Chapter 103: Knights, Stand Up (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 103: Knights, Stand Up (3)
The next place we arrived at was the space one must pass through before entering the Audience Chamber… simply put, the waiting room.
Another court official waiting there approached us immediately and began rattling off etiquette rules I hadn't even asked for.
“First, you must never speak before His Imperial Majesty.”
The official’s guidance started like that and went on and on.
Don’t do this first, don’t do that first—basically, don’t do anything at all and just stay still on your knees.
If I had to summarize the mountain of etiquette and taboos, that one sentence was it.
As I listened to all of it, nothing but sarcasm filled my head…
Is he Stalin or Hitler or something? Why are there so many things I can’t do?
Of course, despite my internal grumbling, I understood.
As the saying goes, every safety regulation is written in blood; there’s always a reason behind every ‘don’t do this’ and ‘don’t do that.’
“I understand everything.”
“Good. Have the others also taken note?”
Even if they were using the name of a fallen Sword Saint Family, Natalia and Helena were still noblewomen by birth. Therefore, memorizing etiquette was no trouble for them.
“Yes, we have noted it all.”
As soon as we answered in unison, the official stood up immediately.
“We shall now proceed to the Audience Chamber. His Majesty is scheduled to arrive after you have entered, so please keep that in mind as well.”
And so, we moved once again.
Haa… I haven’t even done anything yet, and I already feel exhausted…
*
Oh…
The Audience Chamber we arrived at was so magnificent that my eyes widened involuntarily.
The interior decorations, which were luxurious yet not gaudy, exuded the dignity and majesty of the Imperial Family.
Of course, the most eye-catching things were the thrones that only the Emperor and Empress could sit upon.
As I stared at those thrones for a moment, Helena subtly whispered in my ear.
“Hehe, it would be wonderful if Her Imperial Majesty the Empress came as well.”
“Hahaha.”
I don’t know how my teacher knows my heart so well.
Ah, come to think of it, thanks to Sitri, we were already in a relationship where our bodies and minds were connected, weren't we?
As I shared a quiet laugh with Helena, Natalia approached my side this time.
“The story about the Imperial Knight Order the Chancellor mentioned… what do you think about it?”
Hmm, she’s throwing a heavy topic at me all of a sudden.
In fact, joining the Imperial Knight Order meant becoming an Imperial Knight who could serve the Emperor and Empress from the closest proximity.
Not only was the salary substantial, but it was also proof of being part of the undisputed strongest force in the Empire, and it practically carried the status of a Baron…
There was a reason every warrior in the Empire considered it the highest honor.
If I were to be appointed as an Imperial Knight, even my father and mother would boast about it being the glory of the family. However…
“I’m not interested at all.”
My mind wasn't going to change.
Are you crazy? Once a Marine, always a Ma—no, not that. Once an Imperial Knight, you have to live as one until you retire in your old age.
At my response, Natalia gave me a quite surprised look.
“Oh, I didn't know you felt that way. I was certain you would accept the appointment since it would allow you to serve Her Majesty the Empress closely…”
“Haha, if I take a position and belong to an organization, I’ll have less time to ravish my Ria-unni.”
Taking advantage of the moment when no one was looking, I gave her butt a firm squeeze. Natalia hurriedly covered her mouth.
“Hmph… M-Master… you shouldn't do this here…”
“I think that’s why you like it even more.”
“Ahn… I don’t know… ♥”
It might have been my imagination, but Helena and Natalia seemed relieved.
It seemed they were secretly worried that I might drift away from them.
So, this time I took Helena’s hand and whispered.
“I’m not going anywhere, Teacher. I’m going to keep ravishing you forever, so you have nothing to worry about.”
“Haa, Young Master… ♥”
I wondered if it was okay to talk like this in the Imperial Palace… but well… seeing Helena’s face melt softly, I didn't care anymore.
Just as we relaxed our tension with short conversation and laughter.
“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor is entering! Guests, please show your respect to His Majesty!”
As soon as the words were spoken, I dropped to one knee and bowed my head low.
Helena and Natalia took the same posture behind me.
Immediately after, the largest door behind the throne opened without a sound.
Gulp…
No matter how I felt, I couldn't help but be nervous about seeing the Emperor in person.
—Step, step…
Regrettably, there was only one set of footsteps… Tsk, it seems the Empress didn't come.
I had even let my imagination run wild, wondering if today’s events happened because the Empress wanted to see me.
Just as I was thinking that, a man’s voice finally drifted down from above my head.
“Raise your heads.”
*
Phew… well then…
I slowly raised my head.
On the dais covered with a red carpet, the throne decorated with gold and ivory caught my eye once again.
And that man is Emperor Solomon VII… seeing him up close… hmm…
A man who has to say he is king is no true king.
The Emperor wore an incredibly modest and neat formal attire, and he wasn't even wearing the Imperial Crown, yet the atmosphere he naturally exuded was more noble than any aristocrat.
I found myself thinking things like, ‘The future of the Empire will remain bright.’
Anyway, as soon as I raised my head, the Emperor stood up from his throne with a faint smile.
Then, looking down at me as I knelt, he spoke.
