Episode 189. Face to Face with the Emperor (2)
Rulfo ordered his men to take out everything in the barracks.
The barracks were empty. Even though it was a video conference, it was a place to meet the Emperor. There should be nothing that could be an obstacle to the Emperor’s eyes.
After everything was sorted out, Rulfo held out his hand to Siren. A first-class magic stone was placed on his hand.
“… … .”
Siren accepted the first-class magic stone. This means that only the royal family can operate it, so she must operate it herself.
“There is only one magic built into it. It is designed solely for communication with His Majesty. Just wrap your hand around it, and the magic will manifest.”
Siren looked over her shoulder before wrapping her arms around the magic stone.
“… … .”
A brief exchange of glances with Rubin. Then he activated the magic stone.
Phew.
Light began to spread from the magic stone.
Rulfo took it back and placed it down at the front of the barracks. Then he returned to Siren’s side and began to take a stance to greet the Emperor.
“Be humble and wait until His Majesty the Emperor comes to see you.”
The three men knelt down and waited for the emperor with their faces almost touching the floor.
“… … .”
“… … .”
There was a long silence, but the emperor did not appear.
That voice. Those eyes.
‘Telmach… … .’
Rubin thought back to the Emperor he had met at the end of his life.
Everything was clear. Even the muscles that had sprouted on his shoulders when Telmach plunged the sword into his heart.
Suddenly, I remembered Telmah, whom I had faced in my inner fear during the ‘second selection’ two years ago.
At that time, Telmah, created by the dream spider, recognized Rubin. He was the ‘incarnation of fear’, including Rubin’s previous life.
However, Telmach, who appeared now, did not know that Rubin was a regressor.
The youngest son of Siren. The youngest son of the Assassin Sword Family. That’s all they know.
‘If it weren’t for the video call… … .’
Can you kill him?
If Telmach were to exist before my eyes… … .
Rubin’s eyes darkened as if they were about to touch the floor. Of course, it would be difficult alone. But with his mother, perhaps it would be possible.
Rubin thinks it would have been better if he and Siren had been waiting in the palace to meet Telmah.
That was when.
-Rubin!
A sound based on darkness.
Rubin was able to break free from his reverie at the sound of his mother’s name.
-Trim your darkness! This is an audience with none other than His Majesty the Emperor. You must not let even the slightest complaint be revealed. Your desired goal, that no one can threaten the Assassination Swordsman! In order to do that, you must pass this moment.
The Siren’s Shout.
She sensed that Rubin’s gloom was not normal. Rubin quickly cleared his throat. As he was lost in his thoughts about Telmah, he naturally harbored hostility.
… at that very moment.
A soft voice reached Rubin’s ear.
“Siren, my sister. My only sister.”
It was a dark smoke that was barely being controlled, but it almost exploded again.
The voice was so clear, as if he was right in front of me. If he reached out, I felt like I could touch my mother’s face.
Rubin couldn’t raise his eyes. He had to keep his eyes still on the ground. This time, he heard his mother’s voice.
“Your Majesty, the master of all Assassins, Siren Roinen, presents herself to Your Majesty the Emperor.”
“… Raise your head.”
“… … .”
“It’s been a while, we should make eye contact and talk.”
Rubin and Rulfo were still curled up. Only Siren raised her head. Her red eyes looked at Telmah in front of her.
Wheww.
Telmah’s space, relayed by a first-class magic stone. Just as the voice was real, the imperial palace revealed in the waves of light was also very clear.
Telmah, sitting on the throne, was hidden behind the curtain, but his brilliant yellow eyes pierced through the curtain.
The Emperor’s voice continues.
“Siren, you are still beautiful.”
“… … .”
“Do you remember what Uncle Amret said when you were little? He said that if you could freeze flames, you would be just like him… I wondered what he meant then, but now that I see you, I understand.”
“… … .”
“Oh, when you say uncle, I remember. I had a nephew too. Did you have a good funeral for my nephew? What was his name?”
Only then did Siren answer with difficulty.
“It’s Maphis.”
To Siren, every word of Telmah was like a ritual, flying towards her and cutting into her skin.
She knew Telmah well. He seemed to be speaking so sweetly, saying he was glad to see her, but he was the one who ruled the entire continent.
Any noble family or royal family in the world can disappear just by his whim.
“… The funeral was well organized.”
It was very subtle, but Rubin could feel his mother’s voice shaking. The world’s most powerful assassin was shaking.
It was a sight he had never seen before, even before the return. Seeing this, Rubin felt anger stirring deep inside him.
“Hmm… Since we’re here facing each other like this, does that mean you have something to offer me?”
“… … .”
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“Don’t worry, Siren… You have the freedom to express your thoughts as you wish. If it’s you, you can do it.”
however.
The atmosphere that had been filled with joy quickly froze over, as Telmah’s voice gradually began to reveal a sense of weariness.
“Speak, Siren.”
Those words were so cold.
“Look into my eyes and tell me, Siren.”
“… It is not that we do not intend to carry out the reforms that Your Majesty has personally given us. However, please give us a chance to atone.”
“A chance for atonement?”
“The failure of Mafis is the failure of the family. The child is dead, but death alone cannot make up for Your Majesty’s disappointment.”
Siren turned her head slightly. Over her shoulder, towards Rubin, who was hunched over.
