Ch.97Damon’s Choice (3)

The “Lunatic Palace” where the Emperor resides in the Empire is more magnificent and majestic than any other building.

It was made entirely of white marble, and at first glance, it resembled a temple.

Ruide entered inside. He wasn’t stopped at all while entering. The imperial guards memorize the appearances of important figures, and in Ruide’s case, his appearance was unmistakable.

“He is waiting for you.”

In front of the Emperor’s hall, Mikael bowed her head and operated the mechanism. The incredibly large door opened with a sliding sound.

Inside was a red carpet.

The Emperor sat at a distance so far away he appeared almost as a dot.

‘It’s too big.’

Ruide looked at the barely visible Emperor with drowsy eyes.

His body was already small, and standing alone in this vast chamber that could fit four dragons made him feel insignificant.

Ruide walked for quite some time before standing in front of the Emperor.

“Huff, huff.”

He exhaled with his arms hanging down. Normally he would have used magic, but magic was naturally forbidden in the imperial palace.

Ruide wiped his forehead with his sleeve and looked up. Lucius sat on the imperial throne with a serious expression.

He tapped the armrest of the throne.

‘Is he calling me over?’

With a suspicious face, Ruide approached Lucius.

Lucius’s expression brightened, and he grabbed Ruide by the armpits, lifted him up, and sat him on his lap.

“You’ve finally come to fulfill the promise you made at Windsor Castle, Ruide.”

Lucius stroked Ruide’s head while holding him. Ruide struggled briefly before giving up and relaxing.

“Hahaha! I feel all the fatigue from recent state affairs melting away.”

Lucius carefully put Ruide down.

“Hello.”

“…I always notice this, but your timing for greetings is always a bit late. Well, welcome anyway. Now that you’re here, would you like to meet the First Princess who will be your future marriage partner…?”

Lucius stopped speaking when he saw Ruide’s narrowed eyes.

“Do you dislike it that much?”

Well, he couldn’t help it.

Lucius’s daughter, who had been constantly proposed as his fiancée since the past, was only 10 years old this year.

“Ahem.”

“Please inquire again in 10 years.”

Lucius’s expression hardened.

“Five years. No more than that.”

“To think about marriage for a promising magician like me already. Your Majesty is truly frightening.”

“You’re a talent of the Empire. There’s no better son-in-law candidate than you.”

Lucius grinned and then lowered his posture.

“Disappointingly, I doubt you’ve come to the imperial palace just for a casual visit, Ruide.”

Ruide felt a bit guilty.

‘I should have built up more goodwill normally.’

But the imperial palace was so vast that he was reluctant to visit. Since magic couldn’t be used, he had to walk for an extremely long time.

“I came because I have a favor to ask.”

“I should grant whatever my lovely nephew asks for. What do you want? Vast wealth, a vibrant territory?”

“…I don’t need anything so grand.”

“How disappointing. I’m curious what the youngest of the Windsor family wants from me. Tell me.”

‘This is still burdensome.’

Ruide didn’t dislike the Emperor.

But he always provided such excessive hospitality that Ruide felt uncomfortable whenever they met.

Still, he was glad that his friendship with the Emperor would be of great help this time.

“Your Majesty. Please withdraw Damon’s expulsion.”

“…Damon?”

Lucius opened his eyes wide.

He spoke as if surprised.

“So that troublesome brother of mine can be useful to me sometimes. Have you become close?”

Ruide nodded.

To resolve the matter quickly, he chose the best option.

“He’s helped me a lot. It would be boring without Damon.”

“Oh. I didn’t know that.”

Lucius stroked his chin.

“If I had known, I wouldn’t have issued such an imperial order. I ordered his return because he kept causing trouble.”

“He’s actually quite helpful to the Academy.”

This was sincere.

Damon’s outrageous behavior put tremendous pressure on commoners.

The demerit system was well established, and commoners learned “manners” largely thanks to Damon’s role.

“…But this is difficult.”

“What?”

Ruide was a bit surprised when Lucius showed signs of refusal.

“Ruide, the Empire is more rigid than you think. I cannot easily withdraw an imperial order.”

“…Why not?”

“Well, because the Emperor must not make mistakes. If I withdraw the imperial order, those arrogant nobles would complain to me. ‘How could Your Majesty, who should rule over all people, commit such an unacceptable act as reversing your decision? This incident has made us doubt Your Majesty’s capabilities.'”

Of course, no matter how noble they are, they wouldn’t say such things directly to the Emperor.

But Lucius’s message was clearly conveyed to Ruide.

‘This is troublesome.’

This was an unexpected variable.

The original work was an academy story, so politics like this never appeared, and “lazy Ruide’s” knowledge didn’t include this information.

He was apparently weak when it came to politics.

But he had already decided to prevent Damon’s expulsion.

That was a result that had to be achieved.

Ruide decided to suggest an alternative.

‘What could move his heart even if it means weakening imperial authority?’

The Empire is already the undisputed hegemonic power in this world.

What could be more valuable than “imperial authority” to the Emperor who rules such an empire?

Any wealth would be considered trash, and nothing could dare compare.

Then the answer was clear.

“I don’t know much about politics.”

“If you knew politics well, that would be more problematic, Ruide.”

Lucius said jokingly. Ruide maintained a serious expression.

“But I know how much influence I have in the system.”

Lucius was greatly interested in what the small child before him would say.

