◈ Episode 291 Emperor of the Empire (1)
At the word that the emperor was coming, a commotion broke out inside the barracks.
“Your Majesty?”
“How can you not contact me….”
I understand that you are visiting because of an incident that is happening in the capital, but you came to me so suddenly without contact.
The outside was enveloped in a commotion, and a group of people rushed in through the entrance of the barracks.
Everyone in the barracks held their breath.
A man appeared surrounded by armored escort knights.
Dazzling blonde hair and wrinkle-free skin that doesn’t show through even though she’s over 40.
Although he has a soft-looking appearance, he has the authority and charisma unique to the royal family.
He was Auvistas von Exilion, the apex emperor of the current Empire.
“Meet Your Majesty the Emperor!”
Everyone in the barracks got down on one knee and bowed their heads, paying their respects to the emperor.
Aubistas congratulated them for their example with a wave of his hand and said it was okay to get up.
Everyone rose from their seats again.
It is known that the current emperor is weak and has little real power, but looking at that atmosphere, it wasn’t just like that.
‘Above all, that person.’
Next to the emperor, what caught people’s attention was the woman next to him.
Exuding a lofty dignity next to the emperor, she was the first princess Eileen von Exillion, who was called the next emperor.
If the emperor was the sun, the first princess was like the full moon rising in the bluish sky.
‘To think that His Majesty the Emperor and the 1st Princess came out together.’
‘Are you taking the matter seriously that much?’
Finally, an old man with a large body entered the barracks.
The knights who recognized the old man with the lion’s mane-like brown hair and long beard were very nervous.
‘The leader of Lutus Wardot!’
Rutus Wardot.
He is the head of the Royal Guard and the strongest swordsman in the current Empire.
Would it feel like that if a sharp sword was standing tall?
Even though he was over 60 years old, his overflowing muscles and shiny brown hair and beard showed that he was still correct.
Such Lutus had now come together to escort the emperor and the first princess.
Leading the other escort knights.
It was natural for the knights to show fear and respect at the same time.
Even Terrina, the captain of the Nightcrawler, looked at Lutus and bowed politely.
Lutus also accepted her greeting with a light nod of the head.
Even though they were the same master, there was a difference in class.
“Nice to meet you.”
Emperor Aubistas opened his mouth.
It was a voice that was delicate and soft, but had a strangely irresistible atmosphere.
“But now it seems difficult to exchange even casual greetings like this. As you know, terrible things have happened in the courtyard of the Empire. I heard the news, too, but I came all the way here to hear a detailed explanation. Could you tell me too?”
At the emperor’s words, Lloyd, a member of the Nightcrawler Knights, who was cleaning up the situation, stepped forward.
“I am Lloyd of the Nightcrawler Knights.”
“okay.”
“First of all, this is a large-scale terror attack by the Liberation Army in collaboration with the black magicians. First, the liberation forces terrorized densely populated areas with firearms, causing chaos, and then unleashing the chimeras hiding underground to deal a lethal blow.”
Lloyd pointed to a map on one side of the barracks.
“Chimeras poured out in large numbers from the sewers in more than 10 areas.”
As a result, the area was thrown into chaos and many casualties occurred.
It was a shame because the Knights had already patrolled the area and strengthened the vigilance.
“Currently, we are blocking them by building barricades in each area. Chimeras are also retreating as if this is too much. Looking at the behavior patterns, it seems that there is a separate entity giving orders.”
“A warlock.”
At Lutus’ words, everyone nodded.
Then the emperor, who had been listening quietly, opened his mouth.
“I heard that students from Ceorn’s academy are also here. It’s also where my lovely third child hangs out.”
The people in the barracks could understand why the emperor had come personally.
“Is there any news about what happened to Erendir?”
“That is….”
Lloyd hesitated for a moment, then cleared his throat when Terrina, the leader, nodded.
“First of all, it is assumed that the third princess went to the Crystal Palace with mentor Roina Pavlini.”
“The Crystal Palace. It is a place where many tourists gather, so transportation is easy. But because of that, it’s also a place where more chimeras can come in.”
