“…Hey, Ryozo. As I understand it, you can’t have an audience with the emperor unless the Imperial Household approves it first, right? Even if it’s Victoria, she can’t just…”
“Guess what? The Imperial Household accepted gladly.”
I was surprised. Because the Imperial Household Office was known for not easily granting audiences with the emperor.
‘The Office, which goes to great lengths to maintain the mystique of the current emperor, accepted the princess’s request immediately?’
Within the imperial family, the princess’s authority was less than one might imagine. As I had explained before, all power was centralized in the emperor.
The Imperial Household Office was the eyes and ears of the emperor. Even members of the royal family communicated with him through that office.
I briefly thought about the true sovereign of the western world. And unintentionally, I sighed.
“This is very suspicious.”
More than that, I didn’t understand why Victoria had made that request to Ryozo. Between her and me, there still isn’t a bond close enough for a “family visit,” is there?
“How could common folks like us understand the thoughts of the emperor?”
“Ryozo, you are not common folks.”
“That’s what I’m saying. But, well, before the emperor we’re all the same. Not to belittle the Nibelung, but their influence is limited to the nobility. The emperor is…”
A figure who truly deserves the title of sovereign of the western world. It sounds exaggerated and ridiculous at the same time.
There exists an absolute power called the God of the Sword. In that context, someone proclaiming himself “lord of the western world” is simply absurd. If it weren’t for me, Geom-Ma, that guy would have already been crushed by divine punishment for his arrogance.
But even so…
Not everything in this world can be resolved with violence. Human society is like a heart full of intertwined blood vessels—if you cut off the branches thinking they’re insignificant, everything stops in the end.
Unfortunately, the Victoria imperial family is like an artery situated very close to the heart of humanity.
In the imperial family, tradition exists. A powerful lineage that has safeguarded ancient glory.
Even if the Corps Commanders disappear. Even if the demons lose their purpose. Even if the world praises me, Geom-Ma. It’s unthinkable that the authority of the imperial family would collapse entirely.
“With the name of Joaquin Academy, we can reject the imperial decree.”
Ryozo didn’t mention the part where the academy would have to accept certain losses. I thanked her inwardly for the consideration, though outwardly I just shook my head.
“It’s fine. If Victoria asked, I have to go.”
“…Geom-Ma, if that’s your decision.”
“After all, sooner or later I had to speak with the emperor. I was waiting for the right moment, and this is a good opportunity.”
“Now that you mention it, you’ve never seen the emperor, right?”
“It’s kind of ambiguous. I think I saw him once…”
Ryozo furrowed her brow while holding her pen.
“What do you mean you think you saw him?”
“Hmm…”
Hard to explain. I couldn’t say I had seen him in my gamer days.
And on top of that, I didn’t even see him clearly, just as a black silhouette.
‘Like those censored criminals in detective anime—but even then, he had an imposing presence.’
In Miracle Blessing M, the emperor is the greatest obstacle the protagonist Leon faces in the human world.
He’s basically a mid-game boss, but I never got to fight him.
‘Because I quit the game before that.’
It’s time to visit the most powerful man in humanity.
“How luxurious will his home be?”
You could say it’s a “family visit.”
Only with sashimi on the side.
***
Without further delay, we departed for England the next day.
Instead of transporting via subspace, this time we used the air route.
For national-level events, this was the preferred method.
Although subspace significantly shortens travel time, it can be perceived as disrespectful by the host country.
Because it gives the impression that it’s not even worth spending time on the journey.
‘Joaquin Academy was only able to use subspace during the exchange because it held the dominant position.’
But accepting an invitation from the Victoria imperial family and arriving via quick warp would be like smearing mud on Joaquin’s face.
Either way, I gladly accepted the day-and-a-half journey.
“…”
“…”
Victoria and I didn’t talk much during the trip.
‘It’s just… uncomfortable.’
I only moved my eyes. Victoria, with her chin resting on her hand, didn’t take her eyes off the window.
Outside there was nothing but floating gray clouds, yet she kept staring at the landscape without pause.
‘Seems like she has a lot on her mind.’
After all, it was quite a bold request as legitimate compensation following the exchange event.
A request that, to some, might even seem rude.
‘Because it was rather overbearing.’
Although personally, I hold no grudge against her.
But I also had no intention of starting a conversation.
If I said something awkward, Victoria would probably shut down even more.
The atmosphere was dead, like a mouse had passed through.
And after fourteen long hours, we finally arrived in England.
Clank, clank.
“Please step out, Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
The wheels hit a couple of bumps.
The vehicle seemed to glide over the runway, and soon the door opened smoothly.
As soon as Victoria and I stepped out, a group of guards in ceremonial uniforms greeted us.
“We welcome you, Heavenly Sword.”
Hmm. We’re greeted with a rather impersonal banner.
Even so… this is more subdued than I expected.
Could it be I had imagined something more luxurious because of Parsy Academy? It almost feels like they’re frugal.
But actually, I liked that. This kind of welcome—modest and polished—was more satisfying to me than a flashy display.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome you, Heavenly Sword. And you as well, Your Highness.”
“It’s been a while.”
Victoria brushed past the typically British-looking chamberlain and entered the limousine.
