Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: All According to His Majesty's Will
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On the morning of Founding Day, the cathedral bells rang out across the land. As pure white doves took flight, a shower of flower petals rained down from the sky. The plaza before the imperial palace was packed with throngs of people, and at its center stood a lavish banquet table. The fragrant wine and food overflowing from it were the emperor's benevolence. The people raised their glasses with bright faces, celebrating the anniversary of the empire's founding.
But this extravagance was confined to the heart of the capital. The bells could be heard in the outskirts too, yet no doves soared above the rooftops there, nor did any petals drift down. In the plazas of the capital, even dogs lapped at greasy plates, but in the outskirts, they couldn't even catch the scent. Beneath the empire's prosperity, some filled their starving bellies with filthy wastewater.
Yet no one raised any objections to this.
***
"Today, you will be officially announced as the proxy of the South."
The old man dressed in the South's uniform spoke to the lady in matching attire. The Southern Duke strode ahead briskly, adding with evident displeasure,
"It's already spread all over town, it seems."
"Not quite all over town."
"Cheeky."
The Southern Duke's face soured further at Lena's half-hearted excuse. The fiasco from last night's pre-festival event—Lena and Rubid drenching each other in champagne—was already common knowledge. And at the time, Lena had been in the South's uniform. The Southern Duke's head throbbed just thinking about the gossip the loose-tongued nobles must have spun from it.
"Still, I upheld the South's honor. I won, after all."
"Impressive."
At Lena's follow-up, the Southern Duke snorted derisively. Truth be told, he'd felt a secret thrill hearing that the Northern upstart had been trounced by Lena. But regardless, the unpredictable Lena made him uneasy, so he scolded her sternly.
"Watch your conduct from now on. At least keep it out of my ears."
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
Lena replied dutifully. But the Southern Duke sensed the insincerity and wasn't satisfied. Pushing aside his irritation, he continued.
"The emperor will order a campaign today."
"He's decided to expand the empire's territory, hasn't he."
"What a joke. He watched idly while the South was being eroded."
The Southern Duke's face twisted even more harshly as he spoke. As he'd said, when the silent war raged in the South, the emperor had stood by. Only after the South survived did he hatch plans for fresh plunder. The Southern Duke seethed inwardly but despaired at his position, where he couldn't even voice a single complaint.
"Does everyone know the target of this conquest?"
"No, only the dukes, I imagine. Probably not even the ministers."
The Southern Duke's voice was weary now. The old man was long tired of an empire run on the emperor's whims and autocracy.
"Then it'll be announced today."
"Most likely. This campaign is the North and East's stage anyway. We just need to avoid lagging too far behind."
"Avoid lagging behind?"
"No need to take the lead. But we can't fall too far back either."
The Southern Duke explained again to Lena's question. But it was the Southern Duke who had misunderstood, not Lena.
"So, just aim for the middle?"
"Yes."
"Sorry, that's a bit confusing."
"What's confusing?"
"Whether we have to hit exactly the middle, or if anything above middle is fine."
The Southern Duke gave her a puzzled look, then let out a short sigh. What she meant was that she'd deliver first, middle, or last as ordered. At that impudent attitude, he let out a hollow chuckle.
"Confidence is good, but grasp the situation first."
Their chatter ended there. As they crossed the corridor, they arrived before a massive door. Through the widely open doors, the hall of the grand ceremonial chamber came into view. Filled with sacred symbols, the chamber was already packed with high nobles and officials without exception. And among them stood those clad in black.
'The Lin clan.'
Lena spotted a welcome face amid the dark-clad men. It was Lin. Lin glanced at the late-arriving Southern Duke, sneered piercingly, and turned away. At that arrogant insolence, the Southern Duke ground his teeth, and Lena secretly admired his new look. Beside them stood those in red attire as well. The North. Familiar faces were there too. One was the haughty Rubid, the other his father, Marquis Lubel. And between them stood a man resembling Rubid, holding the center. The king of the North, Iura Plenus.
The empire's three dukes stood side by side. Yet the cardinal had yet to appear. It was then.
"Silence and pay your respects."
Along with the blare of silver trumpets, a herald's solemn voice rang out. Like reeds bending in the wind, the nobles bowed at the waist. It meant one thing only. Even the proud nobles stared at their own toes, and atop the heavy silence came the click of heels striking the floor. Soon, a gentle voice sounded.
"Rise."
Incredibly, it was a cheerful tone. The older nobles composed themselves calmly, while the younger ones swallowed their shock as they gazed at the throne. In the seat that had been empty moments before sat a woman of unknown identity. Her once-vibrant hair now faded white and cut short, yet her face still young; her corset adorned with flashy ribbons in a casual, even frivolous style. A woman seated on the emperor's throne, yet impossible to confidently identify as such. She was the empire's origin and pinnacle, Emperor Nihil Grasha.
The emperor, well over a hundred years old this year, remained youthful. Faced with a living miracle, the nobles showed no awe; instead, they floundered, unsure where to look at the emperor's exposed white shoulders and legs.
"Good to see you all. Some new faces, some I've seen a few times."
