Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Marquis Sylvester uttered to Berthas.

“Then, I will go since I have delivered what the Emperor has said.”

“Did you say you were going?”

“That’s right.”

It was certain. He intended to pass all the blame to Berthas. It must have been his intention to postpone the diplomatic disrespect the Crown Prince had committed the other day.

Seeing Marquis Sylvestes getting that far away, Berthas shook his head.

“What now?”

Hector, who was listening next to him, looked at him and asked.

“They want me to close the deal.”

“I heard that, too. However, what does that mean now?”

“Taking care of everything.”

“Taking care of everything? Who, the Duke…?”

“Me.”

“Ha… I guess they are crazy now.”

“I think so.”

Even if they gave him faith, they gave him too much. What on earth did they believe in to entrust him with this work? It was Berthas who did not understand. At that, Hector glanced at his face and opened his mouth carefully.​

“If we don’t get a good result in this negotiation, we don’t know what they will do with that as an excuse.”

“I don’t know what they are thinking.”

Hector, who was watching Berthas in thought, shook his head.

It wasn’t easy. It’d been a year and a half since they had cut off contact with the Larchen Empire. In the Hillenton Empire, life was inconvenient due to the absence of magic-related items. There was a shortage of magic stones used to protect the country, to small magic stones that heat water.

The imperial people complained of inconvenience, and before the imperial people complained of the inconvenience, the nobles were in an uproar already. Although Berthas did not know, there were already requests from the nobles of the Hillenton Empire to restore relations with the Larchen Empire.

The Emperor, feeling a sense of crisis, was trying to put this blame on Berthas. If it produced results, it was a good thing, and if it didn’t, they would pick on it. As Berthas’ status within the Hillenton Empire was gradually increasing, the Emperor felt a sense of crisis, and he had to resort to measures.

“To constraint…”

“I think they are scared of the Duke.”

“If this happens, I will be stranded in Larchen.”

Rather, that would turn out well. He sought the woman but could not convince her, so he was about to convince her while he stayed in the empire. While thinking of the woman’s face, Berthas suddenly felt something strange.​

‘…It was ultramarine.’

The color of her eyes changed, so he felt even more dazed.

“Sir Hector.”

“Yes.”

“Is there another Imperial Family in the Larchen Empire?”

“Another imperial family?”

“Someone with red hair and ultramarine eyes…”

“The Larchen imperial family.”

Was she a hidden member of the imperial family? So, why couldn’t she go out? He became troubled. This could escalate to a bigger problem. If she was a hidden member of the imperial family, it was understandable that she rejected his heart.

The closer they got, the more dangerous it would be. He understood the woman’s heart who cut him off.

“A hidden member.”

“I’m telling you just in case, Duke. There is no hidden member of the imperial family hidden in Larchen.”

“…What?”

“None.”

“Is that possible?”

“There is no direct lineage except for the current emperor. There are only collateral families left.”

Hearing Hector’s words, he fell into his thoughts again. Then, who was that woman? It felt like he kept spinning around with the correct answer nearby.

“…Red hair and ultramarine eyes.”

“The imperial family of Larchen.”

“If the magic power there is red…”

“The Empress of Larchen.”

“No way…”

It couldn’t be. Was she the Empress of Larchen? It was nonsense. He saw her magic running though probably it wasn’t red.

“I don’t think so.”

“What do you mean?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

“What…?”

Hector asked Berthas, who was muttering, but he didn’t answer.

…No. It won’t be.

First of all, why would the Empress be at the harbor at that time?

“I’m… thinking nonsense.”

He shook his head vigorously to shake off the anxiety that came over him. Suddenly, they were in front of the imperial castle of the Larchen Empire. He couldn’t be this absent-minded. He had to get over this crisis.

“What brings you here?”

“I am one of the envoys of the Hillenton Empire.”

With Berthas’ appearance, who appeared to be a military commander, the guards guarding the imperial palace were tense.

“Show me your identity cards.”

After handing over the identity cards of him and his companions, Berthas cast his gaze to the distance. A white palace… Remembering a year and a half ago when he turned around in front of this, he stared at the palace with gloomy eyes.

“Even though your identity has been confirmed, you cannot enter the palace.”

“What?”

“For what reason?”

Berthas asked, stopping Hector from being furious.

“Currently, we are not accepting any envoys entering the palace.”

“Then, when do you think you can allow it?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is this the case with the envoys of other empires?”

“That’s right.”

