Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Audience with the Emperor
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Upon arriving in the capital, Gaia, through the gate, they saw more guards than usual.
It was a consequence of the assassination attempt on the Magic Guild, which had led to an increase in personnel managing the gate.
“You’re not nervous, are you?”
“Me?”
“Right, of course not.”
Leit offered a joke, perhaps to ease Wang-sik’s tension. While it was true that Wang-sik felt different than usual, it wasn’t due to nervousness, but contemplation.
*What if I get a chance to kill him?*
He had, in fact, already reached a conclusion on that thought.
*Not now.*
The Emperor’s death wouldn’t dramatically change anything.
If the group holding the mages in check disappeared, the situation with the gates could descend into even greater chaos.
*The Emperor comes last.*
He couldn’t risk everything he had prepared until now falling apart.
Wang-sik stopped pondering and boarded the carriage prepared by the Imperial Palace with Leit.
The carriage, adorned in brilliant gold, stopped at the entrance to the palace, where five guards of knightly rank stood in formation and bowed, a show of formal respect.
It was a courtesy extended because they had come at the Emperor's invitation.
As they crossed the vast garden escorted by the five guards, Leit pointed things out as if proudly showing off his own home.
“That stele over there is the Unification Monument, commemorating the unification of the empire.”
It was the tallest monument known throughout the empire, but only those who entered the Imperial Palace could see it in person.
On Earth, it would have been erected in a bustling public square, but in the clearly stratified society of Azelan, its placement within the palace was considered natural.
The idea was that only those qualified should be able to see it.
Past the Unification Monument, a wide path lined with statues of the Emperor appeared, depicting scenes of war like a temple.
A total of thirty majestic statues stood on either side, each one so dynamic it seemed alive.
Only after passing down that path did Wang-sik arrive at Merin Palace, one of the five grand palaces used by the Emperor, which housed the reception room.
An interesting detail was that a guest’s status was determined by where they were invited. Typically, one would be invited to the study.
The next level up was Merin Palace, where Wang-sik was visiting today, which contained the reception room and the banquet hall.
*So that’s Rueta Palace.*
A golden building stood at a distance from Merin Palace.
Rueta Palace, where only royalty and dukes were invited, was about a hundred meters away.
“Please, enter.”
The guards parted to either side and opened the doors, and those inside bowed in greeting.
Among them was a woman in her early forties with mystical sky-blue hair. He had researched her beforehand, so he could guess her age, but she looked to be in her mid-twenties.
If not for her ears, one might mistake her for an elf. She was a beauty whose every movement exuded grace.
*Eliana.*
She was the spiritist who stayed by the Emperor’s side, responsible for greeting all visitors.
Therefore, everyone had to pass through her.
The process, however, was not complicated.
“Welcome.”
She bowed her head in a polite greeting, then knelt on one knee.
“May your glorious steps be blessed.”
Eliana spoke as if chanting a spell and lightly brushed Leit’s and Wang-sik’s shoes.
On the surface, it was an act of blessing the visitors.
Indeed, a simple spirit’s blessing was cast, making their bodies feel lighter.
But all visitors knew that it was both a blessing and a form of surveillance.
“A new face, I see.”
Eliana brushed the top of Wang-sik’s foot and smiled. Then she stepped aside.
“I will guide you.”
Just as the Elven Elder had said, Wang-sik passed Eliana without incident.
No one else entered the reception room they arrived at besides Leit and Wang-sik.
The room was large enough to serve as a dining hall, but in reality, it only contained an antique table that could seat eight and a sofa in the center.
At first glance, it might have seemed sparse, but the patterns carved into the marble floor gave it a sense of both spaciousness and splendor.
They waited for five minutes, drinking the warm tea that had already been prepared.
Finally, the door opened and someone entered.
A man with a muscular build, standing 190 centimeters tall.
Though in his late fifties, he possessed an intense gaze that suggested he could still stand on a battlefield.
Beneath thick eyebrows, his eyes held the power of an absolute ruler.
He was an impressive man with a square jaw that spoke of stubbornness, thick lips, and a large nose.
He wore the light, white silk robes he was said to favor, but they did little to conceal his firm, large muscles.
Emperor Bartian.
The man once called the God of War, and the ruler of the Azelan Empire.
“Welcome.”
His low, solemn voice was more like a command, yet it carried such overwhelming charisma that it didn't feel the least bit strange.
He sat down first without any further explanation, and Leit and Wang-sik followed suit, taking their seats.
“It is gratifying to see two of the empire’s talented young men.”
With that single sentence, he concluded the usual formalities.
More a soldier than a politician.
That was the impression Bartian gave.
“Leit, when do you plan on taking the position of Vice-Commander?”
He was referring to the Vice-Commander of the Imperial Knights.
Leit was already considered someone who would one day become the Commander, so it was time for him to take the vice-commander role.
“Your Majesty, I still have much to learn.”
“That is excessive humility. You are more than ready.”
“If Your Majesty commands it, I shall obey. However, if you would grant me a little more time, I believe I can grow significantly and become an even more capable sword for you.”
Leit, accustomed to conversations with the Emperor, answered skillfully with his gaze slightly lowered.
“Do not delay too long. I will issue orders so that your external activities are not hindered even after you become Vice-Commander.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
As Leit bowed his head, Bartian’s gaze naturally shifted to Wang-sik.
“I was fond of Count Lennox. Even at the moment of his downfall.”
The words were devoid of consideration, but they suited the station of an Emperor.
“I am pleased to be able to face the Lennox family once more.”
“The honor is mine as well.”
Wang-sik did his best to play the part of a loyal subordinate.
“I will grant you the title of Marquis. And if you wish, I can accept you into the knights.”
“I cannot join the knights.”
“Cannot?”
