“May the Empire have endless glory.”
Called up next, the Evergarden family knelt before the Emperor. With the head of the family’s greeting, they could finally properly address the Emperor.
“The Evergarden family has once again developed the territory bestowed by His Imperial Majesty, befitting the masters of the land—”
“Let me speak here.”
“Ah, yes. Your Majesty.”
“Very well… the Evergarden family, raise your heads.”
“We are honored, Your Majesty.”
As always, the Emperor stopped the servant who was about to recite the praises of the nobles summoned before him.
“Lately, tales of the Count’s virtuous deeds have spread beyond the capital, even reaching the Imperial Palace.”
“It is but a meager talent, Your Majesty.”
“Haha! How modest. The achievements you have made are worthy of pride.”
“We are honored, Your Majesty.”
‘Am I doing this right…?’
Kneeling before the Emperor and continuing the speech as the head of the Evergarden family, Dariann was incredibly nervous.
He had never been good at etiquette, and he knew even less about the rules and speaking styles of the aristocratic world.
That was why his wife, Freya, usually took care of everything, but before the Emperor, he, as the head of the family, had to speak first.
He just kept repeating, as Freya had instructed, ‘We are honored, Your Majesty’ when given an order, and ‘It is but a meager talent, Your Majesty’ when praised. He made sure to always add ‘Your Majesty’ at the end.
‘You’re doing great, honey.’
And whether his crash course was effective or not, the Emperor was looking down at them with a faint smile.
Freya, feeling proud, praised Dariann in her heart.
“I hear that your two children’s achievements are particularly outstanding. The eldest son and daughter of the Evergarden family, raise your heads.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Yes…! Your Majesty…!”
“Hoh… quite impressive individuals, aren’t they?”
“We are honored, Your Majesty.”
“Hon…!? Ah, we are honored, Your Majesty.”
“Indeed… I hear you handled the incidents at the academy? Especially saving the students’ lives, I hear the young lady’s contribution was significant.”
“I heard you subdued the intruders yourself? Excellent.”
“It’s, it’s but a meager talent…”
“Don’t feel pressured. Why should young people who will lead the future be intimidated by an old man like me? Excellent.”
“W-We are honored! Your Majesty!”
‘He’s a better person than I thought?’
Rosaria, knowing that the Emperor, the owner of this country and a figure even higher than the division commander who suddenly visited the military unit, could have her head chopped off with a single wrong word, had been quite nervous.
However, she felt relieved, as he seemed like a surprisingly kind old man.
However.
“And… are you the eldest son?”
“Yes, Felix Evergarden, Your Majesty.”
“Ah, yes! You’re the one who created that Elixir, aren’t you? Truly remarkable!”
“I believe it is an honor that does not befit me.”
“Don’t say that. Even an old man like me can immediately recognize the value of that Elixir.”
“Indeed… it is a great achievement. Thanks to you, the Empire has become even greater. You have done great things for the ‘Empire,’ so how could I not be pleased!”
“It is an honor beyond words that His Imperial Majesty speaks so highly of me.”
‘Heh, so that’s how you’re going to play it?’
Felix, immediately reading the Emperor’s true intentions, chuckled inwardly.
The Emperor, looking down at him, continued to praise them and shower them with sweet words.
Even as he did so, the Emperor was subtly hinting that the Evergarden family’s Elixir should be used for the ‘Empire’s’ public good.
Pressure to use the Evergarden family’s Elixir for the sake of the Empire.
‘As expected of the Emperor of an Empire. That sly old fox is naturally asking us to hand over the Elixir.’
Still, he could tell that even the Emperor coveted the Elixir’s value that much.
“Now, a young man of the ‘Empire’ has done great things for the ‘Empire,’ so I am wondering what I should bestow upon you. Is there anything you desire?”
Give me the Elixir willingly, and I’ll give you something in return.
“I am humbled, Your Majesty. I have only worked for myself, and my own light is too dim to illuminate the great Empire.”
I made it because I wanted to, so why are you telling me to hand it over?
“Hoo… what a virtuous young man. Don’t hesitate to speak, I won’t feel comfortable sending you back empty-handed after such an achievement.”
Flatter me appropriately and spit it out.
Thus, Felix and the Emperor, on the surface, were expressing a loyal noble and a benevolent Emperor, but in their hidden intentions, they were constantly engaged in a push-and-pull.
However, this was good.
“…Your Majesty, in that case… may I ask for one request?”
“Oho! Speak. If it is something you desire, even a feeble old man like me will do my best to grant it.”
“I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace.”
Felix had been playing this game of wits with the Emperor for this moment.
“My request is that you grant what my mother desires.”
“Hoh…? Truly a filial son. A young man who is diligent, capable, and knows how to take care of his parents… Haha! It’s a shame you’re not my man.”
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
“Very well. Countess, speak.”
“…..”
‘I’ve set the stage.’
“…..”
