Ch.382Chapter 382 – The Emperor Is in a Good Mood

In the capital of the Gelebrio Empire, Aurelios, at a tavern.

Though the sun still hung high in the sky, the tavern was packed with people.

Servers bustled about with food and drinks, while patrons gathered in small groups around tables.

These groups of three or five people drinking together were engaged in conversations, mostly about trivial everyday matters.

Among them, a bushy-bearded man at one table briefly turned his head to survey his surroundings.

After confirming that no one was paying attention to their table, he lowered his voice and spoke to his companions.

“Have you all heard the news?”

“What news? Did someone cause another big incident somewhere?”

His companions responded with indifference to the bearded man’s words.

Usually, the “news” this man shared was nothing more than reports of accidents that had occurred somewhere.

“No, not that. You know my nephew works at the imperial palace, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The people drinking with the bushy-bearded man leaned in to listen. As he mentioned, his nephew was indeed a servant working at the imperial palace.

The imperial palace was still considered a place of mystery to many people.

Of course, in reality, it was filled with people who collapsed from exhaustion due to consecutive nights of overtime work handling daily cabinet meetings and various schedules.

But those who didn’t work at the palace weren’t concerned with such details.

For most residents of the empire, the imperial palace was both a place where all news from across the nation gathered and a place whose internal affairs remained largely unknown.

Therefore, words from the mouth of a man whose nephew worked at the palace often contained internal information that was difficult for ordinary people to access.

Not complete secrets, but rather news that wouldn’t cause any particular problems if leaked outside.

If he had truly disclosed critical confidential information, the palace agents mingling among ordinary citizens would have taken him away and quietly dealt with him.

The bearded man was well aware of this fact, so he took no precautions beyond briefly looking around and lowering his voice.

“This week, my nephew had the opportunity to serve His Majesty the Emperor up close, and he said the Emperor was showing a somewhat different demeanor than usual.”

“A different demeanor? But there hasn’t been anything particularly noteworthy happening lately.”

“Especially since that so-called Demon God or whatever disappeared, there haven’t been any major incidents.”

The bushy-bearded man nodded at his companion’s words and continued.

“Yes, that’s true. But you know… His Majesty, who rarely smiles, has apparently been smiling frequently these days.”

“Is that true?”

To the people, Decatro IV was always remembered as a solemn and serious figure.

A man who was always serious about everything and rarely showed a smile even at official events.

That was the image the people of the empire had of Decatro IV.

So they found it hard to believe the words coming from the bushy-bearded man’s mouth.

“Yes, it’s true. Have you ever seen me lie?”

“That’s quite interesting. His Majesty the Emperor smiling? Something good must have happened.”

His companions began calculating earnestly in their minds.

If something had happened that was good enough to put the Emperor in a good mood, surely something corresponding would occur in the capital.

“And I heard that carriages carrying the heads of the imperial merchant guilds have been coming and going to the palace recently. Could it be related?”

“The imperial merchant guilds visiting the palace is a common occurrence.”

“Usually they summon one guild, but summoning multiple guilds simultaneously is rare…”

Upon hearing this, the bushy-bearded man and his companions nodded in unison.

‘Something big is happening at the imperial palace.’

If it was significant enough to summon not just one but multiple merchant guilds simultaneously, then surely some massive preparation encompassing the entire capital was underway.

No matter how grand the imperial palace was, there were limits to the amount of supplies it could procure on its own.

So they were seeking necessary materials through the imperial merchant guilds, and due to the large quantity needed, they were summoning multiple guilds.

They soon rose from their seats and returned to their respective workplaces.

All while anticipating the big news that would soon be announced from the imperial palace.

Not long after, news that would stir the entire empire was revealed.

[I, Decatro IV, the rightful sovereign of the Gelebrio Empire, hereby announce to all subjects of the empire: The wife of Grand Duke Aurelion, my eldest daughter and hero of the empire, is with child, the heir to the Grand Duke’s family. I hereby declare a grand festival to celebrate this occasion, and I hope all subjects of the empire will join in celebrating the birth of the successor to the House of Aurelion and enjoy the festivities to the fullest.]

