Chapter 144 – 41. The Emperor’s Birthday Banquet (5)
The expressions of Cardinal Grius and his entourage hardened.
I never thought that Professor Elmeyer would step up.
Other nobles would blame the rudeness and shut that mouth. Of course, Elmaire was a collateral imperial family.
In addition, he is a scholarly professor who holds an important position in one of the Pantheon sects. So he has no reason to stop him.
Rather, the emperor said in a voice that he appeared and went very well.
“It went well just in time. Elmeyer Ball. Aren’t you an excellent alchemist?”
“I don’t pride myself on being great. However, I can still answer the curiosity that Archbishop Muriol has. I will tell you.”
Elmeyer looked at the cryolite statue and said.
“It is true that Count Yulian made this cryolite statue himself. The Count is a student of the Pantheon. He stopped by my professor’s office at the Pantheon from time to time to work on the statue. And I asked for advice on the necessary spells for that statue. The production process was also reported to me every time. So there is absolutely no doubt.”
It really was. Even though I was busy working on the statue this week. The alchemy sect’s lecture was not left out. And at each stage of the statue, his advice was sought.
‘Maybe it’s because he’s a scholar who is so into alchemy. Rather, I liked it.’
An exclamation of amazement erupted from among the attendees.
“It’s true that Count Julian made it. Isn’t Elmair-sama a member of the royal family and a very famous alchemist?”
“Besides, Elmair-nim is more like a pure scholar. Even if Count Julian is the heir to the Grand Duke, there is absolutely no reason for him to sugar coat the count.”
“Then it must be true. But how did the Count learn such alchemy? That’s amazing. The passion for learning is amazing.”
Clearly, public opinion has shifted. An expert among experts. With Elmeyer’s guarantee, Archbishop Muriel could not dispute it.
‘Muriol said he was an alchemist. Then there’s no way I’ll never know Elmaire’s status.’
He was speechless. However, it was not an easy expression to admit.
Now Muriol was confidently stepping out to impress Cardinal Grius. If I just lower my tail like this, the emperor and I are in a situation where the momentum is properly saved.
‘And Cardinal Grius is not a person who will tolerate his subordinates’ rudeness.’
Again, he made a last resort.
“But!! I heard Count Julian was a student of Pantheon. He may be taking sides as a professor at the same academy. No, boo… Definitely yes! Rather, didn’t Lord Elmeyer do most of the sculpting work instead?”
“No. I only consulted the theories and techniques required for cryolite transformation. Actually, I was interested in that work, so I wanted to participate in it myself, just like the words of High Priest Murol. The Count flatly refused. A tribute to His Majesty, and a gift to apologize for the rudeness. So he says it’s polite to make your own.”
Elmeyer’s words were the decisive blow. Attendees nodded.
“Such elaborate statues! Otherwise, results like that would be impossible.”
“Indeed. The loyalty of the Reinhard family is exceptional. It’s not called the sword that protects the empire for nothing.”
So was the emperor. He looked at me with a thrilled expression and said.
“It must be because Lord Elmeyer said this. Did Count Julian put so much effort into it? I never thought your loyalty to me would be so deep!”
However, Archbishop Muriol showed an expression of disbelief until the end. He shouted.
“Still, there’s no way a mere Pantheon cadet could create such a high-level statue!!”
“Great. He’s a man who can’t speak. Then, Count Julian should resonate this cryolite with alchemy. Would you believe me then?”
Elmeyer replied.
Resonance in alchemy is achieved based on the perception of matter. If I had made this statue myself.
Even if you simply infuse mana, perfect resonance occurs. Elmeyer explained that to the emperor and the people around him.
“Above all, it will be convincing evidence. Count Julian. Why don’t you try injecting mana into this cryolite?”
“All right.”
It wasn’t difficult at all. I lightly injected mana into the statue.
Woo woo woo woo-
The statue emits a light blue light and emits a clear resonance. Absolutely undeniable proof that it passed through my hands.
Muriel’s expression changed to despair.
“Look. Do you have anything more to say? Archbishop Murol?”
He couldn’t refute Professor Elmeyer’s words. He quietly withdrew to Cardinal Grius’s side.
Grius turned his words around as if he had slipped past his subordinate’s ugliness.
“The count’s loyalty! Your Majesty must have been very happy to have seen it. Then, since Essenmund’s tribute was the last, let’s begin the banquet…”
“For a moment. Previously. Isn’t there something we need to do first?”
I interrupted Grius.
He had absolutely no intention of passing over the insult he had suffered from Archbishop Muriol.
The malice with which you tried to embarrass me in front of so many people. The heir of the Reinhardt family was not to be overlooked.
Cardinal Grius and mine met eyes. I spoke confidently without avoiding that cold, greedy gaze.
“What do you mean. Count?”
“I, Archbishop Muriol, questioned my loyalty in front of Your Majesty. Isn’t it?”
Grius’ expression crumpled.
***
I pointed to the cryolite statue.
He then spoke in a calm, but slightly angry voice at the end.
“This statue was made by myself day and night to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday. However, in the middle of the banquet, Archbishop Muriol doubted its sincerity. I am the heir of the Reinhard family and the representative of the Essenmund delegation. To doubt me like that means to suspect my maternal grandfather, Marquis Wilhelm.”
Grius did not respond. And as if the emperor was right, he nodded his head.
“Earl Julian is right. Prince Elmaire gave a definite answer, so his loyalty is certain. However, doubting that meaning twice would have been an insult to Reinhardt. Not only that, but the count is my sister Lilia’s fiancé. So I’m also not in a good mood. Hmmm.”
The atmosphere in the banquet hall cooled.
Even though he was a scarecrow emperor, he was showing his uncomfortable expression as it is now.
