The Republic Empire Founding Day Celebration Feast
The founding day of the Repelheim Empire was a deeply meaningful commemorative occasion, and the imperial family had prepared the banquet with great splendor. It was truly an event of utmost importance, drawing the entire nobility of the empire.
At this grand gathering, the young members of the Serverki family were set to make their debut.
Clackety-clack. Clackety-clack.
A long procession of carriages wound its way from the ducal lands near the capital, Bertora.
At the end of that endless line was a carriage carrying Luke.
Clackety-clack. Clackety-clack.
The rhythmic sound of the carriages continued to echo, yet Luke remained utterly still, lost in deep meditation.
Seated across from him was Elli, serving as both nanny and attendant.
[Hey, kid. It feels like the strong ones are gathering in the capital.]
The ancient ghost sword, Cheon Baek-gyeong, floated beside him, drifting lazily as he muttered something. Luke offered no reply.
At that moment, he was carefully organizing the tasks he must accomplish at this banquet.
The victor of the imperial succession war. I must meet the sixth princess.
The sixth princess, Iria Repelheim.
By meeting her and securing her assistance, I will strengthen my house and my own position.
To achieve that, I must...
Prove my worth in some way at this very banquet.
A faint smile curved Luke’s lips.
His mind slowly turned over the events of this gathering, recalling the “something” that would unfold here.
***
Bertora, the imperial capital.
At the thought that he might arrive at the place of his death, Luke felt a sudden, almost gentle smile touch his lips.
There was no need to worry. He would rewrite that future himself.
The view of Bertora as the carriages approached was quite beautiful.
The setting sun. And on the opposite side, darkness slowly rising. And within that darkness, a blend of all manner of buildings.
Nia would have loved seeing this.
Thinking of Nia, who was probably sleeping restlessly among the Riana family children back at the ducal estate, brought a smile to his face.
Yeah. She’d probably let out a soft “uee”.
As he chuckled softly while gazing at the night sky, the carriage finally came to a halt.
The imperial capital, Bertora. The Serverki family had arrived at the imperial palace at its center.
Clank.
One by one, they descended from the carriages. The sight of them, all elegantly dressed for the banquet, was almost cheerful. Yet Luke simply gazed at the palace.
Here…
He took a moment to steady himself—more precisely, to activate his innate trait, the Mind of Clear Mirror Water, to dispel his tension. Then he blended into the crowd and began walking toward the palace.
***
[Hah. You’re bringing a sword?]
“What can I do? Old man. If I carry a sword inside the palace, it’s treason. Only those who are permitted may do so.”
[Well, that’s true… But since I can move freely, it’s fine. If I mess up, you might remember me when you’re locked up in your family’s armory.]
“That’s nonsense.”
[Nonsense?! That dusty, damp place is the worst!]
Watching the old ghost tumble about in the air as if he had gone senile, Luke let out a sigh.
He understood why the soul itself had been torn away by an evil god, but…
Still, whenever the old man showed such childlike behavior, it was impossible to tell whether he was truly the Heavenly Demon or simply a senile old man.
Accepting the old ghost’s silent agreement to ignore him, Luke recalled the events that would unfold at the upcoming banquet.
…This is exactly it. The 693rd year of the imperial calendar.
Quietly, Luke murmured.
Assassination.
***
Belemian Serverki, the head of the Serverki family, was receiving an audience with the current emperor, Baor Repelheim.
“I see… Duke Serverki.”
Baor Repelheim, an elderly man, gazed at Belemian Serverki and spoke.
“What brings you here?”
It was a brief remark, yet it carried profound meaning.
Belemian answered the question at once.
…I have simply brought my family.
…Family.
Clunk.
The emperor lifted the teacup from the table and took a sip of tea.
Clunk.
Setting the cup down again, the emperor’s gaze never left Belemian.
“How amusing. The duke, who was born fifth and killed the four above him, and even his youngest brother, speaks of family.”
…
“I wonder what you’re thinking. Despite upholding the ironclad law of sibling bloodshed, you still harbor a shred of affection.”
…
“Answer me, duke. And this is my own concern speaking.”
The emperor’s eyes sharpened.
“Do not bring the family’s quarrels onto the surface of the empire. This is a warning.”
…Understood.
“Very well. Tell me, duke. Why did you bring your children to the banquet? Is it perhaps, as I suspect, that you intend to spread the family’s affairs to the outside world?”
…My intention…
At last, the duke explained the reason to the emperor.
…Hah. Duke.
Baor Repelheim could only look at the duke with a look of sorrow.
***
The time for the banquet to begin drew near, yet Luke had nothing immediate to do.
He simply waited, replaying the events that lay ahead.
Ah, there was one thing.
Like this? Nanny?
“Yes, young master.”
The two of them held hands and danced the dance for the banquet.
Having received all the proper family training, Luke had learned to dance as well. However, since his training period had been short, he was inevitably lacking compared to others.
That was why Elli had gently begun his education.
