Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Knight Order (1)
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William didn't hide his identity. He declared his intention to meet the Emperor through the main gate of the occupied central city.
He believed it was better to openly reveal the movements of the Knight Order than to skulk around in secret.
At this time, for an elder of the Knight Order to publicly seek an audience with the Emperor carried multiple implications. It was a signal flare announcing to everyone that the watchful Knight Order was finally beginning to stir, and a silent testament that their journey's end was tied to the Emperor.
"His Majesty the Emperor awaits you in the reception hall."
As he entered the lord's castle with an Imperial Army knight, a Royal Guard wearing a golden mask approached. The cold aura emanating from him made it clear he was Marquis Blizzard, the leader of the Royal Guard and the north wind incarnate.
'Marquis Blizzard, the Emperor's closest confidant...'
William recalled the brief information he had on Marquis Blizzard and flashed a sly smile.
"Has Marquis Blizzard come out personally? Shouldn't you be at His Majesty's side?"
Though they had occupied the central city and the lord's castle, remnants could still linger. William voiced his genuine concern over the threat.
"No need to worry. Someone even more capable than I is guarding His Majesty right now."
"Someone superior to Marquis Blizzard himself?"
William's eyes widened in surprise. Marquis Blizzard was a mage who had reached lofty heights.
To surpass him meant a Sword Saint or Archmage, but as far as William knew, no one in the Philius Empire had attained such transcendent realms.
"Don't be startled when you see him."
Seeing William's reaction, Marquis Blizzard spoke in a light, cheerful tone that belied his icy demeanor, then took the lead in walking ahead.
William, elder of the Knight Order, followed with a skeptical glance.
'I can spot bravado.'
As a high-ranking knight himself, he possessed the insight to pierce through any feigned superiority in realm.
"His Majesty the Emperor is inside."
Upon reaching the reception hall, Marquis Blizzard stepped back. The ornate door engraved with luxurious patterns swung open, revealing the spacious interior.
The Emperor sat beside the central marble table. Sensing their presence, he looked up, met William's gaze, and gave a slight nod with a smile.
It was true that he'd dismissed the young Emperor at first. But what was that look in his eyes? They held the sharp intensity of a seasoned veteran of thousands of battles, yet they were clear and unclouded.
"Show proper respect to His Majesty the Emperor."
The clear yet perilous aura in those eyes subdued him instantly. As he hesitated, a voice laced with powerful energy boomed out. Even drawing upon his high knight's aura, William felt his skin prickle at the sharpness.
"Th-this aura..."
He turned toward the voice. There stood a one-armed knight in a black uniform.
His left arm was missing, but his posture was impeccably composed, and his gaze and presence sharper than any famed sword.
Spotting the empty left sleeve, William instantly recognized him.
'One-Armed Sword, Gestain...'
He had once been recommended to the Order as a high knight but was rejected after losing his arm.
'Not a high knight after all?'
This razor-sharp presence was unmistakably that of a transcendent Sword Saint.
"Elder of the Knight Order, Sir William, show your respect to His Majesty the Emperor at once!"
Gestain urged again. Realizing his breach of etiquette belatedly, William bowed properly to Raymond.
"It doesn't seem intentional, so stand down, Guard Captain."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Gestain nodded and stepped back. The young Emperor rose from the sofa with a smile—a light courtesy that preserved imperial dignity while respecting the guest.
Even a declining empire's Emperor often skipped formalities with nobles or knights. But this young Emperor, Raymond, was different. He observed measured etiquette without compromising his authority.
William let out a small gasp of admiration.
'Humble and wise beyond his years.'
What was known of Raymond so far was only that he always led from the front on the battlefield.
One might assume a reckless personality dismissive of etiquette and formality. William had thought the same, but meeting him face-to-face forced a reevaluation.
"Your Majesty, I am William, high knight and elder of the Knight Order council."
"I am well aware of you."
He spoke calmly as he sat back down, exuding a casual confidence as if he knew everything and had anticipated the visit.
He could afford such leisure because Count Potas had relayed brief intelligence on him.
Raymond's steady gaze scanned William sharply from head to toe.
"What brings you from the distant capital to this northern land?"
His voice was cold, as it had to be. When Raymond had led the Imperial Army north to quell the Mountain Duke, the Knight Order had not joined him.
Despite the 1st Prince's dying wish for cooperation toward a unified empire, they had eyed each other warily, weighing options instead of standing by the Emperor.
"Surely you're not here to brazenly claim you'll stand behind me now?"
Raymond spoke firmly. He needed the Knight Order's aid, but there was no call for desperation.
Caught off guard by the Emperor's unexpected demeanor, William's expression flickered briefly before he composed himself.
"Your Majesty, please give the Knight Order a chance."
William pleaded earnestly for an opportunity.
"As Your Majesty says, we know we appear shameless now. But please, Your Majesty... grant us the chance to correct our mistake."
William bowed his head. He wanted to nod immediately, but he couldn't.