After that, he continued his conversation with the emperor.
“My other son will carry out the tasks assigned to him by Your Majesty. He will select a child from a collateral line to carry out each mission together.”
“… … .”
At that moment, Rubin felt Telmach’s gaze directed at him.
“Black hair… Are you your youngest child?”
“That’s right.”
“Get up and see.”
at las.
The moment of confrontation came for Rubin as well.
Rubin, who got up, slurped.
“Look at me. Make eye contact with Jim.”
He did as he wished. Rubin’s black eyes turned to Telmah. Beyond the curtain, yellow eyes were visible.
“Rubin Roinen, I greet you, His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Rubin. I’ve heard of him. He was in Philimond when Amret died, right? He’s much more manly than I thought.”
Then Telmah called Rulfo.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The look in Rulfo’s eyes as he answered was sharp. The drunkenness that had been emanating from him had completely disappeared, and he was filled with a clear mind and loyalty.
“Do you think that kid is a good kid?”
Telmach immediately corrected himself.
“Oh, no… In your opinion, does that child seem like one that Siren cherishes?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Telmah chuckled at those words.
“How interesting. Would you like to offer a sacrifice to postpone the punishment?”
It was as if he was reciting his innermost thoughts. It was a language that only the Emperor, the one and only being on the continent, could use.
“Siren. You are still the same. I see you repeating the choices you made long ago. You still cherish the Assassin’s Blade so much.”
‘… … ?’
It was a strange statement. Rubin couldn’t understand what it meant. Repeating a choice from long ago?
But those words pierced through Siren.
Because I felt the darkness that had been wrapped around her rising. It was as if the Emperor was in front of me and would rush at me at any moment.
“If you ever want to see the twins’ faces, come to the palace.”
“… … .”
“And, please take care of your fourth and fifth child as much as you want. I don’t know when I will die while carrying out my mission.”
Twins? Palace?
Fifth child?
What made Rubin curious more than anything was the sadness that came from Siren. The gloom that had seemed to be distorted by anger quickly subsided, and now sadness was seeping out.
“Rulpo.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I will gladly grant Siren’s request. However, if that child dies, I will implement all the reforms I have proposed. No choice, both.”
“I will obey your command.”
“If you complete all the tasks… you can consider that you have forged a usable sword for Jim. Just like Siren did.”
Then, Telmah fell into silence for a moment. He seemed to be thinking deeply about something, his hands resting on the armrests of his throne moving.
“I remembered, Rulfo.”
“… … ?”
“Tell me what the first task will be.”
“If you give me the order, I will take steps to proceed quickly.”
“You told me that back then. That you were found in the northern plains.”
“…Are you talking about the auror that should have disappeared, or perhaps the investigation into it?”
“Yeah. It should have disappeared, but why didn’t it? It really got on Jim’s nerves. That would be good.”
“Okay, I understand.”
Auror of the Northern Plains? Investigation?
I wasn’t sure exactly what the mission was, but it was fortunate. If it was the Northern Plains, Rubin would have to stop by there someday.
‘It’s a good thing. I can meet the blacksmith that Selok told me about.’
“I’ll just do that for the first time… … .”
Those were the last words. The Emperor, no longer feeling any joy towards Siren or interest in Rubin, ended the video call.
Phew.
“… … .”
The emperor’s figure disappeared, but the three continued to wait without moving for a while.
Because the emperor might find them again.
Only after a long time did Rulfo break the silence.
“… Roinen House, now return to your place. The House’s will has been accepted, and Prince Rubin will carry out his mission. As Your Majesty has said, as long as Prince Rubin carries out his mission well, the punishment of the Assassin Sword Family will be suspended.”
“Okay, Rubin.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Siren turns and leaves the barracks.
The two people who came out walked straight to the end of the Grandbird’s body. Wheeeeee. The wind in the sky blew their hair.
“…mother.”
Rubin opened his mouth. Everything was going as planned. There would be no immediate danger to the Assassin’s Blade, and Rubin had the time and foundation to grow stronger.
However, Siren looks a little different than before.
Telmah’s words tore her apart.
Twins in the palace… Rubin guessed that was the statement that shook his mother the most.
“… Don’t ask me questions, Rubin. Don’t even try to find out about it.”
It was Siren’s assertion that guessed Rubin’s curiosity.
“You shouldn’t even ask Killian. You should just focus on His Majesty the Emperor’s work.”
She quickly gathered her wits.
By the time the two Roinecros appeared across the sky, the sadness that had been flowing from her had disappeared as if blown away by the wind.
Before Rubin knew it, Siren had returned to being the strongest family head in history.
“Northern Plains, Auror. You may be confused, but this is a good time. We also have some information about it. I will explain it to you when you return to the mansion.”
“Understood, my lord.”
Soon, Siren leaped out of the Grandbird. Rubin followed suit and jumped into the air.
Wheeeeee.
Roho and Tina each carried their masters on their backs. They quickly moved away from Grandbird.
‘Telmach, a new chapter has begun. Let us remember this brief meeting today for a long time.’
When they were buried in the clouds with powerful wingbeats, only then did Grandbird seem to feel relieved.
Grrrrrr.
The Grandbird’s thunderous cry rang out like thunder. The huge feathers that had been rising in tension were now calming down again.
