Episode 201
“I told you to see the Empire and enjoy it, but I heard that you were confined to your home. That’s why I personally called you. So, how does it feel?”
It would be easier for both of us if we just let it go.
But I couldn’t bring out the truth that was inside.
“Thank you for your undeserved consideration, Your Majesty.”
“Yes. Only when you see and feel the wide world can your thoughts change.”
“If a caged bird were to see the world, how much more could it see and how much could it feel? It’s just oppressive.”
At Logan’s serious answer, the gazes of those following the emperor sharpened, but the emperor, who was actually involved, only chuckled.
“If you look at it broadly, isn’t the cage a kingdom that confines you? If you’re a bird who wants to fly in the sky, you should come to a wider world.”
The emperor’s gaze toward Logan was still friendly.
“Why are you trying to capture me like this? Among the talented people under your Majesty, you can find many people who are better than me.”
“I guess that’s right now. The Leonard here right now is completely different from the inexperienced Jerome, so he’s probably stronger than you.”
At the emperor’s words, a middle-aged knight accompanying him right behind him slightly lowered his head.
Logan feels a little uncomfortable from the emperor’s words.
“But if you think about future possibilities, it’s you, no matter what anyone says. Even Triss, who is currently called the best swordsman on the continent, could never have done that at your age. You are a talent with the greatest potential of anyone I’ve ever seen.”
The cause of the discomfort was clearly revealed in the rave reviews that followed.
When Logan spoke of ‘those who are better than me’, he was not just referring to military power, but to talent in all other fields, and the Emperor’s answer focused on only one criterion.
‘The powerlessness of the superhuman individual. The emperor puts military power first as a standard for talent.’
It was only then that Logan was able to believe that the Emperor had really only invited him.
‘Are you saying you have no interest in weapons used in the kingdom’s civil war?’
Thinking about that made me feel sick, but I also smiled.
It feels like I caught a glimpse of an emperor who was under enormous pressure.
Even if it was a momentary illusion, the obsession that had made me anxious seemed to have eased a little.
“The future powerhouse is right in front of you. So how can you not be greedy?”
Of course, the immediate priority was to eliminate this childish greed in the emperor’s eyes.
“Isn’t the future unknown? Yesterday’s Lord Jerome seemed to have endless possibilities.”
“Do you think highly of those who win on their own? Hehe, I like you more and more. If you have that mindset, you will never be negligent.”
The bean pod(?) that caught the emperor’s eye was harder than expected.
“Your Majesty has gone to such lengths…”
“How on earth…”
“I’m jealous…”
In a situation where all ears at the party were focused on the conversation between the two, Logan made his point clear again so that everyone could hear. expressed clearly.
“Your Majesty. As I said last time, as a hard-core Grandian, I cannot turn my back on my hometown. Please understand the heart of a small person who wants to protect his homeland.”
“I’m not asking you to turn your back on your home country. I’m asking you to come to me.”
What kind of bullshit is this?
Logan thinks this is absurd.
“I am the master of the world. Wouldn’t being loyal to me also be the way for your kingdom?”
The arrogant words continued.
This is a term used to treat Grandia, which fought several wars but has never once been subject to the empire, as a vassal state.
‘Where is the sophistry…!’
Although his heart was filled with tears, expressing his feelings as it was would only be suicidal, Logan controlled his feelings and calmly answered again.
“It is difficult for me to maintain my family. It is difficult for me to accept an undeserved offer.”
It is difficult to maintain a single family name. The story was half sincere.
however.
“Do not disparage yourself. In my opinion, you alone are worth more than the entire kingdom of Grandia. What I said before is not a lie. If you swear loyalty to me, I will grant you greater power than the king of Grandia.”
The emperor’s evaluation was more generous than he expected.
The nobles who had been watching their conversation with bated breath opened their mouths without realizing it.
– You alone are better than the kingdom.
Who in the world could say something like that, and even if they did, would it sound so convincing?
