< 150. Audience (2) >
#150
“I’m surprised there were any survivors. But why did it look like that?”
“…I don’t know.”
Ronan shook his head in response to Nabirose’s question. Five men from the Imperial Army were each holding the major’s head and limbs and carrying them. It was heartbreaking to see him being carried unconscious in the escort carriage.
“What a pity. “He is an upright soldier.”
“Did you know someone?”
“Yes I saw her a few times when she was in the Imperial Knights. “What on earth did she see….”
With butterflies I caught the tail of his horse. Come to think of it Nemea was originally an elite member of the Imperial Knights.
The major never came to his senses. She went on a rampage in her panic and it was only after being administered five rounds of sedatives that her seizures finally stopped. Nabirose who had taken Ronan’s cigarette and was smoking one more time called out to the colonel from before.
“Lieutenant colonel there.”
“Yes yes! “Nabirose!”
“How long do you think it will take for Major Nemea to come to his senses?”
“I don’t know the details either. However considering the condition at the time of discovery it is expected that it will take quite some time. Even if you are a wear lion you usually fall asleep on your feet…”
The lieutenant colonel lowered his head as if he were unsure. Suddenly what Nemea did passed through Ronan’s mind. She was clearly afraid to make eye contact with him.
This was a pretty big clue. There were only three people including myself who had scarlet eyes and cut like that.
‘Is this what that kid did? That said the sword marks are crude.’
The more I thought about it the more doubts I had. She didn’t have a suitable suspect. The skill of a robber was insufficient and it felt completely different from that of a savior.
‘…Where did you get it?’
The details would be revealed when the Major came to his senses. Surprisingly there were no injuries so once he regained stability he would be able to testify. He gently stroked Sita’s head.
“great job. Sita.”
“Pyeol~”
For now Ronan decided to be satisfied with the fact that he saved at least one person. Butterfly as I confirmed that the situation was over I opened his mouth.
“Let’s go back first. “You had a lot of trouble.”
“Instructor too.”
“Today’s incident will change many things….”
Nabirose muttered softly. Ronan also agreed with that opinion. It was by no means a problem that could be easily overcome that a newly established unit by order of the emperor suffered mass deaths so close to the system. Especially if the Sword Saint who is said to be the strongest of all time is involved.
The sky had already cleared completely. Regardless of the tragic incident bright sunlight was pouring down on the heads of the two people.
They got on their horses and rode along the way they came. It was around the time we arrived at Phileon. I noticed a magnificent carriage parked in front of the main gate.
“What is that again?”
Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. It was so gorgeous that students crowded around to look at the carriage. An old man dressed in silk clothes stood erect in front of the carriage. It looked as if he was waiting for someone.
Anyway I can’t go through there. Ronan was about to turn his head. The old man suddenly turned his head and Ronan’s eyes met. He said raising his hands.
“Oh there. “Please wait a moment.”
“ok?”
The old man approached slowly. He was an old man with an impressive goat-like beard. As he studied Ronan’s face he opened his mouth.
“Ronan. “Is that correct?”
“Uh… That’s right.”
“okay. “I need you to come with me right away.”
The old man spoke in a stern tone. Ronan tilted his head. Unless he was suffering from dementia he had no recollection of meeting an old man like this.
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
“As you can see I’m not in the best shape right now.”
“You still have to go. “I will give you a change of clothes.”
Ronan laughed. It was so absurd that I wasn’t even angry. Just by looking at your clothes covered in blood and mud you can tell that you are in no condition to be invited by anyone. Ronan unable to bear it any longer rolled his eyes and said.
“What is inspiration telling others to come and go? “Did the emperor even summon me?”
“Yes.”
“…ok?”
For a moment Ronan’s brain froze. What is this kid saying now? The emperor? The old man bowed his waist more deeply and continued.
“I’m sorry if my attitude seemed rude. But please come with me. “Your Majesty the Emperor has urgently invited you.”
