Conferral of the Barony
The imperial palace of the Audrich Empire stood not far from the Imperial Parliament, right in the heart of the capital, Jedo Caprice. Its location had been deliberately chosen with the frequent need for the emperor to attend sessions of the Imperial Parliament in mind. Caprice was girded by formidable walls that made it sturdier than any fortress in the empire, but the palace built within was on another level entirely—a bastion beyond mere fortification. Its double walls were so thick that even self-propelled guns from Earth might not breach them, reinforced by twenty-eight layers of defensive magic, and crowned with eight-directional spires offering a panoramic view of the entire capital. Even if Jedo's outer defenses fell, the palace was designed with unyielding resolve to hold out no matter what.
Jeong-jae knew that the fall of such a structure, like Constantinople, would mark the most desperate and symbolic moment. But if fortune favored them, it could stand like Minas Tirith from The Lord of the Rings, an ironclad symbol of hope. Or perhaps the war would turn so decisively that the enemy never even approached the capital, rendering these defenses moot. Which way it went now partly rested in the hands of Jeong-jae's former comrades. And if he wasn't truly out of the war for good because of this, then it rested in his hands too, to some extent.
"I'm Mage Park Jeong-jae. I'm here to see His Imperial Majesty the Emperor," Jeong-jae said, presenting the invitation from Gwen to the guards at the gate.
The Imperial Guard examined it wordlessly before snapping a crisp salute, heels together.
"Verified. Congratulations on your barony!"
"Ah, thanks. I'll head in."
The Imperial Guards really have their discipline down pat, Jeong-jae thought. Of course, outward discipline didn't always translate to combat prowess, but compared to Walter's headaches corralling levies from various territories...
As the gates opened and Jeong-jae entered the palace grounds, the sight of the Imperial Guards lining the vast gardens made him feel oddly intimidated. Truth be told, even during his twenty-one months of mandatory service back on Earth, he'd never been in a truly hardcore unit.
Instinctively shrinking a bit as he crossed the garden, Jeong-jae spotted a familiar redheaded knight approaching from the far side.
"Ah, it's you. Made it here in one piece, huh?"
Rose Caprice, the empire's eldest imperial princess, pushed through the guards and extended her gloved hand. Jeong-jae shook it lightly and nodded.
"When they're handing out nobility, you show up. Shame I'm no longer your comrade-in-arms."
"Don't be sore. It's just a reassignment, not cutting ties."
With Rose leading the way, the tense atmosphere eased a little. The guards flanking them probably felt even more on edge with the noble princess passing by.
"So, heard anything about why I got the boot?" Jeong-jae asked Rose, a flicker of hope in his voice.
She shrugged, looking as puzzled as he felt.
"You know I don't get every detail about Walter's decisions just because we're together."
"Walter's damn lucky to have a woman who loves him flaws and all."
"Exactly. And marriage guarantees him the throne someday. Where else is he finding a bride like that?"
Rose boasted casually of her lineage, and Jeong-jae had to admit it was a rare perk in a marriage prospect.
"Can't argue there. A catch like you? One of a kind."
"Oh? Playing coy? There's another. Margaret. Seen her since? Talked at all?"
"Nah, haven't crossed paths. Been holed up at the Magic Tower the whole time."
Thinking back, Jeong-jae realized he hadn't sought her out once during his stay there. Sure, circumstances made leaving the tower tricky, but if he'd really wanted to find her, he could have. No other excuses. He was just scared.
Scared of how his relationships with his comrades had shattered in an instant. Terrified to see what that change would ultimately look like. Especially with Princess Margaret, who'd shown that side of herself that day.
Thankfully, Rose's words—"reassignment, not cutting ties"—eased his mind a bit. They were still friends, right? He could still feel some belonging in this world through them. For now, at least...
"Anyway, apologize properly when you see Margaret. You have no idea how flustered that highborn princess got over you. Watching her, even I knew the elf queen's daughter was into you."
"For real?"
"Dead serious."
"Like, really real?"
"Really real, I said."
"Realllllly—"
"You turning into Walter? Unless you want your nose broken by an iron fist, zip it."
Rose growled through gritted teeth. Jeong-jae still felt a swirl of confusion every time Margaret's feelings came up, but he didn't fancy getting punched before the ceremony, so he shut up.
Soon the garden ended, and the doors to the throne room loomed ahead. Beyond them waited the emperor, loyal nobles, and retainers.
"Alright, I'll head in first. Wait for the signal, then come on. Good luck. And make progress with Margaret!"
"Did you have to end on that?"
