It all went too smoothly to excuse my negligence by saying, “I was too busy.”
My relationship with Epherna was properly settled, and I was even given enough time to reflect.
Thus, the conclusion.
“I forgot.”
“How bold of you.”
“Haha…”
There was nothing else to say.
I’m sorry.
I explained the conclusion, which could be summarized in just two words, in great detail.
Although explaining it was practically an excuse, I needed some degree of persuasion, so I spent a moment on it.
So, the next conclusion.
“Don’t worry. I’ll proceed exactly as you wish.”
“…Is that so?”
Relief spread across Dairon’s face.
Was the weight of the position really that heavy?
“Thank you.”
“However, stepping down from such a significant position comes with responsibility, doesn’t it?”
“…What?”
“Did you think stepping down as a lord would be easy? I clearly said that while stepping down is fine, you would still have to support Her Majesty. It’s not as if I wasn’t implying you must take responsibility, was it?”
Dairon’s pupils widened as if he hadn’t anticipated this.
But what can be done?
He would agree with the need to take responsibility, and he must have steeled himself when deciding to step down as a lord.
Suppressing the emotions that nearly surged, Dairon calmly continued.
“What do you want me to do?”
“That’s something you’ll have to discuss with Her Majesty. I am merely a captain of the Personal Guard, am I not?”
“…”
I smiled.
Dairon frowned as if my answer didn’t sit well with him.
Quite a difficult man.
Should I drop a small hint?
“Don’t worry. You will return to your role as a Knight Commander. As always, please protect the Empire from external threats as the Imperial Guardian. For the rest of your life—”
Did you understand?
From now on, you will be the shield protecting the Imperial Family and the Empire until you grow old and die.
In other words, even if you want to retire, it won’t happen on your terms.
Did he grasp the hidden meaning?
Dairon seemed to realize something, and with a resolved expression, he exited the chamber.
*****
The major issues were nearly resolved, except for matters concerning Temur.
However, since it would take some time for him to reach the capital, it wasn’t something to worry about right now.
Aside from that, the remaining issue.
“A marriage…”
The Imperial Court, apparently tearfully pleading with Epherna, had thoroughly prepared for this marriage.
Judging by the volume of accumulated documents, this was no last-minute arrangement.
“They’ve even prepared something like this…?”
The date chosen based on celestial auspices, believed to be the most blessed by the heavens.
Compatibility with Epherna, divined by an ancient witch.
And these lunatics—
They even underlined the most suitable dates for conjugal union year by year.
The desperation for a royal heir was palpable even through the paperwork.
Looking back, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable; in fact, it was rather expected.
The late Emperor, who made the Empire truly imperial, was Epherna’s predecessor.
The empress who inherited his bloodline, Epherna, held immense authority.
The imperial family’s victories in the wars gave them unmatched prestige, with conquests extending in all directions.
Barely a generation later, that authority still pierced the heavens.
In such a situation, with no other royal descendants to replace Epherna, dreaming of rebellion was practically unthinkable.
Unless they planned to join a revolutionary army, anyone would want to cling to Epherna’s hem and see her produce an heir.
Anyway, this was something I needed to discuss with Epherna.
I’d leave it for now.
*****
Temur Urgan.
Known as the Sky King of the Plains, he represents the barbarian tribes.
He rose to power after the death of the Wild King, who was the chief of the Urgan tribe during the Empire’s wars.
About three years ago, he disappeared from the plains for six months to a year.
After reemerging, he decided to foster relations with the Empire, showing several amicable gestures.
“…Is this all there is?”
“Yes.”
Solendril frowned as he looked at Temur Urgan’s dossier.
Just this?
It was hard to believe that there was so little information about the leader of a tribe ruling the vast plains.
“Temur Urgan is an enigmatic figure, unlike the Wild King, and the plains are incredibly vast, making it difficult to gather information.”
Barbarians of the plains generally share similar traits.
Pure physicality.
