Chapter 46: Carmine Hill

Chapter 46: Carmine Hill

Perhaps the enemy forces will come again and Ill be able to see a battle this time so I decided not to return to the city, but instead stayed in a tent overnight here.

The aristocrats looked at the Emperor with a disappointed smile when they heard his selfish request. Of course they would there arent any enemy forces in the first place.

The Emperor was too stupid to understand that I ended up spending the night here. I think Im going to get what I came here for.

After dinner, I went into the tent that was prepared for the Emperor. It was treated as the Emperors private room even though it was only temporary. The aristocrats couldnt enter and Timona was the only person who was allowed to follow me into the room. For some reason, Rosalia was in the room as well but I dont have time to pay attention to her.

I squatted down in the corner of the tent and vomited in the hole that Timona had secretly dug out for me. I had really reached my limit.

The stench of blood and smoke that had stained the area reminded me of that scene.

Your Majesty!

Rosalia screamed.

Your voice is loud. I dont want them to know.

Yes.

I felt really bad. I guess the aristocrats hadnt considered that the villagers who were killed were also human like that since they were eating normally after seeing that massacre.

I believe its something I have to get used to, but every time it happens

Its really draining.

Your Majesty. I will go out for a while. I dont think you should be seen like this.

Thanks.

Timona went outside, leaving Rosalia and I in the tent.

Your Majesty

She rubbed my back. Im grateful for your concern but

Why did you come?

Rosalia was supposed to be waiting nearby with the carriage. It wasnt my intention to bring her to a place that smelled thick of blood.

Your Majesty. I am the woman who will eventually become the empress.

She sounded as if she was about to cry.

I will never ask to share the burden that you shoulder. The weight of ones fate is not something that someone else could lightly ask to carry. I am well aware of that. I am sure todays events would have been hindered by my presence since I am a woman.

That wasnt my intention. I probably didnt want her to experience something painful. I didnt want to show her the evils of this world.

But shes right, she is going to be the empress and I dont want her to become another Marie Antoinette either. I have to alter my plans.

Then Rosalia gently wrapped her hands around mine. My nausea subsided.

But even so, that does not mean I should not know the burdens you shoulder. So please forgive my selfishness just this once.

Im surprised. You said something that I would say.

Alright, I wont tell you off for this.

I couldnt help but smile. Are we similar?

Im tired.

Your Majesty. Please just rest for today.

Im so exhausted that I can even tell Im tired. Its something I have to get used to but it would be a problem if this happens every time. Ill try developing magic to suppress my nausea when I have time or even magic to suppress my emotions.

Alright.

I put my hand over the hole and filled it back up with earth magic. Timona dug a pretty deep hole even though he probably didnt have that much time. I couldnt smell the vomit once it was covered.

The smell of blood and smoke that had stuck to my body was still there though.

I laid down in the smaller than usual bed in the tent, then the nausea, which had gone down, came rushing back.

Your Majesty.

Im sorry. Im just feeling a bit sick now that Ive laid down.

It is alright. I was going to sever all ties with the Nan House So why dont I just call myself Renan? There is no greater honour than to be given a family name from my master.

Dont tease me.

I am not joking

He dressed me. Anyway, it doesnt seem like hes angry.

That honestly gave me a fright.

I see, I have to achieve something in order to say that I am from the Renan House.

I cant tell if youre joking or not so can you stop?

You two seem to be having fun.

I looked towards the bed and saw that Rosalia was looking this way sullenly.

Its because you were pretending to be asleep even though you woke up half-way through our conversation!

This was extremely obvious, but the enemy army didnt show up today.

What? Theyre not coming?

Yes. They cannot put up much of a fight against the Empires powerful soldiers.

Count Bailer Nove said as he laughed loudly.

The army thats here isnt the Empires army but Lord Rauls though Theyre the Chancellors private army.

Hmmm. Then it seems that the Theanabe Union will soon be destroyed.

My words stiffened the aura around me in an easy-to-understand manner.

Count Bailer Nove realised that he had said something unnecessary, immediately fell silent and glanced at the Chancellor, Lord Raul. Thats what happens when you get carried away.

But well, its dangerous for me to meddle anymore.

But I do not know much about this, so I will leave it to the Chancellor.

Hah, certainly.

Im sure he doesnt want to. He looks like hes ready to get out of here.

I wont let him.

But then again, this is the hill where I am seeing a war for the first time. I like it! This hill shall henceforth be known as Carmine Hill!!

Hah? You are going to add your name to this hill?

The aristocrats were stunned.

As they should be. The emperors name should only be added to special places, like the capital Cardinal, since their dignity was at stake. Having it taken away by another nation was like crushing the emperors face.

It would be a mistake to attach it to such a tiny hill, and the hill is near the border as well.

Hmm. Its a symbol of my victory. Spread it around.

Feeling good and attaching your name to something is normal, and the Emperor is a child. He doesnt understand what dignity is all about, so this declaration wasnt strange.

And the Chancellor can no longer abandon this hill. His dignity would drop if the land with the Emperors name on it were to be handed to the enemy without any resistance. The Regent faction would use this to condemn him.

Of course, my dignity would drop as well if that were to happen. There was nothing more embarrassing than having an enemy steal the land that bears my name

Well, thats only if a puppet emperor has dignity though.

How about building a castle here at some point? A villa is fine as well.

Now I have a reason to regularly inquire about this place, and the Chancellor cant pull out his army because of such a huge risk.

As long as the Chancellors army is in place, the Golden Fleece Association, which is under pressure, wont be able to send troops to the Central Continent. I can achieve my goal to buy time against the Golden Fleece Association.

Besides This will probably aggravate the relationship between the feudal lords at the Theanabe Union and the Golden Fleece Association. The feudal lords cannot get their land back as long as Lord Rauls army is here. The Golden Fleece Association will be questioned about why the feudal lords had to surrender their lands unconditionally.

Of course, this was all under the assumption that the Chancellor wont withdraw his troops. Its also possible that he will abandon this hill but the Chancellor couldnt show any weaknesses since the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies was consolidating his power by sorting out his faction.

And I personally have no intention of forgetting this hill.