Chapter 10
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Holy Kingdom's Knight #3
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It's confusing, but...
I get the intent. If words won't work, he'll just charge in directly.
But what balls.
"My plenipotentiary envoy is a black mage, you say? What an exceedingly rude question. Do you have proof?"
"Testimony from the Varka Kingdom. They obtained information that Elisabeth von Valerian is a black mage."
I recalled what Elisabeth had declared so boldly yesterday.
Logically speaking, who in their right mind would trust information from an obvious black mage source and suspect her?
Exactly. No such fool exists.
Except here he was.
"Hah."
"Your Majesty, I know it's not ironclad proof. However, I know black mages well."
At a loss for words, I let out a hollow laugh, and Lucius launched into a tirade.
"And?"
"The plenipotentiary envoy is a black mage."
So, in other words.
No direct evidence, but black mage testimony says Elisabeth is one.
And his expert gut agrees.
Elisabeth is a black mage?
Shit.
How the hell did he know?
It's utterly ridiculous nonsense, but damn if it isn't spot on, which is infuriating.
Logically, Elisabeth had said there was no way they'd ever pin it on her.
Unfortunately, gut instinct wasn't something logic could counter.
"If she turns out not to be a black mage, I will take full responsibility. Please─."
"Enough."
I raised my hand to cut him off.
"... ."
"I understand what you want. You're wagering everything you have, so allow an investigation into my plenipotentiary envoy, right?"
"Yes."
Did he think I'd hear him out?
Lucius's face brightened.
"I cannot permit it."
Why should I?
"...! Why not?"
He voiced his doubt at my firm refusal.
It's a bit absurd, sure.
But I could understand this brazen nonsense.
Until now, whenever he pulled this crap, everyone bent over backward.
And why not? He's the Holy Kingdom's First Knight Order Captain.
Wrapped in fancy words, he's basically a one-man tactical unit, a human weapon.
Great record against black mages too, and as he claims, probably sniffed some out on instinct alone.
So if he said, "Trust me just this once!" they'd all go, "Fine, give it a shot."
But.
"You say you'll take full responsibility. What does that mean to me?"
You.
You're not that big a deal to me.
"What do you─."
"Suppose the envoy isn't a black mage and you take full responsibility. What exactly are you responsible for?"
"I would relinquish all my positions and withdraw into seclusion..."
"That's exactly what I'm asking—what does that mean to me?"
Tsk. I clicked my tongue.
"...Urk."
"Pampered as the Holy Kingdom's Knight Captain, you think you're somebody. Offering to take responsibility by resigning? You claim to serve the goddess, yet you so casually bet the blessings she bestowed upon you."
"...That's not it."
He glared at me.
"Oh dear. Quite angry, are we? Then refute me."
"I am confident."
"I could say the same. Even if I called Elisabeth here, she'd say it too. Confidence means nothing."
"Kuh."
Lucius furrowed his brow.
The limits of a young master raised in God's favor, fearing nothing.
Well, same for me, in a way.
Tough luck—should've been born emperor.
"If you're done, leave."
No point listening further; I issued a blunt dismissal.
"... ."
First time being treated like this?
He didn't budge even after the order to leave.
As I raised my hand wondering if I should chase him out myself.
Lucius ground his teeth and spoke.
"...When I return to the Holy Kingdom, I will formally raise this matter."
Hah.
"Once that's done, there's no turning back. Even if she's proven innocent, the mere fact of the investigation will be devastating. Better if I handle it personally─ ─Guhk."
"Say that again."
"Guhk, guh, haaahk. Urk."
"Say it again."
Can't hold back.
I've been lenient because you're the main character type.
*
Lucius sensed the ominous air.
His body reacted almost reflexively, on pure instinct.
Useless.
His breath was cut off.
Grabbed by the throat in that instant?
No.
"Guhk... Haaahk."
Pure intimidation.
The emperor's unchecked killing intent was crushing the very air.
'Impossible!'
Lucius was aghast.
He was the Holy Kingdom's First Knight Order Captain.
The kingdom's strongest card.
Not even the Northern Grand Duke or the Sword Saint of the West could suppress him this easily.
