◈ 172. [Side Story]
1st Prince Lark, who ran out of the Guardians’ Meeting Improvement Parade, drove a horse and started approaching my carriage.
“Oh my gosh. His Highness Lark has started again… … .”
Alberto touched his forehead and muttered as if he was in trouble. Frustrated, I pressed Alberto.
“Why are you doing that?! You’re coming to me right now?! Did I have any deep enemies with that brother?!”
To be honest, it’s scary because the undefeated knight hyung-nim, who’s big and distracted, approaches with a hard face.
When I asked, trembling, Alberto shook his head slightly.
“No, Your Highness. no. Quite the opposite… … .”
jump!
L’ark got off his horse and opened the door of my carriage without hesitation and said,
“Ah~ shh!”
Grabbing my sides with two strong hands, I pulled my body out of the wagon and lifted it upwards.
I witnessed a smile spread across the face that had been as hard as a marble statue in Lark.
“Our youngest! How are you?”
“… .”
ah.
okay. does this mean
“His Highness Lark took care of His Highness Ashe from a young age on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor who was busy. So that… … .”
Alberto hinted behind me in a crawling voice.
“… He loves you very much.”
Although it was nice to see Alberto nudging me from behind like this after learning that I had lost my memory.
It would have been nice to have been informed a bit more in advance this time.
Lark lifted me up in the air and lightly made a tower.
“You are still cute, my brother! I missed you a lot!”
No, I don’t think I’m caring for this, but I think I’m treating my own child?! Isn’t there a difference of about ten years between you and me?!
Flying like a baby in front of countless citizens was not a pleasant experience, even as a joke. It’s embarrassing, so get down quickly!
“I heard the news! Was it very difficult on the southern front? I’m really sorry that I couldn’t help my brother!”
Lark finished putting me on the plane and held me tightly in his arms.
“It is the embrace of self-affection! Brother!”
“Queaeaek.”
Other than that, it seems to be a sign of brotherly love, but that muscular knight over there? You’re going to choke because you’re wearing armor, right?
“His Highness Larc, Your Highness Ash.”
Then Alberto urgently called us. Thanks to that, Lark released the hug and I was able to catch my breath.
“This is a call from the main palace.”
Having received the telegram from the messenger who came running before him, Alberto read it with a serious face.
“… Both of you are called by His Majesty the Emperor.”
Larc lowered me to the floor with his eyebrows crossed, and I clenched my fists.
meet the emperor
It was finally time for the ‘Guardian Meeting’ to begin.
***
“How about the southern front, Ash? I heard that monsters run amok.”
The road leading to the main palace, where the emperor resides.
“Is there anything else you need? The situation on the western front is still tense, so even if reinforcements are hard, hyung will give you some pocket money.”
“… .”
“Otherwise, my brother will buy me something for the first time in a while. Is there anything you want? Your favorite drink is fine, or since you’re a frontline commander now, even high-end weapons from the Imperial Blacksmith’s-”
I couldn’t answer a word.
Lark… … It’s because you’re walking with me on my shoulders.
While sitting on the shoulder of the bulky Lark, I, who is not short in stature, was receiving the attention of the people around me.
Embarrassed, I covered my face with both hands and swallowed my screams.
I heard it from Lucas too. He said he had a good relationship with 1st Prince Lark.
But this is not a good relationship! Uncle and nephew!
“Oh brother.”
At that time, 2nd Prince Fernandez, who was standing at the entrance of the main palace, waved his hand. It seems they were waiting for us.
“You are back. You have suffered a long way.”
“Fernandez!”
Lark finally dropped me to the floor and strode toward Fernandez with his arms wide open.
“Irion.”
“Eh… .”
Fernandez sighed as if he had given up and quietly walked in front of Lark.
Lark hugged Fernandez tightly.
“It’s a hug of friendship!”
“Kuhuhuhhh.”
Fernandez let out a similar scream and twisted his body. It’s kind of fun to look at.
“My brothers and sisters! It’s so nice to be together like this!”
Lark came out with a hand as big as a pot lid and hit Fernandez’s back.
Every time a hand touched my back, Fernandez and I swayed like reeds. stop!
After the friendly greeting, L’Arch asked Fernandez while chinning inside the main palace.
“What about Obama?”
“You just woke up from hibernation.”
“You must be in a bad mood.”
“You haven’t been nice lately.”
The two of them calmly strode inside, so I quickly followed.
“Why did you arbitrarily declare victory, Fernandez?”
Lark scolded Fernandez with a cold, hard face, as if the soft smile from earlier had been a lie.
“The entire Western Front, as well as the whole of the Principality of Bringer, is in a precarious situation. Bringers are tough and tough. Not only guerrillas, but also the areas that have already been subdued are continuing the sewing machine.”
“… .”
