Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: Audience with the Emperor
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"Have you ever heard of Kalligo?"
"I know of him. He's a name that pops up often when reading old books."
Luise raised her hand and toyed with her chin.
"That's right. Your Majesty surely knows more about that dragon than I do, so I'll focus on why I suspect he's involved now."
Explaining that the current situation mirrored a late-game crisis from the game was impossible, so...
"...Field Marshal Gerhard informed me of the southern situation. According to his letter, the enemy forces are moving with remarkable organization, even though they're mixed with aggressive orc tribes."
"Hmm..."
"That's not typical of ordinary orcs. And no great chieftain has appeared either..."
Recalling the setting book he'd seen before, Victor wove his logic together slowly, blending in a bit of fabrication.
Luise listened with a small nod and a smile.
"...And now, even the elven Republic of Lavria—what you'd call bitter enemies—has joined them. That convinces me Kalligo's abilities are at play."
"Humans call it 'conqueror's rule,' don't they? He does have that power. Being a dragon and all..."
Having perked up the moment she heard the name Kalligo, she readily accepted Victor's explanation.
"Is bringing this up because you want me to step in personally? That might be tough right now."
Victor wasn't done speaking yet, so she had no intention of ending her amusement, though she showed a hint of regret.
"It's fine. It's not too late yet—we can hold them off with our current forces."
Victor shook his head slightly and stated it firmly.
Luise lowered the hand that had been caressing her lips.
"Ho. Your guns and cannons were impressive, but... dragon hunting is never easy."
"You're right. But my goal isn't to hunt Kalligo."
"Hm?"
To Luise, who was subtly flaunting her draconic pride, Victor calmly revealed his intent.
"From what legends depict, he's something of an obsessive eccentric. He clings fiercely to the rules he sets for himself. There's even that story where he handed over treasure and retreated because he broke his own promise."
"True enough."
"And besides..."
Before continuing, Victor gave Luise a peculiar look.
"...?"
"...Isn't concealing one's true nature a basic rule of amusement? He might use draconic powers indirectly, but we won't face a rampaging dragon in physical combat."
"Hmmm... Is that so?"
His words were based on the widely known grand premise of 'amusement,' yet Luise tilted her head.
"If you were defeated and the capital fell, I doubt I'd sit idly by."
Her words carried a playful lilt.
"...That won't happen, but please hold back if it does."
Recalling the event where she rampaged only to be dragged away by other dragons, Victor couldn't brush it off lightly.
"I'm saying this because I trust you. Kalligo might just play that way. ...Victor."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You're young, yet how do you know all this?"
A question suddenly struck her as she listened with a deep smile.
"..."
"Well... you figured out who I am, so knowing about another dragon isn't so strange."
The curiosity was trivial compared to her intrigue, so she brushed it off with self-answered dismissal before he could reply.
"Alright. What do you want from me?"
The declaration of landing a blow on a dragon with human hands set Luise's heart racing.
She leaned forward from her half-reclined position in the chair, drawing closer to Victor.
"If Kalligo's out in the open like that, I could provide quite a bit of help."
"...It might sound disrespectful, but I'd prefer your aid as Emperor of the Dragonia Empire."
Victor firmly drew the line with Luise, who was subtly showing her excitement.
"Ah, right. That's how it is. I nearly slipped up."
"...My apologies."
"Apologize? It's my fault for nearly breaking the promise—you did nothing wrong. Hmm..."
Rather than accepting Victor's bowed head, Luise voiced her own doubt.
"...Here it is. You said redeploying forces would suffice."
She rummaged in her bosom and pulled out the letter he'd sent before, reading it.
"Yes. To decisively crush an enemy of orcs and elves—who might soon be joined by dwarves—we need the Red Dragon Legion."
"You go ahead to the Ester Kingdom border, and I'll send the Red Dragon Legion after?"
"Exactly."
"That's not hard. Anything else?"
