Chapter 143 – 41. The Emperor’s Birthday Banquet (4)
As the representative of the delegation, I stood right in front of the emperor.
“This is Julian von Reinhardt from Essenmund. I apologize to His Majesty for the rudeness of last winter.”
“Hmm. I know you’ve been rude.”
I respectfully bowed my head to the emperor. The emperor with an impression like the uncle next door. He seemed very dissatisfied with me.
Although I could feel the tension of Viscount Mason next to me. I was very indifferent.
‘If it goes according to plan. After today, that emperor won’t even think of my rudeness.’
Don’t accept my apology. The emperor continued to reveal his uncomfortable planting.
And the holy priests of the central order lined up next to the emperor. It was Cardinal Grius and his henchmen, the high priests.
The current emperor is a puppet. Therefore, they can be said to be those who directly move the ecliptic.
Even though I don’t like them very much. Those that need to be dealt with after the Fall’s Nest attack.
Compared to Duke Pedro, they are very insignificant. Even though he is a powerful person in the empire, he didn’t feel like a threat to me.
‘Anyway, with flattery, you boiled and ate the emperor. They’re just corrupt priests.’
Rather than those guys, the Byrea mercenary corps chasers who have infiltrated the underworld of the ecliptic are more like villains.
I stopped thinking for a moment and gestured to the delegation’s party.
“Then I will raise Essenmund’s tribute to Your Majesty.”
Cardinal Grius replied to my words.
“Hoo. If it was a gift from the Grand Duke of the Lion of the North. Still, it won’t compare to the item that Duke Pedro sent me a moment ago. Isn’t it? Your majesty?”
“Hmm. Indeed. What kind of tribute…”
It was a well-intentioned statement. If even the tribute from Essenmund is insignificant. In front of so many nobles, the emperor is not dignified.
However, it was rather good for Cardinal Grius. In this way, Grius secretly worked behind the scenes to lower the emperor’s reputation.
The cardinal’s expression as he looked at me and the delegation was full of composure.
Perhaps a young kid like me was the head of the delegation. He seemed to think that the gift from Margrave Wilhelm wouldn’t be too great.
‘Of course, I have no intention of doing that.’
There’s nothing special about this emperor. The Asterisk family is my fiancée’s family. Even for Lilia’s sake, he shouldn’t have tarnished his name.
A cryolite statue covered with cloth. I put the cloth away.
“This is a statue I made for Your Majesty.”
And the moment the statue was revealed. The banquet hall buzzed.
“Oh oh. That one. What a beautiful statue!”
“It doesn’t look like a piece made of ordinary materials either. It has a blue water color… What material is it?”
“Isn’t that color definitely cryolite?”
“Please. There are cryolite crystals that big… No. Rather, is cryolite something that can be made into pieces like that?”
The temporary throne prepared in the banquet hall and the group of Cardinal Grius around it. And the attention of the banquet attendees surrounding it was focused.
And more than anyone else. The emperor, who will be the owner of the tribute, was taken aback.
“That clear blue water color! Could that statue be cryolite!”
Cardinal Grius answered instead.
“It seems so. Your majesty. But it’s strange. Cryolite crystals are no different from ordinary precious metals, so they are not that clean. How much more can you carve such a sensitive mineral with such precision…”
The emperor’s gaze turned to me. It was a look that demanded an explanation.
I spoke politely again.
“The cryolite is definitely correct. Cryolite is a precious mineral that Essenmund is proud of. This item was specially prepared by my maternal grandfather, Marquis Wilhelm, in celebration of His Majesty’s birthday.”
“Oh oh. I see. Did Prince Wilhelm say that? You gave me something very nice. Still…”
The emperor has descended from his temporary throne. It seemed he wanted to check it out for himself. And he touched the cryolite statue.
“This chill and brilliant water color. It is definitely ice crystal. For a moment. And this statue! No way?”
“That’s right. In order to praise Your Majesty’s greatness, I personally carved Your Majesty’s face with this cryolite crystal. I did my best to be forgiven for the rudeness of the past. I hope His Majesty likes it.”
Of course, there was no doubt at all. Thoroughly matched the personality of the emperor I knew. It was a statue made according to his taste.
