Chapter 157

Right after our conversation didn’t miss a beat even though we had just had a discussion that hit close to home but remained light-hearted.

Even though it was already over, the conversation mainly revolved around what should be done if Claudia’s family faced a similar situation to what had happened at Frostmoor Fortress.

It began with a man who suddenly appeared in the office without any sign from the emperor and started pouring out a strange nagging.

Just as the conversation was calming down, which ideally shouldn’t have happened, but if a similar situation occurred within the empire, Claudia declared she would set an example as an empress and take action.

“I’m still thinking about when I was the crown princess, that’s why I talk about my family. I admire the attitude of showing the way in battle rather than just talking about it, but please remember that the emperor isn’t alone.”

The man interrupted her movements with a surprisingly gentle voice despite his cold and sharp appearance.

Although he was nagging, his heart wasn’t false in wishing she wouldn’t get hurt.

“Hmm.”

Claudia, taken aback by the unexpected gentleness of the other person’s approach, covered her mouth lightly with her clenched left hand and quickly found a suitable response.

“I don’t think so. It’s a futile dream to speak of. But what can you do? It’s also my duty as an emperor to witness such historical moments with my own eyes!”

Claudia, not wanting to be outdone by the nagging, spoke firmly, although she acknowledged the other person’s words.

Referring to her illustrious ancestor, the founder and legendary hero, she argued that as the supreme ruler of the empire, she must experience what even her ancestor couldn’t, gather experiences, and become greater than her predecessor.

Though this logic could be seen as forceful, Claudia’s stance did not waver as she lifted her head proudly and displayed confidence, without a hint of embarrassment.

Or maybe it was embarrassment?

“Don’t you think so? To bring order to a chaotic world filled with countless people, one must shoulder a cross and step into the wilderness like a hero. Even my father couldn’t do it!”

…She simply stated this as a necessity, not as something that actually happened.

Even though this argument seemed forced, the fact that it was made by a person gave it credibility.

If she had presented this argument in the council hall, the senators would have been stunned by the emperor’s charismatic expression and stopped their ongoing debate to listen intently.

However, it was unfortunate for Claudia that she was not in the council hall and the person listening to her stubbornness was no ordinary senator, making it a serious problem.

The fact that this person knew exactly how to calm down an agitated Claudia made her current situation all the more unfortunate.

Bang!!

Despite lightly hitting the table with her palm, a sound like a loud explosion echoed. This was a classical method to break concentration by making a big noise intentionally.

“Ouch!”

Claudia, who was about to continue her speech with great eloquence, felt that this old-fashioned method was the most effective.

Of course, her concentration was broken, but she still tried to persist in her opinion without giving up, even while making a grimace as if blaming herself for speaking too much.

“No, it won’t happen. No matter what, I will prevent the emperor’s reckless actions.”

Before she could finish her sentence, the man pointed at her with his right index finger and frowned deeply, calling himself Ascalon.

Ascalon, a name every citizen of the empire knows.

It’s the name of a house that has been maintained since before the founding of the empire by the imperial family.

And it’s also the name of the legendary sword that accomplished the great feat of slaying dragons.

How could anyone not know this?

But why does this man refer to himself using the names of such a great house and sword?

In some cases, this could be considered blasphemy.

“Ugh! I wish I could slap myself for liking the human form yesterday! Why is your nagging getting worse?”

“Think of this nagging as a luxury I can enjoy now that I’ve turned human. Maximilian couldn’t even experience this.”

From their conversation alone, it was clear that using Ascalon’s name wasn’t considered blasphemy.

A miracle happened to this legendary sword, granting it a human body.

However, considering they were discussing a great emperor and his origin, their current quarrel seemed both ridiculous and serious.

Despite Claudia’s mouth, which usually complained, curling up gently, and Ascalon’s expression, which showed no malice despite his nagging, it was clear that their relationship wasn’t so bad that it would cause lasting resentment.

Without any mediators in the office, their heated argument could have continued indefinitely, but…

“Well, if we keep listening to this nagging, it’ll never end. Let’s stop here…”

“No, we haven’t finished the story yet…”

“About the imperial messenger, I wonder if Alkaid did a good job.”

“If you change the topic again…”

Claudia skillfully changed the subject, and Ascalon silently accepted it, ending their argument.

“Otherwise, I’m worried that if we leave it as it is, it might lead to some outrageous acts like defeating 100 Royal Knights. So, let’s cool off a bit, okay?”

“…”

Although Claudia’s unnecessary addition about the imperial messenger seemed to interrupt, it was something she couldn’t control since it was the problem those who received the message would face.

—

I, who was receiving an imperial messenger for the first time, instinctively understood.

“The incident at the remote northern fortress was so urgent that I wanted to turn my body towards the north as soon as I received it!”

“A unprecedented situation where monsters and barbarians, two groups that should never mix, joined forces to attack! And a situation involving a corrupted deity, something that can only be mentioned in this room!”

“Even though it happened within a month, it remains the most unprecedented crisis since the founding of this country, just like the late emperor’s grand dream!”

“As the emperor, I couldn’t bear the burden, but I could sleep well knowing that the couple’s efforts were rewarded. This is not only true for me but for all citizens of the empire!”

Normally, a messenger who reads the edict aloud would not be so engrossed in the reading, as they would want to maintain the authority of the edict.

Since the emperor wrote the edict, if the messenger showed emotion while reading it, it might feel as if the emperor’s feelings were the messenger’s own emotions.

However…

“…Therefore! I hereby grant the title of National Defender to these two couples who have made great contributions to overcoming the crisis threatening this empire!”

“Though I can only offer a title, it feels inadequate. However, I promise that once you visit Sylvantrium, there will be plenty of rewards waiting for you!”

“May you rest your tired body and mind through the great battles, and I will send gifts of goodwill through the messenger!”

As I read the edict, I couldn’t help but notice how the messenger seemed increasingly excited.

—Even at this age, he still has such energy. He truly is an amazing person.

Podium, who had no interest in worldly affairs, observed the messenger from a different perspective than mine.

Unfortunately, what caught my attention was not the messenger’s youthful appearance, but…

“Hmm! That’s all. Since I played the role of the messenger, my voice seems a bit too strong. But since the emperor probably spoke with such enthusiasm, there’s no need to think too much about it. Hahaha…”

What stood out was the strength of the spirit controlling the messenger’s body.

It’s not about the physical body, but the spirit, the heart, that wields the sword.

This was one of the first things Dominus taught me when he instructed me in swordsmanship.

A sword wielded by a sharpened spirit, sharper than a newborn’s teeth, is far more lethal and capable of delivering fatal blows compared to a physically trained body exerting maximum power.

Even though I’ve been practicing for quite some time, I still haven’t fully grasped this concept.

“Huhuhu! Since I’ve been playing the role of a messenger since the time of the late emperor, this place feels like a battlefield to me. It makes sense that my voice is so powerful. The responsibility of speaking on behalf of the emperor… perhaps it’s an exaggeration, but it feels like a heavy duty. Haha!”

Seeing the old soldier laugh heartily as he handed the neatly folded edict to Asulin, for the first time, I thought there might be some truth to Dominus’s teachings.

“Then, since I’ve successfully completed my mission as the emperor’s messenger… Would it be possible for the young ones to spend some time with this old man?”