Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Dragon's Trial (7)
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The hearty laughter echoing through the imperial palace finally allowed me to grasp that the trial imposed on me had come to an end, at least for now.
I wiped the cold sweat from my damp hands across my chest and let out a quiet sigh of relief where no one could see.
Even with Defeat Regression at my disposal... I had no desire to experience death firsthand.
'I went through with it, half-expecting execution, like a gamble. Their reaction is better than I thought—surprisingly so.'
It was an action born from the experience I'd gained dying on countless battlefields,
but spilling blood right in the imperial palace could have led to the worst-case scenario: execution.
Fortunately, though, my actions seemed to have struck exactly the right chord with the emperor.
"Very well! I shall grant it! But that alone is not enough to satisfy me. You there! Grant Sir Blackguard a dragon steed!"
"Y-Your Majesty is granting him a dragon steed?!"
"He'll be commanding the imperial army many times in the future. Surely a sturdy horse is the least he needs."
"But dragon steeds are reserved only for the exalted imperial family or those who have earned monumental merits...!!"
"Dragon steed?"
I couldn't hide my bewilderment at the nobles' desperate attempts to dissuade him. It was just a horse, no matter how you dressed it up.
Why were they making such a fuss? The one who cleared up my confusion was none other than Oren.
I wondered if I should just go along with it, but ignoring the prince's words wasn't an option, so I meekly followed behind him.
The corridor we walked through with the Second Prince was unusually quiet, unlike the rest of the palace.
"I never imagined you'd mercilessly behead those palace maids without hesitation. Your courage and boldness exceed my expectations, Sir Blackguard."
"Of course. Without that much courage and boldness, I would've been the one caught."
"...Your Highness, when did you arrive?"
Before I could respond to the question that shattered the silence, Princess Morgana, who had scurried up behind me, answered in my place.
For some reason, she looked exhilarated, her steps light and bouncy.
Oren glanced back and forth between Morgana and me before flashing a meaningful smile.
"Hmm...???"
"What? Why the stare?"
"It's nothing. Just a bit regrettable as a big brother. Ah, this is why being nice to little sisters never pays off..."
"Hey!!!"
"???"
Their exchange, utterly devoid of any imperial dignity, left my mind blank for a moment.
Honestly, this seemed better than their power struggles.
Still, watching it any longer felt like it might fry my brain, so I cleared my throat and smoothly changed the subject.
"Your Highness, may I ask a question?"
"Of course."
"What exactly is a dragon steed that has the nobles so opposed?"
"It's a legendary steed said to carry the blood of dragons. One permitted only to imperial blood."
"...Pardon?"
The completely unexpected answer froze my thoughts again. What did he just say? Permitted to whom?
But instead of elaborating, Oren quickened his pace. The first thing that caught my eye was its pitch-black coat, dark as if it had swallowed the dawn.
Beneath it lay muscles as sturdy as steel. But what astonished me more was its gaze.
Its eyes glowed red like the embers of unquenchable flames, radiating an intelligence that no mere beast could possess.
"This is the one dragon steed without an owner. I hope it catches your fancy, Sir Blackguard."
"That... it doesn't look like any ordinary horse at first glance..."
I swallowed hard. I'd ridden horses before, but this dragon steed was clearly no ordinary mount.
Its massive build rivaled that of a monster, complete with a ferocious aura.
Frankly, its presence overwhelmed mine. And they expected me to ride this thing around? Yeah, no thanks...
The dragon steed fixed its hellfire gaze on me, then approached... and suddenly started rubbing its face against me?
"What the—why is it doing this all of a sudden...?"
"It seems this one has taken a real liking to you, Sir Blackguard."
"For a dragon steed to so readily accept someone outside the imperial family as its master... maybe those legends about them foreseeing the future are true after all..."
"...??"
"Ah, it's nothing!"
