Extra 01: Balthazar 01

Extra 01: Balthazar 01

The Imperial Guards is a traditional position that has been implemented since the days of the Lothar Empire.

The best of the best was chosen to be Imperial Guards, and their duty was to die as the Emperors shield, and they were looked upon with respect and awe by the people. There was no end of people who wanted to take this prestigious position, and the competitiveness was endlessly high.

All of that was in the past. The 6th Emperor, Edward III, sold this position for money, through the infamous right to buy.

Anyone who paid money could claim this prestigious position, and it sold like hotcakes.

As a result, it became a tool for nobles and merchants to give dignity.

The 7th Emperor, Edward IV, abolished this, but the title had been sold to too many people. Furthermore, during the reign of Edward III, the Chancellor held the right to appoint people to the Imperial Guards (the sale was done by Edward III), and Edward IV was unable to regain this right.

There was no trace of the powerful Imperial Guards of the past in the current Imperial Guards.

But even if they were rotten, they were still Imperial Guards. If all of them cant fight, then they cant fulfil the role of a guard. Therefore, several capable people were appointed as Imperial Guards.

Balthazar Chevillard is one of those people.

As a commoner, he was ostracised by his aristocratic superiors and ridiculed by the troops in the unit that he once belonged to for sucking up to aristocrats.

The only way for him to relax is to go to his favourite bar, Goose To see the poster girl.

Aina-chan, listen.

Youve had too much to drink, Balthazar. You have work tomorrow, dont you?

Aina, the 19-year-old poster girl. She is said to be the most beautiful girl in the commoners district. However, her father, the owner of the bar, looks scary, so the number of customers in Goose wasnt much different than from other bars.

And the drunk person being dealt with by Aina, is Balthazar.

Hehee. Its time for you to go home, Imperial Guard-san.

Shut up, Schwarov. Dont call me that.

Balthazar is 24 years old, and still in the prime of his career, but he looks older than he does as he regularly visits bars and grumbles with the poster girl.

Whats wrong with calling you that? Didnt you say the Imperial Guards pay well?

Balthazar was asked by a regular customer who was sitting on the same table as him, and he replied with a frown.

Im not using it since Im unmarried, so Im just saving it up. And Im doing odd jobs for aristocrats, its disgusting.

Then, one of the customers lifted his empty mug.

Which means it wont hurt your wallet if you shout us a drink! Aina-chan, one more!!

Alright. Ill shout you a drink. Aina-chan, me too!

At the sound of Balthazars voice of despair, the people around him cheered, Whoo! and asked for more drinks.

This is the last round~!

Aina warned as she received the silver coin from Balthazar, then she quickly gave the Master the order she had just received.

Balthazar caught a glimpse of the Masters eyes from the back of the bar and it was obvious his eyes werent smiling.

The scary Master will come out if I dont take my leave soon, a strangely calm part of his brain thought, and Balthazar sighed.

He had survived to this day in aristocratic society as an Imperial Guard. No matter how drunk he got, a part of his thoughts was still coherent.

Its not worth it, its not, just as Balthazar said this to himself, the ale he ordered had arrived.

Oh yeah, Balthazar, are you going to be part of the upcoming parade as a guard? Aina asked.

I guess, he answered.

So, youre going to meet the Emperor too?!

Oh, the rumoured young Emperor? I hope he resembles the late Emperor or His Highness Jean, Balthazars drinking companion said, and he frowned.

Hes a 5-year-old brat. Hes been spoiled from birth and hes worthless.

You cant talk about him like that.

Aina pointed at Balthazar and his mouth slackened, then Schwarov asked, So, do you think youll actually get a chance to see him?

Yeah. Im sure I will. Ill be guarding the Smallest Fortress (Emperors Carriage). Balthazar sounded annoyed. He threw roasted beans into his mouth and drank his ale.

Then you might be able to talk to him in person!! Balthazar is surprisingly amazing.

Balthazar looked hurt by Ainas honesty. He coughed and said, Ill tell you if anything interesting happens, Aina-chan.

Really!? Yay!!

Oh, thats nice. Then thatll be our entertainment the next time we go out drinking, Schwarov said.

Balthazar yelled angrily, Im not talking to you!! Then, the Master came out from the back of the bar.

Youre disturbing the other customers.

Balthazar, who had already taken a beating from the ex-soldier Masters arm before, drank up the rest of his drink and said, Ill come again, before leaving.

His back exuded the sorrows of a typical bachelor.

Balthazar regained his composure when the aristocrats finished their mass at the Founders Hill.

