Chapter 188
Chapter 188
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: Imperial Command (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
●
Fortunately, His Majesty the Emperor didn't seem like someone completely devoid of common sense.
The way he chuckled at my flustered fumbling but still went on with the explanation was proof of that.
“I get that springing 'consort' on you out of nowhere would be confusing.”
His Majesty the Emperor said that while affectionately stroking the back of my hand.
He gazed at my startled twitch like it was the cutest thing.
‘...It feels a bit different from the game.’
Was this person always so playful?
Cecilia XI barely gets any spotlight in the original story. She just pops up now and then to interact with Elnor, that's it.
So all I remember is her stiffly handling official business.
Her image as the one causing massive screw-ups during main quests sticks out more.
“...”
Unlike Paynol, the boss of this chapter 4, this one's fate is sealed to die later.
The routes vary. She dies without finding a cure for the Curse of Dragon Blood, or gets defeated in a power struggle and locked away somewhere. Or vanishes as mist on the execution grounds.
The worst one? That one.
‘...Civil war. Followed by a coup.’
A national upheaval and war centered on the 'Elder Council,' made up of prestigious houses excluding the Tristan Ducal House and Kendrid Margrave.
It ends with both Gideon and her dying in an event.
It's the absolute worst branch in chapter 5, 'The Empire's Great Upheaval' scenario.
It's also an instant-death event that triggers if you pick the wrong choices in the chapter 4 finale 'climax.'
“Let me ask one thing, you there.”
Lost in those thoughts, the Emperor suddenly brought it up.
“What were you thinking in your second trial for Hero Selection? Why did you do that?”
“...Pardon?”
“I mean throwing yourself toward death without a second thought. No hesitation, no wavering, you just went right into it.”
The Emperor said it with slightly darkened eyes.
“Treat this as a test and answer seriously. Why did you do such a thing?”
“...”
The sudden serious tone made me shut my mouth too.
A test, out of the blue? Well.
I don't know what the right answer is, but.
On this point, I only have one honest response I can give.
“Because it was the best option.”
“The best?”
“No one else would get hurt, and I've escaped that situation countless times.”
“...”
“I could do it, so I did. I was certain.”
“...In other words.”
Cecilia XI smiled faintly.
“You coldly judged yourself the most suitable 'tool' to resolve the situation. Even with your life on the line, you had the guts to be sure you'd pull it off.”
As if that was exactly the right answer.
“I figured you were the type. Watching you, you've got some outlandishly bold ways of doing things.”
The Emperor sighed and continued.
“What I need right now is someone like you.”
“...You need me?”
“I'm going hunting, Dawood Campbell.”
The words came in a calm voice.
“...As you think, the Empire is harboring a massive spark right now. Sullivan and I get along decently, but I'm hearing the Elder Council's movements are far from normal, more and more often.”
Yeah... they would be.
Considering chapter 5's progress, they're probably plotting something big right now.
“...If unrest breaks out in the Empire now... it'd be a disaster. Especially with the Pontiff of the Holy Kingdom clearly scheming some massive plan too.”
“...”
Spot-on worry.
Just like he said, the Empire's Great Upheaval in chapter 5 leads straight into chapter 6's Holy Kingdom main quest.
In other words.
What this person wants to say is.
“I want to 'use' you to stop that.”
Cecilia XI laid it out.
“I can't tell you the full plan... but I have a feeling you can do it. That you can help me seize a chance to wipe out the Elder Council in one go.”
“...How exactly?”
“With what you do best.”
The Emperor smiled faintly.
“Survive.”
“...”
“You'll be the bait. That's why you're getting the consort title.”
Consort.
The Empress's partner.
The current Emperor isn't married and has no children. If I step into that role, I'd be in the closest position to the imperial heir.
No base, no warning, suddenly the son of a viscount house becomes the Empress's consort.
For those blinded by power plotting rebellion, no target would be as 'eye-catching' as me.
Somehow, the Emperor's set up a plan to crush the Elder Council through that situation.
“One month. If things go as I think, you won't have to deal with any more hassle after that. I guarantee it.”
Calmly.
The Emperor put it out there.
“...Of course, issuing such an order on empty words would be the height of rudeness. Since I'm forcing a life-risking choice on you.”
To my silence, the Emperor said that.
“I'll give you compensation you'll be satisfied with.”
“...Compensation?”
“Yes.”
Then, casually.
“I'll give you everything I have.”
The words dropped like that.
“...Pardon?”
My thoughts ground to a halt at those words, and I barely managed a response.
But from the Emperor, the words continued without a hint of unease.
“Cecilia Ark Bailey Dio Donne. Emperor of the Empire. Or Cecilia XI. 'Me'—I'll devote everything to you. Use me however you like for a month. Body, heart, all of it.”
“...”
I was speechless.
I had no idea what this person was saying.
What, body?
Heart?
“...”
To the nobody son of a viscount house who she could behead with a flick of her wrist.
The ruler of the Empire.
Is saying what now?
“You can beat me for fun if you want. Use me as a doll to vent your urges, up to you. My body's like this, so anything too rough might be tough, but do whatever suits your tastes.”
“...No, Your Majesty, what are you—”
“The only 'reward' I can offer you is this.”
The Emperor cut me off with a wry smile.
It shut down any room for argument.
“...The choice is yours.”
Her voice said she'd already made up her mind.
Like after this, it was entirely up to me.
