Chapter 71. The Emperor, the Nightmare, the Knightly Order (1)

I left the barracks.

With the man in black leading the way.

The man's presence was faint.

Never mind footsteps or breathing, I couldn't even hear the faint rustle of his clothes.

A strange feeling that he could disappear at any moment, even though he was right in front of me.

In fact, his jet-black attire blended with the darkness, causing me to pause from time to time.

“…….”

It made sense.

This guy was an assassin hero, one of the top five in the Empire.

A hero with the epithet ‘Barum of the Black’.

He was the only named stealth-type in the Imperial Secret Knightly Order.

This fellow possessed over ten stealth-related traits and skills.

I had just confirmed two of them.

[[Warrior’s Insight] is activated.]

[You have acquired skills.]

[Ghost Step (Level 3)]

[Scattered Shadow (Level 4)]

[Ghost Step] was a skill that extremely reduced the caster's presence.

[Scattered Shadow] was one that shared the stealth effect applied to oneself with a designated ally.

Indeed, no one noticed us as we slipped out of the mercenary band's camp.

“Commander…?”

Just once.

Karen, who was brushing her teeth in front of the barracks, looked this way with a surprised expression, but I put a finger to my lips, signaling her to be quiet.

“…You have an excellent subordinate.”

The man said this a long while after we had left the mercenary camp.

By the way, if this guy was here, it was highly likely that another was here as well.

Because one of the main duties of the Imperial Secret Knightly Order was to protect the Emperor.

‘Barum of the Black’ was in charge of intelligence, not combat.

Which meant that at least one combat specialist from the knightly order must have accompanied him.

‘…Who could it be? The Frozen Knight? The Prelate? Or the Mad Fire?’

I couldn't know for now.

Anyway, the reason I followed him was simple.

The Marquis' statue, the sacred relic of ‘The Maiden Who Heralds the Time’, had glowed red.

This sacred relic's ability was to forewarn of an imminent crisis.

In other words, this situation where the Emperor was summoning me would lead to a crisis.

‘Keep this in mind. You can achieve quite a successful outcome just by avoiding the worst.’

The Marquis had said that and avoided crises.

In my opinion, that was the wrong way to use it.

In the first place, this statue couldn't see that far into the future.

In fact, the Marquis had stopped Viscount Pewin's assassination plan right before its execution based on the statue's warning, but as a result, hadn't the Emperor still nurtured the secret knightly order without any change?

If warned of a crisis, one must prepare for it.

And breaking through the crisis with sufficient preparation was the standard procedure.

Ever since I opened my eyes in this world, my attitude towards crisis had never changed.

‘A crisis is an opportunity. I must make the most of it.’

By using the undead invasion, I protected Burken Fortress and gained an ally in Olif.

By using the vampire subjugation, I defeated Count Calvenia and upgraded the mercenary company to a mercenary band.

That was not all.

If I hadn't responded to the statue's call, I wouldn't have been able to protect Gunterburk using the Princess of Blood.

I wouldn't have obtained ‘Kashutal’s Amulet’, which I used frequently in this civil war.

Confirming Kkumteuli's true nature was also the result of tracking Indika and infiltrating the castle, wasn't it?

‘Mmm. Churuup. Hehe….’

…Though he was usually no different from a glutton.

Anyway, a red warning had appeared.

I diligently prepared as I headed to the Emperor's military camp.

It wasn't difficult.

Just anticipating the upcoming scenario and reviewing my response.

It might seem flimsy, but surprisingly, that alone was enough.

Because this crisis was more likely to be resolved with words than with swords.

Above all, tactically, knowing whether there was an ambush on the line of march or not—that difference itself was a factor that determined victory or defeat.

“Oh, Ash! It’s been a while.”

That was why, even though Archduke Gabir Maraz was flashing his blue eyes next to the Emperor who greeted me, I was not flustered.

“You, have you by any chance seen something like this in the Marquis' room?”

“…What is this?”

“The drawing is a bit strange, but it’s a statue. They say it’s about the size of one’s hand. My aides tell me this is the Marquis' most powerful treasure, so I’m asking you. Have you seen it in the Marquis' room?”

Even when the Emperor showed me a drawing depicting the sacred relic of ‘The Maiden Who Heralds the Time’, right in front of those flashing blue eyes that saw through all lies.

I was able to comfortably lay out the answer I had prepared in advance.

“…I remember seeing something similar.”

Now, let the acting begin.

* * *

[Eight Thousand Angels’ Insight]

Archduke Gabir's ridiculously overpowered trait.

