Chapter 256
Chapter 256
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 256
Chapter Title: The Method of Distinguishing Good and Evil (4)
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The outer walls of Paltennoia appeared at the edge of the horizon. To be precise, their silhouette began to faintly emerge.
The imperial capital was the center of the empire's industry, engineering, and culture. That meant the black smoke blanketing Paltennoia's skies was no mere storm cloud.
Paltennoia, the so-called city where the sun never shines. Black fumes billowing from the heart of the city were the byproduct of modernized engineering. Because of this, the great city lay perpetually shrouded in twilight shadows, regardless of the season.
"What majesty... Charles, back then it was merely a human settlement that could barely handle iron tools."
Abel murmured in a daze. Black smoke shot straight into the sky like a dragon's breath, spreading wide up high to form clouds. Occasionally, streaks of blue electricity crackled through them.
From afar, it looked just like thunderclouds. But those were effluents from factories handling magic circuits, and below them, uncontrolled primal mana would be scattering wildly.
"While other settlements could barely manage bronze tools, if they learned to work iron, it means unlike other nations handling iron now, they've come to master 'technology.'"
"Impressive."
Abel smiled warmly. The capital's state—polluting the air and reshaping nature to its whims—was no different from such acts elsewhere, yet she seemed unconcerned.
When Fernandez asked about it, Abel shook her head and replied.
"Why must great nature maintain harmony? The term 'nature' itself is laughable. Hasn't the material world always competed for survival? Just as tigers hone their claws and snakes wield their fangs, humans compete with technology—that's all."
The perspective of an ancient dragon was markedly different from others'. Yet it wasn't a view shared by all immortals—that much was certain.
The closer they got to the capital, the more hacking coughs erupted from the back seat.
"I'm dying!! What the hell is that smoke!"
"Byproducts from burning mana stones."
"The goddess is dying! The goddess hurts!"
Freya shrieked and flailed. Even at a glance, she looked unwell. Though the mana wasn't potent enough to harm divinity, Paltennoia's air was far from welcoming.
"I can't take it!!"
Freya yelled and swung her hand. A flower bud burst from her fingertips, piling up fresh green leaves. She buried her face in them and gasped for breath.
"Wake me when we arrive!"
It was like motion sickness, in a way. Fernandez shrugged and tugged the reins. They crested the hills and entered the proper highway.
From the gentle slopes below stretched vast plains, crisscrossed by spiderweb-like roads. Each thin thread visible was wide enough for a legion to march, and at the center stood Paltennoia, almost like a still life in the landscape.
Since its founding, this sacred ancient city had never once become a battlefield. That meant even the smallest brick in its walls carried a thousand years of history as an ancient relic.
Thus, Paltennoia held magical power in its very being. Sufficiently ancient history becomes myth, and a millennium marked the span from the dawn of civilized society after the Celestial War.
An era when myth and history still coexisted. When deserts, jungles, plains, and forests were humanity's foes. From those days when everything beyond settlements was hostile, to now—Paltennoia symbolized human civilization and will.
Toward that throbbing colossal city advanced a single carriage, slowly along the highway. A beautiful carriage adorned with floral thickets.
* * *
"Halt! State your identity!"
"I've come to see Archduke Karbellier. Where is he?"
A cheap carriage decked in flowers was too conspicuous a combination. As Fernandez passed the capital's gate, guards stopped them outright and approached.
"Guests of the Commander-in-Chief?"
"There's urgent news from near Libye and Voulang. I must report directly to the Archduke, so please guide us."
"Can you prove it?"
"Many in the Archduke's retinue know my face."
"Very well. You there! Rimbar, escort them to 37 Rimbar Street!"
"Yes, sir!"
The guards' inspection was remarkably reasonable. Especially considering that in this era, no gate guards in other domains or petty kingdoms went without taking bribes.
-Suspicious.
Feizashi grumbled. It was true. If anything, that made it more suspicious.
In this situation where the imperial court's corruption was blatant, the system was far too orderly. Moreover, the outer gate guards showed no signs of pallor or gaze typical of vampire victims.
Had they concealed their presence better than expected? Or was there another reason? Fernandez pondered as he followed the guard's lead on horseback.
* * *
Seeing Fernandez's stunned face, Erbe sipped his tea with an awkward expression. Fernandez soon frowned and set down his cup.
"You still haven't had an audience with the Emperor?"
"Permission to enter the palace just won't come through. If I were the Emperor, I'd see now— with no troops entering the capital—as the perfect chance."
"...Indeed."
Fernandez leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin. Strange. Had he missed something? He'd sought Archduke Karbellier immediately upon arriving, to gauge the Emperor's schemes.
If the Emperor had any wits, he'd have exerted some influence over Karbellier, who now held the areas around the capital—politically or through magic.
