Chapter: 339
Unlike last year, this time I made sure to move right on time for the memorial service. If I were on my own, I would have just burrowed myself in the Information Department to kill time, but since I was with Marcilio, I had to exercise some self-restraint. Going to the Department would mean a surprise visit from the Duke, and heading to the Magic Tower would mean running into the head there, not to mention one of the prospective ladies of the household dropping by my mansion. What a mess.
“Did you finally show up? I thought you’d dropped dead or something.”
Thanks to that, the first thing I heard upon meeting the Minister at the memorial was that I was confirmed alive.
“Funny you say that when you haven’t even contacted me.”
“I figured you’d resurrect on your own.”
The Minister made a strange joke and burst into laughter, bowing his head toward Marcilio, who was standing beside me.
“Deberv Briard of Bloche, the head of the Briard Count family and the Imperial Ministry of Finance, wishes to pay his respects to Your Grace, the Duke.”
“Long time no see, Minister. I’m glad you’re looking healthy.”
“It’s thanks to Your Grace’s concern.”
The Minister flinched a bit at Marcilio’s respectful reply, but after quickly regaining his composure, he continued naturally. It was a smart move. Marcilio was being respectful since the Minister was my direct superior; any hint of negativity from him would have cut deep. It’s clear that the keen instincts he showed on the battlefield haven’t dulled one bit.
“Vice Captain is seated in the front row. Since both the chief of the Information Department and I are also in the front row, let’s head there together.”
Marcilio nodded in agreement, knowing he had to lead the way. It wouldn’t look good if a Duke was stuck in the back.
‘Looks like it’s more lavish than last year.’
As we walked toward the front, I caught glimpses of the dignitaries gathered for the memorial. Like last year, the Ministers from the Administration and the Ministry of the Imperial Household were there, but this time Bardon, the chairman of the Parliament, had personally attended. Even several high-ranking military officials were in sight.
With each passing day, the impressive lineup made me smile slyly. At least those guys wouldn’t become forgotten heroes.
The buzzing commotion quieted down as the Minister of the Imperial Household began to read the eulogy. In a place where silence was required, there shouldn’t be anyone daring to speak.
“The Empire was not established overnight, nor by a singular individual. Countless heroes fought and bled to create the history we have today.”
The content of the eulogy was similar to last year’s. Mourning the heroes who died for the Empire, praising those heroes for the Empire’s existence—what a grand tribute.
Honestly, if every time we mention something already done the content changes, it would be weirder still. Unless the imperial family treats the Great Purge War as a dark history and erases it, it will probably always be like this.
“From the blood of our forebears, from the legacy we inherit. We must guard that glory and sacrifice for future generations but must not fear bloodshed.”
— Or so I thought.
“The history of the Empire is composed of devotion, duty, and glory. We, too, are a part of that history, and severing that history in our time is a sin too great to even speak of.”
A buzz of unease began to spread among the noble attendees, who had been silent amidst the intense statements. Blood, legacy, sacrifice. And the insistence not to fear blood to hand over those to future generations—it’s pretty clear what those words imply.
Of course, there were exceptions. The Minister of the Imperial Household, reading the eulogy with an expressionless face, and the Vice Captain, who showed no reaction—perhaps he’d received a heads-up. The Emperor’s closest aides and the commander of the army sat stoically, simply doing their duty.
Anyone with a brain could pick up on the odd situation. As I casually turned to see how this played out, I noticed the frown on the Minister’s face and the complex expression on Marcilio’s.
‘Those two are the endgame.’
The Minister, ranked second in the Administration, and even the Duke didn’t appear to be aware, which means the next rank down wouldn’t know either. This statement clearly came after thorough consultation with those two. Expanding further, it would likely only be the Crown Prince or the Minister of Special Services who might know.
And the fact that this was blurted out in a gathering of senior officials from the Administration, the Imperial Parliament, and the military meant they intended to make it public soon.
“The sacrifices and will of heroes shall endure through any trials to the next generations.”
As the eulogy concluded amidst the rising unrest, a mechanical moment of silence followed.
