Chapter 368 – Audience -1-

The sun of the Harun Empire.

Falcone Lancaster, the rightful ruler of the vast empire.

Falcone Lancaster’s power is still strong.

They have the military power to easily push an independent country into the empty plains with a single wave of their hand.

However, apart from the power that could reach the sky.

It cannot be denied that the emperor today is an old man with wrinkles.

As the emperor grows older, a small-town sensibility is developing in a corner of his heart.

The days feel long and everything is boring, but I also find this kind of life to be the most precious.

Holding this time in my hands, I feel like I don’t want to lose it for the rest of my life.

When the skin dries out like an old tree and wrinkles begin to form furrows, the skin becomes insensitive to external information and emotions become unpredictable and sensitive.

Some days, I have the mindset to accept the approaching death and aging brought by time as a natural providence.

On the other hand, some days, I feel so scared that my legs are shaking at the sight of my old self. There are moments when you can’t stand the fear of those who might be aiming for your position.

Like this.

Falcone Lancaster, the Emperor of the Empire, has great emotional ups and downs.

This tendency to be extremely sensitive definitely existed even when I was young, when I didn’t have a single wrinkle on my face.

However, it is an undeniable fact that as one gets older, the psychological conflicts of the past become ridiculously severe.

····

“Roman, a platinum adventurer, asks for a fortune from His Majesty the Emperor.”

Lancaster nodded his head slightly in approval.

Eclair, who was standing next to him, puffed out his chest and raised his voice.

“Get out!”

When permission was given, the two knights standing at the entrance moved with a restrained attitude and opened the door.

Wow -!

A huge door opens.

There is a man walking between them.

The gait that stretched forward without hesitation and without hesitation was truly exciting.

“Your Majesty. It’s been a while since I greeted you.”

“It seems like you have grown even bigger in just the short time I’ve seen you. It’s dazzling to see that you are a youth full of energy.”

Roman’s audience proceeds with a completely different procedure than that of a series of nobles.

A platinum adventurer who kept avoiding the place, using etiquette as an excuse, even though he had invited her several times.

In order to meet and talk with him, the only one among the current platinum adventurers who has the potential to be recruited, the emperor of the empire succeeded in inviting Roman to the imperial court under special conditions.

If Roman, the platinum adventurer, is ignorant of etiquette and is uncomfortable with the rules, don’t worry about the established etiquette.

From the perspective of an ordinary imperial citizen, it is enough as long as it is not an odd or perverse action.

It was a privilege among privileges that would make self-conscious blue-blooded nobles bite their tongues in jealousy if they encountered it.

“I don’t know if I gained weight because I had someone to take care of me and started eating well.”

Haha!! I can’t believe the day comes when I hear such a story from your mouth. As I get older, I get tickled.”

“Isn’t it a time when we can’t go on without bragging? I’m sure Your Majesty will understand.”

At that moment, the solemn expression of Eclair, who was guarding the seat next to the emperor, twitched.

Roman secretly noticed her lies and her poor knack for hiding things.

It’s different from office romance, but the hidden atmosphere that only lovers can feel is enjoyable.

“Yes… I’m even more curious about this incident because my wife smells like this.”

“I have a lot of concerns about mentioning my private life, so I would like you to keep it to a minimum.”

“Fine. Accept it. Everyone except Knight 5 should leave.”

“Thank you.”

This was an occasional request when dealing with sensitive topics.

The knights moved in perfect order and hid themselves as if they were waiting.

“I’m just not sure about things from Jim’s point of view today, and it’s been a while since I’ve seen him face to face. This is how I found him.”

“It is an honour.”

The Emperor knows that Roman does not prefer to talk about his well-being.

“I brought that much of the contract, which is clear evidence. There will be no problem with the reinstatement of Viscount Bright requested by the church.”

“If you show resistance now, you are either too stupid to be of any help to the future of the empire. Or, I think it is more appropriate to view it as the limb of a warlock.”

“That’s right. Fortunately, so far… I don’t see any such lackeys within the empire.”

“It is truly the red robe of the empire.”

As the answer came out of Roman’s mouth, the emperor slightly raised the corners of his mouth as if he liked his attitude.

And the main point.

“That’s the point. I think a person’s mind can change overnight. What do you, who has a wide knowledge, think?”

“I agree.”

“That’s the same reason I said earlier that there are some things I’m not sure about. I’m not trying to guess whether there’s been a change in the mind of a platinum-level adventurer, but I want to be sure.”

“I will listen.”

Tagagak-

The emperor put his wrinkled hands together and clasped them.

The large rings clashed together and made a clear sound.

“Isn’t there the only remaining lineage between Marquess Skadi and Viscount Bright? It’s the woman you’re dating.”

