Johanna threw a spoon that hit Ray squarely between the eyebrows and immediately leaped up from her chair, swinging her fist.
Though Ray shouted excuses like “It was just a joke!” repeatedly, Johanna resolutely drove her fist into Ray’s jaw.
With such a commotion, they inevitably got kicked out of the shop.
After being thrown out, Katleya looked displeased as she glanced at Ray’s group before going back inside to apologize on their behalf.
Meanwhile, Johanna stepped outside alone, muttering to herself with her back turned to Ray.
Ray quietly approached her, trying to start a conversation.
“Hey, you.”
CRACK!
Johanna promptly kicked Ray in the shins and followed up with a punch under his ribs.
THUD!!
“Guh…!!”
Bending over in pain, Ray caught some attention. Alesya then hurried over, shaking her head disapprovingly.
“My knight, even if you favor one secretly, maintaining equality outwardly is key to a peaceful household. If you keep this up, one night you might end up stabbed or worse!”
Speechless at Alesya’s words, Ray momentarily reflected on his actions.
Once the pain subsided and he straightened up, Ray approached Johanna again.
Johanna’s eyes were red, seemingly filled with both sorrow and irritation.
Ray quickly moved behind her and wrapped his arms around her.
She jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow, but Ray gently appeased her, apologizing for his antics.
Just then, Sebas and his friend emerged from the shop and called out to Ray.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
Sebas looked thoroughly annoyed, assuming Ray had been playing around to disrupt their work.
Alesya leaned close to Ray and whispered.
“My knight, do you think if I point out their rudeness, they’ll apologize and leave?”
“Wouldn’t it be better if Katleya steps forward and questions their disrespect towards a guest of the Alstein family?”
Alesya hesitated and backed away slightly.
As Ray pondered how to get rid of them, a young girl’s voice came from behind.
“There you are.”
Everyone nearby turned to look at the source of the voice—Speira Prizzran.
Even Alesya began growling reflexively upon seeing Speira.
Ray quickly covered Alesya’s lips and chided her.
“Tsk, not out here.”
Alesya pouted as Ray let go of her lips and faced Speira.
“Hello, Lady Speira. Were you looking for me?”
“Yes.”
“What’s the matter…?”
Speira smiled faintly and replied.
“Wouldn’t it be better for us to build familiarity before sharing a room? It would benefit both of us.”
Upon hearing this, Alesya started growling again.
Ray sighed inwardly while covering Alesya’s mouth once more.
It didn’t seem like Speira had come here entirely of her own accord; Ernst’s influence was likely strong.
Currently, a rumor was spreading among the people of the Imperial Capital that Ernst had chosen a partner for his great-granddaughter. While high-ranking officials in the Empire could easily tell the rumor was true, others couldn’t.
If Speira were seen approaching Ray like this in public, the consequences were predictable. Already, Sebas and his friend were whispering speculations about the rumors concerning Ray and Speira.
This wasn’t a welcome situation for Ray.
‘He keeps pressuring me.’
Ernst seemed intent on marking Ray as “his man,” regardless of whether Ray wanted it or not.
Since there was no immediate way out of this situation, Ray resigned himself and shrugged at Speira.
“Since we’ve met, would you like to help me show you around the Imperial Capital?”
*
The Emperor, having dismissed everyone around him, took a sip of tea.
Due to his dulled senses, the sweetness of the finest tea in the world barely registered.
“Swordmaster…”
Swordmasters, along with 9th Circle Archmages, were classified as Lords—titles that carried both praise and caution.
Historically, these individuals often transformed into usurpers, willingly or not.
Thus, to rulers, Swordmasters were double-edged swords.
Being unmatched powerhouses capable of feats beyond dozens of Graduates, Swordmasters posed a constant threat of usurpation despite their loyalty.
The Emperor sipped his tea again.
Ernst was both the strongest sword and the most reliable vassal of the Emperor.
Ernst was loyal to the Empire and showed little interest in expanding his own influence.
Over time, due to their good relationship, the Emperor became complacent, leading to a critical mistake.
While the Emperor always kept an eye on Ernst’s military prowess, he failed to consider Ernst’s tendencies and desires properly. This oversight ultimately led to the tragedy of “that day.”
Recalling the past, the Emperor thought of the First Crown Prince.
“I should have passed the throne to the First Crown Prince…”
Although incompetent, he was decent at reading situations. Had the Emperor curbed the power of influential noble families early on and handed the throne to him, the First Crown Prince might have managed well enough despite external pressures.
On the other hand, the Second Crown Prince was capable but cruel and rigid.
He frequently expressed the opinion that Lords were unnecessary for the Empire.
Believing the Empire’s strength was already formidable, he deemed the presence of potentially disruptive Lords unnecessary.
