Episode 188. Face to Face with the Emperor (1)
Before the surprise visit from Rubin and Siren.
“I’m out of alcohol.”
Grandbird floating in the sky above the clouds. Rulfo was leisurely passing the time, unaware of the two Roinecros flying towards him.
His eyes were half-closed in sleep. He shook the glass he was holding. A low-ranking official from the Imperial Department waiting nearby approached and poured him a drink.
“Would you like a drink too?”
“…it’s okay.”
The lower-ranking official answered with an embarrassed look.
The liquor that Rulfo likes to drink is liquor containing the venom of a viper. It is not just any viper, but a viper raised by injecting it with the blood of a monster, so even the executives have a hard time with it.
‘At times like this, I miss Rosenthaler, who used to receive and drink generously.’
Rulfo waved the subordinate off with an annoyed gesture.
Now, in the center of the Grand Bird, the executives of the Imperial Order, including Rulpo, who was sitting on the throne, were gathered.
There were about twenty lower-level executives and five high-ranking executives, including Rosenthaler and Hitan.
Bringing this many subordinate officers means that it was not an easy outing even for Rulpo.
Of course, there were three platoons of Imperial troops standing guard on the Grandbird, but these troops were of no use. They were deployed only to raise the status of the Imperial Order, and these soldiers did not even know of the existence of the Assassin Swordsman.
Krrrrrr.
Kwaaaaah!
The day of the beast’s arrival was a sharp cry. Rulfo laughed and sipped the poisonous wine.
The fate of the Assassination Swordsman will be decided tomorrow. I was just trying to pass the time by preparing something to look at.
I think it was called the red and black lion. It is a beast that only lives in the southeastern hemisphere of the continent where the Roinen Mansion is located.
These lions are said to be born with black fur, but as they grow into adults, their fur turns red all over their bodies.
It was Rulfo who had ordered his officers to capture and release a couple of red and black lions while he was at the Roinen mansion.
Krrrrkkaa!
The magicians of the Imperial Order are using their psychic powers to gradually close the bars. The two red and black lions trapped inside are forced to fight.
Rulfo, who was waking up from sleep repeatedly, licked his tongue while looking at the red and black lions, one of which was still not dead. He was laughing in a low voice as if he was sleeping.
The assassin’s sword looks like two red and black lions.
The crack caused by the black shadow. The Assassination Swordsman will slowly disintegrate like that. It was an essential preliminary step for the future conquest.
“How will the decision be made… … .”
At that moment, I was mumbling to myself like that.
Gwaaaaaaaaa!
Grandbird suddenly cried out.
“… … !”
The imperial commanding officers who had been resting all stood up from their seats. They all drew their weapons and looked around.
The glass Rulfo was holding clanked loudly due to the agitated Grandbird. He frowned.
Could it be that the Assassin Sword Master is rebelling?
No… that can’t be. Control over the Assassination Swordsmanship is only just beginning.
Wooooow.
Some of the officers manifested the vision aura of the Imperial Command. A yellow aura covered the sword. The wizards also began to look around with nervous eyes.
In the moment when the wizards were distracted, a gap appeared in the iron bars surrounding the Red and Black Lion.
Krrrrkkaa!
It was at that moment that a red and black lion, fighting while shedding blood, charged towards Rulfo. The red and black lion immediately recognized who the leader of this group was.
“What is this?”
The red and black lion opened its mouth wide and raised its forelegs. Rulfo let out a deep sigh and swung the glass he was holding.
thud.
The red and black lion fell. A yellow aura glowed along the rim of the glass. Rulfo looked down at the floor and licked his lips.
“It’s a waste of alcohol… … .”
The remaining red and black lion also rushed towards Rulfo. At that moment, Rulfo sighed again.
Even in the midst of the commotion, his half-closed eyelids from the alcohol opened wide.
thud.
The charging Red and Black Lion fell down. It wasn’t because of Rulfo. He died before he could act.
Rulfo did not miss the sword that pierced the neck of the Red and Black Lion right before his eyes. It was a powerful speed that only Rulfo could recognize.
That black imperial army belonged to someone else, but it was thrown by someone else.
“Siren… … ?”
The head of the Roinen family and his youngest son were walking toward them.
