Chapter 90
“Urgent news!”
“...!”
The nobles of the Swallow Empire wore doubtful looks as they saw a messenger rushing into the court.
“What happened?”
Prime Minister Marco asked on behalf of the dumbfounded nobles.
“The Baker Estate was attacked by an unidentified enemy! The casualties number a thousand!”
“...”
The nobles in the imperial court stared at the messenger with wide eyes.
“What nonsense is that?”
The enraged Duke Momori screamed.
“Please explain in full detail.”
Prime Minister Marco urged. He stretched his arm as though he was attempting to soothe Duke Momori.
“Well… Lord Baker is looking for more information about the attack, but…” The messenger produced a muddy rag he had concealed in his arms.
“This is the only thing we found as evidence.”
“Bring it here.”
The messenger swiftly approached Prime Minister Marco and politely extended the rag.
“The Baker Estate is located between Thran and Swallow… It's no wonder why His Majesty’s is feeling so burned out…” Duke Momori commented as he briefly glanced at the empty throne. He slammed his palm on his own chest as if he was desperately holding in his rage.
“Huh?”
Prime Minister Marco saw a pattern on the piece of cloth, and he let out a quiet groan.
Duke Momori noticed that and asked, “Prime Minister! Do you have any information regarding the suspects' identities?”
“This design—”
At Duke Momori’s question, Prime Minister Marco sighed and held out the piece of fabric.
There was a pattern resembling the Swallow Empire's insignia, but it wasn’t the same.
The pattern resembled a little bird flying toward the sky rather than an eagle.
“What does the pattern mean?”
“Isn’t that the insignia of Thran?”
“Those motherf*ckers!”
Prime Minister Marco took a step forward when the imperial court was plunged into abrupt chaos. Some of the nobles were flushed with anger, while some seemed like they were ready to charge at Thran at any time.
“Stop! It’s too early to jump to conclusions!”
At Prime Minister Marco’s words, Duke Momori raised his trembling voice. “What are you saying, Prime Minister? Do we still need more evidence? If what Thran had done isn’t over the top, then I don’t know what would be considered too much! If they aren’t the assailants, then who?”
“...”
“They only won once, but now they are completely hostile! Am I the only one who can see what’s going on here? That rag is concrete evidence! They had just declared war on us with that piece of rag!”
“No, that isn’t the case. Think about it. Do you not find anything strange about all this?”
Prime Minister Marco's low but powerful voice echoed throughout the imperial court, and the murmurs of the nobles disappeared in response.
“If a large army made a move to slay a thousand of our men, then Lord Baker would have noticed early on because the Baker Estate is located on a vast plain. Since Lord Baker was not aware of what happened until now, this only means that the attackers were a small group of people.”
Prime Minister Marco’s eyes gleamed after correctly deducing what happened in just a few words. He then added and waved the rag in his hand. “Don’t you find it strange that such a group of talented people was careless enough to leave evidence?”
Duke Momori had always advocated subduing the Principality of Thran through war, so he took advantage of this opportunity and raised his voice. “No! That’s only Prime Minister’s guess! What Thran did makes it clear what they’re thinking!”
“This time, we have to get rid of them! I'll get permission and go out on my own as soon as His Majesty enters the court!” added Duke Momori.
“Duke Momori, let me ask you something, then!” Prime Minister Marco also raised his voice as if he didn't want to lose. “Can you, a Duke, slay a thousand elite guards with only ten of your knights? In more or less half a day as well?”
“Yes!” Duke Momori exclaimed enthusiastically without hesitation.
“It doesn’t matter even if the enemy is on par with our soldiers, who are considered to be the strongest soldiers of any major power on the continent. If it were my knights and me, we could kill that many soldiers in just half a day!”
“What rubbish…!” Prime Minister Marco commented with a grimace, and the nobels grumbled as well.
“This time, let’s show those bastards who we really are! Since when did Swallow start being wary and tiptoe around because of other countries?” Duke Momori urged.
“Duke Momori is correct! The more we keep our silence, the more our neighbors will look down on us!”
“We have to make use of this opportunity and let everyone know of Swallow’s glory!”
Duke Momori nodded in satisfaction at the nobles' response.
“I will lead the operation this time. Don’t try to stop me, Prime Minister!”
“How could you make such a hasty decision—” Prime Minister Marco was about to reprimand Duke Momori, but his expression suddenly turned contemplative. He realized that no matter what he said, his words would never be heard.
'The only option is to wait for His Majesty…'
His Majesty the Emperor went to the flower garden with the princess, but he should have heard the news by now. It was definitely a special bonding time between the princess and the emperor since they had been apart for a long time, yet they had to cut it short because of the unprecedented situation.
“Haaah.”
Prime Minister Marco's drawn-out sigh echoed amidst the clamor raised by the nobles.
