Saclasi hears the day words, and Saclasi hears the night words too
Saclasi hears the day words, and Saclasi hears the night words too
The Emperor thought to herself.
'Being called Grandma is quite a shock.'
She felt like she understood why Katerina allowed Saklasi to call her by her name.
"Saklasi."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Emperor couldn't bring herself to say, 'Could you call me by my name, "Kalina," when you address me, just like you do with Katerina?'
That was because her dignity was, to some extent, a facade.
Originally, all elves were equal. But everything changed when the World Tree burned. The last elf to wake from an egg a little earlier than the others was the current Emperor, Kalina.
Until then, elves only possessed water abilities, but she was born as the only one to manifest fire abilities, making her a Transcendent from the very beginning.
'Destroy the Dragonia Empire.'
As soon as she woke from her egg, that was the first thing she executed. She single-handedly erased the Dragonia Empire, which had burned the World Tree and slaughtered the elves. And she ascended directly to the vacant throne of the empire.
People began to call her a High Elf and a Transcendent, the one who single-handedly destroyed the Dragon-kin Empire that had reigned for thousands of years.
So, if not for the insane actions of the Dragonia Emperor, she would have been an ordinary elf, but she had created the laws and established the system of the empire herself.
'It would be against the law to let even me call her by her name.'
The Emperor said, leaving her regret behind.
"This settles it for now. Saklasi. Rest comfortably in the Imperial Palace for the day."
"Yes, thank you. Your Majesty."
"We shall decide on Count Bruno's punishment tomorrow."
"Hmm.... Understood."
At Katerina's words, Saklasi still couldn't answer readily. He had already held the future of one kingdom hostage for a while. Adolf was also sentenced to life imprisonment. Unlike the Soi tribe, for Adolf, who had undergone Mythic Awakening, it would be an incredibly long punishment.
'Since beastkin live for 1,000 years after Mythic Awakening....'
As a 'person' from his original world, Saklasi still had resistance to killing people.
"You look deeply troubled."
Nina, who had noticed Saklasi's concern, said.
"I like that side of you, Saklasi-ssi. However,"
Nina continued, maintaining a cute and gentle smile.
"You need dignity."
"Dignity?"
Given Saklasi's personality, that was a rather distant story.
The Emperor also looked at Nina.
'I haven't told him to call me by my name yet! I thought she meant I needed dignity!'
She knew it was Saklasi, but she felt guilty for no reason.
Fortunately, having reigned for over 2,000 years, she was skilled at managing her expressions, so she wasn't found out.
"The reality of the Soi tribe cannot be overcome just by being royalty. In a world full of belligerent beastkin races, you will be challenged endlessly."
Katerina continued Nina's words.
"Some small animals will fearlessly attack no matter the size difference. If there is someone who looks down on Saklasi, I can just deal with them, but I hate that such things happen in the first place."
Nina continued again,
"That's right! I heard there was actually a badger that attacked an elephant and died instantly from a single kick of its hind legs. There will be belligerent beastkin who will attack you even knowing they will die, just like that."
"Beasts will try to bite your throat without thinking of the consequences just because you turned your back, Saklasi."
"Saklasi. You're going to be a Transcendent, royalty, and now an Archduke, right? What will you do if someone calls out, 'Hey, you defective one!'?"
"Nina."
Katerina stopped Nina from speaking.
"Eonni, I was just giving an example."
"Even so, such words are uncomfortable to hear."
"I understand. I'm sorry if it was uncomfortable to hear. Saklasi."
"No, it's fine."
"Once you became my grandson, you are royalty. Furthermore, an Archduke is a position of higher status than any king in the United Kingdom. I worry when I see you letting those who tried to assassinate you live, saying it was nothing."
"Ah, that... was I too much of a pushover?"
"That's right~ Do you know what Katerina Eonni says when someone crosses the line? She says, 'I must teach you your place,' and—"
"Nina?"
Katerina cut off Nina's words in the middle.
Why was it? Just by Katerina calling Nina's name, even though he wasn't the one involved, Saklasi became terrified.