It was a lie detector ability that could determine whether an answer to a question was true or false, up to three times per month for each target.

For reference, this was not the first time I had faced that trait.

Right after the battle of Burken, when I opened my eyes in the inn.

I had once put on a grand performance to clear myself of potential heresy charges against Archduke Gabir, who had visited me out of the blue.

[[Lord’s Unyielding Mind] is activated.]

Of course, the conditions were a bit different from back then.

First, [Lord’s Unyielding Mind] was nullified because of the Emperor.

An alert window did pop up, but the trait's ability was not being applied at all.

If this were a game, another alert window would have popped up.

However, I knew [Eight Thousand Angels’ Insight] well.

Its overpowered ability's strengths and weaknesses, and even how to counter it.

This trait had two weaknesses.

The first was that it couldn't force a specific answer.

“I recall seeing it in the necromancer's lair, when I rescued Priestess Alina near Burken Fortress.”

I looked at the drawing and slowly opened my mouth.

As if trying hard to recall a distant memory.

“It had a hideous form. It was a little different from what you've shown me, though. The statue I saw in the necromancer's hideout was shaped like an inverted octopus.”

I described Kkumteuli's appearance, wrinkling my brow.

Filled with the disgust a devout holy knight would naturally feel.

“The tentacles seemed alive, and they were holding up a strange figure. It was truly a horrifying, obscene sight.”

‘……Master?’

“Ah, Luark, please purify my memories with light.”

‘…….’

There was a saying that computers only know 0s and 1s.

On the other hand, a human's mouth can produce many answers besides ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

It was a simple fact, but surprisingly, many people tended to forget it when dealing with someone of higher status.

Archduke Gabir had used that fact to make full use of his trait.

“…That’s enough. I commend your loyalty. However, I want to know about the Marquis' possession.”

As my explanation grew longer, the Emperor intervened.

It probably wasn't the answer he wanted.

Of course, it would be hard to doubt someone answering so sincerely.

However, he would never get the answer he wanted.

Because of the second weakness of [Eight Thousand Angels’ Insight].

The question itself.

“Have you ever touched anything similar to it in the Marquis' room?”

To apply [Eight Thousand Angels’ Insight], the question could not be one directly linked to the intention.

The question the Emperor wanted to ask was likely ‘Did you take the sacred relic?’.

But the moment he asked that question, he wouldn't be able to use the lie detector that was Archduke Gabir.

This question, too, was probably borderline for a judgment.

Of course, I had already decided on the answer.

“I have not touched it. I swear before Luark.”

I answered with a hint of displeasure, like a devout holy knight.

In truth, I really hadn't touched it.

Kkumteuli had just packed it with his tentacles.

“Were there no reports from your subordinates about seeing such a thing?”

“There were not. If you wish, I can show them the drawing and ask them again.”

“No, there’s no need for that. More importantly….”

“…Your Majesty.”

The Archduke carefully interjected.

He must have meant that all three chances had been used.

“Ah, Gabir. I had forgotten. Thank you.”

Come to think of it, the Archduke had unintentionally used his ability on me not long ago.

Which meant it ended at the second question.

The Emperor immediately rolled up the drawing and sealed it.

It seemed that information about the sacred relic was a classified matter.

“Gabir, you may leave now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“By the way, Ash, you’ve truly gone through a lot of trouble. Thanks to you, we were able to win this civil war. I mean it.”

“…Thank you.”

By the way, fuck.

I felt this every time, but this psychopathic Emperor's change in attitude gave me the creeps.

To think he was interrogating me about whether I touched the treasure or not just moments ago, and now he was talking about rewards.

“You and your mercenary band will return to the Imperial Capital to receive your rewards. It will take some time to depart. It will be a long march, so rest well.”

“I understand.”

“As for the reward, I have something in mind, but I’m also curious about your opinion. Is there anything you would like to receive separately?”

A choice of reward, huh?

Indeed, the military achievements I had made this time were overwhelming.

Leading a single mercenary band, infiltrating the rebel army's rear to wreak havoc, inciting internal conflict to induce a retreat, and finally infiltrating the enemy camp to take out the commander-in-chief.

Honestly, it was a level of achievement where I would have been justified in demanding a title with a fiefdom.

But this time, I would ask for something else.

“Haha, is the range of choices too wide? Really, say anything. A title would be fine too. A hereditary title is also possible.”

“There are children who need to be sent to university.”

“Huh? University?”

The Emperor made a surprised expression.

I nodded.

In fact, before coming here, while reorganizing the mercenary band, I had checked the last wills of the deceased members.

