Chapter 37 – This Is Something Only You Can Do.
The next day.
“Manager, please get in.”
The person sent by the crown prince has arrived.
A coachman riding a gorgeous carriage with the imperial seal engraved on it, eight knights wearing golden armor, 100 soldiers following them, and even an imperial magistrate.
It was truly a full imperial set.
What on earth is this thing that only I can do that makes me call people so loudly?
‘I don’t think it’s an easy task.’
I couldn’t even guess how annoying a task they were trying to entrust me with.
There were very few cases of sending people on this scale.
At least it’s treated like a duke.
“His Majesty the Crown Prince is waiting.”
The bailiff bowed his head to me and urged me.
“I’ll be there soon.”
There is no need to waste time.
I left the store to Elena and Sylvia and left.
It won’t take long.
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Please be careful.”
“I’ll be watching the store carefully!”
I rode in the imperial carriage.
As I got on, the bailiff sat on the chair across from me.
“Let’s go.”
Tap, tap, tap.
“Have you heard anything about why His Majesty the Crown Prince sought me out?”
“Sorry. “I haven’t heard anything.”
“Is that so?”
Tap, tap, tap.
And he didn’t say anything until he arrived at the imperial palace.
Write.
It’s been a while since I came.
I thought I would never enter the imperial palace again.
I thought that the imperial palace had nothing to do with me now.
How could someone who was hated by the emperor, not just anyone else, enter the imperial palace?
If you go in wrong, the emperor will hit you hard on the joint.
So I became more nervous.
The reason the crown prince, who knew the story, bothered to call me to the palace was probably because he had come up with his own measures.
‘Well, seeing as you are still doing business with our convenience store. Even if they see me, they won’t cut my hair.’
But just because a wasp doesn’t sting me, you don’t put your hand into a wasp’s nest. That’s it now.
Nevertheless, the reason to go to the imperial palace.
-Your Majesty, I said it well.
It was because of the prince’s words that one side of his face swelled.
The bruise was so clear that it was visible even through a crystal ball.
-You said you have forgotten everything now. That’s why we continue to do business with your convenience store. And Abama is not the kind of person who throws away talented people.
I believe that and go.
The carriage passed the entrance of the imperial palace.
Let’s pass by the guards, open the main gate of the gorgeous imperial palace, and enter.
“It’s amazing no matter when I see it.”
There were numerous buildings lined up along with a huge garden.
From the lodgings of workers working for the imperial family, office, conference room, barracks, training hall, etc.
Just by looking at the size of the building, the might of the empire was revealed.
The workers’ quarters alone were 10-story buildings.
In this world located between the Middle Ages and modern times, the Empire was the only one capable of building buildings over 10 stories. Among them, the imperial family.
Looking at the layout of the buildings, one could wonder whether this place was from the Middle Ages.
Rather, it felt like seeing Europe in the modern era.
The parade grounds located here and there were bigger than the ten soccer fields I had seen in the past combined.
Isn’t it often said that buildings are symbols of power?
The imperial family is the center of the most powerful empire on this continent.
It was natural for it to be this big.
“Hey.”
Every time I came, I was amazed.
Even though I came here only a year ago, the imperial palace was amazing.
And the center of the imperial palace, the largest and most ornate building.
The central office where all affairs of the empire are decided.
We arrived in front of the imperial palace, where only the imperial family, including the emperor, and a very small number of central nobles could enter.
“You can get off.”
“Hmm.”
You called me here?
Crown Prince, did that person really persuade the Emperor?
I followed the bailiff and got out of the carriage.
Then, escorted by the knights, let’s approach the building.
“Oh, are you here?”
The crown prince welcomed me with a smile.
Behind him were numerous subjects.
There were many familiar faces.
Duke Voltegg, the crown prince’s son-in-law and currently the most powerful among the central nobles, was also seen.
‘The magic tower lord… ‘No.’
Most of the nobles were in the pro-crown prince faction.
I also saw some of my comrades who fought together on the battlefield.
But why did you call people so loudly?
Why?
Aren’t you trying to secretly entrust me with a mission?
For something like that, it’s a pretty grand welcome.
“Meeting His Majesty the Crown Prince.”
“Hehe, it’s been a while. Has it already been a year?”
The crown prince cried out in a pretentious tone.
