Chapter 50

(49)

“I am very grateful that you, gathered here, have chosen me instead of Lancea. You have chosen me, and I have also been chosen by you.”

Valenciaunos quickly continued.

He had an attitude that indicated he would not listen to any objections.

His eyes, filled with candlelight, gleamed like gold.

He intimidated and embraced the many questioning and anxious eyes with his characteristic unruly and decadent passion.

He had sufficiently encouraged enough people, the ones meant to come had all arrived, and those who had refused had made their own choices.

Now it was time to focus on those who had come.

“You all come from families of high nobility, so even if it were the Emperor, he cannot simply behead without justification. However, His Majesty the Emperor has no intention of maintaining this tedious standoff any longer.”

Helena understood the meaning of those words with her characteristic discernment.

It meant that the Emperor had made up his mind to kill them all.

And having accomplished the hardest part, the means and justification for execution were no longer a problem.

‘Mother. I will make sure not to bring shame to our family’s honor. Please forget about a child like me quickly, and give birth to fresh, pretty new children and raise them well.’

“But I expressed to His Majesty my regret at the thought of talented individuals like you ‘taking your own lives,’ and I obtained the authority to persuade you.”

Valenciaunos’ voice pierced Helena’s ears.

‘Please.’

Unconsciously, she clenched her fists tightly.

Helena, Hadrian, and Denia hoped for a ‘persuasion method they could willingly accept.’

As if understanding that sentiment, Valenciaunos smiled and pulled out a parchment from beneath his intricately embroidered white uniform.

It was a genuine article with an anti-counterfeiting magic seal stamped in luxury ink mixed with gold powder.

“This is the decree that His Majesty the Emperor has given to me. It contains what His Majesty requires of you.”

All eyes were drawn to that place.

To think about the reverse of ‘demand’ meant that he wanted cooperation.

It indicated that there was indeed a genuine intention to spare their lives.

“His Majesty will anoint the saint and then demand an oath of loyalty from the high nobles of various regions. At that time, you will be able to persuade your families with a tearful letter. If successful, you will be sent back to your families. If you wish to remain in the capital, you will be released from this palace as well, and opportunities for advancement like mine will be given to you.”

It was a proposal that was sufficiently acceptable and understandable.

The terms were so favorable that it seemed suspicious.

If it were after the anointing of the saint, they might not be needed at all.

As if he had read their true thoughts, Valenciaunos continued.

“His Majesty is not a monster. He considers more than we do from a higher place, so occasionally he makes choices that are incomprehensible or cruel, but he is ultimately a person who weighs understanding, gains and losses, and personal likes and dislikes.”

Helena couldn’t help but burst into laughter inside.

Everyone had expressions that conveyed disbelief.

Nevertheless, Valenciaunos continued to speak solemnly, maintaining an unyielding facade.

“His Majesty does not wish to waste national power through meaningless squabbles with the loyal high nobles of the empire.”

To put it accurately, that was what he wanted.

A brief silence fell.

Helena exchanged glances with Denia, and Hadrian chewed his lips anxiously.

Eventually, Helena let out a small sigh and spoke.

“I have just one question. What exactly will happen to those who followed Lancea?”

Valenciaunos answered immediately, as if grateful for the question.

“They are traitors who conspired with the red-light district to sell the empire’s confidential information to foreign countries, but by the grace of His Majesty, akin to divine mercy, they will be permitted to take their own lives.”

Hadrian covered his grey hair with both hands and asked hesitantly.

“Is there any chance for additional rewards if we tip off details like the execution date or specific plans of Lancea?”

Valenciaunos understood that this behavior was what one does when they are already internally resolved but pretending to contemplate.

“Thank you for asking first. Of course. Those are the informations I need to learn.”

The eyes of the royals sparkled here and there.

“Perhaps…”

“We might be able to achieve success under Her Majesty Jeilliris.”

“My mother didn’t die back then, nor did my siblings. I am ambiguously high in the succession line, so whoever becomes Emperor, I will likely be poisoned due to being a threat. If the opportunity to survive arises, I will seize it.”

Valenciaunos smiled contentedly.

Nothing strengthens a person like hope.

“Then I will take it as you all intend to sign.”

He pulled out the parchment and quill.

“Ah, now that we are all gathered, it would be good if we could see each other’s faces. Could you please remove your hoods or veils?”

Some royals, including Denia, removed their hoods.

