Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: The Emperor's Request
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As the meal ended, Elias patted his belly while leaving the dining hall.
“Ugh, that hit the spot. No matter what else, the imperial cuisine never lets me down.”
“Didn’t you do the same back in Bavaria?”
“You’ve got a annoyingly good memory.”
I half-listened to their banter as I headed upstairs to the banquet hall.
Since it wasn’t a formal ball, people were clustered in groups, chatting or playing simple games.
Spotting the politicians approaching, Leo turned to us.
“I’ll head off on my own from here.”
“Go ahead.”
I’d figured he’d start messing around again, but Elias nodded more coolly than expected.
‘Can’t blame him.’
It wasn’t good for anyone if the crown prince at the empire’s heart lingered too long with the emperor’s nephew under scrutiny.
Even when hanging out with Elias, Leo always stayed politically neutral.
That neutrality was ultimately why Elias could ascend to the throne.
Watching Leo’s retreating figure, Elias spoke up.
“Ernst.”
“Yes.”
Grinning, Elias clapped me on the back.
“You’re not nervous, are you? Take it easy. Nothing’s gonna happen.”
“Understood.”
Satisfied, Elias nodded and whispered to me.
“…Tell me everything they say when you get back.”
His tone had lost its playfulness. It had to.
The emperor was bound to make a move to block him. He might even be set on pulling Nikolaus to his side.
I nodded.
Just then, the emperor’s attendant approached from afar.
“Lord Ernst, if you would follow me.”
I gave Elias a quick nod and warped to where the attendant led.
“You’re here.”
With the emperor’s voice came an unfamiliar room.
Under the soft lighting, he looked younger than I’d imagined.
Personally, I thought Elias had the better looks, but the bold, confident vibe clearly ran in the family.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”
“The honor is mine. I pushed the schedule forward just to speak with you directly, and I’m pleased you came so readily.”
The emperor said this and took a sip of his tea.
“So, how was the gathering tonight? Any discomfort?”
“It was a fine opportunity. I’ve never done much socializing in the empire, so Your Majesty’s consideration let me make a strong first impression.”
“Indeed. I felt such an occasion was essential for you. I’m glad you were satisfied.”
When I smiled brightly instead of answering, the emperor’s lips curved up slightly.
Riding the smooth atmosphere, he continued gently.
“I’ve heard all about your exploits, Lord Ernst. Personally, I can’t help but admire every decision you’ve made.”
He might not speak for all the pro-emperor politicians, but he was signaling he viewed me favorably.
‘He’ll try to win me over soon enough.’
Since I’d thrown in with Elias, who had anti-emperor support.
I wondered what tactics he’d use to pry me away from Elias.
Smiling, I replied.
“I’m humbled by your kind words, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, no need to feel burdened. I simply wish to exchange views as equals, sincerely.”
Right, start by building rapport.
After that, we discussed domestic and foreign politics, as well as the Pleroma issue.
The emperor laughed heartily, just like Elias.
“Talking with a talent like you truly broadens my horizons.”
“It’s all thanks to Your Majesty’s skillful guidance.”
“Hahaha! I’d love to keep you by my side for constant counsel. People often say you put them at ease in conversation, don’t they?”
“I’m grateful for the high praise, but you’re the first to say so, Your Majesty.”
“First? Surprising. They must all be too shy to speak up. While we’re on that note… may I ask something personal that’s been on my mind?”
I’d noticed it from the start: for an emperor, he was remarkably humble.
He revealed his emotions with disarming sincerity and stated his desires plainly.
‘He knows how to position himself.’
He understood exactly how to get close to me.
The nobles not loyal to the current emperor were those fed up with the conservative old guard—unlike the pro-emperor conservatives, they preferred straightforward talk over circumlocution.
I nodded to his request.
“Of course, Your Majesty. Ask away. I’ll answer as best I can.”
“Where did you first meet Duke Elias?”
There it was.
I’d wondered when this would come up.
“His Highness Leonard Wittelsbach, Crown Prince of Bavaria, introduced us.”
“As I suspected. What do you make of my nephew?”
“He’s an upright man. Playful at times, but that’s what makes him feel his age.”
