ALL NOVEL Chapter 17
The great ruler of the Empire, a lord encompassing all nobles.
A unique existence seizing absolute power.
The divine descendant recognized by Goddess Gael and the angels for legitimacy and justification.
As the sovereign of a superpower spanning a vast continent, Emperor of the Valtarian Empire has grandiose titles. The ruler of the Empire is both the pinnacle of power and the guardian of divinity. That’s why nobles pledge unwavering loyalty to the Emperor and revere him as the supreme being.
‘To think I have the audacity to lay eyes on such a noble visage. Should I be pleased, or should I be sad…’
If my father in the County ever finds out the news about his second son, wouldn’t he faint?
Hmm…
Of course, he would.
My father has a delicate nature.
I sighed, reminiscing about my hometown and family. It was a sigh filled with worry that had been repeated countless times. Surely, I must look like a death row inmate awaiting execution.
“Wow! There are so many clothes here! This place is fit for a pretty princess!”
“Hehehe, feel free to take a look around.”
Flora Tailoring Shop.
Among the countless tailoring shops that only serve nobles, it proudly stands as a top-tier establishment, filled with all kinds of rare fabrics.
Of course, there are legendary, rare fabrics often mentioned in tales, and colorful silks from far-off Eastern lands adorn the walls like decorations.
A girl with light green hair danced around in circles as if she had arrived in a celestial realm. Beside her, the golden-haired princess wore a refined smile.
“Welcome, Princess Ludmilla.”
“It’s an honor that the Red Dragon has graced our tailoring shop with her presence.”
As Princess Ludmilla descended with a gallant stride, numerous staff members in the shop gathered to the sides.
A grand silence flowed.
It felt like even the sound of swallowing dry saliva wouldn’t dare disturb the serenity.
There were no other guests in sight aside from us. It was as if I had reserved the entire shop, just like when I rented the entire train to come from the County. Surely, my spending habits are anything but ordinary for a princess. Thanks to that, I could browse the tailoring shop. I was already worried about being recognized.
“What kind of dress are you looking for, Your Highness?”
“It’s not for me, it’s for this gentleman here. Show us the current trendy outfits in the Imperial City. We are preparing to meet the Emperor, so please put your heart into it.”
As soon as Princess Ludmilla finished her order, the staff members began to buzz excitedly.
The princess has brought her boyfriend!
And she has ordered formal attire for meeting the Emperor.
It wouldn’t be strange if this situation led to misunderstandings about him being her fiancé. Of course, it was all a misunderstanding, but the possibility was so high that it seemed impossible to refute.
The staff members, having already accepted their speculations as fact, looked at us with meaningful glances, brimming with enthusiasm to bestow the finest suits upon the emperor’s potential son-in-law (not that).
“Over this way, please!”
“Uh, I’d like to add that whatever you’re thinking is a misunderstanding…!”
“It’s fine! You don’t have to be embarrassed! Everyone is confused at first.”
“What’s confusing is that you all are misunderstanding this very moment!”
The experienced tailors kept pushing us inside with hearty laughter.
Are you hearing this?
Despite my repeated protests, the tailors did not relent and led us deeper inside.
“A dress for the little lady is also needed.”
“Oh my, what a cute little lady like a fairy! Just the right fabric to match her!”
Like me, Rue was also invited to this audience.
Is this really okay?
A sense of anxious tension began to creep in already.
Facing the boisterous Emperor was already maddening enough, but now I’d be bringing an innocent child along. Even though I had built a good reputation by subduing the villains who had turned the city into a sea of flames, what returned was a risk greater than the storm.
The just desserts of good triumphing over evil are the outcomes of fairy tales.
My continuously perilous fate was confirming that.
“Are you the son of the Hohenberc family?! The hero who defeated the cruel villains…!”
“I shall dedicate my life to ensuring a successful introduction meeting! Please trust and leave it to me!”
No, that’s not it.
I’m not here for an introduction.
I swear on my brother’s name that it’s not true.
As news spread that the man Princess Ludmilla brought to the tailoring shop was the main character of the rumors who single-handedly routed the villains, the atmosphere soared to unprecedented heights. The tailors looked eager to provide the heroic gentleman with the finest outfits, with determination flowing through them.
*
When Emperor Barbarossa heard the news that the second son of the Hohenberc family vanquished the atrocious traitors who turned the capital into a sea of flames, he urgently summoned the intelligence department.
Edanant von Hohenberc.
Wasn’t he just a slacker brought by the second daughter from the County?
23 years old this year.
There are no particularly notable traits.
His entire contribution up to now was assisting his father in governing the County.
I felt skeptical about how an ordinary person could suddenly wipe out the criminal organization that assaulted the Saintess Party. It was only natural that Barbarossa doubted the results where an almost unknown young master defeated the ruthless villains.
“Are you telling me that an ordinary person who has never even participated in a war or monster subjugation wiped out the notorious villains who turned our city into a sea of flames…? You expect me to believe this kind of report?”
