LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 64
During my time rolling with the Northern Black Eagle Mercenary Group, I had the chance to see the Emperor once—just once.
Well, “see” might be a stretch; it was more like I caught a distant glimpse of him on one of his inspections. He strolled near the desolate walls, decked out in dazzling robes and flanked by more than a dozen knights.
To sum up the impression I had back then: “What a freak show.”
And I wasn’t exaggerating. It was true! The squad leader and the mercenary captain practically cowered on the ground, and the Emperor didn’t even spare them a glance. He couldn’t care less about our treatment or the safety of the Black Eagle Mercenary Group.
The mercenaries who had hoped for better treatment quickly dashed their hopes the moment they caught sight of his indifferent gaze.
This inspection was nothing more than a charade for the Emperor and the Empire. It was merely important that the Emperor, in all his glory, took a trip to the far north to observe the people’s conditions—a surface-level reason that held all the significance.
I mean, it’s like when presidential candidates visit traditional markets back on Earth, right? Or when they down a hot bowl of pig soup to show they’re just like us.
That was the vibe I got.
If there was any upside to the Emperor’s visit, it was that we got real meat dishes instead of the usual pasty slop we were served.
Of course, it only lasted for that one day.
The next day, we were back to being thrown over the walls into the desolate wastelands.
The weather was frigid.
“….”
So, the simple reason I’m sharing this story is that, after eight years, the Emperor Bolazio Septimius III—also known as Bolazio III—hasn’t changed one bit since I last saw him.
“Elliot, bow! Bow!”
Evangeline desperately whispered beside me, but I didn’t bend at all.
I didn’t want to either.
The fatigue from the journey had piled up, and I was still feeling it. They called it the Hero’s Ceremony. Making my way through the endless crowd made me feel dizzy enough to want to bite my tongue off.
So, here I was, finally in the Imperial Palace, where the Emperor wanted to meet with me alone, and now I stood before him.
The Emperor was slouched on his throne, his gaze fixated on me.
“Bowing’s fine. You seem unwilling to do it anyway.”
He waved his hand dismissively, directing his attention away from me to Evangeline.
Just the two of us now.
The Emperor’s eyes remained locked on me. His cloudy pupils glimmered strangely.
“Hero Elliot.”
“Yes.”
“Your gaze is fierce. Have I offended you in any way?”
“Not at all. It’s just that I haven’t learned to behave otherwise.”
Somehow, those somewhat blunt words slipped out, but the Emperor didn’t seem to mind.
“Right. I heard you came from the Black Eagle Mercenary Group.”
“That’s correct.”
“Those guys never really liked the Empire, do they? Are you one of them?”
“Can I speak honestly?”
“Sure.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Haha.”
He has enormous authority yet wields it sparingly. The way he looked at me felt less like admiration or respect and more like spotting a sword worth using.
In some sense, he reminded me of a Pope.
It’s these kinds of people who hold the reins of a massive Empire.
Though, it’s also why one should be wary of them.
“Will you subdue the Demon King?”
“That’s something I genuinely intend to do.”
“Great. Then I’ll let the Sword Saint and Archmage know. They should offer you their full support.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I could let you leave as is, but… let’s call a photographer and take a picture. We need that for propaganda, you understand.”
His interest in me, providing assistance, stemmed from the fact that I was a Hero set on defeating the Demon King.
In other words, a Hero without a Demon King to slay would become a thorn in the Empire’s side.
I had no intention of being a hunting dog thrown into the pot!
I resolved inwardly that after defeating the Demon King, I would build a house with Ophelia—free from Imperial territories.
“Follow me.”
A retainer stepped in.
After that, everything went quickly.
The Emperor figured out that I wasn’t exactly thrilled about this situation, and handled everything in a purely formal manner.
An event that I thought would take days wrapped up in half a day, with me being shooed out of the palace.
“That was something… I expected a massive banquet, but it felt so bland.”
Outside, Ophelia fiddled with her hairpin, murmuring to herself.
“If I had asked, I’m sure they would’ve prepared something.”
“So, how was the Emperor? I didn’t get to see.”
“Hmm…”
I paused to think before shrugging.
“He’s better than the Pope.”
That much was true.
*
The next day, I got ready to leave the capital right away.
I didn’t have much luggage. I could fit everything into a single pack.
It was so modest that it felt shabby to start the Hero’s Journey.
“So, we’re heading to the Ice Palace next? To hunt down that plague-infested army or something?”
“That’s the plan, but I don’t think heading straight there would be wise.”
“Why?”
Ophelia’s question was answered by Erwin instead.