They solve everything in life with their trained bodies.
That’s why they are considered fundamentally different from the Imperial citizens.
Even the Wild King, who once ruled the Urgan tribe, was no exception, and thus detailed information was unnecessary.
The choice of a barbarian whose brain is filled with muscles is obvious.
However, Temur Urgan is different.
He’s a barbarian who knows how to use his brain, a type of person never before seen on the plains.
“I can’t figure out why he’s suddenly visiting the Empire…”
Currently, Temur is passing through the Katia Territory and heading towards the academy district.
This path is the direct route to the capital.
As the headmaster of the Academy, it’s only natural to remain vigilant against unpredictable threats—especially from someone who might harbor deep-seated resentment against the Empire as a descendant of the plains.
“Though relations have improved recently, one can never be certain.”
To be blunt, Solendril didn’t trust the plains at all.
Not just as the headmaster of the academy but also as a shaman, he thought barbarians were inherently untrustworthy.
Humanity had evolved by absorbing the wisdom and knowledge of their ancestors.
Shamans, compared to humans, exhibited these traits even more strongly.
Yet the barbarians of the plains exhibited a strong tendency to resolve everything through brute force, no matter the wisdom of their ancestors.
If ancestral wisdom wasn’t to their liking, they would duel through their unique rituals, and if even the ritual failed to please, they’d replace the chief by force.
The plains steadfastly adhered to such barbaric traditions.
Regardless of how Temur differed from other barbarians, his essence likely hadn’t changed.
He must be approached with constant caution.
“I’d like to know where he is now.”
“Pardon?”
“If he’s heading to the capital via the official route, he must pass through here. As the academy’s headmaster, I should meet him.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Solendril’s secretary reluctantly jotted down the task, uncertain what the academy’s headmaster had to do with the plains but following instructions without comment.
“Uh… Headmaster?”
“Hmm?”
“Your expression doesn’t look good. If you’re planning any… ‘incident,’ please give me advance notice.”
“Haha. What kind of trouble could I possibly cause?”
“…”
The secretary, who had served Solendril faithfully for years, knew why he had been practically exiled from his kin and made headmaster of the academy.
Swallowing her frustration, she resolved to secure funds for repairing broken property or valuables in the near future.
*****
Three Days Later
Epherna’s return from her vacation was due today.
“…She’s not here yet.”
Despite her plan to arrive by midday, no news of her carriage entering the capital had come even by evening.
“She was supposed to arrive today, right?”
“Yes.”
Something was off.
Epherna’s vacation spot was a resort located near the border between the Empire and the plains.
The roads leading to and from it were well-maintained, so deviations from the schedule were rare.
She had informed Ern a few days ago about her departure and had sent confirmation via carrier bird yesterday.
Under normal circumstances, she should have arrived by midday at the latest.
Now it was past 8 PM, close to nightfall—nearly half a day past her expected arrival.
This wasn’t just a matter of a few hours, which warranted suspicion.
‘Could she have encountered bandits?’
Or perhaps some kind of accident?
Ern began to worry unnecessarily.
Given Epherna’s near-divine mastery of magic, no accident could pose a serious threat to her.
Furthermore, mishaps during long-distance travel were not entirely uncommon.
But that unnecessary worry began to climb to its peak in Ern’s mind, and he was on the verge of dashing out immediately when—
“Your Grace, Her Majesty has returned.”
At the attendant’s words, Ern leapt lightly through the window, his figure streaking toward the gates of the capital.
*****
It wasn’t exactly the joyous welcome Ern had envisioned.
Epherna stepped out of the carriage with an unmistakably furious expression.
The carriage itself looked as if it had been submerged in lava—charred black, its shape barely holding together.
It turned out that Epherna had teleported the entire carriage, bringing everyone along with her.
And the causes of this spectacle tumbled out of the air from the teleportation.
Seeing them, Ern was stunned.
“…What are you two doing here?”
It was Temur and Solendril.
