Chapter 117
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Scene 117: Audience Chamber
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Your Majesty! Are you really going to let Count Ruelverta get away with this?
The ministers still in the palace rushed into the audience chamber upon hearing of Count Ruelvertas sudden visit.
Most of them, staunch imperial loyalists, harbored deep resentment toward the Ruelverta family.
Not only did he barge into the imperial palace with armed soldiers, he even attacked the castle! If this isnt rebellion, then what is?
Exactly! If we pin the crime of rebellion on him, well have the justification we need!
This is our chance to execute Count Ruelverta!
Gentlemen. Are you seriously suggesting that right now?
The one bristling at the ministers words was Odell.
The Count is here in the palace at His Majestys command. Eliminating him now would shatter the imperial authority beyond repair.
Lord Odell, we understand what youre saying, but bringing soldiers in the first place was blatantly suspicious.
Bringing soldiers was unexpected, but I hear he entered with only two escorts now. If the gate was just slightly damaged and no one was hurt, that means the Count had no intent to attack. He didnt come here to pick a fight with us.
Odell was doing his best to counter the ministers objections point by point.
The fact that the Hero had appeared was still a top secret known only to the Emperor and the members of the Seven Stars.
Convincing the ignorant ministers why they had to cooperate with the Ruelverta family was no easy task.
Above all, do you think the Count will just sit idly by if we slap him with such a false charge? If anything happens to him, who knows what the Ruelverta family might do. Would you be the ones to stop them then?
Ahem...
The ministers, well aware of the Ruelverta familys power, could only cough awkwardly and look away.
However, a few still refused to drop their hostility toward Ruelverta.
And now, that hostility turned toward Prime Minister Odell.
Whats this, Lord Odell? Are you defending the Count just because hes supposedly one of the Seven Stars now?
Dont change the subject. As Prime Minister of this nation, Im speaking realistically. If the Count wishes to talk, we should hear him out.
Talk? If talking to that Count Ruelverta were possible, wed have done it ages ago! And if this isnt realistic, then what is? A man threatening imperial authority has brazenly shown up at the palace. This is a chance that wont come again!
The minister arguing with Odell shouted toward the screen.
Your Majesty! We must arrest Count Ruelverta on charges of treason right now! We have Captain Marco of the Imperial Guard, so it wont be difficult! And if we contact Lord Leon and order the imperial troops defending the capital to strike the Counts private soldiers
Pathetic fools.
Pardon?
The Emperor, who had been silently listening to the ministers until then, finally spoke.
Stop your hysterics. Its just one vassal coming to visit. And an arrogant, insolent man whos never even shown his face at court before, at that.
The silhouette beyond the screen didnt so much as twitch. Yet her voice dripped with thick anger.
Rebellion, you say? I dont care. If its a real rebellion, we crush it. A mere nobles uprising holds no fear for me.
B-But...
Silence. Anyone who raises a counterargument from now on will have their head.
......
Though the youngest among those present, Lucy Meikahel was known as the most ruthless emperor in history.
The ministers, knowing this, had no choice but to shut their mouths.
No one wanted to lose their head.
Regardless, its not too late to decide after seeing that shameless face of his. Keep your eyes wide open and watch.
Lucy Meikahels silhouette slowly crossed her legs.
A bewitching yet perilously dangerous emperor.
She spoke.
Who holds the upper hand.
Knock knock.
A knock came, followed by the voice of Captain Marco of the Imperial Guard.
Your Majesty. Ive brought Count Ruelverta.
Enter.
The doors to the audience chamber opened.
The first to appear was the Imperial Guard captain in red armor.
Following him was a black-haired nobleman.
Thats... Count Ruelverta?
The ministers held their breath at the sight of Tristan.
The infamous Count Ruelverta was a young man who looked as if hed just become an adult.
His wavy hair, long eyelashes, and refined facial features were so striking that some even mistook him for a woman at first glance.
Moreover, the two escort knights following the Count were no ordinary folk.
