Translator: Skythewood
Editor: Hiiro
「── The front deck got hit! Eight casualties!」「Have we retrieved the injured yet!? Medic～!」
「The upper mast is damaged! We are losing speed!」 「Get it changed right now! We are doomed if we stop!」
The sailors yelled nonstop on the ships. The anxiety of the sails operator, the moan of the injured, and the Kioka Blast Cannon ships floating a fair distance away── All this chaos turned into the air of the battlefield.
「... Admiral Sir...」
Since the battle started, the communication officer working as an adjutant turned paler with each passing moment. Even Admiral Jurgus was showing a rare frown. As he watched the naval battle against the enemy, his bitter emotions kept accumulating between his brows.
「... Connect me to the Field Marshal.」
The Boss of the Pirate Navy took out his Sprite from his pouch and said. The call got through in no time.
「Ikuta Solork speaking. How goes the naval battle?」
「── Sorry, we lost.」
He reported the situation quickly. He could feel Ikuta gasping on the other side of the Sprite. Those words were enough to convey the state of events, but as the leader of the navy, the Admiral had to fulfil his duties, so he continued:
「── Twelve sunk, Twenty seven unable to sail, fifty two damaged. Even the flagship got hit, the fleet is half ruined.」
These numbers showed the damage incurred mercilessly. It showed the state they were in, and how badly the Imperial fleet was hit by the overwhelming number of Blast Cannon Ships.
「... What about the enemy fleet?」
「They didn’t lose any ships. Some ships have damages to their decks and sails. Compared to us, that’s as good as bug bites… We can’t do anything. We can’t even get near them, this isn’t something we can resolve with outstanding ship maneuvering. We can’t handle an entire fleet of Blast Cannon ships.」
Admiral Jurgus paused there, then swallowed all the emotions in his chest before saying:
「It’s a shame, but we can’t fight in that ocean anymore. I propose a temporary retreat with the surviving ships. In short, run away── What do you think, Field Marshal Sir.」
That was more of a confirmation than a question. He didn’t have to wait long for an answer.
「Permission granted. Retreat immediately, Admiral Jurgus.」
「Understood.」
After getting permission, Admiral Jurgus ended the call. He muttered in front of his adjutant who had a pained expression.
「... After the Igsem... Is this the changing of the times?」
He clenched his fists so hard that the bones started to creak. With the advent of new technology, war has become unrecognizable. He thought about himself who was tossed around by this turbulent flow.
「Are you kidding me? ──I won’t succumb to this.」
「── My worries are unfounded after all.」
In a corner of the Kioka fleet that was continuously firing their cannons, on the 「White Wings」. Seeing the half destroyed Imperial Navy, Marine Commander Greg said without any emotions:
「This was the expected result... Unlike the land, there are no trenches to hide in the open sea. With two fleets fighting each other, the number of cannons was the decisive factor in capabilities. The battle was decided before it started.」
This was a clear and obvious reason for victory. After hearing that, Elulufay standing before him said quietly:
「── How vexing.」
「Great Mother...」
「This is the victory of Kioka’s technology, earned by this fleet. However, we have not avenged our last defeat. This victory is nothing to be proud of.」
The 「Great Mother of White Wings」 shared her sincere thoughts… After the battle started, the Kioka fleet kept their distance and shot their cannons, giving no time for the fleet to compete in their sailing abilities. It was a fact that was clear even to a child, the side with better weapons would win── that was all.
Elulufay fell into an unhappy silence. Greg who was watching the enemy movements behind him was the first to see some changes in their movements.
「The enemy is retreating── they don’t intend to surrender. Let’s give chase, Great Mother.」
Greg said plainly, gently placing his hands on the Great Mother’s shoulders from behind. The fearsome looking Marine Commander’s concern made Elulufay nod with a deep sigh.
「... How annoying. Looks like the defeat at Port Nemong will be forever buried deep in my breasts.」
She said and then issued a pursuit order to her subordinates. She glanced upwards, and saw her beloved bird Misai staying motionlessly on the bridge, as if it understood that its master didn’t require its assistance.
「In hindsight, this is too easy── it’s over. The Empire has lost this war.」
「...」
「...Ikuta-san...」
A heavy silence hung in the air. Haro who came to make her operation report saw the sullen figure of the young Commander-in-Chief after receiving the grave news from the sea.
「... I’m fine. But don’t let the troops on land know about this.」
「Of course, but...」
Haro had no words── the naval defeat wouldn’t end with just that. Losing in the sea meant losing control over the sea, allowing them to transport reinforcements. With the army being pushed to the brink with just the attacks from the east, what would happen if an army landed to the south? ──it’s dubious whether they could even fight on two fronts.
Before Haro who was staring at him, the youth who understood this better than anyone shook his head with a bitter smile── as if to say that he knew from the beginning that this wouldn’t be an easy war.
「...Haro, it’s about time for you to head to the frontlines. I hope you can feel it in person, since calls alone aren’t enough to accurately gauge the mental state of the troops.」
「If that is your order… But I’m a little worried about you.」
「Don’t worry. Your hug is still showing its effect.」
The youth said with a grin, then added as if he just thought of something:
「Oh right── can you make me a cup of tea?」
「──Yes! I will make a pot of delicious tea!」
Haro tried to answer cheerfully, then ran out of the headquarters. Maintaining his postures of having both hands behind his back, Ikuta wondered whether he had hid his trembling hands from her.
「... It’s fine to tremble, but don’t ever panic.」
He persuaded himself with a mumble, and spent several minutes trying to stop his shivering hands. He looked at the pocket watch on the table and realized── he had been commanding the war for 40 consecutive hours after waking up.
「... No good, we can’t win if I neglect that.」
Ikuta cautioned himself and pressed the bell to call for Major Megu. Less than 30 seconds later, his familiar adjutant rushed over.
「── Field Marshal, did you call for me!?」
「Yes, I will be sleeping for two hours. During this time, the three of you will handle the calls. The basic plan is to follow the doctrines, only call me if there is an emergency.」
「I understand, please have a good rest.」
The youth walked to the break room next door after leaving these instructions, and Major Megu watched him go with a salute. After going into that room, Ikuta laid down on a bed nearby.