He openly revealed that he had met me for the first time in a year, and seemed to reveal that he and I had no separate contact.
It was a political show.
I guess I should hang out for a while.
“Have you been well?”
“Thanks to the store manager, I am doing very well. I heard that business is doing really well. Haha. In particular, it seems like the Buldak Jjajang is sold at the market too. It was amazing.”
“If you come to the store someday, I will treat you personally.”
“Hehe, please.”
We chatted as if we were not talking to each other.
The nobles behind you probably know.
The crown prince had constant contact with me.
It’s strange not knowing.
However, everyone pretends not to know.
It was a political reason.
We met secretly behind his back, but officially he is not mine.
As someone who doesn’t understand political actions, I just think that life is a hassle.
“Let’s go inside first. “I have a lot to say to you.”
I went inside with a happy smile.
As I followed the crown prince inside, the nobles who thought they would go their own way continued to follow.
“What is this?”
“Kkeuk, you’ll find out when you go and see.”
Why on earth is this guy doing this?
There was no way to know.
First, let’s match the rhythm.
It seems like there’s something planned.
Let’s pass through the lobby connected to the entrance and enter the huge Daejeon.
“His Majesty the Crown Prince is coming in!”
With the guard’s loud shout, all the eyes of the people inside were focused on him.
Why are there so many people?
And at the end of those people was an emperor wearing a crown, sitting on a throne.
The emperor’s eyebrows twitched as his eyes met mine.
Prince, this human?
“Why is His Majesty here?”
“It’s a gift I give you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just follow me quietly. Because it’s something only you can do.”
This kind of bullshit.
Are you sure you don’t want to go directly to the emperor and give him a mission to change his mind?
If that were the case, I would immediately run away from the imperial palace and go to the convenience store.
I think it would take a lot of preparation to stage a sit-in protest against the empire.
While I was thinking such useless thoughts, I suddenly saw a crowd of people in Daejeon opening a path in front of me.
“Convenience store manager Dojin Kim, please come in.”
The emperor’s deep, low voice was heard.
Who would hear that powerful voice and think it belongs to an old man in his 70s?
The eyes of a warrior staring at me.
Just looking at each other sent goosebumps down my spine.
Even though he was in the twilight of his life, his voice was full of power. The eyes were as sharp as a sharpened sword.
Those who realized the ultimate meaning of the sword were called masters on the continent.
It is said that one master can turn the battlefield around.
It was said that he competed against the 7th rank wizard and was far superior to the 7th rank wizard in a one-on-one fight.
There were a total of four such masters in the empire.
One was the commander of the Knights of the Guard, the other was the Marquis of Samoel, who was currently serving as the eastern commander, and the other was the emperor before me right now.
The reason why the Crown Prince did not put a crown on his head even though he caused the Prince’s Rebellion.
That was because I was convinced that I would not be able to defeat the emperor, who was the master.
Although he was old, his spirit was still the same.
“Go quickly.”
At the prince’s words, I slowly walked along the carpet.
The crown prince who came in with me stood right next to the emperor, and I knelt on one knee in front of the emperor.
“See the sun of the empire.”
“It’s been a while. Dojin.”
“You’re still healthy.”
“It seems like he really wants Jim to die.”
“No. How could that be? “I am happy to say this because I think the future of the empire will be brighter now that you have made corrections.”
“The tongue is still rolling easily. But why couldn’t I use my tongue properly back then?”
The emperor’s brow furrowed.
Even if I had two mouths, there was nothing to say.
I made a really bad mistake in speaking in front of the emperor.
“It seems like your son owes you a lot.”
After the Emperor’s Rebellion, there were only two surviving sons of the emperor.
There were only the 2nd prince, the crown prince, and the 4th prince, Pires, who had now entrusted himself to the church.
Since converting to the church, the 4th prince, who is now a pilgrim, will no longer meet with me.
Son refers to the crown prince.
“I’m just repaying the kindness I received from the little people.”
“Are you going to pay the price for killing my other son?”
“…”
I have a lot of bad relations with the emperor.
1st prince, 3rd prince, and 5th prince.
The 2nd prince, Astur Obilon, Leo Rasing Baler Imperion, or in short, the opposing princes that the crown prince faced during the Prince’s Rebellion.
I killed two of the three princes.
It was only according to the crown prince’s orders, but it was true that I killed him with my own hands.
