Clop clop.
Inside an old carriage filled with the sound of hooves echoing.
A man suddenly opened his eyes, as if regaining consciousness. Waiting for him was a man with gray hair, who sat in a chair reading through a stack of papers.
Noticing the movement from the man’s body, the gray-haired man turned to him and said.
“Awake?”
The man paused at the question. He soon realized he was tied up and lifted his head.
Then he started to carefully observe the man before him.
Gray eyes and ash-colored hair. Scars on his face and a noble outfit one would wear. A face so perfect it could be said to be divinely bestowed. He quickly figured out the identity of the man.
Abel Hardenberg.
Head of the House of Hardenberg and the most influential duke among the four dukes within the Empire. Known as the Iron-Blood Duke, he was marked as a dangerous figure even within the Imperial Family.
“You are…”
“What, did you think I was just some random guy?”
At Abel’s words, the man slowly nodded.
“Why am I here…?”
“If you’re thinking of trying to slip away, I suggest you stop. Emperor’s Sword.”
“…How do you know?”
The man looked at him with shock.
The existence of the Emperor’s Sword is one of the Empire’s most closely guarded secrets. Not only does it chop off the heads of nobles plotting treason, but it also does all sorts of dirty work under the Emperor’s orders.
That is the Emperor’s Sword. Thus, it should be classified information. How on earth does Abel know this?
Noticing his bewildered expression, Abel sighed and said.
“Luke von Shpenheim.”
Upon hearing that name, the man, Luke, suddenly tensed and began to exert force to break the chains binding him. However, the more he strained, the tighter the chains seemed to constrict.
It was as if the chains were magically reinforced, even suppressing the aura rising from his body. Abel continued to observe, speaking calmly.
“Son of Luka von Asrikh and the second prince. After becoming a Sword Master, he was officially declared dead and became the Emperor’s Sword.”
Abel maintained a nonchalant expression as he mocked his struggles, rapidly feeding him more information.
“The Emperor eventually branded him with a seal by taking Luka von Asrikh hostage, and turned him into the Imperial Family’s dog.”
“…You bastard!”
Luke shouted with a mix of fury, glaring at him. Abel, appearing unaffected by his gaze, spoke in a tranquil tone.
“Is there anything wrong with what I said?”
“Ugh…”
Unable to free himself from the chains, Luke suppressed the anger surging from within. Watching him, Abel smirked and spoke up.
“I’ll give you one chance.”
“…What?”
At Abel’s proposition, Luke frowned and asked again.
“How long are you going to act like the Emperor’s dog?”
“…So you’re telling me to abandon my family?”
“Honestly, that wouldn’t be unwise.”
The complete lack of hesitation in Abel’s response made Luke chuckle dryly. What kind of person could say something so casually about abandoning their own family?
It seemed the title “Iron-Blood Duke” wasn’t just for show.
“What absurdity…”
“It’s better to listen to what someone has to say until the end. Second Prince.”
He said that and reached out his hand toward Luke, inquiring.
“What’s the level of the seal’s erosion?”
“How would you…?”
“Do you think someone who knows about the Emperor’s Sword wouldn’t know that? Just answer.”
“…About half.”
“Impressive you’ve held out that long.”
Abel spoke in an admiring tone.
The seal of the Emperor’s Sword is so powerful that most people wouldn’t last a month against it.
To endure such a seal for several years is only possible with exceptional mental fortitude.
“Luke von Shpenheim.”
“…What?”
“I intend to topple the Imperial Family.”
“…What?”
Luke’s expression turned bewildered at Abel’s surprising declaration. To directly tell him such a thing while he was the Emperor’s Sword—what was he thinking?
“Compared to staging a rebellion, getting a noble woman out of the Imperial Family shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Should you choose not to cooperate, your life ends here. And I can easily guess what happens to your mother then.”
There was no hint of falsehood in Abel’s voice.
“…Ugh.”
“Choose. Work with me to bring down the Imperial Family, or meet your meaningless demise here.”
There were no real options for Luke.
The choice Abel presented was practically akin to a threat. Luke ground his teeth and glared at him.
“…Was this your plan from the start?”
“Well, that’s for you to decide.”
“…Fine. I’ll accept your offer.”
“Good to hear. It means there won’t be any bloodshed here.”
Abel spoke and produced a paper from thin air. It looked like a prepared contract. He made it hover so Luke could read the contents.
Luke scanned the contract with his eyes. As his gaze moved further down, he began to tremble.
“Isn’t this a fair deal?”
“…You mean, you predicted everything from the beginning?”
Luke looked at Abel with a horrified expression. Abel chuckled before answering his question.
“Depends on how you look at it.”
Luke fell into thought for a moment.
After all, the Imperial Family wouldn’t release his mother. They must plan to use her as a hostage for the rest of her life to keep him as the Emperor’s Sword.
In that case, helping Abel with his rebellion would be a much better choice. Instead of living life shackled by the Imperial Family, it might be worth chasing even the slightest possibility.
“…Fine. I’ll give you a shot.”
“A wise choice.”
Luke’s mana began to be absorbed into the contract. At the same time, Abel’s mana also flowed into the contract.
The contract trembled slightly due to the resistance from the mana but soon quieted down. This meant the contract had been established. Abel read through the contract briefly before speaking to Luke.
“Now return to the Imperial Family so as not to raise suspicion. You can show this token at the Information Guild on the desired day each month for information exchange.”
Thud.
A medal fell from the air. The padlock-shaped medal had turned brown, as if it had rusted.
“I’ve removed the chains. So off you go.”
“…What?”
Before Luke could even reply to Abel’s sudden words, he opened the carriage door. Simultaneously, the carriage began to stop.
Confirming the chains that had been constricting him were gone, Luke rose to his feet.
“…The contract must be honored.”
“Of course. Isn’t that what we wrote the contract for?”
Luke sighed and stepped out of the carriage. What lay before him was a rest stop filled with carriages. Could this be a consideration to ensure he got back to the Imperial Family quickly?
As he turned his head, he saw the already departed old carriage.
*
Columns adorned with gold and chandeliers. Ceilings engraved with patterns of every kind and a lavish golden carpet. A statue of a man stood in front of the walls. And before that statue, a large throne was placed.
Sitting on the throne was a blonde man.
He rested his chin on the armrest of the throne, looking down below. He carried a heavy, unapproachable atmosphere and a sense of arrogance about him.
His name was Yud von Shpenheim.
The 16th Emperor of the Empire of Arye, also known as the Emperor of Conquest.
“So… this affair is a half-success?”
Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Luke swallowed hard and bowed his head.
“It’s my oversight, Your Majesty.”
“Indeed… is that so?”
Seeing Luke like that, he smiled an inscrutable smile and extended his hand toward him. At the same time, the seal on Luke’s neck began to heat up. Luke winced in pain.
“Ugh…”
“There’s always a price for lies.”
The Emperor murmured that and then commanded Luke.
“Cut off your left ring finger.”
Luke’s body moved against his will. His body seized the sword and swung it without hesitation toward his left ring finger.
Swish.
“Ugh…”
Blood began to gush out wildly from the severed finger. The Emperor seemed to smile pleased at the sight.
“Step back.”
“…Yes.”
Luke bowed his head in respect and quickly left the audience chamber. Observing his retreating figure, a servant spoke up to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, may I ask something?”
“Speak.”
“Why didn’t you uncover the lie?”
“Hmmm… well.”
The Emperor chuckled and opened his mouth.
“Isn’t it a bit interesting to see a mere rat’s rebellion?”
A twisted smile appeared on his face as he spoke those words.
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