Chapter 170
Chapter 170
The Iron Emperor — Chapter 170
"Reganza?"
"That is correct."
Emperor Amelie de Can Vish of the Federal Empire stared at the man before him with a look of utter disbelief.
"What on earth is there worth gathering for?"
"I cannot say for certain, but at present the Empire has run completely dry of Northern Mercenaries. It seems they gradually slipped away during the process of assembling two hundred thousand troops. Even those hired to escort merchant convoys left and never returned."
The disappearance of the Northern Mercenaries had dealt a severe blow to the Federal Empire's prestige as well. As the investigation continued, Emperor Bishu tilted his head from side to side, sinking deep into thought.
"Also, this is unconfirmed intelligence, but there is a report that the surviving members of South Roselin's royal family did not die — they appear to have vanished into the Reganza Mountains. According to an agent who infiltrated a merchant company we dispatched to assist with local war reconstruction, rumors persist that a unit composed of Northerners secretly aided South Roselin."
"Hmm."
Emperor Bishu stroked his chin, still cocking his head.
The Federal Empire was not a place that treated Northerners poorly. The race had proved useful in many ways, and while they were not given preferential treatment, no particularly oppressive policies had been enforced against them either.
"Are you saying those Northern bastards have gone and founded a nation or something in the Reganza Mountains?"
"I cannot confirm that much, but the earlier mass migration of the Dwarves was also to the Reganza Mountains... I believe it warrants investigation."
When the intelligence chief urged him in a forceful tone, Emperor Bishu narrowed his eyes and spoke.
"The dragon business makes it unsavory, but if we leave it alone the Federal Empire ends up looking like a fool... We have no choice but to push the Haian Kingdom into it. First, I must convene the Federal Council."
Emperor Bishu could not put his finger on it, but he sensed the scent of money drifting to his nose.
* * *
Shouts rang through the royal palace of Haian. Raised voices at a formal assembly attended by the King himself should have been an incomprehensible breach of decorum, yet it only went to show how weak the crown's authority was in this nation.
"This matter absolutely cannot be overlooked!"
The resolute voice of Perisman, the senior head of the Central Noble Council, was hurled at the King. At that, Deputy Head Iwaen of the Noble Council rose from his seat on the other side and added his remarks.
"This is a request from the Holy Empire, and I believe our Kingdom must respond proactively."
"Precisely. Even setting aside the Holy Empire's petition, our ally the Federal Empire is insisting upon this just as forcefully — we must not turn a blind eye."
The Noble Council, which normally split into two factions and did nothing but fight, was for some reason speaking with one voice today.
As King Bera Han of the Haian Kingdom watched the two sides each make their case, he listened to both arguments and cautiously offered his own opinion.
"But as you lords well know, a dragon is said to have appeared. This is a fact even the Imperial Academy of Magic has acknowledged. If, by the slightest chance, a dragon's wrath should fall upon our Haian Kingdom — who will take responsibility for that?"
At King Bera Han's prudent words, both sides appeared to pause and take a moment to reflect. In that silence, it was Council Head Perisman who spoke first.
"Should the worst occur and calamity befall our nation, the Federal Empire has pledged to provide relief on that account."
"My lord, just what..."
The words Which kingdom's noble are you, exactly? rose all the way to his throat, but he did not continue.
To King Bera Han, who was stifling a sigh, Deputy Head Iwaen now rose and began to speak.
"With even the Federal Empire offering support, we have no grounds to refuse. As for the various supplies required, the Holy Empire has promised to provide them."
"If we were to fall out of favor over this matter, our export routes would be cut off and the people's lives would grow hard. You have already experienced this before, have you not?"
"Following the Empire's will is the wisest course."
"It is so."
King Bera Han could offer no further rebuttal and nodded.
"Very well. Then you lords shall select suitable men and make the preparations as you see fit. With that, I adjourn today's morning audience."
Perhaps eager to flee the clamorous chamber as quickly as possible, King Bera Han strode out at a brisk pace.
"Hmm. Then I shall take charge of selecting the personnel for this affair."
When Council Head Perisman spoke with calm composure, Deputy Head Iwaen, seated across from him, rose in objection.