●
‘...Dizzying.’
That was my first thought after ending the audience with the Emperor.
[...Want me to be honest?]
“No.”
[...]
“Just comfort me.”
I don't need facts right now.
I know better than anyone I'm in a dogshit situation.
[You're kinda fucked right now?]
“...”
Even so, I silently stared at Soul Linker, who stubbornly spoke her mind.
[...You don't get it either, do you?]
“...”
Of course.
Obviously.
I get that the Emperor wants to use me as bait in some 'scheme.'
But that compensation.
-I'll give you everything I have.
It's basically a slave declaration.
The Emperor's declaring she's giving up her own 'human rights' to become my 'property.'
A situation this bizarre naturally floods me first with a fear-like incomprehensibility.
‘...Why?’
What's the reason.
I've gotten sudden favors from vessels of the devil plenty of times.
But even so.
Neither Elnor, Yuria, Seras, Liru, nor even Paynol showed this kind of 'baseless' sudden affection toward me.
At least they saw my face, went through something, built some interaction, then a skill triggered and emotional connection formed.
This is the first time someone's spouting something this dizzying with zero prior acquaintance.
Plus, considering her position, she could force me into that role with any excuse.
No need for her to offer this bizarre 'compensation' herself.
‘...No trace of a gift activating either.’
No matter how I check the system logs, there's no sign of my skills triggering on the Emperor.
Not a single understandable reason.
[...Something's hidden for sure. No clue if it's good or bad.]
‘Yes, agreed.’
Answering that, I grabbed the doorknob to my quarters, guided by the attendant.
And the moment I entered the room.
“...”
“...”
I met the glares of Elnor and Eliya, both glaring at me with axe-like eyes.
“...”
“...”
Who are you people.
Who let you into my room.
“Come here and sit, Dawood.”
It felt like getting scolded by a mother who'd already heard her kid messed up. Then that line flew at me.
Elnor, her eyes holding a chilling light.
“...I heard you had a private audience with His Majesty. True?”
“...”
Information spreads fast.
I just left.
“...What happened in there. Tell me.”
“Be honest, teacher. We won't get mad.”
Yeah, right.
You're gonna get mad.
You're planning to chew me up until there's not even bone dust left...!
Sweating bullets while glancing between them, suddenly another voice came from behind.
“If it's about that, wouldn't asking me be faster?”
Everyone in the room whipped around in shock.
“Don't bully the innocent too much, Elnor. He just did as I said.”
It was His Majesty the Emperor's voice.
Standing at the room's entrance, leaning on what looked like a cane.
“...”
No.
Why is this person here again.
Timing-wise, she must've followed right after I left my room.
“...You...”
While Eliya's mouth hung open, frozen solid, Elnor barely continued in a near-faint state.
“Your Majesty...?!”
“Oh, Elnor. Long time no see. Doing well?”
The Emperor said that.
To be precise, it's a 'voice synthesizer' made with magic engineering. It responds to the user's will and mimics the target's voice.
“...”
Seeing it hit me.
This person.
Until now, in front of me, she's always used her 'real voice.'
Like she was giving me special treatment.
“You too, Dawood. Saw you just now, but nice to see you again.”
Sure enough.
To me, she spoke in her real voice, not the synthesizer.
Frail and unsteady, but like that's how she wanted it.
“...”
“...”
In reality, Eliya and Elnor stared at me and the Emperor alternately with shocked eyes.
Their faces full of questions about what our relationship even was.
“Hm.”
Meanwhile, the Emperor casually strode into the room and plopped down on the sofa.
Eliya and Elnor jumped up in unison at the sight.
“So.”
Her movements were awkward from her condition, but the vibe was unmistakably upbeat. Like she was in a good mood.
Even as she continued.
“What are you having me do first today, Dawood?”
The words dropped, and the room's atmosphere shattered.
“...”
A heavy silence fell. Everyone just blankly stared at the Emperor who'd said it.
Including me, of course.
‘...What the hell?’
She said the choice was mine.
Tell her once I decide.
Why's she talking like my becoming consort and her being my 'property' is already set in stone.
“Ah, don't misunderstand. Handing the choice to you is still valid.”
Like she'd read my mind, His Majesty the Emperor said that.
“But you might doubt if I'd just spout pretty words and not follow through. So, I'm giving you some assurance. Order whatever you want, go wild.”
“...”
“...”
Eliya's face, already maxed on shock, went pale. Beyond pale, ashen.
Of course, Elnor's was even worse. Nearly black-faced, she forced her mouth open.
“...Order, Your Majesty? What do you—”
“Well, I made a contract with that guy.”
“Contract... you say...?”
“Hm.”
The Emperor grinned and went on.
“Think of it as advance payment on the gift. He makes the call, though.”
“...”
“Order anything. Even naughty stuff's fine. I've heard plenty that my body and face are decent?”
“...”
Eliya was on the verge of hyperventilating.
Elnor's state wasn't much better.
I was staggering under the onslaught of vertigo too.
You're an assassin, right.
The foreseer sent you to kill me.
Otherwise, no way she'd say this so casually.
“...”
Elnor and Eliya's gazes turned to me.
Their heads turned with creaky, unoiled-machine motions, but that unnaturalness made them scarier.
“...Explain.”
“...Now.”
Then.
Two voices dripping with killing intent landed in sequence.
“...”
Fuck.
Shit.
●