Chapter 63: The Imperial Court (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 63: The Imperial Court (3)
The Commander of the Imperial Guard was surprisingly young for someone carrying the weight of such a title.
“Hahaha! What an honor to meet you. I’ve been a fan of yours for a very long time, Heavenly Sword. If I had to pinpoint when it started... ah, yes! The Joaquin Disaster!”
Still, there was a magnetic pull to his voice. In a word, charisma.
-He unconsciously used the past tense, saying he ‘was’ a fan. A great figure such as yourself naturally sees right through people’s minds, so my explanation is redundant, but allow me to clarify once more...-
I must emphasize: I do not possess the ability to read minds.
I am neither omniscient nor omnipotent. If anything, I am desperately struggling to walk the opposite path.
Just how far will this fake-blind woman’s internal delusions go...?
Well, since she was spilling everything of her own accord, I had no reason to stop her.
“I was also deeply impressed by your actions during the Parsi Disaster recently. Truly, you are a hero sent from heaven. I tell the heroes under my command every single day to watch footage of you and learn from it. In fact, I just finished doing precisely that before coming here!”
While maintaining a solemn demeanor as I stared at the Commander...
-He is analyzing your videos in order to dissect you! It is a plot to uncover even the slightest weakness! What an insolent bastard. How dare he... How dare he try to target the Heavenly Sword...!-
...I also had to listen to the Royal Steward’s telepathic translation.
For someone like me, who isn't great at multitasking, it was enough to make me motion sick. A severe gap was forming between reality and the voice echoing inside my brain...
Because of that, my face tightened slightly in discomfort.
“Commander.”
Reading my mood, the Royal Steward quickly diverted the Commander’s attention.
“For what purpose did you seek me out?”
“Ah, how careless of me!”
The Commander lightly slapped his forehead.
“I got carried away rambling in front of the Heavenly Sword, whom I have admired for so long. The reason I came is that I have been unable to grant an audience with His Majesty since last night.”
“His Majesty stated that he wished to spend yesterday and today in solitude.”
The Commander’s handsome eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“...While the Heavenly Sword is staying in the Imperial Palace?”
Even I could discern the underlying motive behind that question.
He’s clearly trying to keep tabs on me.
No matter how well people act, subtle habits inevitably leak through. It’s a trait particularly prominent in those who have enjoyed smooth, uninterrupted success at a young age. They simply never entertain the thought that they could be wrong.
In my past life, I traveled the nation, establishing myself as the greatest swordsman in the land. I had dealt with almost every VIP in Korea. Naturally, people of the Commander’s archetype fell neatly into one of my established categories.
-A-As expected... Heavenly Sword... Everything is in the palm of your hand... The Sword Demon returns, and ten thousand demons submit...!-
The Royal Steward praised—or rather, venerated—my worldly experience in a delightfully bizarre way.
...Stop reading my thoughts without permission. That’s a warning, Royal Steward.
-A-Ah. Yes...-
The Royal Steward flinched.
Yet she showed not a single trace of it to the Commander. Truly a woman who served the Machine Emperor; her emotional composure was restored instantly.
“Yes. His Majesty entrusted the guidance of the Heavenly Sword entirely to me. He added that I should accommodate the Heavenly Sword to the absolute best of my ability for these two days.”
Royal Steward Garyeon answered the Commander’s query.
“Haha, goodness. You would think His Majesty might have mentioned that to me, the Commander of the Imperial Guard. Still, our Sun must have his grand foresight. Thank you for making time out of your busy schedules, Heavenly Sword. And you as well, Steward Garyeon.”
“Not at all.”
I tacked on a word.
“Still, if you’re truly grateful, I’d appreciate a tour of the Imperial Guard.”
I halted the Commander just as he turned to leave. Faced with my shamelessness, which far exceeded normal bounds, he seemed temporarily struck speechless. The fur cap on his head tilted slightly out of place for a brief moment, as if reflecting his flustered state of mind.
“Ha... haha. The Heavenly Sword possesses a greater knack for lightening the atmosphere than I imagined.”
I sent a thought to the Royal Steward. It had taken me barely an hour to figure out the “Garyeon User Manual.”
Translate.
Palace speech is far more convoluted than everyday language. Indirect expressions are commonplace.
Make it plain and simple.
I was only staying at the Imperial Palace for three days, so there was no need to go out of my way to learn court etiquette, especially when I had a premier mind-reader right beside me. I really wanted to tell the Emperor:
Hey, your right-hand woman is incredible, you know?
