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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Entering the Palace (2)
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3.
They passed the outer wall, then the inner wall.
A quick glance revealed the Imperial Palace's defenses were formidable.
A thorough defensive posture composed of mages belonging to the imperial family, the Imperial Army, and the Imperial Guard.
Their numbers far surpassed the capital's defense force, and they were an elite fighting force.
Only after passing the inner wall did the true scenery of the Imperial Palace begin to unfold.
Karron. To be honest, I've always wondered what was inside the Imperial Palace.
And?
...There's really a lot in here.
Of course. Think of it as another city within a city.
Karron chuckled, taking in the palace scenery.
The Imperial Palace of the Orias Empire.
This place, called Nesak, was also a city within the capital, Dekus.
The numerous palaces where the direct bloodline of the imperial family resided.
And the countless people who lived within the palace to serve them.
Even some chosen nobles lived here as guests of the Emperor.
It was only natural that a city would form.
The palace scenery was far more organized and beautiful than Karron remembered.
A city built with meticulous planning.
Fifty years ago, during the rebellion to depose the Evil Emperor, a significant portion of the buildings here had burned down.
The Nesak of today was like a new city built upon the old one.
...It's incredible.
Leo let out a small gasp of admiration at the sight of the Imperial Palace, which he was seeing for the first time.
The atmosphere was completely different from Azure Castle.
Everything that met the eye was magnificent and extravagant.
It was as if all the wealth of the Empire was concentrated here.
Cleaners, cooks, gardeners, and so on. A lot of people are needed to keep this massive palace running, Brother Leo. You didn't really think the Emperor was just sitting here all by himself, did you?
...Umm.
You really did think that. Brother, please, read a book.
Perhaps because he was raised to be so proper, Leo had indeed grown up properly.
The problem was that his mind was a little too proper.
It seemed his mother was trying her best to educate him, but he and knowledge just didn't seem to get along.
Should I just enroll him in the academy for the remaining time?
He was planning to visit the academy anyway, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to arrange some intensive tutoring for him while he was at it.
Just as the two brothers were admiring the palace scenery,
Whirrrr.
The vehicle's engine, which had been running smoothly, cut out, and the door soon opened.
Looks like they want us to get out.
Smart, for a carriage.
It's a car.
Same difference.
Karron grumbled as he stepped out of the vehicle. He was immediately greeted by the sight of the Imperial Guard, lined up in a neat formation.
The face of the knight standing at the very front looked familiar.
Sir Ryuk, was it? A pleasure to see you.
You remember my name, Lord Karron Leston.
I'm still young. My memory is excellent.
It was Ryuk, the Imperial Guard who had escorted Karron's party from Thebes to the capital.
Ryuk bowed respectfully to Karron and Leo.
Vehicles are not permitted beyond this point. We will escort you to the main palace ourselves.
He turned his head slightly and gestured with his chin to a subordinate standing beside him.
The subordinate knight then presented a small basket wrapped in a luxurious blanket.
Though you are honored guests from the Leston ducal family, you may not enter the main palace armed. We would appreciate your cooperation.
At his words, Karron and Leo obediently unfastened their scabbards and placed them in the basket.
It was a procedure for entering the main palace that even Halo followed.
Of course, Halo hadn't always followed the procedure.
Grandfather broke this rule once.
Hearing Karron's remark, which was almost a mumble to himself, Leo asked in a low voice.
Really? When?
About fifty years ago.
Fifty years ago... Hey, are you crazy? Why are you bringing that up now...?
Just because. It suddenly came to mind.
Just once, when he deposed the Evil Emperor.
Halo had entered the main palace with his sword drawn. And it was by that very sword that he himself had died.
Karron uttered the self-deprecating words and glanced at the faces of the Imperial Guards.
They, of all people, would understand the meaning behind his words.
Was that why?
Several knights clenched their fists, trembling.
But Ryuk remained calm, raising a hand to restrain his subordinates. Then he spoke in a low voice.
You may speak freely in front of us. But you must be careful before His Majesty.
I'll keep my mouth shut, then. Ah, but Sir Ryuk. My sword is a bit wild, so you should be careful when handling it...
Just then.
Clang.
Aaaaaaaargh!
The knight holding the basket of swords screamed and dropped it.
The swords inside tumbled onto the ground.
In the process, the blade of Guillotine, which had been in its scabbard, was revealed.
A dark blue blade.
A chilling killing intent began to spread rapidly from Guillotine's ghastly blade.
The sword, the sword is...
Seeing this, Karron sighed deeply and picked up Guillotine.
Then, Guillotine's voice echoed in his mind.
-I'm in a really bad mood today, Master. This is the place, isn't it? Where I was with my former master.
That's right.
-Hah. What son of a bitch disguised me as a cursed sword? It's pissing me off.
I have a dark history here too, so just be quiet and wait.
-True. This is where you died, isn't it, Master? Serves you right.
Shut up.
Karron sheathed Guillotine again and placed it back in the basket. Then he looked at Ryuk and said.
They may not look like much, but these are treasured swords of our family. Please treat them with care.
...They seem far too ominous to be treasured swords.
I heard our founder used this sword. Are you perhaps calling our founder ominous?
At that, Ryuk sighed and closed his eyes.
Don't get drawn in.
