Chapter 17: An emperor’s decision

The imperial capital, Arcadia, was seething with excitement, celebrating the heroes’ return.

The parade welcoming the hero party and the subjugation forces, who had achieved the great feat of defeating the Demon Lord, was truly a magnificent spectacle.

Citizens filling the streets threw flower petals and cheered, chanting the heroes’ names.

With a rattling sound, the ornate carriage, specially prepared for the hero party, moved slowly through the crowd.

However, the atmosphere inside the carriage was quite different from the festive mood outside.

Irene forced a smile and waved at the window, but inside, she was boiling with the anger and humiliation from last night.

She shot a glance at Logan, who was sitting opposite her.

He was still gazing at a distant point outside the window, not even giving her a look.

‘Logan, how can you keep doing this to me…!?’

Anger and disappointment washed over her simultaneously.

Hadn’t she given him enough time, about two days, to rest sufficiently?

She couldn’t understand why he was acting this way when he would eventually return to her anyway.

Just as she was about to say something, anything, to Logan.

“Irene! What are you doing! You have to keep waving! Everyone is watching us!”

Lian, who was sitting opposite, suddenly grabbed Irene’s wrist and waved it towards the window.

At his sudden action and bright smile, Irene momentarily forgot all about last night’s unpleasantness.

“Uh, yes! Lian!”

Irene, as if nothing had happened, blushed and, led by Lian, smiled brightly and waved at the citizens.

The affectionate appearance of the two drew even greater cheers from the citizens outside the carriage.

Sera watched the two of them and clicked her tongue inwardly.

Outwardly, she responded to the crowd with an infinitely benevolent smile, but her eyes were coldly downcast.

‘Really… this one and that one, they’re all hopeless…’

Lian’s thoughtless act of waving with another woman when they should have been diligently showing the citizens the “hero and saintess” pairing, and Irene’s foolishness of being easily swayed by him, were utterly pathetic.

Sera turned her head and secretly observed Logan, who was silently looking out the window.

It was difficult to read any emotion on his face, but a deep sense of loneliness could be felt from somewhere.

‘What on earth happened to make him keep acting like this?’

Logan’s sudden change was still an unsolved mystery to Sera.

Even if it was a fool like Lian, there was no way that Logan wouldn’t notice Irene’s feelings, who was so openly expressing her displeasure.

In the past, he would have tried to soothe her somehow, but now he wasn’t taking any action at all.

Meanwhile, Logan, who had no choice but to ride in the same carriage as the hero party today because of the parade, felt complicated emotions at the affectionate display between Lian and Irene happening right next to him.

Seeing Irene’s expression soften and smile at Lian’s single word, the faint guilt he felt for treating her coldly, even for a moment, seemed to melt away like snow.

Yes, she was someone who could laugh so well even without him.

Perhaps she had always been like that from the beginning.

‘Help from someone like me… or my feelings… they never meant anything from the start…’

A sense of emptiness and bitterness washed over him simultaneously.

Therefore, Logan soon turned his head, trying not to look at them anymore, and silently fixed his gaze on the scenery outside the window.

And on another side, at the very front of the procession, Anastasia, mounted on a white horse, was majestically responding to the citizens’ cheers.

The pouring sunlight made Anastasia’s platinum blonde hair shine even more brilliantly.

Her loyal knight, Renate, was flawlessly escorting her by her side.

‘Logan….’

While Anastasia smiled at the citizens, a part of her heart worried about Logan in the hero party’s carriage following behind.

She was concerned if he was okay in that uncomfortable space, if he was being hurt again.

But now, as the Crown Princess of the Empire and the Commander-in-Chief of the subjugation forces, she had to lead this glorious moment.

She forced herself to suppress her personal feelings and continued the march, displaying the dignity of a future empress.

---

After the splendid triumphal parade ended, the hero party and the commanders of the subjugation forces finally entered the audience chamber of the Imperial Palace.

The Emperor, Valerius von Sterngart, seated on the throne, greeted them with a solemn expression.

His eyes held commendation for the heroes who had achieved the great feat of subjugating the Demon Lord, along with deep anguish for the empire, weary from long wars.

First, Valerius praised the achievements of the hero party.

“I express deep gratitude to the hero party for bringing peace to the Empire and the continent by subjugating the Demon Lord Belzegor. Your courage and dedication will be recorded in history for a long time.”

At the Emperor’s praise, Lian proudly puffed out his chest.

“Hahaha! Your Majesty, this was merely what a hero blessed by the goddess should naturally do! Before my holy sword Elysium, even that Demon Lord… Oof!”

The moment Lian was about to boast to his heart’s content, Sera, who was next to him, pinched his side, stopping him.

“It seems the Hero is weary in mind and body from the continuous fierce battles.