I let out a deep sigh. A gift? Sure, it was nice. But unfortunately, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
In other words, a gift this grand meant they expected me to shoulder an equally grand responsibility...
My heart was already heavy with unease.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The imperial army fully withdrew from the kingdom over the course of three months. Even that was only possible because negotiations concluded swiftly.
The empire had initially anticipated a deployment of at least six months.
Naturally, the 100,000 civilians following Blackguard were also given a choice.
"Those who wish to remain in the kingdom may do so. This is in no way compulsory."
In truth, from the imperial army's perspective, escorting 100,000 civilians back to the empire was ordeal enough without adding more burdens.
Thus, they offered the civilians a choice to lighten the load.
Yet, in a blow to those efforts, not a single person chose to stay.
"Not one person said they wanted to remain in the kingdom?"
"Th-that's correct."
"Hah... Truly a talent acknowledged by His Majesty the Emperor."
They remembered the lord who had never abandoned them, no matter the moment.
That's why they trusted and followed him. Anywhere had to be better than here.
And fortunately, the imperial army had the capacity to safely escort those 100,000 civilians during the withdrawal.
Meanwhile, the emperor had deliberated with his ministers and decided on the territory to grant Blackguard.
Since the number of nobles granted lands after quelling the Seven Dukes' Rebellion could be counted on one hand, opposition was fierce, as expected.
But the moment they saw the territory named by Second Prince Oren, they fell silent as if by magic.
"Didn't you all oppose granting land to Blackguard? So why have you suddenly gone as quiet as clams?"
"How could we dare oppose Your Majesty's will?"
"Do as you deem fit, Your Majesty."
'Tch... Every last one of them is so transparently opportunistic.'
Emperor Leonis clicked his tongue inwardly at the nobles' vulgar display. They'd all surely done the math and reached their conclusions.
The reason those nobles, who had been shouting their opposition veins bulging, fell silent in an instant...
Was that the territory Second Prince Oren had named was none other than Renheim.
Renheim.
This land, meaning "purgatory" in the imperial tongue, bordered the Demonic Realm.
The Demonic Realm was lawless territory—a haven for monsters, other races, fugitives who had committed crimes, and those who had abandoned their humanity.
'But it's not far from the Alliance's border, so we have no choice but to station troops there. Unlikely as it is... if by some chance the Alliance subjugates the Demonic Realm first.'
At some point, a rumor began circulating on the continent: the one who first conquers the Demonic Realm will seize control of the continent.
Of course, he wouldn't put stock in such dubious rumors, but the Demonic Realm's value was undeniable.
That's why Emperor Leonis intended to entrust Renheim to Blackguard.
'Blackguard can surely conquer the Demonic Realm. Then all I need to do is trust him and spare no support.'
As long as time permitted, the emperor planned to continue backing Blackguard.
However, from the nobles' perspective, unaware of the emperor's intentions, this was all for the best. Renheim was hell on earth.
Monsters spilling from the Demonic Realm and bandits assaulted the territory daily.
'No matter how capable Blackguard is, subjugating the Demonic Realm is next to impossible.'
'If he actually did it, he'd become the second most powerful man after His Majesty... but that'll never happen.'
It was like reaping benefits without lifting a finger—no reason to object. Though a countship was no small title...
Even so, it was obvious he'd be swallowed by the Demonic Realm before long.
With no opposition, the emperor promptly bestowed the countship on Blackguard and appointed him Lord of Renheim.
As winter fully passed and warm spring arrived, Blackguard set out for Renheim with his 100,000 civilians and 50,000 troops.
Naturally, word of this reached the Alliance's ears. An entity like the Alliance, which had dominated the kingdom's real power, couldn't possibly miss it.
The empire—that notoriously greedy empire—had relinquished occupied territory just to acquire this man??
Suspicious of this, the Alliance began deploying troops to the Demonic Realm as well...
Thus, storm clouds of war slowly gathered over the once-peaceful continent.