[ Episode 228. Emperor]
Nongong peddling has begun.
A large number of people had already gathered in the hall of the imperial palace and were waiting in their seats.
“Her Highness Closche made the biggest contribution this time, right?”
“Anyway, since the beginning of the war, he has been stirring around. There is nothing comparable to killing an enemy Aura Master.”
“I heard that there are quite a few hidden contributors. They are the ones with the greatest credit in the order in which their names are called, so let’s watch them for now.”
Among those gathered at the imperial palace, there were some who did not participate in the war.
Aristocrats who were far from the north were like that, but most of them were unable to leave their seats due to the sudden emergence of a coalition of kingdoms in the southwest direction.
“Good day.”
One of the central nobles who did not go to war, the Duke of Khajaf, was sitting in the seat with the best view, waiting for the event to begin soon.
He was able to participate in the event with peace of mind, as he had already negotiated with the emperor and set the rewards to be given to those who had made a contribution.
“His Highness Kazaf.”
But suddenly someone came up to him and whispered softly.
“What’s going on? I would have told you not to come in here.”
“It’s nothing else, Princess Michaela moved a little while ago.”
“what? to whom?”
“That’s…”
The subordinate paused for a moment before speaking to Kazaf, being careful not to let anyone hear.
“This is Adrias Cromwell.”
“joy. That’s not even funny. At least you were attached to a kid like that?”
“But it is not something to be trifled with. There are already rumors that Morhaime and Alven are supporting Cromwell.”
“That is not true. Apparently, the princess made the wrong choice after hearing the rumors.”
Even within the pro-emperor faction, factions existed.
The reason was the succession issue that the emperor rejected.
Since no one was appointed as the crown prince, the situation was divided by several members of the royal family to take care of each other’s interests even inside the palace.
Among them, Hector Kazaf, who supported the orthodox first prince Edmund IV, only found the princess’ behavior cute.
“rest of it?”
“No one has made any definitive moves yet.”
“i get it. Just go.”
Intelligence’s men quickly disappeared behind them.
Soon, the fanfare of the trumpeter sounded and announced the emperor’s position.
“You’d better not be greedy, Adrias Cromwell.”
Hector’s hoarse voice fell.
Soon after, with the appearance of the emperor, everyone rose from their seats and got down on one knee.
“Everybody get up and go back to your seats.”
The emperor slumped down on the throne and muttered.
“Jim is tired today, so I’ll speed things up. Please begin.”
Boo—!
The trumpets sounded and the servants standing next to the emperor shouted in a loud voice.
“The brave knight of Fachrael who played an active part in the northern battlefield! Sir Benedict, come in!”
Soon after, the names were called in turn, and the attendant on behalf of the emperor recited military exploits and achievements, and handed out small medals and rewards to those who entered.
Contrary to the expectations of the aristocrats gathered in the hall, the emperor looked down at him with cold eyes without directly conferring on anyone.
“How many are left?”
“Fifteen people remain.”
“I didn’t know that there would be so many people who came in person and established a major enough to be awarded.”
The hall froze coldly at the cold emperor’s words.
The emperor, who seemed somewhat uncomfortable, said with his chin resting on the chair.
“Call all but the last five at once.”
“I see.”
The aristocrats whispered about the emperor’s unconventional progress.
However, as soon as the emperor hit the floor with a sword tied to his waist, it quickly became quiet.
“Are you dissatisfied?”
His sharp question swept through the crowd.
The nobles bowed their heads without anyone answering.
“It’s not that I won’t reward you, so why is there such a fuss? If you are dissatisfied with Jim’s treatment, wouldn’t it be better to make a bigger major and be among the last five?”
“You are right.”
Hector shouted at the top of his voice.
Then the other nobles looked at each other and you and I shouted along.
“You are right, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, yes. I knew you would understand. Then resume.”
At the emperor’s command, the attendant summoned ten people at once.
And those 10 people received medals in an instant and left.
“Now there are only a few people left to look after. Call each one by name.”
“The last fortress in the North! Marquis Chesman Ardi, who made a great contribution to recapturing the Gorge of Wailing, enter!”
As the servant’s words rang, exclamation came from among the nobles.
Because each person had a different judgment on how many majors he had built, the ranking was also in the emperor’s mind, but no one expected that the Marquis of Ardi ranked 5th in majors.
“Five steps forward.”
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
The emperor himself said.
Then, the attendant handed him a piece of paper, read it, and nodded.
“According to my order, I wiped out the remaining northern remnants and even recovered the fortress. You did a great job.”
“no. I was just carrying out Your Majesty’s orders, so all the credit belongs to Your Majesty.”
“It is true that you see it that way.”
The audience froze again at the emperor’s arrogant remark.
However, the emperor, who did not mind the atmosphere at all, handed the paper with his major written on it to the attendant again and said,
“Anyway, good job. As a reward, I will give you a second-class medal, 15 billion Will, and a jewel from the royal family.”
“Silver is lost, Your Majesty.”
The emperor shook his hand while the people were once again surprised by the sudden jump in reward.
“I’ll take care of the award outside. I need to call the next person, so please exit quickly.”
“I understand.”
The next person to enter was Bahat Alven.
After he also exchanged formal greetings and greetings, the meeting ended with only formal words exchanged.
Cold sweat was running down the backs of the people who were with him at the progress that was too fast for a duke.
“The third major is Sir Magner, who protected Borghien. Come in.”
The knight commander of the Borgiyan family, who protected Borghien during the war, entered.
