The Emperor's Decree
Chrome let out a sigh of admiration. "As expected of Your Excellency the Chancellor. You've already devised a complete solution to the problem. Should I simply accompany you and provide testimony as needed?"
The Chancellor stared at Chrome with an expression that seemed to ask what kind of nonsense he was spouting. "What are you talking about? You will be meeting him alone."
"......?"
Chrome's face froze mid-admiration for a moment, but he quickly rebooted and pressed the issue. "Wait, this isn't some village chief we're talking about here. How does it make sense for me to meet the former emperor all by myself? Since Your Excellency arranged the meeting, naturally I assumed I'd be there as your—"
"It seems you're misunderstanding something," the Chancellor replied in a very strict and solemn tone. "Whether I'm the Chancellor or anything else, it is impossible for someone like me to 'request' an audience with the former emperor on your behalf. Naturally, I am not the one arranging this meeting."
"Hold on, you don't mean..."
Faced with Chrome's sour expression, the Chancellor continued. "It was His Majesty himself who summoned you."
The Great Emperor Ludwig Barhart.
The symbolism and influence carried by that name were immense. Even though years had passed since he handed the throne to his son, the grown emperor was still said to be overshadowed by the former emperor's shadow, his presence faint by comparison. And this was the same in the 'original work' stored in Chrome's memory.
The very continent that served as the main stage of Planetarium was ruled by his empire, and the full-blown chaos that erupted across the land was triggered by his death. Ironically, however, there were almost no instances where the player directly faced and conversed with this crucial figure, the Great Emperor.
He was so far above even among the high and mighty that it was difficult for a player in the early stages of the game to even encounter a situation where they could meet face-to-face. There was the academy opening ceremony, but that could hardly be called a conversation. And in the later stages, he was already dead.
Yes. The Great Emperor. The former emperor Ludwig was going to die. And according to Chrome's memories, it would happen in the not-too-distant future.
Of course, Chrome no longer blindly trusted his memories. The number of times the plot he knew had already gone off the rails was more than he could count. And in this case, even if it deviated, it wouldn't be a big problem. At least when dealing with the various major disasters that would strike the continent, having the Great Emperor as a stabilizing force would be far more useful than not having him.
But unfortunately...
"—So it's you."
The old man's face as he looked down at the kneeling Chrome was far darker than what Chrome had seen at the opening ceremony a year ago. The room where Chrome was granted an audience with the former emperor wasn't particularly large or spacious, and the chair the emperor sat on, while luxurious, wasn't placed on a high dais like a throne. Whether this was consideration for the son to whom he had already yielded his seat, or simply his originally known frugal nature, Chrome couldn't tell.
Behind the former emperor stood two knights in red and black armor who appeared to be his guards. There might have been several more hidden elsewhere, but from Chrome's perspective, it wasn't particularly important. After all, the moment a fight broke out it would be a dead end anyway—what did it matter how strong the enemy's forces were?
"To the great former emperor of the mighty Barhart Empire..."
"The greeting is enough."
The former emperor cut off Chrome's words and began to examine him closely. It was similar to when he had first met Princess Lyla, but far more powerful, fierce, and profound. The charisma before him was so overwhelming that Chrome unconsciously swallowed his breath.
It was merely the gaze of an old man weakened to the extreme, yet why did it feel like standing before a massive beast?
"I heard you saved the people. That you stood against a powerful enemy. Why did you do so?"
"......"
For a moment, Chrome hesitated. All the various plans he had thought up on the way here, all the lines he had prepared to gain the former emperor's favor, had been completely bleached from his mind. He knew he needed to answer quickly, but his reason wasn't functioning properly. So his instincts stepped forward and drew out his true feelings.
"Because it was something I had to do."
"Why was it something you had to do?"
"Because if I didn't, my life would be in danger, and the lives of those around me would be in danger."
"That is not an answer. If there is danger, isn't it wiser to avoid it rather than confront it?"
"That is correct. But I did not want to do that."
"Why did you not want to?"
The trembling gradually subsided.
"If you cover your eyes with a blindfold, you cannot see the danger. Even if a thief with a sword is aiming at you, a person can feel at ease. If you plug your ears with stoppers, you cannot hear the noise. Even if a starving beast is growling, a person can feel at ease. If you pinch your nose with your hand, you cannot smell the stench. Even if the rotting corpse of an acquaintance is giving off a foul odor, a person can feel at ease."
