Chapter 65

Jeilliris waited for a response, tapping her finger with the joint ring against the armrest.

I looked up at her inhuman golden eyes and replied.

“Even if I were to serve Amon, I am but a weak child in terms of personal power. I would have to rely on the ring I have passed down, and thus I wouldn’t be able to betray or overstep boundaries carelessly.”

“You have put a leash on him. Since he can’t stand in the fields all day, it makes sense to create a scarecrow. A wise choice.”

As Jeilliris continued to speak, she briefly furrowed her brow.

Soon, a sadistic playfulness mixed with a smile lingered on her lips.

“However, why didn’t you introduce me to a mechanical craftsman who could make a prosthetic leg or a living artisan who could create a new one?”

It was a question she already knew the answer to.

She wanted to hear it from my lips.

I chose my words carefully.

“If I were to give him a leg, he would leave the slums. I do not wish for his happiness; rather, I hope he continues to manage the slums in the future.”

In truth, I had considered introducing him.

But the child had already found and submitted his own prosthetic.

He had already stood up by himself, so it seemed pointless for me to extend my hand now.

Several constables frowned upon hearing my answer and whispered among themselves.

“How can he say such things?”

“The local facilitator seems to create these thoughts as a foundation. But to mention such things so openly raises doubts about the Duke’s character.”

“He is a cruel man.”

However, Jeilliris burst into a satisfied laugh, as if pleased with my answer.

“So, what you are saying is that a scarecrow must remain in the field. That’s right. If he’s as capable as you say, he will eventually come out on his own. Speak of this to me again someday. I am curious to see what kind of adult the child of a sinner becomes.”

I inwardly answered.

I feel that he would never become a sinner.

The power he possesses comes from knowledge, not bloodline, unlike us nobles.

And knowledge, unlike blood, can expand infinitely once it starts to grow.

Konel will soon become the spiritual focal point for the people of the slums.

I can only look forward to how remarkable he will be alongside those ‘people.’

Taking a deep breath, Jeilliris continued speaking.

“Duke. Well done. You have firmly established the royal family’s position in the cooperation with the Church.”

Indeed.

“You led a great fight, bringing the thugs to ruin, minimizing the bloodshed, allowing for a self-sustainable business, and facilitating the slum dwellers to donate their ancient knowledge and fragments to the Church, thereby sharing the credit for stability with the Church.”

That was correct.

“I can’t imagine how much gold would have been spent if one attempted to resolve the situation through traditional means.”

She sees right through it.

“A very peaceful year-end and new year are coming.”

Upon hearing that, I unconsciously let out a small gasp.

The air I breathed felt strangely fresh.

“Ah.”

That was exactly right.

The royal family of the crimson Crescent Palace, which could become the spark of war at any moment, the illegitimate children of the Street of Learning who might suddenly face corruption, the managers of the red-light district who schemed suspicious plots, the thugs of the slums, a den of all crimes, and the holy Bright Church, which captured public sentiment.

All were either crushed, leashed, or took hold.

Now there was no danger that could shake Jeilliris within the capital.

“However, in my eyes, there are always the seeds of discord, not peace.”

The emperor spoke with a sadistic smile.

The administrative officers exchanged alarmed glances, startled.

“Duke Valencius.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You are my twin, thus making you the first in line for the throne within the current empire. Moreover, since you were born before me, your lineage succession should originally be higher.”

I felt as though I was walking on thin ice the entire time I heard those words.

She was a Sword Master and a great mage.

Her gaze and decisions were often beyond my understanding.

Ultimately, she was always right, so I followed without question, but she often invaded other lands or took the heads of nobles unexpectedly.

“I cannot leave you in the capital. If the traitorous factions were to raise a revolt with you at the forefront, it would become a headache.”

“I think so too.”

When her words dragged on, I felt relieved.

The emperor killed those she wished to kill when she wanted to.

If she was providing reasoning, it meant that at least she had no intention of execution.

“Then let’s embark on an inspection for the new year together.”

“Yes?”

Jeilliris’s inhuman golden eyes gleamed as she smiled charmingly.

“Lord Purioaito is said to have discovered a magical realm in his territory and is hiring free knights and mercenaries. We need to see the truth with our own eyes. The Foreign Affairs Department has requested confirmation and action over the past several months. Now that the capital is stabilized, we can set off.”

“Ah.”

The territory of Lord Purioaito.

