News Travels to the Council
While Margaret was sobbing in fury over Park Jeong-jae, Walter H. Hellhound was locked in a fierce debate with the empire's nobles in the imperial council—men who were likely three times his senior.
"Look, Hero, we get that you're in a hurry, but we've already stripped enough private soldiers from the provincial domains! Nobles don't raise private troops to start wars or pillage like bandits! The imperial army can't cover every corner of the realm, so local lords maintain those forces to defend their own lands. Dragging them all away willy-nilly is nothing short of tyranny!"
The imperial council chamber resembled an ancient amphitheater, with hundreds of seats encircling a raised central podium. Standing at that podium, reserved for bill proposers, was the Hero himself, Walter H. Hellhound. The one bellowing in opposition was Kösornis Border Count, a provincial noble.
Walter looked up at Kösornis, who had just leveled a stinging critique, and replied, "Well said, Count Kösornis. We all understand the hardships of governing a vast domain. But why does a border count's land—untouched by any demon threat—need five thousand troops? Was my request for just three thousand of them really that outrageous?"
"Those are people who call my domain home! They volunteered in these trying times to defend their homeland! Even a Hero can't speak so lightly of them!"
"Defending the empire's borders is the way to protect everyone's homes!"
Walter shouted this time not just at Kösornis but at the entire assembly. The gold-rimmed monocle he wore trembled with his excitement.
"Do I strike you as someone who treats lives lightly? Ah, I see you've all heard about the Nomember tragedy. But let me be clear: if my friend hadn't burned that castle with Karmic Fire that day, this very council might be filled not with esteemed nobles but with skeletons and orcs!"
"No one has blamed you for that, Hero."
This time, it was Hacker Count who rose to speak—the leader of the provincial nobles. Nearing eighty yet standing ramrod straight with undiminished dignity, he was the key figure opposing the imperial faction and their de facto leader.
"Of course. I got ahead of myself. My apologies, Count Hacker."
Walter bowed exaggeratedly. The count gazed down at him impassively and asked, "The provincial troops have already been called up as needed, and the private forces have been whittled down to the bone. Hero, is the situation truly that dire?"
"Isn't it obvious? We lost Nomember. That domain may never recover as it once was."
Rose Caprice, seated in the imperial faction's reserved section, let out a melancholy sigh. Eyes turned toward the princess, and she hurriedly covered her mouth, waving it off as nothing.
Walter glanced up at Rose before turning back to Hacker Count. "But I've heard the enemy offensive has slowed since then, and the imperial army is holding firm. Won't they tire themselves out eventually, giving us a chance to counterattack?"
"Count, the truth is, the enemy's momentum has already peaked. With Nomember laid waste and the castle unclaimed, they've lost the strength for sustained supply lines and advances. That's why I can stand here in this noble assembly and speak so passionately."
"I see. So even though they can't press on, we lack the forces for a counterstrike."
"As expected from you, Count. Quick on the uptake."
Hacker Count said nothing more and sank back into his seat. Walter gestured dramatically to the chamber and cried out, "I believe I've explained the proposed bill thoroughly. I demand an immediate vote here and now!"
"A vote out of nowhere? That's for after debate!"
A provincial noble shouted in protest. Walter glared up at him and bellowed back, "You sat quiet while we debated hotly! I'm a busy man—this has gone on long enough. I repeat: I demand an immediate vote!"
The provincials rebelled again. Even imperial nobles joined the shouting match, turning the council into pandemonium. The sacred rule forbidding anyone but speakers from leaving their seats prevented physical clashes, but the clamor was headache-inducing enough.
"The imperials will just ram it through with numbers anyway! We need to abolish the emperor's fixed appointee rights!"
"Then submit a bill yourself and pass it!"
"That's why we lack the numbers in the first place—what nonsense is that?"
Rose cradled her forehead, shaking her head.
