Chapter 18: A Certain Brilliance

Chapter 18: A Certain Brilliance

I had many regrets in my previous life, so I wanted to live this life without regrets.

But it seemed impossible for me since I was an ordinary person.

The next day, Timona Renan, who had been imprisoned for some time, and Baron Frederic Renan, who was undergoing the Inquisition, were released.

Apparently, Timona had been quite violent during his house arrest. He had a cut on his lower cheek.

Baron Renan was treated with healing magic by the court doctor. The wounds on the surface of his body were almost gone thanks to the best healing magic in the Empire.

But his mind and his organs were already in shambles.

The Baron didnt give the false testimony of him being a heretic even until the end. If he had, then I wouldnt have been able to save him.

However, his mind and body were already seeking death. He had given up.

I couldnt make it in time.

Your Majesty.

What is it, Baron?

After visiting the recuperation room with Timona, I was the only person left in the room, at the request of Baron Renan.

First, thank you.

The Baron looked like he was having a hard time even speaking, but I couldnt accurately heal anyone but myself right now. I dont know anything about medicine. Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

I was saved straight away thanks to you, Your Majesty.

Thats enough, Baron I didnt make it in time.

I could have done something else, like getting a statement from someone earlier even if it makes me uncomfortable. Couldnt I have acted even if I didnt hear it from someone else?

Your Majesty, I would like you to tell me something.

The Baron caught his breath and strained his voice as if he was gathering the last bit of his strength.

Why did you help me, Your Majesty?

A skinny right hand was placed on my shoulder as I sat beside his bed. His hand trembled weakly.

You mustnt act for the sake of a single vassal. You are about to kill thousands upon thousands of people and lead an Empire of about 30 million people. You shouldnt act because of trivial matters in front of you. Dont forget that the lives of 30 million people depend on you.

Yes Youre right.

I shouldnt have acted, but I did, and I still couldnt save him in the end. I was a fool.

I shouldnt be the Emperor.

Ah, the feeble complaint that I couldnt tell anyone about just came out.

I wanted to be someone special, but I was still an ordinary person even though I was born as an emperor.

I dont have the power to respond to citizens voices.

Your Majesty.

The Baron wiped my cheek. I dont know how long Ive been crying.

But I see hope in you.

I dont know. I dont know what to do even if you say you see hope or light in me.

His hand was warm like a fathers.

Its okay to be you, Your Majesty. Live your life the way you want. Its okay to be troubled and lost. I know youll choose the right path.

Then one day, Frederic heard the truth from a certain meddlesome Count Palatine that this decision was made by the Regent and the Emperor hadnt wished for it.

So, Frederic volunteered to teach the Emperor in order to tell his son the truth.

It was easy to be a tutor. No other aristocrat wanted to go through the hassle of being a tutor and no one had any expectations of the Emperor.

Frederic was also one of them. However, he felt a little sympathy towards a child who wasnt receiving satisfactory education and was around the same age as his beloved son.

That was why he taught him how to read and write. It didnt matter to him that he was being pressured or that he was hated because of his son.

Frederics perception changed drastically after he started teaching the Emperor. The young Emperor was taking classes while understanding the current situation.

What he wasnt interested in, he learnt as if he was. What he was interested in, he seemed indifferent to. He absorbed knowledge at an astonishing rate without letting anyone know his true intentions. Frederic felt as if he was dealing with an adult.

Sensing Carmines potential, Frederic shared his thoughts with him even though those thoughts may be taken as criticism of the church. He knew that he would be subjected to the Inquisition and that he would die as a result.

If his death left Carmine with an unforgettable memory, then it would be a beacon that determined his future. Before he knew it, he found himself showing the young Emperor the value of putting ones life on the line.

Frederic was stunned when he was rescued from prison. He was told about what had happened by the meddlesome Count Palatine while he was being healed and he thought that Carmine was an unreasonable person.

(Hes a child.)

His illogical actions were that of a child.

But Frederic also thought that perhaps an emperor who still had his childlike innocence was suited for leading the people.

Then, Frederic realised that he hadnt been thinking clearly enough. It was preposterous for him to think of himself as a beacon. Carmine was already an Emperor.

Even in his present condition, he would be a better ruler than his predecessors and most aristocrats didnt realise this!

Was there anything more delightful than this?

(So, this will be the first and last gift I leave to you, Your Majesty.)

Father.

Timona. Did you understand?

That was all he needed to say. Timona had known the truth from the day Frederic had come to teach the Emperor, but the wariness that had been instilled in him was hard to get rid of, and Timona continued to be wary of Carmine.

Timona was also hostile towards Carmine because he was forcefully separated from his beloved father, who didnt have long left to live.

Yes, about His Majesty and about my own helplessness.

The day after he was put under house arrest, Timona realised what had happened and tried to escape to save his father, but he had failed. He was restrained and beaten severely because he had struggled. He was imprisoned and couldnt do anything until he and his father were rescued.

Frederic touched the scar on his sons cheek.

Youve become a man.

His Majesty told me the same thing when I got out of prison.

Pfft. I see.

Then, Frederic told his son with a serious look on his face.

Give everything you have to support His Majesty. It doesnt matter if your house name is gone, and it doesnt matter if our lineage ceases.

Frederic summoned all his strength and his voice trembled.

Risk your life for him. Hes brilliant and is worth it.

Yes, Father. I will be his shield and sword.

Frederic nodded his head slightly in satisfaction when he saw the determination in Timonas eyes.

Youve really become a man.

Three days later, Frederic le Renan died peacefully in the presence of his son.