By using the “Philosopher’s Stone” sleeping in Felmund’s lands and ensuring operational use of the magitek weapons, they could seize the initiative and surpass the other ducal houses.
For that, House Ornament had bided its time.
Taking utmost care never to let the Stone’s existence be discovered, pouring their house’s lifeblood into researching it, inheriting the will of generations of heads to realize this plan, they had strained every effort.
No unexpected event was enough to shake a house not so weakly soft.
As the great goal was already approaching imminently–
“It seems everyone has assembled, which is most welcome.”
With those words, the Emperor appeared in the conference room.
Seeing the attendees rise in unison, Klaus lightly motioned with his hand to stop them.
“I was a bit delayed. There seemed to be some commotion within the castle, and the servants were running about frantically, so it took me some time to change clothes.”
As Klaus took his seat, a young girl stood behind him like an attendant.
[Artesia Eisenhud]
A formidable woman who, despite being stripped of her seat, right to speak, and all assets of her house, reduced to a duchess in name only, persisted as the head of the family.
Though attempts were made to grind down her every fang, she took pride in her forceful presence as the “Guardian of the Emperor” due to her immense abilities – an ominous survivor of a cursed bloodline.
However, her life would not last much longer.
Already afflicted by the “World Tree’s Curse” ravaging her body, her death was assured.
When her life finally expired–the Ornament Dukedom would stand at the empire’s summit.
“Well then–let us begin the regular conference.”
After those words, Klaus gave a slight nod.
“Today’s agenda was to be presented by the Grand Duke Ornament…but given an urgent matter, I would like to prioritize discussing that first. Eisenhud, you have permission to explain.”
“I humbly accept, Your Majesty.”
Bowing respectfully, Artesia stepped forward after being granted permission to speak.
“…Recently, I, Artesia Eisenhud, have been experiencing abnormalities. My magic power generation is not functioning properly, and my magic reserves have been decreasing.”
“Heh…now that is a peculiar tale indeed. Surely it cannot be the ridiculous notion that you are simply suffering senility after living for three hundred years?”
“Just as you say, Prince Spiritia. While the symptoms resemble senility, when I used magic with His Majesty’s permission, there were no abnormalities. The Eisenhud historical records also show no similar symptoms, so the possibility of a new disease must be considered.”
Ornament had already stopped listening to that explanation.
In fact, he was inwardly clicking his tongue again.
(Of all times…the report is being made when I alone know the circumstances.)
That information was a secret pact known only to the current heads of the Six Great Ducal Houses.
The “World Tree’s Curse” created by tying together the current heads.
It was not a disease or natural phenomenon–but a form of magic created through the magical techniques and knowledge of the long-established ducal houses.
Even those well-versed in magic could not dispel it.
The “World Tree’s Curse” was constructed through the secret lore passed down by the Six Great Ducal Houses over the generations, and even the current heads did not fully grasp it apart from the parts they were in charge of.
The one who grasped the overall picture was–
“Oh my, if Eisenhud’s magic power is decreasing, she cannot fulfill her role.”
“Nmfufu…then I suppose it is official that she will be removed from the ducal house.”
“It cannot be helped. That was Eisenhud’s sole remaining value.”
Those present began speaking one after another.
Unaware of the circumstances, none sided with Eisenhud.
Even in such a situation, Artesia Eisenhud did not waver.
“In light of these circumstances, Eisenhud proposes establishing a successor.”
“…If I recall correctly, the contract made three hundred years ago stipulated that Eisenhud would have no successors after the current head?”
“Just as Princess Sanctus says, we of Eisenhud made a contract with the Six Great Ducal Houses three hundred years ago, placing various restrictions on ourselves. However, I am proposing to revise the clause regarding establishing a successor by adding new restrictions, out of concern for potential chaos should the Guardian temporarily disappear due to my death.”
“I see, while we can discuss the new restrictions later…since most of us, including myself, are only acting heads, I think the final decision should be left to the sole current head?”
With Ulafi’s statement, all eyes turned to Zervis.
Receiving the surrounding gazes, Zervis exhaled deeply before speaking.
“…As the current head, I believe that if it is a revision rather than nullification of the clause, the other heads would likely agree. It would take the form of seeking approval after notifying each head once this meeting concludes.”
“I am grateful, Grand Duke Ornament. Then, after processing the submitted agenda–“
“However…does this not strike you as discourteous to us, Eisenhud?”
At Zervis’s words, Artesia’s brow twitched slightly.
“While it may be an urgent matter for you…to unilaterally seek to revise what you yourself proposed in the contract three hundred years ago cannot be called anything but unilateral.”
Regardless, Artesia’s death was certain.
Even if she established a successor, given that the ducal house had been stripped of all authority, any action would be meaningless.
However–
“Then should you not show due courtesy through proper conduct?”
While enduring the scheme three hundred years ago, the young girl persevered in her will and protected her household until the end.
The heads of that time likely expected to see the girl in tears, pleading piteously.
Yet the Artesia of three hundred years ago is said to have maintained her firm demeanor to the very end, engaging in negotiations with the Six Great Ducal Houses.
That was why Zervis wanted to see it.
The moment when the head of Eisenhud would kneel–
“…You are correct, my impending circumstances are the result of my own transgressions, and to make unilateral demands, even in the name of resolving the issue, was discourteous to the Six Great Ducal Houses.”
As she spoke, Artesia took a step back.
“Despite my house retaining only its name and role as Guardian, I committed the rudeness of making an undue demand. I take this opportunity to once again apologize.”
Her expression remained as immovable as iron.
Her amethyst eyes still burned with an unwavering will.
Yet…even if just for form’s sake, the sight of her lowering her head after over three hundred years could be witnessed.
And as Artesia cast her eyes down and began to bow her head–
The conference room door creaked loudly as it warped.
The sounds of scraping iron and splintering wood rang out, and light from outside cast a silhouette.
“–At last we meet, Grand Duke Ornament.”
Treading over rubble, a girl with green-gold hair strode into the conference room.
“Would you care to provide a satisfactory explanation for the matter in which I was abducted?”
Her crimson eyes glowing, Feiyu Blaskas boldly declared.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
For a moment, those present were dumbstruck, ceasing all movement.
It was an understandable reaction.
This was the imperial castle, guarded not just by soldiers but also mages.
For someone to brazenly force their way in was something no one had anticipated.
Feiyu did not miss this opening created.
“Now provide a satisfactory explanation at once!! While aware that I, Feiyu Blaskas, am of the Blaskas house – a branch of the Sylvayu royal family – you abducted me, sought to diminish my authority, and intended to humiliate me by reducing me to slave status!!”
“Insolent! Do you know who has gathered in this place–“
“No…wait, Princess Sanctus.”
With those words and a gesture, Klaus turned his gaze to the intruder Feiyu.
“If I’m not mistaken, you are the Lady Blaskas I exchanged greetings with alongside the Elder of Trakia during the previous festival.”
“Oh…my apologies, how thoughtless of me. Allow me, Feiyu Blaskas, to once again pay my respects to His Majesty the Great Tree, the Albusage Emperor.”
“Spare me the greetings. More importantly…do you understand the gravity of your own actions?”
Glancing sideways at the shattered door, Klaus sternly declared:
“Your actions here constitute an assault on another nation’s imperial palace…moreover, on a gathering of key figures.”
Yet Feiyu remained unflinchingly defiant.
Visit the request page If there’s a Japanese Light Novel (LN) or Web Novel (WN) you’d like me to translate
When the donation goal progress bar above hit 100% one novel will be chosen for translation
| Table of Contents | Next* |
Support the Author by Buying the Original Books!
