Chapter 102: Knight, Arise (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 102: Knight, Arise (2)
“What?! His Majesty is looking for us...?”
The moment they heard the Emperor was summoning them, Helena and Natalia’s eyes widened in surprise.
Valeria and Sitri were no different.
Since the two directly involved seemed unable to process the reality of the situation, Valeria spoke up on their behalf.
“Anything else? Did he say anything else?”
“No. From what I can tell, it’s likely for the same reason he summoned me...”
“It probably won’t be that simple,” Valeria dismissed the idea immediately.
Well, to be honest, I felt the same way.
Nobles are political creatures from the moment they are born, and the Imperial family—the Emperor himself—stands at the very pinnacle of that species.
I’d actually feel more at ease assuming he has some ulterior motive, even if I don't know what it is.
‘The problem is, what does the Emperor want...?’
As I’ve mentioned several times, the Empire is currently enjoying an era of great peace.
So much so that future generations would likely refer to this period as the Empire’s golden age.
Politics, economy, culture, public welfare... the Empire was stable in every conceivable field.
Furthermore, the Emperor was a man who was also a god—the Pope of the Holy Imperial Church, in whom all the people believed.
What could such an Emperor possibly want from me, Helena, and Natalia...?
“Tsk, no matter how much I think about it, I just don't know.”
The moment I flopped down onto the bed, Valeria dove straight into my arms.
For once, she had a very serious expression on her face.
“Darling, you have to be careful.”
“I will.”
“I’m not just saying that. Of course, I trust you. I think you’re smart and capable enough to make me forget your age.”
“Hmm...”
“But... you know, don’t you? What kind of man my father is.”
I knew all right.
Valeria’s father, Duke Friedrich, was the only Duke in the Empire and the Chancellor—the Emperor’s right-hand man.
He was a titan of central politics, a man who truly stood 'below one, but above ten thousand.'
Well... fortunately, and quite unfortunately, Valeria was the poor daughter who had fallen out of favor with such a father.
Thanks to that, I was able to make Valeria mine, but the price was that neither she nor I could ever do anything to offend the Duke.
We were so cautious that we didn't even host or attend banquets, just in case.
‘Participating in Andrasta’s husband contest was a completely different story, so that was possible...’
But why did Valeria suddenly bring up her father?
She called him 'father,' but she actually regarded him as less than a stranger... Just as that thought crossed my mind—
“This might sound offensive... but compared to my father or the Emperor, you’re nothing but a green fledgling. If you don’t keep your wits about you, you’ll be swallowed whole before you even realize it.”
“Haha, I’m not offended at all. I’m actually grateful.”
“Haah... Darling...”
I pulled Valeria, who was now trembling with anxiety, into a tight embrace.
Well... I might look composed, but I was actually a bit nervous myself...
‘From the perspective of people like the Emperor or the Chancellor, I’m ultimately just a pawn they can move however they please...’
Whether I liked it or not, memories of my past life resurfaced.
The way the state would blather on about being a 'son of the nation' before enlistment, only to turn a blind eye the moment something went wrong.
I wouldn't go so far as to say patriotism or honor are nothing but dog leashes, but... because of those memories, I couldn't view this situation with pure optimism.
Besides, no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn't get a handle on what to do...
“Ugh...”
The moment a groan escaped my lips, Sitri gave me an angelic smile and gently stroked my hair.
“Fufu, you’re worrying far too much, unlike yourself.”
“Comfort me~ Great Demon Maman~”
“Ma... man...?”
In an instant, Natalia, who had been watching silently, had a sharp glint in her eyes.
Even Helena, standing beside her, flinched in surprise.
However, thanks to Sitri continuing the conversation without a care in the world, nothing happened immediately.
“Of course, I don’t know much about human politics, nor do I have any desire to know... but I can see what needs to be done.”
“Oh? Really? What should I do?”
“Fufu, even if your eyes sparkle like that, I don’t have a clever trick for you. Well... I can at least tell you which direction you should head in.”
“Where must I go?”
Oops, I accidentally answered like a certain bald martial monk.
Gently caressing my cheek, Sitri whispered in a sweet voice.
“It’s actually something I don’t even need to tell you. Leon, it’s what you’re already good at.”
“What I’m already good at...?”
“I’m telling you to take the lead. Haven’t you always been good at that? Just look at the women gathered here.”
Aha, so that’s what she meant.