A refusal of this nature was a rare experience in Bartian’s life.
An unwavering rejection with no room for negotiation.
Only a few kings who had refused his call to surrender during the Imperial Unification War had done such a thing.
Naturally, Bartian frowned.
“Explain.”
“The knights are a visible blade. I must be a hidden one.”
“A hidden blade?”
“There are those who must be cut down, are there not?”
Wang-sik didn’t mention them by name, but it was clear whom he meant.
The mages.
“If I were to become a knight and wield my sword, it would bring dishonor upon Your Majesty.”
“Interesting. Do you truly intend to wield that blade?”
“I do.”
“And you think that is what I want?”
What the Emperor wanted was a check on the mages, not their annihilation.
“My personal feelings are involved. I have a debt to repay them.”
The Emperor had heard the news.
The news that mind magic had been used during the process of proving Wang-sik’s innocence.
“Know your limits.”
“I will.”
At the confident reply, the Emperor’s gaze fixed on Wang-sik.
Wang-sik didn’t meet his eyes, but he waited for the next words without a hint of tension.
But those words made Leit’s heart sink.
“You seem to possess a rather dangerous ambition.”
The Emperor had begun his test.
With that single sentence, the atmosphere in the reception room turned cold. Not only that, but the air grew heavy, feeling as if it were choking them.
*This is real power…*
Even Wang-sik was inwardly surprised.
When the Emperor first appeared, he had seemed like nothing more than a well-trained soldier. He had assumed the overwhelming charisma was a product of his position.
He had felt that killing him wouldn’t be impossible.
But as the Emperor began to exert his pressure overtly, that assessment was forced to change.
He had to suppress the Mark of the Guardian from instinctively awakening.
The sensation stirred a long-forgotten, unpleasant memory.
The opponent who had first shown him despair.
The moment that face came to mind, Wang-sik steeled his resolve.
*Get a grip.*
Overcoming the pressure, Wang-sik defiantly met the Emperor’s eyes.
It was an act so impudent that even Leit was shocked.
“I am trying to protect.”
“Protect?”
“My land and my people. That is what I fight to protect. I have no interest in any position within the Imperial Palace.”
Bartian held Wang-sik’s gaze for a long time. The pressure remained, and the atmosphere was so tense that it wouldn’t have been surprising if he drew his sword.
A long time passed, but Wang-sik did not look away.
As if to make a point.
He held his gaze for a long while.
“You are sincere.”
Only after hearing those words did Wang-sik lower his gaze. The pressure that had been constricting his body vanished.
In truth, what Wang-sik had just said was the very reason he was currently risking his life, which was why he had been able to stand his ground so confidently.
The only difference was that his object of protection was Earth.
“I was rude. I will accept any punishment.”
“I like that boldness.”
Only then did Leit, standing beside him, let out an inward sigh of relief.
“I am pleased. Meet Bilton on your way out.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You’ve made a good friend.”
With those words, the Emperor rose from his seat. It was not in his nature to engage in idle chat, so their meeting was over.
“The ceremony to confer your title will be held soon. And before you leave, stop by Rueta Palace. Someone is waiting for you.”
This was something Wang-sik hadn’t expected.
Rueta Palace, where only dukes and royalty were invited.
But Leit offered a slight smile.
He seemed to have an idea of what was happening.
“I will do so.”
Once he answered, the Emperor left the reception room, and the spiritist Eliana took his place.
She entered and said something, but Wang-sik was staring down at the teacup before him.
*The Emperor…*
The man who had been right in front of him was strong.
*Can I win?*
He didn't think he would lose. But winning was another matter entirely.
*I need to get stronger.*
The desire for growth, which he had set aside for a while, reawakened.
“My friend.”
Leit, with a smile on his face, called out to Wang-sik, who was lost in deep thought.
“It seems the meeting with His Majesty was quite a shock.”
“It was.”
“Haha. Let’s be on our way. It’s time to choose your gift.”
The Emperor, pleased, had told them to meet Bilton.
The reason for this became clear shortly after.
A small, frail man in his early sixties, who introduced himself as Bilton, led them to a building decorated like a museum.
It was the Imperial Treasury.
“You may choose one item from among these.”
Meeting Bilton meant they were to take one item from the treasury.
The scale of the place was such that just a cursory glance would take an hour.
*Could it be?*
Hearing this, Wang-sik thought of a particular item.
*The Blood Fragment.*
One of the fragments was in the Emperor’s possession.
Wang-sik didn’t bother asking and slowly looked around the treasury. Before long, he found what he was looking for.
It was in a red room on the second floor, where the most valuable items were displayed.
There were exactly twenty items, all sharing a single theme.
War trophies.
Twenty items signifying victory in war were placed inside crystal glass walls.
Wang-sik stared at the Blood Fragment as if mesmerized. Leit quietly approached and explained.
“It’s the trophy from killing the Blood Lord. Surely you’re not thinking of asking for this?”
“Is it not allowed?”
Leit looked surprised at Wang-sik’s question.
He had never seen Wang-sik desire something with such a look in his eyes.
Just then, Bilton, who had been guiding them, approached and spoke.
“His Majesty has given his permission, so you may take it. However, no one has ever requested an item from the second floor.”
In essence, he was telling him to give up on his own. Indeed, no noble had ever requested an item from the second-floor exhibit.
It was something of an unwritten rule.
After all, the items on the first floor were already of immense value.
The fact that the Emperor had allowed this was a political gesture, showing his intent to bring Leit and Wang-sik into his fold.
That was why Bilton was known as the link to the Emperor.
“I heard that His Majesty once bestowed an item like this.”
“He bestowed one upon Duke Dupont, in recognition of his service in winning the greatest war.”
“So there is a way.”
“Pardon?”
Wang-sik’s gaze remained fixed on the Blood Fragment.