Chapter 193: A New Order (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 193: A New Order (3)
Count Fabius.
He was a man like a bat.
His life thus far had earned him the moniker "the Raccoon of Cairo." During the clash between Marquis Benedict and Roman Dmitry, he had betrayed the Noble Faction. Some criticized him for it, arguing that no matter how much one pursued practical benefits, turning on a faction he had been part of for so long in an instant severely damaged his credibility.
They weren't wrong.
Count Fabius was not a man you could safely entrust your back to, but that didn't mean his abilities should be undervalued.
In fact, Daniel Cairo thought he might be the perfect man for the job.
'Fabius is one of the most politically astute figures in Cairo. He knows how to read the tides, and he makes quick, bold decisions to secure what benefits him most. The very fact that he was once a key figure under Marquis Benedict, yet is now raising his voice by Roman Dmitry's side, is proof enough of his capability.'
The current issue required someone outstanding in diplomacy.
To flawlessly execute Roman Dmitry's plan, they needed an envoy with the courage to speak their mind without trembling, even when stepping into the jaws of a beast like the Empire. Count Fabius fit those conditions perfectly. Beyond his sheer diplomatic skill, he was currently desperate for an opportunity to prove his worth.
A new future.
The tide had turned.
Count Fabius was blatantly showing his intention to ride the wave of that new era.
'Since his intentions are clear, he isn't a bad option. If both parties achieve their goals, there could be no better outcome.'
Daniel Cairo spoke.
"Negotiating with Kronos is no simple matter. They are like a magic bomb; there is no telling what they might do. They might even violate continental law, which dictates that envoys must not be harmed. We intend to reject their proposal and steer things in the direction we want. The moment you utter that rejection, your head could fly off. Are you willing to take that risk and go as our envoy to the Kronos Empire?"
"If it is for Cairo, I am prepared to lay down my life. I will do my utmost to execute this mission flawlessly."
There was no hesitation in his response.
In that case, the final choice was up to Roman Dmitry.
Daniel Cairo turned his gaze.
"I believe Count Fabius is the right man for this task. Roman Dmitry, what are your thoughts?"
* * *
The meeting ended.
Having been given a day to make his decision, Roman Dmitry walked off to a private spot with Count Fabius.
Tap.
He stopped walking.
In the secluded area, Roman Dmitry looked at Fabius.
"Tell me what you want."
A count and the heir of a noble family.
Though there was a clear difference in their social status, both Roman Dmitry, who spoke informally, and Count Fabius, who listened, accepted the dynamic naturally. Ever since Count Fabius had volunteered to lead the charge in purging the Noble Faction, they had naturally stepped across the boundaries of status and into the roles of lord and vassal.
The stage was set.
Count Fabius bowed his head and spoke in a cautious voice.
"In the last battle, I had the honor of standing at the vanguard for you, Lord Roman. It may be greedy of me, but I do not want our relationship to end as a one-time occurrence. I, Fabius, wish to live my life for you. Please consider this envoy mission as an expression of my loyalty."
A lifeline had appeared before his eyes, and Count Fabius gripped it tightly.
Because he knew the negative prejudices against him all too well, he expressed his loyalty a bit differently from the rest.
"I will not deny that I am a turncoat. No matter how much I prove my ability and swear my loyalty, that fundamental truth will not change. People say 'once a betrayer, always a betrayer'—that a person who turns their coat once is likely to repeat the same choice. I cannot guarantee my own future either. Unlike the others who follow you, Lord Roman, I cannot ask you to trust me blindly. However, I will make a promise to you here and now."
He looked at Roman.
With an intense gaze, he put strength into his voice.
"I do not expect to be treated the same as those you truly trust. I only ask that you make good use of me in the future. Any task will do. Just as I am setting off as an envoy this time, if it is your command, I will jump into a pit of fire while clutching dry straw. I will prove that I am not just someone who executes orders, but a useful asset who carries them out flawlessly. In return, please promise me just one thing: be the backing for my wealth and honor. If I can live as a man of power by your side, Lord Roman, I am prepared to do anything."
Fabius's proposal was absurdly straightforward.
Rather than a typical relationship between lord and vassal, he was proposing a transactional arrangement based on mutual utility.
As long as Roman Dmitry remained a man of power.
As long as he did not fall like Marquis Benedict.
In exchange, Fabius was vowing to remain a useful asset to Dmitry until the very end.
'Count Fabius's decision is not impulsive. He experienced war alongside me, and in the process, he figured out what kind of person I am. He realized that instead of the romanticized, one-sided devotion that ordinary lords desire, a mutually beneficial structure is actually closer to my ideal.'
It was amusing.
On the fierce battlefield, while Roman Dmitry was swinging his sword at his enemies, Count Fabius had been constantly observing him from the sidelines. He watched how Roman acted, what values drove him, and what criteria his relationships with his followers were built upon.
There were various figures, and their reasons for loyalty were diverse.
Chris desired martial power that surpassed Roman Dmitry's. Kevin expressed blind loyalty toward the savior of his life. Henderson admired Roman Dmitry, the man who had wiped out Blood Fang, like a hero out of history. Nor was it just emotional connections. Just as the former mercenaries Volkan and Puki were satisfied with the clear benefits Roman Dmitry provided, everyone had a different reason for following him.
But one thing was certain: Roman Dmitry satisfied them all.
Seeing how Roman formed mutually beneficial relationships regardless of what his followers desired, Count Fabius instinctively knew what was truly important.
