28 – Confrontation with the Princess
Upon our arrival at the imperial palace of the Pibron Empire, some knights were busy moving around. At first, they looked at me and my comrades with suspicion, but once they confirmed the presence of Commander Tekeloman by our side, they relaxed their guard to some extent. It was possible to guess that Commander Tekeloman held significant influence in this place.
“Well, not just anyone can become the commander of the knights.”
But what I want is not just access to the vicinity of the palace, but a face-to-face meeting with the emperor. It is possible to rush to the battlefield and kill everyone, but I don’t think that would solve the problem.
What Fleamia desired was the true freedom of the persecuted saints and innocent people oppressed by the Kaorelden Empire. To achieve that in its truest sense, cooperation from the Phebron Empire, currently at war, was necessary.
After exchanging a few words with the people standing in front of the imperial palace, Teceraulman bowed his head and approached me.
“Commander Teceraulman, I just heard the situation. First of all, thank you for your hard work. You mentioned that you want to meet His Majesty. Could you please tell me the detailed reason…?”
When the man who looked like a knight asked the question, I gave a short answer. Of course, this time I didn’t use honorifics. It was because I couldn’t afford to underestimate him from here on out. I don’t think everyone will be as righteous as Commander Teceraulman. If I have to press with force, I would willingly do so. But if I can solve the situation with just the right amount of intimidation, I wanted to go in that direction as much as possible.
“It’s a matter that can’t be discussed except with the Emperor of the Phebron Empire. It’s to provide information directly involved in the war, and it will play a decisive role in killing the Emperor of the Kaorelden Empire. I can assure you.”
The man made an awkward expression and then bowed his head.
“Please wait a moment.”
After that, he moved busily and a dignified man with dozens of knights came out of the Phebron Empire’s palace.
Choi Ye-bin was on guard, and Fleamia held my hand tightly.
“I am the commander of the Phebron Empire’s palace knights. My name is Ptain. His Majesty wishes to hear your story. Please come in.”
The fact that the Phebron Empire allowed outsiders to enter the palace when they were in a desperate situation reminded us once again that they were not to be underestimated.
As I entered the palace and walked through the spacious interior, the palace knight commander Ptain politely asked me.
From Noble mtl dot com
“The rest of your party should wait here. Only Lord MacDerras can meet His Majesty.”
“Wait here for a moment.”
When I said that, Teceraulman quickly replied.
“I will take care of them.”
Teceraulman’s words were trustworthy, but Choi Ye-bin and Fleamia were anxious. So, I changed the red sphere into a thorny state. The knights were startled and stepped back, but I didn’t pay attention to them.
“Leave the sphere here and come with me.”
It was a simple statement, but it brought relief to my colleagues and served as a sufficient warning to the knights of the Phebron Empire. Even if others didn’t know, Teckel alone knew how dangerous that sphere was. He had no doubt that he would voluntarily intervene if anyone tried to use shallow tricks.
Upon seeing my red sphere, Choi Ye-bin and Plemia moved to its side. As if they were my doubles, the two girls stood quietly next to it.
“Stay safe.”
For once, if any of the knights of the Phebron Empire were to attack Choi Ye-bin and Plemia, that sphere would devour every living being around them except for the two girls. So, leaving behind any worries, I moved to meet the Emperor.
“He will see you.”
After knocking and receiving permission from the Emperor, we entered the room.
However, when I reached the Emperor, his appearance was completely different from what I had imagined, and I was surprised. The Emperor of the Phebron Empire was young. From an external perspective, he could easily pass for someone who had just turned twenty. Most importantly, he was not the Emperor, but the Empress. A charming girl who was full of worries sat before me.
“Are you surprised?”
“No, Your Highness.”
The Empress frowned slightly. Eventually, she asked another question.
“Before we start the conversation, let me ask you one thing. Is it true that you have a way to kill the Emperor of the Kaorelden Empire?”
“Yes, it is.”
She scrutinized my face for a moment and muttered.
“It was true. Unbelievable.”
She then asked another question.
“Are you on our side?”
The Empress carefully examined my face. I answered without concern.
“If our interests align, I intend to fight on the side of the Phebron Empire.”
“I see.”
