"This insolent one! Don't just barge in during a meeting! And be so noisy!"
"Ah! I'm so sorry!!"
"Haa..."
Trau, my older brother, dramatically kicked open the double doors to the throne room and loudly addressed Father, only to be immediately and equally loudly scolded and sent back outside.
He must have been terrified. His breathing was slightly disordered as he reported, "Haa haa... He really laid into me..."
"Well, if you're okay with that..."
As expected, this guy has no talent for words. How could he describe the current situation as being 'laid into'? Clearly, he was the one who got 'laid into'. Even Fiene was smiling wryly.
Really... He's the son of the Empress and not unintelligent. If it weren't for his personality, he could have been a contender for the imperial throne.
Shaking my head, I quietly opened the door to the throne room. The guards were, of course, present, but no one tried to stop me. After all, there's no one in the capital who doesn't recognize me.
"Excuse me, Your Majesty."
"Hmph... A rare guest has arrived."
"Silver pays his respects to the Emperor."
"What kind of 'paying respects'? If you had come through the gate, you would have reported to me first, wouldn't you?"
"Due to the emergency, I had to enter in a manner that goes against etiquette."
"The castle is the heart of the empire. Unauthorized entry here could be punishable by death. This isn't just a matter of etiquette. Did you come to kill me? Or to show that you can assassinate me at any time?"
"Restraint is unnecessary. If you were a foolish ruler, I wouldn't have entered this way. You, being wise, won't harm me, and you know that assassination is impossible. That's why I entered in this informal manner, though I apologize for the rudeness."
The upper levels of the Imperial Sword Castle, where the Emperor lives, are protected by powerful barriers, making teleportation magic impossible here. Additionally, the area is always guarded by the Imperial Knights. Anyone thinking of assassination must be out of their mind. Even if they were serious, I'm not sure I could reach the Emperor. The castle has various mechanisms I don't even know about, and there are escape routes for anti-assassination. If I let him escape even once, I'd be chased to the ends of the earth. I wouldn't do such a foolish thing.
"If you still can't forgive me, I'd like to consider it even for saving you last time."
"Hmm, very well. So, is this about the southern issue?"
"Yes. It seems information has leaked from the Adventurer's Guild. They're worried you might do something unnecessary."
Emphasizing the 'unnecessary' part, Father snorted.
He must have noticed. In front of him are Erek, Gordon, and Zandra. One of them must have extracted the information.
"Calling it 'unnecessary' is harsh. Is it so wrong for us to try to save the south?"
"I don't think it's wrong. I don't know about the Guild, but if you handle it correctly, many can be saved. What I'm concerned about is the wrong approach."
"Typical of an SS-rank adventurer. Quite arrogant. Are you going to decide the right and wrong of the empire?"
"The results will decide, not me. And the wrong approach will be as clear as day."
For a moment, Father and I exchanged glances. Being impudent is one thing, but it's allowed for an SS-rank adventurer. My presence protects the empire from many monster threats. If something like what happened in the south were to occur in the empire, my presence would prevent chaos. That's why a certain level of disrespect is tolerated. Though, given Father's character, he wouldn't punish me just for being disrespectful.
"Then, let's hear it. What is right, and what is wrong?"
"That's not my job to explain. I've already used all the connections I can. That's the job of the two behind me."
With that, I stepped back from Father. Trau and Fiene stepped forward.
Recognizing Fiene, Father's face softened.
"You look well, Fiene."
"Yes, Your Majesty. Please forgive me for paying my respects in this manner."
"Of course, of course. You can come see me anytime."
He looked like a father who had just seen his beloved daughter. However, Fiene isn't a child who would take those words literally and come to see him whenever she wanted, nor would I use that to gain an advantage in the imperial succession. After all, Father, no matter how much he dotes on her, is still the Emperor who can judge and punish. Even if he dotes on Fiene, he won't make a favorable judgment for us.
"I appreciate your understanding."
"Father, about me—"
"Your Majesty, Trau."
"Ah, Your Majesty. To be honest, I want to be sent as your representative to the south."
While Fiene was trying to proceed smoothly with her greetings, this fourth son, who can't read the room, blurted it out.
Maybe he thinks it's pointless to try any subtle maneuvering with Father. Or maybe he wants to think so.
"Go to sleep, pig."
"I don't appreciate your interference."
"Will you shut up if you're going to interfere?"
Without hesitation, the three silent ones launched verbal attacks on Trau. Despite being suddenly berated, Trau, showing a slight hesitation, countered with another room-reading failure.
"Ah, as always, your tone and gaze are so severe, Lady Zandra... Is that why you can't get married?"
"I'll turn you into minced meat and feed you to the livestock."
"Ah!?"
How can you say such things in front of Father? Both of you.
Amid the lack of tension, Fiene cleared her throat to draw attention to herself.
"May I speak?"
"Go ahead."
"Thank you. I was the one who persuaded Prince Trau. The reason is that sending the army to the south would not benefit the empire."
