The Banquet (2)
When you heard the news, do you know what the first thought that came to mind was?
The Emperor asks, leisurely shifting his steps.
"I don't know."
Adel answers without a moment's hesitation.
If other nobles had seen this scene,
they would have risen up, calling it disrespectful, accusing him of what he was doing before the Emperor.
Was he defying the imperial family?
But the Emperor let out a hearty laugh, and with a smile on his lips, he merely said:
"Why were you at Lichtenauer? That was the question."
"..."
"I will ask. Why were you there?"
"Somehow, I ended up heading there."
"It wasn't because you didn't want to fight. It wasn't because you were tired and left, was it? But you don't seem to have changed."
"It wasn't so much that I didn't want to, or that I was tired. I just got lost on the way."
"Got lost."
After the last companion retired,
Adel was the only one left in Ulfhedinn.
No matter how strong, being alone is dangerous in the end.
Moreover, the empire is no longer like before, a beacon of light.
Now, it is not difficult to kill demonic beasts.
For Adel, there was no need to remain a wolf anymore.
The Emperor no longer had reason to hold him back.
So he left, and the Emperor sent him off.
"Then, that new path... was that woman?"
"..."
"No answer."
"... For now, let's say so."
At the "for now," the Emperor let out a sigh.
When had Adel ever give such an answer before?
This sight surprised him a bit, so he asked again.
"Could it be that you are looking at a woman as a man?"
"... Huh?"
Adel's voice cracks slightly at the end.
The Emperor noticed it, and the corner of his mouth lifted slyly.
"This means the affection you hold as a lover."
Then, Adel's expression twisted strangely.
The Emperor knew that Adel's expression wasn't anger.
It was the expression he makes when he's very uncomfortable.
So, he decided to wait for Adel's answer.
"..."
"Is it correct?"
"No."
"You said no. Then what is it?"
"..."
Thinking about it, he could have refused the proposal.
There was no reason to stay at Lichtenauer.
A person who couldn't be caught even if he left.
To Lichtenauer, to Sien, he was such a being.
But why did he end up staying there, by Sien's side?
Why couldn't he reject her proposal?
"... A light appeared."
"A light appeared?"
"Yes."
The Emperor scrutinized Adel in response to his answer.
He checked every detail, from his eyes to his movements.
But there was no sign of lying anywhere.
"Was that said with sincerity?"
"Yes."
"You said a light appeared. So you stayed. Then, wasn't it the Emperor?"
"Your Majesty is already too brilliant."
Then, the Emperor laughed.
It sounded like a very obvious flattery.
But the reason it didn't sound like flattery was because Adel said it.
"Then, the princess."
"..."
"That girl must have shone as well. Why did you leave? If you had curiosity about the shining one, there should have been the princess too. Why not?"
"It is the same reason as Your Majesty."
"Are you saying she was already shining brightly?"
Adel nodded silently.
The Emperor smiled slightly at that gesture.
No matter what, he was still a father.
It is only natural for parents, whether commoner or emperor, to feel good about their children.
"Then, your words mean that it was curiosity about a woman who has just begun to shine. Is that what you're saying."
"... If I have to say so, it would be like that."
"What a strange answer. Not like you at all."
"I think so too."
Without the slightest hesitation, he admits the strangeness.
The Emperor laughed again at that part.
Adel himself couldn't understand himself.
That feeling was coming out very strongly.
It was quite different from the Adel he knew.
But that was strange, or rather not bad.
The Emperor laughed for a long time.
Then, after suddenly withdrawing his smile, he asked Adel while staring at him with a very serious voice.
"Really, is there not the slightest bit of affection?"
"..."
"You are beautiful. A young man would be enough to fall in love with."
"..."
"You don't need to be embarrassed. It's only natural for a person."
"I can't call myself a person."
The Emperor's face hardened at Adel's answer.
As if he had heard a very unpleasant sound.
"You are a person. No matter what anyone says, what they think. You are a person."
"..."
"Because you are a person, you are tired of your life. Because you are a person, you are drawing something else. Because you are a person, the Emperor let you go. But you say you are not a person, which is deeply pitiful."
Adel didn't answer.
He just lowered his head and quietly looked ahead.
"Apparently, there is a financial crisis."
Then, Adel turned his head.
The Emperor laughed at the meaning of how he knew.
"If you just want to, you can know everything. Even if Lichtenauer is far away, you don't hear the news from there faintly. If you want, you can hear everything right in front of you."
"..."
Why did the Emperor suddenly mention that part?
Adel had nothing to know yet.
"Do you remember what I was going to give you? What I was going to give you when you cleared your life and started anew."
"... I remember."
"It's good that you remember. Then, do you know what happened to them?"
"You said if I don't receive them, they will be confiscated to the national treasury in full. So I think they have all been used appropriately for the other imperial citizens."
"That's right. But unfortunately, it was wrong. In fact, they are still left as is."
"Then..."