An unfamiliar feeling. The girl fully trusted me with just one reply. It felt strange, but I let it go for now. There was no time to question each detail.
As I remained silent for a moment, the princess spoke.
“If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”
I did not refuse her kindness.
“What happened to the former Emperor of the Phebron Empire?”
“He passed away recently. Just to clarify, he didn’t die from assassination or anything like that. He had been ill for a while…”
“Your Majesty Blerney!”
As the girl began speaking, the Platin Imperial Knight Commander who was listening shouted urgently at her, as if she were about to reveal information that shouldn’t be spoken.
“Leave.”
When Blerney finished speaking briefly, the Imperial Knight Commander protested.
“That’s impossible.”
“I will say this one last time. Take all the other forces and leave.”
Only then did Platin and the other knights begin moving outside.
Platin, the Imperial Knight Commander of the Phebron Empire, stared at me as he left. It was as if he would not tolerate any foolishness. But I wasn’t particularly bothered. I knew well that his actions came from loyalty and concern.
Princess Blerney confirmed that everyone had left and then spoke.
“Now that the interrupters are gone, let’s continue. The former Emperor passed away due to illness. As his only child, I succeeded the position. However, if I were to make that fact public in the midst of the war, it would likely cause great confusion. Not only did the Emperor pass away, but the person with the power to make decisions was replaced by the princess. That’s why it was kept a secret. So I hope the reactions of the other knights won’t be too unpleasant.”
“I understand.”
Even though she had lost her father, the princess remained remarkably composed.
“What can I do for you to fight on our side?”
The princess asked a question that cut through the core of our relationship.
“I would like you to grant me the military authority of the Phebron Empire.”
“Do you think it’s possible and say it out loud?”
Having the military power of a country also means that it can be used to incite riots. The suggestion to hand it over to someone who saw it for the first time today was nothing short of madness. The princess also pointed that out.
The princess stood up from her seat and walked slowly towards me. And she stood right in front of me and asked a question.
“What do you believe in that you would entrust the heart of the Phaibron Empire to yourself, whom I saw for the first time today? To put it bluntly, just by saying such a thing in front of me, you are subject to immediate execution.”
“Because it is the only way your country can exist intact.”
Every time I answered, I felt a sense of strangeness from the princess’s reaction as she closely examined my face. Yes. It was clearly the same as when Choi Yebin looked at me.
“Your Majesty, don’t you have the ability to know the truth of my answer?”
Then the princess was surprised for the first time.
“How did you know? It’s something no one knows.”
“I know about that ability.”
“I see.”
I didn’t mention Choi Yebin. But even if there was no evidence, I would have had similar suspicions. Princess Breini believed in me from the day we first met and questioned all the knights around her. It’s a story that doesn’t make sense logically.
Rather.
[Before we start the conversation, let me ask a question first. You said there is a way to kill the Emperor of the Kaorelden Empire, is that true?]
[Are you on our side?]
It was more reasonable to have the ability to know the truth about the first two questions and to believe in one’s own abilities.
“Now that I know it anyway, I’ll tell you honestly. I can distinguish the truth of whatever you say. So I’ll ask you directly. Handing over the military authority is nonsense. If I refuse the offer, what will you do?”
Lies are meaningless anyway. I honestly told her.
“If I don’t have the authority to control those who are on the battlefield, they will also suffer. In the end, the Phaibron Empire will become my enemy as well. And when the war is over, the country will lose its functionality.”
“Do you have a large-scale military force?”
“I am the only one who will step onto the battlefield.”
“Then do you have enough power? Enough to dominate a nation?”
“Yes.”
The princess sighed, shaking her head.
“This is unbelievable. It’s absurd.”
Princess Breini looked directly at me without fear and asked, as if she wanted confirmation.
“If you have that kind of power, why are you involved in such complicated matters? I can’t even guess what you want to gain from this battlefield.”
I slowly opened my mouth and explained the reason to her.
“To condemn those who have forsaken the gods. And further, the true freedom of those who suffer. The reason I joined the battlefield is because of these two things.”
“…”
The princess fell silent, and without losing momentum, I immediately asked her.
“Will you believe in me, or will you become my enemy?”
Then, the princess uttered a slow and astonishing response.