Episode 187 – Ares Empire Special Envoy. Your Excellency, Count Christian Moland, please enjoy.
Coogung.
With the knight shouting, about a dozen people walked into Daejeon.
Among them, the most eye-catching is a man with black hair and yellow skin.
“Look at the color of their skin…”
“A true imperial noble…”
Black hair, black eyes, and yellow skin are symbols of the imperial family.
It was a feature that clearly distinguished it from the white skin of the majority of people on the continent, and the nobles of the empire were proud of it, thinking that the more prominent such features were, the deeper their blood ties to the imperial family.
It seemed to be the same for Christian, the older man who was now coming in. As the voices of the ministers murmured louder, his smile also deepened.
“Imperial Christian Molang meets His Majesty the King of Grandia.”
Instead of kneeling, which is the highest sign of respect, you simply bow at the waist.
He was like an imperial aristocrat who never showed extreme respect to the king of another country.
“Yes. What brought the imperial envoy all the way to this far away place?”
The king asked with a stern expression, as if he was not very pleased with the imperial envoy.
That’s why he didn’t like the way the Shinigami called him.
majesty.
Because it was a title given only to the princes of a country or the kings of an empire who served the emperor.
As a sovereign nation, not a vassal of the empire, it was inevitable that the king of Grandia would be displeased to use the honorific title “Your Majesty.”
however.
“It’s a little late, but I’ve come to congratulate you on your accession to the throne and deliver the gifts sent by our Emperor.”
The moment he saw the items being placed according to Christian Moland’s gesture, the unpleasant expression on the king’s face disappeared like melting snow.
“The first gift is the essence of moonlight, a precious elixir that is found about once every ten years in the polar regions of the northern part of the empire.”
A transparent box was put down by an attendant who came forward when Christian gestured.
Inside the box was a small potion bottle, and the blue liquid inside radiated an auspicious light in all directions, capturing the attention of those who saw it.
“As you may know, the Essence of Moonlight is an elixir of heaven that can keep you young for 20 years if you take just one bottle of it. It is a natural treasure that cannot be manufactured through alchemy or magic.”
“Oh oh!”
“Such a precious thing?!”
Exclamations erupted here and there.
That’s right, the essence of moonlight is a treasure that can’t be bought just because you have money.
The elixir, which was considered precious even in the empire, was given as a gift to the king of a foreign country.
And that wasn’t the end.
“The second gift is Elohim, an artifact created with great care at the Empire’s Imperial Magic Tower.”
Inside the box that another attendant had placed down was a gorgeous golden necklace.
“It is a whopping 5-class artifact with built-in magic that supports health, such as smoothing metabolism, relieving fatigue, and clearing the mind.”
The same thought passed through the minds of the sophisticated nobles who heard those words.
‘What kind of colossal waste is that?’
A 7th circle or 7th class great mage could only make a 5th class artifact using extremely rare materials to support health.
However, rather than being surprised at the waste of manpower, Logan couldn’t help but become even more concerned about the issue that was naturally inferred from the existence of that artifact.
‘What if I made that as a gift…?’
Suddenly, the king’s expression hardened again and he answered Logan’s question.
“It looks like a great mage has appeared in the empire. Should I congratulate him?”
Circle 6, commonly classified as superhumans, was divided into levels of Beginner, Expert, and Master.
The 6th circle is a dream state and a huge barrier itself, where the power of a magician is said to change dramatically just by looking at the level difference at each stage.
The emergence of a great mage who could overcome even that meant the emergence of a talent that could be considered a national treasure, and at the same time, the birth of a monster that would be nothing short of a disaster for neighboring countries that had often historically been at odds.
“Unfortunately, that is not the case, but the highest level wizard in our Imperial Magic Tower has recently completed the vision to create an artifact just below that level. This is a gift made thanks to you.”
Even after Christian’s explanation, the king’s expression did not improve much.
If the vision is to break down the existing artifact production formula, that too will lead directly to national power.
But when Logan heard those words, he was able to shake off his pounding heart.
‘Oh right. There was something like that too.’
The gift Christian gave was a kind of show off.
It was certainly true that the vision he spoke of existed, but the amount of resources required was so enormous that it was actually a secret art that had been lost in the empire.
