“Did the Emperor say to come to the Imperial Palace soon?”
As soon as I returned from Kalus Territory, Tori, who had called me to the office, said. That’s strange. I had forced him to sign the contract stamp, and he probably wouldn’t want to see me again.
“Yeah. So get ready to go right away.”
“…What’s the reason?”
“Well, he didn’t tell us either.”
That meant it was a matter only the Emperor and I were privy to.
“Got it. I’ll go right now.”
I didn’t know what he was going to say, but since I had firmly crushed the Emperor’s will to fight against me, he wouldn’t be calling me just to have a verbal sparring match.
I left the office.
The moment I stepped out, I was unexpectedly met by the Heroes striking serious poses as if preparing for a mission like a special forces team.
“…What is it?”
“Master, everything’s ready! It’s round two with the Emperor, right? The first strike is the best! Let’s go!”
“To meet Master’s expectations, we’ve prepared thoroughly. Just say the word.”
“Master, what should we drop this time? Last time it was Meteor, so how about a giant ice this time?”
What are you guys talking about…?
I sighed, feeling the pressure of the Heroes, who looked like they might draw their swords or cast spells at any moment.
“I’m not going to fight.”
“Huh? Is that so? I thought this time we were finally gonna knock him out!”
Hey! What happened to respecting your elders?!
If I received a knock from Tina, my skull would definitely cave in, not to mention I’d likely fracture my neck.
Of course, it was alright to hit the Emperor, who had committed a massacre. Still, there was no reason to provoke someone who was already cooperating with us.
“We thought we were really gonna smash the Royal Family this time.”
You guys are so overly enthusiastic…
I sighed, seeing the Heroes getting more and more reckless day by day. At this rate, would they end up ignoring my words completely?
“Calm down. All things should ideally be resolved peacefully.”
“That’s true, but those who didn’t listen to Master ended up backing down as soon as they saw our power.”
At Maria’s statement, I bitterly licked my lips. Honestly, after the Meteor incident, I thought it might’ve been easier to just knock him out.
“Violence is always the last resort. Remember that.”
Still, I believed my approach was not wrong. If I had resorted to violence from the start, we wouldn’t be able to resolve things as peacefully as we were now.
“…It seems the Emperor used that method from the start.”
Her voice was cold. Just thinking of the Emperor seemed to ignite her anger. But has she improved compared to before?
“Are you thinking of becoming like the Emperor, Maria?”
“Not really… but it feels a bit unfair. Are we supposed to take all the hits?”
“I understand you’re angry. So I hope you can endure this for my sake. If he tries to oppress your race again, then I won’t hold back.”
“It’s not like I want to go against what you think, Master. It’s just… well, I was saved by that human I resented.”
Maria said with an awkward smile.
“And don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll remain your disciple.”
“…Is that so?”
It had been a warm moment after a long time. Nodding in satisfaction, Maria suddenly raised her finger.
“For that reason, the seat next to Master is mine, so please don’t think about bringing another woman!”
You… Really…
I was almost moved! Give me back my emotions!
“No way? It’s mine!”
In the midst of that, Tina made a counter.
*
“You came with your disciples.”
The Emperor’s expression was sour when he saw us entering the office.
“You didn’t bring your disciples just to cause a ruckus, did you?”
“Do you think I’m some kind of thug?”
“You’re worse than a thug.”
“…….”
I reflected on everything I had said to him so far. Not only had I verbally abused him against my will, but I had also threatened and resorted to violence. Honestly, being called a thug seemed fair.
“Sigh. This is a conversation for the two of us, so why bring your disciples?”
After a moment’s hesitation at Lupin’s sigh, I pointed at the Heroes.
“They just really like me; please understand.”
“M-Master?!”
As I said it casually, all the Heroes started to freak out simultaneously.
The Heroes’ eyes were shaking as they looked at me. Their fidgeting fingers were cute. Tina even covered her face with a hood and turned towards the wall. No, you don’t have to go that far…
I hurriedly calmed the Heroes down and sat them on the sofa. Of course, I took off the hood that Tina wore.
Iris and Maria’s gazes were fierce. Looking at the Emperor, their eyes practically screamed that they wanted to kill him right then and there.
But judging by the way they glanced at me from time to time, it seemed they weren’t planning to take action.
“So, what’s the important matter?”
The Emperor glanced at the Heroes. He could feel the animosity coming from them. But he calmly brushed it off as he looked back at me.
“It’s about Seri.”
“Seri…?”
I never expected the Emperor to show interest in the Princess. Did he have some change of heart in the meantime?
“You said you would make Seri the Emperor.”
“…That’s true.”
“Is there a reason?”
“A reason?”
“If you were displeased with Chris, you could have chosen another Crown Prince. Why choose Seri, who was deemed incompetent?”
“That incompetent evaluation was made by Chris, who belittled Seri from her childhood.”
“What…?”
“And the Serí you see now is the evaluation she should have received long ago.”
“How… How could… I didn’t even know that.”
“If you had cared about her even a little, you would have known.”
It was wrong to solely rely on Chris’s words while designating the next Emperor.
They were family and lived in the same building, so they must have crossed paths occasionally, but he probably just thought she was pathetic.
“But how do you know that? You and Seri aren’t that far apart in age, are you? Did you visit the Imperial Palace when you were kids?”
Whoops, did I reveal too much information?
He looked at me with suspicion. Just then, the Emperor muttered to himself.
“No… It must be that Seri already told you everything about how she was treated.”