The Emperor’s point was sharp.
In fact, the Crystal Palace was the most dangerous place in the Chimera’s attack.
“Still, there shouldn’t be any problems since there is a Lexorer class wizard with you.”
“It must be like that for Erendir.”
The emperor’s words meant that even if Erendir was fine, it would be difficult for others.
Many citizens especially visited the Crystal Palace.
No matter how great the 6th tier magician is, he won’t be able to protect all the people inside the Crystal Palace.
The emperor’s expression naturally darkened.
Of course, the Crystal Palace itself had private guards to prevent terrorism, and some knights also patrolled around the Crystal Palace, so you won’t be easily defeated by the Chimera group.
Even so, the number of chimeras was so overwhelming that the possibility that something had gone wrong could not be ruled out.
“Oh, that will be fine.”
At that time, the one who spoke out was a small woman with pigtails.
It was Caroline Monarch.
People around her who recognized Caroline were taken aback.
In the part where she, who hates nobility and monarchism, stood proudly in front of the emperor, the feeling of anxiety came over me.
If, by any chance, Caroline suddenly insulted the Emperor here.
That’s when it gets really crazy.
“You….”
“This is Caroline Monarch. Your Majesty the Emperor.”
“I know. I never thought I would meet the Monarch mercenary leader in a place like this.”
Caroline’s eyes lit up at the words of the emperor recognizing her.
As far as she knew, the present emperor was in fact a scarecrow, but the emperor’s words and actions did not show that at all.
‘As expected, rumors can’t be trusted.’
When Caroline thought so, Emperor Aubistas spoke.
“Can I hear why you said it would be okay?”
“Roina is a somewhat incompetent child who is nothing more than the lowest among us 6th tier wizards.”
“I think those words are more likely to stir up anxiety rather than provide relief.”
“But I’ve got one of the greats on the field with me, so it’ll be fine.”
“Are you a good performer?”
For the first time in Emperor Aubistas’ voice, there was an emotion of interest.
He had also heard of Caroline Monarch, a sixth-tier wizard.
Although they are a mercenary group, they have power comparable to that of a moderate knights group.
It is known that it has a violent temper because it traveled all over the world and experienced all kinds of fights.
Caroline Monarch is their leader. Of course, her personality was bound to be of the same type.
To think that she is someone who genuinely acknowledges her skills now.
Emperor Aubistas couldn’t help but be intrigued.
“Who is that?”
“He….”
It was at that moment when Caroline opened her mouth.
The outside of the barracks became noisy once again.
Everyone’s eyes were engulfed in wonder at the turmoil that felt different from when the emperor was present.
“Check out what happened.”
When the emperor spoke to one of the nearby escort knights, he immediately responded and left the barracks.
It didn’t take long for him to return.
“What is it?”
“The survivors of the Crystal Palace have arrived!”
“A survivor of the Crystal Palace?”
They didn’t know who was in the Crystal Palace, so most of the people swept their hearts in relief.
But the important thing now is not whether there are survivors.
‘How long’ you survived was important.
The knight, feeling the emperor’s gaze, responded immediately.
“The number of survivors is so large that I do not know exactly how many have returned. It is only reported that very few of the people who should have died are dead.”
“What about Erendir?”
“The third princess is also fine. Along with Mage Roina Pavlini who was with me, the students of Seorn Academy are all fine.”
Exclamations of exclamation flowed from within the barracks at the continuous sound of good news.
The emperor’s gaze returned naturally to Caroline.
“It looks like the outstanding talent you mentioned has arrived.”
The emperor said so and left the barracks.
All the people inside the barracks followed suit.
Outside, the atmosphere was heated up with the joining of a group of survivors.
It wasn’t that there were no deaths, but the news that so many people had returned safely gave hope to those who were in the midst of darkness.
Just as the emperor discovered the group of survivors, there was someone who discovered the emperor among the group of survivors.
“father!”
3rd Princess Erendir saw the emperor and ran to him with joy.
The emperor also smiled in relief when he saw that Erendir was safe.
