Ch.2828. Audience

Ding- Ding-

Following the clear bell sound came a light pitter-patter of footsteps.

It was probably the maid Amelia who had sprung out of bed. I also got out of bed.

I didn’t want to welcome someone who was ringing the bell so inconsiderately at this hour.

‘Still, I can’t refuse them.’

I was quite, no, extremely famous in the capital.

Former Hero party candidate, protagonist of a 40 billion jackpot, and recently, a parachuted noble who received a baronage by the Emperor’s decree.

Despite knowing this, someone coming to find me at dawn meant they were someone who didn’t need to care about my status.

“Um, Master?”

“I’ll go see.”

When I opened the door, one of my former colleagues, a member of the Royal Order, was staring at me. Behind him stood a high-ranking court official with a haggard expression. It was the same gentleman who had delivered the golden scroll to me not long ago.

“…Baron Wellesley, by imperial command. You are to enter the palace immediately.”

“Enter the palace?”

“Yes. It may be sudden, but…”

“It’s fine. Just give me time to prepare myself properly.”

I prepared to enter the palace promptly without arguing. It would be ridiculous to question the Emperor’s summons.

The interrogation of the Prince had ended just hours ago. Most likely, the atmosphere in the palace was still in shambles.

There was no possibility that the Prince had escaped by using his snake-like tongue.

They say you can survive even if bitten by a dragon as long as you stay conscious, but once you’ve entered its stomach, there’s no escape no matter what you try.

‘The punishment must be over by now. Calling me in the midst of all this means…’

While pondering during the carriage ride, my former colleague spoke up.

Alan, a 5-year member. He was also one who had sided with Selin and targeted my Cordana.

But I held no grudge against him. Not because I was an exceptionally forgiving person, but because I had promptly fled before any threat materialized.

“Erick.”

“It’s Baron Wellesley.”

“…I understand you’re excited about your title, but that way of speaking…”

“I’m not asking for honorifics because I want them, but out of respect for the title bestowed upon me by His Majesty’s decree. Would it be appropriate for a newly appointed court noble, the first in several years, to be disrespected by none other than a member of the Royal Order?”

“…”

“Anyway, what did you want to say?”

Alan looked at me briefly before curling up the corner of his mouth.

“Being summoned to the palace at this hour is unusual. I’m just a mere knight so I don’t know much, but I do know that the atmosphere in the chapel has been heavy all afternoon.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Even though it’s dawn, His Majesty hasn’t retired to his chambers but remains in his office.”

“My goodness. Even at this hour, despite His Majesty’s robust health.”

“I’m worried that our baron might face some troublesome situation.”

He’s not really worried about me. He’s probably not praying for my downfall before the Goddess statue, but he wouldn’t mind seeing me cornered.

However, the possibility of me being troubled as Alan suggested was almost non-existent. I just nodded to the visibly tired Alan.

“Thank you for your concern. Whatever happens, I won’t forget your final advice.”

“…”

While we were catching up, the carriage had already reached the palace grounds.

Shortly after, I entered the Emperor’s office without even having a chance to wash my face.

Being a commoner who had risen to prominence, I was somewhat shameless, but I couldn’t help feeling tense.

I stepped forward with my gaze lowered and paid my respects.

“I am in the presence of the Empire’s sun.”

Normally, I would follow this with elaborate praise, but I decided to refrain this time. I doubted that an Emperor who had just conducted an investigation against his own son, and who hadn’t slept because of it, would want to hear flattery.

Indeed, the Emperor gestured with eyes full of fatigue.

“I’ve called you because there’s something I want to ask. Let’s finish quickly.”

I looked at the Emperor, careful not to appear disrespectful. Late forties. A middle-aged man with good complexion despite the early hour was looking at me.

The current Emperor was not a tyrant.

I shouldn’t speak carelessly about someone I’m meeting up close for the first time, but this was truly the only way to describe him.

He neither ruled with tyranny nor was he a benevolent monarch. He simply maintained imperial authority through the appropriate use of force and money.

The Emperor of the Empire, which had already completed its conquests under previous rulers and now governed 80% of humanity, had few opportunities to prove his ability or character. Perhaps this Cordana crisis was the greatest challenge since his ascension.

After a moment, the Emperor spoke heavily.

“…I’m aware that you recently made contact with the Hero who was hiding in the capital.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’m not questioning you because I find it suspicious. I’ve confirmed with all communication crystals in the capital that you can access and the mages who operate them. You were probably summoned without knowing why and met the Hero.”

“That’s correct.”

“I also know that you rejected the Hero’s proposal to purchase the 70 Cordanas held by the Prince… but I won’t ask why. Having been close to the Hero, you must have known he wasn’t trustworthy.”

“I apologize for not widely reporting the Hero’s suspicious proposal. I couldn’t disclose the actions of the Hero who needed to move discreetly.”

“I understand.”