“Besides, the Duke of Bringer… … I couldn’t even capture that dragon lady. In this situation, a victory declaration? Besides, what the hell are you thinking, inviting me to the victory celebration?”
“There was a reason to declare victory.”
Fernandez explained with a sigh.
“Allies on the northern front are seething.”
“North? why?”
“It’s probably because they’re worried that they won’t be attacked because we hit the Principality of Bringer, which was an old ally. According to the reports of the spies, it seems that some countries are trying to break the alliance and attack us.”
Larc let out a drool. Fernandez continued.
“That’s why we quickly declared victory. There’s a reason you don’t want other allies to do crap… … It also means to be relieved because you will not hit. I invited all the allied envoys to this victory celebration party.”
I, who had been listening quietly from behind, nodded my head.
indeed. Is that why you decided to hold a victory party?
“It is said that the entire western region is in danger, but the siege around the Principality of Bringer has been completed, and now if only the Duke is captured, this war will be finished.”
“Yeah, but.”
“So please show your face at the event for a moment. You are the symbol of military power and military power in this country. It would be embarrassing to miss out on an event like this.”
Fernandez glanced back at me.
“Above all, haven’t all of our Guardians gathered together for the first time in a while? Share each other’s situation and what to do to protect the empire in the future… … It’s time for a meeting of the Guardians.”
The corridor ended and the door to the huge audience room appeared.
Everywhere in the imperial palace was infested with servants, but before I knew it, no one was left around.
It was quiet with not a single common guard remaining.
Fernandez grabbed the necklace he was wearing and took it out. At the end of the necklace was a golden key.
He inserted the key into the large padlock over the entrance to the throne room.
Chunk!
Kurur… !
Magical patterns spread across the locks and doors and slowly began to open left and right.
saaaa… … .
White frost dust flowed through the cracks in the open door.
I looked down at the powder, puzzled. Summer is just around the corner, what is this?
Eventually, the door opened completely, and I froze as I peered into the scenery inside.
‘This. what… ?’
It was a huge thorn tree made of ice.
The tree’s roots covered the floor of the throne room, and its branches reached the high ceiling of the throne room.
And in the center of that tree is a throne.
The splendid golden throne- was buried completely assimilated with the ice thorn tree.
“Did you come?”
The man was sitting there.
sole emperor of the empire.
A man who rules half the world.
and father.
Traha ‘Peacemaker’ Everblack… … He sat as if asleep on his frozen throne, then opened his black, frost-dusted eyes.
“Sons.”
***
“Abama.”
As if they were accustomed to this scene, Larc and Fernandez casually approached the throne, got down on one knee, and bowed.
“Have you been well?”
I hurriedly followed my two older brothers, knelt down and bowed my head.
The black-haired, black-eyed emperor, who did not look like he was in his 40s from the outside, but was actually in his 60s, shook his head slightly.
“Not very strong. The situation on the northern Isin Front, which Jim was entrusted with, is not so good.”
The emperor grumbled and tapped the chessboard next to the throne with his fingertips.
On the white frozen chessboard, chess pieces that were also frozen were lying in a mess.
“The situation on the frontlines is getting more and more severe. Jim is worried. How long will we be able to block this front and protect the empire… … .”
“Don’t worry too much, Momma.”
Fernandez answered smoothly.
“Soon, if we destroy the Principality of Bringer and take away their Dragon Blood, then Abamama will be able to use the power of Dragon Blood, and then the problem of the Lee God Front will be resolved.”
“… .”
The silent emperor glanced at us.
“How is the situation on the three fronts you are in charge of? Let’s talk.”
Larc answered first.
“The dragon blood front in the west is coming to an end. Soon we will be able to annihilate the Duke of Bringer and steal their dragon blood.”
Fernandez continued as if he had been waiting.
“The dark front in the center is struggling. However, soon we will be able to uncover the identity of the hostile secret forces and eradicate their background.”
“good night.”
The emperor looked at me one last time.
“The last ash.”
“… .”
“How is the situation on the Southern Monster Front?”
Having kept my mouth shut, I slowly got up. The gazes of the emperor and the princes were fixed on me.
And I said
“What bullshit is all this?”
The emperor raised his eyes in wonder, and embarrassment crossed the faces of the two princes.
“I will be honest. Obama and older brothers.”
I tried to hold on somehow, but I couldn’t.
I just decided to be honest.
“I suffered a severe head injury while fighting on the southern front and lost most of my memory. That’s why I can’t possibly keep up with the conversation between Obama and the older brothers.”
Tapping my own head with my fingertips, I glared straight at the emperor.
“Could you please explain briefly for the poor youngest? What the hell is a Guardian and what are Obama and his older brothers up to?”
Lee Shin Front? Hemolysis front? dark wire?
What the hell is that, you motherfuckers! Speak up so that everyone can understand!
I’m not interested in your wire! It means that it will be enough if we just protect our monster front!