「What a good bed── Hey Jean, it’s during times like this that I should treasure the things I have but you don’t.」
He closed his eyes with a mutter, and started to snore in less than 10 seconds.
Chapter 2: Mainland Invasion
Normal and special activities filled their days, but people still carried on with their lives during war. It was the same for the Imperial Capital Banhataal far from the frontlines, and in contrast to the precarious war, the market was crowded with people searching for food and daily necessities.
「... Let me see the wheat.」
An elderly man said in front of a stall, and reached into the basket of wheat. The stallowner was surprised, but his face changed after seeing who it was.
「Oh, it’s you, Bhada-san. What brings an esteemed person like you to the market?」
「I’m checking the market prices. In times like this, it’s normal for the flow of goods to be disrupted due to the demands of war, however...」
Bhada answered as he inspected the wheat in his palm. After checking the first handful, he dug another handful from the bottom of the basket. Normal people would get chased out for doing this── but no merchants in the capital would dare do that to the wealthy merchant known as the 「Godfather of the Market」.
「... This price without mixing anything in? Seems adequate. I thought the price will raise higher.」
「Her Majesty seemed to have stocked up on supplies ahead of time.」
「I know, I was asked to assist too… I thought it would be a futile effort, but it’s going well. At the very least, the preparations are done very well for this war.」
Bhada said and increased his evaluation of the Empress’ governance. The stallowner shifted his bags of wheat with a wry smile.
「With this final battle, the grudge between Kioka and us would finally come to an end. Everyone is looking forward to it.」
「... How carefree. Have you never thought about what will happen if we lose the war?」
「Lose? The Imperial Army? Haha── impossible, something so ludicrous won’t happen.」
The stallowner stated his optimistic view on reflex. After inspecting the wheat, Bhada bid farewell before leaving. With the noise of the market all around him, he snorted.
「He is so unconcerned even at this juncture? … The Empress sure has it hard. Although I’m in no position to say that.」
The man muttered. Unlike most of the people here, he wasn’t optimistic about the war── in the past century, Kioka was obviously building up its strength. They challenged this final battle with the confidence of achieving victory.
The men he sent to check the situation at the frontlines would return in a few days. Depending on their reports, things might get busy── When Bhada was walking while thinking about that, a familiar slender figure appeared before him.
「── That’s...」
The man watched the bustling crowd in the noon market as if he was looking at livestock.
「Fufufu── it’s still as unpleasant as ever .」
Trisnai said with a condescending face. He even hated breathing the air of mere mortals.
「No matter where I look, there’re only fools, fools, and more fools. Not one person with normal wit. But that can’t be helped. They are fools that need to be guided.」
That’s right, the man was looking down on them. He held no expectations for most of the citizens in this country from the start. He had absolute trust in the Empress, which meant he was thoroughly disappointed in the masses.
「But to form a Parliament at this juncture── Your Majesty, just what do you expect from them? The masses that will gather if you scatter bait, like street cats or dogs.」
Trisnai asked his monarch who wasn’t here with a sigh.
「Is this a form of love by a monarch? … Emperor Arshankrut──」
「── What are you trying to do by adopting this deformed child?」
A man and a woman looked down at him with emotionless eyes. That was his first memory.
「Don’t say that. He isn’t just a deformed child── but a deformed child with excellent pedigree. If you raised him and teach him to have a glib tongue, there will be no better tool than him if you want to curry favour with the Imperial family.」
The man said and then drank from his beer bottle. Exposed to the unpleasant scent of alcohol, the baby started crying. The woman frowned while the man covered the mouth of the baby.
「I will think of a name later. Hey, deformed kid, take us to the peak of this country. This is the natural reward we deserved by saving your life from execution, right?」
His young mind understood. To them, no matter what happens, he was just an object.
After he grew a little older, his 「education」 began. The man summoned him to a room, then tossed a strangely shaped inner shirt to him.
「Use this to hide the concave part of your chest. Don’t let others see something so unsightly.」
He put on the inner shirt as told. The constrictive feeling on his chest was uncomfortable, but he would just get beaten if he said that. He already grasped the rule of this place.
「Learning History and Mathematics are a given. And Poetry, Music and Divination? I don’t know what his Majesty prefers, but it’s better to have more weapons.」
The man wasn’t the productive type of person, but he was great at sucking up to those in power. Because that was how this married couple had always lived.
「Your brain isn’t deformed too, right? There’s nothing more boring than that.」
The man crudely grabbed the head sitting by the table. The boy instinctively felt that if the 「education」 didn’t meet the man’s expectations, his face would be slammed onto the table.
He was literally betting his life to challenge mathematics for the first time in his life. The man’s tutelage was crude, but the boy made it up with his intelligence, and met the man’s expectations. The man grinned.
「Hah, your memory isn’t bad, cocky brat. Or you are just doing this desperately…? Never mind, I will let you eat today.」
After that, they would repeat this process every day. In order to eat, not get beaten, and to survive, he completed the work given to him. He would get hit if he made any mistakes, and he would often be forbidden to eat. But he survived. Contrary to the Imperial doctor’s diagnosis that he would be short-lived, the boy possessed unusual tenacity.
「What, you want to try drawing? ──Haha, are you retarded? You think I’m your father?」
When he could complete his work steadily, he tried stating his interest when the man was in a good mood── and got beaten so badly that he was bedridden for three days. This shattered any expectation he had of that man, and the delusion that the man would love him if he continued to answer the man’s demand.
The man would occasionally bring the boy to the palace and tell him the same thing:
「Look, your real parents are there, but they would never recognize you as their son. To the Imperial family, the existence of a deformed child like you is a sin itself.」
The man told the boy his history, and his inevitable fate. He fed poison to the boy who was still forming his personality, telling him that he shouldn’t be born in the first place.
「However, you have one possibility. That is to infiltrate into the palace by working as an admin officer. If the Imperial family takes a liking to you, they might keep you by their side. Instead of His Majesty, the heir to the throne── your older brother is closer in age to you, which gives you a better chance.」
He stared at the palace as he listened. This was the sacred ground where the Imperial family resided. Compared to his environment, that was as beautiful as a different world.