So he already knows everything. Probably the result of thoroughly interrogating the Prince’s attendants.

But he didn’t seem to have called me to ask about the Hero’s whereabouts. I heard he already sent people to the place where the Prince had helped the Hero hide.

‘Though I doubt Gwon Heejin would stay put there. Then why exactly…?’

The Emperor soon answered my curiosity.

“…The Minister of Justice tells me you’re one of the few survivors in this market. Of course, there are quite a few who profited, but I heard you’re the only one who survived through skill rather than luck. …So I seek your wisdom.”

“How could I possibly…”

“Just speak.”

How could this situation be resolved as quickly as possible? The Emperor asked me with little expectation in his expression.

Being dragged here at dawn seemed absurd, but I had no right to refuse. And no reason to, either.

***

The Emperor had made several major decisions today. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they were the most painful decisions since his ascension.

First, he had deposed the Prince, his own son.

Not only had he stripped him of his privileges and treatment as a legitimate son, but he had also decided to revoke even the basic courtesies afforded to a member of the imperial family.

He decided not to grant him the title of Grand Duke, which was customarily given to legitimate sons who fell from the line of succession, nor any other title.

The next decision was confiscation of property.

The 46.5 billion that the Prince had taken after backstabbing the Papal State was naturally confiscated. Due to conflicting opinions between the Papal State and the nobles, the use of these funds hadn’t been determined yet, but the confiscation itself was confirmed. The 5 billion given by the Hero as payment for his escape was also confiscated.

The final decision was expulsion from the palace.

This meant more than just removing him from the imperial palace.

He planned to have him reside outside the capital, and although the location hadn’t been decided yet, it would likely take the form of house arrest.

If that wasn’t enough, more severe measures might be necessary. At the very least, efforts would be made to spare his life.

Deposition, confiscation of property, expulsion from the palace.

While the Prince’s punishment was settled, one task remained.

That was to manage the disaster that would hit the capital in a few hours.

He had sought wisdom from several people, but no answer emerged. When frustration was building, the Minister of Justice mentioned Erick Wellesley.

Of course, he didn’t have high expectations, but called him just in case. By morning, it would be too late anyway.

Fortunately, the Emperor was someone who could wake a sleeping noble just to ask for a single opinion.

“Speak freely.”

At the Emperor’s urging, Erick seemed to contemplate something before carefully opening his mouth.

“…Your Majesty. First, the assets confiscated from the Prince should not be given as cash to the Papal State or nobles. While it’s a large sum, it’s insufficient to compensate for the damage they perceive. In that case, it’s better to keep it under Your Majesty’s influence.”

What? The Emperor frowned. It sounded strange at first.

But as he listened, he realized it wasn’t.

“I’m not suggesting incorporating it into Your Majesty’s personal assets. Create a fund to provide material aid to territories with deteriorating financial situations. That way, most nobles won’t move recklessly. They’ll all be watching the hand holding the money bag.”

It was indeed plausible.

Although 51.5 billion was a large sum, it was far from enough to satisfy all investors who had suffered losses. Especially considering the market crash expected today.

In that case, it might be better to distribute it selectively and sequentially. Those who didn’t want to be excluded from aid would be careful.

‘This is…’

Why was an answer coming so readily when he had called him so suddenly? The Emperor looked at Erick somewhat dejectedly before gesturing.

“Continue.”

“And, with all due respect, I believe it would have been better to decide on the Prince’s punishment after some time had passed.”

“Why is that?”

“Because investors need someone to vent their emotions on.”

The Emperor could immediately understand this.

Rather than issuing punishment immediately after the investigation, it would have been better to determine the specific level of punishment after seeing how high the investors’ anger would rise. That way, he could be used more effectively as a scapegoat.

It was an outrageous statement, but now was not the time to quibble over such things.

The Hero had escaped, and the Papal State was on the verge of collapse.

Fortunately, the Empire had enough military power to face the Demon Lord’s army alone. The Emperor monopolized that power. However, if many nobles were ruined and high-ranking officials fell into despair, even that would be difficult. There was no guarantee that the Demon Lord’s army would remain cautious forever.

The Emperor, before being a father, had to overcome this unprecedented national crisis as the ruler of the Empire.

‘To resolve this internal strife as quickly as possible…’

After pondering, the Emperor looked at Erick again and instructed.

“Stay in the palace for today.”

It was an impromptu measure, feeling he needed a wisdom pouch to use as needed.

Honestly, it was a pitiful act. But to respond even slightly more effectively to the disaster that would sweep the capital today, he needed to borrow anyone’s hand.

Erick hesitated momentarily before following the order.

It was an acknowledgment that, when it came to Cordana, there was no one who could replace him.

Having reached an agreement, the Emperor and Erick looked at each other ruefully before averting their gazes. As if foreseeing how eventful the day would be.

A few hours later, dawn broke.

Coincidentally, it was the clearest day of the year so far.