It had only been a few months, but Daniel truly wished he could’ve stayed in Belanos for just a few more days. Unfortunately, his dreams were not to be.
The next day at noon, an exclusive royal aircraft arrived in Tentarvahem, sent by the Imperial Family.
As was to be expected, there was an immediate order for his prompt return, leaving Daniel no choice but to board the plane with tears and gritted teeth.
Escorted by Colonel Hartmann, Daniel boarded the aircraft, which took off straightaway, heading toward the capital.
The exclusive aircraft soared freely over the capital before landing at the airport near the Imperial Palace.
Stepping off the plane, Daniel saw members of the Inner Court standing against the backdrop of a sunset sky.
The head of the Inner Court approached, saying, “His Majesty the Emperor awaits you,” and promptly ushered Daniel into the royal limousine.
Though Daniel really wanted some rest, he couldn’t refuse the Emperor’s command.
In the limousine, Daniel was guided to a room known as the “Golden Rest.”
Not knowing what kind of room it was, Daniel cautiously asked, receiving the reply that “it’s where His Majesty retreats to drink alone or reflect.”
In other words, Daniel had been invited into the Emperor’s personal space.
For reasons unknown, a foreboding feeling crept over Daniel, who moved forward with tension. It wasn’t until they reached the top floor of the palace that he stopped.
“Beyond this door lies His Majesty.”
The door indicated by the Inner Court head was adorned extravagantly with gold.
Only then did Daniel understand why the room was called the Golden Rest.
“The Emperor dislikes slow responses to his questions; it’s best to answer quickly,” the head advised.
Straightening his attire, Daniel nodded at the advice.
Once ready, the Inner Court head knocked on the door.
“Your Majesty! Colonel Daniel Steiner has arrived to pay his respects!”
A voice from inside granted permission to enter.
With a respectful nod, the Inner Court head gestured, and the Imperial Guard soldiers stationed beside the door moved into action.
As they opened the doors, Daniel caught sight of the Emperor standing on the terrace, gazing outward.
Inside the room, large murals decorated with gold accents dominated the walls, while the ceiling, shaped like a glass dome, let moonlight stream through from above.
Expensive carpets lined the floor, and on one side of the room stood a glass cabinet filled with high-priced whiskies—rare bottles one might never even see in a lifetime.
It was a paradise of luxury that made Daniel instinctively shrink back.
After briefly scanning the surroundings, Daniel walked as naturally as possible to the center of the room and saluted Emperor Berthelm.
“Your Majesty! Operations Staff Colonel Daniel Steiner of the General Staff Headquarters reports the completion of diplomatic missions…”
Daniel paused mid-sentence.
Berthelm waved his hand dismissively, signaling Daniel to stop with formalities.
Lowering his salute, Daniel listened as Berthelm quietly spoke.
“Come closer. There is something I want to show you.”
Nodding, Daniel approached Berthelm.
As he drew nearer, Berthelm glanced sideways at Daniel and pointed downward.
“Do you see them? They are my people.”
Following Berthelm’s finger, Daniel saw countless crowds waving and cheering in the streets below.
It was hard to estimate their exact number, but there were easily over ten thousand gathered.
Staring at the cityscape, Daniel froze in surprise, prompting Berthelm to chuckle.
“All these people have come out to celebrate your safe return. The atmosphere feels almost festival-like. Half of it is probably an excuse for celebration, but they’re genuinely here for you.”
“…I didn’t expect such a massive turnout.”
“Considering you’re a war hero, this crowd is rather modest. Watching this reminds me of when I returned victorious from my first war. Everyone celebrated my achievements.”
Berthelm’s eyes softened as he gazed down at the crowd.
“These people now praise your accomplishments. So tell me, are they my subjects or yours?”
Though phrased calmly, the question wasn’t easy for Daniel to answer.
This was the first time the Emperor had so openly tested him.
Sensing the danger, Daniel immediately knelt on one knee.
“Your Majesty! The people praising me is essentially the same as praising Your Majesty’s greatness! I am merely a humble officer serving the Empire, which is none other than Your Majesty Himself. How could they possibly be my subjects?”
Daniel’s defense made Berthelm chuckle softly.
‘He’s grown accustomed to dealing with power. The tremor in his voice has diminished.’
Whereas Daniel once fumbled nervously during their first meeting, he now exuded a composed confidence.
It was evident, whether consciously or unconsciously, that Daniel had become adept at conversing with those in authority.
Carefully observing Daniel, Berthelm finally nodded.
“If that’s how you feel, then that’s that. Rise, and let’s have a drink.”
As Berthelm moved toward the center of the room, Daniel stood up.