Ironically, Hiksham Borgien was in a position to attend and observe.
“Are you Magner Verfalto?”
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty!”
“okay. Didn’t you do some hard work on behalf of the young pig who abandoned the territory and ran away?”
The emperor’s sudden words left Magner speechless for a moment.
The nobles also glanced sideways at Hiksham for a moment, and Hiksham looked down at the floor with a red face as if it would burst at any moment.
“I just fulfilled my duty as a knight.”
“Hmm. Does that mean that pig sitting over there hasn’t done its job?”
“I know that Count Borgien went to ask for support from the Imperial Palace. To help Borghien…….”
“Are you making fun of Jim?”
Magner sighed and shook his head.
“I am not like that at all.”
“Then why are you telling obvious lies? Everyone in the Empire knows that Hiksham’s piglet ran away, but I’m a blind man with my eyes open, isn’t it?”
“I have committed a mortal sin. Please kill me!”
“Yeah, don’t kill me.”
SHOP-!
In an instant, the sword pulled from the scabbard swung.
As the series of shocks proceeded, the spectators who could not catch up with the accident just stared at the scene in fright.
dump.
Fuhuaak——!
Someone’s supply and demand fell, and blood fountains surged to the ceiling.
“Kyaaak!”
“Ah …….”
Hicksham’s head, which was sitting among the nobles, was spurting blood.
“How is it?”
“Ha ha ha……”
Magner, who was trembling at the sudden situation, swallowed dryly and nodded.
“The small person did not know the deep meaning of His Majesty.”
“I guess so. It’s okay if you don’t know Rather than that, since the nobleman in charge of Borgijen is dead, you will be responsible for Borgijen from now on.”
“…What do you mean…?”
“Now you are a count. Now that you have nothing else to do, go out and make a certificate of nobility and go through the formalities.”
“Hwa Huang-eun is in awe.”
“Oh. And you take care of that piglet’s offspring. It is absurd that such filth should leave a mark on the world.”
At the indirect order to destroy Hicksham’s family, not only Magner but also the nobles shut their mouths.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you leaving soon?”
“I will obey your order.”
“Hello. Clean up that filth. It’s ugly.”
Everyone looked at the emperor in horror as he spoke casually after killing himself.
The fact that the emperor’s personality had changed had already been discussed quite a bit, but all the nobles were able to confirm it here.
The emperor has really changed.
Or have you been hiding your true nature until now?
“You made a fuss. Whoever goes out, let go. If you have the courage to be hated by Jim.”
No one dared to get up from their seats at the emperor’s words with a smile.
Even the emperor’s right-hand man and chancellor, Hector Kazaf, was shocked by what had just happened.
“Isn’t it? Then let’s move on.”
A shivering attendant handed over the paper.
The emperor narrowed his brows as he saw the attendant, accepting the paper.
“Do you want to go out?”
“Oh no! your majesty!”
“Then hold still. Why are you so trembling?”
Soon after checking the paper, the emperor smiled strangely.
“Hmm…….”
“Is there something wrong?”
“I will change my major ranking.”
Everyone was nervous for a moment at the whim of the emperor who came out again.
The emperor smiled at Hector, who had ranked and rewarded majors with him.
“Duke Sinclair Cloche! Come out first!”
“yes! your majesty!”
A man with a huge build came in with a loud voice.
An impressive man with wide eyes and red hair that stretches like a lion’s mane.
Unlike the others, he approached the emperor without any fear.
“Hehe. stop coming You are too overbearing.”
“haha! Thank you, Your Majesty!”
“okay. As you know, I was pushed out of the first place in my major.”
“It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t really come to me as a major I got while traveling around the northern area to relax myself anyway.”
“As expected, Muangong.”
The Emperor smiled and nodded.
“okay. I recommend a separate drinking party for you. Would this be enough for a reward?”
“It’s not enough, it’s the family’s glory, Your Majesty!”
“okay. Let me go.”
That was the end of my second place in my major.
Hector, who watched the scene, put his forehead on his forehead and fought a throbbing headache.
Obviously, Sinclair was ranked first in his major, but looking at the emperor’s behavior of ignoring his intention, it was possible to feel that the chancellor did not care about his own opinion.
“Finally, it’s your turn. I ask all of you gathered here. Who do you think made the biggest contribution in this war against the barbarians?”
“…….”
The hall was enveloped in silence.
The emperor watched quietly, as if waiting for an answer, but no one spoke.
“Is anyone there? If so, Jim will ask the chancellor. Who do you think the chancellor is?”
Hector wiped the sweat from his forehead at the Emperor’s question as if he was trying to eat some candy.
Seeing that he had already consulted with himself and deliberately asked the question after changing the result at will, the meaning was the same.
Are you dissatisfied with Jim’s decision?
“Count Adrias Cromwell is appropriate.”
“okay! Adrias Cromwell! If you are listening, come in quickly!”
The hall door opened at the Emperor’s cry.
And the sound of someone walking could be heard clearly, drawing people’s attention.
A sleek, muscular body revealed in a black suit, dark green hair tied up.
And an expressionless face that shows no emotion.
“God Adrias Cromwell. I have been called by Your Majesty.”
Contrary to how others trembled in front of the emperor, perfect etiquette flowed out.
The scene of just saying hello left a strong impression on the nobles present…
“Yes, Prince Cromwell. Did you have a good meeting with Michaela?”
The emperor looked at Adrias with penetrating eyes with a smile on his lips.
[ Episode 228. The Emperor ] End