“By the way, nanny. You seem to know it strangely well…?”
…Even though I look this way, you know I’m quite old, don’t you?
“Ah. Where did you learn it?”
Precisely… I learned it in a rather troublesome place.
Elli’s delicate face briefly furrowed.
“I will never go there again.”
“Eh? Nanny? Why…?”
“No. Young master. Let us continue learning the dance.”
Their dance continued.
***
At last, the moment the banquet began.
One by one, the nobles entered the vast hall, and their families and names were called out.
…Next!
…Next!
While the attendants calling names never paused, at last.
…Next! The Serverki ducal family’s…!
Finally, the young members of the Serverki family began entering one by one.
Each of them was splendid in appearance. As they lined up, Luke entered last.
…Hmm.
For the record, the old ghost sword had accompanied him together with Elli, lest anyone notice his absence.
That meant Luke was currently alone.
Yet Luke felt no trace of nervousness.
If he lost his composure now, he might lose the purpose of this banquet.
Let’s go.
With caution, Luke stepped into the banquet hall.
***
Iria.
A young woman with hair shining like silver.
Despite having a daughter, the empress had not lost an inch of her beauty as she called her daughter’s name.
“This is a good opportunity. Meet the people I introduce to you. They will be of help.”
…Understood.
Iria Repelheim moved according to her mother’s wishes.
Maintaining the light blue light in her eyes.
***
“I suppose I’ll have to wait a bit.”
Instead of a wine glass, Luke lightly swirled the glass filled with juice and waited for the food to arrive.
The reason was simple. The emperor and his children had not yet arrived.
“Oh, the food smells delicious.”
So Luke enjoyed the banquet.
While savoring the food and juice for a moment, someone suddenly appeared beside him.
“Luke?”
“Luke? What are you doing?”
…Two people…?
While enjoying the banquet, the ones who appeared before Luke were his sixth sister, Hella Serverki, and his seventh brother, Rion Serverki.
They were four and three years younger than Luke, respectively.
The two approached Luke. Rion took the food Luke was holding and put it straight into his mouth.
“Mmm. Tasty food. Luke. Are you going to eat it all?”
…Mmm…
“I’m joking. Don’t be so stiff. Isn’t it better to steal your brother’s food without getting caught? Right? Big sister Hella?”
With a somewhat self-deprecating joke, Hella frowned slightly.
“When you say it like that…”
Hella sighed and asked Luke.
“Sigh. Anyway, Luke. Will you hang out with us this time? I don’t know where Jace and Aris went. If they cause any trouble, it’ll be a big problem.”
Naturally, the two tried to continue the conversation, and Luke stiffened his face slightly and asked them.
…So this kind of natural conversation is possible.
At those words, the two fell silent.
A long silence followed.
Considering they were siblings fighting over the family’s succession, their conversation had been surprisingly warm.
At last, Rion sighed and said to Luke.
“Sigh. Honestly, Luke. Hella and I are somewhat skeptical.”
…Skeptical?
“Yeah.”
Rion nodded.
“I don’t understand what kind of nonsense this is. In the past, I was taught to guard against and hate the other successors, including Father and the family members….”
Rion lightly poked Hella.
“It’s not like we inherited the blood of a demon. In the end, we’re siblings who inherited the same blood… I wonder if it’s right for us to kill each other. Actually, we’ve only just started talking recently. Right, big sister Hella?”
…That’s true.
Hella sighed and said.
“Luke. We are somewhat skeptical about the family’s ironclad rules. So after talking a lot with the two of us… I wondered what the others thought, so I wanted to cautiously ask at this banquet opportunity. Luke is the first.”
…Is that so?
“Well, for now, that’s the stance. Luke. Try this food too.”
Rion picked up food from the banquet table and placed it on Luke’s plate.
“It’s banquet food. There shouldn’t be any poison, right? Right?”
Rion, with a self-deprecating joke, put his hand on the back of his neck and said.
“Well, even if we’re in this position. In the end, it depends on the will of the three people who have formed the current succession structure… Luke. If I think I’m going to lose, I’ll run away. I plan to escape to the Magic Kingdom. There, I’ll learn magic and live. I’m telling you this only.”
While Rion winked, Hella said.
…Everyone can hear.
“Ah. Got caught? This! If I die at the hands of big sister Hella, there’s nothing I can do.”
“You too….”
As they continued talking, Luke thought for a moment.
…Even if one of the successors dies, could I say such things?
This ordinary conversation between siblings might not be the last. At that thought, Luke felt a trace of bitterness.
***
While waiting for the right moment with Rion and Hella, at last, a grand music resounded.
Now! The true master of the Repelheim Empire…!
At last, the master of the Repelheim Empire, Baor Repelheim, appeared together with his family.
Luke’s gaze turned toward the great doors of the banquet hall.
Screeech!
The massive gates opened, and the imperial family began to appear.
I found her.
Luke clearly spotted Iria Repelheim, with her light blue hair shining among the procession.