Hmm... the lead... taking the initiative... hmmm...
‘Even so, it’s not like I can lead the Emperor.’
However, it wasn't as if there was nothing I could do.
I could wait for the opponent to make a mistake and strike at an exposed gap.
Just like right now.
“Aah...! Da-Darling...! Putting it in so suddenly without saying anything...!”
“You still love it, don’t you?”
“Ahaang...!”
Tomorrow’s problems are for tomorrow.
No matter how much I worry now, nothing will be solved, so I might as well live in the moment.
With that thought, I focused on giving Valeria plenty of pleasure.
As if she had been waiting for her turn, Natalia hugged me from behind.
“Haah, Master... I have a request...”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“Co-Could you... call me 'Maman' just once...?”
...It seems she’s awakened to a rather dangerous preference.
Well... anyway... tonight grew heated once again.
*
—Clop, clop...
“Young Master, we have arrived.”
The carriage slowed to a halt, and Matthias’s low voice reached my ears.
“Sigh, what a life.”
I let out an involuntary groan as I stepped out of the carriage.
Immediately, the gargantuan gates of the Imperial Palace filled my vision.
“Whoa...”
—Rumble...
The drawbridge lowered slowly, making a sound like a mountain collapsing.
With it, the white marble Imperial Palace gradually revealed itself.
Perhaps because my commoner sensibilities from my past life hadn't fully faded, my first thought was that living in such a luxurious house must be a real hassle...
“Young Master.”
“Master.”
At that moment, I heard the voices of Helena and Natalia, who had followed me out.
Turning around, I saw the two radiant beauties smiling at me, bathed in the morning sunlight.
“I shall escort you from here, fair ladies.”
“Fufu, yes. Thank you.”
Escorting Helena and Natalia, who replied in unison, I finally entered the Imperial Palace.
Unfortunately, neither carriages nor horses were allowed inside the palace grounds, so we had to cross the drawbridge on foot.
As soon as we reached the gates...
—Clang!
The Imperial Guards immediately crossed their spears, blocking our path.
A man dressed in the formal attire of a civil official stepped forward from between them and addressed me.
“Are you Leon von Konstanz, the second son of the Margrave of Konstanz?”
“I am.”
“Please show me the letter sent by His Majesty.”
“Here it is...”
“Hmm, the Imperial Crest is authentic. Those behind you, please state your names as well.”
After verifying Helena and Natalia’s identities with fluid efficiency, the official returned his attention to me.
“I shall escort you from this point forward. It is easy to lose one’s way within the palace, so please do not stray far from me.”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Thank you for your cooperation. Then...”
Swallowing hard, I followed the official as he marched forward.
After taking a few steps, the official’s voice drifted back to me as he continued his steady pace.
“Before your audience with His Majesty the Emperor, we shall first head to the Chancellery.”
“Hmm? Is the Chancellor seeing us as well?”
“That is correct.”
Not just the Emperor, but the Chancellor wanted to see me too.
It seemed things were going to get complicated...
‘Tsk... let’s not overthink it. I’ll just hear what he has to say first.’
I exchanged glances with Helena and Natalia, conveying that sentiment.
After following the official for quite some time...
“We are here.”
The Chancellery, the residence of the Chancellor who oversaw the Empire’s internal affairs, finally appeared before us.
As expected of the Emperor’s right-hand man, his residence was located right inside the Imperial Palace.
“His Excellency is in the reception room. He is not a man who enjoys waiting, so please proceed without delay.”
Nodding silently, I stepped inside the Chancellery.
*
‘Ugh, this is suffocating.’
Inside the Chancellery, we followed another nameless official.
The wide corridors were so clean they suggested a touch of OCD, and the only sound was the echo of our footsteps.
Just as I was beginning to feel stifled by the heavy silence, a large door decorated with silver appeared.
At the same time, the official leading us raised his voice respectfully.
“Your Excellency, I have brought the guests.”
“Let them in.”
“Yes.”
As the door opened soundlessly, it felt as if a sharp glint of light flashed for a moment.
‘So that man is Duke Friedrich. Hmm... if nothing else, his eyes look a lot like Valeria’s.’
His black hair, peppered with strands of white, was neatly groomed.
The deep wrinkles etched into his face seemed to reflect the burdens of a Chancellor.
However, the piercing gaze he directed at Helena, Natalia, and me felt as if it were peering right through my soul.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Excellency the Duke.”