Eventually, the guard carefully opened his mouth to Berthas and his companions, who showed disappointment, “You will have to unpack at the inn in the capital and wait. Envoys from other empires have also arrived, but they are still waiting.”

“Another Empire…?”

“Yes. Aren’t you here to see the New Year’s festival?”

“New Year’s festival?”

“It is the time of the New Year of the Empire. That is why envoys from different countries came. Didn’t you say that you were an envoy of the Hillenton Empire?”

“That’s right.”

Of course, he didn’t come here for that reason, although Berthas replied as that was a good thing. He could easily enter the Palace.

“It’s not possible right now, so you can’t go inside the palace, but it’s different at the New Year’s festival. If you wait, the road will open.”

The next moment, he threw a pocket to the guard, who was kindly advising. The guard spoke as he returned the pocket in his hand back to Berthas.

“I can’t take this because I just did what I had to do.”

“You did your job, but your kindness doesn’t disappear. It’s my good heart.”

“I can’t receive it.”

Seeing him like that, Berthas admired the sight of the guard speaking with a stern expression. It was the strength of the Larchen Empire. A face that showed the pride of being the chief of the guards of the Imperial Palace.​

“I have been rude.”

“It’s okay.”

He bowed his head to greet the rigid-speaking guard. Meanwhile, Hector’s breath inhaling was heard behind him though Berthas didn’t care.​

“A man who takes pride in his work is always nice.”

“Thank you.”

A country where even the guards do their job… It was when he became envious of the Larchen Empire.

“After all, an empire is an empire.”

“I envy them.”

“What do you mean?”

“There are people with such loyalty.”

“Well. There will be in Hillenton, too.”

‘…No. There wasn’t.’

New Year’s Festival.

It was the largest festival of the Larchen Empire. This year’s biggest issue was whether the Empress, who was absent last year, would attend the New Year’s festival.​

“She will.”

“She won’t.”

“SHE WILL!”

“If she will, she would have already appeared.”

“It’s not!”

Bickering could be heard from all over the pub. It is true that the empress was missing. So opinions were divided. One of Berthas’ party, who was watching the scene, opened his mouth.

“…I think the story of the Empress’s disappearance is certain.”

“Be careful.”

In the place, there were other people with them as well, so it was better not to say things that could get them into a quarrel.

“It will be tomorrow. New Year’s Festival.”

“Then, the door will open tomorrow.”

“I think so.”

He handed over a drink in response to Hector’s words.

“Aren’t you drinking too much?”

“If not at this time, when are we going to take a break like this?”

Everyone listened to his words and took a glass of wine.

“If not now, when will another opportunity come?”

“You’re right!”

The faces of those who toast each other while clinking glasses were bright.

‘The knights who should be recognized in the Empire can only rest when they come out of the Empire. Where is this irony?’

Then, he passed the bitter smile along with the drink. The reason why those who deserve to be treated were wandering around without finding a place to settle… Berthas, it was because they followed him.

“Are you thinking something strange again?”

Hector, who was watching Berthas, opened his mouth. He then patted Berthas on the shoulder as he cast his gaze.

“It’s not your fault.”

“Is that so?”

“Really not. Even if I go back to the Empire, I will always be scolded.”

“Me too, Your Excellency!”

“Me too!”

Seeing Hector’s men agreeing with his words, Berthas laughed. Because of them, he could exist today. Comrades who could trust and entrust his back on the battlefield that crossed life and death. It was the people who gathered here.

“I was thinking about something bad.”

“You’re right. Don’t even think about it, let’s find that woman!”

“Let’s find her!”

He picked up the glass as he saw the subordinates who lifted the glass and slammed the table.

“Drink as much as you want today. I will buy it.”

“Huh…? Isn’t that obvious?”

“We have no money!”

“Drink and die!”

He downed his drink while listening to the shouting. As they drank like crazy, it was already midnight. Throwing the drunken men on the bed, Berthas took his steps outside.

“It’s bright.”

The lights commemorating the New Year’s festival tomorrow were brightly lit. Seeing the lights illuminating the dark night, Berthas fell into thought. It was a beautiful place.

…The Larchen Empire.​

‘Is it because she is in this place?’

Just being able to breathe in the same space as she gave him peace of mind. In the meantime, the gloomy atmosphere as he had been looking for the woman subsided.

“I don’t think so.”

She wouldn’t be the Empress. It shouldn’t have been her.

“…Yes. It will not.”

Berthas affirmed himself and took his steps. The bright light was shining brightly, unlike his dark heart.

“It must not be.”

—

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