Chapter 53

The Harnes Empire never changed rulers, even during the long war against the monsters.

That was because the current emperor was quick-witted, perceptive, and wise.

If his reign had taken place during a peaceful era instead of in the midst of the monster war, he wouldn’t have given those so-called noble factions even a sliver of opportunity to run wild.

On the surface, he is a benevolent monarch who laughed warmly with both nobles and commoners alike.

But beneath that facade, he is always sharpening a sword aimed squarely at the nobility.

“How unfortunate… truly unfortunate.”

That was why it was all the more regrettable.

Royden, who helped him from the shadows—or rather, had helped him.

The chancellor, Ameris, who used her brilliant mind more fairly than anyone else.

If he could’ve utilized their strength, they would have already crushed that wretched noble cartel.

But during the war, the former Duke of Royden died because of that incident, and the current head of the Royden family, Aivert Royden, became distanced. Chancellor Ameris also suffered a major blow to her health.

Because she had taken on nearly all the empire’s affairs alone while the Emperor wrestled with the nobles, it had taken a toll.

How much longer can she endure?

Two years? One?

A worried look crossed the Emperor’s face as he stood at the window, gazing down at the sunset.

At least there was one bright piece of news…

“Rodella, was it?”

A faint smile tugged at the Emperor’s lips.

He heard that she followed the chancellor around, insisting, “I’ll become chancellor on merit alone, without anyone’s help.”

“You’ve found the best talent, Ameris.”

To that, Ameris had replied with a sigh.

“So good it pains me.”

From the moment Rodella joined the Administration Bureau, Ameris had tried to prepare a foundation for her to step up from.

But the chancellor the Emperor desired could not have any such foundation.

She had to be flawless, someone who couldn’t be pulled down no matter how hard the faction tried.

Whether by misfortune or fortune, Rodella Syveric’s dream aligned perfectly with the Emperor’s vision.

So Ameris gave up on everything she had planned to do herself.

Thus, Rodella Syveric, who had begun her solo climb in the enemy-filled Administration Bureau…

“The Azure Order’s performance report will now begin…” delivered a very satisfying report this time.

She had no ties to the noble faction.

If she could be appointed chancellor—then the empire had a future.

The moment that judgment crystallized in his mind, he began to lay out his plan.

The first day that plan would reveal itself—was today.

“Your Majesty, the Red Order Commander and the Azure Order Commander request an audience.”

“Let them in.”

The Emperor turned away from the sunset as he spoke.

Good timing.

Having reached a conclusion, he now looked at the two knights entering the audience chamber.

“We greet Your Majesty.”

—Thud!

They knelt on one knee and gave a knight’s salute, and the Emperor opened his mouth.

It was time to declare a silent war.

“It seems that competition between the Empire’s two knight orders is growing intense and emotional—this is a loss for the Empire.”

The two Commanders hesitated at his words.

“If you must insist on superiority, then how about a contest in good faith?”

“Do you mean…?”

A contest in good faith?

Just as the two Commanders’ gazes began to clash more sharply—

The Emperor smiled.

“I will be watching the next regular report with particular interest. Isn’t it the perfect chance to prove which order holds the advantage? We’ve just brought in new Administration officials, too.”

As he adjusted his seat, he continued.

“Of course, the order that shows strong results will be rewarded—its commander and vice commander, and…”

The words that would mark the beginning of this war left his lips.

“―The Administration officer involved will also receive a worthy reward. So do your best.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A palpable tension crossed the faces of both commanders.

Even Latine, who always pretended to be ignorant of politics, sensed this was essentially the decisive battle to determine the next chancellor.

A heavy silence descended upon the audience chamber.

***

Chancellor Ameris’s days rarely saw sunlight.

She woke before dawn and dealt with a mountain of work, and even if she looked outside, she would only catch the last sliver of daylight in midsummer.

These days, she hasn’t even seen that.

Just as she began wondering—while staring into a pool of black ink—if the sky had always been black to begin with…

The window creaked open.

Instead of knocking, someone opened the window and poked in their head—it was her longtime friend, Latine Modilac.

Backlit by the dusky light, her old friend smiled broadly.

“Can I come in?”

As if he hadn’t already entered halfway.

Ameris let out a laugh.

“What if I say no?”

“Then I’d have to close the window and leave.”

At that, Ameris shook her head.

“Come in.”

She then pushed aside her work and said, “Why do you always make a special entrance? Every time?”

Trying to keep me from getting bored?

—Click.

To that, Latine responded while closing the window.

“Because we can’t risk being caught.”

For Rodella Syveric’s integrity.

Even if the Azure Order Commander and the Chancellor were old friends, they couldn’t afford to be seen together in private.

Because Rodella Syveric, who stood between them, had to remain entirely without flaw.

If word spread that the Chancellor and the knight commander were supporting her behind the scenes, neither their liege nor Rodella herself would be pleased.

That was why rumors had long spread about the two of them having grown distant over the past decade.

Though they secretly met on occasion, still—

Ameris regretted it. But for the Empire’s sake, and for that child’s sake.

Ameris smiled faintly.

Would she ever realize just how many people loved her?

“Come this way.”

Ameris led Latine, who had entered her working office as if it were his own, to a different location.

She brought him to a hidden room behind a bookshelf, which required unlocking a mechanism.

Latine looked surprised.

“This place exists?”

Though he had visited many times before, this was his first time seeing it.

Ameris looked back at him.

“Not just anyone can enter. Especially not from today onward.”

At her firm tone, Latine crossed his arms.

“Because ‘war’ has officially begun, you mean?”

Latine tilted his head.

“Am I allowed in?”

If the war was a battle over the chancellor’s seat, then this was practically a room only the Emperor could enter.

“You’re not my or His Majesty’s enemy, are you?”

“Oh.”

That was obvious.

Latine had never intended to be anyone’s enemy, but this felt like being asked to sign a declaration of loyalty.

A clear sign that he was fully aligned with the Emperor’s faction—with the Chancellor.

He couldn’t help but laugh.

“If I make you my enemy, I’ll have no friends left.”

Then he suddenly grabbed Ameris’s hand and shook it.

“I’m completely on your side. Satisfied?”

“……”

Ameris looked at her hand being enthusiastically shaken, then looked up at him.

Her smile came very late, as if she had to force it out.

“…So. How are the kids?”

She meant Rodella and Aivert.