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65 Chapter

‘……A horde of bombs is really coming.’

I sighed inwardly as I saw the figures of the court officials entering through the banquet hall door.

At the forefront were members of the imperial family. The playful expression of Emperor Helios, along with Empress Tina Cypros and Second Prince Serenon, stood out. And then came Crown Prince Diego.

‘That handsome face really shines when he dresses up.’

I looked friendly at Diego, who was dressed in a golden uniform with his hair slicked back neatly.

Since deciding to become friends, I had enjoyed several tea times with him, building a rapport.

Next to enter the banquet hall were members of the temple. Leading the procession of priests was El, who appeared to glide in. Julian was also in the procession.

‘El is… just godlike.’

With a sacred appearance that made one wonder if someone was holding a sign behind him, he wore the papal robe mixed with bright sky blue and pure white, cascading his sky-blue hair down to his waist, sporting a mystical expression that looked like he had just popped out from a temple.

‘A bit annoying, though.’

Thinking back to when I danced here, convinced that El was the substitute priest, I felt a bit frustrated, but knowing his intentions were for my sake, I decided to be generous.

As I keenly observed the procession of priests, something caught my attention.

‘Oh. We made eye contact.’

I locked eyes with Julian, who had shed his usual playful demeanor and wore a solemn expression. With a mischievous glint returning to his face, he winked at me. Thanks to multiple visits to the temple since I had partnered with El, I found myself smiling at Julian, now feeling familiar.

‘Leo is at the back.’

Next, I spotted Leo among the dazzling group of envoys, standing at the very rear. He had discarded his dull silver robe and donned a navy uniform embroidered with a crescent moon, the symbol of the Atara Kingdom.

‘Honestly, it’s hard to adapt…

I couldn’t believe that the boy who used to live cramped in a cabin had grown up like this. The cold face of Leo, sharp yet bored, felt strangely unfamiliar.

Seated in the two enormous thrones at the front of the banquet hall were the Emperor and El. The envoys stood before them. The first part of the event was a time to present the gifts brought by the envoys to the Emperor and the Pope.

“This is a gift from His Majesty the King.”

So, the gift from Alexandros I, quietly nestled in that envoy group, was literally a showcase of weapons.

A renowned sword crafted by Atara’s finest blacksmith, a dagger adorned with jewels created by Atara’s best jewelers, a gold-made pistol, and so on. Every single box brought by the envoys contained weapons.

“Did the newly crowned king prepare such gifts after killing all his brothers to ascend the throne…?”

“He’s a mere 17-year-old rookie, seems clueless about socializing.”

The whispers of aghast nobles echoed around. While I maintained a slightly stiff expression during the gift presentation, I glanced at Leo among the envoys. Despite being a Sword Expert, it was clear he heard the nobles criticizing him, yet his expression showed not the slightest hint of emotional turmoil.

‘It does seem odd from the perspective of people who are unaware of the circumstances.’

Sending envoys to allied nations upon the new king’s accession means, “Hey, even though our country’s master has changed, we’re still friends, you know?” Even though the ruler of the country changed, the alliance remained intact.

If the new king had not sent envoys, it would imply that the alliance was a thing of the past and signified no intention to continue the alliance.

The envoys were literally the king’s representatives—the king had actually come hidden among them. The relationship between countries was determined by the conduct of the envoys and the manner in which they were received.

‘However, the fact that such an important envoy brought only weapons means… it can be interpreted as quite a sensitive issue.’

It is typical for a king sending envoys to present the best possible gifts available from that nation. Sending only weapons could be interpreted as a call for war.

‘But Alexandros must have his own thoughts on the matter.’

Though rough, Alexandros was not foolish. He knew that breaking ties with the empire as war approached would lead his nation to ruin.

‘This is a kind of message to prepare for war.’

Gems and rare items had no place in wartime needs. Weapons were, by far, Alexandros’ best gift to an empire on the brink of war.

There was no way the Emperor and Pope could miss what I had read. The mild smiles on Helios and El’s faces confirmed that.

After receiving and reading the king’s letter passed by the envoys, a faint smile appeared on the Emperor’s face.

“Beware of the northern winds… The rookie has quite the spirit.”

Using mana to eavesdrop on the Emperor’s slight murmur, I turned my gaze to Leo. A similar smile, like that of the Emperor, lingered on his face as he stood leisurely with his arms crossed.

Following that was the ceremony of exchanging gifts from the empire to the kingdom. Even though it wasn’t planned between them, the gifts prepared by the empire were also weapons. Confusion spread among the lower-ranking nobles slandering the kingdom as they realized the empire knew a war was approaching.

‘I guess only the lower nobles are still unaware.’

I closely monitored the movements of the north every day, so I knew they were quite unusual. While it had yet to be formally reported, it was evident that the high-ranking nobles living near the northern border, be it the border barons, the imperial family, or the temple, were all aware.

‘But… they must all think lightly of it.’

