Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Boyhood ~Visiting the Capital~
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Heodo
The capital city where the Emperor resides in his palace, serving as the very heart of the Imperial Empire.
It boasts the densest population of any city worthy of being called the empire's capital, with famous buildings like the palace, the offices of the chief executives, and the martial bureaus scattered throughout.
The gates surrounding it on all sides, forged with all manner of spells and magic, turn Heodo into a natural fortress, while the seals of the Four Guardian Beasts carved upon them form a massive barrier alongside the empire's protective emblem of the blue star.
And so it was.
Even in Heodo, which was protected by countless defensive spells and ritual barriers, the most heavily guarded place of all was the imperial palace.
"They really do come in droves."
From the palace balcony, the Crown Prince gazed down below.
"I can never get used to this sort of thing."
Unlike the palace, which was usually so selective about its visitors, a long line of people stretched out below.
'Did our empire really have this many nobles?'
The Crown Prince could hardly believe that every single one of those people in line was a noble.
To think so many had gathered just for his entrance ceremony.
"Your Highness! Where are you?!"
"I'm coming now."
Finding it a bit excessive, he turned at the servant's call and left the balcony.
"Your Highness! We've been looking for you!"
"I was just getting some air. What is it?"
"The banquet is about to begin. You need to get ready soon, Your Highness!"
"Understood. I'll prepare right away."
Guided by the servant, the Crown Prince headed to the dressing room.
With the help of the attendants waiting there, he donned his banquet attire and finally strapped on a ceremonial sword at his waist before leaving the room.
How long had he walked?
Soon, he met up with the Emperor and the rest of the family waiting in front of the banquet hall.
"Your Majesty."
"You're here."
"You're late, Crown Prince."
"My apologies, Mother."
"Let's go in."
Apparently, he was the last one.
Confirming his arrival, the Emperor directed his gaze toward the soldier standing by the door.
At the Emperor's look, the soldier—who had been standing rigidly—raised his voice to announce the imperial family's entrance.
As his booming voice echoed through the banquet hall and the murmurs died down...
The Emperor took the first step inside.
───
A lavish banquet hall.
Nobles dressed to the nines.
And the young heirs among them, their faces flushed with excitement.
Yeon Je-seong, who found the whole atmosphere deeply uncomfortable, fiddled with the necktie around his throat and let out a small grumble.
"What a hassle."
"Please don't say that. It's something you have to do as the Young Clan Head of the Yeon Clan."
Yu Seon-hwa, attending him at his side, replied as such, which only made his expression sour further.
"Aren't you uncomfortable? This stuffy space. Just sitting here makes it hard to breathe."
If only he could wear a mask, but since it was an imperial banquet, he had to show his bare face, making it all the more irritating.
Feeling the sidelong glances from those around him, Yeon Je-seong ran a hand down his face and looked at Seon-hwa.
"Not really. I don't think much of it. I'm just here to follow you, Young Master."
"I see..."
He let out a sigh at her boring response, but then sensed someone rushing toward him and flinched.
"My lord──!"
"Gah!"
Was there nowhere to hide!?
His eyes darted about at the childish voice.
It was a voice he wouldn't be able to escape once caught.
"L-Let's go this way, Seon-hwa."
"I don't mind..."
Pretending not to hear the voice, he grabbed Seon-hwa and headed toward a corner.
"It's been so long, my lord!"
"Eek...!"
──And then he came face-to-face with the suddenly appearing princess and jumped in shock.
"S-Se-hee. Yeah, it's been a while."
"Mmm! Truly ages! Exactly 43 days since we last met!"
"Y-Yeah. You remember it in such detail."
"Of course! I always look forward to seeing you, so naturally, I keep track of the days!"
She blushed shyly, explaining that she'd been counting them down day by day, then glanced at Seon-hwa standing behind him.
"Sorry, but I'd like to speak with him alone for a bit."
"Haha! Even so, being alone in the banquet hall might be a bit..."
"Then use that terrace over there. I'll keep watch around, so please do."
"Mmm! Thank you!"
Traitor!
He shot Seon-hwa a look full of grievance as she immediately cut him loose.
But it was only for a moment.
