Chapter 143: The Crown Prince's Intentions
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 143: The Crown Prince's Intentions
A figure clad in silver and gold, bearing the crest of the Imperial family, appeared before them.
Unlike the knight who had visited previously, this one wore no owl feathers on his helmet. His entourage, including a full company of soldiers, numbered three hundred in total. This was no mere messenger; he had come with the full weight of Imperial authority.
"I greet the Spouse of the Great Fire! I am Gogen, Sir Swift, an Imperial Knight."
"What is your purpose here?" Ferda asked, making no effort to hide his displeasure.
"I have come to proclaim a message from the Crown Prince. May I borrow the podium?"
"The festival is in full swing," Ferda countered. "If it is bad news, I would prefer to hear it later."
"You need not worry. It is not news that will ruin the festivities."
It would be strange indeed for the Empire to drop bad news so suddenly after being so delayed in responding to the initial crisis. Ferda ended the power play and allowed the knight to take the podium.
As the nobles stood in a daze, the knight shouted at the top of his lungs.
"I came to enjoy the Start of Spring Festival, but an unfortunate incident occurred, leading to an unforeseen crisis. All of you stepped forward to help in this matter!"
Quite a few people cast disgruntled looks at him. Everyone knew that Alexander had been late to respond to the Far East’s plight.
"Your devotion contributed not just to the Far East, but to the defense of the Empire itself. Your merits are highly valued. Therefore, I, Alexander Arken, acting as the Emperor's Representative, formally invite you to the Imperial Palace for a banquet!"
Eyes widened. The reaction was even more shocked than when they had first heard the Far East was under siege.
"A banquet at the Empire..."
"Isn't the palace famous for being the most extravagant place in the world?"
Any young noble harbored the 'Empire Dream,' and they were bound to lose their heads when given such an opportunity. Who would refuse being treated as honored guests in the Far East, only to be whisked away to be celebrated again in the capital?
So that’s why they came rushing here.
Their intention was to hijack the festival.
As proof, the festival—originally scheduled for two days—had been altered. The second day, once intended for endless eating and drinking, was now a day for sobering up and self-inspection in preparation for departure.
Of course, Ferda didn't care much. The festival hadn't been his plan to begin with, and he wasn't the type to enjoy mingling with guests. He mostly just wanted them to disappear quickly.
However, it didn't seem like the Empire had rushed here just for a banquet. Olivia's words from the previous day still echoed in Ferda's ears.
"Regent, I have something to discuss with Marquis Burnell..." the knight commander began.
Just as he thought.
"Will you permit a meeting?"
"The Chief Researcher is busy right now," Ferda replied.
"This is something I must speak to him about directly."
Ferda frowned at the knight's persistence. He answered as if he were sick of such transparent behavior. "Don't make me say it twice. Burnell is working on an important project that directly affects the development of the territory."
"It is necessary to inform Marquis Burnell of the Crown Prince's intent. As a subject, he has the right to an audience by the Crown Prince's command, and even Regent Ferda cannot block that."
The knight commander's gaze sharpened. It was clear that if Ferda blocked him any further, the man intended to charge him with lèse-majesté.
"I shall yield, then."
"Thank you."
"However, I want you to promise me one thing. No matter what happens, do not hold anyone responsible for what follows."
"You need not worry. What 'responsibility' could there be in simply delivering a message?"
"I would be grateful for that."
Ferda obediently led him to the laboratory where Burnell was sequestered. When they knocked on the door, Burnell emerged slowly. As the morning sunlight hit the room—which was as dark as a tomb—he scowled deeply.
One might think he had been sleeping, but the heavy dark circles under his eyes proved he had been awake for several nights straight.
"Uh... what is it?"
"These people said they wanted to see you," Ferda said. "Please give them a moment of your time."
"Does it have to be now? I'm a bit... right now..."
"I'm sorry for taking your time," the knight interrupted. "Just five minutes, please."
"Sigh... fine."
Burnell was dragged out, his face openly showing his distaste. Seeing his attitude, the Imperial Knight wore a strange smile. He cleared his throat and unfurled a document.