In the history before my return, it had been a faction of the noble rebellion alliance, but I wonder what it will be like this time since there’s no rebellion in history.

“Be ready by lunch tomorrow and meet me at Wyvernfit.”

* * *

Rudi screamed in my annex.

“By lunch tomorrow! Ah, Your Majesty! How can I possibly prepare with such sudden notice?”

“Just pack casually. Anyway, there’s nothing for us to spend our money on there. If your clothes get ruined, you can just buy new ones.”

“Lord Valen, have you been extravagant with your spending since you started accepting bribes recently?”

Rudi narrowed her green eyes.

At that moment, I was stroking a pouch full of gold coins and another that was twice the size filled with donations from the red-light district, all while tilting a glass of fragrant wine.

“No, that isn’t it.”

“Pardon?”

“The noble culture is to lavishly treat nobles and their attendants visiting their territory. Since we are following the emperor, we shouldn’t experience any lack of hospitality. Whatever we eat or buy there, it’s likely that the lord will take care of it.”

Lady Trentia and Sererassie, who were sitting nearby, lit up with excitement.

“Then I can finally acquire the fire-resistant cloak I’ve been wanting?”

“What kind of reagents are famous in Purioaito’s territory? I’m sure I’ve memorized it.”

“Within the basic necessities! Lady Trentia, that armor of yours protects you up to the fourth circle, doesn’t it? Why are you thinking of gnawing at the lord more than I am?”

Sererassie frowned.

“Are you insulting me right now?”

“Since we’re on the topic, you should also bring plenty of reagents. Unlike me, you aren’t going as an attendant.”

Sererassie’s eyes trembled slightly.

“Are you saying I’m going because you can’t leave the heir in the capital?”

I nodded.

“According to Lord Purioaito, the magical realm that opened in their territory is of the electric attribute. You’re going to investigate that.”

I thought she would start complaining.

However, Sererassie smiled brightly, which was unexpected for her usual demeanor.

“Wonderful!”

“What?”

“There aren’t many ancient threats that would actively oppose humanity, harm humanity, or open a magical realm of the electric attribute.”

I inwardly sighed.

I brought up a wrong topic.

As a genius in magic, it was her field.

“And the flesh of Infiltrators or monsters that have gained power from them is the finest reagent. We could research electric amplification and patterns. It’s unfortunate that I can’t bring my disciples and students.”

“Them? Aren’t they your slaves?”

“Honestly, I think it would be much better to go without you, who only says such things, but it’s a shame.”

She genuinely looked disappointed.

I shrugged and replied.

“Anyway, make sure you pack your things on time. Not your slaves, I mean your disciples. Even though it’s winter, make sure to bundle up warmly.”

Lady Trentia said, “Ah,” looking towards the north where Wyvernfit was located.

“Are we going to ride a wyvern?”

“Indeed. It would take at least three months to get to Lord Purioaito’s territory by horse.”

“I didn’t expect to ride a wyvern so soon. I’m lucky to join under you, Your Majesty.”

“Typically, it takes about five years to become a dragon knight, right?”

“Yes. I am on my third year now. So I’m about two years ahead of my peers. I should leave some reviews of my experiences during drinking sessions. Ah, by any chance, do you know how to ride a wyvern, Your Majesty?”

Lady Trentia smiled like a teenage girl.

She gave a lengthy lecture about how to ride a flying beast, which was hardly fitting for a girl in her adolescent years.

Having ridden wyverns for over thirty years, I knew all the content, but it felt quite enjoyable to hear it again, so I chattered away until Lady Trentia’s work hours were up.

“At that time, spread your wings and rise sharply!”

“No! The best strategy is to catch from behind through diagonal flight!”

* * *

Wyvernfit was an architectural structure that looked like a donut with a flat top covered in a steel mesh dome. The wyverns lived in the hole in the center of the donut, and the place where we boarded and disembarked was the flat ringed portion.

The width of that ring was over 100 meters, and standing on it made me wonder if this was truly made by humans.

“You’ve arrived just in time.”

“Your Majesty, I apologize, but why are there only three attendants?”

Jeilliris had brought only one Platinum Knight, one maid, and one administrative officer.

It felt too humble for an emperor’s procession that dominated half the continent.

“Hmm, my apologies.”

“……”

As I remained silent with a face asking if she had finished speaking, the emperor changed the subject.

She had the privilege of ignoring silent protests.

“We will need a few days to reach Lord Purioaito’s territory by wyvern. I understand that you do not know how to ride a wyvern, so will you ride behind my knight?”