“Yes.”

“Looking at your involvement in the Bright family’s lottery, I don’t think it’s a casual relationship. Are you planning to marry the only remaining female and become the master of the family?”

“The marriage will proceed, but I will not be the head of that family.”

In the past, there was a case where an attempt was made to give a title as a reward for a request in order to create Roman’s nest in the empire and bring it down.

I wondered if my feelings had changed since then, and I asked just in case, but I was always met with a sharp rejection.

The emperor was drooling over his unfulfilled aspirations.

“Honestly, it’s a shame.”

“If my woman takes the imperial seat, I won’t have to worry about leaving.”

“Hmm…”

From the emperor’s perspective, it was a helpless worry.

A long time has passed since the imperialism that burned brightly in Falcone Lancaster’s heart cooled down.

I began to feel that as long as there was no power to unilaterally suppress the federal government, it would be ideal to keep it in check and live a peaceful life.

To achieve this, a large number of soldiers are important, but it is individuals with overwhelming military power that are particularly effective.

“I felt at ease when I heard that there would be no major problem in clearing away the stigma of Viscount Bright.”

“···Okay. If I ask you any more, your stubbornness won’t break. Let’s finish the first problem here.”

“Do you have any other problems?”

Roman knew what the story would be, but he consistently pretended not to know.

“Before we start the conversation, I want to let you know that the 5 knights here are people you can trust.”

I also know how difficult it is to go through the procedures to stand next to the emperor.

And Roman knows and trusts eclairs much better than the emperor.

“Of course. Among those who set foot on the Empire’s soil, I believe there is no one who does not know the integrity of the Five Knights.”

Her lips were trembling slightly as she quietly listened to her story.

Looking at her temperament that has brightened up these days, it seems like the corners of her mouth are holding back from rising.

“That’s a good thing.”

“···.”

The emperor released the pod and lightly touched his forehead.

She opened her dry mouth with a dull look that indicated she really didn’t want to even mention it.

“First off, I’m worried that the impression you give me after meeting you for the first time in a long time is a bit unexpected.”

“If you are worried that the blade has become dull, I would say the opposite.”

“No. That’s not it. You’ve shown me things, so why would you question your mindset or strength now?”

“Thank you.”

There was a heavy silence in the throne room.

And as if she had finished organizing her thoughts, the Emperor reached out to his side and handed over the piece of paper that Eclair was holding.

“I received an additional letter from the church. Your name was included as one of the people who helped produce it.”

“It is the result of my hard work and hard work. All the names there are those confirmed to be involved, and there is sufficient evidence, including the contract.”

A document created after talking with a saint in a corner of the church. It was a list of people connected to Nema Natas.

Not only was it confiscated from the Marquis’ mansion, but it was also using evidence that had been accumulated step by step over the years, including Mist Nest.

“Roman… This is not a question of credibility. Do you know that this is truly a difficult situation for the ruler?”

“I’m making predictions.”

A sigh of exhaustion rang out.

“I am the master of the empire. However, there is no way that I do not know that Nema Natas has taken root in the power class of the empire, which is no different from the flesh. It is an ordeal that the master of the Federation is also going through.”

“Yes.”

“I knew about most of this in advance. You and the church have great resourcefulness in how you found out about the small nobles and even the upper class on the outskirts, but it is difficult to cut this off right away.”

“Yes.”

What kind of answer would we get if we found out based on information from our past lives?

Roman nodded briefly and waited for the emperor to continue speaking.

“It is really difficult to cut off one’s own flesh and turn into a shrinking figure when the federal government, which is taken over by belligerent guys, must also be kept in check. Do you understand?”

“Are you saying that you left Nema Natas as is because the blade of the Federation’s arms is closer?”

“That’s true, but the power class has been sick with Nema Natas ever since I sat in the position of emperor, so there was no way to do anything about it.”

In any case, it means that it would be difficult to deal with numerous people written on paper at once.

I understand the attitude that checks like that are the best.

If I were to be in the position of a ruler, there would be things I didn’t know about.

Falcose Lancaster glanced back at the paper in his hand, frowned, and scratched his forehead.

“I am afraid that your pathetic temperament will lead to a conflict with the Third Knight.”

“Your Majesty, are you concerned that there will be a vacancy in the Empire’s armed forces?”

“Of course it’s true. The huge crack that has formed inside may be an opportunity for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to come in and push in.”

3 The emperor looks pained at Roman’s attitude of not saying that he will not see blood with a knight.

Fear of radical change.

Roman can read the psychology of an old man who is secretly afraid of the heat of conflict.

“Your Majesty. Things have changed.”

“How has it changed?”

“The Federation and Nema Natas… You have to decide which sword is closer.”