425 – Anyway, the sun passes – 1
A strange phenomenon where humans and animals coexist in the most noble place in the empire. It’s truly a strange thing, but the emperor, not anyone else, said, ‘It’s annoying, but we have to be careful.’ Since I dismissed it with the words, there is nothing I can do about it. Now, the imperial palace has no choice but to transform into an eco-friendly place in harmony with nature.
In fact, it is a natural thing. The emperor who had just ascended the throne couldn’t kick out the animals he was raising, right? The emperor must honor the will of his distant ancestors, but what about living animals? He must be pampered and cared for like a natural monument.
It may be annoying and frustrating, but what can you do? If the title of emperor was obtained through blood succession, it is appropriate to treat one’s ancestors with respect.
It is problematic that pets are included in the generous treatment, but
‘There’s no need to worry.’
Anyway, it’s the emperor’s job to worry about, not me. Unless you visit the imperial palace, you won’t have any contact with the Bremen Musical Band.
Of course, it is impossible to completely stop walking when the Crown Princess appoints him as godfather and minister, but it is unlikely that something like today will happen every time he comes to the palace. The Imperial Knights will also work on their mental health.
But it’s really amazing. What on earth happened that caused the chicken to escape? Even chickens raised in the countryside have no chance of escaping as long as the door is properly locked.
‘Did they give you some elixir?’
For a moment, I imagined a chicken breaking a lock with mana wrapped in its beak. If you’re a chicken that uses mana, it’s okay to escape.
“Oh, by the way, Count. Can you give me some time?”
And when I was imagining a chicken pecking a cow with its mana-covered beak, the emperor hinted.
“I knew the Count would be coming today, so I prepared something for him. I hope you’ll join him while he’s here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will do so.”
It was actually an order disguised as a recommendation, so he nodded. ‘You have nothing to do anymore, so come and do some work with me.’ How can you reject that statement? It’s not like they’re bothering me even though I’m busy, and it’s even more difficult to refuse since they said they prepared it in accordance with my reporting of succession to the title.
“Thank goodness. Jeonseung-gong also said that if not now, he would have time until the New Year, but isn’t he busy during the New Year? I was very worried about what would happen if the Count said he was having a hard time.”
The emperor’s words gave me goosebumps. It wasn’t something that just the two of you did, but it also involved a lore worker?
‘What is it?’
If it had been just the two of us, we would have thought it was just a casual affair, but if it involved an operation, it was not normal. Even more so if it involves a Jeon Seung-gong.
I am anxious. These days, I understand that Jeon Seung-gong has become the Commander-in-Chief of the General Headquarters in order to avoid attracting unnecessary attention as the emperor’s father-in-law, but if it is a matter where even Jeon Seung-gong barely has time to make a move, I am afraid of what will happen.
“…Your Majesty, I beg your pardon, but may I ask what you can do?”
So, I nodded briefly and cautiously opened my mouth. Since I can’t figure anything out, it’s best to ask the person directly.
Fortunately, despite my questions, the emperor’s expression remained calm. I don’t think it’s something that needs to be done in secret or something that needs to be done in a big way.
“I want to say hello to the eldest member of the imperial family, so all I have to do is go with him and bow my head.”
?
“Originally, it would have been right to visit him as soon as he ascended the throne, but he was sleeping, perhaps because he had had his blood drawn recently. I didn’t dare wake him up, so I decided to go now.”
The emperor let out a small laugh, but I couldn’t laugh.
He is the eldest member of the imperial family and has recently had his blood drawn and is now sleeping. It may be a somewhat unexpected statement, but I knew immediately who he was talking about.
‘It’s the Dragon Lord.’
It is certain. I am clearly referring to the Dragon Lord, the child of Emperor Eimanca. Isn’t this the imperial family where the immediate lineage was destroyed and the collateral lineage came to the throne in the first place? The only person who can be considered an adult in such an imperial family is the Dragon Lord.
‘Crazy.’
The desire soared to the top of my throat and finally subsided.
No, is it okay to say so calmly that I am going to meet the Dragon Lord? Shouldn’t we be prepared and prepare gifts and such?
Of course, if you are just coming to get blood, like Fenelia, you can just go physically, but the emperor’s visit is a visit where the descendants of the emperor come to say hello to the eldest. Of course, we need to prepare a more thorough and extravagant procession, right?
“He doesn’t like noise.”
Perhaps he sensed such feelings, the emperor smiled and said.
If the person involved doesn’t like it, there’s nothing we can do…
The procession, which was relatively simple for an emperor, headed to the cave where the Dragon Lord was staying. Since the cave is located in a rather rough terrain, it is inconvenient to visit in large groups, so there is nothing we can do about it.
“Please have the officers wait here.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Even then, the imperial knights who participated as guards had to wait in front of the cave, so the only ones who entered the cave were me, the emperor, and Jeon Seung-gong.
‘This is what happened in the end.’
My heart feels tight. I know that past emperors went to say hello to the Dragon Lord right after their coronation ceremony. I also know that I am not going alone, but with a very small group of confidants. Since the situation was with a former Minister of the Palace of Internal Affairs, being a ‘subject who saw the Dragon Lord with the Emperor’ is a symbol of trust and favor.