“Thank you, my daughter is the best.’
As soon as the Emperor’s permission was granted, the two looked at each other and understood each other’s intentions without saying a word, and nodded.
“Your Majesty. I am Freya Evergarden of the Evergarden family.”
“Yes, it is what your son desires. Speak comfortably.”
“What is it that you desire?”
“What I desire… I have thought about it a lot. And I have come to want something very much.”
“Oho, what is it?”
“…..”
Hoo-
The Emperor is looking down at her.
Not only that.
Countless nobles are quietly watching, waiting for the words that will follow.
How long has it been since she received so much attention and gaze?
“The preparation is perfect. All the measures have been prepared.’
‘All that’s left is my eloquence.’
The words she would utter next would literally turn this ballroom upside down.
A gamble where, if she made even a slight mistake, not only herself but her entire family would not be able to die peacefully.
An immense burden, with the lives of her family weighing heavily on her shoulders.
Even uttering a single word would be nerve-wracking.
…If she were an ordinary person, that is.
“Then, there’s no way I can lose.’
“Your Majesty. I desire a Magical Beast.”
With a gentle smile, Freya told the Emperor her request.
“…What did you just say?”
“A Magical Beast…? Did she say a Magical Beast?”
“A Magical Beast!? Is that woman crazy?”
A moment of silence. And then, the nobles’ chaotic reactions followed.
It was only natural.
Due to a series of incidents, the term ‘Magical Beast’ was like a trigger button in the Empire.
And especially since it was a material that was almost directly used in a coup, mentioning the name ‘Magical Beast’ in front of the Emperor was such a huge statement that the destruction of the family would be a lenient response.
“…What did you just…?”
The Emperor, too, had his gentle smile, which he had been wearing until now, shattered, and his face stiffened as he asked Freya again.
“…Perhaps I am getting old and my ears are not working well. Yes, magic? Did you say magic?”
Following that, the Emperor somehow managed to fix his expression and said to Freya that he had misheard.
But it was clear that he had not misheard, as his lips were awkwardly raised due to the shock.
This was a tremendous favor from the Emperor.
From the moment she uttered that one word, the Emperor had enough justification to chop off Freya’s head immediately, but the Emperor was giving her a chance to correct her words.
That was how much he valued the Evergarden family, so he offered such an extraordinary favor.
“No, Your Majesty. I want a Magical Beast.”
“….”
Rosaria shattered the Emperor’s favor head-on.
“S-Seize those vile traitors!!!”
Clang Clang-
“Kyaaak!”
Having given her a chance once, and having kicked that chance away by saying ‘Magical Beast’ clearly, the Imperial guards could not stand still.
At the knight’s shout, the soldiers guarding the ballroom drew their sharp swords from their scabbards and began to approach the Evergarden family.
“…Haa. Freya Evergarden. Why did you do such a thing…”
The Emperor, looking at the Evergarden family, who were instantly surrounded by soldiers and had blades pointed at them, sighed and muttered in dismay.
The Evergarden family’s value was quite high.
In the report from half a year ago, they were an insignificant family with little value, but in just half a year, they had made tremendous progress.
They had rebuilt barren lands, made contributions at the academy, and developed an Elixir that was now worth whatever they asked for.
That was why he had tried to win over the family at all costs… but now there was no way.
High treason.
They had committed high treason so brazenly.
If they had said it during a private audience, he might have been able to cover it up somehow, but they had committed the crime so boldly in front of countless nobles.
If he were to forgive the Evergarden family as it was, the balance that the Imperial family had been maintaining so well might be disrupted, as it would appear that the Imperial family was favoring only certain families.
Therefore, the Emperor had to deal with Freya, the Evergarden family.
“…Arrest the criminals and put them in prison.”
“Yes! Your Majesty!”
With a regrettable and complicated heart, the Emperor gave the order to arrest them.
Just as the Evergarden family was about to fall and this chaotic ball was about to be cleaned up.
“…This is quite strange.”
“..?”
“S-Stay still! Traitors!”
Freya, who had been silent and bowing her head since saying she wanted a Magical Beast, suddenly stood up and began to stroll lightly around the ballroom.
“Is it such a great crime to want a Magical Beast?”
“It seems she has finally lost her mind…! Living in the Empire, does she not know how great that crime is?”
“…Hehe! That’s funny.”
“Your Majesty. It seems that woman has lost her mind. I will quickly arrest her and imprison her in the dungeon—”
“Then, how is it that so many nobles are trying to buy Magical Beasts?”
“…What?”
The sound of shoes clicking as she walked stopped.
Even with the soldiers’ spears and swords pointed directly at her neck, Freya did not lose her smile.
“Your Majesty. I have one more request.”
“My request is that you listen to my words so that I can report all the traitors in this place, one by one.”
Following that, Freya put her hand into her bosom and looked at the Emperor, who was looking up at her, and said.
Finally, the finale of the plan was about to unfold.