Chapter 13 – The Emperor’s Invitation
“It was met with opposition from the nobles during the council meeting. I had no choice. Just because I’m the emperor doesn’t mean I can do everything as I please.”
He certainly spoke well, all polished words. Elliot gave a half-hearted nod at the emperor, who wore an expression of feigned regret.
Not even worth negotiating.
The emperor’s demeanor made it clear he had no intention of yielding even a bit. So Elliot made up his mind.
If that’s how it is, I’ll bleed him for all he’s worth.
Since he had decided to offer the best for the hero, he might as well wring every coin out of the imperial treasury.
Elliot opened his mouth in a composed tone.
“It’s unfortunate, then. It seems the north is on the verge of collapse.”
“Haha, but you’ve held out well until now. What are you talking about?”
“At this rate, I may have no choice but to give up. After that, I trust Your Majesty will protect the empire.”
At the duke’s sarcastic remark, the emperor chuckled. The mountain ranges connected to the Snowy Mountains were rich with magic stones and various ores.
The ducal house controlled them all and held a monopoly on the empire’s markets. And now he’s saying he’ll abandon the north?
Nonsense.
The Graham Duchy’s businesses and merchant guilds were numerous. If the duchy fell, the empire would stumble. There was no way Graham would give all that up.
They’ve used the excuse of defending against monsters to extract every advantage. The emperor scoffed inwardly before speaking.
“The duchy is protecting the north. That situation won’t come to pass.”
“Well, people are dying. Do you think the duchy will remain unscathed?”
…
A blank expression, a chilling voice.
The emperor frowned at the duke’s utterly unshaken demeanor. Was the situation in the north truly that dire?
“So now you’re threatening me? I summoned you to have a discussion.”
“Threatening? If we can’t protect the north, it’s the empire that’s in danger, not me.”
We’ve been doing your job without receiving a single coin. Isn’t it time you cared?
Elliot gave a cold smile.
“If things continue, we may really have to abandon the north.”
“…”
The duke’s serious tone made the emperor sigh. Could he be telling the truth?
The yearly budget wasn’t small, but for the north to be in danger despite that?
If Elliot was telling the truth, there was only one answer.
Still, it was too soon to say the Evil God was resurrecting just because monsters were increasing.
“Any strange activity in the Snowy Mountains?”
The emperor stared intently at the duke.
“As I reported, nothing beyond the monsters.”
“Could this be a sign of the Evil God’s return? A steady increase in numbers over several years is strange.”
The emperor stroked his chin, displeased. It was a terrible thought, but traces of the Evil God still remained on the continent.
Especially in the Snowy Mountains of the north.
The emperor recalled a document left by the first emperor who built the empire with the hero.
[The danger has not yet ended.]
The stone monument placed in the center of the imperial archive gave a cold, grim warning.
The empire was not safe.
It only pretended to be peaceful.
The Evil God…
If this was real, he couldn’t just leave everything to the duke and look the other way.
“I’ve been suspecting that too. But the chosen hero has yet to appear, has he?”
Elliot replied shamelessly.
“That’s true, but hmm…”
The emperor narrowed his eyes, and Elliot lifted his teacup with a blank face. He wondered when the emperor would realize the truth.
“I heard you’ve decided to sponsor Lady Barrett?”
He’s quick.
Elliot clicked his tongue inwardly. He wasn’t emperor for nothing.
Still, there was no way he could know yet that Evelyn Barrett had been chosen as the hero.
Even if he sent spies north, they wouldn’t discover it.
Elliot had placed a convincing fake in the spot where the holy sword had once been.
“Yes. She returned from the Snowy Mountains with rare herbs in just three days.”
“Oh? That impressive?”
“Yes, she is indeed a Sword Master.”
“Tsk. Then wouldn’t it be better for her to join the Imperial Knights?”
The emperor clicked his tongue, and Elliot smirked. Half of the Sword Masters in the empire were already tied to the capital—how greedy of the emperor.
“She said she prefers the less crowded north. I also promised support for her family.”
A shame.
The emperor genuinely thought so. As soon as rumors spread that Evelyn Barrett had become a Sword Master, he sent people to the Count’s estate—but she had already left for the north.
The Count had said to inform him when his daughter returned, but he hadn’t expected the duke to snatch her away so quickly.
“Ahem, the Imperial Knights offer a decent package too…”
“You know the rumors about the young lady.”
The emperor swallowed hard. That was the problem.
Even if he tried to place her in the Imperial Knights, no one would be willing to get close.
They said being near her meant death—no one wanted to risk their life.
“You’re risking your life for a Sword Master?”
“Whether it’s a curse or not, we can’t afford to be picky with talent.”
“Bold of you.”
“They say bold men are the ones who gain true allies.”
The emperor was now visibly irritated at Elliot’s composed face.
“So if you sponsor the Count’s family, you’ll be visiting the capital often?”
“What for? I’ll just send funds and supplies.”
Elliot spoke lightly, but in truth, he fully intended to visit the capital often.
He planned to form a faction centered around the Count’s house to support the hero.
“Hmph.”
The emperor made a disapproving noise.
Still doesn’t trust me, huh.
Elliot sipped his tea, suppressing a laugh. The emperor’s mind must be spinning, wondering what Elliot was really after.
“If the situation is dire enough to endure a curse, then I’ll increase support.”
“I’m grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”
“I’ll dispatch the Imperial Knights and have each noble house rotate their knights there regularly.”
The nobles would resist, but the emperor could use the excuse of keeping the duke in check to persuade them.
He’d probably slip in some spies too.
Elliot could see exactly what the emperor was planning but smiled as if unaware.
“Can you act on that immediately?”
“Well… I’ll need time to persuade the nobles. But I promise to resolve it within half a year.”
“Very well. We’ll try to hold on until then.”
“Now then, since you’ve come to the capital after so long, attend a few parties.”
The emperor’s oddly hopeful expression made Elliot pause.
“Parties?”
“If people see your face beforehand, it’ll be easier to persuade them. And since you’re sponsoring Lady Barrett, it’s good to make that public.”
What’s he scheming now?
Elliot slowly studied the emperor’s face. His curved eyes were hiding something.
Still, Elliot had no reason to refuse the emperor’s suggestion.
“Understood. I’ll attend with Lady Barrett as my partner.”
“Ah, if possible, attend with the princess instead.”
“Isn’t it usual to attend with one’s sponsor?”
The emperor’s lips twitched awkwardly.
“Well, wouldn’t it be good to show a strong connection with the imperial family?”
Persistent, aren’t you.
Elliot sighed inwardly and took a step back.
“Very well. Thank you for arranging such a good opportunity to announce the sponsorship.”
It seemed the princess was once again trying to propose marriage. Elliot thought of the princess and a few noble ladies who frequently sent him proposals.
He refused them every time, but the princess never gave up.
“Ahem. Are you truly not interested in the princess?”
“Would she really adapt to the harsh north? Everything there is different from the capital.”
The emperor, who had lowered his pride at his daughter’s insistence, nodded. No matter how great the duke was, he didn’t want to send his daughter north.
The previous duke and duchess had died protecting their people from a monster invasion.
He couldn’t let his daughter suffer the same fate. It was time she gave up.
“She’ll stop bothering you soon enough.”
The emperor said this sincerely.
“I hope the princess meets someone good.”
Elliot declined the emperor’s offer to send him formal attire for the party and left the palace.