Upon seeing the face of one man among them, Valenciaunos felt a fleeting shock that almost caused him to drop the ink jar mixed with gold powder.

“Justianus?”

The man with plain black hair contrasted against golden eyes, clad in a cloak of mixed colors, stood among the common folk.

The traitor prince known as the monster who ultimately destroyed the empire in his opposition to Jeilliris.

“Yes?”

He asked back with a bewildered voice, his frightened eyes wide open.

In an instant, Valenciaunos contemplated whether to draw his sword and strike him down.

He knew everything had returned to square one but could still vividly remember the scene from his previous life where he had severed one of Jeilliris’s arms.

Valenciaunos suppressed his emotions, reminding himself that he was merely the last surviving among countless ‘traitor princes.’

He could not overturn the precariously laid plans.

“…No. Sign.”

Valenciaunos put together a fragile silence among the gathered royals, giving discreet instructions to trustworthy individuals like Helena and Hadrian before concluding the meeting.

Walking down the dark corridor with Rudi and Tenitia in tow, he recalled Justianus.

Should he strike him down now?

Now that he had returned, shouldn’t he bring that one in and turn him into a loyal subject as well?

“…did.”

“Excuse me? What did you say?”

“The sight of you actively petitioning to protect the lives of your kin under His Majesty was truly admirable for a knight. When did you receive that decree?”

Tenitia asked enthusiastically.

Valenciaunos averted his gaze as he answered.

“I didn’t receive it. I just chose any parchment and decorated it with the ink I used when I last met with Duke Planiaties. Now I have to go to His Majesty and use my tongue to obtain similar conditions.”

“What?”

“Then what about the seal?”

“The seal is completely fake. Naturally, it wouldn’t be caught by anti-counterfeiting magic, as it’s not counterfeit to begin with.”

“What on earth were you thinking to pull off such a thing?”

“Duke, you need to cease such ridiculous antics immediately!”

* * *

They were in the VIP room of a top-notch casino hotel built with the help of a magician.

Surrounding the grand round table were the casino leaders of Hope, Future, Serpent, Sky, and Salvation.

They were essentially kings of the red-light district.

They drank excessively expensive liquor that cost more than a skilled worker’s monthly salary, embraced beautiful men and women as they pleased, and wielded capable guards from mercenary backgrounds, ruling over this illuminated street.

However, today their faces were crumpled beyond recognition.

“It’s been a long time, everyone.”

A genius magician with a cool demeanor, waist-length dark blue hair, and eyes that sparkled like silver and gold.

Her dark blue robe with a red interior and the pointed hat remained the same, but today she was also leaning on a staff adorned with a gemstone larger than a fist.

The nightmare they thought they had forgotten returned to deliver them hell.

“…the nightmare of gold.”

This time, they didn’t harbor any expectations that they could do anything about it through sheer force.

She had already turned the entire first floor of Future Casino into a mess even without a staff.

Now, she was undeniably in possession of a staff and a potion that enhanced her magical efficiency.

Moreover, it was clear that the person standing behind her was a knight who would never be absent when discussing the strongest in the empire.

A man with short facial hair and a mane-like hairstyle, glistening with his sharp black eyes, reminiscent of a beast in its prime.

A massive knight who combined ferocity and intelligence.

Barbatos, the commander of the Black Iron Knights.

Fully armored in pitch-black plate mail that allowed no gaps, he stood behind Sererassie.

Sererassie glanced between Barbatos and the leaders, then opened her mouth.

“Now, can I believe that you wish to have a conversation?”

“…Indeed.”

“Oh my, don’t make such faces. It makes it seem like I’m threatening you.”

“That is not the case.”

“Good. Then, I will begin with legitimate demands. I have interpreted any ambiguous or unclear points in your favor. Oh, and please do not doubt my memory; my recollection is on a different level from yours.”

Those were the words of a genius who became a mage of the 4th circle at the age of twenty.

Besides, with the commander of the Black Iron Knights standing behind her, even those who were not geniuses would have to concede.

“…In terms of conversion, it should be 8,738 gold coins and 3 silver coins from ‘Serpent,’ correct?”

“Yes….”

“And from ‘Hope,’ 4,655 gold coins and 8 silver coins. Am I right?”

“That’s correct.”

“And from ‘Future,’ 13,872 gold coins and 9 silver coins.”

The casino leaders trembled every time the precise amounts followed her exact memory flowed from her lips.

The amount was enough to shock even a considerable great lord.

They also had their own calculated data.