"Marquis Burnell! By the order of Alexander Arken, Representative of the Emperor and Head of the Imperial Family! You have achieved great merit in the technical field during this war. We wish to bestow upon you a medal and the title of Count. Will you please board the Imperial carriage and accompany us to the Empire?"
It was a spectacle. They claimed to be honoring his merits, but the intention was obvious: they were trying to scout the only technician in the Far East who understood Magitech.
Ferda felt like overturning the whole situation right then and there, but Burnell was one step faster.
"Uh... so you're saying I should attend?" he asked with glazed eyes.
Perhaps because it wasn't the reaction he expected, the commander continued with a slightly flustered air. "That is correct. If you come with me—"
"Um... I'm sorry, but can I just not go?"
"Wh-what?"
The knights had clearly come without even considering the possibility of a refusal. Burnell scratched his head with a tired expression.
"Are you trying to refuse the favor of the Emperor's Representative and the Head of the Imperial Family?"
"It's a very busy time... I don't have time to dawdle. And as far as I know, unless it's a direct order from His Majesty the Emperor, I don't necessarily have to attend..."
"He is the one who will become the next Emperor! To act so insolently—"
"He's the next one, not the current one, right? I'm busy with what I'm doing right now, and I need to use my head." Burnell muttered like a lethargic, depressed man. "If I move somewhere else, I'm bound to forget things, and then I'll just get anxious for no reason... and if I'm anxious, I can't do my work... phew."
Burnell scratched his head vigorously, the irritation pricking his brain. After letting out another sigh, he looked up at the Imperial Knight.
The commander asked him as if he couldn't believe his ears. "You're refusing an audience for such a trivial reason?"
"Uh... I guess... so? To the Imperial family, it might be a trivial reason. Medals and titles are nice, but I don't really need them... I just want to do the work I can do. That's the reason. I'll be absent."
After firmly stating his stance, he nodded toward Ferda. "I'm sorry, Regent. I'm stuck on something right now, so I don't even know what I'm saying."
"Not at all. It's my fault for calling you at a time like this."
"Anyway, I'll be going. Sorry."
Muttering to himself, Burnell closed the door.
The commander stood frozen, unable to believe what he had just witnessed. Usually, when people heard they were being addressed by Imperial Knights, they became nervous; when their merits were praised, they responded with excitement and gratitude. Burnell's attitude went beyond rudeness—it was a level of indifference that left the knight speechless.
Ferda decided to drive the point home while he was at it. "Since you said you wouldn't hold anyone responsible, I hope you won't say anything unnecessary."
* * *
The next day, the young lords and ladies woke from their hangovers and dressed in their finest noble attire. Everyone left the castle with excited faces.
The Empire had recognized them. The young lords were being honored simply for participating in the battle, while the staff and the knights who had fought bravely were promised separate medals.
There were four people whose merits were officially recognized at Valdrova Castle:
The Chief Technician, Marquis Burnell.
The Hestia Administrator, Isabella Iorga.
The Security Force Captain, William, who had established the basic tactics for the Tactical Infantry.
And the Regent, Ferda.
Isabella had been chosen because, as a 5th Circle mage, she had played a decisive role in taking down the super-sized monster. Echidna had been similarly active, but her name was excluded because a witch could not be brought into the palace.
Ferda hadn't intended to send Echidna anyway. She was someone who had come to this castle just to see Jed's face; who knew what kind of persuasion she would face if she went to the Imperial Palace?
Since Burnell had already refused, there was no need to ask him again. Isabella had no great expectations for the Imperial Palace and declared she would focus solely on her duties as an administrator, so she declined. Ferda also politely declined for the same reason.
In the end, only William headed for the Imperial Palace.
"Is it really alright for me to go?" William asked.
Even excluding his recent achievements, William was a desirable talent. He had been a top-tier knight under Duke Yurei and possessed the charisma and qualities of a true knight—even if he had technically betrayed his former lord.
"They said if even you don't go, it's no different from declaring hostility," Ferda replied.
"I suppose so. I have no choice but to carry that burden..."