Fortunately, he seemed to be reasoning it out on his own.
I felt relieved. I had a cold sweat for a moment as I desperately thought of an excuse.
“Still, it’s you who started showing her abilities after you took her with you, right? Did you know about Seri’s uncertain abilities from the start?”
“That girl understood the dangers of the Demon Tribe well. I once asked Seri about other races. She said it wasn’t right to treat them as slaves, but to join forces as equals.”
“Is that so…?”
“Before the common enemy of the Demon Tribe, the massacre you committed was a choice made without foresight, only looking at immediate benefits. That choice you made nearly destroyed the Empire you cherish the most.”
“Nearly destroyed…?”
“Yes. Nearly. You’ll be liberating the slaves this year and providing territories for them to gain independence, right?”
“Thanks to you forcing my hand.”
“Say thank you.”
“…Have you forgotten that the person in front of you is the master of this Empire?”
“You being in front of me doesn’t mean I’ll acknowledge you as Emperor. Don’t try to assert your authority.”
As I crossed my arms and confidently said that, he snickered.
“You’ve been a madman since the first time I saw you.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“You rotten brat, tsk.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue in discontent.
“Just so you know, you don’t need to worry about the liberation of the other races. After their independence, interactions and harmony will be left to Aus and me. I won’t let them become a threat to the Empire, so don’t worry.”
Aus was a noble with a very good image among other races and held a high position as a Duke among humans, making him the perfect condition for achieving harmony.
“I see.”
“Were you contacting me just to ask about that?”
“…One more thing.”
Lupin pulled out a piece of parchment and placed it on the table. It contained the achievements Seri had accomplished thus far.
“Did she really do all of this?”
“It doesn’t seem believable even after reading it. It’s truly what she accomplished. Just ask Chris, and he’ll confirm how busy I’ve been.”
“…Is that so.”
After hearing my response, he maintained a long silence. I had nothing to say either, so I quietly watched. The Heroes were quietly calming down their anger.
“If you have nothing more to say, then I’ll—”
“Wait. I want to change the terms of our deal.”
Just as I was about to stand up, Lupin spoke.
“…You want to change the terms now?”
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s a good thing for you.”
“A good thing for me?”
“I will acknowledge Seri’s public activities. I hope she continues as she’s done thus far.”
“…You know what that means, right?”
The permission for public activities.
This was akin to announcing her as a candidate for the next Emperor.
“If that leads to the peace and prosperity of the Empire, it wouldn’t be strange if an unprecedented case of a woman becoming Emperor occurs.”
“Why are you suddenly granting permission?”
“Because I haven’t recognized Seri’s abilities until now.”
For me, it was a proposal with no drawbacks.
If the Emperor acknowledged her as a candidate, I could elevate Todiah and Rexton without restrictions into Seri’s faction.
This meant that even if Chris became Emperor, she could position herself to replace him at any moment.
“But… in the end, I’ll still choose Chris.”
He let out a deep sigh. Just by hearing that sigh, I could feel the turmoil within the Emperor.
“So for now, I hope you give Chris a chance, Praus.”
“A chance…?”
“But if you attempt to enslave the other races again or try to kill any other princes or Seri, then I won’t stop you from taking Chris down.”
I never expected him to say he would choose Seri. But I honestly didn’t expect him to word it like this.
In any case, I was planning to observe the situation and act accordingly, so the Emperor’s offer was very welcome.
There’s a vast difference in how the public perceives a lawful removal compared to a forced one.
“Understood. I will revise it.”
We drafted the treaty once more and stamped each other’s seals on it.
All in all, it seemed like everything turned out well.
As long as Crown Prince Chris doesn’t do anything stupid, everything would run perfectly.
“Since I think the conversation is over, I’ll be heading back. It would only cause discomfort for me to stay here too long.”
I brushed off my knees and stood up from the sofa. The Heroes followed suit and got up with me.
“Ah, Praus.”
“…?”
The Emperor stopped me just as I was about to leave the office. Wondering if he had something else to ask, I turned back, and he casually asked.
“Are you planning to marry Seri?”
…What?
The Heroes were more shocked than I was.
“What do you mean…?”
“The reason you want to make her Empress isn’t because you want to cling to her for life, is it?”
What misunderstanding does this old man have?
“What kind of nonsense are you talking about, old man?!”
Tina shouted, taking the words right out of my mouth.
“W-What?! Old man…?”
“H-Hold on! The Master is going to be with me for life!”
She said as she hugged me tightly. For life…?
“Tina, don’t take this as an opportunity to cling to Master.”
Iris pointed at Tina, then gradually inched her arm towards me.
“You two are all the same. Right, Master?”
Though Maria, who couldn’t do a back hug due to her height, had her chin resting on my shoulder and whispered. Glancing back, I saw she was floating using Wind Magic. Is she really using magic for this…?
“You’re all the same. Just let go.”
“If you say you won’t, then I’ll let go.”
“Hurry up and say it. If not, I’ll kiss you!”
“I-I’ll answer right away. Ah, I-I mean… would it be okay if I held on a bit longer after I answer?”
What kind of spectacle is this in front of the Emperor?
He just stared at us blankly and then burst into laughter. Maybe it was either out of disbelief or amusement, but it was the first time I saw the Emperor laugh so freely.
…But could you help me out a bit instead of just laughing?
So, I ended up having to endure being tormented by the Heroes for a while under the Emperor’s gaze, unable to resist at all.