Chapter 6 : You cant trust rumours (4)

Since ancient times, the imperial court has never been one of peace.

If it were a prosperous era, things might be different. 

But now, the winter war has just ended, and the imperial faction and noble faction are vying for power, leaving the imperial court far from peaceful.

To gain power, they wear smiles on the surface while hiding knives behind their backs. 

It would not be an exaggeration to call it another battlefield. 

Wolfgang was no exception.

There was no way they wouldn’t try to drag her into this filthy political scene. 

She was a war hero, a savior of the nation. 

The moment they gained her, the entire game would be overturned.

A presence that could transform an absolute disadvantage into an overwhelming advantage. 

One who could rally the entire populace of the empire. 

Yet, she avoided taking part in the fight.

[We are shields that protect the empire. Unless it’s treason, we have no intention of drawing our swords for trivial power struggles.]

In the end, she merely stated in noble words that soldiers must remain politically neutral. 

Ironically, this led to her service being almost permanently extended.

Though she herself remains unaware of it.

At any rate, having strange rumors about herself circulating was far from the peace she pursued, though that didn’t make the current situation before her any more welcome.

Above his pitch-black hair, instead of a golden crown, he wore one made of iron. 

His red eyes, shining like rubies, were fixed on her.

“Loyalty, I greet His Majesty the Emperor.”

The moment the young man crowned as emperor entered the office, Wolfgang quickly rose and had no choice but to salute him. 

He was her superior and the ruler of the empire.

Leifen von Bahamut.

Once, he was known as the young lord of Baikal. 

He was a hero who fought alongside Wolfgang in the winter war. 

Who would have thought that the lord of Baikal was, in fact, a prince with imperial blood?

However, contrary to her words, her expression was stiff with discomfort. 

After a rough morning, she was suddenly told to prepare for an imperial inspection.

In any organization, whether military or corporate, the arrival of a high-ranking figure is rarely welcome. 

This is especially true when that figure is the sole ruler of this vast empire.

“It’s been a while, Sir Leonhart.”

“Weren’t you here just last time?”

“A week feels like quite a long time, don’t you think? Or is it just me?”

Yes, just you.

For anyone else, it might be different. 

But for a soldier stationed at the frontline to see the emperor every week – that’s quite frequent, isn’t it? 

Wolfgang couldn’t bring herself to say that aloud.

No news is good news. 

She would have no complaints if the imperial court simply stayed occupied with their power struggle, but unfortunately, Leifen made a habit of visiting every week under the guise of inspection.

If it had been someone else in her position, they would have seized the opportunity to gain the emperor’s favor for promotion. 

But she, who desired to retire, would not be bothered with such a hassle.

In other words, she had no desire to impress those of high rank, so she didn’t enforce strict task distribution among her soldiers. Instead, she responded like this.

“Your Majesty, while it is good for you to conduct inspections, I worry that coming to the frontline every week may take a toll on your health.”

She spoke as diplomatically as possible, though what she was really saying was for him to leave her alone. 

As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t bluntly tell the emperor to leave.

After pondering her words, the emperor took off his crown. 

At that moment, he was no longer the emperor but simply Leifen. 

He spoke again.

“Your true thoughts?”

“Leave me alone because it’s annoying.”

“That’s just like you, Commander. That’s the spirit.”

“Strictly speaking, I’m your subordinate.”

Only then did Leifen smile with satisfaction, while Wolfgang looked around nervously, worried someone might overhear. 

Their current behavior was part of a private agreement between them.

An emperor without dignity could single-handedly bring down even a mighty empire. 

Therefore, when wearing the crown, she showed him the utmost respect, but once he removed it, they reverted to old times.

But really, how many people could interact so freely with the emperor, the ruler of the empire? 

Leifen found her confident demeanor all the more endearing.

‘This lunatic.’

Clicking her tongue, Wolfgang glared at Leifen. 

She’d noticed his wild streak during the winter war, and being around him too long was unwise. 

She needed to handle him quickly and send him on his way.

“So, what brings you here?”

“How about we destroy a kingdom together?”

And with a nonchalant smile, Leifen dropped a bombshell. 

Wolfgang looked at him in shock. What the hell. Isn’t that something the emperor shouldn’t be saying?

“Just kidding.”

“You bastard.”

“Your expression just now, like a startled rabbit, was priceless.”

“Since you became emperor, have you ever been hit?”

“Kekeke, my apologies. I sincerely apologize.”

Unable to contain her fury, Wolfgang raised her fist, and only then did Leifen apologize. Clicking her tongue, she lowered her fist, and finally, he got to the point.

“Actually, a hearing has been scheduled.”

“Because of that rumor?”

“Yes, some nobles have seized on it as an excuse. Of course, if you want, I could intervene…”

“Don’t bother.”

Perhaps the heavens took pity on her suffering. 

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

The only chance she had to retire. Although she had no intention of admitting to the rumors as they were.

After all, causing a stir and then taking responsibility by relinquishing her position should settle things with the nobles who had seized on this incident.

It was like hitting two birds with one stone. 

Why waste such a golden opportunity? 

But Leifen interpreted her intentions in an entirely different way.

“I expected nothing less from you.”

‘I figured you’d say that.’ Leifen’s words made Wolfgang tilt her head.

“Is that why you came?”

“Indeed.”

“If that’s the case, send a messenger. The emperor doesn’t need to come in person.”

Because it’s bothersome.

“Isn’t it a basic duty for a subordinate to report to their superior?”

“Strictly speaking, I am your subordinate, remember?”

What’s going on here? Is he trying to test me or trap me as a traitor? 

Leifen laughed at Wolfgang’s annoyed expression.

“Understood, but remember this.”

That I am Vendetta’s No. 2.

As he donned the crown again, the young man jokingly sharing trivial words vanished, and the emperor’s majesty returned. Yes, that was him.

In truth, Leifen knew. 

For the emperor’s dignity, there could be no exceptions. And yet, before her, he couldn’t help but smile.

He liked her confident stance. 

Always, his eyes were fixed on her face, trying to capture that image. Did she know this?

“She’ll probably never realize.”

After the pleasant time ended, he headed back to his battlefield. 

A dark shadow followed behind him, and eventually, one of the hidden shadows addressed him.

“Your Majesty, what would you like us to do?”

“Prepare everything we can from behind. Be ready to start a war at any moment.”

In a cold voice devoid of any trace of laughter, Leifen spoke. Never had he spoken idle words. What he’d dismissed as a joke earlier was, in fact, true.

[Shall we destroy a kingdom together?]

Bringing down a kingdom.

Of course, he wasn’t some naïve child oblivious to the ways of the world. He was the emperor ruling the empire, the master of the secretive Black Order.

Thus, he knew secrets unknown even to the nobles, including the heads of the noble faction. And those secrets were the very reason for wanting to destroy the kingdom.

“I thought I ordered it to be handled as a mere rumor.”

“We are manipulating it smoothly, as per Your Majesty’s orders.”

“Good. And let me remind you of this: the day that rumor ceases to be just a rumor, the Black Order will be shrouded in eternal darkness. Understood?”

“At that time, we will gladly offer our lives, Your Majesty.”

The voice that echoed was so cold, it was hard to believe it belonged to the same man who had shared lighthearted banter with Wolfgang.

Leifen von Bahamut.

A war hero who led the winter war to victory with Wolfgang, yet simultaneously purged his father, mother, and siblings to claim the throne of blood.

Thus, he had another name.

The Iron-Blooded Emperor.