Chapter: 276
The Emperor of Romania, Julius, exhausted from state affairs, lay down on his bed.
Five years had passed since he became emperor, yet the weight of the Immortal Crown felt heavier with each passing day.
The question of whether he could resemble the former emperor loomed over him like an unshakable chain.
The former emperor. The Sword Emperor. The Great Arthur. Lucius Altrius III.
His mother’s older brother. The Emperor’s maternal uncle and adoptive father.
Although he was an adoptive parent meant to pass on the throne, he treated Julius strictly as a father in public.
The former emperor, simultaneously near and distant… was an unreachable figure for Julius.
A lone man with the power to subdue both the Imperial Knights and the Knights of Epona… the strongest human of the current generation.
Only in tales would one find a warrior or hero like Rychlen who could be compared to him.
Julius, who ascended the throne after such a remarkable figure, was barely able to bear the weight of the crown on his head.
There were no issues in state affairs. Being the adopted son of the Sword Emperor and the biological son of the dragon priestess granted him authority that no one could challenge.
Lords from every corner bowed their heads before Julius, and the citizens sang praises of the emperor’s name on lands where famine never dared to tread.
Nobles and common folk alike. No one would dare rebel against an emperor respected by all.
The Romanian Empire moved forward smoothly, with not a single soul starving.
Yet, the emperor ruling Romania lived every day with a heart full of anxiety.
He lacked the swordsmanship of the former emperor.
He did not possess his mother’s magical prowess.
Though he was regarded as reasonably intelligent, he felt like nothing more than an ordinary person compared to the other two; all he could do was rule the nation.
In a situation where improvement seemed impossible, and no paths to advancement were visible, Julius let out a sigh.
Like the stars hidden behind a dazzling sun are hard to see, it would be far from easy for someone following in the footsteps of the great emperor to leave a mark on history.
Thus, Julius lay back on his bed.
Another day fades, and a new day approaches… Julius, who was struggling day by day, fell into a deep sleep.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
“Julius. Emperor Julius.”
Amid his hazy consciousness, he hears a voice. A woman’s voice he had never heard before. Yet for some reason, it feels familiar.
“Look upon the lives of the people with your own eyes. Especially those who fight monsters. The adventurers.”
At the sound of the voice, Julius tilted his head, barely awake.
“Adventurers…? Those who don’t become soldiers and instead take on the rough work of monster hunting.”
These individuals have a wild temperament and frequently stir up trouble.
They are thugs in the making, wandering in search of monsters to hunt without even paying proper taxes.
Is there any reason to watch such people? What for?
“They need systematic management and assistance. Only you can provide it.”
Only I can do this…
Only I can.
“Yes. Only you can. Even the great former emperor couldn’t do it…”
Just then, crash!!!
A sound of something breaking filled the air, and Julius’s consciousness, which had been submerged in deep sleep, was jolted awake.
As he hastily stood up, what caught his eye was the former emperor, who was inexplicably panting heavily.
“Julius, have you not seen anyone around?”
“W-What? How suddenly do you ask…?”
The former emperor didn’t even catch his breath before scanning the room. The door lay shattered on the floor. It seemed there hadn’t been enough time to open it, as the fragments of what used to be a door were scattered all around.
“I could have sworn it was her energy…”
“Excuse me?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Am I getting old…?”
“No, please provide a more proper explanation!”
And so, the tempestuous former emperor left with a slow stride.
Julius could only stare blankly at the figure retreating.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
“Oh my. What a shock.”
“I was just whispering to Julius in his dream when Arthur came running up, scaring me into disconnecting.”
“But how did he even notice? I only used a sprinkle of faith; it should be so faint a normal human wouldn’t catch it, right?”
For some odd reason, Arthur seemed to be straying further from humanity.
Well, let’s put aside that about Arthur.
“Why the sudden secrecy, Your Majesty?”
“Well, it just crossed my mind.”
Looking out over the town, the emperor replied to the commander of the Imperial Knights, who was dressed as an ordinary adventurer.
“It has been five years since I took the throne, yet I’ve never witnessed how the people live with my own eyes. I’ve heard often enough from others, but I’ve yet to see it myself.”