Now, it is an official gathering of envoys from nobles and feudal lords. Since it was such a large place, if the emperor was angry, someone must take responsibility.
And the source of that anger is right here. Cardinal Grius glared at Muriol with a very cold look.
“I apologize to His Majesty. Archbishop Murol.”
“Sin… I’m sorry! Your majesty. I have been rude!”
Murol bowed his head to the emperor. But he just couldn’t get past that.
‘Aristocrats gathered here. It’s to keep it from sticking to the South.’
In that case, the Asterisk family and Reinhardt. Because I had to show that those two families were formidable. Its bonding strength.
I said to the emperor
“Excuse me, but I will say it again to Your Majesty. I, Archbishop Murol, demanded an oath to Jedin given to me. And I showed you the answer to that oath. However, Archbishop Muriol seems to be thinking about that oath. Also the rudeness you have committed in front of Your Majesty and me, Her Highness Lillia’s fiancée.”
What I said was perfectly logical. In front of the Holy Empire and the Emperor. Muriel was the one who carelessly mentioned the oath of the main god in front of the emperor.
The emperor was ordinary, but he was not an idiot. Soon I understood the meaning of what I said.
“The count is right. Archbishop Murol. The archbishop had committed great disrespect in front of the emperor and the count. He questioned the sincerity of the offering to me and mentioned the oath of the Lord God. It would be right for the archbishop to apologize appropriately. Isn’t that so!”
Uncharacteristically for an emperor, his expression was determined. And anyone could see that anger.
As much as I liked the cryolite statue. It seems that the effect of my encouragement has doubled.
I felt Cardinal Grius’ eyebrows quiver.
And Murol, who finds himself in a quandary. Muriol, who belatedly grasped the situation, knelt down and faced the emperor.
“Please forgive me. Your majesty!”
The so-called misplaced fighting spirit. His status was high enough to be equal to that of the princes of the archbishop of the central order. It was humiliating to see him kneeling down and begging for an apology in public.
But even he was just a priest in front of the emperor.
‘Even if it’s a grius. That guy can’t be stiff.’
The emperor added.
“Yes. It would be right to apologize like that. Hmm…”
However, Muriel’s humiliation was not yet over.
“And since you insulted Count Yulian. He should apologize to him too.”
Muriel got up from the floor. He looked at me with resentful eyes.
Now, for the Archbishop to directly apologize in front of twenty-one kids is more humiliating than fighting the emperor.
He hesitated, trembling all over. Seeing this, the emperor exclaimed.
“What are you doing, Murol! No apology! Do you mean disobey my order!”
Reluctantly, the archbishop bowed to me.
It was hard to hold back the big laugh that came out of the moment. Still, I accepted the apology as an example of a polite nobleman.
‘I’ll never see Murol again anyway.’
Cardinal Grius is a cruel man. He was not the kind of person who would ever go over the ugliness of his subordinates. The days ahead for Murol will be nothing short of living hell.
We prayed for the rest of his unfortunate future, which will quietly disappear from history. And let the commotion be over. The emperor ascended the throne again.
I liked the statue so much that I couldn’t take my eyes off it even after I climbed it.
The emperor, who came to his senses and cleared his throat, spoke to me.
“So, I have clearly seen the loyalty of Count Julian and Essenmund. Therefore, as the Emperor of the Empire, I will reward Count Yi in return. If there is anything you want, just tell me.”
A scarecrow, but the Emperor of the Holy Empire. So everyone in attendance paid attention to me. I wonder how big of a reward they’ll be asking for.
And I, too, have been doing this cumbersome task for the reward. Now is the time to bring it to fruition.
I said to the emperor
“I want to study with Her Highness Lillia.”
It was an answer that the attendees gathered here would not have expected at all.
***
The emperor’s birthday ceremonies are all over.
Then the banquet began. Luxurious food and drinks that ordinary people could not even dream of were carried all over the table without a break.
A banquet is an important social occasion for nobles. As the representative of Essenmund, I couldn’t stand still even for a moment. Moved in a hurry
“Cardinal Grius stepped down on his own. I think the atmosphere of the banquet hall will be more lively.”
Said Mason.
Grius used his physical condition as an excuse to leave. He seems to be filled with anger at the mistake his aide made a moment ago.
“It will work out for us too. The nobles no longer had to look at him. Sir Mason and I will be busy.”
“Ohh. Did you look out there? The Count is right. Well done. You behaved very well in front of Your Majesty a moment ago. I have confirmed that the bond between the Imperial Palace and us, Essenmund, is so strong. Lords who want to stick to the South will think again. You have done a great job.”
As Mason said, the nobles stopped by the table where the Essenmund delegation was seated.
It was a casual, everyday conversation. Due to the way nobles talk, even in such an ordinary conversation, hidden meanings were busy coming and going.
Viscount Mason is a master of such aristocratic speech.
That he was implicitly conciliating the centrist aristocrats who approached the table. Even I, who was quite imbued with aristocratic society, could understand it well.
“These are the people of Aitern Corporation! Beautiful words addressed to His Majesty. I had a good look too!”
This time, several delegations from the Marquis of Aitern approached.
Above Essenmund and Aitern. If the meaning is the same, the forces that can do a very big thing were those two groups.
‘It means force and money go hand in hand.’
Of course, besides military power, there were many things that the Aitern Company could covet in present-day Essenmund. So Viscount Mason got busier.
“Hmm. After all, it was a banquet at the imperial palace, so the level of alcohol was high. Isn’t it? Count Julian?”
And the daughter of that Aitern firm. Chloe came up to me with a glass of wine. Those jewel-like red eyes shimmered.
Chloe licked her lips with the tip of her tongue. It was a look full of greed.