The woman in the military coat exuded a quiet, beautiful aura.
Her legs, clad in torn stockings peeking above her boots, added a provocative edge.
The masked woman beside her was equally commanding in presence.
One couldnt help but believe, without evidence, that an equally stunning face hid beneath that mask.
But they were more than just beautiful escorts.
The more seasoned ministers and Imperial Guard knights recognized it immediatelyno, they had no choice but to.
An aura of untouchable martial prowess emanated from the two.
Their gazes were fixed solely on one person: Count Ruelverta.
And the same went for everyone in the audience chamber.
From the moment Tristan entered, the atmosphere seemed swallowed by his presence.
To the point where even expressing hostility toward his beauty slipped their minds.
Some ministers felt bewilderment. This was no man deserving the title of mad pig Count.
Hes changed too much, hasnt he...?
Didnt you see the papers the other day? Hes been slimmed down for a while now.
Id only heard rumors. First time seeing him in person... So thats what hes like.
The ministers whispered just loud enough to be heard.
The empires most arrogant man, Count Tristan.
Known for fearing not even the Emperor, he was the owner of an appearance that captivated all eyes.
You are Count Ruelverta... Tristan.
The first to break the silence was the Emperor.
That is correct.
Its been so long I cant even remember when we last met. Even when I sent telegrams, you ignored them half the time. Why no reply all this while?
Because it would be a waste of time.
The ministers eyes bulged in shock at Tristans words.
Even the Emperor seemed caught off guard, taking a moment before speaking again.
......Hoh? A waste of time? To reply to my letters?
Indeed. I dont enjoy pointless tasks.
Tristan spoke calmly, with arrogant poise.
Naturally, I have no hobby of writing insincere replies to insincere letters.
I see... So thats it.
But this was no attitude a mere vassal should take toward his nations Emperor.
And... why havent you shown me proper respect since arriving?
Do you desire a formal greeting from me?
No. It doesnt matter if you skip it. Expecting decorum from a man like you would make me look foolish.
Tristans refusal to yield even an inch left even the Emperor speechless.
It was a blatant attitude placing the Emperor beneath him.
With a sigh-like mutter, the Emperor responded.
Well then, no helping it.
Her silhouette raised one hand beyond the screen.
It seems Ill have to cut your head off here.
Shing!
No sooner had she spoken than the Imperial Guard knights in the chamber drew their swords in unison.
Uwaaah?!
Eek?!
The ministers shrieked and retreated behind the knights.
But Tristans escorts didnt sit idle either.
Crackle!
The eyes of the woman in the military coat flashed.
Dense mana rippled within her odd-colored eyes.
Anyone who takes even a single step toward the Count from now on... Ill turn you to dust.
Lightning crackled from her fingertips, menacing the Imperial Guard knights.
Leave the back to me, alright? Blanche.
......She says she doesnt know who that woman is, but its fine to entrust your back to her.
Heh... Tell her thanks.
......Youre welcome, she says.
In that instant, frigid cold swirled around the other woman.
The knights hesitated to approach amid the razor-sharp chill.
Even in this hair-trigger situation, Tristan himself seemed utterly serene.
Nohis expression held a subtle mix of fatigue and irritation as he spoke.
I clearly said I hate wasting time...
..
The empires most arrogant man made a request of the empires highest woman.
I came all this way; I wont let such trivialities steal my time. Lets get to the point.
The point?
I request a private audience.
One of the privileges exclusive to the Seven Stars.
The heads of families belonging to the Seven Stars could meet the Emperor one-on-one.
Tristan, newly ascended to the Seven Stars, had requested a private audience with the Emperor.
And at this timing, when they seemed ready to kill each other any second.
The Emperor beyond the screen replied with incredulity, yet firmly.
I cannot grant a private audience. I havent acknowledged you as one of the Seven Stars yet.
But Tristan asked the Emperor in a prideful voice.
Are you afraid of me?