Chapter 62: Banquet (1)

The Empress's room was a bit larger and more splendid than the Princess's, but not by much.

Mother and daughter, I thought, perhaps they have similar tastes.

"Sir Karl Schurtaffen."

The voice calling me was heavy. I quickly gave a hint, thinking she might blurt out something like the Princess.

There were eavesdropping ears nearby. The Empire's dogs existed even around the Empress.

This time, it was by the window downstairs.

"Yes."

A gesture was enough to convey meaning. The Empress showed her palm to indicate it was fine.

Fortunately, it meant she hadn't called me out of hasty urgency.

The Empress spoke in a slightly louder voice. Her slightly furrowed brows seemed to express dissatisfaction.

"You are handsome. Young. More so than I imagined. Was it because of that you didn't take off your helmet?"

"Yes. Even when I was a mercenary... I only wanted to be recognized for my abilities."

"I can imagine the looks you received. Even I, who just met you, felt that way. Knowing this, I feel uneasy as a mother with a daughter."

The Empress, who had crossed her legs, tapped the table with her fingernails, creating a deliberate pause in her speech.

I could understand the Empress's intention.

Perhaps she had arranged this meeting to avoid suspicion, at least to some extent.

Living as the Empress in the Empire is not an easy task.

It must have been intentional. The slightly open window and the louder voice were the basis of my thoughts.

"I understand what you mean. I will be careful to avoid any cause for concern."

I also raised my voice. Whether it would be effective or not, the deed was already done.

However, the way she looked at me was a bit strange, as if there was a hint of sincerity...

The Empress let out a deep sigh.

"Yes. I believe you. Normally, I wouldn't say such things... but I'm not sorry."

The tone was subtle. Her words were not just about appearance. I guessed she was talking about my background.

Nobles are generally aware of their own positions.

"You may go now."

That was the end of the conversation. Personally, it seemed half sincere and half a pretense.

It was supposed to be a warning act, but seeing me, sincerity had crept in, I thought.

As a mother trying to make her daughter the Empress, she must feel uneasy in many ways.

But she shouldn't be hasty.

The Empress I had heard about beforehand was not the type to do such things, but one never knows.

Anxiety can paralyze judgment. The worry I had when I heard the Empress's summons was in the same vein.

If the Empress goes around stirring things up, it will only make us more tired. Things will get complicated.

'I'll have to keep an eye on things and warn if necessary.'

That's something I can do.

Despite my low status, I am essentially here with the full authority of Duke Haisen.

If it's an order from above, the Empress will quiet down.

It might be a bit tiring, but since I've come here with my life on the line, I need to be careful about everything.

The most terrifying thing is not a capable enemy but a foolish ally, after all.

* * *

Two weeks had passed since Karl came to the Empire. Early in the morning, he was reading the morning newspaper.

It was a residence near the palace given to the royal guards. He could also stay on duty in the palace, but it wasn't an environment Karl liked.

"Hmm."

The newspaper he was reading was published by a newspaper company operated by the Haisen intelligence agency.

If Karl provided information from inside the palace, Haisen would give information through the newspaper from outside.

The elaborate arrangement agreed upon in advance was not limited to Karl's newspaper.

Therefore, it didn't matter if the Empire's dogs stole it. It was the confidence of Haisen, prepared for a long time.

'For some reason, the nobles of the Second Prince's faction were busy? They won't do anything on the Emperor's birthday, though. Hmm.'

According to Karl's memory, the Emperor wasn't supposed to die yet, but one never knows.

There might have been an assassination attempt.

The target might not necessarily be the Emperor. In any case, he needed to be cautious since there were signs.

However, this fact alone didn't mean the Second Prince's faction was plotting something.

Internal chaos in the Empire was also something desired from outside. It would give them a chance to catch their breath.

'That's more likely.'

If they had prepared in advance, there would be no reason to be busy just before the banquet.

It was reasonable to assume that the Second Prince's faction had become busy because they had learned about such a plot in advance.

Karl thought he should observe the situation when he entered the palace. There would be no external help.

Since the banquet was today, he needed to respond on the spot.

'It's better to go in early.'

Karl got up from his seat. It wasn't that unusual. He usually went in earlier than the shift change.

It was because Emmit was at the training ground.

Be kind to those who are kind. His relationship with Emmit was good because he had earned respect through sparring.

The other two royal guards, however, still showed signs of displeasure.

Whether he was a noble's illegitimate child or a commoner, his status was different from the real nobles.

Emmit, having seen Karl's skills, was satisfied that the safety of the Princess he served was more secure.

'It's a stroke of luck for me.'

Emmit, seeing the other guards' reactions, paired Karl with him for two consecutive days of duty.

The favor of the guard who had been with the Princess the longest was a welcome development for Karl.

Nothing special happened during the two weeks. The actual life in the palace was monotonous.

24 hours of guard duty, 24 hours of rest.

Of course, as a non-royal guard, Karl was busy, but his job mostly involved standing.

'Still six.'

Karl counted the number of imperial agents watching him as he stepped outside his house.

It was similar to what he had initially thought. The fact that it hadn't decreased meant the suspicion hadn't been lifted.

Since there was nothing to catch, there was no problem. Karl was well aware of the nature of the intelligence agency.

It was only a matter of time before the surveillance would be reduced to a minimum.

The palace was just ahead. The busyness that had started a few days before the banquet seemed to have reached its peak today.

Luxurious carriages were heading towards the palace. As Karl entered the palace, he expanded his senses.

