Ch.348Getting Brighter and Brighter

The island welcomed us back with its usual commotion after our long absence.

“The Winter Slayer, Lord Median has returned!”

“May Elpinel’s blessing be upon the Empire’s savior! Long live the Radiant Knight! Long live Lord Median!”

…No, it seems even more chaotic than before.

The entire island was buzzing with admiration and praise.

Well, I suppose it’s natural. With the imperial army half-depleted, I was about the only one who brought back news of a glorious victory.

The Rose Cross Knights, except for Leonore and the coachman, headed to the Rose Hall under Rain’s command, while Demian and Millia parted ways saying they needed to go to the Academy.

The Academy… I should go there too. My quarters were there as well.

Come to think of it, I wonder if Lena has returned?

I hadn’t had a chance to tell her about my room change. Though I assume the Academy staff would have informed her.

“Then, I shall take my leave now. May the sun’s benevolence shine brightly upon Lord Median’s path.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”

Shortly after, Florence also departed from the carriage with a polite farewell. She mentioned something about reporting recent events to Lacy.

I smiled lightly and waved goodbye.

Thinking about it, though our acquaintance was brief, she helped me in many ways.

She completely healed Demian after he was slightly damaged from intense training, and she also cleanly treated the wounds I received from that Rurik fellow.

Anyway, this left only me and Leonore, who was acting as my guard knight, heading to the Imperial Palace.

Three if you count the coachman.

—-

“L-Lord Baron Median! You have arrived!”

The knight guarding the palace entrance saluted me as soon as he saw me, almost gasping.

…Somehow he seems more respectful than when Ludwig entered. Judging by his trembling eyes, perhaps he’s a knight who has witnessed me fighting before?

“See? Miss, didn’t I tell you? Respect comes from awe.”

Leonore nodded with great satisfaction, smiling contentedly.

Judging by her face, she seems happier about my improved standing than I am.

Having already abandoned her own authority, perhaps she finds satisfaction in elevating her lord’s status instead?

We were guided to the annex palace by the knight.

Since the collapsed main palace wouldn’t be restored in just a month or two, Leopold was still handling affairs in his annex despite becoming the Emperor.

While I’m accumulating properties—a professor’s residence, a northern mansion, and now a mansion on the island to be granted—Leopold has actually lost his home.

Though I’m sure he’ll build a new one eventually.

After waiting briefly in the reception room of the annex, I was finally guided to Leopold’s office.

“Lord Median, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”

The Royal Guard standing watch outside the office greeted me with a bright smile.

Yug Percival, the knight who really liked rye bread…? It took me a while to remember since it had been so long.

“Yes, it’s been a while. Have you been well too? It seems you’ve made quite a career advancement.”

I’m surprised he’s still serving as a guard knight even after Leopold became Emperor. Is this really okay?

An Emperor’s guard knight who isn’t even Master-level but just a Royal Guard. That’s quite concerning.

“With most of my seniors having passed away, I somehow ended up continuing in this position beyond my qualifications. Now that it’s come to this, I must work harder not to disappoint His Majesty who has placed his trust in me.”

He’s developed a proper mindset. When we first met, he was quite an insolent fellow.

All thanks to my physical therapy, I’d say.

“Since I alone cannot guarantee perfect protection for His Majesty, knights sent by Lord Wien are also serving as His Majesty’s guards.”

“Lord Wien?”

I heard they suffered considerable military losses during this civil war.

“Yes. I attend to His Majesty during the day… but when His Majesty leaves the palace, and after evening, a Master-level knight sent by the Duke takes full charge of His Majesty’s protection.”

“Hmm… is that so?”

He’s pushing himself despite having few Master-level forces left.

Is he trying to expand his influence over the Imperial House somehow?

Well, it makes sense that after supporting Leopold all this time and seeing him ascend to the throne, he’d want to reap some benefits from his investment.

As long as he doesn’t cross any lines, it shouldn’t be a problem. Probably not something I need to worry about.

I ended my conversation with Percival at that point.

Percival lightly knocked on the office door to announce my arrival, and shortly after, Leopold’s permission to enter came through.

His voice sounded rather weak, perhaps because it came through the door.

—-

“Welcome. I don’t know how long it’s been since we last met.”

