The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 24

“So, you’re the Renil fellow. I heard your suggestion that merit deserves reward.”

Even though our family wasn’t powerful, we weren’t economically poor. Though it was a small territory, the land passed down through generations had long been peaceful, allowing me to live a relatively comfortable and affluent life before heading to the Terra Barrier.

Therefore, I was able to learn the academic subjects required of a noble without any lack, including etiquette. However, before I could even put the etiquette I had learned for years into practice, the Emperor’s sudden words were enough to fluster me, who was already nervous.

‘Does that Emperor have nothing better to remember?’

The conversation I had with Marquis Zeke when we discovered the mine came to mind.

[But it’s also true that you spouted arrogant nonsense. Including everything that has happened so far, I will record today’s conversation without any reduction and send a report to His Majesty the Emperor. Your fate will also depend on the Emperor’s orders.]

Marquis Zeke wasn’t one to make empty threats, so the report he sent to the Emperor at that time must have contained every detail of the conversation between Marquis Zeke and me.

But in the end, I got through it without any punishment, didn’t I? Rather, things turned out better than I had expected. But to think that the Emperor, of all people, would remember that incident even after so much time had passed.

Does that mean that my words were either impressive in a good way or arrogant in a bad way? I felt a sinking feeling inside, but I showed as much courtesy as I could, kneeling on one knee and bowing my head.

“It is an honor to my family that His Majesty the Emperor remembers the name of a mere magician.”

“Enough. Saying such things now won’t make me feel any better.”

The atmosphere in the room instantly cooled. The Emperor’s guards were glaring at me with murderous intent, and Count Winchester next to me was no better.

I didn’t expect the Emperor to bring it up so openly, so I wondered if I had walked into another trap myself. Just as I was thinking that, a hearty laugh that didn’t fit the atmosphere rang out. Of course, the only person who could burst into laughter in this kind of atmosphere was the Emperor.

“Kuhahaha. I wondered what kind of fellow would spout such arrogant nonsense, but I doubt that you were the one who said those words. Well, it doesn’t matter. I didn’t mean to blame you. You weren’t wrong. What kind of vassal would be loyal to a ruler who mistreats those who have rendered distinguished service? Such a fellow is not qualified to be a ruler.”

The problem was that the atmosphere around him became even colder at those words. If the Emperor hadn’t been there, my neck would have been surrounded by several blades. Could it be that they didn’t want to admit that they were angry at the words of a mere magician and were trying to use a borrowed knife [using someone else to do their dirty work]?

“So, did you like the reward I gave you? Enough to keep you loyal?”

“…Yes. It was a reward that was too generous compared to my achievements.”

“That’s a relief. I can’t afford to lose a talented person. I hope you will continue to use your abilities for me.”

“I will do my best for the prosperity of the Empire.”

The Emperor told me to use my strength for him, and I said that I would use my strength for the Empire. Our intentions were different, but those around us didn’t see any problem with those words. These were the Emperor’s close aides, who thought that the Empire was the Emperor.

“I have read the letter you brought. Additional support is needed, Zeke says so, so it must be so. But do you know why you were chosen as a messenger?”

“I heard an explanation from Marquis Zeke before I left.”

“Then there’s no need to talk about it at length. How much time do you need to make that weapon called Scorpion? I can’t give you much time.”

“Three days is enough.”

“Three days, Count Winchester.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Prepare what this man wants. At the same time, contact the nobles above the rank of Count residing in the capital and the key figures of the Magic Tower.”

“I will obey your command.”

#

‘In the end, he never once said that he would be loyal to me.’

After Renil and Count Winchester left the office, Darius III, the Emperor of the Empire, let out a meaningless laugh. Even though he spoke so openly, Renil only mentioned the Empire and never said that he would work for him, the Emperor.

If it was a guy who spouted those words, he couldn’t not know what it meant. But he didn’t feel bad. Rather, the ambition deep in his heart burned even more.

‘An Emperor who can’t even properly receive the loyalty of a single magician? Even a passing dog would laugh.’

The position of Emperor of the Empire is one that everyone in this world must look up to. But the angles were different. Some had to look up at the sky, while others could see him by simply raising their heads slightly. He didn’t like that.

‘I am the Empire, and the Empire is me. But why can’t I move the Empire as I please?’

An absolute monarchy in which all the power of the state is concentrated in the monarch. That was the ambition that Darius III had never uttered, buried deep in his heart. If he were to utter it, he would have to turn all the nobles into enemies. No matter how much he was the Emperor, it would be difficult for him to exist as Emperor without the support of the nobles.

