Chapter 112: The Archmage (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 112: The Archmage (2)
The air in the Imperial Palace felt heavy and urgent, though it might have just been my imagination.
What on earth is going on… I wondered as I followed a court official who seemed strangely frightened.
Before long, I entered the Main Hall—the most magnificent and important palace in the complex, equivalent to the Sajeongjeon or Geunjeongjeon halls of Gyeongbok Palace [the primary royal palace of the Joseon dynasty].
The layout was similar to the British Parliament, with the nobles surrounding the Emperor’s seat in a circular formation.
Hmm… my seat is quite high up.
Since the family crests were attached like nameplates, finding my spot was easy. The fact that I was positioned directly to the Emperor’s left made me realize the prestige of my family all over again.
—Buzz, buzz…
—Whisper, whisper…
As soon as I sat down, I heard hushed voices coming from all directions.
What is this about? I haven’t heard a thing. Have you heard anything, Count?
While some nobles and officials wore grave expressions, most were simply expressing confusion at this sudden summons.
Well… unfortunately, I was one of them.
After some time had passed, a troop of Imperial Knights clad in silver armor poured into the hall.
He’s finally here.
Today, the Emperor was dressed quite extravagantly. He wore the Imperial Crown, the symbol of his office; formal attire beautifully embroidered with gold on a black background; and even the golden scepter and red cloak that symbolized the Pope.
With a dignified and solemn expression, His Majesty sat upon the throne without a word.
Remaining seated while the nobles stood, the Emperor finally spoke.
“I am pleased that everyone has attended without exception despite the sudden summons. Chancellor, begin.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. All civil and military officials, please be seated. Imperial Guards, bring in the emissary.”
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
Wait, an emissary?
Did a guest from another country arrive? I wondered, but the atmosphere was far too heavy for a simple welcoming ceremony. Fortunately, my curiosity was soon satisfied.
“An Elf…?”
At someone’s murmur, my head instinctively turned toward the entrance.
Elf.
What a heart-fluttering word.
Fair skin, long ears, crystal-clear eyes, stunning bodies—a race of beauty where everyone, regardless of age or gender, is exquisite.
Or so it should be…
The sight of the Elf emissary made me involuntarily knit my brows.
Oh, she was beautiful, of course. The problem was that the emissary was a man.
Furthermore, his clothes were covered in soot, with some parts completely scorched. His complexion was haggard, and his eyes were hollow, like someone who had seen something they shouldn't have.
As everyone fell silent at his horrific appearance, the voice of the Chancellor, Duke Friedrich, rang out.
“As you all know, since the reign of the 3rd Emperor, the Empire has maintained a firm alliance with the Elves of the Great Forest, sharing exchange and friendship.”
In terms of Imperial history, that was about… 300 years ago.
Because all Elves are naturally beautiful, they are prone to kidnapping and human trafficking. It’s said that 300 years ago, it was so bad that an entire small forest was reduced to ashes, and all its inhabitants were sold into slavery.
Consequently, the Elves of the Great Forest, the most populous group, requested protection from the Empire on behalf of all Elves, and the 3rd Emperor accepted.
The condition was that the Empire would have a monopoly on all resources coming from the Elves and the Great Forest.
To put it nicely, it was an alliance and a protectorate; to put it bluntly, it was a colony or a vassal state…
Regardless, thanks to that, the kidnapping and trafficking of Elves were eradicated, and they were able to preserve their lineage under the Empire’s protection.
Until today.
Duke Friedrich addressed the nobles in an even lower voice.
“A Red Dragon has appeared in the Great Forest. All Elves have stepped forward to stall the Red Dragon while evacuating the elderly and children, but according to the emissary, the situation is dire.”
“…!”
The eyes of every noble snapped wide open.
The appearance of a dragon usually meant one thing: a natural disaster like an earthquake, tsunami, or volcanic eruption that could neither be avoided nor stopped.
For reference, it is said that the Black Dragon Fafnir, who attacked the Imperial Capital immediately after the Holy Emperor passed away, nearly drove the Empire to ruin.
