Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Smiling While Hiding a Dagger. (1)
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Thud, thud.
The footsteps of the two men echoed through the imperial palace corridor.
"This way."
The palace attendant leading the way halted his steps.
"Father, over there."
"Indeed."
Carlo smiled faintly at Cain's words. He raised his hand and pointed ahead.
"That's the grand conference hall."
A massive door engraved with gold filigree stood open. Flanking it were knights standing rigidly with stern expressions.
Their presence was like a well-honed blade—fiercely sharp yet coldly composed.
"Hoo."
Cain flexed his fingers. Interest and fighting spirit flickered in his crimson eyes.
Seeing his son like that, Carlo chuckled heartily.
"What's this? Feeling itchy for a fight?"
The Magiore Knight Order.
The primary contributors who had made Emperor Theodore renowned as a ruthless conqueror.
They had led the empire's conquest wars and now, in peacetime, focused on defending the capital, Magiore.
Among them, those stationed at the imperial palace were the most elite.
"I'd love to test myself against them."
Cain's immediate response brimmed with confidence.
"Truth be told, the ones I most want to face are the Ovest Knight Order, but that's probably impossible."
"Who knows."
Carlo stroked his well-groomed mustache.
"That territory always sends proxies instead of knights. So, you never know—an opportunity might arise."
"If it does, I won't hold back."
"You rascal."
Carlo's lips curved in a pleased smile. His son's accomplishments always brought him joy.
The attendant approached the knights and spoke.
"Carlo Sud Ardante and his son, Cain Sud Ardante. Young Master Cain is here as an observer."
The knights nodded and stepped aside.
"......Whoa."
Cain's mouth fell slightly open at the sight before him.
The grand conference hall exuded a solemnity that discouraged idle chatter, blended with the antique grandeur befitting the empire's oldest structure.
The vast circular hall sloped downward toward the center. At its heart sat an ornate throne.
"Could that be......"
Carlo nodded, following Cain's gaze.
"Yes. That's His Majesty the Emperor's seat."
Cain's eyes sparkled as he surveyed the surroundings.
Red seats radiated outward from the throne in a circular arrangement. Several nobles were already seated, holding their positions.
Shifting his gaze upward, observer seats were visible between pale pillars.
Young noble heirs clung to the railings there, eagerly peering down at the hall below.
"They're cute."
Cain chuckled softly before lowering his gaze again. Then he noticed something odd.
"Huh?"
A considerable number of nobles had gathered in small groups outside the main seating area of the conference hall, chatting away.
"How have you been?"
"Ugh, my rear's killing me from the long journey."
"Carriage travel is rough. Good thing it's only every three months—if it were more often, I'd be dead. Kahahaha."
They sipped drinks provided in the lounge area, laughing and talking. They showed no intention of taking their seats.
"Why aren't they going in? They're just hanging out here."
At Cain's question, Carlo flashed a meaningful smile. He nodded toward the seats inside the conference hall.
"Look at those already seated."
Their faces clearly showed anxiety or tension. Hands and feet trembled, or they anxiously reviewed prepared documents.
Cain, scrutinizing them closely, remarked,
"Mostly lords from mid-to-small territories."
Other newly arriving mid-to-small nobles were the same. They hesitated as they entered the hall, then grew dejected when no one greeted them.
Their backs looked utterly lonely and forlorn as they trudged to their seats.
"Now, look at that one."
Cain followed Carlo's gaze. In the midst of a large crowd stood a striking middle-aged man.
His long white hair was tied back, and he wore thin clothes despite the lack of chill. Wrinkles covered his face, but they conveyed shrewdness rather than frailty.
It was due to the pale blue-gray eyes beneath his white brows. The intense gaze emanating from those subdued colors intimidated onlookers.
"Lord Mikel."
Cain whispered softly.
Having memorized key nobles' profiles before coming to the capital, identifying him was easy.
Mikel Nod Conchellare.
The silver tiger ruling the vast northern snow mountains. The eldest among current lords and a veteran survivor of harsh extremes.
Carlo nodded toward Mikel's side.
"Now, look at that woman."
There stood a middle-aged woman with auburn-tinged golden hair pinned up. Her blue eyes shone with clear brilliance, contrasting her locks.
"Lord Benifer."
Benifer Est Contadina.
Ruler of the vast eastern granary plains of Est Territory. A widow who had taken the lordship after her husband's death from chronic illness, with no heir.