As I bowed deeply for the first time in a while, Helena and Natalia also offered their greetings according to etiquette.
The Duke gave a low nod and silently gestured toward the seats in front of him.
“Sit.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
Swallowing dryly, I sat across from the Duke.
‘Ha... it’s been a while since I felt this... this suffocating pressure...’
It felt just like talking to my own father.
While I was lost in that thought for a moment, the Duke’s gaze shifted toward Natalia.
“I am meeting the others for the first time, but you are a familiar face.”
“Yes, Your Excellency. I am glad to see you are in good health.”
“Haha.”
It seemed the Duke had some connection with Natalia from back when she was the wife of the Knight Commander.
However, it didn't seem to be a deep connection, as his gaze quickly moved to Helena.
“And you... were you called Helena?”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“I heard you put up a good fight against the Ardrin of Erin. Though you are from a collateral lineage, you are indeed a descendant of the Sword Saint.”
“I am truly grateful for your generous praise.”
Finally, his gaze landed on me.
Let’s see... I wondered if he’d talk about the tournament to me as well... but then.
The Duke went straight for the jugular, poking at a very awkward subject.
“As for you... yes, I heard my daughter has been in your care.”
“...Yes, that is correct.”
I had tried my best to keep that information from leaking out, but... well... I guess it ended up like this.
As expected, I couldn't escape the Chancellor’s eyes.
I wondered what he would say now.
Would he tell me to send Valeria back immediately, or send her to her husband who had returned to his hometown...? While I was making such predictions—
The Duke tossed out a single sentence in a nonchalant voice.
“I look forward to your continued care of her.”
“Does that mean...?”
“I don’t believe I spoke in riddles.”
Ah, yes. You mean I should keep Valeria quietly by my side from now on.
So that no unpleasant news reaches your ears. As if she were a child who didn't exist.
I almost clicked my tongue right in front of the Duke.
Fortunately, that didn't happen, and the Duke immediately leaned slightly toward me.
“That’s enough for greetings. Let’s get to the main point.”
“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“As you know, His Majesty intends to reward you for your achievements. This includes those who showed great promise in the tournament as well.”
Why was he reiterating something I already knew?
Usually, when this happens, the situation is about to get more complicated...
“Yes, Your Excellency. I am aware.”
“That is why I am telling you this... His Majesty has expressed his intention to appoint you, the winner, as a reward. He intends to grant you whatever official position you desire. Of course, the details will have to be coordinated later.”
Fortunately, this was within the range of what I had expected.
Though, unfortunately, it was the worst-case scenario.
Of course, my personal circumstances were of no concern to him, and the Duke pushed a document toward me.
“This is...”
“It is a letter of recommendation for the Imperial Knight Order, written by my own hand. Do you understand what this means?”
Dammit, what kind of reward is this?
This is practically a threat without a blade.
“As the Chancellor of the Empire, I have a duty to assist His Majesty by placing talented individuals in the right positions. After considering both your background and your martial prowess, I have judged that joining the Imperial Knight Order is the most optimal placement. What do you think?”
To summarize, he was saying this:
You, go back to the military.
At least, that’s how it sounded to me.
In that case, there was only one answer I could give.
“Your Excellency’s words are a greater honor than I could have ever imagined. As Your Excellency knows, becoming a member of the Imperial Knight Order is the greatest honor that every warrior in the Empire dreams of.”
“Indeed. Then it seems the answer is decided.”
“Yes. I shall consider Your Excellency’s proposal positively.”
In an instant, the Chancellor’s brow furrowed slightly.
To a proposal where I should have immediately said, 'I will do so, and I shall serve His Majesty with my life!', I had given the answer, 'I shall consider it positively.'
Of course, there’s a saying that if you’re going to be a slave, you should be one in a high-ranking official’s house, but I had absolutely no intention of becoming anyone’s slave.
The Duke tried to push the recommendation letter again, but...
“Your Excellency, His Majesty...”
Thanks to another official who entered at just the right time, I was able to escape the crisis.
“I understand. Prepare immediately.”
“Yes, Your Excellency. Guests, please move to the palace’s Audience Chamber at once.”
“Understood.”
Hmm~ At first, I thought things were going to get really tangled up.
‘This might actually turn out better than I thought.’
With that thought, I headed toward the Audience Chamber to meet the Emperor with a light step.