CH 117

Subjugation and Rakain (8)

‘Hold it in, hold it in. He is the Lord. He is the Lord whom I already swore my allegiance to…’

Gilov tightened his grip on the reins while muttering to himself before he slowly loosened it.

They chatted like that and laughed at times. It could be seen as a serious situation in that not only the Imperial Knights, but the Emperor had also come forward to overthrow the unidentified group of monsters. Nevertheless, this was also their way to relax in return.

Still, their laughter had to stop even before they got to reach the Samalta Mountains.

“……stop for a moment.”

Kergel raised his right hand. Then, the following Knights and soldiers instantly stopped almost at the same time.

They could feel the smell of blood permeating. There was also a rotten stench somewhere around.

Everyone could sense that it was a reek from a dead body that had already begun to decompose.

Everyone’s expression hardened in response. It raised a bloody momentum, which made them wonder about the time when they were joking and chatting about.

And that was no exception to Kergel as well.

“Has it already come this far?”

The corners of Kergel’s mouth twisted. There were no more reports from the person-in-charge of the revision all the way over here. Also, there was no urgent news from Heinez back in the Palace too.

That meant…

It brought the meaning that the troops of the frontier had already been annihilated.

Therefore, it indicated that there was no longer a person to send news to himself or even to the Palace.

And it also meant that they had to move much faster in order to reduce the damage.

“Find a trail right now!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

After Gilov’s immediate response to Kergel’s order, he hurriedly began to give specific instructions to the rest of the Knights.

Kergel clenched his teeth and stared into space somewhere. The ribbon that had been tied to his wrist was swaying in the breeze, which didn’t really suit the current situation.

* * *

“……I hope everything’s all right?”

“Sure, Empress. It was not enough for the Imperial Knights to go, but even His Majesty went there himself. Wouldn’t a day or two be enough for the subjugation itself then? Since it just takes a long time to get there. His Majesty had said so as well. He’ll be back in a ‘fortnight’…… Oh! Then, there are only about ten days left.”

On the fifteenth of lunar January, Silloa made a meaningful look towards Lucy while she was talking. She seemed rather impatient to tell her that he was actually preparing for a party to celebrate the Empress’s first birthday.

But Lucy simply ignored Silloa’s glance and poured some tea into the teacup that was in front of Roelin before she softly opened her mouth.

“Are you worried?”

“Well… a little bit.”

Roelin smiled shyly as she lifted the teacup and took a sip of the tea. Then, she opened her mouth once again towards Lucy.

“By the way, what happened to the support for all the survivors?”

“There were so many people who had been seriously injured. What I do know is that they are still being treated at the treatment center.”

“Don’t worry about the cost of treatment and tell her to use the best medicine there is, Lucy. Even if there is a need to use the entire budget of Her Majesty’s Palace, there should be no more victims.”

“I’ll relay that to them, Empress.”

Lucy answered with her head down. Then, Silloa closed her mouth with a solemn expression for a moment.

For those who had survived the monster’s attack, Roelin was generously providing all the support that she could.

Not only did she pay for their treatment, but it was also for the reconstruction of the attacked and devastated village. Furthermore, much of it was covered by the Empress’s budget as well.

The size of Roelin’s budget was so large that Heinez, who had gotten briefed by the finance minister, eventually ran to dissuade her.

Therefore, songs of praises of herself were increasing inside and even outside of the Palace.

In fact, Roelin herself was actually upset that she could only do such things, let alone be proud of her own actions.

“……I should have given him something better than just a mere ribbon.”

Roelin remained still and thoughtful before she opened her mouth once more. Lucy smiled as if she couldn’t truly stop her as she noticed that Roelin was worried about Kergel yet again.

She must be the only one who had been so worried and concerned about the Emperor.

As if she had forgotten that she was the companion of the strongest man in the whole world. However, it was also true that she looked so pretty.

‘So, in His Majesty’s eyes, it must be so too.’

Lucy recalled that Roelin’s birthday party was only 10 days away. Perhaps the Emperor’s ability would allow him to return before her birthday, even after he had defeated all the monsters.

She was already looking forward to the birthday party. Although it was actually a day that not only herself, but everyone else in the Palace had been waiting with excitement as well.

Yet the birthday girl didn’t know what was really going on with her birthday.

Lucy had been smiling happily when she heard the voice of a maid who was waiting outside.

“Empress, Sir Bashel has requested to see you.”

“Sir Bashel?”

Roelin looked suspicious and hurriedly stood up from her seat before looking back at Lucy, wondering if she had heard anything from Kergel. Then, Lucy quickly approached the door. The door eventually opened and Heinez promptly entered.