Her golden eyes gleamed inhumanly.

“Don’t.”

I screamed inwardly.

If I say I can ride, I would raise suspicion, but flying on a wyvern was one of the few hobbies I enjoyed after quitting my past reckless ways.

An opportunity to do that fun thing again had come, and I couldn’t just sit behind a knight for days.

“May I… give it a try and let you know?”

“Do so. Let her up.”

As the soldiers stationed at Wyvernfit signaled, the mage pulled a lever with a spell.

One side of the net was removed, and to the sound of the trainer’s whistle, wyverns began to rise one by one.

Kiiiii-.

However, they couldn’t fly up into the sky with that momentum.

It was due to the steel-framed dome covered with a net through which electricity flowed.

The ones that turned direction landed one by one on the rooftop of Wyvernfit where we stood.

Wings spreading 20m wide, a body 15m long.

It was a beast, a wyvern, with the wings of a bat, the body of a lizard, and the neck of a snake.

“Ah….”

“Ahem, ahem.”

“Wow!”

Rudi, who had just been an ordinary maid until a moment ago, took three steps back in fright, and Sererassie had a mix of curiosity and fear as she gazed at the mage.

And Lady Trentia slowly approached, her face lit up with admiration as she gently placed her hand on the dark-red scaled maw.

Grrrrr-.

The sky’s monster, which had served knights since childhood, accepted the touch of one in full armor without hesitation.

“It’s so warm. I have only seen it while others rode; it’s the first time I’m directly touching it.”

As she murmured in a delightfully excited voice, Jeilliris called her name.

“Lady Trentia. You seem to have a good affinity.”

“Yes, yes! Your Majesty!”

“If it is alright with Duke Valen, I would like to gift you that wyvern.”

Lady Trentia looked at me with a bold expression and fervently appealed.

“Your Majesty! Please grant permission.”

If there had been a wall behind me, it might have been dangerous.

“How could I defy the will of the emperor? If you receive the wyvern, it would be a good thing for me too.”

With that answer, I reached out to the silver-gray wyvern that had come closer, stroking beneath its jaw.

Siiiii-.

As I caressed the area beneath its jaw that caved in, the wyvern wiggled its body as if pleased, and bowed its snake-like head beside me.

Jeilliris muttered in amazement.

“What an incredible affinity! No matter how much it has been trained since childhood, its essence is that of a monster.”

The trainer also wore a face that expressed disbelief.

“… It used to be a foul-tempered beast that hardly listened to me. How is this possible?”

I brightly smiled, mixing sincerity with deception.

“Intelligent beings recognize when they are liked. Lady Trentia’s wyvern also follows her well, doesn’t it?”

Lady Trentia was fortunate that her success didn’t overshadow mine.

In an unusual turn of events, Sererassie nodded to my words.

“Since their essences are similar, it is understandable. Both Duke Valen and the wyvern enjoy fighting and slaughter, value pack dynamics, and are neither cowardly nor arrogant. They recognize their kin.”

“Interesting.”

At that comment, Jeilliris laughed sadistically.

… The term ‘kin’ might not have been incorrect.

Wyverns are the descendants of dragons, and the royal blood is infused with dragon blood as well.

I contemplated that as I strapped a two-person saddle onto the wyvern’s back and loaded my belongings, reaching out to Rudi.

“Rudi. Don’t be scared.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will try.”

She looked between the wyvern and me, holding my hand as she jumped up.

I pulled her up, and she sat behind me, clutching my waist.

“I’m so nervous. Flying in the sky. I’ve never even imagined it.”

“If you rise to prominence later, ask for your own wyvern. Sky-bolt archer Rudi! Isn’t that amazing?”

“I want to stay closer to you, Your Majesty!”

The trainer explained several things about controlling the wyvern, and the mage cast a mental control spell one more time to prevent the excited wyvern from rampaging outside.

“Lift off!”

The emperor shouted with a clear voice.

Kiiiii-!

The machinery moved, and a section of the net above the dome’s roof was retracted.

The wyvern dashed across Wyvernfit, preparing for flight.

With a woosh, I felt as if my body were weightless as the wings flapped widely.

Rudi screamed, clutching my waist tightly.

I experienced the wind brushing against my cheeks and laughed refreshingly.

“The world is beneath my feet!”

From a short distance away, Sererassie, riding behind Lady Trentia, shouted.

“Why do you only say such things!”