“Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince, who has gone to the Count Eckarshi’s domain, has sent a letter.”
The chamberlain lowered his head and reported.
In his hand was a letter sent directly by the Crown Prince.
“Has the matter already been resolved?”
The Emperor, sitting in the protocol office of the Imperial Palace, gave a faint smile.
The string binding the letter sent by Fedelian was golden, symbolizing the success of Rogino.
“Successful, then.”
The Emperor nodded as he read the final line of the letter.
With this level of success, other matters could easily be postponed.
“The court meeting shall end here. Everyone may leave.”
The Emperor stood up from his seat.
Despite many unresolved issues, the officials did not raise a single question.
– “Yes, Your Majesty.”
They merely lowered their heads and accepted the Emperor’s decision.
As the Emperor exited the protocol office, he turned to the chamberlain.
“I will go to the garden. Have Laryana brought to me.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor leisurely walked into the garden.
Without needing to be told, the chamberlain had already prepared for afternoon tea.
The position of the chamberlain at the Imperial Palace was one reserved for those with both sharp intuition and competence.
Such attention to detail was expected.
“…”
Before Laryana arrived, the Emperor slowly closed his eyes as he lifted his teacup.
He had succeeded in closing the Magul.
It was a moment that would be written in history, but he did not simply rejoice.
Instead, he pondered how to maximize the benefit.
‘If Yohan Harssen becomes a member of the Imperial family, Rogino will monopolize the Magul blockade.’
This would, in turn, further strengthen the authority of the Rogino Imperial family.
It would also allow for the balance of power with the Ferbache family, one of the four great families, preventing them from rising too quickly.
Moreover, having the only force capable of protecting the continent under the Emperor’s control would undoubtedly instill absolute loyalty in those who served Rogino.
‘…I think I have made up my mind.’
Clink.
The Emperor set his teacup down.
It hadn’t taken long to reach a decision.
‘Yohan Harssen must belong to the Imperial family.’
Now and in the future.
The benefits he would bring to the Imperial family were considerable.
Despite the enmity with Ferbache, this marriage had to be arranged.
Of course, Yohan Harssen could very well refuse the proposal.
After all, he had a lover.
‘But that won’t be a problem.’
The Emperor’s gaze grew cold.
The solution was simple.
He just needed to make it impossible for Yohan to refuse.
“Your Majesty, I heard you called for me.”
At that moment, Laryana entered the Imperial garden and greeted the Emperor politely.
The Emperor nodded slowly and spoke.
“Sit.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Laryana, though slightly nervous, hid it behind a smile and sat across from him.
“Your engagement with Yohan Harssen has been decided.”
As soon as the Emperor’s words reached her ears, Laryana flinched.
The meaning was clear.
“…Did you succeed in closing the Magul?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm…”
Laryana’s golden eyes gleamed.
Yohan Harssen’s value was now beyond measure.
“When the news of the Magul’s closure is made public, the Imperial family will proceed with your engagement to Yohan Harssen immediately. There will be no objections, will there?”
She smiled brightly and answered.
“Of course, Your Majesty. How could I possibly refuse Your Majesty’s command?”
“Good.”
The Emperor nodded slowly, a satisfied expression on his face, at Laryana’s unhesitant response.
“By the way, Your Majesty, how will you handle the opposition from the Duke of Ferbache?”
The Emperor smiled leisurely.
“It wouldn’t be bad to be forceful, but for the sake of maintaining a flexible relationship, we will need to offer something in return to Ferbache.”
It was common practice to preserve the dignity of the offended Ferbache family and offer practical compensation.
“If Ferbache accepts the Imperial decision, we will offer all the necessary support to the Duke’s domain.”
This would include economic compensation, military benefits, and political promises.
“I see.”
Laryana smiled and nodded.
Her face showed a pleasant smile, but her thoughts were different.
Honestly, she didn’t think the Duke of Ferbache would accept the offer.
No matter what support the Imperial family promised, it wouldn’t match the benefits Yohan Harssen would bring.
And most importantly, Yohan Harssen himself would never engage in a marriage talk.
Even if the Emperor could not force him, it would be problematic.
However, Laryana did not express her opinion.
From this point forward, it was a matter for the Emperor and the Crown Prince to handle.
“Now that the discussion is over, we must proceed before it’s too late.”
The Emperor emptied his teacup and stood up with a cold smile.
* * *
After Yohan closed the Magul and returned, he had no time to rest and immediately had to head to the audience hall under the emperor’s command.
There, the golden throne glittered. Around it, flags intricately engraved with the symbols of the Rogino Empire—sun and lion patterns—hung.
“Raise your head.”
When Yohan, kneeling on the red carpet, lifted his head, the emperor’s golden eyes pierced through him.
“You’ve worked hard, Harssen’s Special Sorcerer.”
“It was only my duty, Your Majesty.”
“Is that so? Was it really just your duty?”
The emperor, smiling, nodded once before taking a document from the minister. It was a thick proclamation decorated with golden embellishments.