"How have you been?"
"Quite well, of course. Though my joints ache a bit when I wake up."
"You're exaggerating. It doesn't suit someone as hale and hearty as you."
"You'll say the same after spending time in the north."
Benifer covered her mouth and chuckled at Mikel's banter.
With the two great lords conversing, other nobles dared not interject and merely watched. Eventually, they slipped away to find their seats.
In the end, only nobles from prominent houses remained, continuing their casual talk.
"Now do you see?"
Carlo turned to Cain.
"Yes, Father."
Cain nodded slowly.
"It's a show of power."
"Exactly."
Carlo smiled in satisfaction.
"These conferences always involve an unofficial power struggle."
"A power struggle like what......?"
"Who sits last."
It sounded like child's play.
Cain tilted his head.
"Last?"
"Yes. They deliberately hold out until just before His Majesty arrives, then take their seats at the very end."
"Hmm......"
"And the one who sits latest is the winner of the day."
Carlo grinned amusedly.
"The one with the greatest power."
Cain furrowed his brows as if it were the strangest thing.
"I suppose power is something you never fully grasp, even after understanding it."
"True. For you, who's wielded it as naturally as breathing since birth, it's a foreign concept."
Carlo's eyes deepened.
They held the harshness of one who had clawed his way up from the bottom to claim the high ground.
"Even actions that seem pointless have hidden meanings."
"Yes, Father."
Cain bowed his head obediently, though he didn't fully comprehend.
He was still too young and innocent for all this. And Carlo had no desire to reveal that world to him.
"So, taking a seat just before the emperor arrives here."
He changed the subject.
"That's an immense privilege."
Carlo patted Cain's back. A signal to follow.
"And it's one granted to us."
The moment the two entered the conference hall, all eyes turned to the entrance.
"Carlo Sud Ardante."
"He's finally here."
Among the four great lords, he held the strongest voice, owner of overwhelming power and wealth.
His influence spread across the empire, soon to encompass it entirely.
"The young man beside him......"
"His son? He looks just like him."
Anyone could see the father and son resemblance. Their fiery red hair and clear, blood-like crimson eyes were identical.
"Lord Carlo!"
"You're here!"
Several nobles rushed toward Carlo.
"Long time no see. I hope you've been well?"
"Lords Mason and Tyler."
Carlo beamed.
"I've been fine, as always. And you?"
"Thanks to your care."
Carlo's relations with these nobles were quite close.
They had tight agreements with the Ardante family. Especially in expanding Sud region's specialties to the capital, they had made significant contributions.
After exchanging greetings, the nobles turned to Cain.
"And this gentleman?"
Their sparkling eyes already seemed to know the answer. Aware of that, Carlo replied nonchalantly.
"Let me introduce my son, Cain Sud Ardante."
"Ah, so this is him!"
The nobles widened their eyes dramatically.
"The Crimson Young Lord! He truly lives up to the name."
"Wow, what a striking figure."
"I hear your swordsmanship is incredible."
"Word is Captain Hector will step down for you soon."
Amid the barrage of praise, Cain's cheeks flushed slightly.
Such situations weren't unfamiliar to him. And he knew exactly how to handle them.
"You're too kind. The rumors must be exaggerated."
His modest demeanor drew admiration from the nobles.
"So humble."
"Exaggerated? The talk has reached even the capital."
"Indeed. We're just stating facts."
Cain smiled bashfully, his straight white teeth gleaming dazzlingly. The nobles nearly shielded their eyes.
Carlo watched his son fondly, smiling. Then, suddenly, his smile faded.
"Lord Carlo."
Mikel and Benifer approached them.
"......"
The chatting nobles retreated behind Carlo. He faced them squarely with Cain.
"Lord Mikel."
"Long time no see. Been well?"
"As always."
Carlo flashed a friendly smile, then his eyes narrowed.
"But it seems Lord Mikel hasn't caught the capital's latest trends. That outfit looks too thin for autumn."
He added magnanimously,
"If needed, I can introduce my personal tailor. What do you say?"
A sophisticated jab implying why wear such cheap clothes.
"Much appreciated, but,"
Mikel chuckled as if oblivious to the attack.
"It's so hot coming down to the capital. Just dressing lightly."
Yet his eyes gleamed sharply.
"I'm touched by Lord Carlo's concern."
"Hoho, glad you think so."
Crackle!
Sparks seemed to fly between the two lords' gazes.