Even I was lost in my thoughts during the silence.
It had only been a year—or rather, half a year—since I last visited the tombstone, but I couldn’t do anything but chug down the Boyar wine and leave. Standing in front of the tomb would only fill my head with conflicting thoughts, so it was better to just return later.
“Sir.”
“What?”
As soon as the Minister finished paying his respects and quickly exited, the second manager cautiously spoke up.
“I’ll head out first, too. The information blackout should have been lifted by now.”
He was right, so I nodded. Since such words were mentioned publicly during the memorial, bits and pieces of information would start leaking out. If the second manager moved quickly, he’d probably bring back some useful information.
“Go ahead. If you need something, write it down first and then report back.”
“Got it.”
With a quick bow, the second manager vanished. Watching him go, I let out a small sigh. It was a day that would inevitably be filled with chaos for so many reasons, and now my head was spinning too. What a headache.
After splashing water across my face a few times, I turned my gaze back to the remaining officials. They must have been in quite a bind, having just heard the Emperor’s eulogy. Rather than keeping them here, it would be wiser to send them away like I did with the second manager.
“You guys can head out too. I’ll just get some fresh air before going in.”
“Understood. I’ll report immediately if anything comes up.”
“Okay.”
Following the Vice Captain’s lead, the other officials quickly made their exits.
Except for the first manager.
“Sir, would you like to sit for a bit? You don’t look too good.”
“No, I can’t. Beatrix is waiting outside, and I need to go quickly.”
I smiled faintly at the first manager and started to move. While I appreciate the concern, my mind was already tangled enough without lingering at the tombstone. There is no point in staying there longer.
Besides, there’s not really a good place to sit. I can’t just go nutty and sit on a tombstone, can I?
“By the way, Sir, do you want to stay in the Capital until club hour?”
I turned back to the first manager at that. If it had been any other time, I would have thought he just wanted company because he was bored.
‘That would actually make sense.’
Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, it’s probably best to heed the first manager’s suggestion. The second manager would gather any crucial information once the blackout lifted, and the Vice Captain would discover oddities in his own way. Not to mention the Minister won’t be idle either.
In that context, if I headed to the Academy, I’d end up hearing countless bits of information through communication that I could have gathered face-to-face. I might not be able to spend the whole day there, but I should at least be around until after club hour. After all, since Marcilio’s with me, the travel time wouldn’t matter much.
To be honest, I’d probably stick around to keep the first manager entertained, even if this wasn’t going on.
“…How about we have a meal together, the three of us? Does that sound good?”
“Sure!”
First, let’s steer clear of the Information Department. It’d be awkward if I’m the one holding the fort while the higher-ups run amok.
*
Glancing at the slightly stiff expression of the first manager as he sipped water, I shifted my gaze to Beatrix. She was also slow to cut her steak, seemingly tangled in her own thoughts.
It’s been a while since I last saw the first manager and her, but the mood is downright grim. Not that I can just force a cheery vibe; this is not the sort of situation that allows for it.
‘What a day for this to happen.’
Though I feel like letting out a sigh due to the atmosphere, who would’ve expected that we’d talk about war on a day meant to honor those lost?
No, I mean, it’s the day marking the end of the Great Purge War, so emphasizing stability in the North makes sense, but… it still feels too sudden and shocking.
‘If I’m feeling like this, how’s the first manager holding up?’
While I’ve come to pay my respects to him, the truth is that I’ve never laid eyes on the Six Swords Group. Our paths were different, and given our various activities, I wouldn’t have known their names before the Great Purge War. I learned only after the war ending that the team leaders belonged to the fourth division of the Information Department, and that they were close friends of the first manager.
I can’t help but worry for the first manager. If I, who only know their names, feel uneasy, how must he be feeling? The unpleasantness of having that day, meant to honor those heroes, overshadowed by chaos, mixed with concern about the disturbances that have led to such chaos. Those feelings must be weighing down on him like a smothering blanket.
While I didn’t voice my worries aloud, I have a feeling the first manager knows.