In the previous life, the empire abandoned that and chose to purchase them cheaply while largely supporting the Crowne’s production of low-cost artifacts.
‘But I left out Crowne’s research early on. Even if Clayton fails, the Empire will not be able to use it.’
That thought naturally makes me smile.
Christian smiled at the shaking nobles and introduced the third gift.
“The third gift is a diamond called the Eye of the Continent. I believe some of you have heard of it.”
When the servant removed the cloth covering the transparent box, a fist-sized blue gem revealed its beautiful appearance.
“Oh oh!”
Unlike the previous artifact, exclamations immediately erupted from Daejeon.
It is the greatest diamond on the continent discovered 30 years ago, and it is said that one of the empire’s top 10 merchants dug it out of the mine and presented it to the imperial family.
The price the merchant estimated at the time was…
“Is that a gem with an estimated value of 100 million gold?”
“I heard it won’t come out again. Is that a gift…?”
“Should I call it a distribution worthy of the emperor of an empire?…”
Christian Moland smiled while listening to the exclamations coming from around him, and once again bowed his head politely towards the king.
“His Majesty the Emperor hopes that the friendship between the Kingdom of Grandia and the Empire will last forever, and gave Diamond as a gift to His Highness the elixir and artifact to ensure that His Highness, who was newly enthroned, will rule the kingdom in peace for a long time. I hope His Highness will like it.”
A gift so enormous that the word sergeant doesn’t even bother me.
The king had no choice but to nod, trying hard to control his expression.
“Thank you for the precious gift, and I hope that my country will also establish friendly relations with your country. By the way, since I received such a gift, I should repay you…”
The king looked around as if he was in trouble. Sword Master and Logan make eye contact and make puzzled expressions.
“Ah, His Majesty the Emperor did not even ask for anything in return. However, regardless of the gift, he said that he would like to invite Count Logan McLane, a young hero who recently resolved the kingdom’s troubles, to the imperial capital. If your Majesty allows, I would like to give him my opinion. “I would like to ask you a question.”
‘what?!’
A sudden thunderbolt.
Logan, who almost stood up in surprise, tried to control his surprise when he felt eyes focused on him.
‘The emperor me?’
I’m busy thinking about something completely unexpected.
“The special envoy said so. Wouldn’t it be a good idea for you to come? At least for the sake of friendship between the two countries.”
The king spoke to Logan in a cautious tone.
However, contrary to his attitude, the king’s eyes, which he encountered while organizing his complicated thoughts, clearly seemed to be smiling.
‘no way…?’
For a moment, I thought that I learned the news of the imperial envoy too late and that this unexpected situation was all the king’s handiwork.
But Logan immediately put aside that suspicion.
‘The imperial family will match the music of the king? That can’t be possible. ‘I wouldn’t know if it were the other way around.’
If that were the case, that would be the worst case scenario.
“Ah, this is the young hero. How do you feel? Would you like to accept His Majesty’s invitation?”
A confident question that conveys the meaning of whether you will refuse.
That overflowing confidence was worth it.
He probably thinks that if Logan refuses the invitation, the anger of the emperor that will follow and the deterioration of the relationship between the two countries will be too much for the young earl to handle.
Moreover, it was true that he was not confident that he could handle the worst possible chain reaction, such as an accelerated war.
And even if you don’t think about it.
‘I want to meet the emperor.’
The main enemy targeted by the Grandia Liberation Front in its past life.
Nevertheless, I could not see his face even once in my past life.
Even when he was emperor, he retired and lived in seclusion with a status of circumstances.
A conqueror who started an imperial war and took over the kingdom.
I wanted to see him in person and judge him at least once.
The problem was that it was now.
“…I will accept it.”
Logan sighed and added belatedly.
“But as I am meeting the Emperor, I think I will need some time to prepare. Can you give me some time?”
“In case that is the case, Your generous Majesty has set a generous date. I think it would be a good idea to come at the time when the Spring Festival begins in Aserian, the imperial capital, next year.”
Logan’s expression suddenly hardened at those words.
‘Have you already set a date?’
If you travel slowly from the kingdom to the empire’s capital Aserian, it took almost three months just one way.
And now the end of the year is already approaching.
Even considering rushing his horse, Logan only had a month or two left.
“…Okay. I will prepare accordingly.”