The former emperor asked, "Many people live that way. Do you claim that is wrong?"
Chrome Midas answered, "I don't know if it's wrong or not. It's just that I am such a small-minded coward filled with so much suspicion and fear that I cannot feel at ease with the mere possibility that 'someone might take care of it somehow.'"
Silence fell. A long silence fell. The former emperor seemed lost in thought and said nothing, and because he did not speak, no one else in the room could open their mouths. After quite some time...
Finally, the emperor laughed. It wasn't a hearty belly laugh, but closer to a light, scoffing chuckle. Still, a laugh was a laugh.
"Quite the smooth talker, aren't you?"
"M-my apologies...?"
Is that a compliment? Did I give the right answer?
As Chrome fell into contemplation, the former emperor continued. "I shall entrust you with a task."
Fortunately, this time he didn't need to worry about what to answer. It was either 'Yes,' 'YES,' or 'Is Chrome Midas's tongue capable of flapping even after his head is cut off? Heart-pounding experiment time!' What was there to contemplate?
"Please give me your command."
However...
"You must give my grandson a good spanking."
Not needing to worry about the answer and accepting the result of that answer were two entirely different matters.
Leaving the stunned Chrome where he stood, the former emperor continued speaking. "Whether my grandsons fight over power or exchange blades instead of greetings, that is something for Dominique to manage. I have no particular interest in it. I've rolled this ailing nation for decades and raised it to this point—that should be enough. How long must I keep changing their diapers? If this country will collapse without me, who has already stepped down from the throne, tending to its every need, then it is simply its fate to perish."
These were shocking words that might have caused a heart attack among the imperial citizens or officials who revered the Great Emperor as sacred, but the knights guarding his side showed no particular reaction, as if they were already accustomed to it. That aside, Chrome's feelings as he listened to the story were far from comfortable.
But to a past hero who casually performed actions that would later be called 'legendary,' 'miraculous,' or 'bold decisions,' but at the time were simply called 'crazy,' Chrome's feelings were not a consideration.
"However, this matter has gone a bit too far. If it were after I had entered my coffin, that would be one thing, but while I still have both eyes open and clear, spitting like this cannot be tolerated. I must teach them that even if the opponent is an old man in the back room, failing to show the minimum courtesy can result in having one's neck broken."
The former emperor's complexion was still difficult to call good, but the light in his eyes burned bright and fierce, far from extinguished. He asked the red knight standing behind him, "Who was the first to raise a voice of suspicion against them?"
"It was Count Robert Fischer."
"Cut off his head. Also, confiscate his territory and add it to the national treasury."
"I shall obey the command."
There was not even a word of dissuasion, not even a question about the reason. As if the fact that the former emperor had commanded it was enough.
"How many followed and agreed with him?"
"Twenty-four, Your Majesty."
"How long will it take to investigate their corruption?"
"We have already secured all of them."
"Post it as a public notice in the middle of the corridor that people pass through most frequently within the palace and begin the proceedings."
"I shall obey the command."
With just two commands, the former emperor had tightened the noose around the Second Prince's windpipe. This time, he called the black knight and spoke in a cold voice. "I am aware that a portion of the central army has been associating with Lucas."
The black knight immediately prostrated himself. "It is my crime for failing to properly manage the successors! Please allow me to apologize with my death!"
"I do not permit it. Instead, you must prepare a friendly competition."
"I shall carry it out with my life!"
The former emperor continued. "The numbers shall be fifty against fifty. The enemy commander's name is Lucas Schufen Barhart. The composition shall consist of the central army and those chosen by the commander, Lucas. The allied commander's name is Lyla Everblaze Barhart. The composition shall consist of the southern army and those chosen by the commander, Lyla. If the enemy side wins, I shall ask Dominique to forgive the crimes written on the public notice. Additionally, I will provide new armaments to the central army from my personal funds. If the allied side wins, I shall grant Lyla two imperial territories and the right to appoint their lords. Furthermore, I will deduct from the central army's budget and add to the southern army's until their budgets are equal. The date of the match shall be... yes, let's make it about ten days from now."
"We shall obey the command!"
After finishing his orders to the red and black knights, the former emperor spoke to Chrome, whose expression had stiffened. "If you've heard everything, you may go. I shall watch and see how you handle it."