Emperor of the Holy Empire. This emperor, whose name was Edust, was already speechless, enchanted by the statue. It was a blind eye.
However, he soon realized what I was saying and put on a puzzled expression.
“For a moment. The Count himself made this statue?”
Perhaps feeling the same way, Cardinal Grius, who had approached the emperor’s side, spoke to me.
“Wait a minute. What does that mean? Count Julian. Did the count make this cryolite statue himself?”
He slowly opened his snake-like eyes. The Cardinal looked at me.
I made eye contact with him and said confidently.
“That’s right. Your Excellency Cardinal. It’s something I’ve been working day and night to make for Your Majesty.”
***
At my words, the attendees drool.
The words they whisper carefully. Sylph heard it in my ears.
“It would be surprising if that were true. How did you make such a beautiful statue yourself? That Count Julian is the successor to His Highness Wilhelm. Besides, he is Her Highness Lillia’s fiancée, so isn’t he a very valuable person?”
“It is. If he had worked on it himself instead of commissioning the statue from an artist. It seems that your loyalty to His Majesty is not normal.”
It was as he said. If it is a tribute made directly by a high-ranking nobleman without hiring an agent. Because it meant that you put so much effort into it.
“And look at that cryolite statue. His majesty, the emperor of the Holy Empire, who is dignified even by anyone’s eyes, is the appearance itself. It is grand and beautiful.”
“I am surprised that the Count had such artistic skills. Isn’t it much more the Reinhard family?”
All of the nobles gathered here have eyes to see art. It means that even a piece that is lousy can be evaluated as garbage without mercy.
‘Well, even so, I can’t fault that statue at all.’
I ordered Ei-Lin to draw her face in the shape of her handsome man. It was to hide the embarrassing emperor’s face complex.
In addition, the ceremonial uniforms that only the emperor could wear were carved to emphasize their splendor.
“Look at the sword that His Majesty’s statue is holding. It really seems to show the dignity of the Asterisk family.”
In particular, the falcon and treasured sword symbolizing the imperial family. I worked very hard in the 5th stage to bring out that detail. Even those aristocrats recognized the artistry at once.
So, that crystal alone added artistry to the beautiful cryolite. The nobles also stared at the cryolite statue as if they were bewitched, unable to take their eyes off it for a while.
Sylph also conveyed Chloe’s smug voice. It didn’t matter now.
Anyway, the emperor, who was the party, had nothing to say.
He must have heard at first glance that Yulian was pretending to be an artist. I really didn’t think I would make and present such an art piece in front of him.
The emperor spoke in a voice full of emotion.
“Ohh… Count Julian said that. Yes. If you give me this tribute. Even more so if the count had made this statue for me by hand. That is something to be commended for. Then it shouldn’t be too difficult to forgive the rudeness the count committed in the past.”
It was just as a nobleman had said. The emperor seems to have been more moved by the fact that I, the heir to the grand duke, made the offering myself.
“If you do, it will be an honor for me too.”
“Well then. It’s something that young players can make at least one mistake. The Count is my sister’s fiancé. If you sincerely apologize like this, I should accept it. Prince Wilhelm also has face.”
At the emperor’s words, the cardinal’s group’s expressions instantly hardened. Except for the Marquis of Aitern. The emperor’s dignity was being lost due to a series of insignificant tributes.
‘Especially since everyone has seen Duke Pedro’s poor tribute.’
On the other hand, the momentum of Cardinal Grius was getting more equal. However, it was like I properly poured cold water on the situation.
‘If it is something of such high value. It’s enough to raise the emperor’s dignity in front of the banquet attendees.’
And to declare that the relationship between the Margrave Reinhardt and the Imperial family is unchanged. It was also a tribute with a highly political message.
Just as expected. Cardinal Grius’ complexion was not good. One of Cardinal Grius’ aides noticed the uncomfortable planting and stood in front of the statue.
It seems to be trying to prevent this situation from going well for the emperor and me. He opened his mouth
“It is a wonderful statue. I can feel the crisp chill, so it must be a cryolite. It’s a bit odd though. If it’s not rude, may I say something to you, Your Majesty?”
