Chapter 116
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Scene 116 Blanche
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By the time we arrived in front of the imperial palace, the sun had already set.
Naturally, the gates were firmly shut.
Not only that, but the imperial guards who normally stood watch in front of the gates were nowhere to be seen.
Soldiers inside the castle, hear me!
Wylie, mounted on his horse, bellowed in a thunderous voice.
Aslans captain, Wylie, hereby declares! Open the gates at once!
At that, a man who appeared to be an officer poked his head out from atop the gates.
I am the Imperial Palace Guard Captain, Vega! What business do the Ruelverta family soldiers have at the imperial palace?
Count Ruelverta has come to pay audience with His Majesty the Emperor.
Audience?
Vegas eyes flashed with suspicion at Wylies words.
Dont lie so blatantly! Who would come for an audience with His Majesty at this hour!
From the guards perspective, it was a situation that demanded caution.
At sundown, a group of soldiersnot too numerous, but stillhad shown up out of nowhere.
From the Ruelverta family, no less, whose relations with the imperial family were at their absolute worst.
By now, the soldiers inside were probably in an uproar, thinking a rebellion had broken out.
But that was exactly the situation I had aimed for.
If it was a visit we werent welcome for anyway, we couldnt let them dismiss us lightly.
I intended to make them understand.
The power of the Ruelverta family. And the fear it inspired.
If you dared to invite me, you should have been prepared for this much.
The reason wed come at this hour was precisely to meet the emperor of this hour.
We would have struck out empty-handed if wed come during the day anyway.
Here, take a look at this!
Wylie held up a letter toward the castle and shouted.
The emperors seal, infused with mana, faintly glowed in the darkness.
The Count has come all this way upon receiving His Majestys telegram. If you do not open the gates now, you defy His Majestys will.
Murmurs rippled across the ramparts at his words. But Guard Captain Vega shouted back firmly.
Im sorry, but Ive heard nothing of the sort!
Can you not see His Majestys seal?
Even if it is His Majestys seal, it changes nothing! I cannot allow armed individuals into the imperial palace!
Armed?
Wylies face twisted in confusion.
He glanced at his men and his own attire, finally noticing the single sword at his side, then let out a hearty laugh.
Hahaha! This is just for self-defense. It seems you truly didnt notice we were armed!
Armed or not, it makes no difference! We will not open the gates for youturn back!
Do we look like the type whod be stuck here over a single gate?
What?
Hyup.
Dismounting, Wylie approached the gates.
The castle gates, the entrance to the imperial palace, stood firmly shut. Even to the massive Wylie, they were imposing.
Yet he casually placed his palm on the gates and spoke.
I know its nosy of me, but let me say this: this gate is far from secure.
Not secure?
The guard captain scoffed.
What nonsense youre spouting. Listen wellthis gate was forged by renowned artisans and imbued with spells. The more impact it takes, the tougher it gets! No siege weapon in the world could breach it!
I know. Gates like this cant be broken.
Wylie toyed with the gate as he spoke.
So just open it without breaking it.
Creeeak!
In that instant, an inexplicable sound rang out.
The scraping of metal against metal made the guard captain and his soldiers stir uneasily.
Plop.
Something fell from Wylies hand.
Realizing it was a chunk of the gate that had been torn away, horror spread across the guard captains face.
What in the world?!
Oops. Youd better reinforce your gates. Hahaha!
Wylie roared with laughter.
But the guard captain was visibly shaken.
The gate hed thought impregnable had been ripped apart effortlesslyany composure he had vanished.
A-archers, nock your arrows!
At Vegas signal, the guards aimed flaming arrows.
Attacking the gates?! So youre plotting a rebellion after all!
A rebellion with this handful of men? Youre delusional.
What did you say, you insolent cur?!
Helga muttered as she watched the guard captain draw his sword in a rage.
We expected as much, but theyre not listening at all. Should we just take them down?
No. That wont be necessary.
