NOVEL WEB Chapter 4.5: Impetuous one
Chapter 4.5: Impetuous one
In a dim-lit room, far away from Sora and its bustling city, a man was sitting at his desk while observing a mirror placed on it. It was a refined room, its walls covered with tapestries and paintings portraying the day of the last battle of Fyr, the day the last of the rebels were stopped. Candles were arranged on the table, giving a slight scent of incense to the room to chase away the mustiness. Blood dripped on the desk, coming from a severed head that was conveniently placed there to give a warning to the future resident of the room. Its eyes bulged out, a manifestation of the terror the noble had felt before dying.
“Ahem, why isn’t this working?”
The man laid his legs on the desk ostensibly carefree, picking his teeth with a toothpick. A young mage was standing near him, holding a beautifully crafted wooden staff with carved dragons and a ruby at its tip for its core jewel. She was desperately tinkering with the magical mirror so that it could work.
“Just a moment, my lord.”
Wearing a long white robe and multiple accessories, she was one of the top mages at the Tower in Fyr, a place reputed for their wise and powerful mages who trained for years to master their craft. Each accessory, whether it was a ring or an earring, was crafted using powerful jewels containing mana that could help her enhance her spells or reduce the incantation time. Her long golden hair swayed as she worked, irritating the man.
He slammed his foot on the desk. “Aurelia, you dumbass! I need to talk to him now!”
This man was the current emperor of Fyr, Andreas Edensveel, though he preferred to call himself the Emperor. Wearing green armor with grey shoulder pads and greaves, he was often mistaken as her brother because of his blonde hair and green eyes, which irritated him further.
“It is ready, my lord! Activating now!”
“Finally…” Andreas muttered, uncrossing his legs and adopting a more dignified posture as a visage appeared in the mirror, accompanied by a distorted voice.
“Ah, Emperor! I thought you would never contact me!” Even though the voice lacked a human quality, Andreas could feel his enthusiasm.
“What’s up old man? Any news on Sora?” He asked, picking his ear nonchalantly.
The voice coughed. “The princess has tasked the Blue Falcons guild with retrieving holy water from Ryuuji to cure the king.”
“Is it bad?”
“My lord, it would be bad!” Aurelia interjected, clutching her staff tightly. “If the king is healed, it will complicate our plans to take control of the country!”
“Can’t we just like, invade them with our army and be done with it? I hate this ‘strategy’ stuff.”
“We cannot do that, Emperor. That would be impossible,” the man in the mirror responded, coughing again. “What should we do?”
Andreas stroked his chin, considering the situation, and then looked at his assistant inquisitively.
She nodded. “I suggest that we both send someone to stop whoever tries to get this water.” Pondering for a moment, she came to a solution. “Perhaps you should send Kenshin. He is eager to have a good fight ever since we finished taking this place. Additionally, we could station someone near Kaalthal as a backup.”
“We’ll send someone and stop the guys that try to take this water, you hear me old man? Also put someone on standby in Kaalthal, just in case.”
“How wise you are, Emperor. I shall arrange it immediately.”
“Gahaha! Of course I am, I’m the Emperor. But I don’t want compliments from old geezers like you,” he slammed his fist on the table. “Now, fuck off!”
“Y-Yes!” the voice stammered before the connection was severed.
Andreas leaned back in his chair, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. “Gahaha! I’m so smart no one can stop me!” He looked at Aurelia, still standing near him. “Now call Kenshin, I need him to bash some skulls!”
“I heard everything, meathead.” A voice, muffled by the door spoke out. With a creaking sound, it then opened and revealed a man in armor wielding a spear with a tip in two sections—the first the most near the wielder was dented like a saw and large, while the second section was pointy and sharp like a knife.
“What? You listened to us, lord Ryuuji?” Aurelia asked, shaking in her boots from hearing him insulting the Emperor.
“So what? Easier that way ain’t it?” Kenshin flashed a carnivorous smile, his teeth razor-sharp like those of a shark.
The Emperor snorted. “So you hear it then?” And slammed his fist on the table once more. “Then go you moron!”
“Aye boss. Am I allowed to kill as I please?”
A chill ran down Aurelia’s spine. She was deeply terrified of him; even being on his side didn’t shake off this feeling. His red eyes were those of a mad dog that couldn’t be sated by anything except blood. One day, she knew they would have to dispose of him, but he was too strong to take out for now, especially in these dire times.
“Do whatever you want, just leave the women alone.” Andreas waved his hand dismissively.
“Aye, aye, this is going to be fun!” Kenshin’s long golden hair fluttered as he laughed maniacally while leaving the room, his armor clanking echoing through the halls.
“Goddamit, why am I surrounded by guys like him? Where are the cute girls?” Andreas wept and his shoulders slumped.
“I am right here my lord.”
“Not you.”
Aurelia sighed, she was stuck with a one-of-a-kind Emperor. An ignorant, arrogant, but somewhat likable fool. One they had to believe in to save mankind…