I followed her, glancing at the official’s face. He had no expression whatsoever, an absolutely ordinary middle-aged man.
‘Although, the fact that he has no expression might not be so ordinary…’
As soon as we got in, the guards on either side of the limousine saluted with a military bow.
A bug landed on one of their noses, and even then, he didn’t move an inch.
‘They don’t seem to be heroes or anything, but…’
That detail spoke to the weight of the imperial etiquette manual.
Despite being a simple and inexpensive ceremony, it felt more solemn than that of Parsy Academy.
“What is His Highness’s father like?”
It was time to ask, so I spoke. The gaze that had been fixed on the sun shifted.
The reddish pupils characteristic of the imperial family reflected calm.
‘…Why this feeling of déjà vu?’
At that moment, Victoria asked me shyly.
“Do you know His Majesty’s other titles?”
“They say he’s called the Mechanical Emperor. Is that true?”
“There’s no other title that describes him better, so yes.”
“Could you tell me why he’s called that? I’m quite ignorant on these matters, and I fear I might do something disrespectful in front of the emperor.”
“First of all, you should add His Majesty when speaking about him…”
“I won’t do that.”
For someone who has tried to hinder me, that honorific title feels excessive.
“…”
“Is there nothing else?”
“…No, nothing in particular.”
“Then please, tell me the basics about the emperor.”
“All right.”
I didn’t ask why Victoria had brought me to England.
Just one look at the chamberlain’s face was enough to understand it.
Victoria wanted to use my voice to convey something to her father. After all, I had been her instructor during the exchange.
Words from a third party always carry more weight than one’s own.
And if that third party is a head instructor, all the more so.
Come to think of it, it really did feel like a family visit. I was a bit nervous. A homeless orphan, on a family visit.
While I tried to swallow the dry saliva in my throat, Victoria began to explain:
“His Majesty is called the Mechanical Emperor because of his vast knowledge. The hereditary blessing of the imperial family is the Blessing of the Owl. In simple terms, absolute memory.”
“That I had heard officially.”
“But people tend to misunderstand something.”
“What is it?”
“They believe the imperial family possesses extraordinary combat power.”
“But they’re clearly above average.”
I trained Victoria myself. She’s a prodigy student, with an impressive learning ability—like a highly efficient sponge.
“Compared to families like the Nibelung, we are below. Because our family’s blessing is not based on physical power, but on memory. I was able to absorb your teachings faster thanks to that absolute memory, not because my physical abilities are superior.”
Her self-assessment was so clear it left me speechless.
Then, Victoria asked me a sudden question.
“The tradition of the Victoria imperial family goes back several centuries before the founding of Joaquin Academy. Even before the founding hero made his name famous, the imperial family’s authority was already firmly established.”
“I’ve heard that.”
“And the pride of the family is not just that spoken history. But the immense records that support it. That is the true essence of the imperial family.”
“You mean the exclusive library known as the Infinite Library.”
Victoria murmured with a blank expression.
“The Infinite Library was the pride of the Victoria family…”
“Sorry to interrupt, but… you’ve been talking about it in the past tense for a while now. Don’t tell me…”
“…It was completely destroyed ten years ago.”
“All of it?”
“This is a secret of the empire, but… I’ll tell you, because you are the Heavenly Sword.”
Victoria lowered her gaze and only moved her lips.
“The one who burned the greatest pride of the imperial family… was my own father, His Majesty the emperor.”
Damn it. What the hell is she saying?
“You’re saying the current head of the family destroyed the legacy of his own lineage?”
“There’s no proof, but according to my deductions, the only possible suspect… is His Majesty.”
“And what do you think his motive was?”
Victoria inhaled deeply before answering. Perhaps uneasy, she opened the window slightly.
“Monopoly.”
She breathed in the cold air, closed her eyes, and spoke in a barely audible voice.
“The day the Heavenly Sword became the hero of humanity, my father saw you as a future enemy who might threaten his power. That’s why, to monopolize information, he burned the family’s legacy. So only he could remember over a thousand years of heroic history.”
“You’re saying he sacrificed the historical value of the imperial family just to protect himself…?”
It didn’t make sense. Greed? That was, ironically, the least fitting emotion for a Mechanical Emperor.
“His Majesty has a mechanical mind.”
“In what sense do you mean that?”
“In the sense that he’s capable of cutting away anything for the sake of power. Everything. Even you.”
Screech.
Due to a sudden brake, the limousine jolted slightly and Victoria’s torso leaned forward. I held her abdomen with my arm.
Good thing we were far from the driver’s seat. If not, she would’ve hit the front and been thrown forward.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”
I let out a fierce reprimand. Victoria’s reddish hair fell forward.
But… her lower lip trembled.
Her fist, gently resting on her thigh, was clenched so tightly it had turned white.
Swish.
The driver turned his torso toward us. It was the same chamberlain as before, now looking at us at an angle.
“…Heavenly Sword.”
He slightly raised the brim of his hat with his thumb as he spoke. Under the shadow it cast, his reddish pupils shone intensely.
“I apologize on behalf of my daughter for her disrespect.”
On his cheek, the wrinkles barely formed a faint dimple.
____
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