Ch.185185. Imperial Decree
by fnovelpia
“…You don’t have to go that far.”
Seeing Darwood sniffling, Elia finally let out a long sigh.
After berating him like a storm for quite some time, she felt somewhat better.
“Don’t ever do something like that again. Do you understand?”
“…Yes.”
Having received his confirmation, Elia finally stepped back with a sigh of relief.
Even by her own standards, this was the first time she had unleashed such harsh words in succession, but the other party deserved it.
‘…Even so, that was too much.’
He never valued himself much to begin with, but lately it feels like his disregard for his own life has become alarmingly severe.
It almost feels like the “changes” in this person are coming much faster than expected.
While she was mulling over these thoughts, Faynol Leiphec approached Darwood with his hands behind his back, taking small steps.
“Got quite the scolding, didn’t you, Mr. Darwood?”
“…Shut up.”
Despite his teasing words, his face wore a mischievous smile.
The sense of relief was palpable.
“…”
Come to think of it, when Darwood was trying to kill himself earlier, this person had shown an even more panicked reaction than herself.
-We need to support him right now!
-Wait, the teacher told us to wait…!
-If we don’t, that man will die-!!
She clearly remembered how he had almost screamed those words.
It left a deeper impression because it came from someone who almost never showed anything that could be called emotion.
No matter what he said or what expression he wore, he always gave the impression of wearing a mask, but when he spoke those words, they were undoubtedly sincere.
“…”
In that regard.
The red flames this woman used to sweep away the monsters earlier were particularly noteworthy.
She was in such a hurry that she clearly gave the impression of “forcibly using” something she normally wouldn’t use in front of others.
The problem is.
Those flames.
That color looks familiar.
‘…Red.’
Memories of a day she wishes she could forget but can’t.
The image of a pillar of flames burning the black night sky bright red, as if consuming the entire world, flashes through her mind.
Father. Mother. Friends.
Memories of that day when everything turned to ashes.
The Red Night Incident.
The day the Red Demon took her entire family away.
“…Elia? What’s wrong?”
As she was dwelling on those memories, Talion, who was nearby, asked with a puzzled expression.
He must have noticed how pale she had become.
“…No, nothing.”
Elia forced her usual smile, trying to brush it off.
Of course, inwardly, she was still dwelling on that cursed name.
‘…Red Demon.’
She doesn’t usually take much interest in demons.
But the Red Demon is an exception.
That cursed being who burned her entire past to ashes.
“…”
And, though she’s not certain.
This person before her, Faynol Leiphec, reeks of that presence.
Even with her “Eye of Truth,” she can’t detect it clearly, but still.
“…”
Elia continued to stare at Faynol in silence.
Her gaze contained unmistakable suspicion.
●
Last night was truly a disaster.
The screams and the smell of blood that filled the forest all day were enough to make one dizzy.
I heard that many who stubbornly tried to hold out until the end suffered critical injuries. They might avoid death, but they won’t escape the mental trauma that will follow them for life.
Of course, none of this meant much to Lana Ray Delvium.
Words like “trauma” held little meaning for her. Apart from her clothes being a bit tattered from being savagely bitten by wolves during the night, there was nothing else that bothered her.
She probably scored higher than anyone else on the “survive for a long time” task.
Except for this person.
“…Hmm.”
Lana Ray Delvium stroked her chin as she looked around.
The corpses of monsters that Darwood and his companions had worked hard to transport were piled up in heaps.
“…Did you kill all of these?”
“Yes.”
“…”
Lana was left speechless by his casual response as she stared at Darwood.
He had reversed the situation and killed all the monsters specialized in hunting and tracking within the neutralization field.
She thought she might aim for the top score, but with someone like him around…
It’s clear that he and Elia will be far ahead of everyone else in the scoring.
“…I really don’t know what kind of monster you are, Mr. Darwood. Shouldn’t you be the one holding the Holy Sword instead of Elia?”
“…I can’t wield that.”
But it’s strange how he cuts off such topics so sharply.
As if it’s obvious that the sword should be given to her.
Even though it’s clearly this person, not the warrior candidate Elia, who demonstrates abilities beyond the norm.
“…By the way, who are those people?”
She asked, pointing to several robust adult men standing blankly near Darwood.
It’s almost scary how they keep staring into space with unfocused eyes, as if they’ve been drugged.
Were such people even supposed to be part of the warrior selection trial in the first place?
“Oh, well.”
Darwood responded to her question with a bitter smile.
“…They’re like a gift for Archbishop Luminol.”
“For my father?”
Lana tilted her head and examined the men with unfocused eyes.
They clearly look like people who have done rough work many times.
How could they be used as a “gift”?
“…Out of concern, are you planning to do something bad to my father with these people?”
“…If I were, would I be showing this to you so openly, Lana?”
That’s true.
But if not that, then what does he mean?
As Lana was tilting her head in thought.