The First Imperial Princess and wife of Grand Duke Aurelion, the hero of the empire.

The news was that Karen was carrying the heir to the Grand Duke’s family.

“Is this truly real?”

“Finally, a descendant to carry on the hero’s bloodline.”

Grand Duke Aurelion, who brought victory to the empire in the battle against the Demon Cult and the Demon God.

The news that the empire’s hero finally had an heir was joyous for many imperial citizens.

Moreover, even more people cheered at the announcement that the imperial palace would hold a festival to celebrate.

“Wow! A festival! Place orders for goods immediately! Even if we start stockpiling now, it won’t be enough for the crowds that will pour in!”

“Ready the carts and carriages! It’s time to clear out the inventory that’s been piling up in the warehouses!”

Merchants, in particular, welcomed the news with open arms.

For them, a festival was a period where they could make a substantial profit if they prepared properly.

As a result, all merchant guilds throughout the empire began moving toward the capital at once.

With these people, who had an uncanny sense for the smell of money, on the move, vitality quickly spread throughout the empire.

Summer had passed, and the harvest season was approaching with ripening crops, making the already busy merchants even busier.

While the people of the empire joyfully prepared for the festival, an elegant carriage arrived at the imperial palace.

“Step down carefully, my lady.”

“Thank you.”

The people alighting from the carriage that entered the imperial palace were Patos and Karen.

The guards protecting the palace immediately bowed their heads upon seeing the two people getting out of the carriage.

“We are honored to receive Grand Duke Aurelion and the Grand Duchess.”

“Everyone is working hard.”

After encouraging the guards at the main gate, Patos headed toward the imperial audience chamber where the Emperor would be waiting, accompanied by Karen.

As she was still in the early stages of pregnancy, Karen’s steps were more careful than usual.

Patos was also matching his pace to Karen’s, so it took longer than usual for the two to reach the audience chamber.

When they arrived at the entrance of the audience chamber, a servant, who seemed to have been waiting after receiving prior notice, immediately opened the door.

Normally, there would be entry procedures such as identifying visitors and inquiring about their business, but such formalities didn’t apply to these two.

Patos and Karen simply had to pass through the door opened by the servant to enter the audience chamber.

“Welcome. Was your journey comfortable?”

As the two entered the audience chamber, Decatro IV, who had been sitting on the throne, rose from his seat.

“Yes, Father. There was no discomfort.”

“As it should be. You’re bringing such a precious gift; how could there be any disturbance?”

At Decatro IV’s words, Patos could only offer an awkward smile.

Indeed, when they were about to return to the academy from their vacation spot, a message from His Majesty the Emperor had been delivered, asking them to stop by the imperial palace.

Moreover, he had even assigned the First Knight Order, considered the strongest force within the imperial palace, as their escort.

Neither bandits nor highway robbers, not even a single monster, could obstruct Patos’s entourage.

“Well done, son-in-law. You’ve worked hard.”

“Not at all, Your Majesty.”

“Do you know how eagerly I and the Empress have been waiting for this news? Usually, such news comes within a few months after the wedding ceremony.”

Patos could only quietly scratch his head upon hearing Decatro IV’s words.

“Well, now that you’ve given a great gift to me and the Empress, I won’t say anything more. And twins, you say?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I see. Then we must double the duration of the festival.”

If imperial officials had heard these words from Decatro IV, they would all have fallen into panic.

“Wouldn’t that be too taxing on the people if it’s that long?”

“It’s fine, son-in-law.”

Decatro IV dismissed Patos’s concern.

“The department in charge of festivals is filled with people who have nothing to do usually. It’s time to make them work properly.”

Patos nodded at his response.

Who would object when the Emperor himself decided to put the salary thieves to work?

“So, son-in-law, how many children are you planning to have? Two seems too few; shouldn’t there be at least five?”

“W-well, about that…”

Patos hesitated before sharing more information with Decatro IV, who was utterly astonished by what he heard.