Logan, who once again felt the emperor’s praise amidst the praise, was speechless for a moment.
As I raised my head, I met the emperor’s black eyes again, and they were full of determination not to let go of what he wanted.
A person who has never made any concessions in his life and has never had a reason to do so.
How could someone with such a strong obsession with talent give up on conquest?
‘The idea of not waging a war of conquest in exchange for naturalization won’t work at all. Rather, it would be fortunate if I didn’t get interrogated as to how I knew.’
Looking into the Emperor’s eyes, Logan was able to completely shake off even the slightest regret that remained in his heart.
The lingering thought that perhaps I had chosen a difficult path solely out of resentment from my past life.
‘If you become naturalized, you will be the one to rule the kingdom with me as the vanguard.’
As previously inferred, that would be the surest way to guarantee territory and power the size of his promised kingdom.
After gathering himself, Logan looked into the Emperor’s eyes again and answered with an unwavering voice.
“I’m sorry, but my kingdom and family are everything to me. I would appreciate it if you could understand Soin’s narrow-mindedness and withdraw the offer.”
I can hear the sound of people swallowing their breath one after another from around me.
Eat.
“Yes. Think about it some more. After you experience more of the greatness of the empire, you will change your mind.”
The emperor’s stubbornness was also formidable.
“I will show the young man of Grandia the wide world. Come sit next to me.”
The emperor began to pursue courtship more actively.
Again.
“It is a liquor that purifies the force and clears the mind. It is a luxury product that the imperial family produces only about 100 bottles a year. It is comparable to a tonic for knights.”
How could one refuse a glass of wine poured by the emperor himself?
The envious looks of the city knights were just a burden to Logan, but he had no choice but to bow his head obediently.
“…I will gratefully accept it.”
From the bottle with a golden dragon engraved on it, a subtle mana that could be felt only if one had to pay close attention was flowing out.
‘A liquor bottle is an artifact…’
Logan laughed inwardly at the absurd waste and swallowed the liquor in one go.
Since I don’t really enjoy drinking, I was planning to look at the emperor’s reaction with a nonchalant expression.
I was initially surprised by the intoxicating aroma and sweet taste that filled my mouth, and as soon as I passed it down my throat, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes at the refreshing and uplifting feeling that felt as if my entire body was being relaxed.
It was by no means an exaggeration to say that it was a tonic for knights.
“Hehe. Now, come and try a piece of this too. It is the pride of the imperial palace and is made with the thighs of wild northern reindeer. It is made using an unusual recipe, so I am really curious about your reaction.”
A meat dish cut into bite-size pieces and mixed with brown sauce.
The dish, which was full of fragrant aromas instead of the unique smell of wild animal meat, also caught Logan’s attention.
Since it was the emperor’s food, it was no surprise that the plate was an artifact.
Rather, what is more concerning is the faint scent of mana that can be felt even in the sauce and meat.
Although it was not in the emperor’s explanation, it was clear what it meant.
‘There are wizards who can cook?’
What kind of terrible waste of manpower is this?
The food he took a bite of was so delicious that his eyes lit up, so Logan couldn’t help but sigh even more.
Looking at him like that, the emperor grinned.
“Looking at the wide world does not mean grandiose things. Look down there.”
As Logan followed the emperor’s gesture and lowered his gaze, he glanced at the head of the party and saw numerous nobles of the empire looking at him and the emperor.
Among them, there were several high-ranking nobles of the empire who enjoyed more power than the king of Grandia, but the expression in most of their gazes was blatant envy.
“Imagine all of this becoming a natural part of your daily life. It all depends on your choices.”
A seat next to the emperor, looking down on many nobles while eating unimaginably precious food and drinks.
That’s what the Emperor’s words meant, and they were just as tempting.
But Logan was even more alert.
Even leaving aside the resentment of the past life and the obligations of the present life.