Although the emperor grimaced. He nodded his head because he was also an aide to Cardinal Grius, a high-ranking priest of the Central Order.
“Archbishop Muriol. What’s wrong?”
He bowed his head slightly. As befits a close confidant of the real world, even in front of the emperor, he stretched out his finger at the statue with a rather arrogant gesture.
“This object is obviously a work of art, a statue in honor of His Majesty the Emperor, and looks very valuable. Archbishop Matteo next to me. Because he, the holy priest of the arts order, confirmed it.”
“Right. It’s too high for a mediocre student of the Pantheon. Still, isn’t the Pantheon a place where the best people in the empire gather? I had heard before from Lilia that Count Yulian was involved in the arts. So it’s not strange.”
“That’s why Count Yulian’s words don’t make sense. I am an alchemist, a divine priest who follows the will of Goddess Istia. So I know quite a bit about the material called cryolite.”
Everyone focused their attention on the Archbishop named Muriol. He spoke proudly.
“Surely Count Julian said in front of His Majesty that he made this statue himself. However, cryolite is different from general materials and minerals. This means that alchemy, not ordinary sculpting, is needed to keep from losing its original nature.”
In other words, no matter how much he was taught in the art school. It was said to be impossible.
“If Archbishop Murol, the priest of Goddess Istia, says so… Hmm. Still, didn’t Count Julian say he made it himself?”
“A young hitter wants to give all the credit to him. I don’t know if he got the outline of the statue, but it would be unreasonable to say that he made this statue himself.”
The atmosphere in the banquet hall became strange. At the words of Archbishop Murol, the attendees whispered cautiously.
“At the last ball at the palace, the count was rude to Your Majesty. He may have inflated the ball, as Archbishop Murol said, to wash away the fact.”
“Rather, what you said is probably right. It’s because the level is too high to say that the Count himself sculpted it.”
After overhearing their words, the corners of the mouths of Archbishop Murol and Cardinal Grius’s group went up. I had to know why.
‘If what I say is false. It’s like the emperor being disgraced.’
As the atmosphere became strange, the emperor’s expression turned bad.
“Hmm. Does that mean But that Count Julian lied in front of me… I don’t want to doubt him. Still… Hmm.”
It seems that the ordinary emperor also fell for that atmosphere. Murol swelled up and spat out the words firmly.
“I don’t want to think about it either. Your majesty. But the young count, and no matter how much an artist. There is no way that a count with samurai blood would be able to use such advanced alchemy. Isn’t it? Count Julian?”
Do you think I’ve already been cornered by an out-of-towner? Murol gave a fishy laugh. He spoke quickly.
“Lying in front of your great and divine majesty is a very grave sin. If it’s not a lie, the Count will have to prove it himself. Even with the name of Jedin who gave it to me.”
High-ranking nobles of the Holy Empire. Giving the name of that noble’s Jedin means that if it is false, you will be held very responsible.
Depending on the severity, he would even risk his life. However, there was something the author was missing.
‘I already knew that there would be an attack like that.’
I said it out loud.
“In the name of the Lord Jedin and his mother Saint Agnes. I can swear that I made that statue myself.”
On the contrary, Archbishop Muriol’s expression was enveloped in absurdity. It seems unexpected that I would leave such precipitation.
He probably thought I would lower my tail in moderation. Murioll said, too, in a puzzled voice.
“I swear to Jedin, and to say that you are Agnes… Then that means there is absolutely no lies. But how are you going to prove that?”
The emperor also looked at me, urging me to answer.
Of course, you just need to show alchemy in front of them. However, I already prepared a long time ago. Someone who can more dramatically declare my complete victory.
“Wait. Archbishop Murol. I will tell you that instead.”
As I expected, one of the attendees stepped out.
This place where only nobles and high-ranking officials of the empire gathered.
Even that is absolutely not an ordinary person to the extent of standing right in front of the emperor. The emperor recognized him right away.
“Elmayer? You mean?”
“That’s right. Your majesty.”
The Alchemy Order of the Pantheon. Elmair, a scholarly professor there and a very outstanding alchemist.
And he, a high-ranking noble and a collateral imperial family, spoke to the emperor.