That's why he'd pushed forward, knowing it was somewhat forceful.
A little overreach is fine. If it leads to good results, the emperor would understand...
That's what he'd believed.
What the hell was this gap?
Lucius's eyes trembled.
"Kuh, urk."
Calming his shaking hands, he tried for a counter─.
"Guk."
Kicked.
Lucius possessed superhuman physical prowess.
Pure body alone, he could clash with aura users.
Yet a casual kick made him black out for a moment.
If he hadn't instinctively cloaked himself in holy power, that kick would've caused severe internal injuries.
"Looks like you didn't hear my order to say it again."
And the emperor seemed utterly unfazed.
As if crushing Lucius was trivial.
"Kuhk, haaah, haa, this... this is unforgivable! How dare you treat a servant of the goddess so violently... ."
"Indeed."
As he barely regained breath and spoke in outrage, Khalid nodded.
The butcher reached out.
"Seems you have no intention of talking with me."
───!
In that instant, all sound vanished from Lucius.
"Hah, guk!"
When he opened his eyes next.
The emperor gripped his head.
The audience chamber's ceiling was completely smashed open.
"What is the meaning of this!"
The commotion drew a crowd.
Mahad, face pale as death, raised his voice at the emperor.
The emperor replied calmly.
"Sir Lucius insulted me. Most intolerably so. Thus, I punished him."
"Insult!"
Mahad trembled with rage.
He was the one who'd fed Lucius the information in the first place.
He'd spotted the emperor's ploy to probe about Elisabeth right away.
"Your Majesty! Even if Sir Lucius insulted you, how can you bypass procedure and assault a knight from another─."
"Will you take responsibility?"
"... ."
Mahad started to shout in fury.
But the emperor's golden eyes fixed on him, and all strength drained from his body.
"Right. You must be a pious servant of the goddess. Seeing a holy knight roughed up sparked your anger—you couldn't help it, eh?"
"...Y-Yes."
"Good. I believe you're a wise man. I'm quite displeased right now."
Mahad's shoulders shook.
Lucius couldn't follow the situation.
How did things turn out like this?
"E-Emperor... most noble of men. Why do you defy... the will of the goddess... ."
Lucius gasped out.
"Well."
The emperor smiled enigmatically.
"That's truly odd. To you, it looks like I'm defying the goddess's will?"
"Yes... it does."
"Then punish me."
"Pardon...?"
The emperor released Lucius.
He crumpled to the floor and looked up in a daze.
"Pray to the goddess. Hurry. Beg her to punish this sinner."
"What."
"Can't? From your view, my sins must tower like mountains. And besides."
The emperor leaned down.
Whispering so none else could hear, into Lucius's ear.
"I'm a sinner who sheltered a black mage."
"...!"
So it was deliberate?
Lucius's eyes widened.
He prayed.
Gathering every ounce of holy power at his command, he beseeched the exalted heavenly mother.
Please, judge this vile sinner!
Then, as if answering, the sky rippled.
A mass of light to smite the sinner gathered like lightning.
Yes!
The goddess responds. She answers to protect her servant.
"Emperor, please repent now, while you can."
Lucius smiled triumphantly.
"Hah."
The emperor looked up and laughed hollowly.
Right.
No matter the emperor, this sight would break him.
"You toss me into this world, and now you show up like this—not even to my call... ."
He muttered something incomprehensible.
Lucius couldn't understand.
He just hoped he'd repent at the end.
Then.
─Krummm!
There was light.
And.
"Too bright—get lost, you damn bitch."
Boom! The emperor swung his fist.
The divine bolt, fit for Genesis, was deflected by a mere human punch.
The aimless light mass dispersed, losing power.
"...Huh?"
All present fell silent at the sight.
Only the emperor remained nonchalant.
As if he'd known.
"Now do you see? Even the goddess has forgiven my sins."
The emperor smiled coldly.
He raised his hand.
"Emperor! Stop! Do you truly want war!"
Mahad shouted, sensing his intent.
The emperor laughed ferociously.
"No."
Then swung his fist.
"War."
The tyrant had returned.