440 – The Monster Regains Its Crown -2-

The Grand Noble Council.

A gathering of nobles powerful enough to sway the Empire, convened to deliberate on matters of state.

Once, such councils decided on whether to wage war against foreign powers; more recently, they had assembled to discuss the subjugation of the Calamity in the West.

Adorning herself in formal attire, Shartia questioned the handmaiden tending to her hair. Where were the Empire’s troublemakers?

“Has my elder brother arrived?”

“First Imperial Prince is en route from the West with Marquis Wolfgang. The Second Imperial Prince is receiving guests in the reception hall, Your Highness.”

“Second Elder Brother… receiving guests?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“What scheme is he brewing…”

The atmosphere within the Empire felt ominous.

A tense standoff had erupted between her siblings, each vying for the Emperor’s favour, while debates regarding Western influence had become increasingly vocal.

“Haa…”

The Calamity’s defeat, while beneficial to the Empire as a whole, had triggered a cascade of unforeseen consequences.

Wolfgang, who had held sway over the West, had entangled himself with slaver factions, leading to escalating disputes amongst the Western nobles.

‘Why did that fool have to align himself with Wolfgang….’

Duke Belian, having gained prominence through his participation in the Calamity’s subjugation, further intensified the conflicts.

The delayed disbursement of rewards, due to frozen waterways, and Wolfgang’s seemingly nonchalant approach, as if time would resolve everything, were issues that frankly needed to be addressed at this very council…

‘Why did this cultist affair have to surface now…’

Amidst this increasingly tangled situation, Shartia sighed deeply, gazing out the window at the carriages arriving at the Imperial Palace.

Wolfgang’s gilded carriage, gleaming as if to proclaim his enduring power.

The carriage of the Lumiere Ducal House, guardians of the Eastern sun, radiating warmth.

The blood-stained carriage of the Ardella Ducal House, protectors of the Northern Forest of Death. Shartia’s apprehension intensified with each arrival.

And finally, that carriage.

-Clench-

Shartia clenched her fists, biting her lip as she watched a carriage crafted from ebony wood, seemingly larger than even the Imperial carriage, enter the Imperial grounds.

“Desmond.”

With the most infamous Duke ascendant, no one knew what chaos would unfold.

*

“Let the Grand Assembly of Nobles now commence.”

The Chancellor’s voice echoed throughout the hall, and the nobles shifted, their movements heavy with the atmosphere.

“We beg your understanding for this hastily called assembly.”

A myriad of emotions flickered across the faces of the assembled nobles.

“These are the end times, the end times…”

Some voiced their pessimism at the Empire’s tumultuous state.

“Ahaha! Duke Belial, congratulations! Finally, you have subdued the scourge of the West!”

Others offered their oily flattery.

Not that they were wrong to do so.

Nor those draped in pessimism.

Seizing opportunities, fostering connections, was their right, their duty.

Of course.

“Blast… what if those devils return?”

Still others gnawed at their nails, consumed by anxiety over the potential repercussions.

The Chancellor, overseeing the ceremonial proceedings, nodded at a signal from a servant, silencing the room.

“Let us all be solemn.”

For the King of the Empire was entering.

[The Sun of Leogard, His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Leogard, enters the assembly!]

“…Raise your heads.”

With the Emperor’s weighty pronouncement, the nobles lifted their gazes to behold the sovereign who had summoned them.

His hair was still silver, his beard still a white cascade engulfing his jaw, but the dark shadows beneath his eyes spoke volumes of the Empire’s precarious condition.

As always, the Empire’s Sword stood to his right, the Crown Prince to his left, flanking their monarch.

Chartia clicked his tongue, observing the Crown Prince’s grim expression. *Because* of you and your alliance with Wolfgang, the West is being pushed further into chaos, he thought.

“Tch.”

Chartia knew it.

“…”

The Prince, standing beside the Emperor, would not involve himself in the troubles that had befallen the prison.

Even if he took up the hunt for escapees, there would be no profit. Better for him to concentrate his energies on the West. He simply wouldn’t gain from any involvement.

Of course, *he* would act differently, seeking to win the people’s favor.

Even as Chartia’s mind raced, dissecting the situation, the Emperor’s somber voice cut through the silence.

“You have all heard the rumors, I trust.”

Rumors of the Empire’s most heavily guarded prison, collapsing before the forces of heresy without a single resistance.

“The Black Sanctum has been breached.”

“…”

“The place where the Empire’s most heinous criminals are incarcerated… three days ago, it fell to a fanatic cult.”

“…”

“The massive taxes invested in that prison, the manpower poured into it, have been reduced to rubble overnight.”

“…”

“Do you even grasp the gravity of this situation?”

The Emperor spoke, gazing at the Crown Prince seated beside him.

“…”

Gone was the gentle demeanor the Emperor usually reserved for his son, replaced by a chilling formality.

“That is…”

Startled by the Emperor’s question, Taeoh couldn’t mask his dismay and stumbled over his words. He hadn’t anticipated his father addressing him in such a manner at a formal gathering.

“The escaped convicts pose a significant threat of secondary harm to the Empire. And… the criminals incarcerated in the Black Sanctum are of the most heinous sort, so…”

“…Is that all?”

“…Pardon?”

The Emperor, having listened intently to the Crown Prince, fixed his gaze upon Taeoh’s eyes and said:

“I asked if that was the extent of your understanding.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty. It is.”