He yearned desperately── he wanted to return to that place, to his real family.
「I will make the arrangement before the meeting, you have to sell yourself hard. If he ignores you── I will get really drunk tonight.」
He understood with an emotionless face. That wasn’t a metaphor, if he failed, this would be the last day of his life.
On a certain day when he was 16, the chance to decide his fate came.
「── A new face huh, who are you?」
The man made the arrangement for him to take up a posting, and he stepped into the palace for the first time in his life. The other admin officers brought him to meet the Prince, and the Prince looked at him with a displeased face.
「The son of the Izanma house? That scum house grabbed an admin officer posting? Hah, another waste of tax money.」
After learning about his history, the Prince said with disgust before looking away. Even though he was insulted, he didn’t feel unhappy, since he agreed with the part about the house being scum.
「Never mind, I know your intentions. You want to curry favour and leech off me, right? Vulgar people with no loyalty towards the Imperial family.」
The Prince looked at the admin officers with a malicious smile── he then swung his hand and hit a large decorative pot. Before the admin officers could even react, the pot shattered and spilled all over the place.
「Oh no── it got smashed. I don’t know the reason, but I heard it’s a treasure from the warring era. What will I do if my father learns about this.」
The Prince snickered and intentionally said that. He turned to the panicking admin officer and continued:
「As you can see, I need help right now── which one of you can take the fall for me, and say you broke it?」
A heavy silence hung over the air. Seeing his vassals standing pale faced in a row before him, the Prince couldn’t help laughing.
「Fuhaha── all of you have good eyes in appraising art! You don’t want to shoulder a debt that will bankrupt your house! How honest!」
Prince said, as if he expected this reaction. At this moment── he took a step forward from the group of admin officers.
「Your Highness, I’m the one who broke it.」
The Prince stopped laughing when he heard that, and looked at that man.
「── Say that again.」
「I’m the one who broke it. My deep apologies, I just joined recently and got careless.」
He apologized without any hesitation. The Prince clicked his tongue and leaned forward.
「You are too dumb to calculate this, and still took up this posting? Don’t you know how much this pot cost──」
「Please don’t move!」
The instant the Prince stepped forward, he yelled to stop the Prince. When the Prince stop on reflex, he continued with a plea:
「Please don’t move, Your Highness. The shattered pieces will cut through your shoe sole and hurt your feet. I will clean this up immediately, please bear with it.」
He said and knelt down to collect the pieces. However── the Prince stepped forth heavily before him.
「... I refuse. Why should I listen to you and stay there.」
「... Must you walk forth no matter what?」
He looked up into the Prince’s eyes, and found an emotion that was either confusion or rage wavering in the Prince’s eyes.
「That’s right, I want to walk. I won’t permit there to be any place in this country that I can’t walk on. Such a place shouldn’t exist── Since I will inherit the Empire one day, isn’t that right?」
The Prince said as if to measure his worth. He nodded in agreement without any hesitation.
「It’s as you say. Well then── please pardon me and use this instead.」
He lowered his body and laid onto the floor on top of the shattered pot. The Prince furrowed his brows puzzledly.
「... What is this?」
「There are still broken pieces on the floor, and it's still too dangerous with just a layer of cloth. I will be the road── please allow the other admin officer to assist you and walk over me.」
After being glared by him, the admin officers rushed to either side of the Prince. The Prince looked at him emotionlessly as he prepared to become the 「road」.
「... Are you mad?」
「If you need me to, I can be the road for you. This is my duty as your vassal that takes priority over my duty as a bureaucrat.」
There wasn’t any gloom in his reply. Shortly after── the Prince slowly stepped on his back.
「... It’s hard to walk. What an uneven road, even a muddy path is better than this.」
「Yes, my deep apologies.」
The shattered pieces under his body cut through his clothes and pierced into his body. But he didn’t cry out in pain even once, playing the role of a 「road」 until the Prince finished walking.
「Enough── stand up.」
The Prince walked off his back and ordered. He stood up with blood all over his admin officer uniform, and the Prince asked:
「What’s your name?」
「Your Highness Arshankrut, I’m Trisnai Izanma.」
He eagerly gave his name. The Prince snorted before turning to leave.
「... If I’m in the mood, I will get you to be the road again, Trisnai.」
「It will be my honour.」
When he heard the Prince call him, a warmth spread in his chest. He decided naturally to devote his life to that esteemed man.
「You lot clean this up── oh right, don’t bother picking up the pieces and sticking them together. That’s just a fake pot I made on the spur of the moment.」
The Prince left after saying that impatiently. Ignoring the stunned admin officers, he kept thinking about the Prince’s voice calling his name.
「──There are many people trying to suck up to me, and that’s fine. But those guys seems to think about the lower half of my body.」
After the pot incident, the Prince would chat with him from time to time── two years after taking up the posting, the Prince kept him by his side as a conversational partner.
「They keep sending me woman, woman and woman. And give them the unnecessary title of the top beauty of the western territories or the rebirth of an ancient princess── I do like pretty girls, but the never ending train of women is still infuriating. Who do they think I am, a stud horse?」
With his position as an Imperial Prince, he had tons of complaints he couldn’t vent to others. Trisnai took on the role of a listener, and the Prince accepted that fact. The Prince probably didn’t care whether Trisnai had any schemes.
「Recently, I find literature and art to be interesting. I especially like the palace works of art from a century ago. The techniques might be poor compared to modern works── but their respect towards the Imperial family is more pure and simple, don’t you think?」
When he wasn’t complaining, the Prince would get chatty when he talks about his interest. He would work on his own art from time to time, and even amateurs would find the standards to be high── he was especially passionate when talking about historical works in the palace.
「Originally, the Katjvarna Imperial family is a mysterious bloodline. This bloodline contains a power that surpasses humanity and guides them… However, the bloodline has gradually faded with time. I have to find that bloodline and bring eternal prosperity back to the Empire.」
Prince stood before the many paintings arranged by date, and stated his goal. Trisnai would feel a strong urge every time. That blood flows in me too── if only he could tell that to the person before him. But as time passed, he felt it was a taboo. The painting before him depicts the Emperors of the past. Compared to these dignified people, he felt his body was too twisted to be a person of the same blood line.