Your Majesty, I hope for your generous understanding.

Our hero party was able to complete our mission thanks to the wishes of Your Majesty and the people of the Empire, and the goddess’s blessing.”

The Emperor faintly nodded at Sera’s skillful and humble response, while Lian wore a bewildered expression, not knowing what he had done wrong.

Next, Valerius turned his gaze to the representatives of the other races who had joined the subjugation forces.

“I also sincerely thank the representatives of our allied races who came from afar to help the Empire and contributed their strength to the Demon Lord’s subjugation.
This Demon Lord subjugation is a victory for all of us.”

“We promise to do our best nationally and diplomatically to rebuild our respective homes, devastated by the long war, and to continue an even stronger cooperative relationship in the future.”

At the Emperor’s heartfelt words, Baldur Ironfist and Elara Silvanus, along with other representatives of the other races, nodded in agreement.

“We deeply agree with Your Majesty’s words.

We dwarves will also actively cooperate in post-war recovery and mutual exchange.”

“The Elven Kingdom is likewise.

We sincerely hope that this opportunity will allow us to wash away the long-standing distrust between races and open an era of true peace.”

Finally, Valerius’s gaze turned to his daughter, Anastasia.

A complex emotion flickered across his face.

“And I also commend the Commander-in-Chief, my daughter Anastasia, who brilliantly led the subjugation army and finally brought us victory.”

Valerius felt deep guilt for not having properly cared for her in the past when she suffered from an unknown incurable disease.

He could have made excuses, saying it was unavoidable to protect the shaky imperial power amidst the checks from the noble factions and the church, but the fact that he, as a father, could not protect his daughter remained unchanged.

Nevertheless, Anastasia not only overcame her illness on her own but also rose to the position of Crown Princess without anyone’s help and even achieved the tremendous feat of subjugating the Demon Lord.

While he was proud and admired her, he couldn’t help but feel sorry.

“Truly… well done, Anastasia.”

At Valerius’s sincere praise, Anastasia bowed respectfully and replied humbly.

“You overestimate me, Your Majesty.

All this glory is thanks to the dedication of the hero party, the soldiers of the subjugation army, and all the soldiers and citizens of the Empire who fought against the demon army in their respective places.

I merely fulfilled my duty.”

Her humble and confident demeanor impressed everyone gathered in the audience chamber.

Not only the Emperor but also the state ministers and foreign envoys sent praises for her character and leadership.

In such an atmosphere, Emperor Valerius finally made a decision.

He rose from the throne and solemnly declared.

“I wish to proclaim a momentous decision here today!
From this hour forth, I shall entrust all state affairs of the Empire to Crown Princess Anastasia, and I shall step back to support the Crown Princess!”

At the Emperor’s surprise announcement, the audience chamber instantly fell silent as if water had been thrown on it.

Everyone stared at him, engulfed in surprise and bewilderment.

Sera and Grand Archbishop Bertrand, standing behind her, were particularly shocked, as if they had been hit the hardest.

‘This… crazy emperor!’

Sera cursed inwardly.

Wasn’t he usually an incompetent emperor who only cared for his own safety and cowered before the church and nobles?

Her plan to further strengthen the church’s influence over the imperial family, taking advantage of the chaotic political situation after the Demon Lord’s subjugation, was on the verge of becoming bubbles.

It was obvious that if Anastasia seized real power, she would by no means be favorable to the church.

Grand Archbishop Bertrand, flustered, hurriedly stepped forward.

“Your Majesty! While we fully acknowledge Her Highness the Crown Princess’s intelligence and competence, to make such a momentous decision without any consultation with our church…!”

“Consultation with the church?

Grand Archbishop, since when did I need the church’s permission to decide on important matters of the Empire?”

Valerius cut Bertrand off, glaring at him with a cold gaze.

His eyes held a decisiveness not seen before.

“Th-that’s not what I meant, Your Majesty!
Just the procedural issues…”

Bertrand, flustered, tried to make an excuse, but the Emperor waved his hand as if it wasn’t worth listening to anymore, cutting him off.

‘Tsk. Foolish old man. How can you reveal your intentions so openly?’

Sera once again clicked her tongue at Bertrand’s foolishness.

Since the Emperor had come out unexpectedly strong, she decided to take a step back for now.

This was not the time for a direct confrontation.

“Your Majesty, the Grand Archbishop’s words were not meant that way.
However, as Her Highness the Crown Princess is still young and lacks experience in state affairs…”

“He was merely expressing our church’s loyalty, wishing to support Her Highness the Crown Princess with all sincerity, following Your Majesty’s will, and contribute to the stability and prosperity of the Empire.”

At Sera’s cunning words, Valerius gazed at her for a moment but then nodded without further argument.

“…Alright, I understand.