I bit my lip. It had happened many times in history that the north revolted against the empire. Yet, in all those numerous revolts, the north had never once defeated the empire. Thus, it was clear everyone was being complacent.

Not knowing the most dangerous weapon in the north.

‘Normally, the north could never defeat the empire. It’s like a fight between a dragon and a worm.’

The might of the empire’s highly trained army against the wandering northern nomads would result in little chance of victory.

But if the worm figured out how to tame the tiger to defeat the dragon, the story changes drastically.

‘The north has learned how to tame monsters.’

Monsters. Fel creatures that roam the northern territory, twisted beyond recognition by a magic that humans cannot feel but affects beasts, enhancing their physical abilities unreasonably.

The residents of the north, who had suffered eternally from the monsters and lived as nomads without a home, discovered a method of controlling these beasts through forbidden black magic after a long and arduous battle.

The monsters that appeared during the subjugation in the Village of Lujou were among those controlled by the people of the north.

‘The residents of the north, who had always lived oppressed under the empire, are now preparing for war against the empire with these monsters.’

Though I am an imperial citizen, with my precious ones living under the empire’s roof, I must side with the empire, but when I reflect on what the empire has done to the northern people, it’s only natural for a rebellion to occur.

‘Having treated the north as a colony, turning its people into slaves and demanding insane levels of tribute.’

Not all rulers in history were virtuous. This Emperor and Pope, though dubbed sagacious, had not exploited the north, but the resentment built over a long time cannot be dissolved by a single generation of righteous politics.

‘A rebellion in the north is justified… but I must side with the empire.’

The empire had evidently committed unforgivable sins against the northern people. However, to protect my precious ones, I needed to lead the wronged empire to victory.

Since realizing this, I felt as though a giant boulder began crushing down on me, growing heavier by the second. I tightly closed my eyes against the suffocating guilt.

The Kashmir Crisis is not virtuous. No matter how much I pretend it is, what matters most to me is my people.

I am selfish.

“Young Lady of Crisis. Are you alright?

Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

After the ceremony began, Rainer, who had halted our peculiar standoff, cautiously asked me while keeping watch at my side. I smiled faintly at his grateful concern, evident in his stony expression.

“I’m fine. Just lost in thought for a moment.”

Yet the worry etched on his face, like dark clouds, refused to dissipate. Rainer, who had lowered his gaze slightly like a gloomy puppy, hesitated for a moment before asking.

“But really, you don’t look well. May I take your temperature?”

“Um… If you insist on checking, then go ahead.”

No matter how poor my physical stamina and endurance were compared to a Sword Master, I wasn’t likely to have a fever, but if I refused, Rainer would dig a tunnel to find a way in, so I decided to acquiesce.

Of course, I imagined the usual scenario of someone checking for fever with their hand.

As Rainer’s large hand carefully brushed aside my bangs that covered my forehead, I felt a tickling sensation and slightly closed my eyes. Rainer, gazing at me with a serious expression, leaned in to bring his face closer.

Thud.

And our foreheads touched. A slight, mysterious warmth spread on my forehead.

‘W-what…

My eyes widened in surprise as I quickly opened them. Rainer’s fluttering eyelashes were right in front of my nose, and a buzz of murmurs began to swell around us. As I felt warmth spreading from my chest, I—

“Ahhh!”

The Pope’s staff fell with a loud crash at the center of the banquet hall.

Only then did Rainer lift his forehead and turn his gaze towards where the staff had dropped. I quickly surveyed the situation. Thankfully, it had fallen in an empty spot, and no one was injured; the banquet hall floor took a dent, but the sturdy staff appeared unscathed.

“My apologies. My hand slipped.”

As my eyes turned to El, the owner of the fallen staff, he, wearing an expression devoid of any emotion, said in an indifferent tone.

‘…Is that really an accident?’

El was currently seated on a throne at the very front of the banquet hall. For his staff to fall so far from the front certainly hinted at it being thrown deliberately.

But if the Pope slipped, it was indeed a slip.

No one was foolish enough to question the Pope in this banquet hall, and so, the incident ended with a servant hastily returning the staff to El.

“I can’t believe it. What ridiculous behavior was that, Ky?”

Just before Rainer and I began our conversation, Karl, who had left to get wine, suddenly returned in a fit of rage, interrupting us. Even with Karl’s wild-eyed glare, Rainer remained unfazed and answered casually.

“I was merely checking the lady’s complexion, as she didn’t look well.”

“Why exactly are you checking her temperature?! …But does she really have a fever?”

“This way is much easier to gauge. She may not have a fever, but her complexion is still concerning.”

“Gauging? What kind of gauging! …I guess she does look unwell. We should finish the banquet quickly.”

As I quietly observed the standoff between Karl and Rainer, unsure whether it was a fight or just a discussion about my condition, I decided to move quietly to another spot.

Seeing how well they were getting along, it seemed to just be the friendly bickering of friends.

 

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