「If I keep listening to the flattery of the nobles who don’t understand respect, my heart will grow vulgar. Do you intend to lead me towards depravity too, Trisnai?」
Prince probed as usual. Trisnai shook his head as he search through the dates of the paintings, and said as he look up at the oldest painting:
「No── I hope you can be just like this painting.」
Emperor Luciaro who defeated an army with a wave of his hand. The Prince looked at the majestic figure of the one who planted the Eternal Sprite Tree, and said with a smile:
「The Founding Emperor? ──Easier said than done.」
「I found it. The fundamental reason why the war between us and Kioka is being dragged out, is because of our over reliance on the army.」
Over spending more time together, the Prince started telling Trisnai his views on governance. It was dangerous even for a Prince to say something that might be interpreted as criticism towards the Emperor, but the Prince trusted him enough to speak freely.
「It’s good that our nation has a strong army. However, it is a blunder to use war to cover up mishaps in governance. Politics is politics, the military is the military── the two are fundamentally different, and only the Emperor is allowed to manage both. There is no room for the personal benefits of the nobles.」
The Prince kept talking until the luxurious palace dishes before him dried up. Trisnai likes the Prince who forgot his meals and kept talking, and the passion of the next Emperor.
「Can you understand, Trisnai? Simply put, it’s to return to the starting point. The Emperor will control the government and military flawlessly and lead the nation and our people. That system is the pride of the original Empire. It can’t be done by mere mortals── but I can do it. Since I’m an Imperial Prince, I have to do it. I’m the inheritor of the Eternal Sprite Tree. This is an immovable fact.」
The Prince always sets high expectations for himself. The Prince believed that his destiny was to be a revered being just like the wise Emperor of the distant past. He didn’t think this was just a dream. Because he had the same dream since that day when the both of them stood before that painting.
「I can’t complain about my father’s reign, However── after I take the throne, it will be my rules. I won’t let anyone interfere, my life will begin from there.」
「It’s as you say.」
「Indeed… But that’s not what my siblings wish for. A bunch of troublesome people. It will be terrible if I get assassinated before my coronation.」
The Prince sighed as he stared at the tea cup in his hand. The Prince then handed the cup to him with a grin.
「Why don’t you be a poison tester for me, Trisnai? The colour is deeper today, so I should be on my guard── poison usually taste bitter after all.」
「── I will be happy to.」
He took the cup without any hesitation and drank from it── he soon felt an intense fire burning his stomach.
「... Ugh...!」
「Get the doctor!」
The Prince yelled when he noticed the change. By the time the servants rushed over, he had lost consciousness.
「── I didn’t expect you to hit the jackpot on the first try, Trisnai. Your luck is terrible, huh?」
Two days later. Thanks to the efforts of the doctors, he barely survived and regained consciousness. The Prince sat beside his bed with an exasperated face.
「... Your highness’ health...」
「As you can see, I’m fine. However...」
The Prince looked down. He already realized that he wasn’t wearing his undershirt that hides his body. The doctor had removed his clothes for his treatment.
「... Your body is strange. The doctors are surprised too, and say it’s a miracle you made it to this age.」
「... I showed you something unsightly...」
He pursed his lips bitterly. He had been carefully searching for the right time to confess, but the Prince found out in such a way. But the Prince ignored his feelings and said:
「What I’m going to say is just drivel, so don’t take me seriously.」
「...?」
「There is a strange rumour from some time ago. Aside from the Princes and Princesses currently listed in the Imperial family nominal roll, there is another child with the blood of the Emperor. That child has a birth defect, and wasn’t recognized as part of the Imperial family. The child was supposed to be disposed in secret, but a certain noble thought it was too cruel, and forged the background of the child to adopt him as his son...」
He gasped── How did the Prince find out? No, in hindsight, this was only natural. It would be difficult to hide the fact that a child of the Emperor had been 「erased」 from other people in the palace. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the rumours reached the Prince.
「And of course, I don’t believe the rumours. Because the bloodline of the Eternal Sprite Tree won’t give birth to children with defects… But many people say it is true. What do you think, Trisnai?」
The Prince asked with a poker face. How should he conceal this? What should he say to earn the Prince’s trust?── Such schemes vanished from his heart. He remembered his conversations with the Prince, the time they spent together and the goal they shared. He got his answer.
「What a foolish jest── the Katjvarna Imperial family is sacred and flawless. It’s impossible for the descendents of that bloodline to have children with defects.」
He answered. In order to share his feelings with the Prince in the future, he denied his past… He felt a greater pain in his chest than all the beatings he suffered before. The Prince must have sensed that pain.
「That’s right── pardon me for asking something foolish.」
The Prince said in a very gentle tone, then touched Trisnai’s cheek softly with his fingers.
「Get well soon. It’s inconvenient without you around── I can’t even smash pots in peace now.」
「... Yes...」
He nodded with his body that was still numb. Until he recovered two weeks later, the Prince would visit him every day.
「── You have been promoted to the Prince’s direct vassal! Haha, as I expected!」
Three years after working as an admin officer, he was summoned back to the Izanma house to make his report to that man. The man was overjoyed by that report.
「Listen up, don’t let the Prince feel bored. On the other hand, take on the troublesome matters in his stead. If His Highness delegates everything to you, that means we are successful.」
The more he listened, the further his soul withered… His relationship with the Prince was just a new way to make money for this man.
「It’s finally time to introduce my daughter to him── Hahaha!」
The man laughing out loud didn’t notice Trisnai’s eyes. It was like he was looking at walking garbage
With his deepening relationship with the heir apparent of the Emperor, Trisnai’s position gradually changed from that of a mere admin officer. 「I’m going to meet my father, come with me──」 When the Prince gave him this order, Trisnai was filled with glee.
「Arshankrut, you seemed to be in good health. I heard there is a weird man following you around recently?」
The 26th Emperor spoke with his son from his throne. He was getting old, but he had a good relationship with the Prince. The Prince answered immediately:
「Yes, father. This is Trisnai Izanma.」
The Prince gestured at Trisnai who was kneeling beside him, and the Emperor looked at him with curious eyes.
