Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Blackguard Triumphal Gate (3)
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Solomon, I had lightly thought it would just be a modest party. No... more precisely, I had hoped it would be.
I figured I'd just attend the banquet appropriately, grace the occasion, receive some praise and rewards... something on that level.
I had even braced myself for the worst-case scenario of being discarded like dirt once used. Of course, the chances of that were extremely, extremely low.
However, what awaited Cain—who had even considered the worst possibility—was a level of respect and welcome far beyond his imagination.
Naturally, Cain had lived a life far removed from receptions or acclaim... so this situation felt utterly alien to him.
'Wh-what is this? So many people came just to see me?'
The feeling of burden is relative, depending on the person. It could also be said to be determined by one's environment.
Even countless geniuses felt that emotion. Of course, they were called geniuses because they could handle it...
Unfortunately, Cain had no such expertise. He blankly stared at the massive gate before him.
The first time he saw a carriage made entirely of pure 100% gold, he honestly believed nothing could top that shock.
But upon actually arriving in the capital, there was something even more astonishing than the golden carriage. It was the enormous city gate.
To be precise, it was a newly constructed triumphal gate in the plaza, modeled after the palace walls and gates that guarded the imperial palace, built entirely from pure 100% gold.
"Wh-what on earth is that?"
"It is the triumphal gate His Majesty the Emperor had built to commemorate Lord Blackguard's victory."
"Ah."
A golden carriage was followed by a golden triumphal gate right before his eyes. Just how much gold had gone into that thing?
Moreover, imagining the cost of constructing it... Cain's face naturally paled.
It was truly grateful and magnificent, but honestly, it felt wasteful. There were people who actually needed that money.
But Cain thoroughly swallowed those words. He had no desire to stir up unnecessary trouble.
"Cain Blackguard."
"Your Majesty."
"Come closer."
Not only was he stunned by the triumphal arch made of gold, but standing beneath it was Emperor Leonis himself, waiting.
In a nation as close to centralization as the Empire, the monarch had personally come out to greet a vassal. Damn it all.
Cain quickly dismounted his horse. He then glided forward and knelt before the Emperor. That was the beginning.
"Blackguard, We and Our Empire have clearly witnessed your great victory."
True to his bloodline of the dragon, every word from the Emperor crushed at people's hearts. It carried that much dignity.
Soon, the Emperor's blazing eyes swept over the gathered citizens, knights, and soldiers in the plaza.
"Citizens, feast, drink, and revel to your hearts' content for three days. To commemorate Blackguard's victory, We shall specially open the imperial treasury."
"Waaaaah!!"
"Long live His Majesty the Emperor!!"
"Eternal glory to the Empire!!"
Not only the citizens who had been watching from a suitable distance, but even the knights began to cheer fervently.
And Cain had to bear that burden entirely alone. No one could help him.
Only after time passed and he entered the imperial palace with the Emperor did Cain finally escape the pressure.
Even with the eyes gone, Emperor Leonis patted Cain's shoulder and spoke as if proud.
"You've had a long journey; you've truly worked hard. There's a banquet tonight to celebrate your victory, so rest well and attend."
"I am deeply grateful for Your benevolence, Your Majesty."
"Compared to your dedication to the Empire, this is only natural. So raise your head."
Amid the misfortune, the silver lining was that the Emperor praised his efforts while granting time to rest.
Thanks to that, Cain could prevent his heart from bursting under the strain. For now, he needed to head in and rest.
However, contrary to expectations, it wasn't over yet. The room Cain received from the Emperor was one once used by royalty.
"......"
In the lavish, spacious room adorned with gold and jewels, he simply sat blankly on the bed, blinking.
What was this room? Why give him a room once used by royalty in the first place? He couldn't fathom it.
While blankly admiring the room's splendor, Cain soon let out a sigh and flung himself onto the bed.
'I don't know. For now, let's rest. At least half a day, right?'
But that misconception didn't last long. As if mocking the thought, someone knocked on the door.
Cain's face, which had briefly regained peace, twisted in agony in an instant.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Rooms where royalty resides directly are especially heavily guarded even within the imperial palace. Who would come to such a place?
The answer was simple. Another royal would do. And it wasn't just one among the royals who had come...
Cain looked at the handsome men and beautiful women who had visited his room with weary eyes. And they were all familiar faces, to boot.
"This is the room His Highness the Crown Prince used in his childhood. It's more than sufficient for Lord Blackguard to stay in."
"Still, he's the Crown Prince. Is it right to speak of him that way?"
"It's fine. There are no eyes watching anyway. And it's not entirely wrong, is it?"
"......"
Crown Prince Siegfried.
Second Prince Oren, Third Princess Morgana.
All the royals except the Emperor had gathered here. Cain felt like he might die from overwhelming imperial grace.
What was this? Could it be a dream?
"......I greet Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Second Prince, and Your Highness the Third Princess."
"Haha, that's enough, Lord Blackguard."
"Stiff, boring etiquette is only for when underlings are watching."
"Y-you can speak comfortably with me too! It'll be that way soon enough anyway......"
Then please just leave already?
Cain groaned inwardly, unable to voice such words. But perhaps sensing his mood.
Morgana immediately clung to his side. Cain was startled inside.
"Is something uncomfortable?"
"Ah, no. I'm fine, Your Highness."
"Just my name is enough, Lord Blackguard."
"Pardon? Ah, yes......"
Under the subtle pressure and dignified tone of Morgana's voice, Cain unwittingly nodded.
Meanwhile, Second Prince Oren and Crown Prince Siegfried, watching from a step away, nodded as well.
However, the thoughts they harbored were similar yet diverged. First, Second Prince Oren simply found it heartwarming.
'It seems Morgana is definitely taken with Lord Blackguard. If she likes him, there's no reason for me to interfere.'
'I don't intend to force it... but if the two marry, the Empire's power would grow much stronger.'
On the other hand, Crown Prince Siegfried was thinking of the Empire's future. Of course, he acknowledged Cain.
Rather, he fully recognized Cain's abilities. After all, hadn't he witnessed them firsthand nearby?
However... 'acknowledging' ability and 'trusting' were separate matters. Siegfried understood that too.
Cain Blackguard. He was not one to betray loyalty for personal gain. But there was no helping it.
'An emperor must remain eternally vigilant against even 1% possibilities. Otherwise, reactions will be too late.'
Thus, from Crown Prince Siegfried's perspective, Cain and Morgana's marriage would be beneficial in the long term.
Though not pureblood, he could become a member of the imperial family and proudly call himself royal.
Then, the imperial house could bestow dragon blood upon Cain Blackguard...
However, Siegfried had no intention of forcing Morgana. After all, free will was paramount.
'Forcing them would backfire given their exceptional talents. In the end, leave it to them.'
The silver lining was that Morgana had begun taking the initiative.
It seemed due to the many rivals... competitors around...
As Crown Prince, he couldn't force it, but he could offer indirect help. Like the atmosphere, for instance.
This time, assigning a room used by royals was for such reasons.
The nobles' attitudes had drastically shifted. Now they were pulling out all stops to win Blackguard over.
Of course, he didn't seem likely to fall for their schemes... but what if.
"Doesn't staying in the room get boring? How about a walk together..."
"Come to think of it, Lord Blackguard has never seen the Dragon's Garden, strictly managed by the imperial family, has he?"
Having endured the royals for so long, the sun had begun to set before he knew it. The time for the banquet approached.