“I too find it suspicious.”
Barbarossa’s voice was filled with irritation.
Meanwhile, the minister overseeing the intelligence department was drenched in cold sweat.
“This is the report from the inspector detailing the situation. It was drafted after multiple interrogations of Prince Edanant and the knights who were on site, so it should be reliable.”
“Hmph.”
The intelligence department, already under blame for failing to prevent the bombing in the Imperial City, was trying its best to appease the Emperor’s tumultuous mood by fully focusing on the investigation of Edanant.
He’s somewhat useful.
He’s idiotically slow, but his senses are sharp.
So, they decided to temporarily suspend major punishments for the intelligence department after their blunder.
Barbarossa scoffed at the minister and officials gathered in the conference hall.
“What? Edanant wields the Holy Sword… and handles Aldebaran?!”
“Yes…! That’s what has been reported.”
Using the power of the Holy Sword, Edanant reported to the inspector from the intelligence department that he had defeated Gale Doher, who was a lackey of the black magician, along with his subordinates.
A look of astonishment spread across Barbarossa’s grim face.
To think that what he thought was an ordinary man was actually a user of the Holy Sword. The sudden emergence of Edanant intrigued Barbarossa deeply.
‘So now, in addition to Maximilian, another user of the Holy Sword has appeared? This is absurd. Both brothers chosen by the Holy Sword… The Hohenberc family, which was a prestigious family from the East representing the Empire, shouldn’t be on the verge of decline already.’
Otto von Hohenberc, the head of the Hohenberc family, was unfortunately just an ordinary man. One could say he was a humble man focused on simplicity and lack of desire. He was merely content with a life in the outskirts.
Otto.
Who would have imagined that the blessings of the Goddess would descend upon that man?
An undeserved glory for a weak ordinary man. If the second son, Edanant, is also revealed to have been chosen by the Holy Sword like firstborn Maximilian, countless nobles would surely envy him.
“Don’t you have a deep connection with Count Hohenberc?”
“A connection? We only mingled during a foolish period briefly.”
Thud.
He set down the report he had been carefully reading.
Then Barbarossa spoke up.
“It’s about time the protagonist who has stirred the capital arrives. You may leave now, worthless parasites.”
“Ah… understood.”
The officials of the intelligence department, faced with their superior’s sharp and biting remarks, left with pale faces. Observing their retreating figures, Barbarossa pretended to adjust his attire and awaited his invited guest.
He was the wretched offspring of the Hohenberc family, with whom his engagement had been annulled, but having made such contributions by defeating the cruel villains, he deserved to be treated with respect. As the emperor awkwardly fussed with his appearance, he finally lost his temper and called upon his attendants to dress him properly.
How much time had passed,
A waiting attendant carefully approached.
“Your Majesty, Princess Ludmilla and Prince Edanant request an audience.”
“Let them in.”
The waiting man and woman outside requested an audience promptly as the time struck.
The audience was accepted.
In entered a robustly built lady with a gentleman adorned in an elegant formal outfit and a petite girl who took cautious steps, looking quite nervous. They looked almost like a warm family, which changed Barbarossa’s expression to something meaningful.
“Could this be Edanant von Hohenberc?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Edanant lowered his head, exuding an air of elegance, showing off his refined skills in court etiquette.
His stature was impressive.
He must have refined court etiquette for quite some time.
Barbarossa, who had been trying to mask his discomfort toward the Hohenberc family, cleared his throat to hide his disgruntled feelings. If Edanant had showcased clumsiness in etiquette, he would have used that as an opportunity to unleash his frustrations.
“I heard you vanquished the damned villains that set my city ablaze. A remarkable achievement.”
“As a loyal citizen of the Empire, it was my duty.”
Edanant’s humble response made Barbarossa’s shoulders lift in satisfaction.
He knows his place.
For a young master from a backwater area, his verbal skills are quite impressive.
Unlike that good-for-nothing runaway who unceremoniously broke off the engagement, he was different.
Perhaps charmed by his commendable rhetoric, he refrained from bringing up any issues related to the Hohenberc family. That was also because Edanant showed no visible weaknesses.
Of course, ill feelings still lingered.
The resentment held within his petty heart wouldn’t be easily forgotten.
“Surely, the hero who has shown loyalty to the imperial family and the Empire should receive a reward. I am a magnanimous ruler of the vast Empire. Lord Edanant, please express what you desire. I will grant whatever it is.”
“I-I am honored by your words…”
The ruler who seized absolute power declared unlimited rewards.
I am generous.
Extending both hands as a testament to my vast disposition and spirit, Edanant appeared tense and rigid at my sudden declaration. His tightly pursed lips suggested he was deep in thought.
“……”
Ludmilla’s gaze shifted to Edanant.
Speak.
Just say it.
Hurry up and say it.
For some reason, it was Edanant who was granted a reward, but it was Ludmilla watching from the side who reacted more eagerly. Her fierce, glowing red eyes spoke volumes.