“Good. The imperial family, in recognition of the accomplishments of Harssen’s Special Sorcerer, intends to grant you a reward fitting for your achievements.”
The emperor unfolded the document and declared in a loud voice:
“Through this proclamation, I declare that Yohan Harssen’s deeds will become part of the Empire’s history.”
His voice echoed through the audience hall. All eyes were focused on Yohan. The ministers and councilors of the senate held their breath in silence.
The emperor’s declaration was not just a reward for his achievements. It was filled with the emperor’s intent to deeply tie Yohan to the imperial family. No one in the room was unaware of this fact.
“Under the name of Rogino, I hereby grant you the title of Count and the lands in the eastern part of the Empire.”
With the emperor’s declaration, the audience hall fell silent. The ministers and senate members lowered their heads in solemn respect for his decision.
No one dared to question or oppose Yohan’s achievement of closing the Magul. It was a feat beyond debate.
“Furthermore, I promise to provide you with infinite support from the imperial treasury and bestow upon you the title of the Guardian of the Sun.”
As the emperor’s words rang out, the air in the audience hall became heavy.
The Guardian of the Sun. It was the title given to the most honored individual under the emperor’s name in Rogino.
“You will rise to become the most distinguished noble in the Rogino Empire.”
Yohan did not loosen his tightly pressed lips as he listened to the emperor’s proclamation. He fully understood how weighty the reward was and, at the same time, the grave significance it held.
It was an honor, but also a heavy chain binding him to the emperor’s will.
“This proclamation is not merely a reward.”
The emperor’s voice was deep and low. Even the pillars of the audience hall seemed to shake with his words.
“Yohan Harssen, you have not simply closed the Magul. Your deeds have safeguarded the Empire’s security and brought great glory to the Empire.”
The ministers continued to bow their heads, and Yohan stared directly at the emperor amidst the solemn atmosphere.
“Therefore, your name will be remembered in the history of the Empire.”
The document was folded.
“That is all.”
Once the emperor finished speaking, applause erupted. The sound of clapping filled the room.
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”
Yohan respectfully bowed his head in gratitude.
* * *
Yohan Harssen, the Special Magic Officer, closed the Magul.
This news quickly spread throughout the empire that very day. From the nobles in the outskirts to the poor people who couldn’t even afford a newspaper, and even to distant foreign lands, it spread rapidly.
Of course, it reached Ferbache as well without exception.
“…He closed the Magul?”
A white mist escaped from the Duke’s mouth.
This is the North.
A land where the cold wind penetrates to the bone. The winter’s chill shatters life, and only barren branches remain on the fields, with silence hanging in the air.
The cold wind swept across the gray fields. A single snowflake slowly settled on the Duke’s shoulder.
“Yes, that’s right. The whole empire is in an uproar over this news.”
A knight from Ferbache, who had come to deliver the news, spoke.
“And Yohan Harssen has been given the title of Guardian of the Sun, as well as a Count’s title and territory.”
“Huh…”
A small breath escaped from the Duke’s lips. Honestly, it was hard to believe. The Magul, which had remained unsolved for many years, was closed, and it was done by Ferbache’s son-in-law.
“What is this news?”
The commander of the Ferbache knights, wiping the blood of a beast off his hand, asked.
“…Our son-in-law, who is about to marry Francia, closed the Magul.”
The Duke was busy traveling through the domain with the Ferbache knights, preventing floods and securing resources and food, so he hadn’t had time to hear the news. Meanwhile, this sly man had made an overwhelming achievement.
“…Really? Is that possible?”
“It’s been officially announced by the imperial family, so it must be true.”
“Huh…”
The knight commander opened his mouth wide in surprise. It was sudden news, and the fact that the Magul had been closed was simply unbelievable.
“Wait, did you say son-in-law?”
“Yes.”
“Could it be… the one that the princess brought home…?”
“That’s right.”
Yohan Harssen was well-known to anyone working for the Ferbache family. Princess Francia, the precious jewel of the house, had decided to marry him herself.
“…In just a month, he became a Special Magic Officer and amazed everyone, and now he’s leaving us in shock.”
The Duke rubbed his chin with a bewildered expression. To him, Yohan Harssen had only been a capable magician.
But now, he had become someone who could not be challenged by anyone.
While this news was a welcome one for Ferbache, who had been struggling with the Magul, it wasn’t such good news for Francia’s father, who had accepted him as a son-in-law.
“…I think we need to move up the engagement.”
The Duke’s voice lowered with determination.
“The engagement we were supposed to have next year?”
“Yes.”
There were still many issues to be dealt with in the domain, and since Francia’s feelings could change, they had been waiting, giving it time. But now, it couldn’t be delayed any longer.
If the emperor wants Yohan Harssen, he would surely propose a marriage arrangement.
If they delay and the imperial family acts first, the situation could get complicated.
“I’m going to the capital.”
It was time to deal with the matters that had been left unresolved.