Yet he'd been denying Erbe's audiences this whole time? It had been over two months and a fortnight since Erbe took charge of Paltennoia's defenses. In that span, civil war brewed across the empire, and imperial authority plummeted.
The soundest political move was to sway, corrupt, or eliminate Erbe and absorb his nearby forces. Yet the Emperor holed up in the palace.
"So, what's your plan now? If you're thinking of storming the palace outright, I'd personally advise against it."
"Naturally, I won't."
Beyond the palace defenses, breaching the imperial palace without leave would lose the long-term legitimacy battle badly. Fernandez needed not just victory, but 'perfect' victory.
He had to sever the empire's limbs, regrow new ones, and hand the throne to Rene Phillipa without discord.
Nobles were political creatures, elector counts foremost among them. Striking the Emperor first risked the stigma of a 'ducal house that ravaged the imperial family for the throne,' even in victory.
Power came from the sword's edge, but with civil war looming, any bold move required flawless political justification to avoid backlash.
"I'll visit the Church."
"Good. I'll make my own moves separately."
The conversation ended there. Fernandez rose without further ceremony and left the room.
* * *
By the time he unpacked at Erbe's mansion, evening had fallen. Fernandez checked his gear and gazed out the window.
Beyond the overcast sky, a navy night descended. The city was always dim from black smoke, but its nights verged on pitch black.
One by one, mana lamps flickered on, casting an eerie pallor. Fernandez slung his greatsword over his shoulder and stepped out.
"Alone, sir?"
"Rest. The journey was long."
"My lord."
"It's fine. Just gathering info at the church. Besides, you can't afford to be seen outside."
Kirhas, who had started to follow, pouted and fell back. Her face was too well-known publicly; discovery in the capital now would spell trouble.
Information was a weapon that grew stronger in secrecy. Outsiders believed Kirhas had returned to the wasteland core or was managing beastfolk near Voulang.
Her absence revealed could spawn unpredictable variables. She was a trump card. Her skills and position might prove vital later, but not for mere intel gathering now.
Fernandez smiled softly and stroked her hair once. Kirhas purred briefly, then lightly gripped his collar.
"Lately, my lord's expressions have softened. Have you noticed?"
"My expressions?"
"Yes, markedly so."
As Fernandez tilted his head, Kirhas grinned and released her hand.
"Honestly, at first I thought you were some clockwork machine. Not anymore. You laugh, jest, worry."
"Means I'm less reliable, I suppose."
Fernandez replied almost reflexively. Being like a machine meant consistent outputs for inputs—a grand compliment for a magitech scholar.
But Kirhas slowly shook her head.
"No. You're more trustworthy now."
Kirhas fastened Fernandez's cloak and brushed dust from his shoulder. She hesitated, glanced around—no one nearby.
Suddenly, her arms wrapped around his neck. She buried her face deep in his broad chest, rubbing against it lingeringly before pulling away.
Looking up at the somewhat stiff Fernandez, Kirhas whispered anxiously.
"Did I upset you?"
"No."
"Then smile for me."
"Kirhas."
Fernandez stroked her hair once more. His mind was a tangle. Pleasure and happiness were easily seized. Accepting her affection would make them his.
But was that right? No. Favor without responsibility was no better than enmity. Not yet, at least. He wasn't in a position to claim her or her heart. He couldn't settle yet.
He closed his eyes briefly, turned, and walked away.
"Thanks for the comfort."
"...Yes, my lord."
Kirhas watched his receding back and let out a short sigh. Still so distant. Always drifting further, like a shadow that seemed graspable yet dissolved.
* * *
Standing by the window, gazing at the door, Abel bowed her head.
"Lindbloom. Chin up. What more could you want from that stone-hearted man?"
"Well... Hard to say. Frustrating."
Abel smiled sadly and reclined on the sofa. Freya plopped beside her and chattered.
"He crashes into your heart rudely when it opens, then turns heartlessly cold when you try to hold it."
"Do you know why he's like that?"
"Of course. Another claims his heart."
"...What?! Who? Who, who is it?!"
"I don't know. Maybe not even born yet, or perhaps already living somewhere."
Freya's face twisted oddly at her words.
"A prophet? That man. Figures—he did seem prophetic. Still, falling for a future woman he foresees? Romantic, but kinda creepy?"
"Complicated circumstances, he said. Marries a woman from the distant future, even has kids."
"So what'll you do?"
No sooner had she spoken than Abel's gaze flicked to the door. A familiar presence lingered outside. Surely Kirhas, pausing before opening it.
Abel raised her voice deliberately for her to hear.
"He said, 'No fate is set in stone.' So you can give up, right?"
Let's strive together. Abel smiled gently as she said it. From beyond the door came the patter of retreating footsteps.
* * *