Declaration (8)

The imperial palace, viewed from afar, was a city in itself. Countless checkpoints surrounded the ramparts, and pristine white buildings were strategically placed within. And at the very center, the citadel for the royals. The structure, not even fully concealed by the walls, stood tall as if to symbolize their authority.

As the panorama of the imperial palace, blurred by the morning mist beyond the horizon, gradually sharpened, I felt a certain pressure. It was like a snake crawling up my spine. And that was no illusion. Yes, a snake’s den… that place was a snake’s den.

Numerous nobles resided around the imperial palace. The reason for so many buildings here was that separate residences were prepared so that maids, servants, and various workers could immediately respond to the nobles’ calls. These numerous buildings were not built for commoners. This place was a city solely for the nobility.

To use this vast branch for so few nobles. It even felt arrogant at first glance. I wondered how many of the buildings built for convenience were actually in use.

“Haa…”

I stroked my left ring finger and straightened my back. The carriage was slowing down. Even the skilled coachman, directly employed by the mansion, was tense and silent. It meant we had arrived at the checkpoint. As I leaned back, waiting for the impending inspection, a strange man’s voice came as expected.

“What brings you here?”

Light reflected off the gleaming silver helmet. I squinted at the sudden bright light. Parnium was mixed into the armor. It was too luxurious armor for an ordinary soldier to wear.

…The Imperial Knights. Shuriel, towards the soldier blocking her path, said in a cold voice.

“Can’t you tell by looking?”

“I apologize for my ignorance. May I dare to confirm your identity?”

“Tsk. Such sticklers for the rules.”

The soldier, without changing his expression, demanded identification. But very politely. It was evident that he had carefully considered not to offend Shuriel’s sensibilities. Perhaps thanks to his efforts, Shuriel calmed down and returned to a level tone.

“I came from Rushellini. Do I need to show an invitation too?”

“Greetings to the proud sword of Rushellini, Acting Head Shuriel Rushellini-nim. I would be grateful if you could also show me the invitation you have brought.”

“I like your politeness.”

Perhaps nobles are nobles after all. Her lips curved up at the flattering words. However, the soldier remained firmly in place even after the invitation was shown.

“What is it now?”

“Who is the person behind you?”

Of course, such questions would not be directed at a coachman or maid. The reason he expressed this question was probably because I was wearing a dress that a noble would wear. They wouldn’t dress their accompanying maid in such clothes. I took out the invitation without panicking.

“Yujin. I came from Lecante. Is this enough?”

“……!”

The soldier’s eyes widened. He stared intently at my left hand and mouthed something several times. But the panic was only momentary. As he mulled over the words ‘from Lecante’, tension rather than confusion dominated him.

Although I was still just a mere Baron, considering Lecante’s prestige, even an ordinary soldier knew that I could not be bound by status. Lecante. A city of magic and mystery. A city of golems where magical golems, which even three skilled soldiers would struggle against, were scattered everywhere. The head of Lecante, a strategic weapon in itself, had appeared before his eyes.

I spoke in a gentle tone to the soldier, who was too nervous to speak.

“There’s no need for separate greetings. I didn’t arrange for such things.”

“…I apologize for my rudeness. And I sincerely welcome you. I hope you enjoy the banquet.”

When I gave him a pretty eye smile, he seemed to relax somewhat. He bowed deeply with a slightly reddened face and opened the gate. I chuckled and leaned back again.

• Kkiiik…

As the steel-reinforced gate opened, the barrier surrounding it was deactivated. At the same time, a crystal ball was used to announce my arrival here.

Passing through the gate, a tunnel-like space, I was able to enter the imperial palace. As the shadow cast over the carriage lifted, the bright sun greeted us. I felt a brief but intense thrill at the sight of the imperial palace, which was even more splendid than I had seen from afar.

I made a sullen expression as I looked at the marble road stretching straight ahead. The marble, beautifully carved and decorated on the floor, continued to the banquet hall. It looked quite beautiful, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was unnecessarily extravagant.

Looking out the window, I saw a maid running with a bucket. What was she running for? When our eyes met by chance, she bowed deeply to me. Even though the carriage had passed out of sight, her bowed head continued for several minutes.

Looking ahead again, I saw many people bowing. Stonemasons, gardeners, cleaners, laborers. Everyone who tended this place bowed to us. I felt the power of status once again and gave an awkward smile. Shuriel didn’t seem to care.

Statues of the founding king, a huge fountain, a massive mansion of unknown ownership…. Passing through their extravagance, we arrived at an uphill road. Once we climbed this, we would reach the banquet hall. Built in a considerably high place, the banquet hall was said to be designed to capture all the scenery of this place.

The road leading there was also splendid. The slightly spiral uphill road was decorated with flowers, jewels, and trees with lush foliage, keeping the eyes entertained.

Reaching the middle of the slope, I saw numerous carriages. They were carriages that the nobles who had arrived earlier had parked haphazardly. The coachmen and maids who had followed were admiring the scenery of the imperial palace. They didn’t seem to feel the toxicity of this place. I was a little envious in this respect.

“Prepare to get off.”

“Are we already there?”

And then, one more carriage was added.

“Euchha.”

