364 – The Empire and the Emperor’s Preparations

“Ready! Ready!”

“Get the angles right! Scrub until the floor tiles’ coefficient of friction is zero!”

A day that begins with the harried shouts of the scream-in-charge knight. The Capital Knights Order headquarters was, today of all days, bustling and crowded. Because today was a very important day.

Today, Crown Prince Irid was visiting the headquarters for an inspection.

An opportunity to showcase the achievements they had diligently pursued, utilizing the funding funneled directly from the Imperial Family. The improved Power Armor, the various facilities, and… most importantly, the giant robot.

Ronald, the Head of the Capital Knights Order’s 3rd Team, stroked his mustache and inquired of Doctor-Gordius.

“Is the presentation ready?!”

“Of course. Utterly flawless. Now, we merely need to unroll this perfectly aristocratic red carpet in honor of His Imperial Highness’s arrival──”

“Gaaah!”

The knight responsible for screams let out a piercing wail upon seeing the carpet Gordius produced. Ronald, with practiced composure, attempted to salvage the situation.

“Ahem, rest assured, gentlemen, if that *rustic* carpet is unfurled, I shall personally tear it into shreds of atomic proportions!”

“⋯⋯Is my taste truly that…unrefined?”

Every single member of the Capital Knights nodded in unison. Gordius was a capable researcher, possessed a certain romantic flair, and they owed him a considerable debt of gratitude.

However, that was entirely separate from tolerating his catastrophically bad sense of aesthetics. He kept trying to revive trends from thirty years prior, and there was that one time he attempted to attach *antennae* to a suit of power armor.

Ronald, ever vigilant in preventing Gordius’s decorating disasters, steered the conversation in a different direction.

“Doctor Gordius. I believe you also finalized preparations for the 『Overclock Unit』 demonstration. Wouldn’t that be…somewhat risky?!”

“I’ve managed to raise the stability to at least 30%, so we’ll only demonstrate it when the pilot’s condition is optimal. If there’s any sign of adverse effects, we simply won’t present it. “

“Hm. To introduce something unproven would be… well, hardly fraud, considering the unit’s exceptional performance! However, we must exercise caution-“

“Oh, he’s here! His Imperial Highness has arrived!”

He’s arrived!

“Statue formation!”

The Capital Knights who hadn’t been selected as test subjects, upon Ronald’s command, donned their sleek power armor and assumed suitably knightly poses in formation.

Soon, from a modest carriage parked before the headquarters, a man with radiant golden hair emerged.

This man was destined to become the Empire’s new sun, Irid Crown. His deep blue eyes were clouded with a melancholic concern, as if perpetually burdened by the Empire’s future, and slight dark circles added a touch of sharp austerity.

Gordius, standing before Irid, flashed a business-like smile and recited the speech he’d practiced all night.

“We are honored by your visit, Your Highness. I am Gordius, a Golden Tower mage in research collaboration with the Capital Knights. I pledge, that when this occasion is concluded, you will find your investment to have been most gratifyingly spent.”

“One correction. I am not yet the Emperor.”

“My apologies, Your Highness. Your inherent regality was so overwhelming, that I momentarily mistook you for, well, already having ascended the throne. Ha ha. First, I’d like to explain how the Capital Knights’ existing power armor has evolved, and then, comparatively display the speed and wonder of the accomplishments we’ve-“

Irid cut off Gordius’s awkward flattery before it could continue.

“I am already aware. I am also aware that metal procured with public funds was diverted for private use. I possess ample knowledge to understand, so let us proceed directly to the core of the matter.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Gordius froze, petrified, by Irid’s casual accusation of embezzlement. His pupils trembled as if caught in an earthquake.

That he had crafted a confession-bot mini robot to present to Woo Chae-rin, should have been a secret known only to him. Furthermore, the materials used were relatively minor, hardly noticeable. How could he know? Is there a spy planted within?

Indeed, the uncanny ability to completely seize control of the Empire’s Defense Bureau even before his ascension to the throne was assured, was not a fabrication. The man before him possessed a spiderweb-like network of information whose depths were unknowable…!

“I understand it is not a major infraction. I am also aware you replenished the funds with personal money later. Let it pass.”

“⋯⋯This way.”

Gordius felt a wave of anticipation wash over him as he led the way down the hallway. He was guiding the Emperor to an elevator that descended into the headquarters’ underbelly.

“This is?”

“A mechanical lift, Your Majesty, permitting vertical transit within the facility. The labs are constructed in a deep, subterranean complex, so…”

*Shrrrk.*

The automatic doors slid open, and the two men stepped inside the elevator. With a low *whirring* sound, they began their long descent.

Irid watched the numbers on the indicator lights steadily decreasing. “I trust you’ve seen to its proper construction, but forgive my nagging. We needn’t worry about ground subsidence, do we? If the capital’s foundations were to give way, fines alone would hardly suffice. It would be a public disgrace, at the very least.”

