—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Schlus… Mr. Hainkel.”
“Yes? What is it?”
We were in the waiting room next to the audience chamber.
Emilia, glancing around the room after we were left alone, leaned in and whispered.
The gravity of the location seemed to prevent her from speaking casually, even in private.
“Were you… serious just now?”
“No. It was half a joke. There’s no way Her Highness the Crown Princess would ever formally propose to me after her coming-of-age ceremony. I said I’d accept because it’s clear that would never happen.”
“No, not that.”
“Then what?”
I turned my head to face Emilia.
Just moments ago, she had been staring intently at my profile, but now that our eyes met directly, she avoided my gaze and fidgeted.
This was getting frustrating.
What’s gotten into her?
“Th-that…”
“What?”
“About you not dating… children.”
“Yes. I only date adults.”
“Are you talking about mental age?”
“Pfft. No, I’m talking about actual age. At least 18 years old.”
“…”
What was it?
It seemed like Emilia’s cheeks had puffed out slightly.
Before I could get a closer look, she abruptly turned her head away.
“Why do you ask?”
“It’s nothing. Forget it…”
Her voice was strangely agitated.
Did I say something to upset her?
I was about to apologize when the door opened and a chamberlain entered.
“Schlus Hainkel, His Majesty summons you.”
“I shall obey.”
I bowed to the chamberlain, exchanged a glance with Emilia, and walked towards the door.
The audience chamber was dimly lit.
Come to think of it, this was my first time having a private audience with the Emperor.
Our previous encounters were during formal events and their after-parties.
This was the first time we were meeting one-on-one.
Well, strictly speaking, it wasn’t a one-on-one meeting since there were other officials present, but still.
“Schlus Hainkel, by the grace of His Imperial Majesty, you are in his presence.”
“Yes, by his grace. You emphasize that quite a bit, huh? Haha.”
“…”
As I expected, he seemed irritated.
But judging by the smile on his face, he wasn’t in a completely foul mood.
Perhaps I could hope for a somewhat relaxed atmosphere.
I raised my head from its bowed position and stood up straight.
“I hear there was quite an incident during the Imperial University’s midterm exams. Something about you, wasn’t it?”
“I cannot deny my involvement. It was a terrorist attack targeting myself and my attendant. I apologize for the disturbance.”
“It’s not like you caused it directly. So, are you and your attendant unharmed?”
“Yes. We sustained no injuries.”
“That’s good to hear. Haha.”
“…”
I looked into the Emperor’s eyes, which were crinkled with amusement.
Though I hadn’t thought much of it at the time, I now felt a chill run down my spine.
It was just a baseless hunch, but…
The thought crossed my mind that perhaps the Emperor was the one who had hired Jin.
“There’s something I’d like to tell you.”
“May I ask what it is?”
“The Holy See has their eye on you.”
“…”
The Holy See.
I could guess why.
It was probably about the resurrection incident.
Even though the matter had been hushed up, the Holy See couldn’t just sit idly by.
They had to confirm things for themselves.
“Should I expect a visit from the Pope soon, then?”
“They’d probably appreciate it if you visited them directly. In fact, it seems they’re waiting for you to reach out.”
“I wasn’t aware of that. I will schedule a meeting as soon as possible.”
“Hahaha. Very well.”
But why tell me this?
The Emperor wouldn’t go out of his way to do a favor for the Pope.
Was he trying to gauge my reaction to this information…?
The more I thought about it, the more I felt like I was sinking into quicksand.
“I had intended to grant you a title.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“But you refused.”
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
“I shall grant you the position of Court Mage. Accept it.”
“…”
Not ‘I will grant you…’ or ‘Would you accept…’
But ‘Accept it.’
It meant he wouldn’t give me the right to refuse.
“I am deeply grateful for the honor, but I must respectfully decline.”
“…”
I had to be blunt, even at the risk of being disrespectful.
I couldn’t let myself be tied down to a position like Court Mage at this point.
I wasn’t a researcher, nor did I crave the vast resources and experimental tools the palace offered.
I was doing perfectly fine as a commoner.
In fact, my commoner status had its advantages, as it drew less attention.
I might have been tempted initially, but now I had no need for such a position.
A position that restricted my freedom was nothing but a detriment.
Well, if he offered me a Dukedom… that might be a different story…
“So, you refuse a title, you refuse the position of Court Mage… You intend to remain a commoner?”
“That is correct.”
“…”
At some point, the Emperor’s smile had vanished.
He was no longer amused.
In fact, he looked like he wanted to kill me.
He started to rise from his throne as if startled, but then he coughed and settled back down.
“Cough… Hack… What absurd… audacity…”
“Have I misspoken?”
“…You haven’t.”
It was a risky gamble.
I hadn’t received Pelaine’s regular report yet, so there was no way for me to know about the suppression force’s defeat.
But I had enough evidence to make an educated guess.
The concerning reports from Pelaine about the rebel army’s strength and above all, the time difference in Pelaine’s reports.
Even with Falcon Express, there was at least a 12-hour delay.
Based on Pelaine’s predictions, I concluded that the rebels must have made their move last night, or at dawn.
Judging by the Emperor’s reaction, I was right.