Fortunately, with the appearance of the Sword Saint, Fafnir was brought down, and the Empire managed to survive… but it seemed the Elves of the Great Forest didn't have a hero on a white horse to save them.
“Your Majesty, I beg of you! Even now, my kin are in the forest! They are being burned alive by the dragon’s flames!”
“…”
“Please fulfill the covenant made by your ancestor! The children of the forest will never forget this grace and will eternally sing of Your Majesty’s virtue!”
It was a desperate plea… but the Emperor’s face remained an unreadable mask.
Inside that head beneath the Imperial Crown, he was likely running calculations.
Which is cheaper: the cost of subjugating a Red Dragon or abandoning the Elves? Which leads to better long-term national interest?
From that perspective, the best-case scenario would be mobilizing the armies of the nobles and lords. And having those armies perish along with the Red Dragon.
That way, he could wipe out the private armies of the troublesome lords in one fell swoop and still be seen as a benevolent ruler who didn't ignore the Elves' crisis. It would be even better if he could preserve his own forces, like the Imperial Guards or the Imperial Knight Order.
Thus, the Emperor finally spoke to the gathered nobility.
“Hear me, my lords.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You can see it. Behind this throne stands the statue of our great ancestor, the Holy Emperor.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“The Holy Emperor rose up to save the people and the world from the misery caused by demons, and the current Empire exists only because of his sacred devotion and resolve.”
We claim to be the descendants of such a Holy Emperor, and the Empire is the nation he established. Therefore, what must we do?
The Emperor’s short speech ended with that implicit question… but.
“…”
“…”
No one—not a single noble or lord—opened their mouth.
They desperately avoided the gaze of the Emperor and the Chancellor, rolling their eyes and feigning ignorance. Silence and stillness pervaded the Main Hall to the point of making the struggling Elf emissary look pitiful.
Well… of course it would turn out like this.
The nobles and lords aren't fools either.
How much effort did it take to raise those private armies and train those knights? Why would they let them die in a foreign land that has nothing to do with them? Besides, there was no guarantee they could even win.
The reason the Emperor didn't issue a direct command and instead tried to induce voluntary participation was simple.
While it’s true that mobilizing an army to catch a single dragon is a terrible business deal, there was another reason. If he forced the nobles to send their troops to hunt a dragon, those armies wouldn't march to the Great Forest—they’d march on the Imperial Capital.
If they failed, it would be a coup d'état; if they succeeded, it would be a revolution.
Consequently, the voice of the emissary, who spoke again, was filled with resentment and grief.
“Your Majesty! Civil and military officials! Please help us! I beg of you!!”
—Thud, thud…
The sight of the emissary slamming his head against the floor in supplication was heart-wrenching. When his beautiful face became stained with red blood, some nobles couldn't help but let out a sigh.
However, just as everyone remained silent, refusing to help…
Hmm… I guess it’s about time…
Should I step in now?
Just as I was about to slowly rise from my seat with that thought.
—BAM!
The firmly closed doors of the Main Hall burst open, and a woman marched in with a face full of fury.
Oh…! Who is that? A face I’ve never seen before?!
Pointy, long ears that made my heart race.
Blonde hair with the soft hue of spring sunshine.
Purple eyes that sparkled like amethysts.
Furthermore, her chest held as much maternal love as Natalia’s. Her slender waist and hips were enough to make me lick my lips involuntarily.
And that huge staff… wait, that looks familiar. Don't tell me…!
At that moment, the Chancellor’s cold, stiff voice struck the woman who had suddenly appeared.
“How dare you be so insolent in the presence of the Emperor…! Archmage Marshal, return to your position at once! You will certainly be held accountable for today’s actions!”
However, the woman called the Archmage Marshal ignored him and knelt before the Emperor.
“Your Majesty! What are you hesitating for! Now is the time to raise all the nation’s armies and subjugate that wicked dragon!”
Archmage Marshal.
In other words, the Chief Court Mage.
To put it another way, she was the most powerful and mighty Archmage in the Empire and the commander who led all the military mages.
But…
The Archmage Marshal I know is a shriveled-up old lady?! Why has that shriveled-up old lady become a buxom Elf Maman?
