Chapter 425: The Sun Still Sets (1)

The bizarre phenomenon of humans and animals coexisting in the Empire’s most noble place was truly strange, but there was nothing to be done when the Emperor himself dismissed it with an ‘It’s troublesome, but we have to be careful.’ The Imperial Palace was now transforming into an eco-friendly place in harmony with nature.

In fact, it was only natural. A newly enthroned Emperor couldn’t just kick out the animals raised by the Retired Emperor. If an Emperor must honor the will of distant ancestors, then how much more so the animals of the living Retired Emperor? They must be cherished and cared for like national treasures.

It might be annoying and frustrating, but what could he do? If he inherited the position of Emperor through bloodline, then it was only right to treat his predecessors with the utmost respect.

The problem was that this respect extended to pets as well.

I probably don’t need to worry about it.

It’s the Emperor’s concern, not mine. As long as I don’t visit the Imperial Palace, I won’t have to deal with the Retired Emperor’s Bremen Town Musicians.

Of course, as the Imperial Princess’s godfather and minister-designate, I couldn’t completely avoid visiting. But surely incidents like today won’t happen every time I come to the palace. The Imperial Knights will try their best for the sake of their own sanity.

But it really was fascinating. What on earth happened for a chicken to escape? Even chickens raised in the countryside wouldn’t escape if you just locked the door properly.

Did they feed it some magical potion?

For a moment, I imagined a chicken breaking locks with a mana-infused beak. I’d have to respect its escape if it’s a chicken that could use mana.

“Oh, by the way, Count. Could you spare some time?”

As I was imagining a chicken pecking at a cow with its mana-infused beak, the Emperor casually spoke up.

“I prepared something knowing you’d come today. I’d like you to join me, since you’re here anyway.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll do so.”

I nodded, as it was essentially an order disguised as a suggestion. How could I refuse when he’s saying, ‘You have nothing to do now, so let’s work together for a bit’? He wasn’t bothering me when I was busy, and even prepared this to coincide with my title succession report, so it’d be even more awkward to refuse.

“That’s good. The Invincible Duke said he’d only have time around New Year if not now, but I’ll be busy then. I was worried about what to do if you found it difficult.”

I felt a chill at the Emperor’s words. It wasn’t just the two of us, but the Duke was involved too?

What’s going on?

I’d have thought it was the usual errand-running if it were just the two of us, but it’d be no ordinary matter if a Duke is involved, especially if it was the Invincible Duke.

It made me uneasy. I heard the Duke had become a permanent fixture at the General Command these days to avoid unnecessary attention as the Emperor’s father-in-law. If even he was making time for this, then it was terrifying to think what kind of matter it could be.

“…Your Majesty, forgive me, but may I ask what I’m supposed to do?”

I carefully spoke up after a brief consideration. Since I couldn’t guess at all, it was best to ask the person directly.

Fortunately, the Emperor’s expression remained calm even after my question. It doesn’t seem to be something that needs to be done in secret or on a large scale—

“We’re going to pay respects to the Imperial Family’s elder. You just need to come along and bow your head.”

?

“I should have visited right after ascending the throne, but it seems they’ve been sleeping lately after having their blood drawn. I couldn’t dare wake them, so we’re only going now.”

The Emperor chuckled softly, but I couldn’t laugh.

The Imperial Family’s elder, recently had blood drawn, had been sleeping—these somewhat abrupt words immediately made it clear who he was talking about.

It’s the Dragon Lord.

It was certain. He must be referring to the Dragon Lord, the child of Amanca the Great. After all, this was an Imperial Family where the direct line was destroyed and a collateral line took the throne. In such an Imperial Family, the only one who could be called an elder was the Dragon Lord.

This is insane.

A string of curses rose to my throat before I managed to swallow them back down.

Wait, was it okay to talk so casually about going to meet the Dragon Lord? Shouldn’t we make proper preparations, prepare gifts, and such?

Of course, we could go empty-handed if it were just drawing blood like Penelia did, but the Emperor’s visit was a descendant of the Great Emperor paying respects to an elder. Surely we should prepare a more thorough and grand procession?

“They don’t like noisy affairs.”

Noticing my thoughts, the Emperor smirked as he spoke.

If that’s what they prefer, there’s nothing we can do…

A procession modest for an imperial outing headed towards the cave where the Dragon Lord lived. Given the cave’s somewhat rugged location, a large-scale procession would only be inconvenient, so it couldn’t be helped.

“You all wait here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Even the Imperial Knights who came as escorts were made to wait in front of the cave, so only the Emperor, the Invincible Duke, and I entered the cave.

So it’s come to this.

My chest tightened. I knew that emperors historically visited the Dragon Lord right after their coronation. I also knew they didn’t went alone, but with a select few confidants. The Retired Emperor went with the former Minister of the Imperial Household, so being ‘a subject who saw the Dragon Lord with the Emperor’ was a symbol of trust and favor.

And now I’ve been included among those subjects. I expected this since becoming the Imperial Princess’s godfather, but it still felt a bit bitter. Now, I was also the Emperor’s pet toy even in the eyes of the Imperial Family’s elder.