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I had my mentor… that is, the Golden Magister of the Magic Tower, reinforce the structure to be exceptionally robust.”

This was, after all, a colossal research complex meant to house and construct colossal robots. No sooner had Gordius secured the research funding from the Imperial Treasury than he’d rushed to his mentor to commission the work. It could probably withstand even the most violent earthquakes for a thousand years.

*Ding!*

*Weeeeeeng.*

The elevator doors opened upon their arrival in the deep underground. Gordius strode ahead down the straight, elongated corridor, launching into a more formal introduction.

“Now, Your Majesty, I shall present our research breakthroughs.”

—

“First, A-1. The closest chamber.”

Gordius swiped his card key, unlocking the nearest steel door. Inside, two knights stood side-by-side, one encased in an older model of power armor, the other in the new.

“To the left is the previous model. To the right, our new power armor, equipped with the ‘Stellaria Engine’. The output has increased by 50%, and as it utilizes both mana and electrical power, it is resistant to ‘mana suppression,’ a former vulnerability.”

“The new model appears… bulkier. Does it impede mobility?”

“No, Your Majesty. Even in its base form, it is not significantly slower than the older model. And it also has a built-in pursuit mode for apprehending magical girls. Purge sequence, initiate.”

“-Purge!”

*Pshhht—! Thunk, thunk!*

External plates of the new power armor detached, revealing a sleeker, more agile form. Incorporating the knowledge gained from the long chase after ‘Blue Rose’, it was a mode designed purely for the game of cat and mouse.

“We’ve installed boosters on the soles of the feet. Short bursts of aerial flight should be possible.”

“Hmm. I worry about excessive expenditure. What of a grappling hook launcher instead of boosters?”

“A poor idea, Your Majesty. Even crafting a cable capable of supporting the weight of the power armor is a problem, not to mention the lack of any structures that could withstand the load. Hooking onto a spire would more likely result in its destruction. Besides, are grappling hooks not the tools of bygone failures?”

Why rely on such primitive contraptions for mobility when he could have reliable—and stylish—boosters?

“…Very well. Just a thought.”

Irid stifled a twinge of irritation. To be swayed by sentimentality over relics of the past would be irrational.

“Next, A-2.”

“You will be astonished by what awaits you here. Within this chamber lies…”

“That would be the ‘Overclocked Unit.’ No commotion heard from inside, vital signs appear normal, so there shouldn’t be a problem with a demonstration.”

*Beep.* *Wheeeee.*

The steel door parted, revealing a power armor painted in stark black. Subtle elements differed from the existing designs, and the deep rumble emanating from its engine was incomparably louder.

The pilot inside the Overclocked Unit reached out, intending to demonstrate its capabilities. But then, a swarm of pop-up windows erupted before his eyes. *Ting.* *Ting.* *Ting.*

––

Swept away by the flood of information, the pilot lost control of the machine. The ‘Overclocked Unit’ began crawling across the floor on all fours.

“Khaaah––! My body’s acting on its ooown––!!”

“…Looks like we opened the wrong one. Right, let’s move on to the next.”

“…”

*Wheeeee*– *thud.*

“Open it again.”

“Yes, sir.”

At Irid’s stern command, the steel door slid open once more. And the knight, forced into a frantic tap dance, was revealed to the world again.

The movements were absurd, but undeniably fast. The mere fact that such a dance could be performed in such a heavy power armor was an indication of its potential. Though it didn’t seem exactly built for the ballroom.

“What is this?”

“…The ‘Overclocked Unit.’ A power armor designed as a command unit based on existing designs, pushing hardware and software performance to the absolute limit, *but*. With some minor… glitches.”

They had acquired and implemented a combat assistance function from a crazed mage, and the problem was the sheer level of assistance—more than any human could handle.

It was as if one’s body was taken over by a barrage of advice. Like being swept up in the enthusiasm of an overly talkative shopkeeper and inadvertently buying something you didn’t even want. It moved with *that* kind of feel.

“To be field-ready, the combat assistance function needs considerable… a lot of adjustment. Or, alternatively, find a pilot capable of processing that much information.”

“I understand. Intriguing. You may close it now.”

“G-Gordius! Emergency shutdown! The tap dancing won’t stooop––!!”

“Let’s move on to the next one. Now, for the grand finale: the giant robot.”

*Wheeeee*. *Clang.*

The scientist and the Crown Prince proceeded to the next level.

—

*Clang!* *Clang!* *Clang!*

*Clunk*, *thud*.

The sounds of metal being cut, struck, and joined together echoed through a space that was vast both vertically and horizontally. There, a fifty-meter-tall giant robot was under construction.

