Ch.5Toward the System (2)

Irefi was pressing her hand to her forehead as if she’d been expecting this moment.

“Let’s clarify how we address each other.”

Standing before the Eld Empire’s island checkpoint, those were the first words she spoke. Irefi added in a tired voice:

“They only need to see my face at the checkpoint. But we can’t keep calling you ‘you’ when we reach the imperial palace, and it would be problematic to call you Netionpis.”

“I understand. It’s not a name anyone would want to hear anyway.”

What an unfair and maddening reputation to bear. A name worth less than a scrap of paper, with no part of me in it.

“It’s a bit different. Your very existence is top-secret, so among civilians, you’re treated like a myth or legend.”

According to Irefi, civilians regarded me as “some fat, elderly noble who resembles an evil demon, though no one knows what he actually did.”

It was ultimately the first Emperor who appointed the Founding Nobles. To prevent the imperial family’s authority from declining, most of my evil deeds were concealed, according to her.

“That’s really disgusting.”

“Yes, that would be you.”

It wouldn’t have been strange if Irefi had readily drawn her sword at such an insult to the imperial family.

I inferred her feelings from the sword sleeping peacefully in its scabbard.

The fact that she was looking into the distance while reprimanding me confirmed my suspicions.

“So, I was thinking. From now on, I’ll call you Neti.”

“Sorry, but that’s a bit dangerous in several ways.”

It reminds me of a certain righteous thief girl. Irefi tilted her head and corrected herself.

“I don’t understand. Then let’s go with Nepy.”

“That sounds like a girl’s name.”

“Shut up, Nepy.”

It seems I no longer have any right of refusal. Irefi smiled brightly as if refreshed. She must be thinking she got one over on me, how cute.

We walked toward the checkpoint. The line of people waiting was already visible, but Irefi ignored them all and approached the front of the checkpoint.

A burly-looking soldier greeted Irefi. He frowned, creating a threatening atmosphere.

“How dare you not wait your turn… Oh my, Marquess Justitia!?”

The man’s eyes widened, and his spine straightened automatically as he gave a salute. The guard who had tried to restore order surrendered to power.

“Thank you for recognizing me. You’re working hard.”

“What’s with this unfamiliar yet familiar way of speaking?”

Irefi lightly patted the guard’s shoulder. Given their height difference, it looked more like she was reaching up to do so.

However, far from being cute, it was painful for me to watch—like seeing a four-star general patting a lieutenant’s shoulder.

“Ha. Ha. Ha! Not at all!”

“Well then, is everything in order?”

“All clear during my duty! I will continue to inspect with utmost diligence!”

“Hehe, very good. By the way, do I seem awkward to you?”

“Not at all!!!”

“Please stop, Irefi!”

Have some situational awareness, you high-and-mighty person! This is why people born into privilege shouldn’t be given power.

Right before my eyes was a young and beautiful but sadly old-fashioned person.

“Marquess Justitia, did your dessert tour go well?”

“Huh?”

I perked up my ears at this unexpected topic. I guessed that her journey to subjugate me had been publicly misrepresented as a dessert tour.

Irefi quickly covered the man’s mouth and whispered:

“That’s a secret, so keep it to yourself.”

She probably thought she was speaking quietly, but unlike her, my hearing had already reached superhuman levels.

Even if I hadn’t heard it, the man’s pale blue face would have told me everything.

“What a trauma-inducer.”

The two exchanged a few more words. Irefi soon approached me and led me inside the checkpoint.

“It’s done. Let’s go in now.”

Lost in thoughts of the past, I almost misspoke.

“Yes, understood…! No, I mean, okay.”

Fortunately, Irefi didn’t seem to notice and continued walking. Soon, we arrived at the empire’s capital, Eldrion.

I couldn’t count how many times I’d seen this place throughout the game series. In the game, it was an area you could explore entirely in 30 minutes, but this was reality.

Seeing the many people and streets with new structures was overwhelming in itself.

“It must be very different from Nepy’s era, right?”

It was a natural assumption, seeing a supposed noble excited like a country bumpkin.

“Nothing’s changed, but it feels nostalgic.”

In reality, the only developments through the series updates were magical tools like communication stones. From a gaming perspective, these were probably convenience patches.