「Raise your head── I commend your loyalty for drinking the poison in my son’s stead. Have you recovered?」
「── Yes──」
Only at this moment, it took all his might to not quiver when he was answering── his father was right there. His real father who was related to him by blood. However, he couldn’t express this emotion. He used all his self restraint to stop himself from acting out of line from that of a vassal.
「I have to reward you. Do you have anything you wish for?」
The Emperor asked kindly, unaware of how Trisnai felt. The word wish reverberated heavily in his chest. He then thought── what did he wish for right now? What was he permitted to ask for?
「────」
「...? What’s the matter, Trisnai? Father is asking you a question.」
Prince urged the silent Trisnai to answer. At that moment, the wish took shape in his heart.
「... Please...」
「Hmm?」
「... Please bestow me with a painting… of Your Majesty, Concubine Liyasha and Prince Arshankrut… A painting of these three esteemed people.」
The Emperor tilted his head in surprise when he heard the answer Trisnai gave cautiously.
「It can be made if I order the court painter to do so. However… Is that enough for you?」
The Emperor confirmed with him. He was certain at this moment── this man knows nothing. Either the rumours behind Trisnai's birth didn’t reach his ears, or he just laughed it off. Pain and relief assaulted his chest at the same time. He worked hard to not show it and replied:
「In that case── pardon my impudence for making another request. Please grant me permission to display this painting in my residence.」
That was the ultimate luxury he craved for. The Emperor looked impressed:
「I see── Impressive loyalty. You have a good confidant, Arshankrut.」
「Of course, father.」
The Prince said proudly and the Emperor laughed. This might be the most happy moment of his life.
The painting was finished three months later, and was sent to his residence. The Prince stood before the painting hanging on the west wall of the bed room and snorted.
「── The standard is mediocre. I can paint a far better one.」
「No… It’s good enough for me. I just need this to be the first thing I will see when I wake up.」
He said his sincere feelings and looked up at the painting… He imagined himself standing beside the painting of his parents and brother. This would never be permitted in reality, but if it was this painting, he could imagine it to his heart’s content.
As they grew older, the Emperor’s health deteriorated. When he had worked over ten years, the Emperor’s illness finally reached a decisive stage.
「── How are things, Your Highness?」
The Prince left the restricted zone after visiting his bedridden father, and Trisnai asked him. The Prince shook his head.
「It’s difficult to even converse with him… It has been two months since he was bedridden, but father isn’t getting better.」
His words were as cruel as Trisnai expected, which made him bite his lips. However, when he was lost in his sadness, the Prince grabbed and shook his shoulders.
「There is no time to grieve, Trisnai. If father passes away, then my era will begin. The work I will need you to do will be incomparable then before.」
「... The work, I need to do?」
「You won’t be just a mere vassal. If you continue serving me, what’s waiting for you is the post of Imperial Chancellor ── on par with the Field Marshal that serves as the Emperor’s left and right hands. Do you have the resolve to take on this appointment?」
Facing his upcoming reign, the Prince asked his most trusted vassal if he had the resolve. After a moment of silence, he quietly said:
「... Can you give me some time?」
The Prince opened his eyes wide in shock. The Prince stared at his face from up close and asked:
「I thought you’ll agree on the spot, why are you hesitating? Are you upset with me?」
He shook his head. He wasn’t hesitating, and wasn’t bearing a grudge.
「It’s my personal problem… Please wait for me a little. I need to put my affairs in order.」
He told the Prince with a resolute face, and understood that it was time.
A few nights later. He took leave and headed to the Izanma mansion.
「Oh, Trisnai. It’s been a while, why haven’t you visit recently?」
The servant brought him to the living room, and a man and a woman were drinking there with blushed faces. It was a scene he had already gotten tired of. In his memories, these two spent more time drunk than sober.
「But don’t worry, we received His Highness’ presents in good order. This bottle of wine too. Haha, each one of them can fetch a high price. You sure are a high flyer eh, deformed kid?」
He said with his glass raised. Ignoring the woman sipping on her glass silently, the man stood up as if he just thought of something.
「You came at the right time, I think it’s about time to introduce my daughter to His Highness. He is probably picky── but that doesn’t matter, it’s all good if she gets pregnant. I want to choose a chance when the Prince lets his guard down after getting drunk, when’s the next banquet? You can get a seat for my daughter, right?」
In the end, the man’s ambition was very simple. He wants to use this connection to hook his daughter up with the Prince, and if it works, she could fight for the position of Queen when the Prince ascends to the throne. And the Izanma that built a deep relationship with the Imperial family would amass great wealth. Completely understanding the man’s scheme── Trisnai shook his head.
「... You don’t have to worry about that.」
「...Huh? What do you──」
The man approached him puzzlely. At this moment── the heavy sound of a glass falling on the floor came from behind.
「...Ughh, kyaa...!」
The woman was struggling in pain while pressing her neck. The man wanted to rush over, but he tripped over himself and fell onto the floor. He desperately tried to get up, and screamed when he realized:
「Y-You… This wine...!」
「This is a great vintage from a vineyard in the southern territories, its prominent feature is the thick aroma and strong taste, well suited for extra ingredients── and a good ticket to hell.」
He looked at that man as if he was looking at a dying bug, and said to the two of them:
「Oh, I don’t bear any grudge against you two. If you didn’t take me in, I would have died. I want to repay you for that too. I have many chances to poison you, but I always send the gifts I received to you.」
「... Ughh...」
「However, the situation has changed── Do you understand? Someone who has the honour of becoming the right hand man of the Emperor can’t have bugs latching on to them.」
Personal grudges were trivial matters. As someone who would be serving beside the throne, he had to clean away the filth on him── That was the principle behind his action. Simply put, this couple were just lices on his coat.
「I will protect the Imperial family── so please rest in peace on your journey to hell.」
He declared firmly and bowed respectfully to the dying couple. Without any time to even curse, the couple squirmed in pain as they fell into darkness.