‘A life lived only according to the emperor’s will. Moreover, me?’
I burst into laughter.
An ugly person who expressed his lack of talent by being angry at his younger brother.
A crazy man who has fought endlessly for 20 years just because he lost his family and the opportunity to atone.
And now, he is a reckless guy who overcomes the crisis and prepares to fight to stop the empire with the help of his family that barely survived.
It may vary depending on how you look at it, but in my opinion, I was a person who could never be complacent with reality.
And the emperor’s cage did not suit him.
Even if you forget all the resentments and obligations of your past and present lives.
When I came to that conclusion, my mind calmed down.
The emperor’s eyes narrowed as he sensed that his shaking eyes had changed, and an old, grayish voice was heard from just below the head table where they were.
“Your Majesty, may I say something?”
When I turned my head, I saw an elderly gentleman with a gentle appearance, a white beard and full of gray hair.
“Hmm? What’s going on Duke Travis?”
“I have heard an interesting story about the Kingdom of Grandia, and I would like to tell you about it carefully because I think it is a story that your Majesty might also be interested in.”
“Grandia? Hoo? Yes, tell me.”
As the Emperor’s eyes briefly passed by Logan and then turned to the Duke again, the old Duke looked at Logan with meaningful eyes.
“Rumors about Sir Logan McLane, the hero who quelled the civil war in the Kingdom of Grandia, were often heard here in the imperial capital. However, in the meantime, there is a slightly unusual story.”
“Unusual story?”
“Yes. The story is that Lord Logan calmed the civil war by creating unique weapons that had never existed before.”
“…weapon?”
As the Emperor’s face frowned slightly, the Duke hurriedly continued.
“I believe that the weapon is truly amazing and will be of great help to the empire.”
“so?”
“…I talked to Lord Logan and wondered if it would be a good idea to bring that weapon to the Empire.”
As the emperor’s gaze grew colder, cold sweat formed on the duke’s eyes.
“The taste of the drink is bad…”
The Duke’s complexion turned pale at the words of the Emperor, who put down his glass with a thud.
“How dare you talk about business in front of my guest?”
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty! I am blinded by my convictions and merits…”
Tsk.
“I understand your desire to do something for the country. So I will forgive your rudeness this once. Please do not show your face to me today.”
The Emperor briefly clicked his tongue and interrupted the Duke.
For Logan, he felt relieved that the duke who made his heart sink was gone, but on the other hand, the emperor’s authority, which made even those with the duke’s status so embarrassed, felt heavy again.
“You made me listen to nonsense. Logan McLane, just enjoy yourself. “I want to hear your thoughts after enjoying what you can enjoy and enjoying as much as you can.”
“Your Majesty, I can fully feel the greatness of your empire just from the short experience of a small person. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to defect to the empire…”
“Hahaha. There is no need to rush. There is still time left for the festival, so it is not too late to talk again after enjoying the empire slowly as I said.”
The Emperor grinned and cut off Logan’s words.
“Keep one thing in mind. No matter how outstanding your talent is, that talent only becomes meaningful if you hone it by encountering others who are just as bright as you in the larger world.” The
emperor lifted the glass that radiated a brilliant light and drank the alcohol contained in it. He poured it into the largest bowl-like glass.
“The bigger the glass, the more things it can contain.” Think seriously about whether wasting your talents in a small country is truly the way to benefit yourself. The moment you realize its value, the path will become clear.” From
those words, Logan could clearly see the difference in thinking between the emperor and himself.
Only . ” A person who only sees himself.
His limitations were hidden from view by the emperor’s distribution and overly large presence.
I don’t know how much help he felt in the future, but at least he was able to relieve a little of the gigantic shadow of the emperor that was hanging in his heart right now.
” Thank you for your deep interest, Your Majesty.”
And it seemed that an emperor with such great pride would not hold him back even if he had to go back after the festival period was over.
Of course, he couldn’t help but feel some residual anxiety.