Just to be sure, I asked the noble sitting next to me, and the name was the same.
Irene Merlini.
The Archmage who could stir up a storm with a wave of her hand and summon a wave of fire with a swing of her staff.
That terrifying tactical nuke of a grandmother had become an Elf Maman who made it impossible to stop my erection.
O-Okay, stay calm… watch the situation…
As I soothed my racing heart, the Emperor’s gaze finally landed on the Archmage Marshal.
Silencing the Chancellor, who was about to step forward again, with a single look, the Emperor spoke.
“I fully understand your heart, which is bitterly indignant at the suffering of your kin. I shall overlook today’s insolence.”
“Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty. However, if I can save my suffering kin, I would have no regrets even if I were beheaded this instant!”
“Hmm…”
“Your Majesty! If you have no intention of mobilizing the army, then send me! If Your Majesty will not uphold the covenant, then I shall fulfill it in your stead!”
Aha, I see. Irene must be an Elf mage who came to the Empire because of the pact made by the 3rd Emperor.
Certainly… Elves are said to be better at magic than humans due to their long lifespans. Moreover, if she had reached the rank of Chief Court Mage and Archmage Marshal, subjugating a dragon might not be impossible… but.
“I sympathize with your intent, but I cannot send you alone.”
“Your Majesty!”
“Then I ask you. Can you, like the first Sword Saint, subjugate a dragon alone?”
“…I do not believe it is a matter of whether I can or cannot!”
So she can’t do it alone.
Well, for starters, a dragon flies through the sky as if it were its own living room. Not to mention the breath it spews from its mouth and the scales covering its entire body…
A massive size, incredible strength, a mind cunning enough to be wise, and a nature so vicious and violent it’s sickening…
A dragon is a living natural disaster and the pinnacle of all monsters.
So, no matter how great an Archmage she is, she cannot defeat a dragon alone… however.
“Your Majesty, I, Leon von Konstanz, humbly request permission to speak.”
Since the atmosphere was perfectly ripe, I stood up and looked at the Emperor.
Naturally, the eyes of all the nobles and Elves turned toward me.
Only then did the Emperor look at me with an expression that said, Ah, right, you were here.
“Permission granted. Do you have a clever plan to overcome this crisis?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. First… Your Majesty summoned me as the representative of the Konstanz family, but I do not see it that way.”
“Which means…”
“Your Majesty has given me a Calling: to draw my sword for those who suffer and to reach out to those who are powerless. Therefore, I believe that right now is the time to draw the sword of the Calling Your Majesty bestowed upon me.”
“…Can you do it? The dragon subjugation.”
“Command me to do so. And it shall be done.”
It wasn't arrogance. I wasn't even sure.
I had no certainty.
Thinking that such a thing was only natural, I knelt before the Emperor.
I was ready to go right this second.
As long as I can take that Archmage Marshal with me. Because for me, this incident isn't a dragon hunt—it’s a milf hunt.
Soon, the Emperor tossed a few conventional questions my way.
“Have you thought about the size of the subjugation force?”
“An army is not necessary. It would only increase unnecessary casualties.”
“Then do you intend to go alone?”
“I intend to go with those whose bodies and minds are in sync with mine. Therefore, I have one request for Your Majesty.”
“Speak.”
“Please allow the Chief Court Archmage to accompany me.”
There was no need to add various explanations.
The Elves' love for their kin, whom they consider family, and the significance of a mage on the battlefield… such things were common sense in this world.
Therefore, an Emperor who knows how to handle people—and must do so—could never refuse my request.
If a bomb is going to go off anyway, it’s always better to let it explode far away.
“What does the Archmage Marshal think?”
“Since a young knight has risen to draw the sword of his Calling, I wish to support him from behind with my staff.”
“…I have heard your intentions. Since the situation is urgent, I shall skip some of the formalities. Head to the Great Forest immediately as soon as your preparations are complete.”
“We shall obey your command.”
Now then, it’s time for a fun picnic.
A dragon, huh… perfect timing. Things have really been going my way lately.