…Good heavens. What he had lost wasn’t just his palace.

Though his manner of speech had changed from semi-formal to completely informal, probably because he had officially ascended to the throne, I barely noticed that.

I was almost moved to tears by Leopold’s appearance before me.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty Leopold. You don’t seem to have been… well during this time.”

I couldn’t possibly ask if he had been well, even as a pleasantry.

Why?

Because Leopold’s hair…!

[ …I had anticipated this would happen someday… but it was faster than I imagined. Poor thing. ]

Even Hersella couldn’t help but sympathize.

Leopold’s forehead had expanded about two finger joints wider than before. Upward.

Compared to his rapidly ascending hairline, the bloodshot eyes from fatigue and the dark circles so black they stood out were nothing.

Being Emperor must be incredibly stressful.

I would feel the same in his position. Becoming Emperor at such a time.

After the civil war and the great invasion, the Empire’s national power has rapidly declined, while other countries are either at war or preparing for it, and he must also deal with the increasing appearance of monsters.

Wouldn’t he feel like abandoning the throne if he could?

Of course, if he actually did that, the resulting chaos would be incomparable to the current situation.

“…Thank you for your concern. Indeed, I can hardly say I’ve been well. I never expected to be dying from work rather than at Isabella’s hands…”

Leopold sighed, picked up a teacup from the table, and gestured toward the sofa opposite him.

Sitting here reminds me of the past.

After resolving the Militchiya’s island raid incident, I came here to meet Leopold after recovering for a while.

Though it was only a few months ago, it somehow felt like ancient history.

Perhaps because I’ve been rushing forward so breathlessly since then?

“Anyway, I’m glad to see you don’t appear to be seriously injured. I heard the King of Werebeasts was no ordinary opponent.”

“He was strong. I was just stronger.”

A confident smile.

In reality, I struggled tremendously even with the True Silver Sword, but in the end I won, so saying I was stronger isn’t exactly wrong.

If it had been someone else, even a Hero-class fighter would have had difficulty facing him.

The difference in basic abilities like stamina and strength was just too great.

Unless they had a Hero’s Tale specifically tailored for fighting Werebeasts, they would likely have become his food.

“That’s reassuring to hear.”

Perhaps relieved by my joke, Leopold leaned back in his chair and let out a light laugh.

—-

After that, I conversed with Leopold about various matters for a while.

They weren’t exactly light topics.

Leopold had become far too busy to engage in casual chitchat.

Naturally, the conversation was filled with topics that made my head heavy just listening to them, such as the Empire’s internal affairs and international politics.

He lamented about the lords near the western border trembling with anxiety and requesting support daily due to the formidable forces revealed by the elves and dwarves.

Or how the Panam people had lost their minds and were making ridiculous demands while putting trade pressure on the Empire.

“What exactly is Panam demanding that makes you say such things…?”

For Leopold to openly call them insane, I couldn’t even begin to imagine.

“They want a strategic marriage with a woman of imperial bloodline, or equivalent lineage. Considering that the Panam prince isn’t even four years old yet… it’s clear they intend to make her not a daughter-in-law but their own concubine. Utterly preposterous.”

“That is crazy talk. How many unmarried women of imperial bloodline are there anyway…?”

[ …You’re so dense. ]

What’s she suddenly saying?

“Hmm…? Haven’t you realized? There are only three such women in the Empire. Princess Frider van Faelrun, daughter of the Grand Duke of Faelrun. Leonore, who was an imperial princess. And you, Lord Median.”

…What?

So the woman the King of Panam is demanding,

in other words…

Leopold nodded at my rapidly changing expression.

As if confirming what I had just realized.

“Do you understand now? They are demanding either you or Leonore as a concubine.”

“Let’s exterminate them.”

Shouldn’t such a royal family be allowed to disappear?

Setting aside east and west for now, I felt so enraged I wanted to march straight to Panam immediately.

In response to my sincere statement, Leopold merely gave an awkward laugh.

He had anticipated my reaction, but his position wouldn’t allow him to entertain my request to attack Panam.

Yes, I understand too.

The Empire, which positions itself as humanity’s protector, cannot preemptively attack a human nation without proper justification.

That could easily trigger a world war.