I had nothing to say.
How can I say anything else in front of the emperor, who has the look in his eyes like a father who lost his son.
“In my heart, I just want to kill you…”
Wow!
The emperor, who was going through this, closed his eyes.
“I don’t want to bring my personal feelings into public affairs. Anyway, you are now a valuable asset to the empire.”
Grumbling.
After speaking, the emperor drew his sword.
That sword was not Valver, the light sword that the emperor used on the battlefield, but Apion, a treasured sword that had been handed down from generation to generation in the empire.
I saw the crown prince.
That’s true of the treasured sword Apyon.
“I will appoint you as Dojin and you as Count.”
This was because it was a ceremonial sword used only when the emperor made an oath of contract with a noble.
Mr. Crown Prince, what is going on?
Suddenly being awarded a noble title?
“Dojin, will you become the sword of the royal family and serve and be loyal to the royal family no matter what?”
Eyes that refuse rejection.
The emperor was glaring at me with the intention of stabbing me with his sword if I refused this answer.
“Yes. “If there is a threat to the imperial family, I will become a sword and fight at any time.”
“Dojin, will you keep and carry out the noble spirit of protecting the empire and its people?”
“Yes. I will become a shield for the people of the empire and protect them.”
“Dojin, can you swear that what you say is true?”
“Yes. “I swear.”
I saw it again and again.
A promise made by an oath every time the emperor or crown prince bestows a reward or higher title on a noble.
I never thought I would be a party to the oath, but I have seen it dozens or hundreds of times.
Even if I didn’t want to memorize it, the line popped into my head.
I answered without changing a single word, and the emperor smiled in satisfaction.
“Dojin, I appoint you as a noble of the imperial family. There is no territory for the Lord yet, but we will prepare it and award it as soon as possible. “This is my reward for working for the Empire so far.”
Everyone in the room applauded.
Only then did I realize.
The ‘official mission that only I can do’ is what the Crown Prince said.
‘Was this it?’
Officially promoting me to nobility.
At the same time, it was no different from declaring that he was his own person.
Why did you keep hiding it until now?
“Kyung’s family name is Kim. “I hope you will work harder for the empire in the future.”
The emperor, who put Apion in her sheath, faced me.
He put mana in his voice and delivered a whole sound to my ears.
-Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for this. The burden is divided into public and private affairs. You should avoid making noise like this.
My clenched fist turned white.
They are not killing me for various reasons, but the Emperor’s inherent anger will be infinitely deep.
-I will never come again.
I answered him in the same tone.
After conveying his intention, the emperor stood up without hesitation.
That’s how the title conferment ceremony ended.
The nobles each returned to their work.
“Follow me. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions.”
Leaving behind those who remained murmuring among themselves, I headed to his office with the crown prince.
When I entered the crown prince’s office, I glared at him and said.
“Are you crazy?”
Did you really turn around?
A guy who clearly knows what the emperor thinks of me.
“I’m not crazy. However, I was angry to hear that the knight I trusted the most was ignored by some strange people.”
No way.
“Is it because of the Evergarden incident?”
“Of course. Well, it’s also a reward for moving for me.”
“Is it just for that reason that you gave me a noble title despite being hated by His Majesty the Emperor?”
“That’s all.”
“You don’t have to go this far. “It’s already been done cleanly.”
“There is nothing that prevents you from being looked down upon in the future just because you are not a noble. This is a warning to those who ignore you even though they clearly know that I am standing behind you.”
Anger appeared in the crown prince’s eyes.
It’s been a while since I saw you.
The crown prince is furious like that.
“You may not admit it, but you have been my sword since the Prince’s Rebellion. Everyone else sees it that way. In this situation where Abama is getting older. “Don’t I need a trustworthy sword too?”
“There is a commander of the Knights of the Guard.”
“He is not mine yet. He is his father’s man.”
The crown prince laughed bitterly.
“So, let me borrow your power.”
Ha.
“I was really hit by Abama. “It’s not noticeable, though.”
If the crown prince said that, there would be full of blue bruises under those clothes.
“If you are going to do things like this in the future, please at least give me a word. “At least be prepared.”
“Hehe, okay. But now that you’ve come this far, are you just going to leave?”
“I have to go. “It’s a lot of work.”
“Are you not going to see my sister?”
I knew that story would come out.