In politics, one must appropriately conceal one's true feelings. The Knight Order now saw the Emperor who had successfully crushed the Mountain Duke's rebellion as the strong one. Thus, Elder William adopted a humble stance, and the entire Order bent its pride to join him.
"Hm."
He didn't answer right away. There was no need.
"I'll give my answer upon returning to the capital."
He deferred. It wasn't for time to think; it was purely to unsettle the Knight Order.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"You may withdraw."
William bowed respectfully and left. Shortly after, the Royal Guard outside announced Count Denitz's visit.
"Let him enter."
With calm permission, the door opened, and Count Denitz, clad in red uniform, entered slowly and offered proper greetings.
"Your Majesty."
"You've heard, but Sir William of the Knight Order just left."
"Sir William—the Knight Order elder, yes. I remember meeting him at a banquet once."
"Sit, for now."
"Thank you."
At Raymond's invitation, Count Denitz bowed slightly and sat before him. The plush sofa didn't disrupt his posture, perfectly aligned with imperial etiquette.
"What do you think?"
"Sir William is one of the most influential elders in the Knight Order. His personal involvement carries great weight."
"They say they want to join us."
"For an elder to deliver the message personally means the Order's internal discussions are already settled."
Count Denitz paused briefly, gulping down cold water from the side table as if his throat were parched. He then continued.
"As you know, on the day of the 'Bloody Funeral,' the Order's leader died at the 1st Prince's side. Afterward, Ivan Lows, the Imperial Capital Guard Captain and one of the capital headquarters elders, took over as acting leader."
Though recommended by the elder council, it wasn't an official position.
"The interim nature weakens the current leader's authority, naturally strengthening the elder council's influence. Had Sir Ivan been formal leader, the Knight Order would have joined Your Majesty long ago."
Imperial Capital Guard Captain Ivan Lows was deeply loyal to the Imperial Family and Empire. Though he had supported the 1st Prince, with Raymond now Emperor, he would have acted immediately as formal leader—but the elders' power was too strong.
"My victory in the civil war against the Mountain Duke shifted the tide."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Now, not just the Knight Order, but all nobles and factions will rally under Your Majesty's banner to form a unified empire."
A unified empire—one step toward reclaiming the ancient glory of the Philius Empire. Knowing this well, Count Denitz's voice brimmed with excitement.
"A unified empire..."
"Few predecessors since ancient times have achieved it. Your Majesty has accomplished this monumental feat."
The day to reclaim that radiant glory was near. At least, that's what Count Denitz believed. With Raymond on the throne, he was reviving the most decayed empire since ancient times.
This young Emperor before him might just restore the Philius Empire's ancient splendor.
"Don't get too carried away, Count. For a moment, I mistook you for the Azure Tower Lord."
A joke that would disappoint Azure Tower Lord Risefield Dior if heard, but everyone—not just Crimson Tower Lord—knew he was the king of dramatics.
"My apologies, I've gotten ahead of myself."
Raymond's lips curved faintly as he watched Count Denitz clear his throat and rein in his emotions.
Every Philius citizen grew up hearing tales of the glorious era. So Count Denitz's excitement was understandable.
"Count Denitz. Enough preamble—let's get to the point."
"I am all ears."
"I plan to make the Belfiang Dukedom an imperial direct territory."
He despised long introductions, so he dove straight in, but Count Denitz showed no surprise.
With the Belfiang Ducal family wiped out, converting their lands to direct imperial rule was standard procedure and necessary to bolster imperial strength.
"I've already informed the Palace Affairs and Interior Ministries. But since the Valencia Dukedom was only recently made direct territory, they say the process will take some time."
"We'll need personnel to stabilize the Belfiang Dukedom in the meantime."
Without explanation, Count Denitz grasped the situation perfectly. Raymond nodded in satisfaction and spoke.
"It's land that rebelled. Though we've exterminated the ducal family and sent the ringleaders to the Black Mountains, seeds of treason surely remain."
His voice was chillingly cold. Raymond's eyes gleamed icily. He was always a warm, wise sovereign to his own, but to enemies daring to raise arms against him, he was a colder, more ruthless iron-blooded demon than any other.
"Shall we clean house?"
"I'll leave Central Intelligence Agency agents behind. They'll be invaluable in information warfare."
"Request additional Imperial Propaganda Ministry agents as well. Might as well overhaul it completely and indoctrinate them."
Count Denitz's eyes sparkled.
"I'll leave a few Shades too."
The black shadows guarding the Philius Empire from its darkest corners. Leaving some in the Belfiang Dukedom would suffice for Count Denitz's protection.
"That's more escort than I deserve."
"Count Denitz, you more than qualify for Shade protection."
"Your Majesty..."
"You know persistently refusing courtesy isn't proper etiquette?"
Count Denitz nodded with a faint smile at Raymond's stern yet joking expression.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I accept the Shades' protection."
Specialized in assassination, the Shades understood killers' minds intimately. With their superior skills assigned, Count Denitz's safety was assured for the foreseeable future.
"I shall offer Your Majesty a unified empire."
Count Denitz was now moving in earnest.