Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Morning with the Grand Duke
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“Grand Duke. You should eat.”
Lander scooped food from the bowl onto a personal plate and set it in front of Jun.
“Was your sleep comfortable?”
“I can sleep anywhere as long as I’ve got something to lean my back against.”
“You’ll end up suffering like me when you get old. Or maybe not, in your case.”
“Think I’m any different? More importantly, are you really living here all alone without even a housekeeper?”
“Why would I? I’m not planning on turning into one of those pathetic nobles who can’t even dress themselves without attendants.”
“You never know. You should keep someone by your side just in case.”
“You know you’re the only one who nags me like this.”
“Someone has to.”
“Then why don’t you stick around here and keep me company.”
Jun tore off a piece of bread and put it in his mouth.
“That’d be difficult.”
“I know. Just talk. You’ve got mountains of work to do—no time to play with an old man shut away in the back room.”
“I’ll come visit often.”
“I don’t believe it. The guy who showed up out of nowhere, told me to take care of my health, and then vanished isn’t exactly the reliable type.”
“Weren’t we done with that talk yesterday?”
“Yesterday I spent all my time listening to your story—I barely got through half of what I wanted to say. Hey, pass me some grapes. They’re really sweet.”
He picked off some grapes and put them on a plate.
“Are you still teaching classes at the university?”
“I’m on an extended leave. Just like you.”
“The students must be disappointed.”
“Says the one who put the whole country into an uproar with his funeral. The kids just starting at Schola threw a fit, insisting on a grand memorial. Even the military was howling to erect monuments to your exploits in every battlefield.”
“Was it that bad?”
“What would a dead man know? Cleaning up the mess is for the living.”
He chuckled as he spooned some soup into his mouth. The seasoning was perfect.
“Laughing is what matters. Laugh often.”
“Yes.”
“And like I said yesterday, if you feel like getting angry, then get angry. You’ve fulfilled your duty. Forget about the empire’s well-being and do what Lander the man wants to do. Revenge or whatever—I’ll support you.”
“If things blow up, can I use you as an excuse? Say the Grand Duke told me to do it.”
“Don’t torment a dying old man.”
After the meal, they stepped out onto the terrace. The bustling morning scene of the Holy City unfolded before them.
Faint mana ripples emanated from various spots. Smoke rose from chimneys, and the bell tolling the hour echoed from afar.
“When you first left, the mood in the Holy City was grim. You heard about the tulip cleanup, right?”
“Yes. I heard the Emperor handled it properly.”
“The Azantas First-Class Noble family splintered. Shattered into pieces too small to ever rebuild—not even enough for hereditary succession as a First-Class Noble.”
“The council elders must’ve been furious.”
“They watched Azantas disintegrate because the board was set up perfectly, but they’ve already started counterattacking. After all, the Emperor lost his most fearsome sword, the one guarding his side. It’s ironic. You were the only sword that could strike down Ardhen, but also the mighty shield that protected him. By killing you off politically, Ardhen solidified his position—but at the cost of much of his power.”
“The Emperor knew it all. He accepted my proposal because he deemed it necessary, even so.”
“Who knows. I think if he’d had just a little more time, things could’ve turned out differently. He was almost ready to embrace you. Then there’d have been no need for a funeral.”
“Even if that were true, nothing would’ve changed. Back then, I couldn’t find a reason to stay here.”
He watched a four-horse carriage crossing the main road, then spoke.
“What kind of tea would you like?”
“It’s nice having a capable servant who handles everything. There should be some wrapped with a white ribbon in the cabinet. It’s from the south—you’ll like it.”
Lander opened the terrace door and went inside, first grabbing a blanket. He draped it over Jun’s shoulders, then brewed the tea. It had a fairly strong aroma.
“Careful, it’s hot.”
“Looks good.”
Lander sat next to Jun and drank his tea. They used to have tea like this after classes when he was young. At some point, it had turned into alcohol instead.
“You must still enjoy chess.”
“It’s one of my few hobbies. But even that got boring after you left—no decent opponent.”
“Triangular Chess seemed pretty tough.”
“It’s as fun as it is difficult. Even hunting tournaments have dwindled lately—all because of Triangular Chess. Everyone’s glued to their seats, staring at the pieces.”
“You could play with the Emperor.”
“Hard to even see his face. He’s swamped.”
“Do you remember? Back when we were kids, Ardhen said that when he became Emperor, he’d live more leisurely than anyone.”
“And I told him it was an impossible dream.”
A child came running into the inner courtyard. Looked like a newspaper boy.
“Grandpa! Newspaper!”
“You’ll wake the whole neighborhood. Quiet down.”
“Last time you said to shout louder—that you couldn’t hear.”
“Don’t you know the word ‘moderate’?”
The boy set down the newspaper, bowed, and left. Watching the child go, Lander said.
“Is the security around here decent?”
“We’re in the heart of the Holy City. What could happen?”
“Still, at least keep minimal guards. Actually, the Emperor probably already ordered it.”
“He did. But I kept shooing them away because they got on my nerves. That place down there used to be my house, but after I dismissed all the guards, Ardhen forced me to move here. Said if I won’t keep people around, at least stay somewhere with a clear view.”
