NOVEL WEB Chapter 25
✦ Chapter 25 ✦
「Translator – Creator」
Beneath the clear, bright sky, a voice boomed across the Imperial Palace grounds.
“Lady Lexi Amon is entering the Imperial Palace!”
Ta-da!
Boom—! Boom—! Boom—!
The military band played a fanfare, trumpets blaring and drums pounding. A long procession of knights and maids followed, a luxurious display of wealth and power.
“Look at the cloaks those knights are wearing! Aren’t those made from phoenix feathers?”
“Where is Lady Amon? I heard she’s incredibly beautiful and charismatic.”
Even the palace handmaidens, all of whom came from noble families, couldn’t help but stare in wonder.
Truly, it was a procession befitting the name of a great family.
“Barbatos.”
Standing on the rooftop of the Imperial Palace, I surveyed the seemingly endless Amon procession and called out to Dimensia. Dimensia, the Emperor’s secretary, quietly approached and bowed to me as always.
“You called, Your Majesty?”
“Tell me about the Amon family.”
“The Amons are a family based in Gehenna, in the West. As you know, Your Majesty, the West was once a fierce battleground.”
I vaguely remembered as well.
The warriors of the West were known throughout the continent for their ferocity and warlike nature.
“The Amons, which have reigned as the dominant power in the fierce West for a long time, are known as the ‘Flame Emperors’ and inspire great fear. Their refusal to bow to anyone is on par with the Paimons.”
“What kind of person is Lady Amon?”
“Lexi Amon is someone who charges ahead without a second thought. She also enjoys flaunting her wealth and gambling. Ah, it seems she’s arrived.”
Gasp!
The sound of the handmaidens gasping for breath was loud and clear.
Because a red tiger had just entered the palace courtyard.
A real, live, crimson-furred tiger.
『Lv. 67 Volcanic Lord』
『Capture Rate: 0.09%』
Is that a Hel?
It was the highest-level Hel I had ever seen, and it had the lowest capture rate. What was even more fascinating was that someone was sitting cross-legged on the tiger’s back.
A tall woman with neatly styled red hair. Despite the tiger’s movements, her posture remained unchanged, indicating an exceptional sense of balance. Indeed, her physique was as toned as a model’s.
“Where is the Emperor!”
“I see. That woman must be Lady Amon.”
Dimensia’s assessment was spot-on. Lexi Amon had arrived, her grand entrance designed to showcase her power and prestige. I would have to greet the Lady of the Amon family with the courtesy befitting the master of this palace.
“This will be interesting.”
“Your Majesty, surely you’re not planning on jumping from the 16th floor, are you? Please Wait! We just finished renovations on the floor tiles down there!”
Ta-at—!
Ignoring Dimensia’s panicked cries, I leaped from the palace rooftop, landing gracefully in the courtyard below.
Boom—!
A shockwave rippled outward as I landed. The tiger, startled, backed away, baring its fangs.
—Growl! Roar!
“Calm yourself, kitty. This man is not our enemy. At least, not today.”
—Meow.
The tiger that looked like it could swallow a bull whole turned docile like a cat. The Hel creature’s loyalty to Lexi Amon seemed to be incredibly high.
I wish Barkie would listen to me even half as well as that tiger does. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.
“So you’re Emperor Bael!”
Her voice was resounding and powerful.
A member of the Ascension Knights, guarding the potato field, immediately shouted.
“You insolent wench! Address His Majesty with respect!”
“Hmph! I am Lexi of Amon. The daughter of the Flame Emperor bows to no one! Even if the Emperor has conquered all lands, he cannot conquer our hearts!”
Her proud demeanor was extremely arrogant and insolent.
As expected of a noble.
For the past few days, the only people I’d encountered in the Imperial Palace were quivering, subservient sycophants; this brazen display of defiance was almost refreshing.
However, if I didn’t intervene, the Ascended Knight might actually attack Lexi Amon.
“Eleven, stand down. Your duty is to guard the potato field.”
“…Gasp!? His Majesty remembers my name! Did you know I am the 11th successor, Eleven? I can die happy now!”
Was it really necessary to overreact like that? I’d simply remembered his name.
Before things could escalate further, I led Lexi Amon to the reception room.
⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆
“For an emperor’s reception room, this is quite modest, isn’t it? This room is probably smaller than my kitty’s bedroom.”
Upon entering the reception room, Lexi Amon sprawled across the Imperial sofa, her posture radiating arrogance. She leaned back, stretching her arms across the backrest, her legs spread wide apart, as if she had no intention of concealing them.
She was practically lying down.
“And those pitch-black clothes of yours… Aren’t you hot and uncomfortable in that armor? I couldn’t last a day… no, not even a minute in something like that!”
“You seem to be wearing rather constricting clothing yourself.”
Lexi Amon’s attire consisted of a red uniform adorned with gold thread. It seemed to have been meticulously tailored to her figure, but upon closer inspection, I noticed her white riding breeches were so tight they looked uncomfortable.
Her knee-high black boots must have been a pain to get on and off. And yet, Lexi Amon merely puffed out her chest, seemingly proud of her attire.
“This is the proud ceremonial attire of the Amon family. I wear it because I like it. But you wear that uncomfortable armor not because you like it, right?”
“That’s an interesting opinion.”
“Your Majesty, excuse me. Here are the tea and desserts.”
Patricia, the palace handmaiden, entered with a tray of tea and desserts.
The timing was perfect.
“I’ll pass,” Lexi Amon said dismissively.