“Just once, I’ll let you use me.”

“…Use you?”

“Your Majesty must know hundreds of ways to strengthen imperial authority by using me, right?”

“……”

Lucius’s expression hardened.

And then, he laughed loudly.

“Hahaha! Of course. If Ruide helps me, it wouldn’t be impossible to become the strongest emperor in history.”

“In exchange, please stop Damon’s expulsion.”

Lucius said with a pleased face.

“Can’t it be twice?”

“Twice is a bit much.”

‘If I stand out too much, Irene will kidnap me.’

Though he didn’t know much about politics, he understood enough not to stand out too much while bearing the Windsor name.

“I’m joking, just joking. The value of you helping me once compared to me retracting an imperial order once isn’t even comparable. But, will that be enough?”

Lucius’s eyes filled with concern.

“You’re a child who doesn’t really like to stand out, aren’t you?”

“…I’ve received a lot from Your Majesty. And there’s no other way.”

“Indeed, if it weren’t for that proposal, I would have had to make a painful decision.”

Lucius spoke as if he found it admirable.

“I knew you were exceptional, but I didn’t know you were so thoughtful. You’ve given tremendous trust to both me and Damon. Good. I will immediately retract the imperial order.”

“Thank you.”

‘Phew, that resolves it.’

Ruide was relieved.

Moving according to Lucius’s wishes just once was certainly no big deal for him.

As long as Lucius’s “once” wasn’t something like “immortality research” as he had mentioned to Ella.

“By the way, Ruide.”

Lucius seemed to be in an extremely good mood. He asked with a beaming expression.

“Can I use that one time right away?”

“…Yes. I’d prefer to get it over with quickly too.”

“Haha, don’t worry, it’s not troublesome.”

“What is it?”

“It’s simple. There will soon be a regular meeting to determine important matters of the Empire, and I just need you to attend.”

“The Noble Assembly?”

“Yes. Is that a difficult request?”

Ruide shook his head.

“What should I do there?”

“Just sleep as usual.”

“?”

“Your mere presence gives me great strength. Even I feel a bit guilty asking for more than that.”

That was truly not a difficult task.

“If that’s enough for Your Majesty.”

Lucius smiled brightly.

“Are you going straight back to the Academy? I’ll have you escorted to the main gate.”

Ruide shook his head.

“I can go alone.”

“I just wanted to chat a bit more.”

Lucius spoke in a casual tone as he rose from the imperial throne. His words were tinged with loneliness.

The Emperor was in his late thirties, but he seemed like an 80-year-old living alone.

“That seat is lonelier than you think.”

Ruide took in the sight of the imperial throne.

‘What would have happened if I had possessed the Emperor?’

The mere thought made him feel tired.

Living as an Emperor might seem enviable at first glance, but the reality was hell itself.

People everywhere were growling, waiting for him to make mistakes, and he couldn’t rely on others for any decision.

It wouldn’t suit someone like him who couldn’t even properly choose between black bean noodles and spicy seafood noodles.

From that perspective, being a “Windsor” seemed to provide considerable comfort to the Emperor.

Just look at how Lucius treated him. He was the only one Lucius spoke to casually.

“What are you thinking about?”

Lucius looked down at him and asked.

“That I got incredibly lucky with the possession lottery.”

**

After seeing Ruide off, the Emperor returned to his office, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

-Just once, I’ll let you use me.

The conversation with Ruide from earlier came to mind.

The Emperor ran his hand through his hair and leaned on his desk.

“…This is painful.”

Whenever the Emperor saw Ruide, he thought of him as pure white snow.

The embodiment of purity, untainted by any blemish.

“I’m already using you, yet you willingly offer to be used.”

The Damon incident was planned by the Emperor.

It was one of several measures to install Amelia Windsor as the head of the family.

He had been keeping an eye on Damon, who regularly caused trouble, and took this opportunity to order his return to the imperial palace.

Though he wasn’t certain if Ruide would act.

He had calculated that it would be fine even if Ruide didn’t come to him.

After all, it would be better for Damon to return and help with state affairs than to remain at the Academy.

Although things went according to plan by luck, the Emperor wasn’t happy.

Unlike with Irene Windsor, his affection for Ruide was genuine.

He couldn’t feel at ease after using a child he regarded as his nephew.

“But it must be done.”

The Emperor smiled bitterly.

His wariness of Irene Windsor had existed from the beginning.

He had had many interactions with the Windsor family. He had also encountered Irene quite often.

Killing animals without reason and tearing them apart, or showing no hesitation when killing people.

Until recently, he had deliberately overlooked such elements, dismissing them as “crazy.” But after a recent incident, he sensed it.

“…It’s not just cruelty. It’s definitely…”

She creates and enjoys fear.

Her methods are grotesquely bizarre, and she shows no respect whatsoever for him as Emperor.

Rather, her gaze toward him conveyed this meaning:

‘If you displease me, I’ll kill everyone, Emperor or not.’

“…It’s madness.”

The Emperor, who had spoken as if holding his breath, took a deep breath.

After calming down a bit, he returned to an extremely cold expression.

He reviewed the plan he had established many times from the beginning.

There must be no mistakes in the middle.

The important thing was for “Amelia Windsor” to take “Irene Windsor’s” place without knowing about his involvement.

Under no circumstances should the Windsors learn of his intentions.