“I see. I’m glad you think well of him.”
I met his gaze silently, and he stared into space, lost in thought. There was even warmth in his eyes.
“That boy has great potential. People dismiss him for his attitude, but they’re wrong. Just look at how he’s stirred the entire empire—that shows his depth and promise.”
‘…He’s no fool, nowhere near as dim as Elias rates him.’
He was preempting that Elias spoke ill of him.
Rather than defending his own image, he praised the nephew who’d supposedly criticized him, coming off as magnanimous.
Smart move.
Bashing my comrade upon first meeting would only backfire.
“Ah, it’s already 11 p.m. So much I want to say, but time is cruel.”
“If Your Majesty’s schedule allows, I’m happy to listen as long as you like.”
In the novel, he showed his true colors right after Elias graduated, so as a reader, I only ever saw his rock-bottom character.
To gauge what he was planning with that personality, I needed to draw out more conversation.
“I hate to keep you so long, Lord Ernst. But there’s one more topic I’d like to discuss with you—shall we continue?”
“Of course.”
“What do you think of how far Pleroma has spread?”
“It’s everywhere. No exceptions.”
The emperor nodded.
“I agree. From the surface to the depths below.”
Below.
The word underground lingered in my mind.
I was starting to grasp what he was driving at—and why he’d summoned me.
The emperor clasped his hands, his face grave.
“Then what are your thoughts on the Catacombs?”
“…….”
The Catacombs were a collective of commoner mages.
Having hidden from noble persecution for so long, they’d named themselves after underground cemeteries.
‘No way he’s touching this.’
Magic was currently the nobility’s domain, but occasionally, commoners were born with mana sans lineage.
This faintly undermined the ruling class’s claim of divine right to rule via mana.
So when a commoner mage surfaced, children were adopted into noble houses, but adults had their mana drained into the national treasury and were executed.
‘They’ve got no room to criticize Pleroma.’
He’d asked what I thought of the Catacombs.
An honest answer would directly offend him.
That could make my advice devolve into his whims.
“You mean the commoner mage group. Personally, I harbor no feelings on the matter. Does Your Majesty believe the Catacombs are tied to Pleroma?”
“To be direct, yes.”
Apparently, saying I felt nothing was enough.
My outsider status from beyond the empire probably helped.
“I’m not out to vilify commoner mages. It may sound harsh, but from my position prioritizing the people’s safety, I hope you understand I must watch them closely with concern.”
“I understand completely. But I’d like to know what makes Your Majesty see a connection between the Catacombs and Pleroma.”
“Their nature is similar. They both flout the law entirely and hide in hard-to-reach places.”
Fair point.
Death upon discovery honed their skills at concealment.
Catching them plotting would be exceedingly difficult.
“Your achievements with Duke Elias are beyond praise. But that also means Pleroma might lash out in desperation to survive.”
“So you’re saying they could ally with the Catacombs.”
“Precisely. Which is why I have a favor to ask of you.”
The emperor tilted his head slightly, eyes earnest.
“Go ahead.”
“Please monitor the Catacombs’ movements. Prussia will provide whatever support you need.”
“…….”
‘So this is how he draws Nikolaus in.’
He wanted to rack up merits with me instead of Elias.
If it delayed clashing with the emperor, I welcomed it.
But the issue was targeting the Catacombs.
United fiercely by their “commoner mage” identity yet otherwise fragmented, there was no guarantee they lacked Pleroma elements.
And if the emperor caught even one whiff, he’d brand the whole group Pleroma and wipe them out.
‘The gains are huge.’
Framing them as Pleroma would rally the public’s strong antipathy while eliminating the perennial thorn of commoner mages in one go.
Winning over the safety-craving masses and the status-quo elites simultaneously.
‘Solid strategy.’
For the emperor and nobility, anyway.
“Has there been any prior investigation into the Catacombs, Your Majesty?”
“Regrettably, no. You’re the first I’ve approached.”
“The first… An honor. But finding Catacombs members alone will take immense time. And given the uncertainty, I can’t promise results. I hope Your Majesty knows I mean no offense.”