The Emperor got into his exclusive carriage and Balthazar also strode his beloved horse.

(At any rate, youre very small, Your Majesty Thats the Emperor of this nation?)

Balthazar secretly thought, This nation might come to an end. Balthazar, who frequented the commoners district, sensed that from some of the citizens in the capital.

Balthazar took his place next to the Emperors carriage as it began to move. It would be a lie to say that he wasnt curious about the appearance of the child who he had just seen from a distance. However, it was disrespectful to stare at the Emperor. He kept his horse facing the front. His duty is to protect the Emperor.

(Well, theres really no need for that, is there?)

The carriage the Emperor was riding in is equipped with all kinds of defensive techniques. The efficiency was so great that it is said to repel magic and even live ammunition.

If someone wanted to assassinate the Emperor while hes riding in this carriage, then they would need to bring a cannon, which has recently been put to practical use in Lord Rauls fief.

(Although a single person wouldnt be able to shield it if a cannon was shot at the Emperor.)

He thought this as the march continued.

Eventually, the Segue Gate came into view. Its currently being expanded, but the original Imperial Capital, Cardinal, is located beyond this inner wall. Therefore, on National Foundation Day, the citizens of the Imperial Capital, who live outside the inner wall will gather here as they did back then.

As soon as they passed through the gate, everyone cheered loudly.

LONG LIVE THE EMPEROR!!

OUR HOPE!! OUR LIGHT!!

Woah.

The sound of their loud cheers startled Balthazars horse. He quickly calmed his horse down, but he had gotten a little too close to the carriage.

Why are they happy? Then he heard a small mutter. It was a boys voice.

(His Majestys voice sounds like this)

Balthazar heard the Emperors voice for the first time, and he felt strange that his wish would come true in such a way.

(Come to think of it, its an honour to be addressed directly by the Emperor.)

He knew that such an opportunity would never come to a commoner such as himself.

(Hmm? But was he talking to himself? If hes not, then its alright for me to answer.)

Balthazar wanted to answer the Emperor because he thought it would make for good conversation at the bar. He was certain Aina would be happy if he told her about this.

It was unlikely for a five-year-old to remember his face, and in the worst case, he could say that he thought he was being spoken to, so it would be rude not to answer. He was certain it wasnt disrespectful. Balthazar slowly pulled his horse up to the carriage.

(Why are they happy? Isnt it because they like the Emperor?)

Being a child may also be one of the reasons for his popularity. Although the citizens of the capital were suffering from the hardships of life, there were few who would fall so low as to turn their anger at a young child.

But answering like that is Balthazar worried, then spoke, Its because they expect great things from you. Both the previous Emperor and your father were popular with the people.

After saying this, Balthazar regretted that he hadnt given a better answer.

The young Emperor was stunned, then he muttered, I see.

It was then that Balthazar saw the Emperors eyes for the first time.

His golden eyes began filling up with joy. He really is a child. Hes that happy to know that the voices are directed at him. Balthazar thought.

However, after shutting his eyes for a moment, the Emperor opened his eyes again and Balthazar couldnt believe they were the eyes of a child.

(Woah?!)

They were the eyes of a soldier, heading off to the battlefield and ready to lay down his life. The determination in his eyes wasnt half-hearted either.

The Viscount he once served the General he once served, had that look in his eyes before a decisive battle.

(No, it must be my imagination it must be.)

There was no way a five-year-old boy could have eyes like that. Balthazar told himself and the Emperor spoke to him again, You taught me something good. Whats your name?

Balthazars instincts were telling him not to give his real name. It felt as if he was going to fall into an enemy trap on the battlefield.

(Sorry, Schwarov. Im borrowing your name Oh, but I dont know his last name.)

Schwarov le Goose, Your Majesty.

Perhaps it was because he was thinking of Aina earlier, but he quickly made up a fake name consisting of his drinking buddys name and the name of the bar.

I see, Ill keep that in mind, the young Emperor replied, and Balthazar bowed his head and quickly pulled his horse away from the carriage.

(Well, shit. I shouldnt have talked to him.)

It was too late to regret this. But he had given the Emperor a false name. The Emperor wont find out that it was Balthazar who had spoken to him, and he would probably forget about Balthazar right away. Thinking that time would solve the problem, Balthazar decided not to think about it too much.

But he was scared, so he didnt talk about this even when he went to his usual bar.

However, his fate had already been decided.

As it turned out, Carmine never forgot about this day in his life.

It was the day that the young Emperor decided to rule his nation himself.