“You’ve arrived.”

Anyway, putting aside the bitterness, a deep voice suddenly resonated as we entered deep into the cave.

“You came while I was briefly asleep. I’m sorry I couldn’t welcome you.”

Then, something massive emerged from the darkness.

Oh.

Golden scales gleamed brilliantly even in the darkness, and purple eyes looked down at us. Anyone could see that this was befitting of the Great Emperor’s child and the current Dragon Lord.

“It’s our fault for coming without notice. How can you apologize? Please, withdraw your words.”

While I was still dazedly admiring the Dragon Lord’s appearance, the Emperor respectfully bowed his head in response to the Dragon Lord’s apology.

It was a rare sight one might not see twice in a lifetime. To think there was a being that could make the Emperor lower himself. Even the Pope would at most be equal to the Emperor, not above him.

“Don’t say that. You are the head of House Livnoman, carrying on your father’s will, and the Emperor of the Empire. If I treat you lightly, your father would be greatly displeased.”

The Dragon Lord gently shook his head at the Emperor’s words. Of course, it was gentle from the Dragon Lord’s perspective; from ours, it felt like a massive building swaying side to side.

“By the way, is that child Corvus doing well?”

“Yes. He’s still in good health.”

“That child suffered much for the Empire. He deserves a peaceful life now.”

Then, he slowly swished his tail, as if relieved to hear that the Retired Emperor was still alive and well.

It seems that the Retired Emperor’s decades-long march of hardship was a regrettable affair even from the Dragon Lord’s perspective.

“Gilbert, wasn’t it? How old are you now?”

“I am Amanca XVII.”

“Has it been that long already? It feels like just yesterday when a 10-year-old ascended the throne.”

It was a bit rude to the nostalgic Dragon Lord, but his words sounded too much like an old man’s. Amanca X was someone you’d only find in history textbooks. Talk about someone we could relate to.

“…Oh dear, I’ve gone off on unnecessary talk again.”

At least he seemed aware that he was talking about ancient history.

“Right, so you’re the ones who will assist this child.”

The Dragon Lord’s gaze, having broken free from reminiscence, now turned towards the Invincible Duke and me. Having conversed enough with the Emperor, he seems to be turning his attention to us.

“Yes, we are honored to do so.”

Following the Invincible Duke’s respectful reply, I bowed my head, and a brief silence fell.

“White child, is that sword made from my claw?”

“Yes, it is. It’s a precious item His Majesty graciously bestowed upon me.”

The Invincible Duke bowed his head even lower at the Dragon Lord’s question.

A sword made from a dragon’s claw was an item worthy of being a national treasure, not just a ducal family’s heirloom. The Invincible Duke could possess such an item thanks to the Dragon Lord, who gave his claw to humans.

“Use that sword to cut down the enemies of the Imperial Family and the Empire. Then I shall want for nothing more.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

A soft chuckle echoed at the Duke’s prompt response. It seemed that the Dragon Lord was pleased at the thought of his claw protecting the Imperial Family.

…But wouldn’t it feel a bit strange to see someone else carefully crafting and carrying around your own claw? Maybe dragons have different sensibilities than humans—

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, the laughter stopped.

“Black child. Though I’m not well-versed in human ages, you seem particularly young.”

I flinched at those words. I’d been labeled as the youngest in many things, but was I a standout even to a Dragon Lord who’d lived for 300 years? Were there really no one similar to me among the confidants of past emperors?

No, surely there must have been at least one person in their late twenties?

“Though young, his abilities are not lacking. Moreover, he’s the Imperial Princess’s godfather, making him as good as a pillar of the Imperial Family.”

“Oh ho.”

The Emperor came to my rescue as I was at a loss for words, but I wasn’t grateful.

That bastard. There’s a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Then I suppose I’ll be seeing the black child again in the future.”

At those words, I cried inside.

After a short nap, I woke to news that Gilbert had gone to pay respects to the Dragon Lord.

It’s a late visit considering it’s usually done right after the coronation, but to the Dragon Lord, months are practically nothing. He probably won’t mind.

So, Gilbert will likely just listen to some words of wisdom and return. I have nothing to worry about.

“It almost made it to the Empress’s Palace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Retired Emperor.”

…What I should be worrying about now isn’t Gilbert, but this overly energetic creature.

I closed my eyes briefly at Sir Roman’s report, the former Imperial Knight Commander now in charge of my security. The creature quietly blinking in my grasp had nearly caused a major incident.

It’s problematic enough that it escaped while I was asleep, but it had to run towards the Empress’s Palace of all places. An animal nearly entered where the young Imperial Princess is.

“It’s quite lively.”

“It’s my fault for not managing it properly. Please punish me.”

“There’s no need for punishment when no one was hurt. And I know your loyalty well, so don’t say such things.”

Seeing Sir Roman bow his head even lower at my words, I ruffled around the chicken’s neck area. I had attached name tags to these creatures for situations like this.

So it’s this one.

I finally found the name tag buried in the feathers.

Nugget.

One of the ones that diligently lays eggs along with Pride and Oven.

I let my guard down because it was quiet during feeding time. I’ll have to keep a closer eye on it from now on.