「... So that’s what you mean by putting your affairs in order? You are really bold.」
Some time later, the Prince caught news of the accident that happened in the Izanma house and rushed to meet him. Although the other party clearly knew everything, he pretended to be oblivious:
「It’s heart wrenching for me, their son, but I never thought my parents would die from shellfish toxins.」
By the time the Prince arrived, the bodies were already carried out of the room, and the servants all gave the testimony that the problem appears to be 「the shellfish they had for dinner」. The preparations had been done ahead of time to make this an 「accident」. The Prince grinned at his capability.
「You are going to act dumb to the end? ──No, this is good. You can’t be a Chancellor without that kind of strength.」
The Prince looked at him and said, then declared firmly:
「Our era is coming── Do your best, Trisnai.」
He knelt down. As a vassal serving his lord, he no longer has any impurities around him.
A month after that 「accident」, the 26th Emperor passed away. The throne was passed down swiftly, and the Prince first in the line of succession── Arshankrut Kitra Katjvarna, became the 27th Emperor of the Katjvarna Empire.
「This is my first time leading a grand army. Fufu, isn’t this a majestic sight?」
The first thing the Emperor who ascended the throne did was to retake the eastern territories seized by Kioka. And it wasn’t just sending forth an army, but an army led personally by the Emperor. The Emperor swore to do well in both the military and governance.
「Don’t fall behind, Trisnai. You might be an admin officer, but you’re still a part of my army. Don’t give an unsightly showing.」
「Yes, my apologies.」
Trisnai travelled beside the Emperor in the center of the army, but he had just started learning to ride a horse. As he held his reins tight to not fall behind, an officer came from behind.
「Pardon my interruption, Your Majesty. We are getting close to the zone occupied by Kioka.」
「Hmm? Yes, I know.」
「Then please withdraw to the rear. If the enemy discover Your Majesty’s location, you will be in danger.」
The officer urged the Emperor to evacuate to a safe zone. When the Emperor heard that, he raised his eyebrows.
「What drivel! Aren’t my guards already defending this position!?」
「You’re right, my liege, but we can’t be too safe. Just having the new Emperor leading us is enough to raise the morale of the troops. Please watch the battle from the rear in ease.」
「Watch the battle? What are you talking about? I’m your commander, right!? That means fighting under my command! To do so, I need to stay in a place where I can clearly see the troops! Am I wrong!」
「But Your Majesty, according to the customs──」
Since it concerns the safety of his monarch, the officer didn’t back down easily. With the Emperor insisting on personally taking command, the officer looked troubled.
「... Please wait a moment, I will discuss this with my superiors.」
「Then call your superior over! We are burning daylight on nonsense here!」
The officer carried out his orders, and a vermillion-haired one armed officer with the aura of a veteran came over.
「Greetings, Your Majesty── my subordinate said a lot to me, but in short, you wish to personally take command of the frontlines?」
Unlike the soldiers he had seen so far, this man was direct without mincing his words, which confused the Emperor. However, being overwhelmed by that man wouldn’t help with things, so the Emperor displayed his dignity as the monarch and stated his intentions.
「Y-Yes, that’s right. I’m not here just to be a nominal general, but to lead the Empire to victory.」
「Let’s do that then. But the frontline is a gamble, so will it be alright if I, Yorunzaf Igsem, stay by your side as your adjutant?」
「Hmm… V-Very well, I will grant you the honour of assisting my first battle on the field.」
「That’s a great honour.」
The officer grinned. And so, the Emperor took command of the frontlines as he wished── two hours later, he experienced his first battle.
「── Right wing, spread out! Stop dallying! We will get surrounded and wiped out if we are slow!」
A field battle began without either side grasping either side’s strength. The officer yelled, and the troops changed formation at dazzling speed. Trisnai couldn’t tell what was happening, and only focused on protecting his lord in case of an emergency. Meanwhile, the Emperor was overwhelmed by the battle.
「U-Ughh──」
「We can’t continue like this, I propose we flank the enemy and attack their rear! What’s your order, Your Majesty?」
The officer checked in before giving out orders. However, the situation changed again before the Emperor could even judge if that was the right call. The Emperor could only nod at whatever the officers said.
「Erm── Y-Yes, proceed.」
「Yes Sir～! Everyone, go get them! Charge as if your live depends on it～!」
「「「「「「「Warrrgghh!」」」」」」」
「......」「... Your Majesty.」
After beating off the enemy, in a corner of the base where many wounded soldiers laid on the ground, the Emperor was silent. However── when even Trisnai couldn’t find anything to discuss with him, the one armed officer visited again.
「Pardon me── Your Majesty, good work on your first battle. You worked harder than I expected, I’m relieved you didn’t fall off your horse midway.」
Ignoring the wide eyed Trisnai, the officer wasn’t being completely sarcastic, and was a little impressed. However, that wasn’t enough to console the Emperor. He still couldn’t accept the fact that he couldn’t do anything despite demanding the command of the frontlines.
「Seventy odd men died in that battle. I was expecting less deaths, I apologize for my lack of ability.」
「......!」
His words this time were clear sarcasm. Because you took command, soldiers that would have lived ended up dead. The Emperor had no words against that fact.
「Your Majesty, the battlefield is ever changing, so it’s normal for theory on paper to be useless. Before talking about strategy, we need to hone our mind and body to fight on the frontlines. If it is not too much of a hassle, please keep that in mind.」
Judging that he had said enough, the vermillion haired one armed officer bowed and left. Unable to stand by idly any further, he shouted at that officer’s back.
「...Yorunzaf, your tone with──」
「── Forget it!」
But the Emperor restrained him. He turned in surprise, and saw his liege shaking his head weakly.
「── That’s enough, Trisnai. Don’t say anymore. Don’t let me… shame myself further.」
The eastern territories were recaptured from Kioka after many sacrifices, and Arshankrut's first battle ended with relative success. However, the Emperor never took to the field ever again.
「... Leading the battle personally is meant to leave an impression of my reign onto the world, but I got the order wrong. Instead of war, my priority should be dealing with the problems in governance.」
「Yes, that’s Your Majesty’s main task.」
He nodded without hesitation, knowing that the priority right now was to heal the Emperor’s wounded ego. The Emperor realized this unconsciously, and proposed a plan to recover his reputation.