The emperor's voice was languid, as if just woken from sleep.
"Honestly, I can't tell them apart. This one that one, those kids all look the same. No wonder they say you should die when you get old."
The chamber fell silent at the emperor's soliloquy. Then, in a flat tone, the emperor commanded.
"Laugh. It was a joke."
After the suffocating silence, a dry chuckle broke out. Starting from one forced laugh, soon the nobles erupted in wa-ha-ha laughter without restraint. It was a mad scene. Before them, the emperor yawned widely. Then, leaning on the armrest, she mumbled.
"Anyway, nice to see you. So, why are we gathered today?"
"It's Founding Day today."
A man beside her said. It was Clavis, who had entered with the emperor.
"Oh, right? Then get on with it."
The emperor propped her chin and gestured to Clavis. He stepped forward in her stead before the nobles.
"A joyous day, everyone. Under His Majesty's gracious care, the empire's history has reached a century."
With Clavis taking the lead, the nobles felt relieved. He skillfully conveyed the words in place of the aged tyrant.
"To mark this day, His Majesty has decided to expand our territory. Duke Iura Plenus Grasha, Duke Bill Alles Grasha, and Duke Rig-nan Aiterner. In His Majesty's name, pioneer new horizons and conquer them."
The three named dukes raised their heads. The nobles swallowed their excitement, awaiting the announcement of the conquest target. They remembered. The abundance from sweeping the East ten years ago, the wealth discovered beyond the continent thirty years prior, the splendid culture obtained by crossing the desert seventy years back. Each time, the empire's nobles had enjoyed ever more luxurious and refined lives. Expecting prosperity again, they listened intently to the cardinal's declaration. Clavis knew their thoughts well and smiled brightly as he spoke.
"What His Majesty newly desires is beneath this land—the tombs."
Tombs?
"His Majesty commands the conquest of the tombs, the land of the wraiths."
The nobles were dumbfounded by Clavis's declaration.
"It'll be fun. Lots of curious things there."
As the nobles looked awkward, the emperor murmured leisurely.
"Killing kings is boring now, and everything on the surface is mine for the taking anyway. So, time for something different. You all like that, right?"
"All according to His Majesty's will."
Clavis responded smoothly, and the nobles belatedly applauded and cheered. The dukes clapped heavily too, playing along with the farce.
"Before the campaign, Duke Bill Alles, step forward. For your merits in defending His Majesty's territory, request what you desire."
When his turn came, the Southern Duke advanced.
"Your victorious and exalted Majesty, the South's victory is all thanks to Your gracious care."
"Of course."
The emperor mumbled disinterestedly. The Southern Duke's jaw clenched briefly, but his following voice remained steadily calm.
"As your subject, I desire only to serve Your Majesty with all my heart, yet I am ashamed of my increasingly frail body. Thus, grant permission to delegate the South's duties to another trustworthy youth."
"Very well, who?"
The emperor mumbled perfunctorily and reached out. As she took the ceremonial sword from the attendants, Lena stepped forward too. The emperor gazed at her steadily, tilting her head.
"Your name?"
"Lena Lubel."
"Yes, Lady Lena."
The emperor raised the sword, and Lena moved to kneel for investiture. But before she could fully bow, the emperor's sword pointed at her throat.
"You've come this far with such a lowly name."
The emperor prodded Lena's throat with the sword tip as she spoke.
"Worthless as a worm, I shall personally take you in. So, stake your life and go to the tombs."
The emperor gripped the sword expressionlessly, applying force. The blade pierced skin, and blood finally trickled from Lena's throat. Red blood stained the white collar of her uniform, but Lena did not retreat. At that, a faint smile played on the emperor's lips.
"If you can't, die. I am merciful and shall forgive your incompetence."
Only then did the emperor withdraw the sword from Lena's nape. Though subjected to utter disrespect and demanded loyalty alone, Lena knew what to say regardless. She stepped back and kissed the emperor's sword. Then, she echoed the chant all the nobles recited like a mantra.
"All according to His Majesty's will."
. . . The eccentric tyrant returned to her chambers as soon as the ceremony ended. The subsequent luncheon thus lost its meaning, and the nobles discreetly attended or skipped as they saw fit. Lena and the Southern Duke were among those who skipped it. The afternoon schedule following immediately was pressing. It was as Lena followed the Southern Duke out of the grand ceremonial chamber.
"Lady."
An unexpected voice stopped Lena.
"Could you spare a moment?"
The approaching man was none other than Marquis Lubel. Though the approach was sudden, Lena showed no surprise. Instead, she tilted her head as if hearing something odd.
"Lady?"
Then, with a regretful face, she asked the marquis,
"Wouldn't 'Lady' be the incorrect address? 'Sir' is proper now, is it not, Your Excellency?"
Lena's question was gentle yet firm. Thanks to it, the marquis feigned surprise.
"You're right. My mistake. Then, Sir, spare a moment. It won't take long."
Caught off guard by the unexpected correction, the marquis placated her like a subordinate and asked again. Lena glanced at the Southern Duke, who nodded reluctantly. With permission granted, Lena smiled brightly and replied.
"If it's just a moment."