"The Council Head should focus his attention on concluding the matter. Seeing as the Holy Empire is to provide the support necessary for the expedition, should it not fall to me, who have ties with them?"
No sooner had Iwaen finished than Perisman glared and fleshed out his own argument to persuade them.
The struggle between the two factions grew fiercer still. Amid the escalating clash, Raselion, the Noble Council's Director of Legislation, rose and mediated.
"In that case, I will take on the task myself. At this rate, we will never reach a conclusion."
Raselion was a man with connections to the Maritime Empire.
* * *
Watching the sun's rays climb between the soaring mountain peaks, King Pamilion Alsein Roselin slightly narrowed his eyes against the fierce light.
"The sun in the sky is the same, wherever you go."
A week had already passed since King Alsein came to Gauri.
Until he arrived and saw it with his own eyes, he could not bring himself to believe that a whole nation existed within the Reganza Mountains.
To King Alsein and the people who had followed him here, everything they witnessed after their arrival felt like another world entirely.
Monsters worked as livestock. Dwarves and men shared their ale. And whether noble or commoner, everyone possessed a surname — though the forms differed.
Most of all, it was the people's smiles. King Alsein searched his memory, wondering if he had ever seen such smiles before the war. His conclusion was that he had never even paid attention to the common people in the first place.
I was unworthy...
King Alsein felt his confidence steadily draining away.
When he had set out for this place, he had sworn he would gather strength without delay and rebuild the Kingdom of Roselin.
But after arriving here — after seeing, hearing, and feeling what he did — that resolve had melted away like snow.
That doesn't mean I've given up!
King Alsein was no longer the weak man he had once been. He acknowledged what he must acknowledge. In exchange, he resolved that he would learn whatever he lacked, without fail. Only once he had made himself worthy as a king — only then, he thought, could he truly reclaim the Kingdom of Roselin.
As the first act of his learning, he decided to follow the man he wished to emulate more than any other, and to learn from him.
Go Jin-cheon.
The Yeolje of Gauri. Alsein vowed to watch him, learn from him, and remake himself.
A little later, the handmaidens entered and dressed him. Though it was a style of clothing he had never worn in his life, the mere act of donning the same kind of attire made him feel, strangely, as though he had already caught up to Go Jin-cheon by half — and he let out a small chuckle.
"Your Highness Alsein."
"Sister!"
As he emerged from his chambers and made his way toward the great hall, Princess Yunias approached King Alsein with a smile.
Ever since their arrival, she had collapsed and been unable to rise from her bed — yet now, for the first time, she had come outside, and was smiling.
"Is your body well now?"
"I am well, Your Highness."
"Shall we go, then?"
King Alsein extended one hand, and Princess Yunias took it. It was a gesture that did not quite suit Gauri attire, but to the two of them, who had only just regained peace after so long, it did not matter in the slightest.
"His Highness Pamilion Alsein Roselin and Her Highness Princess Yunias are entering!"
As the chamberlain's voice resounded through the great hall, the ministers arrayed within rose from their chairs and paid their respects to the sovereign of a nation.
The sight suddenly reminded Alsein of his own circumstances, and he smiled bitterly.
South Roselin had done nothing but receive aid from Gauri. And yet, even now — in this very moment of exile — the people of Gauri continued to treat him with all the ceremony due a king.
Seated at the place of honor prepared below the Throne of Yeolje, King Alsein and Princess Yunias exchanged greetings with familiar faces.
"It seems His Majesty the Yeolje has not yet appeared."
King Alsein remarked in passing to Gye Ung-sam, the man who had rescued him and brought him here. Ung-sam's face grew awkward.
"Well... he did come out earlier, actually, but, well..."
"Heh heh heh."
"Kekeke."
As Ung-sam trailed off, unable to finish his sentence, Samdopyo, Buyeo Gi-yul, and Mong Ryu-hwa — seated beside him — put their heads together and burst out laughing.
Damn it, how am I supposed to say he went back inside to bathe because of Princess Yunias?!
While Ung-sam swallowed the words he could not bring himself to utter and fidgeted in place, Go Jin-cheon strode into the great hall.