His expression lacked conviction. Ferda didn't try to persuade him further. Instead, he left him with one final word.
"Do as your heart leads you."
After some hesitation, William finally decided to head to the Empire as the representative of Hestia Village.
Morning dawned, and the Imperial standard-bearer took the lead to prepare for departure. Before they officially moved out, Ferda met with one person.
"Princess."
Olivia Arken. The pure, focused face she had maintained as a warrior had been replaced by the glamorous visage of a princess.
"Did you call me because you wanted to see me?" she joked, a flirtatious smile playing on her lips. It was a comment that could easily be misunderstood, made only because no one else was around.
"Do you really think you can enter politics through this?" Ferda asked. He knew the tendencies of the Empire. He didn't think she could enter the political fray even with these achievements.
"Don't worry," Olivia smiled brightly. But that smile didn't carry the same confidence as before. It felt as if she, too, was anticipating defeat.
Ferda handed something to her.
"What is this?"
"It's data the administrator compiled based on the performance of everyone involved in this operation to judge their merits."
In reality, Mori had compiled it. Since it was calculated using only objective data, the margin of error was narrower than what most experts could produce.
Olivia's contribution was a staggering 45%. In fact, it was safe to say she had been responsible for almost everything. There was also a note that if her contributions to the development of the Far East were included, her share would easily exceed half.
She seemed flustered by the unexpected kindness. She stared at Ferda's face for a moment before smiling brightly.
"Please tell the administrator thank you."
It wasn't the mask-like smile from before, nor was it the flirtatious one she had shown only to him. It was genuine.
Before he could search for the meaning behind it, she boarded the carriage.
Contrary to the thought that there would be a long journey to the capital, the mages of the Imperial Army prepared a magic circle in the clearing. Though it was some distance away, Ferda recognized the massive formation they were drawing.
A Teleport Gate.
A spell that connected two spaces, this one was linked directly to the Empire's triumphal arch. The larger it was and the longer it lasted, the more mana it consumed, but as with any national event, efficiency was secondary to prestige.
The large gate opened successfully, revealing the colorful main streets of the Empire within. The air was filled with the distant cheers of people peering through the other side.
The young lords and ladies couldn't hide their excitement. They felt like heroes from a legend, or generals returning after a great victory. Carrying their childhood dreams and youthful vigor, they entered the gate in a line.
Hestia, which had been bustling as if midwinter had suddenly turned to spring, was instantly blanketed in silence.
Unlike the chilly air of Hestia, the warmth of the Imperial spring sun drifted through the gate. Ferda blankly enjoyed the lingering feeling of that warmth. As his tension eased and drowsiness washed over him, he closed his eyes, thinking he might take a short nap.
At that moment, Ruri's voice pierced his ears.
"The Lady has set out to subjugate monsters."
He snapped his eyes open and stood up. He could tolerate many things, but he couldn't miss a fight.
* * *
The monsters had been waiting to cross the line at any moment. A few of them openly approached, and Valdrova immediately moved to punish them.
Foul flesh littered the black earth. In the midst of the carnage, pure, glowing red scales were sharply tearing through the enemies.
Hadn't they been in a standoff for a whole month? During that time, frustration must have built up, and her body must have been itching for action. The way she released that pent-up energy was extraordinary.
Ferda took a seat. Ruri had already set up a tea table for him so he could watch Valdrova's battles in comfort.
"Would you like a cup?"
"Please."
Melting the chill of the summit with black tea, he watched her form. As always, it ended in Valdrova's overwhelming victory. Ferda's own body grew warm from the reflected heat of the battlefield.
She'll be heading home now.
According to her fixed pattern, that was what should happen. Feeling a bit of regret that he couldn't watch her a little longer, Ferda was about to stand up.
But this time was different.
Instead of spreading her wings to return to her lair, she was staring intently up at the Lonely Mountain.
There was no mistake. Valdrova was looking exactly at Ferda.
Why?
No sooner had he asked the question than her wings flapped. She wasn't heading for her lair, but somewhere higher.
Toward the summit of the Lonely Mountain.
Right toward where Ferda was.