Chapter 425
In the most noble place of the empire, a bizarre occurrence unfolded where humans and animals coexisted. It was indeed strange, but how could one argue since it was the emperor himself who casually dismissed it with a “It’s annoying, but we should be careful”? The imperial palace was destined to transform into a nature-friendly sanctuary.
It’s only natural, really. The newly crowned emperor couldn’t just kick out an animal raised by the empire, right? After all, he had to heed the words of his forefathers, and what could be more significant than a living creature in a situation like this? Treating it like a natural monument, it needed to be cared for.
Annoying as it might be, what can you do? If you inherit the title of emperor by blood, it’s only right to treat your ancestors with respect.
What complicates things is that this respect includes pets.
‘Nothing to worry about, I suppose.’
After all, it’s the emperor who should be fretting, not me. As long as I don’t visit the palace, I wouldn’t have to encounter the Windy Bremen Band of animals in the first place.
Of course, being the godfather of the crown princess and a designated minister means I can’t avoid visiting entirely, but surely not every time I come to the palace will I face something like today. The royal knights will probably do their best to maintain their sanity, too.
But honestly, it’s fascinating. What on earth happened that allowed a chicken to escape? Even chickens raised in the countryside don’t manage to get away if you lock the door properly.
‘Did they feed it some magic potion or something?’
In an instant, I imagined a chicken bursting through a lock while enveloped in mana. If a chicken can use mana, then sure, whatever!
“Oh, speaking of which, Count. Could you spare some time for me?”
As I contemplated a chicken attacking a cow with its mana-infused beak, the emperor began to speak casually.
“I have something prepared for you since I knew you’d be coming today. I hope you can join in.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall.”
It was practically a command disguised as a suggestion, so I nodded. How could I refuse the tone that seemed to say, ‘Well, you don’t have anything else to do, so why don’t you help me with some work’? It wasn’t a bother—especially since it seemed to be prepared in line with my reporting of my title succession.
“That’s a relief. I heard that the Vice Captain won’t be free until the New Year; I thought you might have some trouble, but luckily, it’s not an issue.”
I felt a shiver down my spine at the emperor’s words. It wasn’t just a task between the two of us; it involved the Vice Captain as well?
‘What’s going on?’
If it were just the two of us, I’d assume it was something routine. But involving a duke meant it was something significant. Especially if the Vice Captain was included, it must be serious.
I felt anxious. Recently, I knew he had been keeping a low profile as the emperor’s father-in-law to avoid attracting unwanted attention, so if even he had carved out time for this, it had to be a big deal.
“…Your Majesty, may I inquire what I am to do?”
Hence, after contemplating briefly, I cautiously asked. It was best to go straight to the source since I could think of nothing else.
Fortunately, the emperor’s expression remained calm in response to my inquiry. It didn’t seem like it was something that had to be conducted in secrecy or that would require a grand scale—
“I’ll be greeting the elder of the royal family, so all you have to do is bow your head in reverence.”
?
“It’s customary to visit right after the coronation, but recently, he’s been a bit drained after giving blood, so he was resting. I couldn’t just wake him up, which is why I’m going now.”
The emperor chuckled softly, but I found no reason to laugh.
An elder of the royal family who recently had blood drawn and is now resting—though it arrives out of nowhere, I knew exactly who he meant.
‘The Dragon Lord.’
I was certain. He was referring to the Dragon Lord, child of Grand Emperor Amanca. After all, with the direct lineage gone bust, only the collateral could ascend the throne. In such a royal family, the only one who could qualify as an elder was the Dragon Lord.
‘Crazy.’
Cursing almost slipped out, but I managed to swallow it down.
Can one really say so lightly that we’re going to meet the Dragon Lord? Shouldn’t I be prepared with gifts and all that jazz?
Of course, if it were as simple as just drawing blood like Perosa did, I could just show up myself. But this was a visit where a descendant of a grand emperor respectfully greets an elder of the royal family. There should be a more elaborate and grand procession prepared, right?
“That individual despises chaos.”
Detecting my state of mind, the emperor chuckled as he said that.
If that’s what the elder desires, it can’t be helped…
The emperor’s entourage, remarkably modest for such an occasion, made its way to the cave where the Dragon Lord resided. Since the cave was in a somewhat rugged area, a larger group would only be uncomfortable.
“You wait here,” the emperor instructed.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Even the royal knights that had come for protection stood guard in front of the cave, leaving only the emperor, the Vice Captain, and myself to enter.
‘And here we are.’
My heart began to race. I knew that immediately after the coronation, emperors would go to greet the Dragon Lord. I was aware of that. I also knew that it was not just two or three trusted companions who accompanied them, but only a handful.
Given the circumstances, having a former minister accompanying me meant I represented the trust and favor bestowed by the emperor.
And I found myself in that category of trust. It was something I had anticipated since becoming the godfather of the crown princess, but it still felt bittersweet. Now, it seemed I’d merely be seen as a plaything of the emperor in the eyes of the royal elder.
“Have you arrived?”