***
In a lovely flower garden with a wide variety of flowers, an old man and a young woman were talking behind a blockade of knights.
The amiable-looking Emperor Verona smiled and said, “Yerona.”
“Ah! Yes, Father?”
The blonde beauty strolling alongside him turned and answered his call.
‘Has she just turned twenty?’
She was a blonde young woman with melancholic and huge eyes. She was a stunning woman in a pristine white gown, and she gave off an air similar to Emperor Verona.
She was Yerona bel Grace.
Emperor Verona had three brilliant and smart daughters, but he treasured his youngest daughter the most.
“I’ve been thinking about something lately…”
Princess Yerona straightened her back at Emperor Verona's anxious voice.
“Is there something bothering you, Father?”
“If I…” Emperor Verona sighed. He reminisced before continuing. “I have a hunch that the people would have been happier with Demero on the throne.”
“What are you saying all of a sudden?” Princess Yerona’s eyes widened. Emperor Verona’s words were indeed surprising, and she suddenly recalled something. “Is it about the Principality of Thran?”
“They are our people as well. I usually think of them as a vassal state, but I always hated situations like this one… I don’t want to call them enemies. This situation is very unpleasant for me.”
“...”
Princess Yerona remained silent. She could sense a tremendous love in the emperor's heart for all of his subjects.
“Don’t you have a number of policies in place for the Principality of Thran, Father? They must understand you better than anyone else.”
“Look at this...” Emperor Verona reached into his bosom and retrieved a parchment that he handed over to Princess Yerona.
“This…” Princess Yerona’s eyes widened as she read what was written on the parchment. “They were wiped out…”
“I still have to look into the details, but this wouldn't have happened if I had handled things properly.”
“Father,” Princess Yerona muttered in melancholy.
Emperor Verona was a father who adored his children and his people beyond everything else. And that was why he was blaming and condemning himself for their current predicament.
Princess Yerona spoke with a stiff look, “My eyes are shallow, so I cannot see through everything, but at the very least, we are aware of one thing.”
“...” Emperor Verona directed a perplexed look at Princess Yerona.
At that, Princess Yerona continued. “If Uncle Demero had been the one who rose to the throne, the people would have definitely suffered more under his rule. I will never forget the smiles of the people and the way they sincerely honored you that first time I left the palace with you.”
“...”
“Father, you've done a very good job as the sun of the empire, and I am proud of what you have done so far. I know you'll do much better in the future, so…” Princess Yerona trailed off and held both of Emperor Verona's hands.
“Please don’t blame yourself I don't want my father to wallow in sadness, and I’m sure the people don’t want that to happen as well.”
“Thank you so.”
Emperor Verona instantly smiled sweetly. He glanced at the skies with a smile and said, “I just can’t help but think of Demero at moments like this. He’s the most dependable person I can—”
Princess Yerona’s expression turned cold as she scowled. “It has been more than ten years since he went missing. He probably doesn't care about the empire. Otherwise, he would have let us know if he’s still alive.”
“...”
Emperor Verona didn’t say anything as he stared at the birds in the sky.
‘Back then, the relationship between the empire and Thran isn’t like this. I still remember those days—when the two of us can observe these birds together.’
“I hope these lands do not get drenched in more blood…”
.
Emperor Verona muttered before moving somewhere with heavy steps.
***
“I have to refuse.”
“Why?”
Icarus was taken aback by Joshua's quick response.
“I’ll be a helpful attendant, so Young Master won’t take a loss if you bring me with you.”
“...”
At Icarus’ urgent voice, Joshua kept his mouth shut.
“I just want to prove myself! I won’t wish for anything else! You don’t need to compensate me or anything! Please reconsider—” Icarus started.
However, Joshua interrupted him. “However…”
“Yes?”
Icarus was nervous when Joshua trailed off.
Fortunately, Joshua didn’t make him wait any longer as he said, “I believe your worth is excessively more than that of an attendant."
“What?”
“If you really want to show me your worth…” Joshua said firmly while looking into Icarus' lovely blue eyes. “I want you to change this academy by yourself.”
“...!” Icarus' eyes widened.
Joshua smiled warmly before continuing. “Well, if it’s necessary, then you can always use my name. In addition, the academy has more knowledge for you to consume, so it’s better for you to stay here than come with me as my attendant.”
“Young Master—” Icarus was about to say something, but he quickly noticed what Joshua was trying to say. When he realized it, he muttered something incomprehensible to himself. It seemed Icarus was having a difficult time believing that Joshua could think so highly of him. After all, Joshua was a part of the proud Agnus Family.
While Icarus was stewing in his own thoughts, Joshua suddenly approached him. He gasped in surprise as Joshua got closer and closer to him.
“I—” Joshua paused. He stared straight at the blushing Icarus and said, “I don’t need an attendant to be one of my comrades.”
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