“So you ended up in the second-highest spot in the Holy City after the palace.”
Jun frowned and said.
“Don’t get me started. I had to talk him out of raising the ground here even higher, so the palace would have to look up at it. Even if etiquette’s gone lax these days, standing higher than the empire’s heart? That Emperor’s so reckless.”
“That’s how much he thinks of you.”
“Think twice and I’ll end up charged with lese-majeste.”
Delicious. Jun savored the tea. He sipped the slightly cooled brew. The aroma intensified as it cooled.
“I heard Silder’s corpse was too damaged to transport normally—they had to wrap it in tarps and take it to the lab.”
“The mana density was abnormally high. His body probably held its form for only a brief moment.”
“Since I’ve stepped away from work, I don’t know the details, but they say the traits resemble a magical beast. Crossing into a Realm might be tied to the Roots.”
“The wizards under Gilliu tried drawing power directly from the Roots and storing it in their bodies. They cast mana freestyle without scrolls.”
“That’s the kind of research that’d make wizards flip out and charge in. Kalligo’s people are securing the site?”
“Yes.”
“It’ll get noisy. If the Emperor’s dispatching people from the Holy City, he’s learned something—and the council will react.”
Lander gazed at the mountain shrouded in clouds and said.
“It’s only a matter of time before the information spreads. Regardless of how serious it is, the Territorial Management Office will move. They’ve probably realized by now it’s no ordinary incident.”
“Magic to open Realms. Magic to raise an army close to immortal—they’ll do anything to get their hands on it. Just when I thought the endless wars were over and peace had come, now the infighting begins.”
“That’s why Kalligo stepped forward. If they handle it quietly behind the scenes, it could spiral out of control. Publicizing it prevents anyone from acting rashly.”
“Even then, those who want to will. If they confirm Realm-opening magic exists and can be researched, they’ll all go mad. Might be best to wrap things up here and head down for a while.”
Jun coughed lightly.
“Let’s go inside.”
“I’m fine. An esteemed guest will arrive soon—I should greet him properly.”
He picked up the empty cup and stood. He filled it with hot water and returned to the terrace. It was time to pass the hours listening to the Grand Duke’s stories.
“He’s coming.”
A familiar face came into view. Ardhen was walking over from afar, waving his hand overhead. Taine followed behind him.
“I thought I misheard. I figured you’d come straight to me upon returning to the Holy City. But to hear about you through the Grand Duke—my pride’s wounded.”
“Enough childish talk. Both of you, sit.”
Jun offered seats to Ardhen and Taine. Instead of sitting, Taine stood behind Ardhen.
“Still a guardian knight who won’t listen.”
“I apologize. But this is where I belong.”
After replying, Taine glanced shyly at Lander. He smiled back at him.
He seemed gruff at first glance, but when their eyes met, he looked a bit flustered and lowered his head.
“I told him to treat you well next time we meet. Seems he’s embarrassed.”
Ardhen said. Taine clamped his mouth shut and scanned the surroundings.
Lander stared at his friend’s face for a long time. It had only been half a year, but there seemed to be more wrinkles. And more white hair, too.
“Thanks to someone, I’ve aged from all the hard work. My makeup team’s in an uproar. Dye it, put on makeup—they’re relentless. New Year’s address coming up, so it’s even worse.”
“You always said appearances matter. Cooperate with the makeup, and get the dye job.”
“I’d do it anyway. Have to. Show up looking shabby, and who knows what they’ll pin on me. Still, seeing your face eases my mind. Might even lose a strand of white hair.”
“That’s a relief.”
Lander smiled with his eyes. He poured the liquor Ardhen had brought into glasses. Glancing at Taine standing awkwardly in the back, he asked.
“Sir Taine. Care for a drink?”
“I truly appreciate the offer, but I don’t touch alcohol while on duty.”
“Honest man. Must be tough under the Emperor.”
“Not at all.”
Ardhen snatched the glass from his hand. Then he pushed it toward Taine.
“This guy only listens if I pull rank. He’s the Emperor’s guardian knight.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Quiet and drink. Here, you need to mind the Grand Duke more than me. Lord Jun doesn’t forgive those who let the glasses go empty.”
Come on. When Ardhen offered the glass again, Taine couldn’t refuse.
They shared light conversation over drinks. It was always like this. They put off weighty matters as long as possible, only bringing them up when they could delay no longer.
“Kalligo’s messenger came to my room a few days ago. He was so pissed off, it took half a day to calm him. Seems Kalligo’s been sending him on errands nonstop. Lucky the letter got through without him vanishing midway.”
Ardhen had grasped the situation to some extent. Apparently, he’d sent a messenger straight to the Holy City the day Lander parted ways with Kalligo in Blue Norton.
“If it’d been from anyone else, I’d have dismissed it as gossip. But from Kalligo, of all people—and your name mentioned, no less. Made me sad the moment I saw it. Wondering why this had to happen to you.”
“No need to worry.”
“How could I not? It’s you, of all people—and it involves Naria.”
Ardhen leaned back on the sofa and said.
“Right. So what exactly happened, and how?”
(To be continued next time)