Chapter 50: Soldiers at the City... Gates?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 50: Soldiers at the City... Gates?
"My Lord, I have conveyed the news regarding the Sword of the Empire to the Grand Marshal. However, judging by his reaction, he doesn't seem willing to give up."
Thanatos nodded slightly as the Division Commander emerged.
"That is to be expected. By the way, did you see him accept that Chaos Seed?"
"I am not entirely sure. I didn't see any Chaos Seed when I went in; he likely put it away."
"Good."
With that, Thanatos produced a black-and-gold card.
"This is a VIP card for the Royal Opera House. With this, you can freely access any performance or program there."
"Thank you, My Lord. May the Emperor be with you."
After tucking the card away, the Division Commander asked one more question.
"Pardon me, My Lord, but I still do not know how to address you."
"Me?"
Thanatos paused for a moment.
"Wait until you can make me remember your name. Then we shall see."
Hearing this, the Division Commander bowed his head slightly.
"Understood, My Lord. Then please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Brandon, and my greatest skill is commanding ships. I hope that one day, you will hear that name again."
The moment Brandon finished speaking, Thanatos vanished.
"It seems this lord is truly mysterious. Well, I doubt our paths will cross again. Once we return to the Empire, I’ll resign as Division Commander and focus on getting some rest."
With that thought, Brandon adjusted the brim of his cap and returned to the console.
*
The next day.
Orion forced his weary eyes open and began processing the day's memorials.
"Hmm... Free repairs for alchemy machines used in battle. Approved."
"Compensation for the families of fallen soldiers... Approved."
"Accepting the surrender of the Expeditionary Force fleet... Approved."
"Preparing funds for the Grand Marshal's return... Sigh... Also approved."
"Releasing the nobles arrested by the Sin-Judgment Court... Rejected."
After correcting several hundred documents, Orion picked up the final one.
"Approving the Sword of the Empire's concert project... Wait, what on earth is this?"
Orion’s eyes suddenly snapped wide open.
"No, no... I must have slept too little yesterday. I'm hallucinating..."
He rubbed his eyes vigorously and looked at the memorial again.
"The Sword of the Empire's concert project... Requisitioning the Royal Opera House as the venue... Granting economic privileges for the concert and subsequent related industries... Applicant... the Sword of the Empire?"
"No, this is definitely still a hallucination."
He pinched the bridge of his nose hard and looked at the document once more.
"This is a matter of Imperial importance... the will of the people... hoping the Emperor will show mercy... and grant approval..."
"Hiss... Strange. Has my sleep been that poor lately? My brain still hasn't recovered."
Just then, Orion spotted Roland approaching.
"Ah, Master Roland! You’ve come at the perfect time. Come and look at this memorial. I think I’m going a bit senile; I seem to be seeing something very bizarre."
Hearing Orion’s shout, a flicker of confusion crossed Roland’s face.
"Something that can make Your Majesty feel bizarre? Please, let me see."
Roland took the memorial and read it carefully.
Then he read it again. And again. And again.
Finally, Roland abandoned all wishful thinking and spoke to Orion.
"Your Majesty, this is indeed a memorial requested by Lord Atoris. It is for a concert. Furthermore, the response among the commoners has been enthusiastic. If you reject it, it might affect public morale."
Hearing this, Orion waved his hand dismissively as if it were a joke.
"Oh, come on, Master Roland. How could this be real? If Father really went to hold some scandalous concert, I’d rather just leap off the top of the Imperial Palace. I’m telling you, Master Roland, you’re joking with me, right? This isn't funny at all..."
Halfway through, Orion’s voice faltered as he saw Roland’s silent, solemn expression.
"Master Roland... you are joking... right?"
Roland remained silent, but his meaning was clear.
"So... I should go jump then?"
"Wait, Your Majesty! You are the sovereign of a nation; please do not make such jokes lightly!"
