Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: The Emperor's Promise
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Luise came to a halt in front of the balcony on one side of the banquet hall.
"I have important matters to discuss, so do not enter until I summon you. I don't need any drinks either."
"Understood."
She halted the maids who had been following her and opened the door first, stepping out onto the balcony.
I followed her out and closed the door behind us.
-Thud.
Perhaps because the door was so thick, the balcony fell into a profound silence once it shut.
Moreover, with no separate lighting installed, it was so dark that Luise's face was hard to make out.
"Phew, much more comfortable. Acting really isn't easy, after all."
Luise leaned back leisurely in her chair, facing me with the city center—still aglow with festival fervor despite the sunset—behind her.
She showed no regard for etiquette whatsoever.
That aside, I had to agree that putting on an act was no simple task.
"Victor, make yourself comfortable. As long as that door stays shut, no one can see us."
"Yes."
The only chair left was the one directly across the table from her, so I sat facing her with the table between us.
I couldn't say about her—non-human as she was—but her expression, right there in front of me, wasn't clearly visible to my eyes.
From her upbeat tone and the faint glimpse of her mouth, I could only surmise she was smiling.
"Someone's waiting, so let's cut to the chase."
Luise got straight to the point.
"You kept your promise splendidly."
"Are you satisfied?"
"Mm, more than. Before seeking you out, I asked General Gerhard and General Friedrich about your exploits, too."
Having anticipated as much from her mention of no drinks, I replied without missing a beat.
"Impressive, really. Not much time had passed, yet they seemed more excited recounting your feats than their own."
"..."
"I'd heard homosexuality is subtly prevalent among humans, so part of me wondered if that was it."
"That's not the case."
Her bizarre remark slipped out so naturally that my head reeled, an automatic denial bursting forth.
It was especially in moments like these—her utter obliviousness—that her inhumanity hit home.
"Of course not. Both are married, after all. It's just that the generals were that enthusiastic about your achievements."
"...Yes."
It didn't seem to carry much weight, as she glossed over it and pressed on.
"Not to mention your exceptional abilities—they said you've never caused a single scandal, even off the record."
"Is that so."
"Hard to believe if it hadn't come straight from General Gerhard. Ah, that's the thing, Victor."
-Smack!
She suddenly half-rose from her seat, planting a hand on the table and leaning toward me.
She was close enough now that a little nearer and we'd touch, revealing the curve of her smiling lips and her eyes burning like embers.
"..."
"Your value has been splendidly proven. Now it's my turn, wouldn't you say?"
To me, her eyes seemed to glow red.
"I believe you've already shown more than enough sincerity."
"No."
I insisted that what I'd received was plenty, but her denial was unequivocal.
"I said I'd support your path ahead with all my power. Remember?"
"Yes. I remember."
"I specifically said 'all my power.'"
She continued without breaking her smile.
"You can't settle for just dropping the 'acting' from your title."
"...Is that so?"
Her voice rose steadily.
"You wagered both honor and life on the scales, and as Emperor of the Dragonia Empire, Luise Zeinburg, I gave my word. You've delivered the monumental feat of turning Brotan Kingdom into a puppet state. Now, I must pay the fitting price."
"..."
"Let me be clear: whatever you demand of me, if Luise Zeinburg can grant it, I won't refuse."
In her mounting fervor, I sensed an odd thrill, laced with anticipation.
"Victor. What do you want? What are your goals?"
It felt like clutching a blank check.
As she said, I could claim so very much.
"Anything but resignation. Titles, power, money, treasures—name it. If you truly desire it, even this body is yours."
"..."
"Not because this vessel from the divine play is disposable. I'd never treat it lightly. It simply means I'll meet your demands with utmost seriousness."
Indeed, what to ask of her?
"...Could you give me a moment to think?"
"Of course. I'll wait as long as it takes."
She accepted my request without hesitation.
I closed my eyes and sank into thought.
Luise settled back into her seat, waiting for Victor's deliberations to conclude.
"..."
Any other time, she'd have sated her curiosity watching the festival crowds, but now every sense was locked on Victor.
No reason to look elsewhere.
