Chapter 118
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Commendation
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This generation's emperor might not be the greatest among all past emperors, but excluding the founding one, he was the most beloved by the empire's citizens.
He had implemented many lenient policies and pushed forward numerous laws for the common people, not just the nobles.
And so.
The death of this emperor, loved by so many, would shake the empire with rage.
Yet the empire was a fully realized nation in its own right.
Thus, they had no outlet for that fury...
'Which only fueled the conflicts between the princes even more.'
Originally, Jun had no intention of getting deeply involved in imperial politics.
For one, tangling with the imperial family from the early game wasn't easy... and with royals, it was even harder.
'But now, I can do it.'
A series of coincidences and desperate struggles for survival had led to this.
So now...
'I'll prevent the emperor's death and stifle the divisions among the royals as much as possible.'
The first step, naturally, would be a direct audience with the emperor.
Jun bowed his head deeply and awaited the emperor's words.
The emperor must never appear frivolous.
Especially not in such a public setting.
The emperor, his face veiled, permitted no one to raise their heads.
Instead.
"I commend your efforts."
His heavy voice acknowledged the merits of all gathered here.
"First, the Sword Soul, who once shook the empire with his blade."
"Your servant, Berg Aden."
"You have quietly amassed achievements in a remote wilderness unknown to all."
"I have merely done my utmost for the empire."
Starting with the Sword Soul, the Blackguard Knights, Altas Adventurers, and Solar Order were called one by one.
To each, the emperor offered personal commendation and mentioned rewards.
And finally.
"White Whale Mercenary Corps."
"Your servant Jun and two comrades stand ready to hear Your Majesty's words."
"All here have devoted themselves to the empire, great or small. Yet none can call your feats insignificant."
No other group called thus far had received such praise.
Jun felt inexplicable tension and bowed his head lower.
"First, in the Black Forest assault, you saved many lives and revealed the Fallen Forest Fairies to the world, preventing future casualties."
Additionally, they had exposed the Volcanic Mage Tower's plot to assassinate Buyeo King Shylock, to whom the emperor had personally granted the title of 'king'.
They had made great contributions to halting the Dimension Reversal at Blackout.
And finally, they had thwarted a colossal Orc Lord from manifesting on the surface with its hundred thousand orc legion.
"Above all, by stopping two Dimension Reversals, you safeguarded the safety of hundreds, nay, tens of millions of imperial citizens."
The commendation stretched into its third minute.
This wasn't mere flattery for the White Whale Mercenary Corps.
"Thus, I grant you a private audience with me."
"...!"
The opportunity he'd hoped for but wasn't sure he'd get was now his.
"Your servant is eternally grateful!"
Jun bowed even deeper, a hidden smile on his lips.
One might think a simple audience was no big deal, mere pleasantries.
But a private audience with the emperor was no casual chat.
It was a gesture granting whatever one desired.
A rare chance indeed, and Jun's mind raced.
"With this, your deeds shall be etched into the empire's history. Continue your devotion to its people."
With those final words, the emperor departed the hall.
Only then did the guests raise their heads.
And as if on cue.
"You're truly remarkable."
The attendees applauded Jun and his mercenaries without reservation.
How could they not?
They had claimed nearly half the emperor's entire commendation.
The banquet proceeded in a remarkably relaxed atmosphere.
With no real grudges among the attendees, valuable information flowed freely.
From the Blackguards, Jun gleaned tales of various conflict zones.
Even in Blackout, groups had clashed, and their covert operations seemed like they could aid Cloi greatly later.
From the Solar Order, he obtained near-secret intel on the purification efforts in the Merdaine trade city.
Unfortunately, the adventurers of Altas offered little of substance.
For them, information meant profit, controlled by their patrons, the Ron family.
Anyway.
As sunset faded and guests began retiring one by one.
"Hey, Jun. Mind a quick chat?"
Terdin, the sole remaining Blackguard Knight captain, approached Jun.
Jun nodded.
"There's a nice landscaped terrace over there. Shall we talk there?"
"Perfect. Let's go."
Out of others' sight on the terrace, Jun awaited Terdin's words.
"I hear you're quite knowledgeable in herbalism. True?"
"Potion brewing led me to pick up a few things."
"I see. So you're connected to the Gilenoi Merchant Guild's potion trade."
No point hiding it now, so Jun nodded.
"Need info on that front?"
"Exactly. Don't misunderstand. Any ties to the black market?"
"...I'm not sure about that."
It wasn't a lie; he truly didn't know.
But recalling past talks with Cloi, they likely had some connections.
"Not scheming against you. We're hunting escaped criminals."
"Those criminals tied to herbs or potions?"
"Yes. Long-time targets smuggling addictive narcotics, high-risk poisons to the surface periodically."
That piqued Jun's interest.
He needed such info anyway and planned to ask Cloi right after the banquet.
"Care to elaborate?"
"You seem intrigued. Simple story."
They'd traced surface-evading criminals' escape routes involving herbs.
But pinpointing those routes and their hideouts required industry intel.
"That's why I sought you, hoping your sponsor, Gilenoi Merchant Guild, could help."
"Wouldn't the imperial family be more reliable? They don't ignore black markets."
"That's the issue. Imperial involvement escalates things too much."
Terdin's operation was merely extending unfinished Blackout business.
"As you know, black markets can't be eradicated no matter the manpower. We manage them discreetly, cull the overreaches, balance the trade."
Wiping one out entirely wasn't his goal.
"Building ties and regulating them is laborious. Harming their surface handlers causes headaches."
"I see... Understood."
So, relying on the Gilenoi Merchant Guild, distant from central politics.
"Shouldn't be hard. I'll pass it along."
"Much obliged."
"One request, though?"
"If I can."
"Any plans to hire our mercenary corps for that op?"
"Hm. Why?"
"Well..."
Jun pulled out the black flower he'd shown Maya before.
"I want to track who brought this to the surface. Helping you might yield leads."
"Never seen this flower..."
"Don't stare too long. It induces hallucinations."
"Indeed, dangerous. Fine, no issue."
Parting on win-win terms, they left the terrace satisfied.
Then.
"Loyalty."
"Loyalty."
They crossed paths with Heavenly Dragon Knights ascending.
"Jun of White Whale Mercenary Corps. Correct?"
"Yes."
"Follow. Someone wishes to see you."
Jun instantly knew who.
Terdin nodded understandingly and stepped aside. Jun followed the knight.
'Didn't expect a summons this soon.'
It was the emperor.
In truth, the emperor had decided to summon Jun but hadn't specified when.
Whenever the time felt right, or perhaps later.
Not laziness, but consideration for Jun.
The White Whale had gained outsized fame; better they grow stronger and return with bigger requests.
But.
"Father. Could you summon Jun, captain of White Whale Mercenary Corps?"
The first prince made the request.
"Why?"
"It's about Javier."
"Hmm..."
The emperor had heard of Javier too.
Even he had felt a chill upon the news.
He'd planned to gather intel immediately after the banquet.
Now, first prince Dexter requested it first.
"Why involve yourself directly?"
"I need the firsthand account from the first discoverer."
Memory fades; best hear from on-site mage Jun ASAP.
But the first prince approaching Jun personally wasn't ideal.
Unlike others, Jun had ties to the discarded crown prince, Arshio.
"Very well. I'll summon him."
The emperor's head ached over Javier already.
Nobles would panic, and above all...
'Benes. Hard to predict her moves.'
Benes, mother of the third prince and consort, loved Javier more than anyone.
Her son nearly dying? She'd raise hell.
Better resolve before it blew up here.
And it started with White Whale Mercenary Corps.