Irid stroked his chin, observing its imposing form. Certainly, there was a sense of, how shall we say, reassuring visual satisfaction in simply looking at it. He even entertained the thought that this iron giant might be able to engage a dragon in hand-to-hand combat.

*Clang!* *Clang!*

A knight spotted Gordius and Irid and rushed to report to the Captain of the Holy Knights working at the site.

“Captain, we have guests!”

“…Did Daesu arrive? Or Hayangi?”

“Neither the husband, nor the wife, well, not the husband either. And not the daughter.”

Kim Ruru, wielding a hammer twice her size and acting as a human-press, took off her safety goggles and turned around. She was wearing work clothes, a little grimy.

The tiny knight captain, quite small in stature, sniffled and approached.

“Yo. Gordius is here? And that’s… Your Imperial Highness!”

“You should use honorifics…”

“Friends don’t use formalities, right?”

Irid raised an eyebrow slightly. He wasn’t offended. Perhaps the younger him would have been, but now he didn’t intend to strictly adhere to social rank.

Not in a private setting, at least, though it might be expected in a crowded, official place.

He was simply curious. Irid had no prior connection with Kim Ruru.

“…Captain of the Holy Knights. Aside from a few brief encounters in official settings, I don’t believe we’ve met. What makes you consider me a friend?”

“A friend of a friend is a friend, right? So, I’m friends with Daesu, and Daesu is friends with that crazy mage, and the crazy mage said he’s friends with Irid!”

“That troublemaking crazy mage goes around calling me his friend?”

“He seemed to think of you quite fondly, or is that not the case?”

Wide-eyed.

Irid stared into Kim Ruru’s round eyes and paused to consider. He didn’t feel particularly annoyed or awkward. Rather, it was a rather pleasant feeling. Had he grown fond after all this?

A friend, perhaps?

“…That’s right. You’re correct.”

“I knew it! Just a moment, let me wash my hands and introduce you around. Ah, would you like to try riding the giant golem yourself? It’s super fun, you know?”

“If it’s possible, I would like to experience it. I’ll take you up on that. Captain of the Holy Knights.”

“Just Ruru is fine!”

Watching Kim Ruru and Irid chat amiably, Gordius inwardly sighed in relief. He had been worrying about what to do if Irid were to reprimand them for their impudence.

He had even considered offering his prized incense burner (ugly design, though) as a peace offering.

Truly, as the rumors said, Crown Prince Irid Crown was a benevolent man. The young mage and scientist sensed that this blonde youth would soon become a wise and just ruler.

Once they overcame the great threat of the evil dragon, the Empire would surely become a wonderful place to live.

—

After completing his inspection and promising continued support to the Holy Knights, Irid boarded his carriage and headed towards the Imperial Palace.

He’s been visiting now and again these days. For the sake of the handover.

The Emperor’s chambers had changed quite a bit. Gone was the frostbitten silence, the anxiety and pain that shadowed his eyes. In their place… so many potted plants. It was hard to tell if this was the audience hall or a botanical garden.

*Sizzle, sizzle.*

Water scattered from a small, pink watering can.

The old man, who had been smiling as he carefully watered the plants, set down his straw hat and stretched. He looked at Irid and spoke with gentle kindness.

“You’ve come?”

“Yes, Father.”

“By the grace of the Goddess, the cherry tomatoes are thriving. Perhaps asking the Alchemist Guild Master for fertilizer did the trick… Try one, if you like. They’re quite sweet.”

“…Perhaps you could save some for me when it’s harvest time. My sister and brother are sure to be curious of the taste.”

The Emperor, having found some semblance of peace, had become like the kindly old man next door. An old man whose remaining days were likely few, but those few would be long and serene.

Sharing cherry tomatoes with Irid, the Emperor slowly began the handover. The forces he commanded in secret, the flow of funds, the intimate details of past events—the knowledge the next Emperor simply *had* to have.

Then, at some moment.

As if it had just occurred to him, the Emperor launched into an old story.

“Do you know of the Black Dragon Emperor?”

“Of course. He’s the founder of the Empire, is he not?”

“Yes, the history books say he made a pact with a dragon to establish the first Empire. Perhaps that dragon was… the sleeping god himself. Legend says the Black Dragon Emperor received the dragon’s blessing and gained an ageless body.”

“…But he eventually met his end, did he not? I believe the Imperial Mausoleum holds the Black Dragon Emperor’s tomb.”

“Indeed. But isn’t it strange?” the Emperor continued.

“The Emperor before me… my own father… secretly dug into the Black Dragon Emperor’s tomb. Perhaps he sought clues to escape the clutches of the gods. But, he found nothing left in the tomb.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing. Even if the bones and flesh rotted away, the dragon scales that were said to have grown on the Black Dragon Emperor’s skin would never disappear. And yet, there was nothing.”

Indeed.

The corpse had vanished completely.

As if he lived on, untouched by death.

*