NOVEL WEB Chapter 9
If asked to identify the most hot-headed man among the citizens of the Valtarian Empire, one would undoubtedly say the 17th Emperor of the Valtarian Empire.
Barbarossa Imperator Valtaria.
He was an object of fear for the ministers and officials.
And a figure of respect and majesty among knights and citizens.
His fierce golden hair grown out like a mane.
A long mustache that flaunted his arrogant pride.
And a threatening impression indicating his irritable personality.
– It’s like hammering stones with nails.
These were the words left by an ambassador from a neighboring kingdom after meeting the Emperor.
If that’s how foreign diplomats felt,
What about the ministers who supported the Emperor right next to him?
The ministers, every time they attended meetings with him, would exhale sighs of resignation. The anger of the hot-headed Emperor would be directed at them as soon as they sat down. Thus, they always continued their precarious bureaucratic lives with resignation letters secretly stored in their desks.
“The Public Security and Interior Ministry’s reports have already come in… Why hasn’t the Foreign Affairs Ministry sent theirs? I instructed you to submit it before the meeting began!”
“But the Foreign Minister has been dispatched to the North! That’s why there’s a delay.”
“How dare you make the Emperor wait! Truly a proud Foreign Ministry.”
“I-I humbly apologize.”
Barbarossa was often displeased by trivial matters. Recently, however, his temperament had grown even more ferocious.
It all began with the turmoil surrounding the annulment of his youngest daughter’s engagement.
Just a few days ago, he had summoned all his ministers and raged.
He even had a fierce argument with his youngest daughter, Elizaveta, over a new engagement which made his temperament even more extreme.
A wise sovereign would never express personal feelings in public affairs, but unfortunately, Barbarossa did not fall into that category. He led the empire to its golden age with overwhelming prestige and wisdom, but he was truly the nightmare for his ministers and officials.
“Your Majesty, a personal letter from the Holy Kingdom has arrived.”
“Personal letter? The cunning rye bread dare send me a letter.”
Clearly, the ‘rye bread’ referred to the current Sovereign, Boerun I.
Boerun I had a darker complexion than most due to hailing from the South, and Barbarossa often joked that he looked like the rye bread that commoners eat.
The ministers shrank in fear, afraid the Holy Kingdom might overhear their Emperor’s reckless remarks.
“Sending an envoy to the empire? Looks like they’re in a tight spot too.”
A formal notice, written in an ornate script, announced that they would be dispatching an envoy to trace the whereabouts of the missing Saintess from Valtarian territory. Remarkably, the representative of the envoy was the First Saintess herself.
Seeing her name, Barbarossa scowled.
The disappearance of the Saintess Party had undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the Holy Kingdom.
Moreover, Beatrice, who had suddenly vanished, was not only the Saintess representing the Holy Kingdom but also the adopted daughter of its Sovereign. Such a situation would surely have even the most stoic bishops shouting that they must find the Saintess immediately upon hearing the bad news.
“Damn it! Those idiots are making everyone suffer.”
Barbarossa muttered as he slammed the personal letter on the table.
“I will accept the proposal from the Holy Kingdom. And tell the other kingdoms involved in the Saintess Party to send their representatives too.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
It was not just the Valtarian Empire’s problem.
Gael Holy Kingdom.
Gisterd Kingdom. Alonde Kingdom. Savoia Duchy.
All related nations were keeping a close eye on the situation.
Thus, Barbarossa accepted the request from the Sovereign.
It was time for all nations related to the Saintess Party to cooperate. Furthermore, close collaboration was necessary to respond to the many threats arising from the disappearance of the Saintess Party.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it now? Can’t anyone leave me in peace?”
The minister, who had been waiting for an opportunity to speak, finally opened his mouth.
Barbarossa answered with an irritable voice.
“The princess who went to the East is now returning.”
“Rue is coming back!”
Barbarossa, known for being stubborn as well as a doting father, beamed with joy upon hearing that his daughter was returning from the East.
What an extreme change it was!
To switch from his previous fury to joy simply because his daughter was coming back.
Thanks to this good news from the East, the ministers felt a momentary relief.
“And… it seems the second son of the Hohenberc Family is accompanying her.”
“What? Hohenberc…?”
If it had been a member of another family, he would have cheerfully ordered the ministers to prepare a grand banquet, exclaiming, “My daughter finally brought home a man!” He sincerely hoped she would marry before turning thirty.
However,
Unfortunately, the guest of his daughter was from the ‘Hohenberc Family.’
Those bastards who made his pure-hearted youngest daughter shed blood tears like a fawn. The idea of them being the enemies who he could smash without hesitation sparked a fierce killing intent within him.
What face would they show in the imperial city?
The enraged Emperor let out a growl while flipping all the papers on the table.
*
If one were to ask what the perfect fusion of magic and technology is, most would likely choose a train powered by a mana engine.
A mana device powered by top-grade mana stones is nothing short of a masterpiece created by magicians and inventors. The mana engine train powered by this mana device is the best means of transportation, traversing the Valtarian Empire from north to south and east to west.
“Train! Daka daka big! And it goes on forever!”
A girl with green hair, who looked like an elementary school student carrying a backpack, shouted.
It must have seemed like a different world to her.
The many trains parked on the platform were truly magnificent.