He then added that he would lend me a change of clothes. Ronan looked back at Nabirose. She just shrugged her shoulders as if wondering how I knew.
“I guess I won’t be able to spar today.”
“…I guess so.”
“Wait. Have a nice trip.”
Ronan dismounted from her horse and transferred to the carriage. Instead Nabirose took the reins and went inside the campus. The students watched the carriage carrying Ronan until it turned the corner and disappeared.
****
Ronan suddenly got into the carriage and headed towards the imperial palace. Fortunately seeing as the guards didn’t do anything to stop them it didn’t seem like they were a group of murderers abusing the emperor’s call.
It was my first time in the imperial palace. In my past life I had only seen it from afar but had never been inside. I never imagined that I would be able to step into his shoes in this life too.
The heart of the thousand-year empire considered the largest and most beautiful building in the islands. Ronan also wanted to see that magnificent and noble figure but he couldn’t. It was because he spent all his time and energy changing into clothes that looked like idiots.
“Fuck is this right? “I can’t breathe.”
“sorry. “You have a better physique than I thought…”
“And what’s so flashy? “It’s not even a wild parrot.”
“It’s a formal dress that was made a little while ago… I would appreciate your understanding.”
Ronan frowned and straightened his collar. The clothes the old man handed me to change into were by far the most terrible clothes I had ever worn.
As if it wasn’t enough to be tight like a python it was covered with colorful decorations that could be recognized from a hundred meters away. If there had been just one more decoration Ronan would have plucked off the old man’s beard and stuck it on his forehead.
I once tried wearing a potato bag with just holes drilled in it but I thought it was better in terms of convenience. said the old man.
“Oh you can leave the knife to me.”
“Can’t I even take the Nimmi knife?”
“That’s because it’s about meeting His Majesty the Emperor. “I will keep it carefully.”
In order to have an audience with the emperor he had to entrust an object that could be used as a weapon. If you think about it it was a natural thing so it was difficult to explain. It was the moment when Ronan reluctantly returned his sword. Sigh. The carriage stopped.
“You have arrived.”
The coachman opened the door. Outside instead of a magnificent castle or a beautiful garden there was a tunnel-like space where carriages could be parked. In the end Ronan who couldn’t even see the imperial palace let out a curse.
“Fuck.”
“This way.”
Goatbeard shamelessly guided Ronan. The place we entered after being guided was a large space that appeared to be a reception room.
In the gorgeous room furniture and props for relaxation were placed in the right places. There was another grand gate on the opposite wall and it seemed to be the door leading to the throne room. said the old man.
“Please rest comfortably. “Please wait a moment and the Emperor will call you.”
“It just disappears.”
The old man retreated like the wind. Ronan brushed his bangs and took a deep breath. It was a really hectic day. In fact he was in such a deep sleep that he even suspected that this was all a dream.
He wasn’t the only one in the drawing room. Three people came first. Unlike Ronan they were each taking a break each dressed in stylish clothes. Ronan’s eyes landed on one of them and he froze in place.
“…uh?”
A werelion dressed in a suit was sitting on the sofa and reading a book. He must have known if his eyes were not mistaken. Ronan barely able to calm his mind approached him. And then I tapped him on the shoulder.
“Baren.”
“hmm?”
The lion turned his head. When he met Ronan his pupils grew so big that they seemed to pop out. Varen closed the book and slowly stood up.
“…Ronan? “Is that really you?”
“long time no see.”
“Oh oh how long has it been since this?”
It was a reunion after two years. Varen opened his arms and embraced him. It smelled like a gentleman’s sharp perfume not the strong body odor of an animal. He wiped his eyes with his handkerchief and opened his mouth.
“You really… you really have grown a lot. “How have you been?”
“Well in its own way. “Where was the professor?”
“Ah I was in Patar in the south. “I just got back from cleaning up yesterday.”
“South? organize?”