“He’ll definitely like it.”
Darwood said with a slight smile.
“By the time the final trial begins, he definitely will.”
“…”
Though his voice didn’t betray any particular emotion on the surface.
Even Lana, who was often told she was slow to pick up on things, felt a chill from the dark intentions behind his words.
●
The scoring, naturally, put me in first place.
The expression on the corrupt Archbishop Luminol’s face was quite a sight to behold.
[…But weren’t you the one who provoked him first?]
“…That’s true.”
I agree without argument to Calivan’s words.
From my father’s perspective, there’s no reason to view me favorably.
I do have some grounds for self-defense since he tried to kill me without restraint.
So I plan to carry out what I intend to do to him later without much guilt.
“…Ugh.”
While dwelling on these thoughts, I let out a shallow cry as my whole body throbbed with pain.
It’s good that pain is blocked due to my Iron trait, but the aftereffects of the injury remain.
The pain isn’t severe enough to disappear with that trait, so I can still feel it, and it hurts like hell.
“…Need to plan the next steps…”
I mutter as I trudge toward my assigned quarters.
With the first and second trials now complete.
What remains is the final trial within the Holy Empire and the ceremony to hand over the Holy Sword embedded near their sanctuary.
This could be considered the highlight of the entire Chapter 4.
“…”
And, probably.
That’s where the variables are most likely to pile up.
‘Luminary.’
I recall the name of the one who has been strangely quiet until now.
In both the first and second trials, his machinations were close to zero.
He even dispatched a language spiritualist to help me during the first trial.
I can’t guess his intentions, but I can feel in my bones that this is the timing when he’ll make his move.
So, I need to check all elements thoroughly to ensure that Elia can grasp the Holy Sword and rise as a warrior until the very end.
As I was walking down the corridor with these thoughts.
I encountered someone unexpected.
“…Oh. Your Excellency?”
As if he had been waiting for me, the golden chancellor slowly raised his eyes from where he was leaning against the wall.
Looking around, I see no attendants or guards. He’s completely alone.
“Congratulations on your remarkable achievements in the trials. You were impressive, Darwood.”
“…Thank you.”
Yes, I appreciate the congratulations.
But there’s no way the Empire’s most powerful figure would come alone, without guards, just to say that.
“The final trial will be held in a week. In the meantime, there’s something that has been delivered to you, which is why I’m here.”
Saying that, Sullivan approached me and took out a letter from his breast pocket, extending it to me.
“-It’s an invitation from the Imperial Palace.”
“…What?”
“Cecilia XI has requested a private audience with you.”
As I listen to the chancellor’s words, which sound like they’re being spat out, I look at the letter being handed to me.
On the envelope is a deep brown seal bearing the imperial family’s insignia.
‘…What?’
The Emperor?
Cecilia XI?
Why would she want to see me?
“…”
I knew she had been interested in me for some time, but having her summon me directly to the Imperial Palace through an “imperial order” is a different matter entirely.
This is the Emperor’s directive. It carries such force that if I don’t comply, I could end up on the gallows with no grounds for complaint.
‘…No, really, why?’
I accelerate my thoughts with a confused mind.
What reason could she have for wanting to see me so urgently?
Honestly, meeting the Emperor right now isn’t something I’m particularly keen on.
Cecilia XI.
Along with Gideon, she holds the largest stake in Elnore’s corruption.
Considering that Elnore’s corruption occurs at the point when her mental state crumbles, it’s easy to guess that this person doesn’t have a positive mental influence on her either.
“Darwood.”
Sullivan whispered in a quiet voice to me as I was racking my brain.
“…If you’re reluctant, you may refuse.”
Upon hearing those words.
I look at him in disbelief.
“What?”
“I will protect you with all my might. By any means necessary.”
I instinctively understand.
Despite it being an imperial letter, why Sullivan came to deliver it personally.
This person.
He came to find me to say these words in private.
“…”
I stare at him with a dumbfounded expression.
I’m not sure if I heard correctly.
This person is saying it’s okay to refuse an “imperial order.”
Considering the level of political force such an order carries.
For a person with power that divides the entire empire to say such a thing implies a chilling intent.
For the chancellor to take the lead in “refusing” an imperial order is tantamount to saying he doesn’t recognize the Emperor’s authority.
In other words.
This person.
For my sake, he’s essentially saying he’s willing to plunge the entire empire—
And beyond that, the entire continent—into a chaotic inferno.
Just for me.
That it’s okay even if tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of people die.
That he’ll take all the blame himself.
“…”
Understanding all this, I stand stiffly, staring at the chancellor.
Sullivan continued speaking with unwavering eyes.
As if.
“…Something might happen to you, Darwood.”
Compared to what might ‘follow,’ he could bear anything.
“Please.”
Undoubtedly.
“This time, don’t leave my side.”
His voice conveyed a sense of desperation.
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