I took Shuriel’s hand and got out of the carriage. The maids who had been spread out around us disappeared to unseen places as a new carriage appeared.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

There were no long words. We moved along the pouring serene light. The light emitted from the chandeliers passed through the windows and illuminated the path, meeting the clouds that were covering the sun and showing an even stronger color.

The light shone on us. But it didn’t brighten our faces completely. I moved my feet with a somewhat stiff expression. Until I came here, I couldn’t even manage my breathing due to nervousness, but as soon as I faced the bright yellow light, toxicity rose up. Never let them look down on me. As I swore to myself, a chill crept up around me.

Ttuk-ttuk, ttuk-ttuk. The girl in the black dress stood at the entrance with a cold expression that would swallow everything. The wide-open arched door was so huge that even a giant could pass through. And inside, jewels, tables, food, orchestra…. It was a paradise dotted with extravagance and arrogance.

“It seems someone else has arrived.”

“Usually, they would sound the trumpet… It must be someone insignificant. Let’s continue our conversation.”

“No, that is….”

“Who is it that makes you act like this? ……Oh.”

The nobles who were enjoying the luxury saw me. Our eyes met. They were frightened by the sight of my eyes, which were rotten with toxicity, and closed their mouths.

“….”

It wasn’t that they didn’t sound the trumpet. They were afraid of me and hesitated to sound it.

“……The proud sword of the Rushellini Earldom, Acting Head Shuriel Rushellini-nim has entered!”

And belatedly, the greeting followed. As the greeting welcoming Shuriel ended, the trumpet sounded. It was large and magnificent. A trumpet befitting the great noble of the East.

There was no trumpet for me. They only announced it verbally. Greetings to the head of Lecante, Yujin-nim. The volume of the voice was also insignificant. But the attention was still focused on me.

Because there was no one among the nobles who had such an atmosphere. Not murderous intent, not anger. The toxicity that came from life was a very unfamiliar energy to those who had lived eating peace and safety. Was she from the North? No. A more intense aura of death lingered in me. Eyes that only those who had experienced and given death could possess.

Hwiing. The chilly wind that leaked in from outside the door brushed against my back. The cold air that spread in all directions after hitting me swept over the cheeks and necks of the nobles.

It was quiet. Only the sound of the wind rang in my ears. The banquet hall, where even the sound of the violin strings that should have continued in any situation was cut off, was submerged in a terrible silence. Those who were tasting the tongue-melting food and those who were chatting happily were all suffocating and writhing.

“Heung.”

Shuriel snorted as if she found it ridiculous. She too had experienced many deaths, so the atmosphere she exuded was unusual. However, she knew how to hide it. Shuriel, who had been to such places many times, gave me a look and gestured with her chin.

Only then did the suffocating toxicity disappear. I smiled brightly and stepped into the banquet hall. As the orchestra, who had regained their senses, picked up their bows again, sweet classical music filled the banquet hall.

“Heoeo…”

“Lecante? Did they just say Lecante?”

The nobles, who quickly regained their senses, chose to gather information rather than continue to be frightened. The head of Lecante had come here. The opportunity to meet me in person, whose identity was kept secret and only rumors abounded, was not easy.

However, they couldn’t easily approach. Because Shuriel was sticking right next to me. And above all. The woman who had been exuding toxicity until just now had instantly turned into a gentle lamb at his chin gesture.

“Hairak’s words were true.”

“…To put on such a show at the Third Prince’s banquet. She has a nasty heart. The atmosphere won’t be very good.”

“Should we line up now?”

“No, it’s too early to jump to conclusions.”

You fools. I sent them a pathetic look, and they flinched. There were some who were furious, saying, ‘Just a mere Baron,’ but they soon closed their mouths, unable to withstand the stinging gaze that followed.

“…So. What should I do? Should I eat something?”

“Wait until Kalsein comes. The banquet starts when the protagonist arrives.”

“Kalsein? Are you talking about the Third Prince?”

“Yes. He’s like a wild beast. It’s better not to get involved… but it’s too late for that. If he talks to you, just brush it off appropriately.”

I see. I nodded vaguely and looked around the banquet hall. There were no familiar faces. Well, it’s the Third Prince’s party. The nobles who supported the Fourth Prince didn’t come. Nobles like Prukaise or Pawin. Nevertheless, the reason Hairak sent me was probably to show, as they said, that Lecante was with Rushellini.

But that being said, it was practically the same as entering the enemy’s den. Political strife. Even though it was a situation where they could stab you in the back at any time, Shuriel was calm. Well, if you’re with me, you can’t help but become strong-hearted.

“…May I look around for a bit?”

“Alone?”

“It’s not like I’m going to get beaten up somewhere.”

The word ‘isolated’ couldn’t be more fitting. Many nobles spoke to me, but there was no sincerity in it. It was full of people who would somehow connect with me and get some crumbs. When they saw that I didn’t answer and just stared at them, they naturally retreated. Or, they saw my left hand.

‘…Tsk.’

Separately, no one stared at my eyes for more than 10 seconds. I guess I’m that eerie. It seemed better to move to a place where there were no people. I passed by the annoying people and headed to a quiet terrace.

‘…Oh.’

There was a slightly familiar face there.

‘Amelda Cecilia.’

She was Aileen’s friend.