“By the way, there’s something I should tell you.”

“Hmm?”

“In the imperial palace, don’t speak to anyone except me or His Majesty. Even if someone greets you, just bow silently. I’ll handle everything if necessary.”

“Sure, that’s not difficult.”

“Thank you.”

Irefi rarely expressed gratitude. However, at that moment, she didn’t know that both the promise and the gratitude would soon become meaningless…

“Now, let’s head to the imperial palace.”

As she said this and took the lead, I got the impression that her expression was somewhat dark.

◇

The imperial palace I arrived at with Irefi matched exactly what I had imagined.

The first thing that caught my eye was the red spire with a massive golden bell hanging from it. Just then, three people were working together to ring the enormous bell.

We passed through a garden that captured the beauty of all four seasons and headed toward the main palace, where the Eld Empire’s symbol—golden chains—sealed the main gate.

When Irefi placed her hand on the golden chains, they unwound like living snakes and opened the gate.

These were definitely intricate mechanics not visible in the game. Looking around at my surroundings made me feel compensated for the time I’d been trapped in the Great Cavern.

“Don’t just stand there dazed—follow me closely. The main palace has a complex structure, so you might get lost.”

“Oh, right.”

By the time I’d become somewhat familiar with the palace interior while accompanying Irefi, I brought up a trivial question that had been bothering me.

“Irefi.”

“Yes?”

“Back at the checkpoint, you spoke informally to that guard? What happened to noble dignity?”

Irefi answered as if it were obvious.

“Because I’m his superior by a vast margin.”

“Then what about me?”

“I was wondering what you meant, but I see you thought I was a scoundrel who selectively maintains dignity?”

“Huh? No, not that far…”

I did think she was selective with her dignity, but nothing more or less. Irefi didn’t press further and continued calmly.

“A Founding Noble is the most revered position in the empire except for His Majesty. Even the empress cannot be said to be higher than Nepy. You should know this better than anyone, right?”

“O-of course.”

In simple terms, I was originally the empire’s second-in-command. I was genuinely surprised but careful not to show it on my face.

“Among the privileges the first Emperor granted to Nepy was a one-time immunity. Even if you committed treason, you could be pardoned once—an invincible right, in a way.”

“That… existed too…?”

I was bewildered by the existence of a privilege not even mentioned in the diary.

According to Irefi, the third Emperor dispatched the first protagonist to subjugate the Founding Noble, but my resistance was so fierce that they had no choice but to seal me away.

Without even getting to use the immunity privilege.

Therefore, if the current Emperor recognizes the immunity privilege, I could still live as a Founding Noble… a hopeful story.

“However, given the imperial family’s circumstances, even if recognized, it would take a different form.”

“Right. I don’t intend to live as a Founding Noble anyway.”

Who would want to bear such infamy? I’d be lucky not to get eggs thrown at me in the street.

I just want to enjoy this world and live normally.

“If we agree on granting you an appropriate noble title and creating a new identity, His Majesty would gladly accept.”

“That’s an excellent idea.”

“Anyway, your current status is too ambiguous. You’re a Founding Noble but also a criminal, so it’s not easy to determine your position. That’s why I’ve been speaking formally to you, but do you have any complaints?”

When Irefi’s brows furrowed, I felt the hair on my body stand on end. The fear I had momentarily forgotten began creeping back.

“…How could I possibly complain?”

While conversing with Irefi about various matters, I focused on gathering information. Whatever my soul might be, my current shell was that of a Founding Noble.

If I showed incompetence as a Founding Noble, the credibility of my claims would decrease, and my value might be downgraded.

As I absorbed various background knowledge and points to be aware of, we found ourselves standing before the massive doors of the audience chamber.

The guard at the door checked Irefi’s face and emblem, then announced with a voice that might tear his throat:

“Marquess Irefi Justitia seeks an audience with His Majesty the Emperor of the Eld Empire, master of the golden chains!”

The doors of the audience chamber slowly opened, revealing a splendid interior.

The massive chandelier, surprisingly secure despite its weight, was decorated with multicolored jewels that captivated the eye. The walls were adorned with artistic works modeled after golden chains, and the red carpet was so plush it seemed to absorb one’s footsteps.

