89 – Reputation
Leon Loaderdale willingly confessed his sins.
“What should I say?”
I told them roughly what I would confess if asked.
I said that due to my desire for dru*gs, I impulsively attacked Her Highness the Princess’s knight and that my only advice was to serve in the punishment division to repay my debt to the Empire.
In return, I promised to take three pills a day.
The pills contained 15mg of morphine, 15mg of ephedrine, and 80mg of caffeine.
In the past, I had accidentally taken two pills of morphine at once or two pills of ephedrine, but now that wouldn’t happen. Just one pill would be enough.
The area where he would be stationed was the city of Lebstow in the eastern part of the Empire.
In the original, it was a place where demons manifested during the Academy’s winter break.
Not a cunning demon, just a demon who enjoyed fighting with blood and flesh. In the original story, the demon was subjugated by Leon, who had visited the place at the invitation of a sub-couple.
I couldn’t trust Leon, but one thing was certain.
If I just gave him dru*gs, he would fight harder than anyone else.
Considering only the cost of the ingredients, the Empire didn’t even know if it was profitable, as it was an inexpensive dru*g that cost less than 40 talers per piece and could be utilized by the Master.
“It’s not a loss even if you just live quietly.”
Persuading Leon and heading home.
“Heroin…!”
The Academy students recognized me and made snide remarks.
Just by looking at their twisted expressions, I could tell what they thought of me. It would be fine as long as it was just finger-pointing after such a controversy.
What was fortunate was that there were people who made efforts to protect me.
They were the princesses of the Empire.
**
The Imperial Palace, Alhyeonsil.
Edmund III was on the verge of losing his mind.
Lately, he had been behaving somewhat madly.
But this time, the impact was particularly severe.
“Your Majesty! It is reported that Leon Roderdale, a 2nd-year student at the academy, has ascended to the rank of Master. Truly a red-letter day for the Empire…! Once this news spreads, the royalty and nobility of all nations will aspire to enroll in the Imperial Academy!”
With the birth of a new Master,
“…Your Majesty, I sincerely apologize, but it is reported that Leon Roderdale brutally assaulted the Imperial Princess’s bodyguard in front of 3,200 academy officials and was taken into custody by the Royal Guards. The details are not fully understood.”
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And then he disappeared.
Not just disappeared casually.
He turned the academy upside down.
Thousands of students who witnessed the shocking scene were spreading rumors here and there even at this moment… The downfall of a master due to madness was an event shocking enough to jeopardize the prestige of the Empire.
“It’s fortunate if only the prestige collapses.”
The Empire was gradually becoming a bizarre nation.
The protagonist, Leon Roderdale, was said to be sitting in the investigation room of the Royal Guard headquarters. In a surprisingly quiet manner, not resembling a criminal who attempted regicide.
A situation that only brought sighs.
The only relief was that there was no need to investigate the details separately.
The Emperor’s most relied upon daughter, Victoria, was personally reporting on it.
“Your Majesty, I understand your concerns. However, there is no need to worry as we are handling it amicably. Leon Roderdale intends to repent in Lebsdow. We have already formulated plans on how to utilize and manage him…”
“Are you telling me to just approve it?”
“I apologize for not informing you in advance.”
“……”
“But if we had discussed it beforehand, you wouldn’t have allowed it. You must have thought I was putting myself in danger.”
“Call that talking, huh.”
A princess committing such absurd acts?
It might have been tolerable if it were Sienna’s misdeeds, but this was different. Having just become a precious asset, Master had sent it flying into the hands of the royal family and assigned it to the punitive force. And the protagonist behind this absurd act wasn’t Sienna but Victoria.
Even teamed up with that Alan Maydof guy.
In some ways, this was a bigger issue than Leon’s downfall.
Why did such a devil-worshipping character appear out of nowhere?
“Abamama.”
“…?”
“Just to clear up any misunderstandings, I came up with this plan. After deciding on my own, I called Alan Maydof for help. Alan Maydof bears no responsibility for this incident.”
It’s hard to agree. If Maydof hadn’t made the potion in the first place,
“The person who initially requested him to make the Awakening Elixir is right here. The one who asked for the supply of morphine is me.”
“….”
“If someone has to take responsibility, it should be me, not Alan.”
The emperor stared blankly at his daughter’s delicate face.
Is he saying this to protect Alan?
Or is it simply because of the strong sense of responsibility as a member of the royal family?
‘Probably both.’
So the emperor was going even crazier.
Victoria considers protecting Alan Maydof crucial to the security of the empire, especially in terms of defense. Considering Victoria’s personality, it’s probably impossible to change her thoughts on Alan through persuasion.
