Rumors Are Never Worth Believing (4)
The imperial palace had never been a place of peace. That much had been true since ancient times. If this were an era of perfect tranquility, things might be different. But the Winter War had only just ended, and the Emperor’s faction and the noble faction were now locked in a fierce struggle for power. The imperial court was about as far from peaceful as one could imagine.
Everyone was fighting for dominance. They smiled to each other’s faces while hiding daggers behind their backs. It was no exaggeration to call it another battlefield entirely.
Wolfgang was no exception. There was no way they wouldn’t try to drag her into this filthy political arena. She was a war hero, a savior of the nation. The moment they obtained her, the entire board would flip in an instant. She was the kind of existence that could turn absolute disadvantage into absolute dominance. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say the entire empire’s people supported her.
But she had refused to participate in that fight.
In the end, it was nothing more than a fancy way of saying soldiers should remain politically neutral. Ironically, that stance had resulted in her service being extended indefinitely. She still had no idea, of course.
Anyway, the strange and ridiculous rumors swirling around her were quite far from the peaceful retirement she sought. That said, the situation unfolding right before her eyes was absolutely not welcome.
Above his jet-black hair sat not a golden crown, but one forged of iron. Ruby-red eyes that gleamed like jewels fixed themselves on her.
“I greet Your Imperial Majesty with loyalty.”
The moment the young man wearing the crown opened the door to the office and stepped inside, Wolfgang quickly rose and saluted. He was her superior, after all, and the master of the empire.
Raypen von Bahamut.
He had once been the young lord of the Baikal Territory. A hero who had fought alongside her in the Winter War. She had believed him to be the lord of Baikal, only to later learn he was actually an imperial prince of the royal bloodline.
Despite her words, her expression had hardened with clear discomfort. She had been working hard since dawn, and now the emperor had suddenly announced an inspection and ordered preparations. Whether it was the military or a company, a visit from someone high up was never a pleasant affair. Especially when that person was the sole ruler of this vast empire.
“It’s been a while, Sir Leonhardt.”
“You came just last time, didn’t you?”
“I think a week is quite a long time. Or am I the only one who feels that way?”
Yeah, you’re the only one.
She didn’t know about others, but if a soldier stationed at the front lines saw the emperor once a week, that would count as seeing him pretty frequently. Wolfgang couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.
No news is good news. If only the imperial family would just focus on their power struggles, she would have no complaints. Unfortunately, Raypen visited once a week under the pretext of an inspection.
If it had been anyone else, they would have tried to seize the chance to catch the emperor’s eye and rise through the ranks. But since she wanted nothing more than to be discharged, there was no way she would bother with such annoying antics. In other words, she had no desire to curry favor with those in power. That was why she never forced her soldiers to overwork themselves on duty rotations.
Instead, she answered like this:
“Your Majesty, it is good that you come for inspections, but I worry that visiting the front lines every week may harm Your Majesty’s precious health.”
She had phrased it as politely as possible. In the end, it was the nicest possible way of saying, I’m annoyed so get lost. No matter who she was, she couldn’t tell the emperor to scram to his face.
The emperor, who had been quietly pondering her words, removed the iron crown from his head. In that instant, he stopped being the emperor and became simply Raypen.
He spoke again.
“Your true thoughts?”
“It’s annoying, so get lost.”
“As expected of the Captain. That’s how you should answer.”
“Strictly speaking, I’m your subordinate.”
Only then did Raypen smile with satisfaction. In contrast, Wolfgang glanced around nervously, worried someone might overhear. This was their private agreement.
An emperor who had lost his dignity was the only being capable of bringing even a powerful empire to ruin. That was why, while he wore the crown, she treated him with full respect as a subject. Once it came off, they returned to how they used to be.
Still, how many people in the world could speak so casually to the ruler of the empire? Raypen actually liked her bold attitude.
Crazy bastard.
Wolfgang clicked her tongue and glared at him. She had felt it during the Winter War too—the man had quite the crazy streak. The longer she looked at him, the worse it would get, so she decided to appease him quickly and send him on his way.
“Anyway, what brings you here?”