Christian’s face brightened at the declaration of de facto surrender.
and.
“Now, prepare for the welcome party for the special envoy, Count Christian. For the sake of friendship between the two countries, ministers from each department are expected to attend.”
The event in Daejeon ended with the declaration of the king with a proud smile.
“Here is an invitation from His Majesty the Emperor.”
Before the welcome party began, Count Christian personally handed Logan an invitation with a colorful dragon symbol engraved on it.
A golden dragon symbol symbolizing the imperial family.
Artistic workmanship that would have cost several hundred gold just to make the sealed cover.
“This is an invitation with a little bit of magical processing. Just show the sign when you come to the imperial capital and you will be able to receive convenience throughout the empire.”
“thank you.”
I couldn’t frown and reply to the person who handed me the invitation with a smile.
but.
“I’ll see you at the party then.”
“Oh, I have to sort out the affairs of the territory as soon as possible, so I don’t think I’ll be able to see you at the party. I hope you enjoy it comfortably.”
Considering the work that needed to be completed within a month or two, it was impossible to join the party and laugh and talk right away.
“Ah. What a shame. This is the only conversation I have with a hero that even His Majesty recognizes. Then, could you come to the imperial capital and look for me?”
“If I get the chance, I will gladly do so.”
“Haha. Thank you. Then, I will happily wait for that day.”
The title of the same count.
However, considering the difference between an empire and a kingdom, Christian’s polite attitude should have been considered unusual.
I also remembered that the gifts sent by the emperor clearly did not exist in my previous life.
‘Whether it is the 1st or 3rd prince, there is no way the emperor would care about that, so it must have something to do with the fact that he invited me.’
When I tried to think of this situation, I couldn’t think of anything else.
‘First things first, quickly.’
After sending Christian Molang away, Logan immediately headed to his teacher’s mansion.
* * *
“You want to come down right away? Without even attending the party?”
“Yes. The period allowed by the emperor is running out. “I have work to do at the estate.”
“Hehe. Why are you in such a hurry? “Everything can happen even without you.”
“I feel like things will happen that shouldn’t happen.”
“Hmm? “What are you so anxious about?”
“Master. I’m sorry, but I would like you to keep an eye on Your Majesty while I am gone.”
“What?”
At those words, the teacher’s face, which had been smiling, hardened in an instant.
“You made peace with Your Majesty… didn’t you?”
“Me too, too. I would like to. That’s why I’m asking you to keep an eye on it. Of course, I will also take my own measures.”
“Huh…”
The swordsman, who was looking into his student’s eyes, quickly nodded heavily.
“Hmm. okay. There seems to be something else I don’t know about. i get it. However, I have no intention of interfering with His Majesty’s legitimate exercise of power. Just know that.”
“Yes? …Oh yeah. All I’m worried about is your Majesty being too hostile toward me.”
“Yes. I’ll take care of that.”
I let out a small sigh of relief at my teacher’s assurance.
“By the way, Logan. The envoy’s attitude was really friendly. Do you still think the Empire will start a war?” ”
Yes, I’m sure.”
“Why?”
“You can tell just by looking at the gift sent.”
“A gift?”
The swordsman looked at Logan with a puzzled look. “An elixir
to maintain youth. An artifact that aids health. And decorative jewelry that cannot be sold because it is known to have been given as a gift by an emperor. Among them, is there anything that can truly help the nation?”
“…You take it that way.”
“Master. There is nothing better than preparing for war but not having it happen. But if we don’t prepare…”
“The country will fall. Okay, I understand. I won’t let my guard down either.”
“Please, Master.”
Logan greeted and was about to turn away quickly, but the swordsman added,
“Oh, and speaking of the emperor’s invitation, I will be your escort on your way to the empire. I’ll put it on.”
“Yes? What kind of escort do I need?”
“Just think of it as a favor from a teacher who is worried about his disciple walking into the jaws of a tiger.”
“Yes. Well, if you say so, I would be grateful. But who are you sending…”
“Hmm. Let’s keep that a secret for fun later.”
Although the teacher’s grinning face was a little uneasy, it was not a bad suggestion.
How much did Logan think after leaving the swordsmith’s mansion like that? To make use of the remaining time, I immediately rode towards Taren.
