Chapter 217
Chapter 217
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 217
Chapter Title: Audience with the Emperor
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Clack!
The knights lined up on either side drew their swords in perfect unison, then raised the hilts to their chests.
The white blades now crossed their foreheads—the highest sword salute a knight could offer.
And then.
Srrk...
The faint rustle of silk robes brushing the floor.
It was proof of just how silent the surroundings had become.
Even the minister who had boomed the Emperor's arrival with a thunderous voice, and the knights who had drawn their blades, stood frozen like statues.
Naturally, we who knelt before them didn't dare lift our heads first.
A moment later, I felt the subtle shift of someone settling softly onto the throne...
Clack!
The knights sheathing their swords.
Then, piercing gazes pricked at my back and the nape of my neck. Among the three of us, I was in the center.
Which meant I had no choice but to speak for us.
“...We pay our respects to Your Imperial Majesty.”
The formal address might have been a bit sparse, but it covered the bare minimum of etiquette. Truth be told, I knew nothing of court protocol, so this was the best I could manage.
‘Hector would've handled it perfectly.’
If that guy were here, he'd have said the same thing I did—but probably dragged it out three times longer with fancy flourishes.
Irritation surged alongside fresh anger toward Mobius.
I should've just clocked him one more time, whether Lena barged in or not.
That was when it happened.
“Raise your heads.”
The voice cut through my wandering thoughts.
It whispered right in my ear, yet rang with unyielding strength.
Like molten lava—still and silent, but brimming with explosive power.
I lifted my head slowly.
And I was overwhelmed.
“......”
Naturally, even I'd never laid eyes on the imperial visage before.
I'd heard plenty of rumors about the current Emperor, Yeonok.
The sage ruler renowned across the land.
A classic case of outward gentleness masking inner steel—frail in body, but iron-willed in spirit.
‘......’
The jewels and ornaments draped over him, the gold-threaded silk robes—they didn't look excessive at all.
Even I, who generally despised ostentation, had to admit it.
He lounged on the throne in layers of loose crimson robes, posture relaxed and sprawling.
His features were peerlessly beautiful, chiseled like flawless jade, crowned by the red hair symbolizing imperial blood.
That vivid hue stood out even more against skin so pale it seemed translucent, veins faintly visible beneath.
“......”
I'd seen imperial blood before, mind you. Two of them, even.
The princess was some weirdo who dyed her hair black, so my only real point of comparison was the prince...
Glenn Scarlett.
The boy who'd hidden his deep red hair.
But now, the prince no longer hesitated to show himself—and he'd gained a striking presence for it...
Even so, I suspected that presence would pale in comparison to the man seated here.
“...First, the commendations.”
Emperor Yeonok opened with a leisurely tone.
“Bednicker, Goodspring, and Rubieta. Your feats today rival those of the ancestors who defended the Empire long ago. In shielding the Academy—and the capital itself—from that vile horde of evildoers, you have my sincerest praise.”
“We are deeply grateful.”
A faint smile played on Emperor Yeonok's lips as he continued.
“One of the kingly virtues passed down to me by my late father was the principle of rewarding merit and punishing vice. Is there anything you young saviors of the Empire desire from me?”
‘Playing it like this?’
I was more than a little thrown off inside.
Obviously, you couldn't just rattle off a wishlist in front of the Emperor.
‘...He didn't drag us all the way here just to brush us off with words, did he?’
A twinge of unease crept in.
My goal wasn't some imperial handout to begin with...
Still, being human, I was naturally curious about whatever reward he might offer—and yes, I'd been looking forward to it.
Of course, I couldn't show that.
No matter how thick-skinned I was, I knew better.
With an inward sigh, I forced the words out.
“Your praise weighs heavily upon us. We have merely fulfilled our duty as nobles of the Empire. Please understand.”
“Hoo...”
Emperor Yeonok's eyes curved in amusement.
I could feel the guys beside me glancing over, surprise flickering in their eyes.
Proof that I was acting way out of character.
“And at your age, such humility too. Behold, pillars of the Empire—the future shines so brightly.”
Emperor Yeonok clapped softly, and the ministers standing a step below the throne responded with cheers.
It felt like watching a play.
As the applause died down, Emperor Yeonok spoke again.
“But that won't do. Without you, events would have unfolded as that repulsive cult desired. The Empire's greatest seat of learning—the pinnacle of education—would have become a cradle for enemies.”
This way, then that—what was this guy's true intent?
Emperor Yeonok's inner thoughts were impossible to read.
Something about his aura, his presence—it just didn't register.
Separately, I had to admit I was somewhat cowed by his sheer intimidation.
A novel experience for me. I'd never realized someone without peak martial prowess could project such overwhelming charisma.
The vessel of an emperor, truly.
Emperor Yeonok's jewel-like eyes shifted.
“Charles Rubieta.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I know the Rubietas have been wracked by headaches over fishing rights in Hablue territory. Good news will come soon.”
“Ah...! Your grace is overwhelming...!”
A dazed light crossed Charles's face.
Half of it joy... I'd heard of Hablue myself.
A famous port city, but its surrounding waters overlapped with neighboring territories, sparking fierce fishing disputes.
Likely a generational feud. Only an emperor could promise resolution with a single word.