And I ended up being included among his subjects. Although this was expected from the moment he became the Crown Princess’ godfather, it is a little bitter. Now, in the eyes of the eldest member of the imperial family, I am the emperor’s favorite toy.
“Are you here?”
Anyway, after leaving the bitterness behind and entering deeper into the cave, a deep voice suddenly rang out.
“You came while I was asleep for a moment. I’m sorry I couldn’t welcome you.”
Soon, something huge came out of the darkness.
‘Oh.’
Golden scales that shine brightly even in the dark and purple eyes looking down at us. Anyone could see that he was the child of a great emperor and the current Dragon Lord.
“How can you apologize when it is our fault for coming to you without telling you? Please stop talking.”
While watching the Dragon Lord in a daze, the Emperor, upon hearing the Dragon Lord’s apology, bowed his head politely and answered.
It is a rare sight that you will not see twice in your life. There is someone under the sky that the emperor must humble himself to. Even though the Pope is equal to the Emperor, he does not stand above him.
“Don’t do that. You are the head of the family of Rivnoman and the emperor of the empire, carrying on your father’s will. If I take you lightly, my father will be very angry.”
In fact, the Dragon Lord gently shook his head at the emperor’s words. Of course, it was only gentle from the Dragon Lord’s perspective, but from our perspective, it felt like a huge building shaking left and right.
“By the way, Corvus, is the child doing well?”
“Yes. You are still correcting it.”
“The child suffered a lot for the empire. He now deserves to enjoy a peaceful life.”
Then it slowly waggled its tail. As if he was relieved to hear that things were okay.
Perhaps even from the Dragon Lord’s perspective, the Arduous March that he went through for several decades was unfortunate.
“He said his name was Gilbert. How old is he now?”
“Amanka is 17 years old.”
“Has it already happened like that? It seems like he was only 10 years old when he ascended to the throne not long ago.”
I feel sorry for the nostalgic Dragon Lord, but the remark came out like an old man. If you’re 10 years old, Amanka is something you only see in history textbooks. Tell me someone you can sympathize with.
“…Oops, I ended up talking about something useless again.”
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Still, I’m glad that he seems to realize that he’s talking about old times.
“Yes, you are the children who will help this child.”
The Dragon Lord’s eyes, free from memories, suddenly turned to me and Jeon Seung-gong. Since he had enough conversation with the emperor, he seems to be slowly becoming interested in this area.
“Yes, gloriously so.”
I bowed my head as Jeon Seung-gong answered politely, and there was silence for a moment.
“White child. Are those swords my fingernails?”
“That’s right. It is a precious gift that His Majesty has bestowed upon Sosin.”
In response to the Dragon Lord’s question, Jeon Seung-gong bowed his head even further.
A sword made from a dragon’s claw is an item that can be considered a national treasure rather than a workhorse. The reason the legend was able to possess such an item was thanks to the Dragon Lord who handed over his claws to humans.
“With that sword, cut down the enemies of the imperial family and the empire. Then I will have nothing more to ask for.”
“I will keep this in mind.”
A small sound of laughter rang out at Jeon Seung-gong’s immediate response. He seems to feel good thinking that his fingernails are protecting the imperial family.
…But I think it would be a bit strange to see someone else’s carefully processed nails. Dragons have different sensibilities from humans—
“Hmm?”
Suddenly the laughter stopped.
“Black child, I don’t know much about human age, but you seem particularly young.”
I was startled and trembled at those words. Although I was given the label of being the youngest, was the Dragon Lord who lived for 300 years truly unique? Among all the emperor’s confidants, there was no one similar to me?
No, but isn’t it likely that there will be at least one person in their mid to late 20s?
“Although he is still young, he is not lacking in ability. He is also the crown princess’s godfather, so he is no different from a pillar of the imperial family.”
“Oh.”
The emperor provided support fire on my behalf, as I was speechless, but I was not grateful.
I have a strangely mixed smile with that dog and voice.
“Then I guess I’ll be able to see the black child again next time.”
I cried my heart out when I heard those words.
***
After a short nap, I woke up and heard that Gilbert had gone to say hello to Rod.
Considering that he usually goes right after the coronation ceremony, it would be a late visit, and it would be the same as if he did not have time in months. I don’t think you’ll really care.
So, Gilbert will come back after hearing a few good words. I have nothing to worry about.
“You almost went all the way to the empress’ palace?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
…What I need to worry about now is not Gilbert, but this powerful guy.
I closed my eyes for a moment after hearing the report of Sir Roman, who resigned from his position as the head of the Imperial Knights and took charge of my guard. The guy who was holding my hand and just blinking almost got into a serious accident.
It was problematic that he escaped while I was asleep, but he had no choice but to run to the empress’ palace. The animal almost entered the place where the young Crown Princess was.
“You’re full of energy.”
“It is my fault for failing to properly manage my beliefs. Please kill me.”
“How can I hold you responsible when no one was hurt? Also, I know your loyalty well, so don’t say things like that.”
I looked at Lord Roman, who lowered his head even more at those words, and started rummaging around the chicken’s neck. I put name tags on these guys just in case something like this happens.
‘It’s this guy.’
Soon, I was able to check the name tag buried in the feathers.
‘Nugget.’
Pride, one of those guys who works hard to lay eggs with the oven.
I let my guard down because it was quiet when I fed it. I’ll have to take a closer look in the future.