“So, are you the second son of the Margrave of Konstanz?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am Leon von Konstanz.”
“You are even more handsome than I heard. The future of the Empire is bright because of young men like you.”
“I will carve those words into my bones and devote myself even further, Your Majesty.”
“It is truly admirable that you do not merely rejoice but seek to further temper yourself.”
The Emperor moved past me and took another step forward.
The next person chosen by the Emperor was Helena.
“You… your name was Helena, was it not?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hoho, you are also even more beautiful than the rumors. I also heard that you fought a magnificent duel against the peerless Queen of Erin. Though the family name has fallen, the blood of the Sword Saint certainly flows within you.”
“I-I am overwhelmed by your grace, Your Majesty…”
Helena’s voice trembled slightly.
Come to think of it, her emotions seemed to have welled up even after her duel with Andrasta.
Having been hidden in the shadow of her proud older sister her entire life, never being recognized by anyone…
From that perspective, it was almost surprising that Helena was maintaining her composure right now.
“Are you the Sword Princess?”
Now, the Emperor was speaking with Natalia.
Unlike when he spoke to me or Helena, his voice carried an air of… apology.
Of course, Natalia replied calmly as always.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I have heard all about your story.”
“…”
Natalia was momentarily speechless.
Even though it was all in the past, the past remained a deep scar for her.
Toward Natalia, the Emperor continued.
“Though it did not happen during My reign, the suffering of the people is the responsibility of the ruler. I do not know if it will be any consolation, but I wish to offer you My apologies.”
“Y-Your Majesty. How could you say such overwhelming words…”
Is he saying everything in the world is his responsibility as the Emperor?
Ah~ I wish the politicians of a certain country would learn a thing or two from this… really…
However, it seemed the Emperor didn't intend to stop at just words.
As if he had planned it beforehand, the Emperor called for an official and was soon bestowing swords upon Helena and Natalia.
“Natalia Clausewitz, and Helena Clausewitz. You have raised the fallen name of the Sword Saint Family once more and spread the martial fame of the Empire far and wide. I now bestow upon you newly forged National Swords. Like the Sword Saint who subjugated the Evil Dragon, draw the nation’s swords for the weak and the powerless.”
“Your Imperial grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.”
The two of them replied to the Emperor in unison, suppressing their surging emotions.
The National Sword… it was the sword that successive Emperors had bestowed upon the Sword Saints of their era and the heads of the Clausewitz family for generations.
Now, it meant there were two Sword Saints of this era.
Of course, since the Sword Saint Family had been shattered thanks to an incompetent head and the Emperor now directly appointed the Imperial Knight Commander, the title of Sword Saint was really just a name, but…
Sometimes, that name alone seems to be enough.
Listening to the sound of Natalia and Helena’s stifled sobbing, I found myself nodding.
Just then.
The Emperor finally returned to stand before me.
Holding out a magnificent sword for me as well, the Emperor spoke.
“Leon von Konstanz. As the son of the Margrave, the shield of the Empire, you have proudly spread your family’s name and the Empire’s martial fame across the four seas. Your merit is by no means light, so you too are fully worthy of carrying a National Sword.”
“Your Imperial grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.”
Oh, he’s giving me a National Sword too?
Actually, since I have Sitri, any other sword is meaningless to me.
But… for some reason, the Emperor didn't hand the National Sword to me; he remained standing, leaning on it.
Ah, come to think of it…
The Chancellor had mentioned it while offering the recommendation letter for the Imperial Knight Order.
That the Emperor intended to recruit me.
In other words, this entire process was a rehearsed play.
Then I have no choice but to pull a card from my sleeve.
Soon, the Emperor’s unfinished words followed.
“Furthermore, you are the winner of the tournament hosted by a foreign Queen and, though unofficial, you are a Prince Consort. The reward for such a man cannot be the same as for others.”
Hmm… then should I try playing hard to get like this?
“It is an honor far beyond my station, Your Majesty.”
I was basically saying, ‘So don’t give me anything more than this.’
As expected, His Majesty ignored me and threw his bait.
“Haha, is that so? However, as the Emperor of the Empire, I cannot leave a talent like you idle. Nor should I. Therefore, along with this National Sword, I intend to appoint you to whatever position you desire.”
Tsk… we finally arrived here.
Unfortunately, the option to refuse the Emperor’s proposal here did not exist.
To be precise, it existed, but it wasn't a wise choice.
Refusing the Emperor’s sincerity meant having to pay a corresponding price.
In that case…
The Emperor likely knew that the Chancellor had recommended me for the Imperial Knight Order.
Or perhaps it was something the Chancellor pushed without the Emperor’s knowledge.
Regardless, the Emperor said he would give me ‘the position I desire.’
And… unfortunately, the words of an Emperor cannot be easily retracted.
I willingly raised my head and addressed the Emperor.
“If that is Your Majesty’s will, I wish to be knighted by Your Majesty.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Yes. To be more precise, I earnestly desire to be knighted as an Errant Knight by Your Majesty.”
“…An Errant Knight. Did you just say that?”
In an instant, the air in the Audience Chamber pressed down heavily on my shoulders.
I felt like Don Quixote charging toward a windmill.
Now… I wonder what happens next.