Chapter 49
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49.
"Flare, a dragon?"
The Emperor's pupils visibly trembled as he received the report.
'It's an era when dragons are regarded as mythical beings.'
The highest-ranking species among magical beasts—the last time that name had appeared was well over two hundred years ago.
Particularly, Flare Dragon was known to be hibernating in the Unclaimed Mountain Territory adjacent to the border between Snowland and the Empire, so everyone maintained a mixture of skepticism and steady vigilance over that region.
"The Snowland King, does this cursed fool dare mock me?!"
True to his nature as Emperor, his grasp of the situation was swift.
After the Second Concubine sent her letter, she had told me in frustration about the Snowland King's reply—which, contrary to her expectations, said 'thank you for providing an excuse'—his tone dripping with sarcasm.
'No matter how I look at it, it seems my brother hasn't touched the magical beast subjugation that Snowland should be managing, only focusing on internal consolidation.'
Having faced the Snowland King multiple times in his youth, the Emperor grasped the truth without needing the Second Concubine's explanation.
And I....
'I thought it was a possibility.'
Though the timing differed somewhat from the original story, a similar incident had occurred there as well.
'Only in the original, it happened in an extra chapter.'
Back then, Snowland had hidden and hidden until they could no longer manage it, then requested aid from the Empire.
Cassian Artez, having just ascended the throne, deliberated greatly, but concluded that leaving it unchecked would endanger the nation itself, so he personally led the expedition.
Of course, the original Cassian was skilled in swordsmanship alone, so he defeated the dragon without sustaining serious wounds.
So I wasn't particularly worried about this expedition either.
With the Emperor personally taking the field, even if the First Empress withdrew from here, the scale of the expeditionary force wouldn't diminish.
"Cassian!"
The Emperor regarded my superior as though summoning an all-purpose cheat key.
"Do you have any thoughts on this?"
"If Flare Dragon truly awakens from hibernation, it will be difficult for Snowland, having just suppressed internal rebellion, to put it back to sleep on their own."
"Hmm, my thoughts align with yours."
"Therefore, the Empire should mobilize, but since we haven't yet sent a definitive answer to the Snowland King's envoy...."
Cassian's eyes drew a cunning arc.
He glanced briefly at the First Empress, then fixed his gaze on the Emperor as he spoke.
"Perhaps we should reply telling him to stop spouting nonsense and think carefully about how to repay the Empire's benevolence."
At Cassian's words, the Emperor nodded with satisfaction, stroking his chin.
Of course, the imperial princesses, who had been worried about the previous matter, were visibly reassured as well.
"Yes! As expected, having traversed many battlefields, you know well how to deal with Snowland."
The Emperor gazed at the First Empress with a subtle expression and spoke with delight.
"The First Empress said we should quickly send an envoy to Snowland for the sake of the nation, but this time, she was hasty."
The Emperor's mocking words caused the First Empress's cheek to tremble slightly.
"It is my ignorance, Your Majesty, that I failed to comprehend your grand intentions."
"Haha, I understand completely! The Empress wouldn't know what war is like, after all."
Moments like these made me acknowledge that the Emperor was indeed Cassian Artez's biological father.
He had inherited just a touch of that disagreeable temperament.
Though the texture was somewhat different. Perhaps...?
"Hmm, then I suppose I should grant what the Empress requested beforehand? I shall take one of the princes on this expedition—"
"Your—Your Majesty!"
The moment the Emperor spoke, the First Empress's face drained of color as she opened her mouth.
"They say the Flare Dragon might awaken, yet you would go yourself? How can you make such a perilous decision!"
"It is already spoken before the Snow Kingdom Envoy, Empress! Would you make me a coward in the eyes of the world?"
The Emperor cut her off sharply, then spoke to the First Empress in a leisurely tone.
"And fear not—would the prince accompanying me truly allow me to walk into danger?"
It was the Emperor's warning: go ahead and push First Prince Charlie if you dare.
Though the Emperor typically overlooked the First Empress's petty schemes, the matter of designating the Crown Prince ultimately rested upon his will alone.
"So, Empress, your resolve remains unchanged?"
"I... I..."
The First Empress's face, which always wore an expression of calculated certainty, trembled visibly.
She clenched and unclenched the hem of her dress, hesitating.
She understood far too well what the Emperor meant.
The cunning Emperor had essentially declared that he would place a prince in the most dangerous position.
He had no shortage of eloquent words to dress it up.
Ironically, First Prince Charlie himself remained composed, while only the First Empress wavered like a reed in the wind, unable to decide.
No matter how many schemes she devised, if First Prince Charlie—the very one meant to fulfill her dreams—were to die by some misfortune, it would all be for nothing.
With the Third Prince gone to the Anden Kingdom, the only prince left to her was First Prince Charlie.
