episode_0028

Upon arriving at the Phaeron Empire’s royal palace, several knights busily moved about. Initially, they sent guarded glances towards me and my companions, but upon confirming the presence of Knight Commander Tekelloman by our side, they relaxed their guard to some extent. It was conceivable that Knight Commander Tekelloman held considerable influence in this place.

“Well, not just anyone can become a knight commander.”

What I desired, however, was not merely access near the royal palace, but a meeting with the empress herself. While charging into the battlefield and killing everyone might not be impossible, I did not believe that such actions would resolve the issue.

What Philemia longed for was the true freedom of the persecuted saintesses and innocent people oppressed by the Karelind Empire. To fully realize this, the cooperation of the warring Phaeron Empire was essential.

After exchanging a few words with those standing before the royal palace, Knight Commander Tekelloman bowed and approached me to speak.

“Commander Tekelloman has just been briefed on the situation. First, I express my gratitude for your efforts. You mentioned wanting to meet Her Highness. Could you please explain the specific reasons…?”

In response to the man who appeared to be a knight, I replied briefly, without using honorifics this time. From here on, I couldn’t afford to be deferential. I didn’t assume everyone would act as honorably as Knight Commander Tekelloman. If necessary, I would willingly exert force. However, if the situation could be resolved simply by exerting a certain amount of pressure, I wanted to proceed in that direction as much as possible.

“I cannot discuss matters concerning anyone other than the Phaeron Empire’s empress. This is to provide information directly related to the war and will play a decisive role in killing the emperor of the Karelind Empire. I assure you.”

The man looked troubled and then bowed his head.

“Please wait a moment.”

He then hurried off, and shortly after, a well-built man led dozens of knights out from the Phaeron Empire’s royal palace.

Choi Yebin was cautious, and Philemia firmly grasped my hand.

“I am the commander of the imperial knights of the Phaeron Empire. My name is Fltain. His Majesty wishes to hear your story. Please come inside.”

The situation in the Phaeron Empire, allowing outsiders to enter the palace, reminded them once again that they were not in a position to be picky.

As I entered the palace and walked through the spacious interior, Commander Fltain politely requested of me.

“The rest of your party must wait here. Only Lord McTearas can meet His Majesty.”

“Wait here for a moment.”

When I spoke, Tekeloman quickly replied.

“I will take good care of them.”

Tekeloman’s words as the commander were reassuring, but Choi Yebin and Plemia were uneasy. Therefore, I changed the red sphere into a prickly state. The knights were startled for a moment but I paid no attention.

“Leave the sphere here and go.”

It was a simple statement, but it was a reassurance to my colleagues and a sufficient warning to the knights of the Phaeron Empire. Even if others didn’t know, Tekeloman clearly knew how dangerous that sphere was. If anyone else tried to use shallow tricks, he would voluntarily intervene.

After seeing my red sphere, Choi Yebin and Plemia moved to its side. As if becoming my avatars, the two girls stood quietly beside it.

“You may go.”

For the first time in a while, if someone among the knights of the Phaeron Empire tried to attack Choi Yebin and Plemia, the sphere would devour all surrounding life forms except for them. So, without any further worries, I moved to face the emperor.

“Come in.”

After knocking, we entered upon the emperor’s permission.

However, when we reached him, the appearance of the emperor was completely different from what I had expected. The emperor of the Phaeron Empire was young. Externally, it was believable that he had just turned 20. Most importantly, he was not an emperor but an empress. A lovely girl sat there, her face full of worry.

“Are you surprised?”

“No, Your Highness.”

The princess slightly furrowed her brow. Eventually, she asked another question.

“Before we talk, may I ask a question? I heard there’s a way to kill the Emperor of the Kael’thas Empire. Is that true?”

“That’s correct.”

After scrutinizing my face for a moment, she muttered.

“I see. Unbelievable things have happened.”

She posed another question.

“Are you on our side?”

The princess scrutinized my face again. I answered without concern.

“If our interests align, I intend to fight on the side of the Pybron Empire.”

“I see.”