“Won’t you join me in destroying a kingdom?”
And just like that, Raypen dropped a bomb with a bright smile. Wolfgang stared at him in utter shock.
What the hell? You’re the emperor, you can’t say shit like that.
“It’s a joke.”
“You son of a bitch.”
“Your rabbit-in-shock expression was quite entertaining.”
“You’ve never been punched since becoming emperor, have you?”
“Heh heh, sorry. I apologize with all sincerity.”
When Wolfgang finally raised her fist, unable to hold back her anger any longer, Raypen finally apologized. She clicked her tongue and lowered her fist. Only then did he get to the main point.
“The truth is, a hearing has been scheduled.”
“Because of that rumor?”
“Yes. A few nobles are using it as an excuse to find fault. Of course, if you want, I can stop it for you…”
“Don’t do anything unnecessary.”
Perhaps the heavens had taken pity on her endless suffering. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The only chance she had to be discharged. Of course, she had no intention of admitting to the rumors as they were. But if she took responsibility for causing a scandal and offered to resign from her position, the noble faction that had been nitpicking would surely let it slide without further issue.
It was like killing two birds with one stone—eating both the pheasant and its eggs, catching both the crayfish and the crab in the ditch. Who in their right mind would kick away such a golden opportunity?
However, Raypen interpreted her words in a completely different way.
“I knew you would say that.”
I figured you’d respond like this. You, who always walk forward with confidence and never seek special treatment.
At Raypen’s words, Wolfgang tilted her head and asked,
“Did you come all the way here just for that?”
“That’s right.”
“If that’s the case, just send a messenger. There’s no need for the emperor to come in person.”
Because it’s annoying.
“Isn’t it basic for a subordinate to report to their superior in person?”
“Strictly speaking, I’m your superior, remember?”
What the hell? Is he dodging the question? Or is this some grand scheme to frame me as a traitor?
Seeing her irritated expression, Raypen burst into laughter.
“That’s true. But make sure you never forget this one thing.”
That I am Vendetta’s No. 2.
The moment he placed the iron crown back on his head, the young man who had been laughing and trading silly jokes vanished. In his place stood the dignified emperor who ruled the empire.
Yes. That was his true appearance.
In truth, Raypen knew it as well. For the sake of imperial dignity, there could be no exceptions. And yet, in front of her, he always ended up smiling. He liked her confident demeanor. To engrave that image in his eyes even a little longer, his gaze was always directed at her face.
Did she even realize that?
“She probably never will, for the rest of her life.”
After their enjoyable time together ended, on the way back to his own battlefield, a dark shadow followed behind him. Soon, one of the completely hidden shadows asked him a question.
“Your Majesty, what shall we do?”
“Prepare everything that can be done from the shadows. So that we can start a war at any moment.”
The one who spoke was no longer the man who had been laughing. He was now a cold, iron-blooded man without a trace of humor.
Raypen had never spoken lightly. Earlier he had brushed it off as a joke, but in truth, he had been completely serious.
Destroying a kingdom. Naturally, he was not an innocent child like Jackal who knew nothing of the world. He was the emperor who ruled the empire, the master of darkness who commanded the Black Knight Order that controlled the empire’s underworld.
That was why he knew many secrets—secrets that not only ordinary people but even the leaders of the noble faction were unaware of. And those secrets were precisely why he wanted to destroy the kingdom.
“Rumors are nothing but rumors. I ordered you to handle it that way, didn’t I?”
“As per Your Majesty’s command, we are smoothly fabricating them.”
“Good. And just in case, let me warn you. The day that rumor stops being a mere rumor, the Black Knights will be buried in eternal darkness. Understood?”
“On that day, we will gladly offer our necks, Your Majesty.”
His voice was so cold it was hard to believe this was the same person who had been laughing and joking with Wolfgang. Yes. This was the face he showed the world.
Raypen von Bahamut.
He was a war hero who had led the empire to victory in the Winter War alongside Wolfgang. At the same time, he was the one who had purged his own father, mother, and all his siblings before ascending the blood-stained throne.
That was why he had another name.
Iron Blood.