Irefi walked straight ahead with dignity, as if all of this was familiar to her, not even sparing a glance.

I felt so intimidated that I wondered if I was even allowed to enter. However, no one stopped me as I nervously followed Irefi.

While I was feeling self-conscious and watching cautiously, Irefi reported with dignity:

“Irefi Justitia reports her return after fulfilling the imperial command.”

Thud!

Kneeling on one knee, Irefi’s gaze was directed at the throne ahead. My eyes followed her gaze.

At that moment, I experienced a fading of consciousness.

I was certain it was because my eyes met the Emperor’s.

For reasons unknown, as soon as our gazes met, my heart began to race convulsively, and cold sweat broke out. My consciousness kept drifting away, and I felt like I might collapse.

Had I not heard Irefi calling me, that surely would have happened.

“You are in the presence of His Majesty. Show your respect.”

“Ah…”

I was still dazed like a fool. But looking into Irefi’s eyes, blue as a lake, seemed to wash away the strange symptoms I had just experienced.

As I regained my senses and tried to kneel, the Emperor stopped me.

“Haha, that’s fine. Aren’t you the Founding Noble, second only to one and above all others? You may remain as you are.”

In response to the Emperor’s generous courtesy, I answered with as much respect as possible.

“In the end, I am still second to one. Since that one is before me, I gladly kneel.”

It was my gesture of submission. The Emperor laughed heartily, clearly pleased.

“It’s truly remarkable to see in person the Founding Noble I’ve only known through records. But you’re quite different from the impression I had.”

The Emperor examined me with genuine interest. While I was choosing my words to respond, Irefi spoke instead.

“It’s thanks to his conserved energy. However, I urge Your Majesty not to forget that this person is a dangerous element.”

“Dangerous? He doesn’t particularly seem so. It’s not that he lacks power, but rather that he lacks killing intent, so I don’t think he poses a threat…”

“What is this feeling?”

The Emperor’s accurate insight was surprising, but what concerned me more was the sense of discomfort.

Meeting his gaze felt like I was transparently revealing my inner self.

“Marquess Justitia. I don’t consider the Founding Noble threatening. Therefore, I wish to recognize his immunity privilege and grant him a new name and status.”

“Your Majesty! Isn’t that too hasty?”

Irefi remonstrated urgently. However, the Emperor was autocratic and radical. This situation was almost too convenient for me.

“Let’s see… a marquess title would be appropriate. I can’t grant lands immediately, but I can provide a mansion. Do you know? Your mansion has been well-preserved due to its historical value.”

“Your Majesty, surely not that mansion…!”

“What’s wrong with that? The owner has returned, so the owner should use it.”

“Have you not considered the various rumors that will arise?”

“With Marquess Justitia present, what should I fear or be cautious about?”

“I can’t argue with that…”

I nodded vigorously, forgetting my dignity. The Emperor seemed amused by my reaction.

Irefi, forgetting she was before the Emperor, trembled with clenched fists.

I was so delighted by her reaction that I already liked the Emperor.

The Emperor continued, asking the still sulking Irefi:

“Is Marquess Justitia’s objection ultimately because the Founding Noble is a dangerous element?”

“I have much to say, but if I must specify, yes.”

“Then there’s a clear solution.”

The Emperor adjusted his posture and spoke with dignity. His previously shameless smile was gone, replaced by the aura of a ruler.

As a bonus, Irefi’s expression contorted more than I had ever seen before.

“I issue an imperial command to Marquess Justitia. From this moment, I appoint the Marquess as the supervisor of the Founding Noble. This duty of supervision knows no day or night; protect the empire’s security with utmost loyalty.”

Having spent over two weeks with her, I had seen much of her daily life. But I swear I could never have imagined her current reaction.

Irefi, seemingly forgetting even her selective dignity, visibly gritted her teeth as she forced out a response in the Emperor’s presence.

“I… shall… obey… the… imperial… command…!”

Witnessing her exercise the utmost self-control, I nearly fainted from the shock.

“Even though I wanted to see Irefi get her comeuppance… this seems a bit much…?”

And so began my unreasonable cohabitation with the trauma-inducer.