“Because, Your Majesty, you have had many other matters to attend to…”
“Stop. Thinking back, I should have checked on this long ago. From now on, call me Yuru, not Your Majesty.”
“Ugh… ahem. Understood, Yuru.”
Julius nodded slightly at the reluctant commander.
“Then what is it you wish to witness? I may not know everything about the capital, but I can guide you to what I do.”
“Hmm. I want to see how the adventurers live.”
“Adventurers? They are not the sort of people your Majesty would want to see.”
“I told you—call me Yuru.”
“Oh, my apologies, Yuru.”
The commander lowered his head at the gentle rebuke. Watching him, Julius said quietly.
“I know they can be rough and violent. But they are still subjects of this nation, aren’t they? And by hunting monsters, they allow the other people of this land to feel safe from threats.”
“True, but…”
“You can’t deny that when they hunt monsters, it lessens the burden on other soldiers and knights. Even if their methods might be a little unruly, don’t belittle their efforts.”
“Understood, Yuru.”
The commander bowed his head slightly.
Though Julius faced underestimation compared to the greatness of the former emperor, he still possessed the qualities of an emperor.
“Well then… I will take you to a tavern where adventurers often meet.”
“No. I’d prefer to go outside the capital of Sirius.”
“What?”
“I want to see firsthand how adventurers hunt monsters.”
“Ah, but… that’s dangerous.”
At this, Julius gazed at the commander and said confidently.
“If you’ll be protecting me, what danger is there?”
For, aside from the former emperor, the commander of the Imperial Knights was the strongest individual.
What could harm Julius with his protection?
His words were full of trust towards the Knight Commander.
“Very well, Yuru. Then I will protect you with my life.”
“You don’t need to go that far. I’ve dabbled in swordsmanship myself.”
chuckle
Julius flashed a small smile and displayed the sword hanging at his waist.
Though it paled in comparison to the former emperor’s weapon, Julius was certainly capable enough to handle two knights’ worth of work. It was a reassuring statement.
Though he hadn’t brought the immortal sword bestowed by the former emperor, he had brought along a famous sword forged by dwarves, so there would be no interference.
After all, the Dainsleif was a blade so dangerous it was advised never to draw unless absolutely necessary. Bringing such a weapon on a stealth mission could complicate things.
Thus, Julius and the Knight Commander, keeping their identities hidden, quietly slipped out of the capital city of Sirius.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
“Indeed. This seems to present a far more dangerous beast.”
“Monsters that have transformed from beasts are usually like that.”
The Knight Commander and Julius surveyed their surroundings after slicing the neck of a deer with razor-sharp antlers.
The beast that had been born when the antlers of a docile deer morphed into blades and grew feral… lost its life helplessly at the hands of Julius and the Knight Commander.
“But to those who don’t know how to fight, this would indeed be threatening.”
“Not all citizens know how to wield a weapon, after all.”
As they gazed at the decapitated deer, the Knight Commander gripped his dagger and began to process the body.
The sight of a tiny magical stone being removed from near the heart, along with the internal organs being extracted and discarded, appeared quite familiar.
“I can tell you’ve done this more than once.”
“Yes. I’ve been involved in various tasks before becoming Knight Commander. It was also a knight’s role to hunt down monsters adventurers couldn’t tackle.”
The Knight Commander disposed of all the entrails, tethered the deer’s neck downwards with a rope, and hung it from a tree.
Blood seeped from the severed neck.
“By letting it drain completely of blood, then skinning it, and selling it along with the meat, one can make a decent side income. The most profitable items are the magic stones sold to the Life Church.”
“Indeed… Quite the laborious task, I see.”
“But there’s no avoiding it. Monster materials surpass ordinary beasts in quality. Even this deer monster’s meat is bound to be tastier than that of a regular deer.”
The Emperor nodded slightly at the Knight Commander’s words about the risks involved in the hunt.
Adventurers diving into danger to earn a living.
Truly, it’s a life akin to moths flocking to a flame, chasing after quick wealth… It is because people such as these exist that the threat of monsters diminishes.
Having grasped this notion, Julius cast his gaze around.
For some inexplicable reason, the forest felt incredibly tranquil.
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