“I will go. I will at least cut off the Great Forest’s support for the rebels and if possible, I will bring you Lorraine’s head.”
“Schlus Hainkel, do you have any idea what you’re saying?”
“Would you prefer him alive?”
“…Dead or alive, it matters not.”
The Emperor answered curtly, clearly displeased.
It seemed he didn’t like the idea of me going at all.
He might have said he didn’t care if Lorraine was dead or alive, but in reality, he probably wasn’t expecting much.
He was probably thinking, ‘He’ll be lucky to contribute to a few minor victories.’
“How many troops do you require?”
“Troops, you say? I believe further deployment of troops would be unwise.”
“What?”
“If we pull any more troops from the north, it will leave the border with the Kingdom vulnerable. With all due respect, I do not require any troops.”
“Then how do you intend to quell the rebellion? I am in no mood for games, Schlus Hainkel.”
“I will rally the remaining forces of the suppression army. That will be more than enough.”
“Are you suggesting you take command of the suppression force?”
“That is not my intention. The position of Commander-in-Chief should be filled by someone deserving. Whoever it may be, I will follow their command.”
I intended to give the position of Commander-in-Chief to Pelaine.
If my assumptions were correct, the Imperial Knights, who had been at the forefront of the battle, would have suffered devastating losses.
The other units would have likely met a similar fate, but the Holy Knights would be different.
They were prepared for this.
They were small in number, but their forces remained intact.
That alone would be enough to lead the demoralized remnants of the suppression force.
Pelaine also possessed more than enough leadership qualities.
Of course, there would be those who opposed this.
They would question the audacity of a private knight order leading an army assembled by imperial decree.
In that case, a brief period of… ‘gentle’ persuasion would be in order.
Ultimately, everything would go according to my plan.
“Have you gone mad? You’re suggesting that despite knowing the suppression force has been routed, losing seventy percent of their strength, their base at the Fourth Fortress, and is currently retreating, you will still go there, turn the tide of the war, with no additional reinforcements?”
Oh… shit.
I didn’t realize the situation was that dire.
Seventy percent casualties and the loss of their base?
They were practically annihilated.
Please tell me the Holy Knights are alright?
If they were wiped out too, it was truly game over.
“Yes, as you have said.”
But it was too late to back down now.
If things got tough, I could always use Roman’s favor.
Summoning the Third Legion to deal with Lorraine’s rebels seemed like overkill…
But of course, it was best to avoid such measures.
It was better to save Roman’s favor for a more dire situation.
“Very well. Schlus Hainkel, you have my permission to depart. I, Gustav Friedrich von Freya, Emperor of the Freya Imperial Federation, by the authority vested in me by Aegis, do hereby grant you the temporary title of knight to aid in your efforts. You may relinquish the title upon your return, should you survive.”
“Your Majesty, the title…”
“I know. It is a temporary title. It comes with no land or authority. It will merely assist you in commanding the soldiers in the south. You may return it when you return alive.”
“Understood. I am eternally grateful, Your Majesty.”
“Enough with the gratitude… Your sword. Hand it over.”
“…?”
After clearing his throat, the Emperor extended his hand.
Without hesitation, I drew the sword from its sheath with my left hand.
The two guards flanking the Emperor flinched at the movement, but the Emperor gestured for them to stand down.
I walked towards the Emperor with the drawn sword, knelt before him, and offered it with both hands.
With a groan, the Emperor rose and took the sword from me.
“Ugh… Heavy. Rise.”
“Yes.”
“Let us proceed with a simple knighting ceremony, befitting your temporary status.”
I raised my head.
The Emperor was staring straight ahead, holding the sword with its tip pointing upwards.
He was holding the longsword with one hand, a testament to his strength despite his age.
“By the authority vested in me by Aegis, I, Gustav Friedrich von Freya, Emperor of the Freya Imperial Federation, do hereby command that you, Schlus Hainkel, swear your allegiance to the Emperor of the Freya Imperial Federation, the Overlord of the Continent, as a knight of the Imperial Court.”
It was my turn to swear an oath.
Any valiant line would have sufficed.
But no words could truly convince the Emperor of my loyalty.
I needed something more… convincing.
“…!”
I activated my internal circuits and drew Vafe from my right palm as I stood.
By the time I locked eyes with the Emperor, Vafe had been fully drawn.
I tightened my grip on the hilt, and a bright, sword-shaped light materialized in my hand.
“To face death and fear with unwavering resolve, to rage against injustice, and to uphold what is right and just…”
I raised Vafe and held it in front of my chest, its tip pointed directly at the Emperor.
I stood motionless, the blue light from the blade illuminating our faces.
“I, Schlus Hainkel, do hereby swear to be the sword of His Imperial Majesty, before Aegis.”
The Emperor, without a word, brought the flat of his blade down on each of my shoulders.
Then, he extended his sword and touched the tip to Vafe’s blade.
With a soft clang, Vafe was pushed downwards.
“For the Empire.”
The Emperor muttered.
But I corrected him.
“For the Continent.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
[Bro dissing the emperor GAWDAM]
Lmaoo
Corrected the Emperor
Did bro seriously made a enemy out of Gramps?