The officers tried to confront them with their auras shining brightly, but Rulfo raised his hand and stopped the foolish officers.
“Stop. Don’t waste your life.”
At that order, the officers lowered their weapons one by one. Behind Siren, imperial soldiers were rushing to pursue the unexpected intruder.
“You idiots… Someone, go and calm them down. And who is their commander? Kill him and throw him out with these beasts.”
Of course, Rulfo knew full well that no matter who the commander was, he would be impenetrable, but he needed to express his dissatisfaction to Siren.
“I wasn’t expecting such a surprise visit, Siren.”
When Siren’s name was pronounced, the expressions of the Imperial Command officers changed noticeably. Was it the red-haired woman I had only heard of?
“I came here in a hurry because the Assassin Sword Association’s meeting had just ended. I’m sorry if I surprised you.”
“I was just about to take a nap.”
“I killed a red and black lion that attacked you. You probably didn’t intend to raise one, did you? If you need one, I’ll provide you with a suitable breed.”
“No, that’s fine. I just needed the leather, but since you cut off the air so delicately, it turned out well.”
“Thank goodness. I was worried that my son had done something wrong.”
Rubin? Rulfo almost let out a gasp in surprise. He had naturally assumed that the one who killed the red and black lion was Siren. Rulfo burst into laughter at the unexpected fact.
Now that I looked at it, it seemed like there were no other vassals or black spirits, and that he had only brought Rubin with him. The implications of this were clear.
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‘Is that kid that bad?’
Siren’s deep trust in Rubin.
One of the things Rulfo realized during this expedition to Roinen was that the Sirens had high expectations of Rubin.
Not only did he entrust Rulfo with the task of welcoming him, but it also seemed meaningful that they were moving together like this.
Rulfo barely suppressed his surprise.
“How unexpected. You wouldn’t have brought Confucius just to protect me from the Red and Black Lions.”
“Of course. Because we had to come together.”
“You had to come?”
Rulfo paused for a moment and tapped the glass he was holding once more. A lower-ranking officer came running over and filled the glass.
The glass was immediately handed to Siren. Siren did not refuse. She obediently accepted the drink and drank it in one gulp. The drink was made of poisonous ingredients that went down her throat, but it had no effect on her.
“I won’t beat around the bush. Our Assassin’s decision is-”
Siren paused for a moment, then turned her gaze to her men. It was clear what she meant.
“Oh, I made a mistake.”
Rulfo had all his subordinates killed, but he kept one, a wizard. And even that was only for soundproofing.
Finally, Siren’s lips fell.
“As the mother of the deceased Mafis, I feel responsible for my family. Therefore, I would like to propose to Your Majesty another plan other than the first plan, where the children of the collateral line serve in the Imperial Army, and the second plan, where the children of the Black Spirit live in the palace.”
Rulfo glared as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have heard.
The aura he holds is revealed at first glance. He is indeed a warrior worthy of Rosenthaler’s loyalty.
Although no sound would escape beyond the soundproofing, the aura surrounding his arm would be full of humming sounds.
Still, Siren remained unfazed and continued speaking.
“Your Majesty, the plan you have given excludes the responsibility of our family.”
At those words, Rulpo, who was washing his face dry, suddenly leaned back and burst into laughter. Hahaha! It was a laughter that could be mistaken for madness.
“… … .”
“Siren… the Roinen family.”
“Yes, Rulpo.”
“Do you know what’s funny?”
Before I knew it, the aura that Rulpo had been emitting as a drone had completely died down.
“It seems that His Majesty anticipated this as well.”
“… … ?”
“Before I came here on my expedition, His Majesty told me that if the Roinen family had any new ideas, I should try to contact them without delay.”
Rubin intervened.
“If it’s a connection, it would be the magic stone.”
“It was worth it for Prince Rubin to be in the magic school. His Majesty gave me a first-class magic stone. If you wish to carry out his will, Roinen Family, you don’t have to go through me, speak to His Majesty directly.”
Rubin clenched his fists without realizing it. He almost showed his killing intent. But he quickly exhaled and calmed his mind.
To think that I would ever meet the emperor.
“Of course, Prince Rubin should join us too.”
“…All right.”