“I understand. If even you can’t manage it, it was impossible to begin with. I won’t ask you to make the impossible possible. Among all I know, you’re the one most devoted to the people’s safety. That you give your all is what matters most.”
He feigned a gaze brimming with trust.
A ruler shouldn’t settle for good intentions; they must deliver results.
Here was a case of someone packaging himself as noble while subtly dodging accountability.
“I take Your Majesty’s intent to heart. It’ll take time, but I’ll strive for the people’s safety as you advise.”
The emperor beamed and nodded.
“Music to my ears. It’s a personal request, not an order—no need for excessive pressure.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
“It’s been a pleasure, Lord Ernst. If there’s more to discuss, don’t hesitate to seek me out. I’ll do the same.”
“Likewise. It’s been an honor, Your Majesty.”
I bowed properly and left the room.
My choices boiled down to two.
Follow the emperor’s words or not.
‘The answer’s already clear.’
I wouldn’t honor that request.
It would bolster the emperor’s power with my own hands—and tighten the noose around Elias and me.
The Catacombs were too valuable to lose.
They’d striven for self-sufficiency, achieving remarkable magical advancements.
In the novel, Elias recognized this and made them his support base. I’d follow that path, not alter it.
There was another reason to claim them.
My brother had never targeted the Catacombs.
No—couldn’t target them.
I’d absorbed his support bases so far; now I needed to claim ones he couldn’t, widening the gap.
‘But I can’t outright oppose the emperor in the process.’
I’d declined the “request,” not shown my back yet.
There was a way.
To satisfy the emperor without slaughtering the Catacombs’ commoners.
* * *
“Lord Nikolaus.”
Returning to the banquet hall to find Elias, nobles began approaching me.
Only at midnight did I finally catch a breath and stand.
As the guest of honor, etiquette demanded chats with key nobles—I’d covered most by now.
With no more emperor ties tonight, it was fine to head out.
‘…If only for that stare.’
I glanced at one side of the hall.
Even while talking to others, the prince I’d greeted at dinner kept sneaking looks my way.
‘A major antagonist in the story, but facing him at fifteen feels fresh.’
Two years Elias’s junior, he was a first-year in the Imperial Academy’s magic department.
Thanks to his prodigious talent, he’d skipped grades young.
He harbored no personal throne ambitions but devoutly wished his eldest brother to succeed, fostering lasting ill will toward Elias.
In the end, he staunchly backed the crown prince, attacking Elias until imprisoned after Elias seized power.
‘Anyway, right now….’
No villain vibes—just middle-schooler energy radiating.
He seemed eager to talk but held back amid the crowd.
Not my problem. I turned toward the stairs.
“Let’s go, Duke Elias. No one’s looking for us now—we can head in.”
“Yeah, let’s.”
“Lord Ernst.”
A call came from afar.
Didn’t need to look; it was obvious. Adelbert approached with an awkward smile.
“First private greeting since the banquet, huh.”
“Indeed, Your Highness. Do you have business?”
“Nothing major, just…”
The prince trailed off. He seemed composed, but his blinking eyes betrayed nerves.
“Uh, ah, no. Give me a moment to think…”
“Pfft!”
“…….”
Elias stifled an exaggerated laugh behind his hand, earning a sharp glare from the prince as if to say, “What’s your deal?”
‘Guess he’s cut from the same cloth as Melvin….’
Adults didn’t react this way—only students to Nikolaus.
Maybe the mystique of his unclear background, or their age full of aspirations.
Elias shrugged at the prince’s glare, mocking.
“No hello? I’m invisible, huh.”
“…Fine. Slept well, Duke?”
“Nope?”
“…….”
Glancing coldly at Elias, he turned back to me.
“I’ve always wanted to… ahem, meet you properly. If it’s not a bother, could we talk briefly?”
Felt like déjà vu—I’d heard something similar from his father hours ago.
Smiling at the odd sensation.
‘Well… he’s still a kid, and the vibe’s different from the emperor.’
That Elias would’ve charged at murderously was now viewing Elias’s ally favorably. The mid-20s version from back then versus fifteen now made the difference.
No harm hearing him out.
To the tense prince awaiting my reply, I answered lightly.
“Sure.”