-He says you are a bigger lunatic than he imagined.-
Not great. That hit way too direct.
...Adapt it appropriately...
-He says you are a bastard who can’t read the room.-
Leave out ‘bastard.’
-A prick who can’t...-
Never mind...
Pushing aside the sudden surge of dizziness, I looked back at the Commander. His lips twitched before he managed to wring out a polite refusal.
“I am terribly sorry, Heavenly Sword, but observing the Imperial Guard’s training requires His Majesty’s express permission—”
“That should be fine.”
Garyeon cut in seamlessly.
“...By what authority does Steward Garyeon make such a judgment...?”
“Did I not tell you just moments ago? His Majesty commanded to ‘accommodate the Heavenly Sword to the absolute best of your ability.’”
“Even so, granting access to the Imperial Guard’s training is His Majesty’s exclusive prerogative. Furthermore, the final decision strictly rests with me.”
Garyeon raised her chin haughtily and delivered the decisive blow.
“The Heavenly Sword visited the Infinite Archives alongside His Majesty just yesterday.”
“...The Infinite Archives...?!”
“Surely the Commander of the Imperial Guard does not place observing a routine training session on the same level as accessing the Imperial Family’s secret archives?”
“......”
“I dare say His Majesty would hold a similar view, not just myself as the temporary proxy.”
Dong, dong, dong.
A solemn temple bell chimed three times in the distance. As the Commander swallowed a groan, Garyeon pressed her advantage.
“Of course, the final authority lies with you, Commander. Whether you refuse the Heavenly Sword’s request or place your own authority above His Majesty the Emperor’s—that choice is entirely yours.”
“I had no such intention!”
“Ah, I know. Of course I know. That is precisely why I am offering a gentle word of advice. While I understand, unpleasant rumors might circulate within the palace.”
A mocking smile played on Garyeon’s lips.
“It would hardly be beneficial for Commander Oscar to display behavior that defies the hierarchy of power, now would it?”
“......”
“You must also think of the ‘family’ backing you.”
A dark shadow fell over the Commander’s face.
Damn, the Royal Steward sure knows how to bury someone.
What a plot twist. At breakfast, she was bowing and scraping before me, yet here she was completely overpowering the Commander using nothing but her tongue.
She really is something.
-Thank you.-
I told you to stop reading my mind!
-My apologies. I am weak to compliments.-
She certainly sticks to her gimmick.
Anyway...
It’s convenient having her speak for me since I lack eloquence.
I wasn't in a position to just whip out my sword and start stabbing people in the Imperial Palace. To reiterate, any fault of mine would likely bounce back and fall squarely on Victoria.
I might be the Sashimi Faster Than Words, but...
That only applies when it concerns just me. When others are involved, I have to watch my step.
Living exhaustingly? Can’t be helped. People live, jostling against one another in exhausting ways. I’m no different.
Regardless, it seems I’ve unintentionally gained an ally.
And her performance is top-notch. Garyeon had implicitly dropped a hint to me during her conversation with the Commander.
‘The family backing you.’
It carried a double meaning.
It could refer to the entire Imperial Guard commanded by Oscar...
...but if that were all, she wouldn’t have bothered to add that emphasis.
In this context, “family” referred to the force behind Oscar. In short, the faction attempting to assassinate Princess Victoria.
I didn't think Oscar was acting alone. What would he gain from harming Victoria? He’d just draw endless curses and end up smelling incense from behind a folding screen at a young age.
The mastermind plotting secretly with Oscar is obviously royalty.
Under my unblinking gaze, Oscar reluctantly nodded.
“...Understood.”
“Thank you. It must have been a difficult request.”
“Could you give me a little time, however? I need to inform my subordinates.”
“Take all the time you need.”
“Thank you for your consideration. Excuse me.”
Oscar turned on his heel and left in a cold gust of wind.
Staaaaare.
As Garyeon sent me a subtle stare, I let out a sigh and spoke.
“I’ll be relying on you for these three days—short as they may be.”
Garyeon blinked, her lips parted slightly, then put on a faint smile.
“Whenever you wish.”
* * *
As soon as Oscar arrived at the Imperial Guard lounge, his men stood up in unison.
Oscar furrowed his brow. That alone altered the atmospheric pressure of the room. Things were not looking good—they could easily deduce as much.
“Listen up, everyone.”
