Chapter 70

What could be the Emperor’s intentions?

What exactly is the nature of the ‘unprecedented award’ that I’m supposed to receive?

If Siena’s suspicion is correct and the Empress was involved, this might be a rather tense situation. After all, the technique of dealing with meritorious subjects in the Eastern Great Empire tends to be far more systematic, cruel, and cold than in the West—so much so that being listed in the death registry is practically equivalent to being marked for execution.

Of course, this isn’t Chinguk, so it might be a bit excessive to talk about death registries here.

Besides, the Empress is still dependent on the psilocybin I provide. I heard she plays instruments in a tripped-out state and is even composing sheet music these days. Though it’s in an Eastern-style notation that no one but her can decipher.

In any case, she seems to be enjoying life day by day, as if trying to make up for lost time.

“Would there be any reason for her to suddenly try operating on me?”

The Empress definitely has a purpose, no doubt about that.

The problem is that I don’t have the time to figure out what it is. Especially since she reportedly clammed up even in front of Siena, who has become close to her like a real daughter.

Thinking too hard won’t yield answers in this situation—it would just be a waste of energy.

Besides, I have something else to take care of.

Marcela, who is now both Regent and Grand Knight.

I’ve promised to help the heroin-addicted noble race with their detox regimen and am currently fulfilling that promise. Since withdrawal symptoms had already started when I made the promise, there was no room for delay.

…

“Give me heroin. No, don’t. I won’t take it; I’ll just look at it. That pretty powder.”

An elf, drenched in cold sweat on their face and neck, is writhing restlessly.

This was the scene I witnessed while bringing in intravenous fluids.

“I can endure it. Or maybe I can’t. … But is there even a reason to endure? Of course, there is. There are still elders—I mean, adults, right? Anyway, I don’t want to live in the Hoenn Region. I need to impress Marcela to survive. But still, I love heroin.”

So, I want to endure, but I can’t bear to do so without fail.

In a weak voice, the elf, who has the same green hair as Marcela, mutters these words.

It turns out this is Marcela’s cousin, and her name is Hotalline.

And nearby, another elf, wrapped tightly in a blanket and trembling, is also part of Marcela’s family. Their close relations turned out to be entirely true.

‘Is it because of this that Marcela accepted my proposal?’

I know that giving and taking away drugs is despicable, but compared to breaking a promise, it’s better to ensure detoxification is done properly.

The individuals involved are still struggling.

Muscle pain, fever, chills, insomnia, lack of appetite—some even experience such severe withdrawal that they say they feel goosebumps on their bones.

During this, the craving for heroin only grows stronger.

After all, they know that 10 milligrams of heroin can make all the pain disappear. If Marcela hadn’t ordered her subordinates to control them, they might have lunged toward the heroin.

Perhaps moved by the plight of her cousins,

Marcela, despite being in the middle of negotiating a ceasefire treaty with the Empire’s officials, often stopped by to check on her cousins’ condition.

“Alan Medoff. Why do you keep giving them water? … They’re just going to throw it up anyway.”

“It’s not just water; it’s saline. During the detox process, dehydration is actually the most dangerous.”

“…How long will this state last?”

“There’s a lot of individual variation.”

“Breaking the habit on one’s own like Marcela did is impossible. She just somehow managed.

“I know. It was unbearable on the second day, but after that, it felt like life was worth living again. Still, others were different… It would be helpful if you could even guess.”

“For the next two weeks, they’ll be in this state.”

“And after that?”

“They’ll start to feel less physical pain, but the craving will remain.”

Even someone who diligently adheres to a 16-month methadone program while holding down a job will still unknowingly reach for heroin if it’s in front of them.

Even after the body and mind return to normal, seeing heroin nearby can reignite the craving.

To say nothing of the elves, who are quitting without tapering and in a very short time.

“What a truly vicious substance.”

“…”

“And you, who created it, are just as vicious as heroin.”

There was no retort to this. Given what her cousins are going through, this was already a generous response.

“Then maybe we should send them somewhere they can’t see heroin?”

“It’d be better to provide continuous motivation to stay clean. These elves decided to quit detox because they don’t want to live in the Hoenn Region anymore. It’s best to think of other motivations from now on.”

“I’ll consider it. Oh, and congratulations.”

“…?”

Confused by the congratulatory tone, I turned to look at Marcela.

Emerald hair, cobalt eyes. Except for her well-honed body, her face doesn’t immediately reveal the demeanor of a warrior.

She didn’t seem to be mocking me either.

Rather, it might be more accurate to say she didn’t know how to mock someone. She’s the type who, if she got angry, would be more direct rather than subtly poking at someone with words.