Walter persisted with his one-man protest for a vote from the podium. Then Hacker Count, who had been watching silently, stood and murmured, "Let's vote. It's for the good of the realm, isn't it?"
The chamber fell quiet. The provincials, who had opposed so vehemently, slunk back to their seats sheepishly.
Walter bowed deeply to Hacker Count with genuine gratitude. His monocle nearly slipped off his nose from the exaggerated bend. "Thank you, Count! You've saved me. Truly! Thank you!"
The commotion settled, and Walter H. Hellhound's noble private army mobilization bill passed. The Hero now bore responsibility for even more fresh imperial recruits who had left their homes for the distant north.
The council adjourned. Walter, drained, removed his monocle and tucked it away. Rose Caprice, resplendent in her ornate uniform, approached.
"Good work out there, Walter."
"Dealing with those old timers is exhausting."
Walter grumbled. Rose fixed him with a stern look. "Show a little more respect in your tone."
"It's always worth the sweat dealing with elders."
"Good. That's better."
They shared a silly exchange, then giggled, locking eyes. Suddenly, Rose's face clouded over. Walter eyed her curiously. "What's up? Why the long face?"
"Well, I heard some odd news."
"News? When? What is it?"
"Earlier, while you were holding forth up there, a messenger brought me a letter. Bernard sent it—said it might be urgent, deliver to either of us. Since you were speaking, it came to me in my seat."
"I see."
The imperial council was sacred ground; leaving one's seat during another's speech was illegal. But for long debates, brief trips to the restroom or receiving external missives were overlooked.
Walter nodded, then noticed the pause. "So? Must be something big, right?"
"Yeah... it's weird. I don't even know what to make of it."
"Spit it out. Or show me."
"Okay. Apparently, Bernard saw Margaret crying."
Walter chuckled at her words. "Come on, that's it? Seeing her cry isn't exactly world-shaking... wait."
Walter froze, then turned to Rose. He fumbled his monocle back on and fixed her with a serious stare. "Say that again. Who was crying?"
"Margaret."
"Margaret. The Margaret you and I know. Princess of Eramenia, elf warrior. Right?"
"Probably."
"What the hell? Margaret crying—that's a major incident!"
"Exactly!"
They shouted in unison, then cleared their throats awkwardly, lowering their voices.
To Walter's mind, few things could make a rock-solid woman like Margaret cry. Her father dying, maybe. Or Eramenia falling to invaders. If something dire had befallen the elf kingdom, her tears signaled real trouble—not to be dismissed lightly.
"So, what made her cry? Did Bernard write that down too?"
"That's the weird part..."
"Out with it! Don't drag it out!"
"After Margaret ran off crying... he saw Park Jeong-jae chasing after her in a panic."
"Huh?"
The situation grew stranger. Margaret bolting in tears was one thing, but Jeong-jae pursuing her? What had happened between them?
"Maybe she confessed and got rejected?" Walter joked.
Rose snorted. "What kind of nonsense is that?"
"Nonsense? Didn't you know Margaret likes Jeong-jae?"
"Of course not. Wait—you're messing with me, right? For real?"
"You seriously didn't? It was obvious."
Walter and Rose blinked at each other.
Rose spoke slowly. "So, Margaret likes Park Jeong-jae. Romantically? Like, love?"
"Probably the same way you like me."
"Then yes, romantic."
"Yeah."
"Whoa."
Rose stared into space, blinking. The sharp-witted couple looked downright foolish now, gaping silently before deciding in unison.
"We need details. I sensed she liked him, sure, but cry and run after a rejection? No way."
"Women can flip 180 on love matters."
"If it's something that trivial, we'd be lucky..."
Walter smirked, pocketing his monocle again. "Let's dig deeper first. Probably nothing major."
"Honestly, just learning Margaret likes Park Jeong-jae is so shocking, nothing else could top it."
A few hours later, Rose Caprice would encounter Jeong-jae's plan—a scheme far more startling.