Sererassie’s memory matched exactly with that amount.

If that money were to be demanded in cash, it would guarantee bankruptcy.

Even if they managed to barely avoid bankruptcy, the issue of extortion payments remained.

However, they could not afford to endure.

It was clear what the knight behind them would do if they said they could not pay.

Sererassie smiled.

She smiled charmingly and beautifully.

“The casino can demand a chip exchange at any time, right?”

“To do so, you must present the chips.”

The owner of Future Casino glared at her with bloodshot eyes.

“How brazen of you to say that after trying to kill me. What are you saying? You have already cleared my room, haven’t you?”

“Without chips, I cannot pay a single penny.”

The owner of Serpent Casino tightly shut his eyes and replied.

That was the one rule they could trust.

No matter how much Sererassie was, she wouldn’t start a fight to demand money with magic.

Unlike Valenciaunos, she was not that kind of bandit.

The demand for a conversion, supported by rules, gave her request strength.

And the terms of service of the casino clearly stated that chips had to be presented for exchange.

However, rules and justifications were always made through backdoor dealings.

A woman in a black suit and a red fox mask.

The red mask shone with eyes beyond it.

“I will uphold my promise with ‘Hope.'”

“You!”

“What is happening now—?”

“How shameless, trying to endure this in such a dire situation!”

“Didn’t we agree to endure it together!”

The surrounding leaders were aghast, but the figure in the red mask did not flinch.

She had already received Valenciaunos’s letter and instructions.

Barbatos would soon sweep the entire red-light district away.

To completely detach from drugs.

She had not sold that information to anyone.

“I will provide you with 4,655 gold coins and 8 silver coins. I need to turn it into cash, so could you please wait a week?”

Sererassie grinned broadly.

Precedents are powerful.

While there was no harm in pressing on like this, she did not take pleasure in such tactics.

“I’ll give you ten days. All of you. Prepare bags of gold when you come back in ten days at noon. Until then, I shall stay in this hotel. Now, could you please hurry up and leave? You need to ensure it’s gold, okay?”

One by one, the leaders stood up.

With clearly distorted and perplexed faces.

As they walked down the corridor, they voiced their dissatisfaction.

“We can’t go on like this.”

“The imperial family is definitely trying to kill us all.”

“What does the elder say?”

“There’s no answer. Perhaps they have….”

“Already?”

Already dead, already fled, already abandoned them.

That word suggested a multitude of imaginations.

“How about we run away instead? I’ve heard that some of the royals are leaving the capital this time.”

“!”

“What place can we go after leaving this hotel and its machinery?”

“Since it’s the capital, cash can flow like this. In any territory or country, you can’t earn from gambling this much.”

“We have to convert as much as we can into gold over ten days. We have justification for that, right?”

“At least we can make a living. If not money, we can also engage in slave trading or land dealing.”

A moment of silence passed between them.

There was justification for selling the hotel and machines to scrape together cash.

“They wouldn’t even give us half the proper price, would they?”

“Is money more important than life?”

The casino leaders exchanged glances.

* * *

The casino leaders took substantial loans from usurers, using the hotel and machines as collateral.

Equipping capable guards in the capital with the best equipment, taking key components from the machines, and persuading several skillful dealers to prepare for the future.

Lancea and the royals were actually pleased with the fact that the casino leaders were leaving together.

They would not play tricks when they themselves had to leave.

Thus, a few days passed, and Hadrian came looking for Valenciaunos.

“Lancea knows the exact execution date. He’ll let us know an hour before departure, so we should be on alert.”

“You didn’t come to report that to His Majesty, did you?”

“I heard that he conversed with the coachmen operating illegally without joining the guild. It’s three days, or maybe five. I couldn’t find it out more than that. They say they plan to use the waterways and rivers.”

Upon hearing that, the Emperor tapped the armrest with his ringed hand.

“They’ve combined forces. It’s exhausting, as we are to engage in separate assaults.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“If we miss this time, it will likely remain silent for a while. This justification we crafted is invaluable. It cannot be delayed until next year. I want to pacify the capital within a year.”

“In that case.”

“Stay small. When the intense battle occurs, then we will send in the knights.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall convey that.”

“‘Convey’? You are included as well. Observe closely whether they move by the riverside all night or not.”

“I must have misheard?”

Jeilliris laughed mischievously.

“It’s a penalty for carelessly using my name. Consider it fortunate that I have not beheaded you.”

“…The castle is gravely honored.”