「Listen, Trisnai, I have been thinking of a plan, building a reservoir upstream of the Golna river in the western territories. How’s that, isn’t it a revolutionary plan?」
A servant handed a document listing the gist of the plan to Tristan when the Emperor signaled with his gaze. After reading through the contents carefully, he had to think carefully before saying:
「... I’m impressed by Your Majesty’s bold plan. Pardon me, but… For the first project after your coronation, isn’t the scale too big? The manpower, timeline, and budget are tremendous. We should start from a smaller project──」
His words were cut off by a fist slamming on the throne. The Emperor roared with a beet red face:
「You’re saying I failed again?」
「──」
He stood stiffly at a loss for words. A vassal beside him then walked forth:
「No no, Your Majesty, this is a brilliant plan! The bold concept and detailed design is a plan befitting a king!」
The man who served as Imperial Chancellor since the previous Emperor praised the plan loudly. Seeing that Trisnai had made the Emperor unhappy, he was planning to promote himself.
「T-That’s right, isn’t it! Military strategy aside, governance is my domain. It’s impossible for my plan to have any flaws!」
「Indeed. Please leave the operations to me, I will work on the budget, manpower and the preparation. My experience can’t be compared to a mere admin officer.」
With the strong support of the Chancellor, the plan was set before Trisnai could stop it. If the Emperor wished for it, he couldn’t stop things as a mere admin officer. No matter how clear the results would be──
「... He wants to build a reservoir here?」
As expected, during the inspection of the planned reservoir site, many illogical parts of the plan were exposed. Facing the hard rocky ground and insufficient footing, the personnel on site could only stand stiffly in place.
「Is the Emperor serious? Or rather… has he seen this place himself?」
「W-Where do we start...」
「We can only put down our heads and dig… But with this terrain, even digging will be difficult.」
Since it was impossible to even estimate what needs to be done, it was only adequate to deem the project to be impossible. However, since this was a perfect plan designed personally by the Emperor, then the person in charge would lose his head if he reported it like that. After troubling over it for a long time, they came up with a compromise.
「... Okay, we will depict the terrain with drawings, and add in a line 『difficult to estimate how long the project will take』. We can’t suggest the termination of the plan, but the Emperor will notice the situation here if we write that...」
They already did their best. They had to avoid harming the reputation of their monarch, and urge the Emperor to notice. However── contrary to their expectations, this report was intercepted before reaching the hands of the Emperor.
「『Difficult to estimate how long the project will take』? ...What nonsense, it’s a pain that the people on site are so inflexible.」
Chancellor tore up the report from the job site after reading it. It didn’t matter if the report was correct or not, the contents of the letter would benefit him.
「What timeline, isn’t it more convenient for it to drag on? There will be more chances to seize the budget──」
He couldn’t allow this letter to be delivered. This Chancellor wouldn’t let this chance to fatten his wallet go.
「──What happened to the reservoir plan!? It has exceeded the timeline by over a year!」
No matter how many reports he intercepted, there wouldn’t be any progress since the plan was unreasonable. As expected, the frustrated Emperor complained, but the Chancellor didn’t panic.
「My apologies. Due to the sudden illness of the site supervisor, bad weather and other issues… I regret to inform you that we couldn’t execute Your Majesty’s perfect plan in its entirety.」
The Emperor was at a loss of words when he said that… For him, admitting that this project was unreasonable was the most unbearable thing to him. But he had already sensed it. In a sense, he might be happier being a completely foolish Emperor.
「But don’t worry, with the efforts of your humble vassal, the project is finally at an end. Three months── no, two months later, the job completion report will come in. I seek your understanding and patience...」
「... Hmm… Two more months, is that true?」
「Of course!」
The Chancellor promised with a smile. He might be saying that, but the man knew he could drag it a few more months, since the Emperor couldn’t face the real reason why there wasn’t any progress with the project.
In the end, the severely delayed reservoir was 「completed」. But the Emperor didn’t even inspect the result. He already knew that the result was too pathetic to be called a lake, much less a reservoir.
Arshankrut failed repeatedly after taking the throne, but only one thing was going smoothly. That was his duty to pass down the bloodline and prepare a successor.
「Your Majesty! The First Prince is born!」
On that day when his eldest son was born. The Emperor picked up the child that his queen had birthed with a brilliant smile.
「Ohh, what an energetic child. Good boy, I have thought of your name. You shall be Raisiam, named after the 8th wise Emperor Karsiam. Grow well and become my successor──」
The Emperor who wasn’t sure how to hold a baby said troublingly. However── this might seem like a happy event at a glance, but the admin officers in a corner of the room was chattering about something dangerous:
「... Have you heard? Three other concubines in the harem are pregnant.」
「... Ughh, the pace is too fast. If this continues, there will be many Princes and Princesses in the next ten years. The succession battle will be more intense compared to the Emperor’s time...」
Trisnai glared when he heard the inappropriate chatter, and the admin officers shut up. However── he was also feeling the same worries.
Unlike what he imagined when he was a Prince, the duties shouldered by the Emperor wasn’t glamorous nor easy. When he was troubled over one issue, more unsolvable problems would crop up.
「...The price of wheat keeps increasing, Kioka destroyed too many fields in the last war. What should we do...」
Of these problems, those concerning economics troubled Arshankrut deeply. It requires careful judgement, and this Emperor lacked understanding with regards to the circulation of money. In the end, Trisnai had to cover for him.
「Your Majesty. It will take time for our measures to take effect, but we need to feed the citizens right now. Use the funds from the treasury to purchase the wheat and sell them at a low price. At the same time, demand the merchants to not go overboard.」
「But this will affect many people. The nobles will complain too.」
「I will try to settle these noises. I will need more forceful methods… Your Majesty, your decision please.」
As his vassal stood before him to ask for permission, the Emperor leaned back on his throne with a sigh.
「... Yes, I will leave it to you. I no longer know what to do...」
「... You flatter me. My strength is my Lord’s strength, please wait patiently for the good news.」
He said strongly and realized in a corner of his mind── even if he sent in good news, that would also hurt the Emperor’s heart.