Then Cassian Artez quietly lowered his body in a bow.
"Forgive my presumption in interjecting into your conversation."
"Cassian."
"How could I allow my father, the Emperor, to walk such a perilous path alone? Of course, I have no doubt that my father, the Emperor, is stronger than anyone in the Empire and will surely return victorious."
He gazed at the Emperor with reverent eyes, even using the word "father"—a term he ordinarily avoided speaking aloud.
"Though I am insufficient, if my father, the Emperor, permits it, I wish to accompany you on this journey."
"...You make this request knowing it is an expedition where your life may not be guaranteed?"
"All the more reason I make this request. Please remember that I volunteered even when the Snowland King first sent his envoy, my father, the Emperor."
I have no personal agenda—I simply wish to be of true strength to the Emperor.
Cassian Artez displayed his characteristic acting prowess, speaking with earnest appeal.
The Emperor's gaze, which had been aggressive toward the First Empress, softened considerably.
"Yes, there is truly no one more suited for this than you."
The Emperor tapped the armrest twice, then asked the First Empress as if seeking confirmation.
"Is that acceptable to you as well, Empress? I am willing to honor your words about maintaining balance."
The wavering First Empress's eyes moved back and forth between the Emperor and Cassian Artez.
She cast a particularly searching gaze toward Cassian Artez, as if probing for some hidden agenda, but he soon resigned himself and nodded.
Her gaze finally settled on none other than her own son, First Prince Charlie.
First Prince Charlie merely looked at the First Empress as if to say, do as you wish.
"...Of course, Your Majesty. Since the battlefield is perilous, it is only fitting that the experienced Cassian Artez should accompany the expedition. Though it is regrettable that another prince must forgo the opportunity to learn from His Majesty."
"There will be another opportunity, First Empress."
"Yes, I shall trust in that."
Thus Cassian Artez and I set forth toward the Snow Mountains in the northern reaches of the Empire, armed with a grand justification.
*
As we began earnest preparations for the expedition, the Fourth Prince and Second Concubine rendered generous assistance to the Winter Palace Administration.
"While we are away, the Second Concubine should remain with the First Empress. Will that be manageable?"
To my concerned question, the Second Concubine replied that it would be fine.
"I am one who has survived within these palace walls for over twenty years. There is no need for such worry. I am not so fragile as to be unable to protect my own child in my arms."
"I shall also ensure there are no supply issues at the Imperial Palace, Roselita Salice."
The Fourth Prince, who stood beside her assisting, spoke to me with dignified composure.
I respected both their intentions, yet prepared a document containing contingency measures and entrusted it to the Ashwood Advisor, just in case.
He looked at the document I gave him with an expression caught between admiration and exasperation.
"...When on earth did you write all this?"
"It is not that I distrust you, Ashwood Advisor. Rather, I cannot afford to lose my office—the one that pays my salary—while I am away."
At my words, Francis Ashwood merely let out a hollow laugh.
'Working this hard just for wages...?'
I heard his bewildered murmur—the confusion of one who had never tasted the bitterness of necessity—but I chose to regard him as a delicate hothouse flower and let it pass through one ear.
Thus another full week passed.
Though news came from the Temple of a dragon's appearance,
[Holy Maiden's deployment still under discussion. Recruitment of priests being considered.]
[Despite the Pope's dissuasion, the Holy Maiden has expressed strong desire to deploy....]
Various matters were indeed unfolding, yet nothing that would significantly hinder our departure.
Though the Holy Maiden would not participate in the first wave of the expedition, the Temple confirmed she would certainly be included in the second wave.
'And given her temperament, she will absolutely come.'
I recalled the Holy Maiden's disposition in my mind, using the Emperor's grand speech before our departure as background music.
Thus, on a chilly autumn day, the Imperial Army set forth on the expedition.
*
"How... how are you so perfectly fine...?"
"I was simply transported in a carriage, that's all."
I distributed the motion sickness medicine and nutritional supplements I'd brought in advance among several of the Ashwood Advisor and Administrative Officials, offering a casual shrug.
"Truly, the Winter Palace demon..."
Should I have withheld the medicine?
Though I found it absurd, I refrained from such foolishness—considering we were on a battlefield, after all.
'The demon is right over there!'
A week had already passed since our departure.
Magical beasts had begun frequently blocking our path, and the Snow Mountain, which had only been visible at the horizon, now loomed large across my entire field of vision.
And my superior was.
"Roselita, since the third platoon struggled against those small fry, reassign them to the rear and add extra training."
Alone, he stretched his arms and shoulders with an air of mild stiffness, fully embodying that demonic nature of his.
After a brutal clash with magical beasts—a dance between death and survival—the unfortunate rookie knight, drenched in sweat and frantically shoveling food into his mouth, dropped his spoon.
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