Victoria would have thrown a tantrum if she had any. But she only gazed at the Emperor as if apologizing.
“I understand Alabama’s feelings.”
“…”
“But… I hope you can acknowledge just one thing. It means recognizing that Alan Kyeongdo understands the worries of the royal family. Even if he is notified that he won’t receive the reward for his service in Dasurim because of this incident, he will willingly accept it. He won’t even voice any complaints.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Alan is that kind of person.”
At that moment, the Emperor could see Victoria’s pupils subtly shaking.
The firm expression momentarily blurred, which was an added bonus.
“…Alan Maydoff is not someone plotting a great conspiracy. He is not someone determined to overthrow the empire. And he even endured the blame of people to take responsibility for what he caused.”
“Victoria?”
“I respect such Alan Maydoff.”
Respect, she said.
This was not just the aristocratic attitude of praising a capable subordinate. After all, Alan Maydoff was not even Victoria’s subordinate.
Then, although it was unpleasant to think about. Perhaps.
“Victoria. Can I ask you one thing?”
“Of course.”
“I wanted to ask before, but… by any chance…”
The Emperor hesitated, regretting bringing up the question. However, Victoria knew her father too well. Well, she was no longer a child.
His daughter nodded confidently.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“……”
“Allan Maydoff is a talent without any shortcomings in the imperial court. I have thought so for a long time, but I finally gained confidence through this incident. If Allan himself doesn’t object, I would like to push for it to be made public soon.”
Victoria said this and smiled softly.
Not a feigned smile, but a shy smile that briefly appeared and vanished at the corner of her mouth. It was the expression that Victoria occasionally showed before she aspired to become an officer.
The Emperor knew better than anyone else what that smile meant.
“It’s sincere.”
Victoria,
His most trusted and relied-upon daughter seemed to be reminiscing about Allan Maydoff.
A complex situation that was difficult to put into words.
The image of his adorable second daughter, who used to nuzzle her face against Allan Maydoff’s chest, also came to mind. Sierra had already fallen into that damn alchemist’s hands, sacrificing her own glory, and now even Victoria. It felt like his guts were being crushed.
“Victoria, I need some time alone.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Leave. You’re bothering me.”
“Yes.”
Victoria looked at the Emperor as if showing deference, then left with courtesy.
…
The Emperor was left alone in the study.
He gestured to the attendant to bring him some alcohol. Brandy, to be precise.
He was not originally fond of drinking. It wasn’t because he disliked it. How wonderful alcohol is. However, since ascending the throne, he had deliberately refrained from it. It would be difficult to handle any accidents that might occur if he were to get drunk and lose his senses.
But now, he yearned for alcohol desperately.
Just one glass.
As soon as he swallowed it, the empress appeared.
A beautiful, clever, and glamorous empress who brought great wealth when they got married.
…But now, she didn’t seem so lovely. It was because of the advice from the empress that their two daughters, Ellen and others, were entangled like this. It may not have been the empress’s intention, but he couldn’t help feeling resentful. After all, he was both the emperor and a father.
The empress also seemed to know her own faults, with a troubled expression.
“If you want an apology, I will do it now.”
“Is there… any meaning in that?”
“Finding meaning is subjective. But if you allow me, I can suggest something better than an apology. Since emotions have developed in our children, we can’t just let Ellen Maydoff’s reputation be destroyed without doing anything, can we?”
“What?”
“If we just leave it be, we may end up being criticized as villains by public opinion.”
“….”
She used to restrain him, but now she was telling him to take care of his reputation.
The emperor sent her a helpless gaze, but the empress remained calm.
“Politics are inherently complicated.”
“….”
“Even if I were to indulge in Silovin and spend all the money, no one would dare to curse me, but it’s not the same for you. Now, put down the glass and do what needs to be done for the country. You shouldn’t be intoxicated by pleasure.”
Empress Yeonhwa spoke without any change in her expression.
King Edmund III stared at her intently and eventually acquiesced.
“It’s not the time to be drunk.”
However, even in the midst of a serious situation, the Empress, who calmly discussed countermeasures, felt somewhat intimidating. It wasn’t that he didn’t love her, but he just felt uneasy. The Alan guy who captured his daughters’ hearts was also a bit bothersome.
“Just this one glass. It might upset you.”
“Thank you.”
After emptying his second glass, the Emperor quietly set it down.
And he listened to the Empress’s words again.
He didn’t really feel like it, but it was to protect Alan’s reputation.
He had a suspicion that the Empress might be doing this because of Sienna and Victoria’s request, but he didn’t ask because it would only hurt his heart.
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