"Hmm? Fiene, talking about military matters?"
"It may be a woman's limited wisdom, but please listen. Even if the empire sends an army to rescue the south, it will take several days to arrive. If the sea dragon is defeated in the meantime, it will be a wasted effort. Even if they do arrive, the opponent is a sea dragon. There's a risk that even a fleet could be destroyed. Historically, the military has never been deployed to slay dragons. This is because quality, not quantity, is crucial in slaying dragons. Therefore, I believe it would be beneficial for the empire to send Prince Trau as a representative to allow Lady Eorna in the south to use the holy sword."
Fiene spoke fluently, but this wasn't her own idea. While she might think similarly, she wouldn't articulate it so logically. Before coming here, we had agreed that Fiene would explain things to the Emperor. Linfia had already thought through what to say to the Emperor and conveyed it to Fiene.
"Hmm, interesting. However, Fiene, why must Trau be the representative?"
"The other three are of too high a rank. The role of the representative is to transport the holy sword. If we entrust it to the other three, it could damage their reputation. I apologize, but Prince Trau doesn't have that concern."
"Lady Fiene, you're so sharp... But you're cute, so I'll forgive you. Cuteness is justice, after all."
"Trau, be quiet for a moment..."
Father, pressing his forehead as if to relieve a headache, warned Trau. I can understand why he's getting a headache. I've been there.
"Your Majesty, I have a question for Lady Linfia."
"Go ahead."
"Lady Linfia, if your logic holds, wouldn't it be the same if I led the army as a representative? Why are you so against sending the army? Do you think the holy sword wielder and the imperial army together would lose?"
"No, Prince Gordon. Victory is certain. However, it will take time. Fortunately, we have Silver here. Silver can use teleportation magic to take the representative and a few guards to the south. Speed is more important than numbers. With the empire's strongest holy sword wielder and the empire's strongest adventurer, the army is unnecessary. Of course, the empire's reputation will spread across the continent, and there will be no damage to the empire."
Perfect.
Gordon seems to be thinking of a counterargument, but in this situation, the three of them have no chance. If they want to benefit the empire, there's no better plan. The empire will gain reputation without any damage. If they accept the role of transporting the holy sword, they'll just be supporting roles, damaging their reputation and pride.
However,
"Fallacy. The empire's reputation will only spread if we save the south on our own. Collaborating with the Adventurer's Guild is out of the question. If that's the case, let the Adventurer's Guild handle it alone."
"Hmm, Erek, what do you think?"
"I agree with Fiene. This is the most beneficial for the empire. Zandra's suggestion would only worsen relations with the Adventurer's Guild and spread rumors that the empire, and by extension, the Emperor, is petty."
Erek, as expected, quickly assessed the situation and joined the winning side, while also not forgetting to attack Zandra. Zandra glared sharply at Erek, but he was unfazed.
In the midst of this, Gordon looked straight at Father.
"Your Majesty, please entrust everything to me. I will take this opportunity to seize the south."
It was a straightforward statement. The rescue of the south was just a pretext; Gordon was declaring his intention to invade.
Father chuckled.
"Honest, aren't you? However, the south is of no interest to me now. If you want it, take it when you become Emperor. This discussion ends with Fiene's plan. The benefits of seizing the south now are slim, and sending the army to slay the sea dragon is not beneficial."
"But, Father!"
"Your Majesty, Zandra."
"Ugh! Your Majesty! We don't need to follow the adventurers' plans!"
"Last time, we suffered for ignoring the Adventurer's Guild. This time, I'll show Silver's face and cooperate with the Adventurer's Guild. They came to ask for help, and it will be easier with Eorna there."
"Yes, it would be difficult to do it alone."
"Then it's settled. Trau, step forward."
Father removed a ring from his finger. It's a magical ring passed down through generations of emperors. While it has no effect when worn, it can grant part of the emperor's authority to another. It's used to appoint a representative.
"I appoint Trau Gott Leaks Ardler as my representative. Go to the south and deliver the sword to the hero."
"Understood."
I was a bit worried he might say something strange, but I breathed a sigh of relief.
Just then, a messenger entered the throne room.
"Report! A sea dragon has appeared in the Albatross Principality! The Adventurer's Guild is looking for Lord Silver!"
"Here it comes..."
"I'll assign a unit of the Imperial Knights as your escort, Silver. Please take care of my son."
"Rest assured. I'll bring him back without a scratch."
"Preferably, I'd like a beautiful escort."
"There are beautiful Imperial Knights in the south. Please endure with her."
"Women who are too strong are out of my league."
Eorna would be furious if she heard that.
With that thought, I headed to the capital branch with Trau and the others.
Phew, we've made it this far.
I'm trying to give all the characters a chance to appear, but it's a bit of a struggle that Linfia, who is the brains, doesn't usually appear in the background (-_-;)
I apologize for the slower update speed over the past few days. I think I can get back to updating twice a week.