'Did I speak informally to someone like this?'
Katerina looked at Saklasi with her characteristic expressionless face and said.
"For Saklasi, no action is overstepping with me. Even if you speak informally."
Thump!
Was this how Shed felt earlier? His heart sank.
'Do High Elves have telepathy or something!?' Saklasi vowed to be more careful and moved slightly away from Katerina, who was sitting next to him.
Seeing that, Katerina said quietly to Nina.
"Nina, could you see me for a moment later?"
"It's not my fault! Eonni!"
The Emperor, who had been watching the sisters bickering with a smile, slowly stood up from her seat.
"Think a bit more about Bruno's punishment. Let's end the conversation here for today. Thanks to you, it was fun for the first time in a while. You may withdraw and rest."
As the Emperor exited, Victoria bowed silently until the end and exited. Nina tried to sneak out behind her, pretending not to know anything, but,
"Nina, come with me."
Katerina stopped her.
"Eonni...."
Saklasi thought that Katerina had been incredibly generous to him.
Instead of his proud military uniform with 7 [Drevo Medals] and 9 [Leaf Medals], Shed was facing the deepening night wearing the rags his servant had bought.
He was in the middle of performing a 'Stay,' as if waiting for his master in front of the Imperial Palace.
Before Saklasi entered the Imperial Palace, thinking, 'I wonder how Viscount Shed will react?', it was just a word he threw out as the first order given to a loyal knight.
Shed didn't know what to do in this absurd situation.
"An 80-year veteran of the battlefield, the bulwark of the empire...."
However, since he had ended up making a knight's oath in front of Princess Katerina, it was not something he could take back now.
"How could he give me such an insult...."
"Viscount Shed, what on earth are you doing here?"
The one who approached then was the monkey beastkin, Mokai. After the [Monkey] Kingdom of the monkey beastkin was destroyed by the Emperor 80 years ago, only a small number remained, and they were barely keeping their lineage alive.
Because of what the [Monkey] King did 80 years ago, all monkey beastkin had to be careful about their conduct ever since.
Mokai, who was thinking, 'I am not able to show my true potential compared to my ability,' couldn't just stand by when Shed, whom he thought was below him, was about to receive a Count title.
'What do you mean, conduct? What kind of conduct is it to live without paying attention to the world?'
An opportunity came to such a Mokai. He decided to use the fact that dog beastkin particularly dislike the Soi tribe.
Monkey beastkin also hated being compared to the Soi tribe because of their similar appearance, but they were not fools enough to attack someone who had received the Princess's attention directly.
'We are on a different level from a stupid race that only follows its instincts.'
He had managed to plant one of Shed's servants as his own pawn. He just needed to exclude information about that Soi tribe as much as possible and make that Soi tribe and Shed meet just once. As long as he was a dog beastkin, it would never end well.
Did the heavens help him? How did that famous Soi tribe appear in Shed's usual walking space so perfectly?
Mokai hurriedly sent a text to the servant to guide him in the direction of that Soi tribe. The servant, who was standing in front of that Soi tribe, was afraid that the sparks would fly to him because the opponent was a Seongwi ability user, so he tried to tell Shed the truth. But Shed, who had already seen the Soi tribe, was already out of his mind.
'As expected!'
Shed didn't even recognize that black-haired Soi tribe, the hot topic of the <Imdang Gallery>. Even when that Soi tribe said he was a Duke or whatever, he just dismissed it as a lie.
'Done! The eyesore is digging his own grave!'
Mokai, who was watching from nearby while even disguised, cheered inwardly.
'Is heaven really helping me?'
Even Princess Katerina appeared. The situation where Shed was looking down on that Soi tribe was reversed in an instant.
'How can things work out so well?'
Things worked out better than he expected.
Afterward, Mokai sat in a nearby cafe and was watching Shed's 'Stay' until late at night. He couldn't have been happier just watching Shed wearing the rags he told him to buy, just 'staying.'
"A guy who is only uselessly honest."