From the rumors spreading in the capital, this youngest grandson of the ducal family was undoubtedly insane.
My apologies if my remark was rude.
It's fine. Just be careful next time.
Getting angrier here would only hurt his pride.
Having made that judgment, Ryuk spoke in a gentle voice.
Then, we will escort you to the main palace.
Sounds good.
And so, Karron and Leo began to walk, escorted by the Imperial Guard.
The nobles passing by stared at Karron's party as if they were a curious sight.
Some wore genuinely curious expressions, but most watched them with wary eyes.
Leo met their gazes for a moment.
It was just as Karron had said.
Not a single person here showed them any goodwill. The atmosphere alone was intimidating, but Karron's reaction was completely different.
A pleasure to meet you, a pleasure! I'm Karron Leston, grandson of Grand Duke Halo! It's an honor, esteemed nobles!
Of course.
It seemed he was still a long way from understanding this madman.
Leo sighed.
4.
They arrived at the foot of the stairs leading to the main palace.
You will all wait here.
Ryuk had the Imperial Guards wait for a moment. Then he turned to Karron and Leo and said.
From this point on, only those with permission may enter.
That makes sense. His Majesty is just up those stairs, isn't he?
Karron slowly raised his head and looked at the stairs.
Unlike back then, when they showed the marks of time, the stairs now shone as if they were brand new.
He had wondered several times what it would feel like to stand here again.
He had faced it again through the Oath Stone, but that had been a mere illusion.
This was real.
The form of the stairs had changed, but this was the very place where he had met his death in his past life.
Let us ascend.
Ryuk led the way up the stairs.
Karron and Leo followed Ryuk, stepping onto the staircase.
The one and only path to the Emperor's throne.
The path Halo had climbed, sword in hand.
And.
The path I once protected.
It was a place he had never forgotten, not for a single moment.
To think he would climb these stairs again.
But his circumstances were completely different from before.
Back then, he had climbed these stairs to die, but not now.
The slave-born Imperial Guard was no more.
The one climbing these stairs now was the youngest of the great Leston ducal family.
Karron was simply following the path his grandfather had walked.
Karron.
...Hm?
Are you okay?
Leo asked Karron, his voice laced with concern.
Hearing Leo, Karron lowered his head and looked at his own hand.
Blood was dripping from his tightly clenched fist.
He must have clenched his fist without realizing it.
Ah, I was nervous. Sorry. Did it bother you?
He briefly drew upon his mana and focused it on the wound, and the bleeding soon stopped.
Seeing this, Leo patted Karron on the back.
You act all grown up, but are you really that nervous about meeting His Majesty?
I guess so. It's a bit embarrassing.
Leo got a strange feeling from Karron, who answered vaguely.
The kid's atmosphere had changed the very moment they'd entered the main palace grounds.
Just moments ago, he had been cheerfully greeting the nobles.
But as soon as he entered the main palace, his mood had become worrisomely heavy.
Ryuk, leading the way, didn't seem to notice, but he could sense the change in Karron.
Karron's sea was churning.
His sea of Azure Mana was roiling as if it would overflow at any moment.
The waves were so fierce that Leo's own mana, standing beside him, was resonating with it.
But Leo didn't ask why.
Because.
...So he can make that kind of face, too.
Karron was clearly sad.
He wasn't crying, and he was forcing a smile, but Karron was unmistakably sad.
He remembered something Sabina had once told him.
Leo. You must watch over Karron's sea more carefully than anyone. That is something only you can do in Azure Castle.
At first, he hadn't understood what she meant.
But now, he understood the meaning behind Sabina's words.
Leo had been with Karron ever since he first came to Azure Castle.
That was how he knew. He knew that Karron was sad right now.
He didn't know why he was sad.
But one thing was certain: even this madman could feel sorrow.
And so, Leo silently patted Karron's back.
You're not going to cry before you meet His Majesty, are you?
Who said anything about crying?
Your big brother knows everything.
...Knows what. What do you think you know.
Karron grumbled, but it seemed his own good-natured teasing had helped a little.
The boy's sea began to calm, and they finally reached the top of the stairs.
Just a moment, Sir Ryuk.
Having reached the top of the stairs, Karron stopped and called out to Ryuk.
Ryuk turned around.
Is something the matter, Lord Karron Leston?
I'd like to admire the view for a moment. When will I ever get to come up here again? It'll only take a second.
At the boy's request, Ryuk nodded.
Having received permission, Karron slowly turned and looked down the stairs.
In his eyes, he could still see the bodies of his comrades who had fallen at the bottom.
The blood that had seeped deep into the steps, their voices vowing to face death together until the very end.
He thought he had forgotten, but stepping on this place again seemed to revive the sensations of that time.
But he left the sorrow of his past life here. And in its place, he filled himself with something else.
...I'll get revenge for you. You foolish bastards.
A goal he had set since he was young became clear.
To make those who had driven him to his death in his past life pay for their sins.
That's a relief.
Karron let out a long breath and smiled.
Arriving here had actually cleared his head.
Shall we go in?
Yes.
Karron turned around, his face visibly brighter.
And slowly, he stood before the massive doors of the main palace.
Doors engraved with a giant, gold-plated lion.
Announcing the entrance of Lord Leo Leston and Lord Karron Leston of the Leston ducal family.
The great lion's mouth opened.
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