Here was the human fully satisfying the desires that had drawn her into the divine play.
No need to hunt for heroic tales or scout talents.
The reports of Victor's deeds were the heroic tales, the legends, in her eyes.
"Hmm..."
-Thump. Thump.
Luise relished the human heartbeat thrumming through her body as she awaited his answer.
A moment later.
"Your Majesty."
"Mm. Come up with a demand?"
"May I ask a few questions first?"
"Go ahead. They won't count toward fulfilling the promise, so ask freely."
Victor opened his mouth, and Luise responded at once.
"Lately, it seems Your Majesty's approach to the Dragonia Empire has shifted."
"Mm?"
She voiced her surprise at the unanticipated query.
"From what I heard in Ruth Kingdom, Your Majesty wasn't one for active governance. Yet..."
"I delegated diplomatic authority directly to General Gerhard and oversaw the triumphal parade and other events myself. That it?"
"Yes. Especially the creation of a personal legion—that was shocking. Surely there was no small opposition."
"Curious why the change in attitude? Easy enough to answer."
His cautious question brought a smile to her eyes.
"It's you, Victor."
"...Me?"
"I simply bolstered my power to grant whatever you might demand. Nothing more."
Believing humans needed much to live as heroes, Luise was—as she'd told him—prepared for any request.
Her recent hands-on role in state affairs, expanding her maneuverability, was all to widen the bounds of that 'all her power.'
A promise made, unbroken by the other side.
No skimping allowed.
Money or treasures? She'd tap her draconic hoard.
Power? She'd wield her imperial station to grant him emperor-like dominion.
Her body, out of the blue? Mild disappointment, then diligent study of human intimacy from texts.
That was her 'all her power' in full.
"Hmm..."
"Answer your question?"
"Yes."
"Anything else?"
"No, that's fine."
After brief reflection, Victor spoke.
"I have two requests for Your Majesty."
"Two? Fewer than I thought."
"First: support for the Red Dragon Legion."
"Red Dragon Legion? ...You mentioned it for a reason."
"Yes."
He nodded.
"I plan to organize it utterly unlike existing legions."
"Hm?"
"Through a deal with Anchester Kingdom, we'll introduce new weaponry."
"Anchester? The dwarves, right?"
"Yes."
Arming a legion with novel arms meant more feats ahead—a synonym, really.
Luise's cheeks lifted gradually.
"Ah, rings a bell. Western mercenaries tote small cannons into battle? Dwarven make?"
"Exactly. That's what I want for the Red Dragon Legion."
"Heard they're pricey and a nightmare to operate."
She aired the hurdles, anticipating his counter.
"I believe those small cannons will reshape warfare. The dwarves wield even more advanced versions they call 'guns' out west."
"Guns. Arming the legion with them?"
"Yes. Battlefields ahead will split between those who wield guns and those who don't. I'd like your aid in bringing them in."
New arms demanded budgets beyond the norm.
Risky, too—no guarantee of ROI—so Victor treaded lightly.
"Done. Next request?"
"...Guns need skilled smiths, and material costs are exorbitant."
"Funds are no issue. My wealth dwarfs your estimates."
"Power verification..."
"You sound convinced. I've staked on your judgment—no backing out."
"Then I'll detail it later."
"Mm, good."
Sensing the conviction beneath his caution, Luise approved outright.
On another note, curiosity stirred: just how devastating were these lauded 'guns'?
"So, the second request?"
She pressed without pause.
"The second... is rather delicate."
His greater wariness, the sharp intake of breath—she brimmed with anticipation, but
"...?"
"I'd like Your Majesty to keep aggressively consolidating your power, as you have been."
To her ears, the second held even less need for delicacy than the first.
"Your feats warrant it—no, titles and lands now wouldn't raise eyebrows."
Perplexed, she told him so.
"...I think there's a misunderstanding."
Victor clarified her error.
"Not my power—yours. I want Your Majesty to become the empire's sole, unrivaled emperor, holding all power."
"..."
His unimaginable demand left her staring, mouth agape.
"Hahahahahaha!"
She erupted in the heartiest laughter imaginable.