Showing them our power was enough.
The gates would open eventually if we waited.
The emperor I knew wasnt one to shy away from a challenge.
Especially not one from Tristan, whom she was so wary ofshed welcome it.
Stand down.
At that moment, a calm voice came from somewhere.
A young man in red armor appeared atop the ramparts.
It had been a long time since Id last seen the Imperial Guard Captain, Marco Fairigris.
Captain Marco! These irreverent fools were attacking the
Open the gates immediately, Vega.
Y-Yes?
Marco, having said that, looked down at us below.
In a businesslike tone, he announced,
His Majesty has granted Count Ruelvertayour audience.
Rumble rumble rumble.
No sooner had he spoken than the gates began to open.
Through the widening gap, the imperial palace came into view.
The heart of the Meikahel Empire resembled a castle straight out of a fairy tale.
But this was no beautiful fairy tale.
It was a cursed game world doomed to ruin.
Now, I had to convince this nations emperor.
Wylie.
Yes, my lord Count.
At my call, Wylie approached and knelt.
Wait here.
As you command. If need be, well storm in.
That wont be necessary.
Hahaha Your confidence is a sight to behold.
Wylie spoke to me in earnest.
Please take care. You are our liege, my lord Count. Forgive us for not accompanying you to the end.
Dont worry.
Wylie rose and spoke to Helga beside me.
Helga. Take good care of the Count.
Hehe Dont worry, Captain.
With Wylie seeing us off, Helga and I approached the gates. Armed Imperial Guard knights awaited us there.
Their demeanor was far from welcoming.
They glared at us, ready to draw swords at any moment.
Welcome to the imperial palace, Count.
Marco, who had descended from the ramparts, said.
From here on, all soldiers except escorts must wait.
So be it.
Just the two of you, then?
Yes.
Helga answered in my stead.
One of me is enough to protect the Count.
No.
But I quietly denied her words.
Helga looked at me with a knowing expression.
My lord Count?
Helga. Sorry, but theres one more in our party besides you.
One more?
Yes. You can come out now.
Yes.
?!
No sooner had I given the order than my shadow quietly rose.
It was a woman wearing a black dog mask forged of steel.
I introduced her to Helga.
Let me introduce her. Blanche, of the Black Dogs, temporarily traveling with us.
Pleased to meet you.
She was a head taller than Helga.
Not even her thick coat could hide her sturdy build.
She was one of the top fighters, right up there with Helga.
Helga shot Blanche an incredulous look and said,
And you call that a disguise?
What do you mean?
What do I mean? Are you seriously asking? Blanche.
Whos that?
Theres this bitch whos been wagging her tail at our Count.
Incorrect.
Oh? Whats incorrect?
Simply put, its wrong. If you keep using such insulting language, that lady wont forgive you.
Oh my? Is that so?
Quiet down and follow.
Ignoring their bickering, I passed through the gates.
Then Helga shouted.
Wait! My lord Count! Im coming too!
But Marco suddenly blocked her path.
Hand it over.
What?
No weapons allowed inside.
I dont know what youre talking about.
Seventeen daggers. Hand them over. Or you dont enter the palace.
Tch.
Confronted with the exact number, Helga clicked her tongue and had no choice but to pull out every weapon hidden in her coat.
Just as Marco said, seventeen daggers clattered to the ground.
Caught smuggling weapons, Helga stuck out her tongue and snapped,
You what are you, some kind of bloodhound?
Only an idiot wouldnt notice you carrying seventeen blades. You must have a bad head on your shoulders.
What did you say? Idiot?!
With that, Marco turned away like a machine. To him, it was probably just a casual remark.
But Helga, meeting him for the first time today, had no way of knowing.
What kind of lunatic Unbelievable
Helga fumed as she caught up to my side.
Still upset, she grumbled to Blanche.
Blanche. I fucking hate that guy.
And Blanche, fully immersed in her alt character, could only reply to Helga:
That lady agrees with you completely.