Roland quickly added, "Lord Atoris must have a profound reason for doing this. We should not try to second-guess her intentions."
At this, Orion could no longer maintain his composure.
Bang!
Orion slammed his hand on the desk.
"But this is—!"
He choked on his words.
A thousand thoughts swirled in his mind for a long time before finally condensing into a single sentence.
"Fine... as long as Father is happy."
Having said that, Orion slumped powerlessly into his chair.
"By the way, I haven't asked why you came here."
At Orion’s inquiry, Roland wiped the complex expression from his face.
"Your Majesty, the Grand Marshal’s Expeditionary Force has arrived at Carlos Lilanka. You are needed to preside over the situation."
"So soon?"
Orion was slightly stunned.
If he remembered correctly, he had only just approved the memorial regarding the Grand Marshal's return this morning.
He had barely finished signing it, and the man was already here?
"Fine."
Orion rose from his seat.
Led by Roland and accompanied by several Imperial Guards, Orion made his way to the top of the city gates.
There, he saw the Expeditionary Force fleet floating in the sky and Grand Marshal Leon standing prominently on the ground below.
Seeing Orion appear, Leon immediately broke into a smug grin.
"Orion, it seems you’re quite sensible. You actually dared to open the gates to welcome my return. Do you realize you're unfit for the task and are in a hurry to abdicate the throne to me?"
Hearing Leon’s treasonous words, the Imperial Guards beside Orion were the first to flare up in anger.
"You rebel! How dare you!"
"Wait."
Orion held up a hand to stop the guards.
"Let me speak with him."
"Yes... Yes, Your Majesty."
Once the guards stepped back, Orion walked to the very edge and shouted down at Leon.
"Leon, out of respect for our shared bloodline, I will not hold you accountable today. If you are willing to hand over your military power, I will still recognize you as the Grand Marshal of the Empire!"
At this, Leon couldn't help but burst into wild laughter.
"Hahaha! Orion, you bastard, have you called yourself 'Emperor' so many times that you've gone senile?"
"What do you mean, you won't hold me accountable if I hand over my power? Do you think this is some brainless romance novel?"
"Look closely, you waste! I am the Grand Marshal of this fleet! Even if I dared to give you the military power, would a failure like you even dare to accept it?"
"I have fought abroad for so many years, performing great deeds for the Empire! I am the prince who most resembles our Father!"
"Your election as Emperor was a total mistake. This position was meant for me! You have no right to it!"
Listening to Leon’s barrage of questions, Orion’s face darkened.
"Fine. I may indeed lack the right, and I cannot match your bravery. But if that bravery was bought with the power of Chaos, then I’m not so sure who is truly unfit."
Leon’s expression soured.
"You bastard, what are you talking about? As the Grand Marshal of the Empire, how could I possibly accept the power of Chaos..."
"Oh? Is that so?"
A youthful voice suddenly rang out across the entire field.
"Fa—er, no, Sword of the Empire? Why are you here?"
Orion was surprised to see Atoris suddenly appear.
Ignoring Orion, Atoris looked coldly at Leon.
That single look sent a shiver down Leon’s spine.
Damn it, I forgot about this one. She actually radiates the same pressure as Father... It seems the rumors that she is equal in strength to Father are true...
Though a seed of fear toward the Sword of the Empire had sprouted in his heart, Leon refused to show any submission.
"Hmph. You arrogant brat. You are nothing more than a weapon belonging to my Father. What right do you have to speak here? Are you going to join Orion in framing me for accepting the power of Chaos?"
Faced with Leon’s retort, Atoris didn't argue. She simply raised the Crimson Greatsword in her hand.
"Brandon, and all you brave warriors of the Empire."
"If you still remember your oaths to the late Emperor, and if you still recognize the Sword of Dawn in my hand, then follow my command and return to the Empire."
Hearing those words, Leon immediately sensed something was wrong.
In the next second.
Every ship in the sky shut down its weapon systems and began sailing toward the city.