She nodded and pressed on with questions.
"Please issue an official order for my dispatch."
"Ah... Understood. That's easy too."
She readily accepted his request to officially recognize his actions.
"What will you do with former Fifth Legion Commander Volker Rommel?"
"Volker Rommel? What's the situation now?"
"He's confined to quarters under watch for the time being."
"Hmm..."
Having never pondered the fate of Volker—one among countless nobles—she couldn't answer immediately.
"...Well. If you have a preferred method, tell me. With a little pressure... execution might even be possible."
"His crimes are grave, but execution is a bit much."
"Demotion then? Dismissal? What level are you aiming for?"
"I believe he should be completely expelled from the military."
"That... wouldn't be bad."
With her casual nod, Volker's fate was sealed.
"Speaking of Volker reminded me... Here are the documents proving Theodore Offenstadt's collusion with the Esperia Kingdom."
"Hm? Duke Offenstadt?"
He handed her the letter he'd intercepted mid-transit, preparations underway to oust Theodore.
"Among the nobles handed over as hostages, some received his letters. Have them testify when the time comes, and arrest him."
"...This is amusing too. Better to handle it after you sort out the south, right?"
"...Yes."
"We'll talk more then."
Luise, already displeased with Theodore, pocketed the letter without further questions.
"That's all."
"Isn't it a bit light? These feel like things I should do anyway, not real requests."
Victor's requests ended there.
They fell far short of what she'd imagined.
"I don't want to burden Your Majesty with things I can handle myself."
"Fair enough. Then, it's fine if I add something on my own initiative?"
She proposed one more thing.
"...Yes."
To Victor's reluctant agreement, Luise flashed a meaningful smile.
"Very well. No more business—if you have nothing else to say, you're free to go."
"Then, I'll take my leave."
"No need for a guest room?"
"No, thank you."
"Alright. Come see me tomorrow morning."
"Yes."
After Victor left the lounge, she pulled a neatly wrapped paper envelope from her bosom.
Inside was the recommendation letter Gerhard had sent before departing south.
"He doesn't want wings, so new shoes it is."
Anticipating Victor's flustered reaction to the unexpected reward,
"Earl should be sufficient."
Following Gerhard's request, she mimicked his handwriting and filled in the details, referencing Erika's report.
"Did it go well?"
"Yeah. Probably leaving tomorrow or the day after."
"Understood."
"I'll get ready too!"
"...I'll call you when it's time to depart."
He left the palace with Erika and Anna, who had been waiting outside.
"See you!"
Erika headed to her home in the capital,
-click.
"Two guest rooms, please."
"Right away. Here you go."
while Victor and Anna booked lodging near the palace.
"One room would be fine."
"Someone advised me not to skimp on places like this."
"Ahem."
"Rest up while you can."
"...Got it."
After taking separate rooms and settling in,
-knock knock.
Late evening.
A knock came at the door.
The gray dot on the minimap stood still outside, so he waited for another knock, but
"...Tch."
Seeing Anna moving in her room on the minimap, Victor opened the door first.
"Good evening, Legion Commander Victor."
"Who are you?"
A man dressed in the finery of eastern nobles stood there.
With a contrived smile, he offered a note instead of words.
"...Kaen?"
"Count Benjamin Brielle. I have an offer you can't refuse, Legion Commander Victor."
"General, what's going on? ...!"
Victor subtly signaled Anna, who had rushed out,
"Come in."
"Thank you."
and let the gray-marked man inside for now.
"...Looking for something?"
"No."
He confirmed the cold metal touch in his bosom and sat across from the man at the table.
"So, why the sudden visit?"
"Well, you see..."
When the man suddenly reached into his pocket, Victor tensed as well, but
"...As representatives of Kaen Kingdom's nobles, we have a message for you, Legion Commander Victor."
what he produced was a single letter.
The letter stated,
"...Incorporation."
that the nobles of Kaen Kingdom wished to join the empire.