“Follow me. I will attempt to communicate with my barracks.”
Rulfo took a step. On one side of the Grandbird, there was a barracks set up exclusively for the head of the Imperial Department.
Before following, Siren spoke to Rubin.
“This is unexpected.”
“It’s okay, my lord. I won’t waver even in front of Your Majesty.”
“That’s what it should be. You shouldn’t be afraid.”
The Siren repeated this over and over again, as if reciting a spell to herself.
Rubin nodded and took another deep breath.
The problem is not fear.
The only question is whether he can hold back his anger, his anger towards Telmah, which has never been diluted since he was reborn.
* * *
Filiararch, the capital of Lilic.
The view of Filiarque alone was enough to show the appearance of a large city, but what made this city special was its palace.
The imperial palace where the one and only being in the history of the continent resides. This place, which occupies a large part of the northern part of the island, could be mistaken for another city in itself.
Tall buildings pierce the clouds, the most impressive of which are the eight spires.
Not only was the scale large, but each spire had a Grandbird planting its claws on top.
Each spire had a different symbol engraved on it, representing the eight kingdoms that had fought for supremacy over the continent long ago.
The loser of the continent became Lilic, and each kingdom was nothing more than a vassal state.
Gwuuuuuu.
Eight Grandbirds would cry out from time to time. The sound was louder than thunder.
however.
Even that tremendous howl could not break the silence of the palace. It was a barrier that even the great wizard could not easily break. In addition, a high-dimensional soundproof curtain also surrounded the palace.
The palace is the safest space and also the most secluded place.
Thud thud.
Palace corridors.
The sound of hurried footsteps was quite loud. Soon, a person wearing a blue mask appeared. It was the Emperor’s chief chamberlain.
When the emperor wore a golden mask in public, his close aide was to wear a blue mask.
As he was a person the emperor kept close to him, there were few people in the palace who knew the face of the chief chamberlain.
“… … .”
Now, the chamberlain was walking so fast that his clothes were fluttering. The Emperor had been waiting for something to happen, so being even a little late would incur the Emperor’s wrath.
The place he was headed to was the Emperor’s office. Although it was called the ‘office’ and the place where the Emperor stayed during the day, it was one of the largest spaces in the palace.
Doo doo doo.
Before I could even say anything, the door to the office opened by itself.
His Majesty had guessed as expected. With that thought, the chamberlain went inside.
Finally, the emperor appeared.
However, the office was so huge that the distance between him and the chief chamberlain was very long.
As expected, the Emperor’s face is not visible. This is because a large curtain has been lowered in front of him. Beyond it, only his silhouette can be seen.
“You’re here, Your Majesty.”
Despite the considerable distance, the Emperor’s voice filled the spacious space. The chamberlain took a few steps forward. The place where he stood was ‘a hundred steps’.
In the office, there were points at ‘100 steps’, ’70 steps’, ’50 steps’, ’30 steps’, and ’10 steps’, and one could only walk to each point with the emperor’s permission.
By the way, the stride unit here is not based on human. It is based on the transformed state of the giant blood tribe. In other words, even if you walk a hundred steps, it is still a considerable distance.
“Come closer.”
The maximum position allowed for a chamberlain is thirty paces.
As the Emperor called him near, the chief chamberlain cautiously advanced to the thirty-step mark.
“Your Majesty, I have received a request for a face-to-face meeting through the Magic Stone from the head of the Imperial Department.”
The chamberlain was one of the few people in the imperial family who knew of the existence of the imperial decree.
Although he was a person the emperor kept close to, the fear in his eyes behind the blue mask never disappeared even though he faced the emperor every day.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been able to talk to my sister.”
Beyond the curtain, the Emperor’s hand moved. The chamberlain, who realized the meaning, carefully placed the magic stone on the floor.
“Go out and see.”
“… I understand, Your Majesty the Emperor.”
The chamberlain hurriedly backed away to the door of the office.
Telmach was left alone again. With a simple gesture, he activated a first-class magic stone that only the royal family could operate.
Soon, a wave of light appeared from the magic stone, and the familiar figure of a red-haired woman appeared. She was crouching so deeply that her face almost touched the ground.
Behind the golden mask, one corner of Telmah’s mouth rose slightly.
