### Chapter: 241
Sizelry Ephania Empire.
Sirius Ephania.
His evaluations have always been a mixed bag.
On one hand, some nobles praise Sirius as an exceptional individual worthy of repeated accolades.
On the other hand, there are those who despise him with a passion, wishing for a quick change of emperor.
In reality, some families have survived thanks to his policies, while others have gone bust in an instant.
You could say that Sirius’ reputation swings from one extreme to the other.
However, when it comes to assessing Sirius, there is one common consensus.
It’s his policies and decisive actions that have enabled the Empire to reign supreme as the strongest nation.
To meet such an emperor, Kraush was riding in the Junon family carriage.
Do people even know?
That in the carriage of the Junon sword family, renowned for its martial prowess, sits the direct descendant of Balheim, the strongest family in Starlon?
If this fact spread, the world would surely flip upside down again.
Storytellers would gleefully share the tale far and wide.
But few would dare peek into the carriage where Dalpion Junon sat.
The proof? Even as they entered the gates of the palace, the carriage passed through without a hitch.
The doorman guarding the entrance was so nervous he nearly saluted in a panic as the carriage rolled by.
Such was the influence of Dalpion.
In the Empire, his presence was almost as monumental as the emperor himself.
Kraush peeked out the window.
The view filtering through the blackout curtains revealed the grandeur of the palace.
It had already been more than ten minutes since they entered the palace.
The sprawling gardens and buildings appeared to be exceptionally well-maintained.
Before long, the main palace building came into view.
He had to tilt his head back to take in the massive Ephania-style façade and ocean-colored roof.
Screech-
A moment later, the carriage came to a halt in front of the main building.
As one of the Junon knights opened the carriage door, Dalpion stepped out first.
He was greeted immediately by an elderly gentleman dressed impeccably in formal wear.
Upon seeing Dalpion, he bowed his head in greeting.
He was the royal steward, personally attending to the emperor.
“You’ve come in quite a hurry.”
“Yes, how is His Majesty?”
“Just like always. Recently, he has reduced his food intake a little, but he is making an effort to eat.”
“Such resilience, your majesty.”
White Stone Syndrome—a disease that turns one’s internal organs into pure white stone.
It’s no surprise that with such a condition, digestive issues arise, yet the emperor continued to eat, fighting for survival.
Dalpion, knowing this, couldn’t help but wear a bittersweet smile.
How unfortunate that the emperor, who made the Empire so prosperous, couldn’t save himself.
Yet, instead of focusing on his own wellbeing, Sirius worried about the future of the royal family and sought to cure his White Stone Syndrome.
After all, it was a hereditary illness plaguing the royal bloodline.
Understanding this, Dalpion willingly teamed up with Ixion.
Without White Stone Syndrome, the power of the palace would strengthen even further, ensuring a more stable Empire.
“Well then, let’s go meet His Majesty.”
He said that and turned his gaze toward the carriage.
At that moment, two figures wrapped in robes walked out.
One was Sigrid Ephania.
The other was Kraush.
The steward glanced at them briefly before averting his gaze immediately.
“Allow me to guide you to His Majesty’s chamber.”
He was known to be the tightest-lipped individual in the palace.
“Do you really have to wear robes too?”
Following the steward, Kraush, exuding disbelief, directed the question at Sigrid.
This was a reasonable question since, for Sigrid, this was practically home turf.
Yet Sigrid, showing ignorance, placed her hands on her hips.
“Do you have any idea how adorable I am? If I don’t cover up, everyone would make blunders just staring at me!”
“Nonsense, you just can’t be seen next to Dalpion Junon.”
Kraush was well aware, but still tossed out the bait.
As Dalpion stole a glance at their playful banter, the steward smirked slightly.
“Ah, youth! Such is the importance of being young.”
“You’re still young yourself.”
“Haha, at most I’m just three years younger than Dalpion.”
On the outside, Dalpion appeared much younger than the steward, but that was merely due to his diligent training maintaining a youthful physique.
In reality, the steward was indeed three years older.
“Why is it so quiet in the palace today?”
“When news spread that Dalpion was coming, all servants and knights were prepped ahead of time.”
As predictable as ever, the steward had deftly cleared the area.
He was someone who would do whatever it takes to treat the emperor’s ailment.
“I owe you much.”
“No need to mention it. The Empire always owes a debt to you, Dalpion.”
As their compliments exchanged, a short while later, the steward stopped before an enormous door.
There stood one knight, towering and alone.
This imposing figure was easily over 2 meters tall.
Bigger than even Freya’s child.
The rock-solid shield of the emperor, Terman Friedwen.
Upon seeing Dalpion, he bowed his head in respect.
“I greet the Emperor’s Sword.”
“You really don’t have to be so formal every time you see me. That much is enough.”
“On the contrary. As the emperor’s shield, I must maintain decorum to elevate His Majesty’s stature.”