‘But setting that aside...’
Something about the Emperor's words and demeanor felt off to me...
And that feeling intensified in the next moment.
“Seren Goodspring.”
“Y-Yes, sire!”
“You, along with Vater Goodspring and Nabi Goodspring, shone brilliantly in this crisis, they say. Standing out even among countless youths. Lord Hathem must be thrilled.”
“Th-That's too much praise...”
“Hm. I'm well aware of Lord Hathem's long-cherished wish.”
Emperor Yeonok smiled faintly and continued.
“Relay this to him: the position of Grand Master to the Imperial Family will be held open.”
“......!”
Those brief words rippled outward.
Even I could only stare at Emperor Yeonok in shock...
Grand Master to the Imperial Family meant just that—a teacher to the royals.
The ultimate honor for a master of any field, and for a noble, an unparalleled opportunity.
Naturally, the political implications were immense.
It effectively neutralized most political rivals.
Of course, a house like Goodspring had few enemies to begin with...
But one of those few was Bednicker. I wondered what they'd make of this.
Emperor Yeonok pressed on in a tone laced with mirth.
“There's a saying: the child makes the purest disciple. They absorb their parents' teachings naturally in daily life, without filter. Your family's feats in this incident offered a glimpse of Lord Hathem's character as well. More than qualified for Grand Master.”
“Th-Thank you so much...!”
Seren bowed her head.
Unlike Charles before her, she didn't seem overly elated—but twice as stunned.
‘Come to think of it, Vater could've been here too.’
His contributions weren't minor.
As the Goodspring heir, he arguably had even stronger claim by precedence than Seren.
‘...Or was it deliberate?’
Why summon Seren instead of Hathem?
“And... Ruan Bednicker.”
“Yes.”
Before I could follow that thought, it was finally my turn.
I'd set aside any expectations, simply awaiting Emperor Yeonok's words.
I'd figured out exactly what form his “reward” would take.
‘Not to the individual—to the family.’
A royally shrewd move, in a way.
Handing out personal rewards for thwarting a Demon King's descent would likely mean cash...
And to bestow wealth without tarnishing imperial dignity would require cracking open the national treasury itself.
‘All to Bednicker's benefit.’
A bitter pill for me, with no real attachment to the family.
Sure, Iron-Blooded Duke would probably toss me something extra once he heard...
But ever since becoming High Priest, dealings with him left a sour taste.
However.
“To you, I grant the middle name 'Q'.”
“......!”
The Emperor's next words hit like thunder.
The air stirred.
A far greater wave than when he'd mentioned Grand Master.
Like the difference between a breeze and a gale?
Without the Emperor here, it might've erupted into a full storm of exclamations.
“Y-Your Majesty...!”
In the end, one elderly minister spoke up, protocol be damned.
“Ruan Bednicker's feats were dazzling indeed, but it is far too soon to grant a middle name...!”
“Indeed! Even the Iron-Blooded Duke's three-year mark wasn't this swift...!”
“Please reconsider...!”
“Enough.”
The Emperor waved them off with an irritated flick, silencing the ministers.
Then, eyeing their pleading faces, Emperor Yeonok said.
“I fully understand your concerns. But wasn't the middle name system created for moments like this? One question: has anyone—anyone—recently repelled a Demon King's descent single-handedly?”
“......”
“Not even among your peers, let alone the seasoned veterans.”
Emperor Yeonok wiped the smile from his face.
“...Appearance, age, experience, race, status—these must not cloud judgment in my Empire. Merit must be judged solely by merit.”
‘-Ah.’
Chills raced up my spine. That vague unease crystallized into certainty.
First realization.
The Emperor praised our deeds with seeming fairness...
But one word he never uttered.
The term people outside the palace used to hail the true stars of this crisis.
The most fitting label for those who'd achieved greatness.
‘Heroes.’
Emperor Yeonok seemed to avoid the word itself—and I suspected it was deliberate.
I thought I knew why.
‘Because of Heros.’
Emperor Yeonok clearly recognized Heros—and was keeping him in check.
So even these words of praise...
They might sound flattering at first glance, but I couldn't let them sway me.
In that instant, my mind flashed to the middle names, and the Royal Knights.
Dean Alderson's words echoed: moves to fill those seven vacant seats already.
All criteria: pure ability.
‘So this is Emperor Yeonok's way.’
An obsessive thirst for talent.
Realizing that, he no longer seemed like a man of lotus grace or jade perfection...
More like purgatory itself—a vast, gripping hand eager to imprison me forever.
“......”
I remained kneeling, head bowed.
Yet Emperor Yeonok's gaze burned into the top of my head.
‘If I just accept this... I'm well and truly screwed.’
Unlike with Iron-Blooded Duke or the other middle names.
The reason for this unprecedented offer was obvious.
To claim me completely. Accepting would bind my fate to the imperial house.
Forget Spirit Mountain—I might spend my life trapped in the capital as an imperial dog.
‘The problem is...’
How do you refuse a cup offered personally by the Emperor?
My brain steamed, but no clever escape came to mind.
“-What say you, Ruan Bednicker?”
Emperor Yeonok smiled.
“You'll accept my command, of course?”
Fuck.
What the hell was I supposed to do?