This mindset of the Second Crown Prince became the trigger for Ernst’s intervention.
For the first and last time, Ernst openly defied the Empire by assassinating the Second Crown Prince.
While the Emperor reflected on the past, Ernst entered the room after receiving permission.
“…Your Majesty.”
Ernst was momentarily surprised.
Though expecting a private audience, he anticipated standing within speaking distance of the Emperor. Instead, the room where the Emperor sat was small enough to fit only five tables.
The Emperor gestured.
“Sit down.”
As Ernst took his seat, the Emperor placed his wrinkled hand on the teacup and spoke.
“It’s been quite some time since the Second Crown Prince met his demise.”
“If Your Majesty wishes to punish me for that incident, I am prepared to offer my head.”
The Emperor scoffed.
Whether earnest or not, Ernst knew the Emperor’s position well.
“Had Ernst alone been the Empire’s Swordmaster, I would have eliminated you, no matter the cost.”
However, the Empire also had a Marquis guarding the border adjacent to the Demonic Realm. He was a powerful Swordmaster with ambitions.
“…Ernst, I have a request.”
“Speak your command.”
“Protect the Imperial Family and the Empire’s territory even after my passing.”
“Do not worry.”
“I am concerned. You may be the Empire’s foremost swordsman, but the Marquis will outlive you, will he not?”
A Swordmaster’s lifespan is roughly twice that of an ordinary person—about 150 years. For Ernst, only about 30 years remained.
Though not a short time, the Marquis would remain vigorous for another 30 years after Ernst.
Facing the Emperor, Ernst said,
“My great-granddaughter will inherit my role.”
This was not something one could guarantee.
Numerous prodigies hailed as once-in-a-lifetime talents never reached the Master level.
Early achievements in youth did not guarantee mastery later in life.
Nevertheless, Ernst firmly believed his great-granddaughter would eventually attain the Master level, and the Emperor trusted Ernst’s judgment.
The Emperor gave a tired smile in front of Ernst.
As he aged, feelings of anger, betrayal, and resentment faded, leaving only cherished memories.
For years, overwhelmed by negative emotions, the Emperor neglected the Empire and now needed to make decisions late in the game.
“I will appoint a new Crown Prince.”
“If Your Majesty names your desired successor, I will support them, even if it isn’t Poibos. I will persuade him.”
“No, I will appoint Poibos as Crown Prince.”
The Emperor wasn’t saying this because Poibos was his son. Among the remaining royals, Poibos was the most intelligent, reasonable, and balanced.
There was, however, one problem.
“Ernst, my time is limited.”
Had the Emperor appointed Poibos as Crown Prince immediately after the Second Crown Prince’s death, conflicts could have been minimized.
But during the Emperor’s neglect of succession matters, power brokers aligned themselves with different royals, deepening the rifts.
If the Emperor had sufficient time, gradual adjustments might still be possible. However, such time no longer existed.
Handing the throne to Poibos and closing his eyes right away would lead to conflicts tearing the Empire apart due to Poibos’s diminished legitimacy.
Ultimately, drastic measures would be required, and large-scale purges accompanied by bloodshed always provoked strong resistance.
To sufficiently suppress this backlash, the Emperor needed to endure on the throne for at least five more years—a prospect he doubted.
In the end, there was only one option.
All royals supported by power brokers, except Poibos, needed to be imprisoned or eliminated.
“…My fault.”
This extreme situation was undoubtedly the Emperor’s mistake.
After a moment of silence, the Emperor continued.
“Listen carefully.”
Among the six remaining royals, excluding the Emperor and Poibos, two elders were already practicing self-restraint.
The remaining four were problematic, each having formed factions with various powers.
“I will summon all four to the Imperial Capital.”
The royals and nobles wouldn’t fail to understand the implications of the Emperor’s summons.
Those who respond to the Emperor’s call might avoid imprisonment but will likely save their lives.
The issue lies with those who refuse the Emperor’s summons.
“Ernst.”
The Emperor pulled out the imperial seal from his robes and extended it.
Though the imperial seal isn’t irreplaceable in the Empire, handing it over signifies lending his authority.
“Bring back the heads of the royals who defy the imperial decree. Minimize collateral damage as much as possible.”
The Emperor entrusted Ernst with the imperial seal.
“Also, ensure the recovery of the Dragonheart artifacts. We can’t afford to lose any more like in the First Crown Prince incident.”
Ernst stood up and knelt respectfully.
“I accept your command.”
Perhaps this was a trap set by the Emperor.
Nevertheless, Ernst was loyal to the Empire and trusted the Emperor’s wisdom.
Attempting to remove Ernst now would only further destabilize the Empire.