Walking to a mahogany table set in the middle of the room, Berthelm noticed two crystal glasses alongside a fine bottle of whiskey waiting.
Approaching, Daniel watched as Berthelm sat down and picked up the whiskey bottle.
“Take a seat.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
With a slight bow, Daniel sat down as Berthelm poured the whiskey.
The liquid glimmered with a golden amber hue, hinting at its premium quality.
Though Daniel’s heart leapt momentarily, it was short-lived.
“Your Majesty?”
Confused, Daniel looked at Berthelm.
Berthelm had filled the glass almost to the brim—an uncommon way to serve whiskey.
Whiskey, especially the finest grades, was meant to be sipped slowly to appreciate its aroma and taste.
Surely Berthelm knew better than to pour it like this.
“Drink up.”
“But…”
“I’ll drink too.”
Berthelm proceeded to fill his own glass to the brim.
Alarmed, Daniel protested.
“Your Majesty! I heard your condition had improved, but drinking like this could cause serious harm!”
However, Berthelm brushed it off with a light laugh.
“I know my body best. Drinking like this won’t kill me, and not drinking won’t save me either. So let’s drink.”
Having poured the drinks, Berthelm set the bottle aside and raised his glass. Unable to refuse, Daniel followed suit.
After making eye contact, both men downed their glasses in one gulp.
Berthelm savored the aftertaste with a contented hum, while Daniel started coughing uncontrollably.
Drinking whiskey like this was routine for Berthelm from his younger days, but for Daniel, it was an entirely new experience.
Watching Daniel struggle, Berthelm burst into laughter.
“You’re supposed to enjoy drinking, yet you can’t handle this? What’s going on?”
“This is… cough! My first time… Sorry!”
Regaining his breath, Daniel wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Observing Daniel meaningfully, Berthelm spoke softly.
“Looking at you makes me think of a certain fairy tale.”
“A fairy tale, Your Majesty?”
“Yes. Do you know the story of the Brave Lion and the Wise Fox?”
How could anyone not know it?
This was a famous tale told by parents across the Empire to their children.
The story was simple:
A brave lion successfully protects the forest from humans and gathers all the animals.
Claiming there’s a traitor among them, the lion interrogates each one, eating them one by one.
The fox, however, is the only one to escape unscathed.
Even Daniel, having grown up without parents, had heard this tale from the monastery head.
“If someone doesn’t know this story, they must be a spy.”
“So we’re on the same page. Tell me, what trick do you think the fox used to escape the lion’s fate?”
There was an interesting twist to this story: interpretations of the fox’s trick varied from household to household.
Parents would often invent their own versions to explain how the fox managed to escape.
‘Of course…’
Daniel realized Berthelm wasn’t genuinely curious about the story.
‘Until when does he plan to test me?’
It was natural to keep a wary eye on a war hero whose fame grew too large.
Daniel understood the increasing suspicions of an aging emperor.
But understanding and accepting were two different things.
As the alcohol began to take effect, emotions started to outweigh rationality.
‘The Emperor has nothing to fault me for after my successful treaty in Belanos. So this conversation is…’
Nothing more than a fishing expedition.
“Tell me, what trick do you think the fox used?”
The second question came sharper than the first.
The Inner Court head’s warning about avoiding silence echoed in Daniel’s mind, pressuring him.
Lost in thought, Daniel decided to recount the version he’d heard from the monastery head.
Sharing an actual story seemed safer than fabricating one.
“Your Majesty, may I use the version told to me by the monastery head?”
This emphasized that it was a story from his childhood, not his own fabrication.
If true, Berthelm couldn’t criticize whatever Daniel said.
Brilliantly evading trouble, Berthelm nodded approvingly.
“Go ahead.”
“Yes. The monastery head mentioned the rabbit the lion encountered before visiting the fox. Your Majesty surely knows how the rabbit met its end?”
“Of course. The rabbit tried to bribe the lion with a basket full of blackberries…”
“Unfortunately, the lion suffered from severe blackberry allergies. Offended by the insult, the lion ate the rabbit whole right there.”
“Right. That’s correct.”
As Berthelm recalled, Daniel continued.
“The monastery head explained that the fox likely ate a lot of blackberries the previous day. He might have even placed them around his home.”
Berthelm gave Daniel a meaningful look.
Daniel pressed on.
“When the lion arrived, the fox reportedly said, ‘Great Lion, mighty Lion, you could certainly swallow me in one bite. But please remember this: my blood flows with blackberries. If you eat me…’
After a brief pause, Daniel looked directly at Berthelm.
“You, Great Lion, will share the same fate.”