Among the dozens of wishes, there was one about university.

* * *

[My family is in the Ricardo Marquisate. Please check if they are living well.]

[Please let my mother eat warm white bread just once.]

[Please tell my daughter who lives in the Imperial Capital that I love her. Along with the money I’ve saved.]

Forty-six sheets.

That was the number of blood-stained papers in my hand.

It was also the number of mercenary band members who died in this civil war.

Most of them died in this battle.

The Emperor’s all-out offensive finally broke through the inner walls, but it also produced many casualties.

It was said that Brol and the 3rd Company Commander, Damas, showed amazing leadership, which kept the number to this level.

This was war.

It was impossible for no one to die.

“…I’m sorry, Terren.”

I had said I would protect them, in front of the gravestone of my long-dead squad leader, Terren.

I couldn't protect everyone.

It was the same now, and it would be the same in the future.

All I could do was grant the last wishes of the dead.

This will was a wish I had the members write down for that purpose.

Most of them were about conveying their regards to their families, delivering their inheritance, or providing some small convenience.

Of course, as they were mercenaries with unique personalities, not all wishes were about family.

[I’m not going to die, so don’t worry!]

[P.S. Uh, but just in case. If I really, really kick the bucket, please take my fortune, Commander. I don't have any family to give it to anyway. Ah, damn it. I don’t have a wife, do I? I’m hungry for a woman! Isn’t there a foxy, pretty woman somewhere! Aaaaargh!]

“…You funny bastard.”

He was a member who was always full of jokes.

His name… was Lafal, right?

Lafal the clown.

The port of Berenburg.

Sitting on the pier overlooking the sea at sunset, I slowly read through the wills I had read yesterday, one by one.

Feeling hungry, I had placed a bowl of Karen’s special soup for breakfast next to me.

The reason it was breakfast when the sun was setting was because I had slept like I was knocked out for almost a full day.

After returning from the Emperor’s barracks late at night, I had slept for a solid sixteen hours.

It made sense, considering the battles during the infiltration of the city, the life-or-death chess game with the Marquis for over ten hours, and the reorganization of the mercenary band after a big fight.

‘Is, is that tasty, Master? It smells good.’

“…Haaaam. Yeah, have a bite.”

‘Mmm! Hmm. It’s delicious. But it’s a little lacking. If it had one more spoonful of sugar….’

“You’re going to die of diabetes at this rate.”

Anyway, most of the wishes were things I could grant.

Except for one.

[My daughters. They are twin girls. Both are smart and sharp. If possible, could you send them to university?]

The Imperial University was not a place just anyone could enter.

One had to pass several rigorous entrance exams.

Even that opportunity was not given to just anyone.

A verified network of connections.

Or noble status.

One had to have one of the two to even be given the qualification to take the exam.

Officially, it was open to commoners, but this was limited to cases where talent was discovered at a very young age.

How common could a genius who showed promise before their mind was set be?

At least, the two daughters of the mercenary who left me his will didn't seem to be at that level.

Still, I could at least give them a chance to take the test.

The problem was that the Imperial University was an institution subordinate to the Imperial family, famous for the fact that even nobles couldn't use their connections.

If a noble family with a long history adopted them, they could legally take the exam, but would there really be a family that would adopt commoner brats?

That was why I had made a special request to the Emperor.

‘Good. Give me the list. You said they were twin daughters, right? I will have them admitted.’

Last night.

The Emperor accepted my request, looking at me with interested eyes.

As it happened, the wife and two daughters of the mercenary who left the wish lived in the Imperial Capital.

I was scheduled to return to the Imperial Capital with the Imperial army, so I would have to pay them a visit.

Kkii-ruk- Kkii-ruk-

With the cries of the seagulls as background music, I slowly read the rest of the wills.

The sun was already half-submerged below the sea.

I suddenly looked up while reading the letters.

The memories the sunset brought me were complex.

The main memories were of my childhood, full of dreams, with the setting sun in the schoolyard as a backdrop.

The reason for the complex feelings was probably that the day those dreams were shattered, the sun was also setting.

Suddenly, I felt a presence.

It was Karen.

“I came to get the bowl.”

She, who said she came to get the bowl, plopped down next to me, holding the empty bowl.

“…….”

I let out a small, dry cough, as I was enjoying some time alone for once.

Is she not leaving?

Who's going to do the dishes?

“Do you also have dreams, Commander?”

…What is this?

Is she a mind reader?

How much does she know?

“…I sometimes have nightmares.”

“…….”

Ah, so it was really about dreams.