She’s rejecting the Imperial Palace’s desserts, which are renowned for their deliciousness? Was she as austere as her tight-fitting uniform suggested? I couldn’t help but be curious about her reason for refusing.
“Why, are you worried it’s poisoned?”
“No, not really… but I dislike dragging things out, so I’ll get straight to the point. Relinquish the imperial monopoly over ‘Hel Potatoes.’”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Though it may appear that way, I’m asking quite politely. And I have no intention of shamelessly asking for something for free. If something comes, something must go in return.”
Shuk—!
Lexi Amon pulled something out from between her breasts and handed it to me.
It was a small scroll.
“This is a declaration of support from Amon for the Imperial family. Emperor Bael, don’t you think this is a honey-sweet opportunity for you as well?”
“Let’s call it what it is. Isn’t this more like honey-sweet poison? Swallow it recklessly, and it will come back to bite. There are bound to be side effects.”
“Isn’t the reason you pursued a marriage alliance with Paimon, even risking humiliation, to establish political backing? Although you are the Emperor, Barbatos is the only one supporting you.”
“You don’t hesitate to strike where it hurts, do you?”
“I see you have no luxury of choosing between water or fire. If you must swallow it, wouldn’t it be better if it’s sweet? While I can’t guarantee the effect, I assure you it will taste delightful. After all, I am the Sweet Flame.”
She was offering the support of the Amon family, one of the 12 Zodiac Families, in exchange for relinquishing the monopoly on the Hel Potato. It was tempting, but…
“Why? Why are you suddenly pledging your allegiance?”
“Why did I change my mind… because it seems a war is imminent. There’s an unsettling breeze blowing through the West and the North. The embers of rebellion are already burning.”
“I heard it’s Amon, the Sweet Flame, who is fanning those flames.”
“That’s precisely why I’m saying this. Our Western region was the most ravaged battleground during the last 「War of Kings」. Those scars haven’t healed yet. If another war breaks out, we’ll be plunged into poverty for a century.”
“Hmm…”
I took a deep breath, my posture rigid beneath the confines of my armor, feigning contemplation.
The woman before me seemed to be sincere. In fact, her straightforwardness, her refusal to beat around the bush, was almost a problem.
Honesty wasn’t always the best policy.
“In the upcoming 『Round Table Conference』, there will be discussions about alliances and rebellions among the 12 Zodiac Houses. If you accept my proposal, I will oppose it.”
“I heard you and the Paimons have a public alliance. You’re willing to break that? Isn’t this supposed rebellion being led by the combined forces of the Paimons and the Amons?”
For the first time since meeting her, Lexi Amon’s expression wavered.
“…“I didn’t expect you to know that much. Where did the information leak from? I heard the Emperor had many spies from Barbatos. Impressive, indeed.”
No, it wasn’t Barbatos; it was Somnia Paimon who told me directly.
Of course, I couldn’t say that truthfully, so I decided to steer the conversation in a different direction. “Are you willing to make an enemy of the Paimons? I hear they’ve acquired a rather impressive swordsman—Daniel of Dantalian. They say he’s quite skilled.”
“You mean the man who defeated a Swordmaster and survived an encounter with Imseti Paimon himself? Don’t worry, he won’t be a problem. I have a plan.”
“Oh? What plan is that?”
“Seduction, of course. I’ll lure him in. Be honest, don’t you think I’m more captivating than Somnia? There isn’t a man alive who can resist my charms!”
Indeed, Lexi’s beauty was like a dazzling ruby that nine out of ten passersby would turn to look at. But who in the world would fall for a beauty trap knowingly?
I pretended to be completely oblivious. “Daniel is a man of Dantalian, known for upholding his oaths. He made a marriage vow with the Paimon family; he wouldn’t betray that for another woman. I can guarantee it.”
“Is that so? Well then, let’s make a bet. If I succeed in seducing Daniel of Dantalian, you’ll grant me one wish.”
It was like having the answers to an exam beforehand—a bet I couldn’t possibly lose. It was all gain, no loss.
“Amon, if you lose the bet, I will take something precious from you.”
Dimensia had said that the Amon family knew a lot about fire-attribute Hel creatures. Lexi’s mount, the Volcanic Lord, seemed to be a fire-attribute Hel creature. If I won this bet, I’d take the Volcanic Lord.
“……….….”
Lexi’s face darkened.
Beads of sweat trickled down her forehead. Finally, she nodded.
“…Fine. It’s a deal. You won’t go back on your word later, will you?”
“An Emperor always keeps his promises. And for your sake, because your defeat is inevitable, I’ll release the Imperial monopoly on the ‘Hel Potatoes’. Consider it a consolation prize.”
⋆༺𓆩☠︎︎𓆪༻⋆
Lexi Amon left the Imperial Palace. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
“My lady, are you alright?”
“My lady! Did the Emperor do anything to you?!”
“Emperor Bael… he’s like a volcano on the verge of eruption. Just sitting in front of him made me feel like my heart was about to burst. Is it true that he sold his soul to the devil for power, like the rumors say?”
No, the one who sold their soul to the devil is you.
Lexi recalled her bet with the Emperor.
She’d acted impulsively, but she had successfully drawn him into a bet he couldn’t win, just as she’d planned.
However, if she were to lose…
He said he would take something precious from me…
He must be after my virtue! He wants to make me his wife! It’s the perfect solution to his lack of an heir!
Lexi steeled her resolve, having wagered everything on this gamble with the devil.
I won’t lose. I’ll do it for my father, who lies ill in bed!
— End of Chapter —
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Translator’s Notes :-
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