“…”

The Emperor released a long, drawn-out sigh before continuing.

“This incident blatantly exposes the Empire’s vulnerabilities to foreign powers.”

“…”

“That the Leo Guard Empire, reputed to be the strongest on the entire continent, was brought low by a mere cult. This is what this amounts to.”

“…”

“Crown Prince.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Collect yourself.”

Although the conversation was held in hushed tones, ensuring the other nobles remained unaware, Shartia could sense the undercurrent.

‘Father… he’s starting to lose faith in Taeoh…’

The conviction of her father, who prioritized the principle of primogeniture, was beginning to waver.

With a flicker of satisfaction, Shartia watched as the Emperor released another weary sigh and, with a slight limp, looked down at the man standing below the dais.

“Forgive me for summoning you in your ailing condition, Warden.”

“It is no imposition, Your Imperial Majesty.”

“…”

“If anything, I am deeply apologetic for failing to fulfill my duties completely.”

“…”

The Emperor, having summoned the Warden responsible for the Black Sanctum, adopted a grave expression and continued.

“I merely have a few questions to ask.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Where were you when the cult’s attack occurred?”

“I was in my office.”

“Had you been drinking?”

“I had a small amount before retiring for the night…”

“…I see.”

The Warden lowered his head under the Emperor’s sharp questioning. Words seemed futile; any utterance would sound like a hollow excuse.

“Forgive me for revisiting matters that have already been investigated.”

“It is not so.”

The Lieutenant Commander merely lowered his head, seeking to preserve his life.

The Emperor, looking down coldly at the man, pressed him again. Before so many nobles, he needed to firmly question and scrutinize.

“Are you an apostate?”

“No…! How could I be an apostate…!”

“Indeed, had you been, you would not have fought so hard as to lose a hand.”

“…”

“Many soldiers have died.”

“…”

“Many have been wounded.”

“…”

“I do not diminish your sacrifice, but I spoke to you hoping you would understand your negligence.”

Just as the Emperor’s pressure on the Lieutenant Commander seemed to wane, the Second Prince, who had been listening with arms crossed, quietly raised his hand and spoke.

“I believe his crime should be punished by death, Father.”

“…What did you say just now, Second Prince?”

“I said he should be executed.”

“…”

“It is true that the Lieutenant Commander lost an arm and sacrificed himself for the Empire. However, that event led to many casualties, and he failed to complete his task…”

“Second Prince.”

“I believe that his death would be the just and honorable thing.”

‘That fool…’

Chartia gnashed her teeth, watching the Second Prince who failed to grasp their father’s intent. Her father was trying to acknowledge the Lieutenant Commander’s efforts, instead of simply scolding him in front of everyone.

Admit fault, and then reward.

This was their father’s way.

‘A fool with nothing but dung in his head…!’

As the Second Prince continued to speak without pause, Chartia raised her hand.

“It was bound to happen regardless.”

“…Chartia.”

“Even knowing of the incursion, there was no way to stop them. Of course, blame should be laid for what occurred, but not death.”

“Are you defending him now?”

“No. I am merely saying it would be wise to highly value his sacrifice.”

“…”

Chartia stared directly into the face of the Second Prince, his brow furrowed in displeasure, and bared her animosity.

‘Try thinking before you speak.’

The Second Prince, hearing this, grew resentful that his opinion had been dismissed.

“Then you do it.”

“…”

“Insignificant little thing.”

*BANG!*

The Emperor, frowning, quelled the uproar.

“Enough is enough.”

“…”

“This gathering was not arranged for you to bicker.”

“…My apologies.”

The Emperor shook his head, then spoke.

“I heard that 40% of the escapees from Hamel are dead.”

“…”

“It seems you accomplished quite a bit in the Desmond territory.”

Darvav shook his head at the comment, shrugging his shoulders.

“We did nothing at all, Your Majesty.”

“…”

“They were simply unlucky enough to wander into the Hamel Mountains, a place rife with monsters, and met with an untimely demise. I believe Desmond had nothing to do with it.”

“…I see.”

The Emperor said.

“Are there any here who would lend a hand with this matter?”

“…”

“Wolfgang.”

Wolfgang lowered his head, offering a negative reply.

“I cannot abandon my territory at this time.”

He could not easily move, not when he needed to keep Belian, who was gaining power, in check. Thus, Wolfgang refused the Emperor’s proposition.

It was a golden opportunity to regain lost trust, yet Wolfgang chose profit over divine favor in order to keep the Belian family in check.

“And the Belian family?”

“The Belian family shall apprehend any criminals crossing into the West.”

The noble, unwilling to involve himself in dangerous affairs, shook his head and gave a negative answer to the Emperor’s request. Escapees were no ordinary criminals, after all.

Inevitably, the Emperor’s gaze fell upon Desmond. Even if many escapees held grudges against other nobles, none held them against Desmond.

Formidable private soldiers, the wealth to maintain them, and a knack for decisively eliminating family enemies… Desmond was a family that, though disliked, could not be made into an enemy.

“Then, may I ask for your assistance once more?”

Darvav smirked, and said.

“Why should I?”

“…”

“Desmond has no involvement in this affair.”

“…”

“I believe once is enough for such matters, Your Majesty.”

It was the return of a king.