If Roman Dmitry had been similar to Marquis Benedict, Fabius would have put on a shameless face and loudly proclaimed blind loyalty.
But because Roman was a different breed entirely, Fabius had instead chosen to honestly emphasize a mutually beneficial relationship.
Thud.
"Please accept me."
He fell to his knees.
He bowed his head, casting aside his pride.
The more Roman looked at him, the more he liked him.
The way Fabius had solid reasoning behind his conclusion easily drew out the answer he wanted.
"Count Fabius."
Fabius raised his head.
Looking down at the man kneeling before him, Roman Dmitry's gaze remained unwavering.
"From this moment on, as my man, you shall enjoy everything you desire."
* * *
A few days later.
Having completed all his preparations, Count Fabius joined the delegation and set off for the Kronos Empire.
Time was tight.
With a ten-day time limit, it was a forced march, but the delegation had no choice but to hasten their steps.
During the journey, a noble who was part of the delegation and loyal to the King asked,
"Count Fabius. How on earth do you manage to survive even after betraying the person you served? Honestly, I don't understand. Normally, someone like you should have ruined themselves dozens of times over. Roman Dmitry is hardly a peaceful man, yet here you are, surviving by the side of the powerful once again."
It was a blunt question.
Fabius chuckled and replied,
"People misunderstand, but there is a certain romance to betrayal."
"Romance?"
"Yes. The turncoats people usually talk about drift from side to side without any real backbone, showing an attitude of only seeking profit. Such people have no right to swear loyalty. Powerful figures already have devoted followers who helped them rise to their positions. If you don't offer something that sets you apart from them, how can you expect to survive?"
He spurred his horse forward.
Looking out over the plains, he thought of Roman Dmitry.
"That is why I always offer my sincere dedication. Even though they know Fabius is a turncoat, I prove how useful I am so they cannot afford to discard me. It's a simple matter. Imagine there is someone willing to risk their life for you. If someone who boldly makes decisions that even loyal vassals hesitate to make just happens to have been a turncoat in the past, would you discard him for that single reason?"
"……I suppose you would keep him close and use him."
"Exactly. Being used. That single opportunity becomes the catalyst for accepting a turncoat."
In truth, his past relationships had not been entirely sincere.
While it was true he executed orders with dedication, it was merely the persona his masters desired.
However, Roman Dmitry was different.
For the first time, Fabius didn't have to wear a mask and spout honeyed words of loyalty; he could honestly discuss a transactional relationship.
'I don't enjoy a life of betrayal either. If Marquis Benedict had remained a man of power for his entire life, I would have lived my life for him. The reason I live as a turncoat is simply because there hasn't been anyone worthy of such loyalty. And Roman Dmitry is completely different from anyone I've ever experienced.'
It might be a hasty judgment.
But perhaps, just perhaps, Count Fabius felt that he might have finally found the master he would serve for the rest of his life.
* * *
The capital of the Empire.
They arrived in Alexander.
Visiting the Empire for the first time, Count Fabius's eyes widened at the sight that greeted him right from the city gates.
'……So this is the Empire.'
A colossal fortress.
The scenery inside was overwhelming.
Grand buildings, unseen anywhere in Cairo, captured his attention, and formidable soldiers who appeared to be guards marched along the well-paved roads. They maintained their ranks and files with chilling precision. They scanned their surroundings with sharp gazes, a testament to just how absolute the Emperor's power was.
It was completely different from Cairo.
While Daniel Cairo was swayed by the nobles, Kronos was a nation that revered its Emperor like a god.
"Follow me."
Passing through the gates, they were guided by a knight.
The emblem on his forearm identified him as a member of the 7th Knights Division. Even though they were only the seventh division, their aura was extraordinary. It was an intensity so suffocating that it took Fabius's breath away every time their eyes met. Even if Count Fabius was no great swordsman, he could at least gauge whether an opponent was someone completely beyond his reach.
It was certain.
The Empire's knights were stronger than even Count Nicholas.
He couldn't even be sure if the man once called the First Sword of Cairo could defeat a mere member of the 7th Knights Division.
'I have entered a world beyond the heavens.'
His mouth went dry.
He had not even met any of the Twelve Swords of the Continent yet.
The knight guiding him was surely nothing more than a gatekeeper, yet Count Fabius was already completely overwhelmed. It was enough to remind him of exactly why Cairo had always groveled before Kronos. Roman Dmitry had dealt with Gustavo, the commander of the 10th Knights Division, on the battlefield, but that outcome had zero impact on Kronos's overall strength. They possessed a military might that none could dare to challenge.
He walked on.
He entered the imperial palace, the very epitome of luxury, and after passing through seemingly endless corridors, he stopped before a massive set of doors.
"Your Majesty. The delegation has arrived."
The doors did not open immediately.
The Emperor's domain.
Even though he was merely speaking to a door, the knight of the Kronos Empire bowed deeply in absolute respect. Count Fabius had no choice but to follow suit. He bowed toward the massive doors, not daring to look up until the Emperor's command came from the other side.
Then.
Creak.
The doors opened.
When Count Fabius finally stepped inside and saw the figure before him, his body shuddered.
The Emperor of the Empire.
He was there.
Looking up at the man gazing down from the highest seat, Count Fabius swallowed hard.
'……The moment my tongue slips, I die on this very spot.'
It was a warning screamed by his very instincts.
An untouchable giant.
That was Count Fabius's assessment upon meeting the Emperor of Kronos for the first time.