Every time he checked the report text sent by the servant, laughter burst out. Shed was sighing without even knowing it, saying things like, 'I sighed,' 'Is the Count title gone?', 'What should I do from now on?'
Perhaps to punish Shed for being rude, that Soi tribe didn't return until late at night.
Since he had watched enough, Mokai thought he would tease him subtly before leaving. Mokai sent a text to the servant and walked over to Shed.
"Viscount Shed, what on earth are you doing here?"
"Viscount Mokai? What are you doing all the way here!?"
Shed was restless because he had to meet Viscount Mokai, who was uncomfortable, of all times.
'I must never let him find out about this humiliating situation!'
"I was rude to a Soi tribe member, so it ended up like this. Viscount Mokai."
At the servant's words next to him, Shed's eyes widened.
'What on earth is this guy doing?'
It was absolutely impossible for a servant to carelessly blurt out the business of the noble he served. Let alone in front of the person involved.
"Haha, you must not have known that black-haired Soi tribe who is famous in the world. Tsk tsk, I told you that being so honest wouldn't be good."
Things were going strangely.
'Why is he talking as if he knows all the circumstances before and after?'
"Hey, servant. You should have told Shed in advance."
"Viscount Shed did not listen to me at all."
"You must have had a hard time, you seem smart, but how hard must it have been to serve such an honest person? Come to me. I will use you specially well."
He was playing both sides. Shed wasn't a fool either. He had realized the whole story. That servant was Mokai's person from the beginning.
"I was too indifferent to my surroundings. I thought that as long as I did well, it would be fine...."
"Isn't this all because of your single-minded personality?"
Mokai's wrinkled face was twisted. Because he was angry? No, he was desperately holding back laughter with the unique facial muscles of a monkey beastkin.
"How on earth did a Soi tribe member rise to the rank of Seongwi! I couldn't believe it even while reading the newspaper! Hmm? Why that expression? Are you unhappy that you became a loyal knight to a Soi tribe member?"
Shed's expression was becoming fierce.
"It seems you, who are so smart, didn't know that he would become a Duke."
Shed thought, 'If anyone is going to curse, it's going to be me.'
"My former servant, who made a mistake with his title in front of me, who made a knight's oath even after hearing that, will have to pay the price."
"I, I made a mistake! Viscount Shed!"
The servant knelt down immediately.
"I won't allow that? He is my person now."
"A man shows it through actions, not words."
Shed took a handkerchief out of his pocket and threw it.
"Anyway, having become his knight, I will live as a knight from now on. If he is a person you hired, you take responsibility."
It was a very shocking thing, but Shed still didn't even know Saklasi's name, so he was calling him 'he.'
"You stupid guy! In this situation where you are really 'staying' like a dog, do you think that Soi will appreciate it if you act like this!?"
"Even after I told you he is a Duke, you still call him 'that Soi tribe' until the end, do you think that is right?"
"You know nothing! Don't you even know the <Imdang Gallery>?! They even talk behind the Princesses' backs there!"
"I have never done backbiting, nor have I ever used the <Imdang Gallery> itself. And this is not that place. It is different from blabbering directly with your mouth."
"Blabbering? You've become a loyal dog, are you going to snitch on me with that personality of yours?"
Mokai snorted and wore the unique, wrinkled smile of a monkey beastkin.
"Good! I knew you would end up like this with me one day! You should just catch [Azure Slugs] as a half-blood water ability user. You're going to attack me, an enhanced ability user?"
One could become an ability user without obtaining abilities like water, fire, or electricity. Those called non-attribute ability users or enhanced ability users had excellent physical abilities.
As Shed, who hadn't responded even when he scratched his nerves, reacted, Mokai felt like he was going crazy with excitement.
And there was someone who was watching all of this situation, and that was Saklasi.
Thinking, 'I forgot about Viscount Shed!', he had space-moved with 'Mist Transformation', and Saklasi, who witnessed the situation, released the 'Mist Transformation' and landed on the ground.
"I heard everything, didn't I?"