Ronan tilted his head. This was the first time he saw Varen after completing the holiday. I heard that he left Phileon for some reason but he suddenly went to the South? Varen continued.
“Because winter came to the islands we couldn’t grow medicinal herbs. “You are a true hero to me too.”
Varen holding Ronan’s hands repeatedly lowered his head. He said that the winter brought about by her witch almost killed all the herbs.
Ronan nodded his head as if he was finally convinced. Well I have a business to run but I guess I couldn’t kill all that precious grass. he asked.
“So what’s going on here?”
“I have come at the request of His Majesty the Emperor. There were a few more people besides us. In my case I was recognized for my contribution to distributing free potions to people shivering in the cold.”
The people gathered in the drawing room were all people who had contributed during the winter that hit the islands. It is said that a middle-aged nobleman with a beard allowed his forest to be cut down to secure firewood and an elegantly dressed noblewoman sold her jewelry to distribute food and clothing to the citizens.
In short they were all called to give awards. The only thing I was curious about was why they called me so suddenly after telling me to come when it was convenient.
Of course other than this stupid outfit I had no complaints whatsoever. Because it was enough to just pass the time by talking about things that were overdue. The joy of being reunited with Varen was neutralizing the anger that had been building up since the morning.
“Well let’s sit down first. So in the south I met a lioness that killed me…”
It was the car where Ronan was trying to continue his conversation. Quang! The door to the waiting room opened roughly. Everyone in the living room turned their heads.
A huge black shadow was coming in stride. Every time I took a step forward water mixed with blood was dripping. The old man who guided Ronan hurriedly followed him and shouted.
“You sword saint! No! Please wear proper clothing!”
“Shut up.”
The shadow growled lowly. The old man took a deep breath and froze in place. The people in the living room were also frozen. Ronan’s mouth slowly opened.
“Zaifa.”
“…you?”
Jaifa turned his head. He stopped when he encountered Ronan. It was hard to say that Jaifa looked good after seeing him for the first time in a long time.
First of all the fur all over his body was wet. The pants were so soaked in blood that it seemed as if they were originally red.
I heard in the morning that he had gone to catch the criminal who killed the unit members but he didn’t seem to have achieved much success. I could feel how angry he was just by looking at him. bang! Zaifa who had been looking at Ronan for a long time hit the floor with his tail.
“Ronan.”
Suddenly he started walking towards Ronan. Overwhelmed by the force the people retreated. High above red eyes were shining brightly.
It was too life-threatening to simply have a conversation. Ronan who didn’t know anything in particular stared at him with his hands in his pockets.
Why all of a sudden? Suddenly the words of Jaifa in the past flashed through Ronan’s mind.
‘no way.’
He said that he catches Nebula Clazier by intuition. Although I couldn’t see the sparkling mana I could feel it. And now inside Ronan’s chest a heart made of sparkling mana was pulsing.
‘Is this shit?’
Suddenly goosebumps ran up my spine. It was just a shame that I didn’t have a knife. Jaifa’s index finger was almost as thick as his wrist. It was a moment when the gap between the two was almost narrowed.
“Hehe Sword Saint. “Do you have any business for my student?”
Suddenly Varen blocked Jaifa’s path. He said with a sad smile. Jaifa frowned at him.
“Get out of the way. compatriots.”
“That can’t be possible.”
“Why are you interrupting? We are spherical. “I just want to talk.”
“Get your life back on track. “I feel sick.”
Varen looked with a straight face. Jaifa growled softly but he did not back down. Varen’s dark brown mane stood on end.
Although Jaifar was larger overall Varen was never inferior. The pressure emanating from the two beasts filled the space. Blood veins rose on Jaifa’s black forearm.
“You…”
He was about to say something. Squeak… Suddenly the front door on the other side opened and a woman in fancy clothes came in trotting.
For a moment silence fell. Everyone stopped what she was doing and looked at her. Her lady opened her mouth.
“Everyone please enter. “Your Majesty the Emperor is ready.”
