?"
"Anything involving that bastard... er, Nebula Klazie."
Ronan nodded heavily. Right now, he felt he could do anything. Academy schedule be damned—he'd chalk it up to club activities. Baren or the palace would handle it. The emperor's expression hardened.
"I want you to attend tomorrow's Sword Festival."
"I see. The Sword Festival... huh?"
Ronan blinked in surprise. This was an unexpected order. The emperor asked,
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"N-nothing. Please continue."
"Very well. As you know, Nebula Klazie's atrocities tend to target places where they can harm the masses. The Sword Festival, gathering swordsmen from across the continent, is a prime candidate. I'd like you to inspect it."
"So I'll participate as a palace affiliate?"
"Hm? What are you talking about? Affiliation?"
The emperor raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely puzzled by Ronan's words.
"Don't organizations have quotas for participants?"
"...The ceremony has limits on attendees, but Parjan is open to anyone, as far as I know. Has some rule changed without my notice?"
"Ah."
Ronan froze. It was unlikely the young, vibrant emperor was mistaken. In a flash, Naviroje's smirking face crossed his mind.
'That woman tricked me...!'
The realization hit like lightning. Something had felt off. If the ceremony's goal was finding a holy sword somewhere sacred, it was far more efficient to gather crowds first, then filter them, rather than restrict by recommendation.
Naviroje had planned to bring both of them from the start. Did even that Schlieffen bastard not know? Damn, that's why you can't trust big-chested women. Ronan's face twisted through a rainbow of expressions. The emperor spoke in a flustered tone.
"A swordsman of your caliber should pass the ceremony easily, but if you're reluctant..."
"...No. I want to go more than anything. So, I just head to the Sword Festival and round up anyone suspicious?"
"Exactly."
"Leave it to me. I was planning to go tomorrow anyway."
He wasn't particularly angry, though. Ronan calmed himself, glancing at his thickened wrists. Whatever Naviroje's intentions, his explosive growth over that mere month was undeniable.
But before diving into the mission, there was something important to address. Ronan met the emperor's eyes squarely.
"By the way, Your Majesty, I've got a question."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Don't you find me suspicious?"
For a split second, the emperor's eyes narrowed. Ronan stared back impassively.
He knew. It would've been easier all around to leave it unsaid. Better if he'd mentioned it before becoming Dawn, but it had to be aired now. He couldn't start a multi-year role with nagging doubts.
'My track record alone warrants caution.'
If he were emperor, he'd be wary. Ronan was a walking eye of the storm. Everywhere he went, he tangled with Nebula Klazie, sparking incidents galore—from his green days as a brat.
Of course, all had good outcomes, painting him as prime talent. But a little scrutiny revealed no one more suspect. The momentarily stunned emperor spoke.
"You think deeply. Not ideal for a swordsman, but perfect for Dawn."
Ronan said nothing. An awkward silence fell. Suddenly turning, the emperor gazed at the throne.
"...Sit in that chair, and things invisible before come into view."
"Pardon?"
"People's inner natures, chiefly. As emperor, facing every sort of human, you learn to read them from brief talks—grasp who they are naturally. Astonishing, isn't it?"
Ronan followed his gaze. The throne's backrest stretched unnaturally long, its seat polished glossy from countless posteriors. Reserved solely for the Empire's ruler.
The emperor had sat there since before Ronan's birth, greeting myriad visitors bearing goodwill, malice, ambitions. It rang true. The emperor continued.
"You hate Nebula Klazie. More than anyone. Am I wrong?"
Ronan's eyes widened. An irrefutable deduction. He shook his head slightly.
"No."
"Your fire has no time to burn anything but them. It awaits only the day to consume. I won't deny wanting to harness that zeal."
The emperor scanned Ronan up and down. His words on inner natures made the gaze feel piercing.
"But if you ask whether that's why I appointed you—no. As I said, you must realize you're exceptional."
"That's..."
"Intentions aside, you do good. You vanquish evil, save the innocent. That's public record, and sufficient. Your background or reasons for hating Nebula Klazie matter little."
Each syllable carried weight. Despite the mere head's height difference, Ronan felt overwhelmed.
Was this a sovereign's majesty? The emperor, chin lowered, met Ronan's eyes again.
"I am the Emperor of Valon. My eyes aren't so clouded I can't distinguish light from shadow."
With that, the conversation ended. Ronan nodded slowly. The answer was so clear, he felt foolish for asking. The emperor smiled once more, clapping Ronan's shoulder.
"Well, that's settled. Time to move."
"Where to?"
"We must at least celebrate the heroes who ushered in spring. You weren't planning to skip out as the star, were you?"
He added this banquet might be the last of the year. Memories flooded back of penal legion days, chattering about palace drinks and snacks.
They'd joked the emperor shat gold. Perfect chance to check. Ronan grinned.
"Sounds good."
They left the audience chamber for the banquet hall. From the distant corridor's end came murmurs of the crowd. Faint clinks of glasses suggested they were enjoying themselves well enough.