After much trials and tribulations, the Emperor still put his trust firmly in Trisnai. That would naturally earn the ire and jealousy of the nobles around him.
「Trisnai is getting more powerful. Can’t we dispose of him?」
「I feel the same, but don’t underestimate that man. The word on the street is, the tragedy of the Izanma is his doing. And there’s this rumour about his birth… From the trust His Majesty gives him, it might be true.」
「Are you kidding me? I won’t accept this. That man has no idea about the rules of the nobles, how can we leave someone who doesn’t even know how to share the profits in the palace?」
After this, he had to support the Emperor while he battled politically against factions plotting his downfall. It was a cruel and insidious war, different from that of martial might.
「Hahaha, you want to bear my children so badly!? Very well, come to my chambers too! I will share the bloodline of the king with you too!」
On the other hand, the more he failed, the further the Emperor drifted away from his governance duty. The Emperor immersed himself in his harem, and indulged in banquets and the pleasure of the flesh every night. He had to warn him:
「... Pardon my impudence, Your Majesty. With your number of children and your pregnant concubines, there are enough successors. Please refrain from──」
Before he could finish, a plate flew out and hit his head, making him bleed from the forehead. The Emperor yelled in drunken stupor:
「You are out of line, Trisnai! How dare you interfere with the matters of my bedchambers!」
His advice failed to reach because of the alcohol. He swallowed his words, not daring to bring it up again, and bowed deeply in apology:
「... My apologies, I beg your pardon.」
The Emperor wouldn’t listen to any advice during the banquet, and would always fall into self loath the day after.
「Trisnai, I’m sorry about yesterday. I drank too much last night...」
In his bedchambers within the restricted zone that no one could enter, the Emperor held his heavy head and apologized meekly. Trisnai shook his head with a smile.
「Don’t take it to heart, it’s all my fault.」
「Don’t say that, don’t cast me aside.」
The Emperor grabbed his sleeve and pleaded. His hand was trembling.
「I never knew when I was a Prince. Being the Emperor── the throne is such a lonely place.」
「Your Majesty...」
「Don’t cast me aside. Please don’t leave me, Trisnai. I’m scared, I’m afraid of being the Emperor...」
The Emperor’s heart was caught between his heavy responsibility and his failure in fulfilling his duties. He couldn’t say anything as he watched that powerless figure.
There were no ends to a decay. The only successful thing was the birth of successors. But after the birth of the 7th child, a clear gloom hung over the court.
「... Another birth?」
Even when he received news of the birth, the Emperor didn’t look happy. He sighed annoyedly, and said with disinterest:
「... I’m going to rest, think up a name for that child.」
「Please wait, Your Majesty. The name of the child aside, the agendas for the audience──」
「All of you can meet the requestors, and can take care of it… Things will be smoother like this anyway.」
He gritted his teeth. He realized that his lord was slowly losing his last bastion of dignity.
One day, as he was thinking hard about how to speak with his lord, he found the Emperor holding a brush before a canvas inside a room within a palace.
「Your Majesty, are you painting? It’s been a while since I last saw you paint.」
「Be quiet, Trisnai. You’ll distract me.」
That shut him up, and he stood in a corner of the room. The back of the Emperor facing the canvas looked just like the Prince in the past, which made him happy.
「... Ugh! Guu!...」
However, the person was different now. Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol made his hand tremble, and the Emperor couldn’t move his right arm as he wished. The Emperor painted a line that differed from what he had in mind, and he couldn’t help shouting:
「Damn it── is the brush looking down on me too!?」
The Emperor threw his brush onto the floor, then kicked over the canvas. Seeing the Emperor rage quit and leaving, he couldn’t help calling out even though it was meaningless:
「Your Majesty──」
「Enough, throw this trash away! ──Servants, bring me wine! Serve it to me, post haste!」
The servants who heard the angry roar rushed to get the wine bottles. There was nowhere for the Emperor to escape, except into the embrace of his concubine and the stupor of alcohol.
A few years later. When he learned about the birth of the 14th child, something snapped inside the Emperor.
「── Another one? When will my children stop tormenting me!」
This was no longer good news, but a nightmare. This was his own fault, but the Emperor couldn’t restrain himself or have the magnanimity to accept advice. Ignoring his silent vassals, the Emperor bit his thumbnail and muttered:
「... I don’t want her.」
「Huh?」
Trisnai couldn’t understand what his lord was saying. The Emperor soon repeated himself.
「I don’t want her, strangle her and throw her away!」
The Emperor was almost screeching now. Trisnai pretended not to hear, and searched for the words to soothe the Emperor.
「── Your Majesty, please calm down.」
「I’m serious! Strangle her and throw her away! Don’t add more to my troubles!」
Saying it a third time made the vassals turn pale. Someone had to advise him── however, doing so to a half crazed Emperor was as good as suicide. Due to the effects of alcohol, his anxiety and delusion deteriorated his mind further, and the Emperor started wearing a sword. The number of servants and vassals who died in his hands had exceeded double digits.
「... I can’t follow that order.」
Everyone kept their mouths shut, and he was the only one who squeezed out a voice towards the Emperor. The Emperor glared at him with blood shot eyes.
「... What did you say, Trisnai?」
「I said, I can’t follow that order… Your humble vassal can’t harm a scion of the Imperial family. Even if this is a command of the Emperor, I can’t follow that order.」
When he heard that rebuke, the Emperor stood up from the throne like a spring. He could feel the cold steel of the drawn blade on his neck when inspiration struck:
「── Why don’t we entrust her to Kioka?」
The hand holding the hilt stopped. The Emperor asked sternly:
「... What are you saying?」
「Your humble servant suggests that we entrust the Princess to Kioka as part of the Armistice negotiations with them. She won’t be part of the succession battle or trouble Your Majesty.」
This was the biggest compromise he could make. After a suffocating silence, the Emperor lowered his arm weakly.
「... Yes, that’s good. I will leave the details to you, just don’t let the baby enter my sights. Or else, I might strangle her myself...」
He returned his sword into his scabbard with trembling hands, then collapsed onto his throne. All the vassals sighed in relief when they saw that scene.
No comments:
Post a Comment