“You know that’s why the emperor wouldn’t spare you a moment’s thought.”
As Dalpion smiled, Terman returned the smile despite his fierce appearance, somewhat shyly.
Kraush suddenly understood what Dalpion represented in the Empire.
‘He truly has a way with people.’
The figures among the Celestial Swords in Kraush’s mind all seemed a bit off.
Just look at his father, the merciless Balok Balheim.
Every single day he enters the Kingdom of Jeblam, fully devoted to martial training.
Even now, he was a half-god but never ceased his relentless training.
Then there’s the sorcerer Terasius Jeblam.
He had gone mad over magic and curiosity, meddling with whatever caught his fancy.
Conversely, Dalpion was much more relatable.
‘Is it the position of the Emperor’s Sword at play here?’
He started to understand what it meant that place shapes a person.
“Your Majesty, Dalpion Junon has arrived. May I open the door?”
Standing before the door adorned with a white dragon motif, Terman addressed the inside.
Moments later, a cough came from within, followed by a response.
“Let them enter.”
“Yes.”
Bowing his head, Terman grasped the door handle.
Creek, creak—
As the doors slowly opened, an inside finally came into view.
A dimly lit room.
Thanks to the blackout curtains, it was a bit chilly due to the absence of light.
Inside this air, beyond various pieces of furniture, a middle-aged man lay awake on a large bed.
His hair, which should have been ocean-colored, had faded to pure white as it lay across the bed.
His face showed signs of accelerated aging, wrinkling beyond his years.
“Your Majesties, the Emperor’s Sword extends his greetings.”
Dalpion, taking the lead, bowed down, causing Sigrid and Kraush to do the same.
As the Emperor slowly opened his eyes, amber irises sparkled beneath the shadow of his brows.
Though everything else might have dulled, his eyes remained vivid as ever.
The emperor of the Ephania Empire.
Sirius Ephania.
Ruler over the Empire.
‘Those eyes look just like Sigrid’s.’
That distinctively bright amber color definitely resembled Sigrid’s.
Sigrid had inherited the essence of Sirius’ bloodline.
Meanwhile, the reason the Third Princess Sigrid had blue eyes was due to her mother’s genetics.
Given how much arrogance seemed to stem from her mother, it’s safe to say that Sigrid’s looks and personality were heavily influenced by her maternal lineage.
Right at that moment, Sirius tried to rise up, but the steward hurried in to assist him.
It seemed like this was a routine occurrence, having done it multiple times before.
Such was the speed of his ailment’s deterioration.
Kraush found himself staring at the emperor’s frail bones peeking through his sleeves.
Clearly, things weren’t looking good.
With failing organs, the body was wasting away.
Kraush had never faced Sirius directly before.
Seeing him now, it was a bit clearer why the emperor went mad in his final days.
When death hangs by a thread, it’s tough to keep a clear mind.
Especially for someone holding a precarious and lofty position like an emperor.
‘That’s probably why war with Starlon broke out later.’
Taking advantage of the emperor’s feeble state due to White Stone Syndrome, the royal family began attacking each other to snatch the emperor’s seat.
As a result, they started splitting the Empire apart.
Nobles seized this opportunity to split their powers and spewed forth policies that favored them.
The royal family, needing their support, willingly accepted those propositions.
Eventually, weary of this, Sirius picked up his sword.
And that sword was aimed directly at Starlon.
The incident involving the Poison King’s massacre at Hardenhartz.
That catastrophe led to Bianca becoming a white ghost and taking down the Poison King.
A top-tier contender was slain.
Anger surged throughout the Empire in an instant.
And the same was true for Starlon.
What happened at Hardenhartz blatantly exposed the Empire’s atrocities.
Sirius declared war on Starlon to unify the Empire.
In the context of the war, the Empire could coalesce.
With war now underway, it would serve to burn off the powers accumulating without direction.
Policies undermining the Empire could all be justified under the guise of both sides seeking victory.
Moreover, as the Empire came together, the palace’s power would only grow stronger. If he then transferred the throne, the Empire would endure eternally.
Thinking this far ahead, Sirius willingly threw the sword of war toward Starlon.
Maybe it had something to do with his betrothed, Bianca, getting caught up in his ambitions.
Kraush held a dim view of Sirius.
From those who died in the war and the uncontrolled spread of world erosion to the worst seeds planted.
Plus, Ixion thriving even more in such chaos.
Sirius was one of those who hastened destruction.
That’s why Kraush claimed he was insane in his last days.
Justifying everything under the notion of benefiting the Empire.
“You are…”
Just then, Sirius looked over toward Kraush.
Since this was their first meeting, it was only natural to be curious.
Kraush shrugged off his robes.
As his characteristic deep blue hair fluttered in the air.
“Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Kraush Balheim, here to treat your illness.”
So this time, I’ll definitely keep you alive.
Before you lose your mind again, I won’t let you pull any more nonsense.
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