Opening his senses, he could hear many sounds and feel movements.

However, he couldn't eavesdrop on every word and action of everyone in the palace.

He could do it for a short time, but his head would explode.

A Sword Master with extraordinary senses had to be especially careful, and there were places he couldn't eavesdrop on with the wind.

'The Second Prince... is sleeping like a log.'

The woman lying next to him and the bottle of wine on the bedside table clearly showed what had happened last night.

Observation would have to be postponed a bit.

By evening, as the banquet time approached, Karl had gained no significant information.

Observing the Second Prince and the other Princes, they all seemed the same as usual.

Karl was slightly suspicious.

If the Second Prince's faction had been busy in the early morning, some message would have been conveyed to the Second Prince by now.

'Maybe he doesn't trust the Second Prince.'

It wasn't just about acting skills or character. Nobles didn't attach themselves to Princes just because they thought they would make good Emperors.

The key positions under the First Prince were already filled, or hostile nobles had entered, and various desires mixed together to form factions.

"Huh, you're not late."

Emmit approached quickly and caught his breath.

Since they couldn't skip meals, they took turns, but it took Emmit longer than Karl, who had just brushed his teeth.

"You took a while?"

Karl's gaze made Emmit smile awkwardly.

"I go crazy for osso buco. Especially the calves from the west."

Osso buco, a dish made from veal shanks, was similar to braised ribs, and Karl also found it delicious.

He was amazed that it could be so good even in the worst condition.

"You seem to like it a lot."

"Of course. I can't get enough. Remember, the best veal comes from the west."

"I will keep that in mind."

"There's a good place in southern Chenarus. Would you like to go sometime?"

"I'd be happy to."

After a brief conversation, silence fell. After all, idle chatter during work hours was not a virtue.

How long had they stood there?

The door opened, and the Princess appeared in a dress.

Her long blonde hair flowed over a white dress with a subtle silver sheen. She looked beautiful to anyone.

"Your Highness, you look splendid."

Even Emmit, who had seen the Princess for a long time, opened his mouth in admiration. The Princess smiled.

"Flower."

* * *

The Emperor's birthday.

Nobles from all over the Empire and foreign royalty gathered, making the palace bustling.

Even with only the essential nobles due to the Emperor's dislike of crowds, it was still this lively.

Therefore, the security personnel were considerable. The Empire's dogs filled the palace.

'There are over seventy of them just in this area.'

With all the surveillance targets in one place, it was only natural. Many were disguised as workers.

The nobles came first, followed by the Princess, Princes, and Empress, but the Emperor was still absent.

The Princess drew gazes from all over.

As Karl had told the Duke, she was one of the top three beauties on the continent.

Karl thought so too. It was as if she had stepped out of a movie or a game.

'In a way, it is a game, so it's not a wrong statement.'

Despite the gazes, Erendil stood straight and maintained her usual cold expression.

However, the gazes were not all for the Princess.

Many were also directed at Karl.

When Karl and the Princess were together, it was said that even the palace guards' eyes were treated.

In the quiet but noisy atmosphere, the entrance to the banquet hall suddenly became busy. The Emperor was arriving.

"The noble and glorious... of the mighty Kayan Empire..."

Before the knight's words were finished, the heavy door opened with a thud.

The atmosphere changed. The sudden silence was cold and heavy. The Emperor appeared in the midst of it.

The Emperor, with his faded blonde hair neatly combed back, looked healthy despite being over 50.

"The introductions are done. Who here doesn't know me?"

The Emperor waved his hand and walked forward. Two Sword Masters followed behind him.

It was the first time Karl had seen the Emperor. He was quite impressive. Just like the Emperor in the game.

In the silence, only the steps of the Emperor and the two Sword Masters were clearly heard.

The Emperor immediately picked up a glass of wine upon sitting.

"Thank you for coming. Why do you make such a fuss over an old man's birthday? Enjoy yourselves. Have many private conversations."

That was all he said. The Emperor, sipping his wine with a smirk, seemed to find the banquet tedious.

It was the Empress's job to lighten the stiff atmosphere.

"Your jokes are too harsh. Since you made them in jest, everyone, enjoy yourselves."

Although it was clear the joke wasn't meant to be taken seriously, the nobles laughed to ease the tension.

The banquet hall gradually became lively again.

A few royals and powerful nobles approached the Emperor and whispered to him.

They led the way for other nobles to approach the Princes and Princess.

"Yes."

"I see."

"I understand."

While the Princess was in conversation, Karl kept an eye on the inside of the banquet hall.

His wind senses were slightly limited by the Sword Masters.

The Empress raised her glass for a refill. A waiting maid walked over.

Karl noticed the maid's eyes waver slightly. For a moment, the wind enveloped her.

Her neck and wrists. Her pulse was above average. Karl sniffed the scent from the wine bottle.

There was no strange scent, but the situation was odd.

"Wait."

Karl took a step forward, and the approaching maid hesitated.

"Sir, why are you doing this?"

The Empress asked, but Karl's eyes were fixed on the maid. Dilated pupils, racing heart.

Was she an assassin, or just someone hired? Whatever it was, it meant she knew something.

Karl drew his sword. The clear sound of the blade cut through the noise of the banquet.

As the eyes of the guests turned to Karl, the sword was in front of the maid's neck.

The Sword Master next to the Emperor already had his hand on his sword.

In the cold, heavy atmosphere, Karl spoke in a low voice without moving.

"Take a taste."