Whooooooom-.
Vast mana flowed from the engine, producing a strange vibrating sound. It was probably recharging the mana in the engine. I didn’t know the specifics. After all, I was a liberal arts major in both my previous life and this one.
“I’m glad to see you’re so happy.”
As Rue jumped around like a little dog, Ludmilla smiled with warmth.
Had she shaken off the grudges of their first meeting?
The blonde princess regarded the daring fairy almost as a younger sister.
On the other hand, Rue still seemed intimidated by Ludmilla.
When Ludmilla reached out her hand, Rue flinched sideways like a crab, careful not to get too close.
“Do you also use a sword? Of course, being a child of a prestigious family, you would have learned swordsmanship for self-defense.”
“Well… it’s just imitation, really.”
Seeing Rue still scared of her, Ludmilla let out a wry smile before turning to me and asking.
A sword handle wrapped in purple silk.
It piqued her interest as she noticed me carrying it at my waist.
“That’s the holy sword my brother forced upon me. Now that I’m leaving the Hohenberc Family… I guess I have to carry it around and pretend to be a knight.”
“It suits you very well.”
The sword handle that suddenly appeared boasted elegant craftsmanship like a beautiful ornament.
Of course, it should be.
This is the Holy Sword of Annihilation.
The warrior Maximilian, who was granted four holy swords by the Holy Kingdom, had forced this weapon onto his little brother. Since that darn brother recognized me as the owner without consulting me, I had no choice but to bear Aldebaran. When I move too far away, the holy sword will chase after me.
“I must return it as soon as I meet the priest of the Holy Kingdom. I wonder what kind of trouble I’ll face if I wait.”
If my identity is revealed, it would undoubtedly cause quite a commotion.
Why must I always shoulder these troubles?
I wanted to stick a bullet in that impassive face.
“When was the last time you visited the imperial city?”
“Um… it was probably six months ago.”
Although distant, the Hohenberc County was connected to the imperial city by rail.
It takes about five days to reach the imperial city.
Therefore, traveling there is not hard at all if you use the mana engine train.
As we made our way to the train standing on the platform, I chatted with Ludmilla about trivial matters. Thankfully, I seemed to have satisfied the princess, as a bright crescent-shaped smile spread across her beautiful face. My face turned slightly red upon seeing the beauty of the national treasure smile.
“This time, I specially rented the entire train. It’s going to be a comfortable trip to the capital.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s a way to treat our guests. One mustn’t be stingy when it comes to hospitality. The Valtarian Imperial Family never shows stinginess to their guests.”
“…….”
I’ve heard of chartered flights for travel, but it’s my first time hearing about renting an entire train with 20 cars.
Indeed, it’s the imperial family.
Are their expenses always beyond common sense?
Even the Hohenberc Family, renowned as the best in the East, could never dream of such extravagance… The composed Ludmilla unexpectedly had an extravagant side when it came to expenses. If a man were to marry her, he’d surely have to handle an enormous expenditure.
That’s also pitiful.
“When we arrive in the imperial city, a multitude of crowds will welcome the guests from the East. Just like how the Hohenberc Family would welcome guests from the imperial city.”
“…If we can get through that without getting beaten up, that would be a blessing.”
We would become estranged from the imperial family.
The central nobles would surely loathe the Hohenberc Family for tarnishing the honor of the imperial family.
I anticipated a treacherous thorny path ahead.
The moment we arrived in the imperial city, I would be greeted by many malevolent eyes.
For now, I could only rely on Ludmilla’s protection. She was the one who shielded the Hohenberc Family against the Valtarian Imperial Family, which tried to lay blame for the annulment. Hence, I decided to trust her.
.
.
.
The mana engine train, a luxury for the upper class, was indeed comfortable and enjoyable, but a lengthy journey proved to be a torture for the passengers.
Five days.
Being confined to a limited space could hardly be comfortable.
However, for me, five days was but a fleeting moment.
I spent my time pondering how to survive in the hostile imperial city filled with enemies.
“Please watch your step!”
As the train finally arrived at the imperial city platform, the staff opened the doors, announcing the end of our journey.
We have arrived.
Disembarking from the train, I saw a massive crowd.
It must be a parade welcoming the princess who had come from the East. Of course, most of those people had no connection with the Hohenberc Family. The crowd’s gaze was exclusively focused on Ludmilla.
“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? We probably saw each other during our engagement meeting six months ago?”
I thought to myself that a country bumpkin wouldn’t receive any warm welcomes,
– when I quietly stepped onto the platform with the tiny fairy by my side.
A dazzling blonde woman approached with a professional smile. Upon meeting her sharp gaze akin to that of a black cat, I froze. It was a bitter encounter with someone who had turned a fateful connection into a curse.
“Edanant.”
Her sassy yet haughty voice echoed in my mind.
I felt dizzy for a moment upon seeing her exquisite beauty that looked like it had been crafted from noble platinum.
How could I not recognize her?
The Third Imperial Princess.
Elizaveta von Valtaria.
The former fiancée of the warrior Maximilian.
The villainous princess from “The Lady of White Blessing.”
I was now facing the villainous princess, who undoubtedly hated the Hohenberc Family more than anyone else. Since I was unprepared, I soon became rigid upon seeing the princess.