“Hey, I noticed there’s wine among the selections made in Servette.”
“Oh, really? Though it’s no Boyar wine, Servette’s wine isn’t half bad. Seems to sell quite well in the capital region.”
Watching the first manager’s complexion, I casually struck up a conversation with Beatrix. After breaking the ice, we could soothe the first manager together.
Fortunately, Beatrix seemed to catch onto my intentions and responded with a soft expression.
“Indeed, since Servette isn’t far, transportation is easy. The Gold Duke might be disappointed to hear that.”
“Well, well, as far as how fertile his territory is, that’s just a given. Where there’s a downside, there’s an upside.”
As we engaged in light banter, I noticed the first manager beginning to relax. Well, he was just putting on a brave face, but right now that’s enough to ease the—
“Oh.”
Suddenly, a faint glow leaked from the first manager’s pocket. Looks like someone just sent a message through his communication device.
‘We were almost there…!’
How annoying. Just when I thought we were warming him up, someone had to be so inconsiderate.
—Sir, it’s me!
As soon as the first manager activated his communication device, an urgent voice reached my ears, making me bite my lip. Looks like the second manager was the culprit.
“What is it? I told you to write down what you need and report back.”
The first manager replied dryly. Yeah, at this point, he’s already given the second manager autonomy. But for him to contact right after going out to gather information doesn’t make it easy to take that autonomy seriously.
—I have something urgent to tell you!
I was mildly surprised. Hadn’t it been an hour yet since the second manager took action? And he’s already reporting something? Even for him, that’s a stretch.
“You found something already?”
—Not found; the Information Department passed it along! As soon as the lockdown was lifted, they blasted it out all at once!
The first manager frowned as he processed that information. If another department hadn’t been the first to ask, and the Information Department was the one dropping the news, it could only mean that an important matter had come up that could not be delayed for even a second. And if it was something worth notifying all departments, it’s only going to complicate things.
Feeling the gravity of this situation, the second manager, sensing the severity of the case, burst out with information.
—There was a gap in the flow of resources affecting the North, and suddenly remnants of the tribes that participated in the Great Purge War have reappeared… It’s all because of the Dungeon!
“What?”
—Those lunatics are using the Dungeon like a barracks! The Special Services went crazy and wouldn’t have approached the Dungeon, so we’ve been clueless this whole time!
A heavy silence fell as sunlight seemed to dim following that unexpected revelation. Just as the second manager pointed out, unless the Special Services were completely unhinged, there was no reason they would force their way into the harsh North, let alone poke around in the Dungeon. Especially since the North is vast, who knows where a strange Dungeon might pop up?
The number of Dungeons scattered around the North is anyone’s guess. Accordingly, the resources and armed strength hiding within those Dungeons remain a total mystery.
—Even the Special Services just discovered tribesmen emerging from Dungeons. We had no clue how many of those Dungeons were being used like makeshift shelters.
The first manager remained silent. If Dorgon is indeed using Dungeons as his home, then the majority of those who went missing during the Great Purge War could potentially become survivors ready to rise again. Those monsters who tormented the Imperial forces under the former Kagan’s authority would start riding once more and wreak havoc across the North.
—And I just found out, but the Minister of the Imperial Household has summoned all the Ministers. His Majesty the Emperor has personally visited the Imperial Parliament.
With the second manager adding that something significant was bound to occur today, nobody could deny it.
*
Hours after finishing our meal, just as the second manager had warned, something enormous hit us.
A chilling, blood-red communication device flashed, accompanied by an ear-splitting, ominous alarm.
‘This is maddening.’
My amusement turned to sarcasm as I checked the message that buzzed onto my device.
[ Khan spotted, confirming the congregation of nomadic forces.
All nobles of Count rank and above, ministers above the department head level, all members of the Imperial Parliament, judges at the district court level and higher, commanders at the legion level and above.
Individuals who match the above criteria should gather immediately in the Grand Conference Hall of the Imperial Parliament. ]
Damn it, the Information Department didn’t release the entire intel.
They didn’t even say the word “Khan.”
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.