“It looks like we have to go through the Great Forest.”
Archery Master Erwin was with Wuzmund.
“Apparently, the Sword Saint and Archmage’s apprentice, Golden Lion, will be joining us, so that’s fine. But I’ve been dispatched as a representative of the Fairy King, after all. That means we need the Fairy King’s approval to travel together.”
“Uh-huh…”
“In simple terms, we’re going to seek permission from the Fairy King.”
I also planned to make a visit to Nua Diel while I’m at it.
There’s a Mark Holder, Dark Shaman Titania, over there.
Of course, given Titania’s not-so-pleasant personality, it’s something to think about, but the more companions, the better.
“Ophelia, it’s okay. Everyone will head to the Great Forest together, so you don’t need to worry about insects or such.”
“Ugh, umm.”
But Ophelia seemed hesitant for reasons unrelated to that.
Her gaze was directed at Erwin.
After all, hadn’t they had a huge fight just weeks ago? Things were still awkward.
Erwin smiled warmly.
In the end, Ophelia reluctantly nodded.
“Alright… I guess.”
That was quite the improvement.
*
The Emperor’s words about generous support turned out to be true.
The Archmage cast a large-scale teleportation spell for us.
Technically, it was a grand magic that could only be cast at Shadowhold, where the Grand Archmage’s tower is located. Due to its high demand for materials and manpower, it was rarely utilized—only a handful of times a year—but with the Emperor’s backing, it was possible.
“I’ve never experienced teleportation before.”
“Is it that amazing?”
“It’s incredibly impressive. You can count on two hands the number of people who’ve experienced teleportation on the continent.”
Albrecht spoke with oddly giddy enthusiasm.
Having watched him over the past few months, I realized the Sword Saint had a childlike side to him.
Thus, the large-scale teleportation I experienced for the first time… ended up with…
“Woooaahhh.”
Ophelia ended up on the ground, throwing up.
Well, she had complained of motion sickness even in Auriga’s caravan. It was no surprise she wouldn’t be immune to teleportation.
While I rubbed Ophelia’s back as she groaned, I looked around.
Unmistakably, it was the Great Forest.
The capital Elvendell, to be exact.
“Ahh, the air here is just as refreshing!”
Erwin took a deep breath, looking exhilarated.
Wuzmund smiled wryly while guiding me.
The last time I came, I avoided the capital to prevent making a scene and headed to Nua Diel. But now, I was here in the capital as a Hero!
Naturally, even the elven folks, who had a passive tendency towards human bias, couldn’t afford to hate the Hero and his comrades.
The red carpet was unfurled.
“So this is the Fairy Palace.”
“Indeed, the architecture of the Elves is superior.”
“Whoa….”
Albrecht, Azar, and Emily all chimed in with exclamations.
Everyone marveled at the tremendous scale of the Fairy Palace.
And our Ophelia never failed to disappoint.
“Those ear demons are so calculating… ugh.”
I covered Ophelia’s mouth.
“Ophelia, do you want to become a hedgehog?”
“Ugh ugh.”
“Please, try to speak nicely.”
“Damnit! Why’d you cover my mouth!”
Kong!
“Don’t hit me!”
“If Ophelia keeps talking nonsense, I’ll gladly slap her.”
Here, it didn’t matter in the Cathedral or the Empire, but we were now in the Great Forest.
An angry elf could very well plant arrows in Ophelia’s body.
In the end, only after giving Ophelia a few good taps on the head did she quiet down, glaring at me with tear-filled eyes.
Though thankfully, she didn’t curse anymore.
“Elliot, corporal punishment is bad.”
Albrecht smirked, adding his two cents, but I ignored him.
This Saint might end up cursing in front of the Fairy King, and we’d all be toast.
“Alright, everyone, follow me.”
There was a bit of commotion, but Erwin led us without a hitch.
To the innermost room.
The place where the Fairy King’s throne resided.
I watched the massive doors swing open, recalling the Fairy King from the game.
“….”
Fairy King Arlon.
He only appeared during cutscenes.
It was a scene that naturally played out when the Hero entered the capital.
There, the Fairy King exhibited all the typical traits of an elf.
Of course, in this game, elves are neither guardians of the forest nor guides of balance. The typical elf image in Sword and Chronicle is…
“Are you the pathetic humans who intend to slay the Demon King?”
That was the first thing Fairy King Arlon said.
Ophelia turned to me with a look of indignation.
“Elliot, you told me to only say nice things.”
“….”
“That jerk isn’t saying anything nice!”
I’m convinced that all the leaders on this continent are nothing but jerks.