That’s why he needed a military force that could suppress all the nobles. He needed money, and he needed talent. In that situation, Renil’s appearance and the discovery of the magic stone mine were nothing short of a great boon to him. Through the development of the mine, the imperial treasury would become even richer, and if he was lucky, he might be able to obtain a means to keep the Magic Tower, another obstacle, in check.

‘To even have to be mindful of sending support to where it’s needed, this won’t do. When the entire Empire can move in unison according to my will as Emperor, only then will the Empire soar once again!’

He was over fifty years old. But his ambition was still in progress, and he was just waiting for the right time. Like crouching down to leap far.

#

“I don’t know what you were thinking when you said those words in front of Marquis Zeke, but be careful what you say in the future. If His Majesty the Emperor hadn’t thought of it as the youthful spirit of a young man and had generously overlooked it, not only you but also your family would have been harmed.”

“I will be careful in the future.”

“Keep that in mind. You can pass off once as a mistake, but you can’t call it a mistake from the second time on.”

Having escaped the Emperor’s malice, I requested the items necessary to make the Scorpion from Count Winchester. First of all, a warehouse large enough to hold two or three ballistae [large, ancient crossbows], the ballistae of course, magic stones, and some tools. Count Winchester, after hearing my request, asked back.

“Are these really enough? It would be difficult for you to modify the ballista alone.”

“It’s not a structural modification, but a magical modification using magic stones, so I can do it alone.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll try to get it as quickly as possible. Before that, I’ll prepare a place for you to stay while you’re in the capital, so take a rest for a while.”

“Thank you.”

Count Winchester showed off his competence as if he wasn’t just working by the Emperor’s side by chance. Even though there was the Emperor’s order, he prepared the items I requested in an instant. The problem, if there was one, was that I had to leave the mansion to check the workshop without even getting a proper rest because he was so competent.

“Will three days really be enough? I don’t know if you know, but the person you’ll be showing the power of the Scorpion to isn’t just His Majesty the Emperor. High-ranking nobles residing in the capital and magicians with skills superior to yours will be there together. Remember that there must be no mistakes.”

“Don’t worry. I will complete it without any delays.”

“…I’ll look forward to it. I’m curious to know what kind of power it is that made Marquis Zeke, who has never asked for anything, make a separate request for support.”

#

As soon as the ballista was prepared in the workshop, I started working. The work I had to do was to engrave the ballista and build a magic circle. Each required a day of investment to see the light, so I proceeded slowly but surely. It wasn’t a job I had done once or twice, so there were no mistakes in my hand movements.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“It’s okay. Just keep any unwanted people from coming in.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure not even a rat can get in.”

Rather, what I was worried about was whether someone would hear this news from somewhere and come to interfere with my work. That’s why I set the time so short. Two days for production, one day for verification. The shorter the time, the less time there would be to play tricks. But there was a visitor who came to see me from a completely unexpected place.

“Are you Renil of the Dragnil barony?”

“Yes, I am, but who are you?”

Wispe would have filtered out any unwanted people in the first place, so it wouldn’t be someone who approached with suspicious intentions. If they had approached with that intention, it would have been someone in a position that Wispe couldn’t stop, but judging from their attire, it was nothing special, just a knight’s attire. However, when I saw the emblem engraved on the chest of his armor, I knew why Wispe had let this person in.

“The Young Lady has invited you, sir.”

A straight sword. The family indicated by that emblem, which was so simple that it was easy to recognize, was one of the Emperor’s three swords [most trusted and powerful families] and the family of Marquis Zeke, the commander of the Terra Barrier. The Terra Barrier was just Marquis Zeke’s place of assignment, not his territory. The Young Lady that the knight wearing the armor with that emblem was talking about must be Marquis Zeke’s daughter.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Why does she want to see me?”

“I don’t know either. I’m just here to serve you according to the Young Lady’s words.”

Why is the Young Lady staying in the capital, not in the territory? No, before that, why did she invite me? There’s not even a speck of connection between me and her. If I had to guess, it was more likely that she invited me because I was a ‘messenger’ from the Terra Barrier, not ‘Renil’ of the Dragnil barony. I hadn’t heard that Marquis Zeke had left his position since he was appointed commander of the Terra Barrier, so she might be curious about news of her father, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Please follow me. The Young Lady is waiting.”

“I’m busy.”

“…Excuse me?”

If that was the story, I felt sorry, but I was quite busy, so I didn’t have time to respond to every ‘private’ invitation. The knight looked dumbfounded, as if he had never even thought that I would refuse the invitation, but my answer would not change.

“I am in the process of carrying out Marquis Zeke’s orders, so I don’t think I can accept that invitation. If you really want to talk, have the Young Lady come herself. I will make some time then.”