Pushing through the cave into its depths, I was greeted by a booming voice.
“I must apologize for not welcoming you, having briefly dozed off.”
Suddenly, from the darkness emerged a huge figure.
‘Whoa.’
With brilliantly shining golden scales and purple eyes gazing down at us, anyone couldn’t help but see the eminent child of the grand emperor—the apex of the Dragon Lord.
“It’s our fault for coming unannounced. Please accept my sincere apologies.”
While I was captivated by the sight of the Dragon Lord, the emperor, bowing deeply in courtesy, replied.
It was a rare sight to behold in one’s lifetime—a moment when an emperor lowered himself before someone else. No matter how much equal status the pope may hold, there’s no way he stands over the emperor.
“Do not say that. You are the head of the Livnoman family, inheriting your father’s will, and the emperor of the empire. If I were to take you lightly, your father would be most displeased with me.”
Indeed, the Dragon Lord gently shook his head at the emperor’s words. Naturally, for us, it felt like a colossal edifice was wobbling left and right.
“By the way, Corpus, how is that child doing?”
“He is still in good health.”
“That child has gone through much suffering for the empire. He deserves to live a peaceful life now.”
With that, the Dragon Lord leisurely swayed his tail, evidently at ease with the news that the child was alive and well.
I could guess that for the Dragon Lord, the decades-long arduous journey must have been quite the burden.
“His name was Gilbert, correct? How old is he now?”
“Seventeen.”
“Has it been that long? It feels like just yesterday when he was ten.”
I felt a pang of guilt as the Dragon Lord drifted into memories, but his words came out sounding quite elderly. After all, Gilbert, being ten, is a name one only finds in the history textbooks. I mean, come on, can’t he bring up someone relatable?
“…Oh dear, I’ve wandered into idle talk again.”
But at least it seemed he was aware of how nostalgic he was being.
“Ah, so you are the ones who will attend to him.”
As the Dragon Lord shifted his focus to me and the Vice Captain, he must have felt he had enough conversation with the emperor.
“Yes, it is an honor.”
Following the Vice Captain’s polite response, I bowed my head, and for a moment, silence hung in the air.
“White child. Is that sword of mine in your possession?”
“Yes. It is a treasured gift bestowed upon me by Your Majesty.”
To the Dragon Lord’s question, the Vice Captain bowed even lower.
The sword made from the Dragon Lord’s claw was more than worthy enough to be considered a national treasure. The fact that the Vice Captain possessed it was due solely to the Dragon Lord having given his own claw to the human.
“With that sword, slay the enemies of the imperial family and the empire. If you do that, I will ask for nothing more in return.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
The Vice Captain’s immediate reply broke into laughter. It seemed the idea of his claw helping to protect the royal family pleased him.
…But now considering that someone else was handling his claws must be a peculiar sensation for the Dragon Lord—dragons have a different sensitivity to such things, after all.
“Hmm?”
Suddenly, the laughter faded.
“Child with the sword, I may not know much about the years of mankind, but…you seem particularly young.”
That comment caused me to startle a bit. While I had a label as the youngest, to the Dragon Lord who had lived for 300 years, was I that exceptional? Had no one else among past emperors’ close aides been even close to my age?
No way, surely at least one of them should have been in their mid-twenties!
“While young, I lack no capability. Moreover, as the godfather of the crown princess, I am no less than a pillar of the royal family.”
“Oh?”
The emperor offered backup words in my stead, but I hardly felt grateful.
That little brat—his voice had a strange laughter mixed in it.
“Well then, I suppose I shall see the child again.”
That statement left me feeling like I was crying internally.
*
When I finally opened my eyes after a brief nap, I was informed that Gilbert had gone to greet the Lord.
Considering it was a visit thought of after the coronation, it was a late visit—but for him, time was practically nonexistent. He wouldn’t mind.
So, I figured Gilbert would just accept some flattery or two and return. There was nothing for me to worry about.
“Did I hear you almost visited the empress’s quarters?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
…Right now, what I should be worrying about isn’t Gilbert; it’s that excessively energetic creature.
I closed my eyes for a moment to digest the report from Sir Roman, who had stepped down from his post as captain of the royal knights to guard me. The little creature I’d almost lost my grip on was on the verge of causing a massive incident.
Not only had the little one attempted to escape while I was sleeping, but it had bolted straight towards the empress’s quarters. He might have strolled into the place where the young crown princess resided—into a lair of a child.
“Looks like he’s got a lot of energy.”
“It was my fault for not managing properly. Please, punish me.”
“What punishment should I impose when no one was harmed? Besides, I truly appreciate your dedication, so refrain from such talk.”
Watching Sir Roman bow his head even deeper, I started to poke at the chicken’s scruff. I’d prepared name tags for these critters just in case something happened.
‘This one’s it.’
I finally uncovered the name tag buried in feathers.
‘Nugget.’
Proudly among those diligently laying eggs with the oven is this little rascal.
When it was feeding time, it had remained quiet, leading me to let my guard down. From now on, I’ll have to keep an eye on it.
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