Oscar spoke with a stiff face, the gentle expression he usually wore completely gone.
“It appears the Royal Steward has crawled into bed with the Heavenly Sword.”
The entire Guard stirred.
“Isn’t Steward Garyeon His Majesty’s closest confidante? Why on earth...?”
After a moment of silence, the Imperial Guard Third Officer asked Oscar on behalf of everyone.
“I don’t know. I’ve known that bitch of a steward for a very long time, but I’ve never been able to read her. And then there’s the Heavenly Sword. I can’t read the mind of that lowly butcher wearing the skin of a human, nor do I care to.”
The guardsmen agreed in silence.
However, they didn't voice sharp criticism against Kang Geomma so easily. His strength was terrifying enough to induce shivers, and to be frank, they didn't want to make an enemy of him.
Still, what choice do we have? The Imperial Guard has already chosen its stance...
Playing both sides half-heartedly meant death for everyone. It wouldn't end in mere demotion; they would be brutally purged. They were in the same boat. Whenever someone tried to jump ship, they handled it internally.
“For your information, the Heavenly Sword said he wants to observe our Guard’s training today.”
“And you accepted.”
“I had no choice.”
“......”
A heavy gloom hung in the air. Amidst it all, the Deputy of the Guard, who was leaning against the wall, flared his eyes.
“How about we take care of the Heavenly Sword right now?”
In an instant, the Deputy became a human dartboard. Everyone was bombarding him with glare-filled reprimands.
You crazy bastard, do you think that’s even possible?
The Deputy of the Guard smirked slyly and nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t mean physically taking his life, of course.”
“...?”
“To the public.”
A sinister voice slithered between their shoulders like a snake.
“Let us reveal to the populace just how dangerous a presence the Heavenly Sword is. If the Imperial Guard of the Empire is hopelessly defeated, the aristocratic factions will feel even more alarmed and rally together.”
“The authority of the Guard could take a hit,” Oscar said disapprovingly.
The Deputy narrowed his eyes slightly as he answered.
“We can easily restore it once we succeed in the imperial succession.”
* * *
After the meeting, I took a leisurely stroll around the Imperial Palace.
When mealtime arrived, the Royal Steward came rushing over. She practically dragged me to the dining hall.
My stomach was feeling nauseous, so I had planned to settle lunch with cup ramen, but unable to withstand Garyeon’s pestering, I eventually made my way to the dining hall.
Upon arrival, I saw that Victoria’s seat was empty. Apparently, her stomach felt upset after breakfast, so she decided to skip lunch.
Well, naturally.
If I were Victoria, I wouldn't want to see Garyeon either.
Granted, I came to view Garyeon in a slightly different light after what happened earlier.
But for Victoria, whose conflict with her ran deep, Garyeon must have been an eyesore.
Fortunate amidst the misfortune was that fewer people had to witness a blind woman waiting on me hand and foot during lunch. Even when I adamantly refused, Garyeon insisted like her life depended on it.
Is it because she’s blind? She’s blindly devoted.
I gave up.
Just as I was half-resigned and receiving the baby-bird treatment...
Unexpected guests raided the Imperial Palace.
“My lord—!”
Choi Seol-ah burst through the dining hall doors. I later heard that Ryozo had dispatched her secretary post-haste, just to prevent any chance of me inciting violence in the palace.
My beloved wife, Ryozo.
I’m deeply grateful for your thoughtfulness and careful arrangements... but I’d appreciate it if you could trust your husband just a little bit more...
“...What... are you... doing...?”
“Uh...”
It was just a brief moment.
“Lord Geomma.”
Behind Choi Seol-ah, Shail poked her pink head out. Why are you here too? This, too, was Abel sending her under a scheme similar to Ryozo’s.
Taking advantage of Garyeon clinging to me like a leech, entry procedures into the palace were handled via expedited channels. The two women had entered as representatives of the Joaquin and Nibelung families.
“......” “......”
“......” “......”
The woman who spoke first was...
“I expected the Imperial Court to be the textbook of etiquette...”
...Shail, the maid of Castle Sigurd.
“...but it’s quite underwhelming, isn’t it?”
“......”
Garyeon froze.
“My lord doesn’t eat peanuts. He’s allergic.”
“......”
“To not even know that...”
Three women. One man.
A suffocating atmosphere.
The competition to pamper me had officially begun.
And the venue was truly absurd...
– Imperial Palace. End.