So, there must be something genuinely celebratory. And upon inquiry, it turned out to be exactly that.

“Apparently, your Emperor is planning to visit Antrem, the border city, for the peace treaty signing in the near future. He’ll be expecting to meet you there personally. I’ve heard he emphasized that you should prepare yourself properly. He knows that meeting the Emperor is significant for someone like you.”

He could have just summoned me directly, but instead, he went through Marcela, the new leader of Medelin.

Could this be his way of keeping everything hidden until the end, making sure I don’t catch any hint of his true intentions? Regardless of his purpose, there’s no way to refuse the call of the Emperor.

Because he is the ruler of the Empire.

***

Four days later, I finally left the Great Forest.

Our destination: Antrem, the border city near the Great Forest.

Once a military city supporting the war against the elves, its character is about to change drastically. The vast resources pouring out of the Great Forest will soon pass through here, transforming it into a key economic hub.

The mayor of Antrem seems to be desperately hoping to secure another term.

“Mr. Alan, haven’t I been very helpful with practical matters? If you happen to get transferred to a better place, please don’t forget me.”

Although the mayor was fawning, I just let it slide.

I’ve been summoned here to pay my respects to the Emperor, who has arrived in Antrem.

The Emperor of the Britannia Empire, Edmund III.

In the original story, he was just a typical father figure who loved his children.

Jealously eyeing and somewhat rivaling Leon, the favorite of his youngest daughter Anais, only to reluctantly support him eventually. Meanwhile, showing feigned anger whenever his second daughter Siena causes trouble but ultimately letting her off the hook. As for his eldest, Victoria, he relies on her while secretly seething in frustration.

But now, he’s become a far more inscrutable figure.

“Listening to the Empress’s advice won’t change anything.”

After all, if Edmund III is receptive to the Empress’s political guidance, it means he shares her views. And reportedly, he hasn’t revealed his plans to his daughters.

If the Emperor has already made up his mind on how to deal with me…

It’s unlikely that a last-minute attempt to manipulate words will change his decision. Still, I’ll give it a shot.

“Envoy Alan, His Majesty requests your presence.”

“Yes.”

Finally, the moment of audience.

The door to the mayor’s office, which the Emperor has claimed as a temporary audience chamber, opens.

While I’ve had frequent communication and cooperation with the first and second Imperial Princesses, and even exiled the youngest to the monastery, the Emperor is on a different level.

With full adherence to protocol, I approached, not forgetting to respectfully refer to him as the Sun of the Empire.

“Alan Medoff.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. What commands do you have?”

I waited quietly, but all the Emperor did was stare at me.

Even in silence, I don’t feel as though my inner thoughts are being read, yet the tension is palpable.

His gaze carried none of the warmth of an ally, and his robust bearing—worthy of any knight—added to his commanding presence.

After a while, he finally spoke.

“Your contributions have been immense.”

“Your Majesty.”

“We have recognized the governance of Regent Marcela and accepted her ceasefire terms, in exchange for ceding approximately half of the Great Forest with no time limit—a practically permanent handover. The negotiations are already finalized and will take effect in two months.”

“All thanks to Your Majesty…”

“No, this is solely your achievement. Any insider would see it that way.”

“…”

So it begins.

His words are clearly a commendation, yet the Emperor’s expression remains hard.

Not exactly hostility, but more like he’s keeping a distance while observing me. Indeed, the Emperor seems to be acting on the advice of someone else…

“Alan Medoff. Let me ask you one thing.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“One of my most trusted advisors said this: they believe you’d be perceptive enough to read the presence behind me. And, they also believe you know who that shadow is. But you won’t explicitly show it, right?”

“…”

Even if I were to deny it, he wouldn’t believe me. So, I politely lowered my gaze.

And through this, I gained certainty.

Certainty that the shadow behind the Emperor is Empress Lianhua.

Once a deeply depressed soul, she has now become a ruthless and cunning politician. The Emperor appears to be following her advice faithfully.

As I remain silent, the Emperor tilts his head in apparent curiosity or perhaps resignation.

“Reward. … Yes, I summoned you specifically to discuss your reward. I do intend to bestow one. Business rights in the acquired territory, a title… and if you desire, I would bestow favors upon your family as well.”

“…”

“The greatest reward, however, is separate.”

“Speak, please.”

“One of my advisors suggests that difficult subjects should be kept close, rather than distanced and cast aside—the latter being a poor move. They even provided a specific method, which I’ve also agreed with, finding it effective.”

After briefly pausing, the Emperor issued a decree.

“Alan Medoff.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Engage in a betrothal with my daughter.”

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