An alien feeling. The girl completely trusted my words upon hearing them for the first time. It felt strange, but I decided to let it pass for now. There was no time to nitpick each thing.

As I remained silent for a moment, the princess spoke.

“If you have any questions, feel free to ask.”

I didn’t refuse her kindness.

“What has become of the former Emperor of the Pybron Empire?”

“He passed away not long ago. Let me make it clear, he didn’t suffer an assassination or anything like that; he had been ill…”

“Your Highness!”

As the girl began speaking, the Plataine Imperial Knight Commander who had been listening urgently shouted at her, as if she was about to reveal information that shouldn’t be spoken of.

“Leave us.”

When Braine spoke briefly, the Imperial Knight Commander objected.

“Impossible.”

“I will speak for the last time. Take all other troops and leave.”

Only then did Plataine and the other knights start moving outside.

Even as the Imperial Knight Commander of the Pybron Empire, Plataine, left, he glared at me as if to say he wouldn’t stand by if I did anything futile. But I didn’t particularly feel bad. I knew well that his actions stemmed from loyalty and concern.

Princess Braine confirmed that everyone had left before speaking.

“Since the interrupters have disappeared, let’s talk again. The former emperor passed away due to illness. I, his only child, succeeded his position. However, publicly revealing this fact during the ongoing war would likely cause great confusion. Not only has the emperor passed away, but the regent has been replaced by a princess. That’s why it was kept hidden. So, I hope the reactions of other knights won’t be too unpleasant.”

“I understand.”

Despite losing her father, the princess remained composed.

“What can I do to help you fight on our side?”

The princess asked a penetrating question between us.

“I would like you to grant me military authority over the Phaeron Empire.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

Holding military authority in a country also means being able to incite rebellion with it. It was nothing short of madness to propose handing it over to someone who had just seen it for the first time today. The princess pointed that out as well.

The princess got up from her seat and walked slowly towards me. Then, she stood in front of me and asked,

“Are you asking me to entrust the heart of the Phaeron Empire to you, whom I’ve just met today? Frankly speaking, just saying that in front of me makes you a candidate for immediate execution.”

“Because that is the only way your nation can survive intact.”

Every time I answered, I felt discomfort in the princess’s reaction as she scrutinized my face. Yeah. This was clearly identical to what Choi Ye-bin looked at me.

“Your Majesty, can’t you tell if my answer is true or false?”

At that, the princess was surprised for the first time.

“How did you know? It’s something no one knows.”

“I have knowledge about that ability.”

“I see.”

I didn’t mention Choi Ye-bin. But even if there was no evidence, I would have had similar suspicions. The brainy princess trusted me on the day we first met and interrogated all the surrounding knights. This is an unreasonable story.

Instead.

“Before we start the conversation, let me ask you a question. There was talk that there’s a way to kill the Emperor of the Kaelor Empire. Is that true?”

“Are you on our side?”

It was more rational to believe in the ability to know the truth about the first two questions.

“Well, now that you know, I’ll be honest. I have the ability to discern the truth no matter what you say. So I’ll ask directly. It’s absurd to offer me the military command. What will you do if I refuse that proposal?”

Lies are meaningless anyway. I told her honestly.

“If I don’t have the authority to control those on the battlefield, they will suffer as well. Ultimately, the Phaevron Empire will become my enemy. And when the war is over, the nation will lose its function.”

“Do you possess a large army?”

“I am the only one who will be on the battlefield.”

“So, do you have that much power? Enough to dominate a country?”

“Yes.”

The princess sighed, lowering her head.

“It’s unbelievable. Unthinkable things have happened.”

Princess Braine didn’t flinch and looked straight at me, asking questions as if she wanted confirmation.

“With that kind of power, why are you involved in such complicated matters? It’s hard to guess what you want from this battlefield.”

I slowly explained the reasons to her.

“Condemnation of those who have forsaken their faith. Furthermore, the true freedom of those who suffer. The reason I participate in the battlefield is for those two things.”

…

The princess fell silent, and without losing momentum, I immediately asked her:

“Will you believe in me, or will you become my enemy?”

Then the princess uttered a slow, astonishing answer.