"Your Majesty, Supreme One of All Heavens, we offer our morning greeting!"
"Mm."
As the assembled high and low officials rose as one and bowed from the waist to render their salute, Jin-cheon nodded and seated himself upon the Throne of Yeolje.
"Pamilion Alsein Roselin offers his greeting to Your Majesty."
After receiving King Alsein's greeting and then Princess Yunias's, Jin-cheon looked out over the great hall with a deliberately dignified expression.
"Good heavens, something's happened today."
"Search me. His Majesty the Yeolje comes in every morning with a magpie's nest on his head — what wind blew in to have him show up looking that spotless?"
"Careful, now. His moods boil over faster than porridge."
Eulji Uru and Buru, startled by Jin-cheon's unusual appearance, muttered amongst themselves. Though they were muttering, they were hardly speaking softly enough that Jin-cheon could not hear.
"The two Taedaesaja will see me after the morning audience."
"Hurk!"
The Eulji Brothers turned pale in an instant.
The morning audience ended more simply than expected. Afterward, Jin-cheon moved personally to inspect the general state of governance, and King Alsein accompanied him, beginning his study of Gauri's administration firsthand.
The only exception was Princess Yunias, who returned to her chambers on account of her still-frail health. And, of course, the moment Princess Yunias withdrew, Jin-cheon's solemn expression reverted to his usual curt demeanor.
As if intoxicated by the long-awaited peace, Princess Yunias stood in her room, receiving the breeze through the open window with a faint smile upon her lips.
Cheep cheep cheep cheep.
Drawn by her smile, perhaps?
A single bird came flying to the window frame, singing in a lovely voice.
"Ah, how pretty."
Shhk! Thunk!
"..."
But her happiness and her smile vanished the moment an arrow flew in from outside the window and pierced the beautiful bird clean through.
Her peace was shattered. Just then, the door to Princess Yunias's bedchamber — where she stood frozen, at a loss before the sudden turn of events — eased open without a sound.
Creeeak.
"Who's there?"
It was a small sound, but startled as she was, she could not help but tense. A small head poked through the opened door. A voice brimming with delight rang out.
"Got it!"
The owner of that youthful voice.
It was Eulji, who had turned eight this year.
The moment Yunias saw the bow in Eulji's hand, she instantly realized who was responsible for the atrocity of downing that lovely bird in a single shot.
"Your Highness!"
"Your Highness, where have you gone!"
The handmaidens were now scurrying about outside the door, searching for Eulji. Eulji pressed a finger to her lips, signaling Yunias to stay quiet.
"Shh!"
Yunias could not help but smile at the sheer adorableness of it and hid Eulji away.
"...They're gone!"
Eulji's face brightened as she listened quietly with her ear pressed to the door. At the sight, Yunias unconsciously smiled as well.
Eulji prattled on without pause, a child so overflowing with charm that even Yunias could see it plainly.
Her large eyes and lightly sun-browned skin gave off a vibrant, healthy beauty, and her plump lips and thick, lustrous hair were more than enough to mark her as deeply beloved.
But even as she smiled at Eulji, Princess Yunias felt a faint ache in a corner of her chest.
This child's mother must be a beauty too.
A child for whom the handmaidens searched so frantically throughout the Yeolje Palace, who came and went as though she owned the place — Yunias could easily guess Eulji's station.
His daughter...
In a single brief encounter, Go Jin-cheon had seized hold of Yunias's heart. She had heard that he had a wife, so she had braced herself — but now that she saw Jin-cheon's daughter(?) with her own eyes, she could not help the ache in her heart.
"So, Sister, you're living here now?"
"Yes, for the time being."
"I can come by often, right?"
For Eulji, too, it was a delight to find someone with whom she could talk comfortably.
The children her own age could not speak casually to Eulji, and the nursemaids and handmaidens were always walking on eggshells around her as well.
In contrast, Princess Yunias had been warm and gentle, and Eulji felt at ease around her.
"Sister, let's go hunting with His Majesty the Yeolje later."
"All right."
So began Princess Yunias's first meeting with Eulji.