"It is only natural that you should take them. But if you don't want them at all, I can pass them on to Lichtenauer to fill the quota. How about it? Will you do that?"
"Are you sincere?"
"I didn't say otherwise. It should be yours. But since you can't give it to you directly, I want to deliver it myself. After all, there are many quotas. It can be said as a consolation for the honorable death of the previous head. The previous head of Lichtenauer was a strong and upright person. It is a pity to have lost him."
When the Emperor's words ended, Adel bowed his head in thanks.
Then, the Emperor waved his hand as if it was done.
"One more thing. I have something to tell you about your guy."
"What is it?"
"I used the princess to talk to you. I told him to take out the head of Lichtenauer. Thanks to that, the people gathered at the banquet saw her differently."
"I am also grateful for that."
"Listen to the end. This is not just a good thing. Conversely, you have become even more vigilant about your master. Someone might try to cut down the prestige of Lichtenauer right here at this place today."
Suddenly, a face of a woman came to Adel's mind.
A few days ago, the daughter of the Fiore family, Etria.
"I roughly guess who it is."
"I won't come forward personally, but I will set up a proxy instead. Looking at the current atmosphere, it fits perfectly. I guarantee that after you and your master return, someone will definitely come forward and cause trouble."
"Are you trying to stop it, Your Majesty?"
"Why would I stop it? There is no justification, and I don't want to."
If it's not something against the imperial family, leave it alone.
Nobles have to check each other and be checked.
Only then can balance be achieved without leaning to one side.
In between, the imperial family appropriately coordinates.
So that no noble dares to surpass the imperial family.
That's all, they don't interfere in their game.
"I was originally going to do it moderately and stop it. But my thoughts have changed."
"..."
"I will let you go once, since it's you."
"Let me go? What kind of words are those?"
"What kind of words. You know it all and are asking."
After patting Adel's shoulder a few times,
The Emperor muttered quietly the next words.
"Seeing blood in the palace is definitely a serious crime. But since you were my person, it means I will let it go once. Adel."
"..."
"Don't start a fight, but don't avoid the fight coming your way. If you want to watch that little light from the side, you have to act as your heart tells you."
***
Sien was still in a daze.
Why was Yekaterina the princess showing so much interest in her.
Someone who had no face-to-face meeting and was half-demon.
Lichtenauer was a prestigious noble family.
But it was a situation where it could shake at any time.
The princess was treating her with extremely polite demeanor.
"Ah, it seems I was too long holding you. Lord of Lichtenauer."
"No, Your Highness. It's not like that at all."
"Please go back and enjoy the banquet. And, once again, please accept my condolences."
With sincere condolences, Sien bowed her head quietly.
After that, she said she had other business, and the princess left first.
Sien looked at that princess for a moment, then turned back the way she came.
"Lord Sien."
There, just like when she had left briefly.
Adel was standing quietly waiting for Sien.
"Was I too late?"
"Not at all."
"I'm sorry to leave you alone. It must have been very awkward."
At Sien's words, Adel shook his head as if nothing was wrong.
Eventually, when Sien and Adel entered the banquet hall again.
"Lord of Lichtenauer."
"You've returned."
Unlike before, some nobles greeted her with smiles.
Some couldn't approach because of the Fiore family.
Others, after watching the situation, now pretended to be close.
"I was really surprised. That the princess came forward first."
"What kind of conversation did you have with the princess?"
They even ask openly what happened with the princess.
They would want to kick out those whose hearts are visible.
But if they did that, they couldn't navigate this political world.
Sien knew this point well, so she hid her inner thoughts with a smile.
"Your Highness conveyed words of comfort to me."
"Ah... I see."
"We also convey sincere condolences, Lord of Lichtenauer."
Regarding the tragic ending of the previous head.
The surrounding nobles were in the middle of expressing condolences.
At that time.
"I also heard that news."
Etria, who had been quietly watching the situation until now, finally spoke up.
"The previous head of Lichtenauer and his successor died in battle, right? Hearing that news, all knights of the empire would have been saddened. The family called the swordsmanship family is about to shake."
"..."
"Hah. Lady Etria. That is..."
"I am also worried. It means that the wicked demonic beasts have become so strong that they threaten even the Lichtenauer, which was called the swordsmanship family. It's truly frightening."
Those with sharp eyes immediately saw through her true meaning.
That the place called swordsmanship family suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of demonic beasts.
Now, is it not even necessary to abandon the title of family?
She was subtly provoking Lichtenauer with a subtle tone.
"..."
Sien wanted to control her anger again.
She didn't want to be dragged along by that annoying woman as she wished.
Since she came with good intentions, she wanted to end it well.
But Etria didn't let Sien go.
"How about it, Lord of Lichtenauer. Do you have no intention of dispelling everyone's worries?"
"... What do you mean, Lady Etria."
"We are having a light duel. If it's 'Lichtenauer', you should be able to win easily. Then, wouldn't all other nobles be able to rest assured about the safety of Lichtenauer?"
Etria's gaze when saying that was directed at Adel.