Let’s stop here for now. You must all be tired from the long journey, so you may all withdraw and rest comfortably until the evening banquet.”

---

The audience concluded, and people began to disperse, still amidst the shock and murmurings regarding the Emperor’s bombshell declaration.

Logan wanted to escape this chaotic situation and have some time to think quietly.

He tried to slip out of the audience chamber without informing anyone.

However, someone blocked his path.

“Logan! Wait, I need to see you for a moment!”

It was Irene.

Her face was etched with the earlier anger, now mixed with urgency.

Irene tried to grab Logan’s arm, but he reflexively took a step back.

His gesture clearly conveyed an unwillingness to allow her touch any longer.

“…Is there something you want to say?”

At Logan’s cold reaction, Irene momentarily choked up.

With tears welling in her eyes, she began to question him, sounding truly wronged and sorrowful.

“You… you really, why are you like this?

There were no problems before!

Why do you keep doing this!?

I’m really struggling, Logan..!”

“Ha..! No problems, you say?”

Logan let out a scoff.

Does she really know nothing, or is she pretending not to?

Does she really have no intention whatsoever of showing any consideration or respect for him?

“Irene, I… I’m tired now.
So, no more…”

Just then, before Logan could finish his sentence, Lian approached and wrapped an arm around Irene’s shoulder.

“Irene, what’s wrong?
Ah, Logan! There’s a celebration banquet tonight, you’ll be there too, right?”

Lian asked with an innocent face, as if he knew nothing.

And Irene, as soon as Lian appeared, stopped questioning Logan and clung to him again.

“Lian… Logan keeps…”

“Haha, Logan must be a bit tired!
It’s okay, come to the banquet, eat delicious food, and have fun, you’ll feel better soon!
Right, Logan?
See you at the banquet!”

Lian didn’t wait for Logan’s answer and turned his body towards the young noble ladies nearby who were sending him favorable glances.

At that sight, Irene wanted to talk more with Logan but couldn’t leave Lian to mingle with other women, so she hurriedly chased after him.

“….”

Logan watched them for a moment, then quietly turned his body and left the place.

He had only once again confirmed that there was no need to linger on their relationship any longer.

---

Logan escaped the complex palace and arrived at a small, secluded garden in the rear courtyard.

The cool sound of the fountain and the fragrant scent of flowers seemed to cool his head for a moment.

He sat on a bench, closed his eyes, and fell into deep thought.

Foresight, his relationship with Irene, and Anastasia.

All these things were jumbled up, and he felt at a loss as to where to begin unraveling them.

Then, with quiet footsteps, someone approached his side.

Slowly opening his eyes, Anastasia was standing there.

She seemed to hesitate a little, but soon carefully sat down in the seat next to Logan.

“……I thought you might be here.”

Anastasia quietly opened her mouth.

Her voice carried a warm, comforting energy.

“Because of His Majesty’s decision… you must have been very surprised, right?”

Logan shook his head.

“No.
Rather… I think it’s a good thing.
Your Highness fully deserves it.”

A faint smile appeared on Anastasia’s face at Logan’s sincere words.

“Thank you, Logan.
Hearing you say that… gives me some strength.”

A moment of silence flowed.

It was an awkward, yet not uncomfortable, silence.

Logan mustered his courage and spoke first.

“Uh… Anya.”

At Logan’s affectionate and gentle voice calling her nickname, Anastasia unknowingly shivered slightly.

She looked at Logan with surprised eyes.

“All this time… I think I’ve only been thinking about myself.
I might have… hurt you a lot.
I’m really… sorry.”

At Logan’s sudden apology, Anastasia was momentarily speechless.

She thought there was absolutely no reason for Logan to feel sorry for her.

If anything, she was the one who felt more sorry for him.

If only she had forcibly brought him to the imperial palace with her that day, she could have separated him from the suffering caused by that d*mn woman a little sooner.

Because she had neglected him, thinking it was for his own good, he ended up being hurt for an even longer time.

And not only that, from him, she had received not only her life but also a warm heart she had never felt before in her life.

That alone might have been what allowed her to endure until this very day.

“No, Logan… You’ve done nothing wrong to me.
Rather, I… I’ve received so much from you.”

Anastasia’s eyes grew moist.

She continued in a trembling voice.

“Thanks to you, I… I found hope to live again.
So… please don’t make that face.
Seeing you in pain… my heart aches too much.”

At her sincere comfort, a corner of Logan’s frozen heart seemed to melt warmly.

He unconsciously tried to reach out his hand towards Anastasia.

He wanted to wipe her tears, to say thank you, to tell her it was okay.

Just then.

“What are you two doing there!!!”

With a sharp cry, Irene ran into the garden.

Her face was completely distorted with anger and jealousy.