People realized that Erendir’s hair color resembled the emperor’s.
Erendir was thrilled that the emperor was here, but belatedly hardened his complexion when he saw the person next to him.
“Oh dear. My sister, who cannot be found even after washing her body, must not see this older sister.”
“Ah Eileen unnie.”
Erendir’s expression when he saw Eileen was terrified as if he had discovered his nemesis.
Eileen looked at Erendir and smiled rather grinning.
At that smile, Erendir’s complexion turned pale and his body trembled like an aspen tree.
“This sister is sad. The younger brother only looked for his father and did not pay any attention to the older sister who was beside him. Or are you deliberately ignoring it?”
“That’s not it… ….”
“Stop it. Do you really have to bully your younger brother in this happy place?”
Their conversation was interrupted by the emperor interjecting.
Knowing that this is not the first time the two of them had been together, the emperor gently calmed them down.
The people inside the barracks who watched it closely realized that even an emperor is the same as a person who cares about his children after all.
“Erendir. I’m really glad you’re okay. Wasn’t there anything dangerous?”
“that…There was none.”
Erendir was about to say something, but spoke frankly.
With the help of Roina Mentor, she managed to somehow survive the Chimera army at first, but gradually her strength faded and victims began to appear.
Then, the Chimeras heard someone’s order and started shooting thorns from afar, and the war reached a dangerous situation.
The emperor’s serious expression eased at Erendir’s next words.
“Without him, we would all have died on the spot.”
“Who is he?”
It was Eileen, not Erendir, who answered the emperor’s question.
“father. He comes over there just in time.”
At Aileen’s words, Emperor Aubistas’ gaze turned to one of the survivors.
Just in time, the man was approaching this way.
“Hoo….”
His gait was slow, but there was an innate grace to it.
Aubistas let out a low exclamation inwardly at the sight of him not losing his nobility and composure, far from the atmosphere around him.
Where is the author from?
Even the emperor, who was proud to have met many high-ranking nobles as the emperor, couldn’t help but admire Ludgar’s approach.
At that time, Ludger looked at the emperor and naturally got down on one knee at a distance.
Even the appearance of showing respect to the emperor was full of moderation and there was not even the slightest mistake.
“Meet Your Majesty the Great Emperor. I have just returned from leading the new Ludger Celish survivors.”
* * *
Among the group of survivors, Seorn’s students joined the other students.
They embraced each other and were glad that no one had died.
Relief was also the same for Line.
She could barely relax when she realized that she really was about to die.
Line naturally looked at the person next to her and opened her mouth.
“There he….”
Flora Lumos.
Line, who was about to say something to the girl with long blue hair, eventually shut her mouth.
It was because her expression didn’t look at all happy for someone who came back alive.
Rather, as if he was in a bad mood somewhere, his expression was frowned upon as if he didn’t know why he was the way he was.
“….”
As soon as Flora listened to Linen’s words, she left the place.
Line couldn’t help but look at her back without a word.
“Flora? Flora!”
Cheryl followed and called Flora, but Flora didn’t answer.
She was recalling what had just happened in the Crystal Palace.
The moment when everyone was in danger.
Ludgar appeared with a light from the sky and saved everyone.
His magic was amazing.
There was nothing strange about being called a god.
Creating light, wind, flames, and ice in succession, he showed such power that even those who knew about magic might think he was an archmage.
Of course, it was enough to think that way because he did not know how many magic potions Rudger had in his mouth during that time.
The important thing was not that.
After clearing the chimeras and confirming that they were running away, Rudger immediately descended from the sky and approached the survivors.
Along with the sweet fragrance left by the reverberation of magical power and the beautiful colors that disturb the eyes.
Rudger confirmed that the people were all right, and soon approached Flora.
Flora was looking forward to it at that moment.
Rudgar would ask if he was okay and praise him for doing well.
I couldn’t help but think so.
Because, as a student, she mustered up the courage to do a great job.
However, the person Rudger approached was not Flora, but Line, who was right next to him.
– Renee. Are you okay?