"What? Hate the idea? Too bad. I'll tell Margaret you're not into her."
Rose's chilling words hung in the air. He couldn't pinpoint why, but Jeong-jae knew instinctively that message must never reach her.
"Hey, Your Highness? That's not it, right? Right?"
He called desperately after her retreating figure as she reached for the door. At the last second, as she slipped inside, Rose glanced back and stuck out her tongue.
"Got it, so she is your type. That what I should tell her?"
Was this her plan all along? Before Jeong-jae could retort, she slammed the door shut and vanished into the throne room.
Dazed, Jeong-jae glared blankly at a nearby guard.
"D-did I do something wrong, sir? My apologies!"
"No, no—sorry, it's my face right now. My bad."
Having unintentionally wrung an uncalled-for apology from the guard, Jeong-jae waved it off in embarrassment. Even officially fired from the hero's party, a Grand Archmage's status was lofty. Add a barony, and to an ordinary soldier, he was intimidating.
Jeong-jae remembered saluting a four-star general during his service—the loudest he'd ever shouted in his life.
"Anyway, forget it. Please."
"Understood. Thank you, sir."
Whatever he was thanking him for, the guard visibly relaxed and resumed his post.
The appointed time approached, and Jeong-jae waited by the door, a touch anxious. It had been months since he'd last seen the emperor. The man got unfair flak for pandering to the Hacker faction, but he was still the emperor—the absolute monarch bearing the weight of a unified empire in this do-or-die war against the demon race.
The moment arrived. With a creak, the doors swung open.
A red carpet stretched across the floor, leading to the throne room—the emperor's audience chamber. Despite the crimson rug, as if advertising the empire's crisis, the atmosphere inside was stark rather than splendid. The chandeliers, meant to evoke grandeur, swayed precariously, mirroring the precarious reality where flames might rain down any moment. Instead of trophy heads or ornate decorations on the walls hung axes and swords, ready for instant use. This was the imperial palace of the Audrich Empire in Caprice.
And at the highest, deepest point of the throne room sat the man who ruled it all: Emperor Anton Caprice.
"All rise! Entering is the Grand Archmage of the Audrich Empire, the gift from another world, friend of Hellhound—Park Jeong-jae!"
A booming voice filled the chamber—whose, Jeong-jae couldn't tell—and everyone, including the emperor and Princess Rose at his side, stood.
For heroes with legendary feats against the Demon King, even the emperor paid respects by rising. This rule, which might seem to undermine imperial dignity, had been decreed by the emperor himself, not Parliament. And it emphatically did not diminish his majesty. On the contrary, Anton rising from the throne as Jeong-jae entered boldly showcased his robust bearing, enhancing his aura.
Jeong-jae approached per this world's etiquette and knelt on one knee before him.
"Park Jeong-jae pays respects to His Imperial Majesty, sovereign of the Audrich Empire."
"Rise."
The emperor commanded. As Jeong-jae stood at his word, Rose and the surrounding retainers and nobles sat in unison. Only the emperor and Jeong-jae remained standing, eyes locked.
Emperor Anton Caprice cut a figure straight out of Britain's sun-never-sets era: pristine white uniform topped with a lavish red cloak. His crown fit perfectly—not too large, not too small. Stroking his thick black beard briefly, he addressed Jeong-jae as if exchanging casual greetings.
"Grand Archmage Park Jeong-jae, gift from another world. I've heard quite the astonishing tale."
"Is that so."
Jeong-jae replied, tense.
"Walter H. Hellhound declared he will no longer have you as a comrade on the battlefield. And he requested to enfeoff you as lord of Harriet Territory."
"Harriet Territory, Your Majesty?"
Jeong-jae looked up in surprise. Harriet—Simon Harriet, the ancestor who'd supposedly come to this continent centuries ago, sharing Walter's lineage.
"Indeed. Legally, it's Walter H. Hellhound's holding. He transferred ownership to you, saying you could play a role there. I know not what that role is, but at the request of the sage hero Walter H. Hellhound, I gladly approved."
Jeong-jae was plunged into confusion again. Walter had given him his own territory. What did it mean? An apology for the firing, handing over property out of guilt? No, that seemed too simplistic, too odd.
"One final confirmation. I'm prepared to grant the title at once, but I'd hear your thoughts. Do you accept Harriet Territory and become Baron Park Jeong-jae of Harriet?"
No time for deep reflection. He'd come resolved. Whatever Walter intended, whatever lay ahead, it was up to him from here.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I humbly accept the barony with honor and swear to strive as a wise lord."