As the princess led him to the terrace, Seon-hwa bowed lightly and slowly put some distance between them before vanishing.
Now alone on the terrace with him, her expression lit up once the presences around them faded.
"Hee hee, I was so excited to hear you'd be at this banquet."
"Oh?"
"Of course! Lately, both you and I have been so busy. We haven't been able to meet often."
With the distance between them, they couldn't stick together like they used to.
The princess seemed to find that regrettable.
"It's a shame. If I'd stayed at your estate like before, we could've seen each other whenever."
"No helping it. Can't have you coming down recklessly and getting ambushed like last time."
"Mmm... True. And lately, there've been all these disappearances in Heodo."
It didn't seem like a situation for her to casually visit Yeonju.
That said, I'd never heard about these disappearances.
"Disappearances in Heodo?"
"Yes. I don't know the details, but they've been rampant for about a year now."
She answered that it was why she couldn't easily go out, pouting as she looked outside.
"It's been a year, and they still haven't caught the culprits?"
If it was taking this long even with the imperial family involved, it must be a pretty big organization.
Seeming to confirm my thoughts, the princess approached and whispered softly in my ear.
"It's something I only learned recently myself. But it seems high-ranking officials are involved."
"High-ranking officials?"
"Mmm. I don't know exactly who, but I overheard my big brother say as much. Probably can't touch it easily due to political issues."
I nodded along to the princess's words.
It seemed the situation was more tangled than I'd thought.
'Whatever. It has nothing to do with me. Just get through this banquet and head home.'
I passed the time exchanging pleasantries with the princess.
───
After forcibly shaking off the princess a short while later and returning to the banquet hall, I was busy greeting countless nobles.
The Yeon Clan was one of the great noble houses powerful enough to be called a great clan among nobles, so as its Young Clan Head, a great many nobles flocked to me.
And since this was a banquet the Emperor had gone all out on, its scale was enormous.
Not only the palace officials living in Heodo, but even the regional lords managing the empire from outside had shown up.
Naturally, that meant I got to meet some of those big shots too—the Empire's Ten Emperors being prime examples.
They were the ones overseeing the empire's territories, and all but the Combat Emperor and Shadow Emperor, who handled the borders, were in attendance. Every one of them showed keen interest in me.
"So this is your son, Martial Emperor?"
"Ho, he's more impressive than I expected."
The Blade Emperor and Flight Emperor, who approached right after entering the hall, of course.
"Keh heh heh, the empire's future looks bright, Martial Emperor."
"...If you have any troubles, let me know."
The Poison Emperor, whose clear eyes belied his name, and the Insect Emperor.
"Mmm! To think the Little Victory would feel competitive against a child like this!"
"...Strong."
The Flame Emperor, muttering prayers with prayer beads in hand, and the Illusion Emperor, fiddling with his scabbard.
And among them was one who'd brought his child—the Sword Emperor.
"Pleased to meet you. Sword Emperor Shun Jian. This is my daughter, Shun Mei-da."
He'd come with his daughter, and from beneath his bamboo hat, he fixed sharp eyes on me before nodding in admiration.
"...I see why the Martial Emperor praised you so highly."
"Hmph! That guy's nothing! He couldn't even beat me!"
Standing beside him was a little girl with puffed-up cheeks.
She looked about the same age as my sister Ji-eun.
The girl, who seemed only around eight years old, openly showed her dislike for me, unhappy that I'd stolen her father's attention.
"Don't get too smug! I'll get way stronger later and beat you!"
Yelling that, she ran off and hid behind the Sword Emperor before I could even respond.
"...Sorry about that. She's still just a child."
"I understand. I was like that when I was young too."
"Good. Come visit sometime. I may not match your father, but I'll test your skills a bit."
So humble.
He said that, but this uncle was the second strongest after Father, looks notwithstanding.
He hadn't risen from commoner to one of the Ten Emperors for nothing.
In fact, when it came to swordsmanship, he surpassed even Father—that was why Father, despite using a sword, had been titled Martial Emperor instead of Sword Emperor.
The other Ten Emperors I'd met showed at least some vulnerability, but this man gave off none at all.
He was at least on par with Father.