Chapter 13
"Dante Renard." A chillingly quiet voice echoed in the inn. Dante swallowed hard
without realizing it. From the inn, which was so quiet it was desolate, to the
innkeeper sitting far off in the distance, and his own awkward position of
holding Elisha's wrist in case she tried to escape. And Elisha's expression as
she watched all this with expressionless eyes...
"I’m going to suffocate." Why was this damned inn empty today of all days? It
wasn't that it was ever teeming with customers. Dante let out a small sigh.
Although he hadn't done anything wrong, meeting Elisha's indifferent gaze made
him feel like a child being scolded by a teacher. Although that was perhaps
because he’d been scolded by her so much.
"You’ve worked at the Imperial Palace for a very long time, so you should know,"
Elisha continued her speech. Dante finally regained his senses and tilted his
head. Know? Know what?
"That the previous Emperor, His Majesty, wanted to make me the Empress while he
was alive." "Ah." Dante immediately nodded. The fact that the previous Emperor
Bernard had handpicked Elisha as his son's partner was something even the dogs
passing by the Imperial Palace knew. How could he not know? The man could have
had it written on his forehead.
"Didn't you ever think that was strange?" Elisha then asked, her eyes fixed on
him. "Even though His Majesty had designated me as the next Empress long ago,
why did I never become the Crown Princess? Why was the engagement arranged in
haste only after his death?"
Elisha's monotonic voice echoed in the inn. At that moment, Dante turned his
head to look at Jonathan, who was sitting far off. But Jonathan was just
blinking in daze, as if he had no idea what they were talking about. As if he
heard nothing, sitting there in peace...
Come to think of it, it was like this during the battle earlier too. At first,
he just thought Jonathan couldn't hear because of all the loud explosions. "It’s
a sound-muffling spell. Eric developed it," as if she were reading his thoughts,
Elisha said lightly. Dante immediately knit his brow. He invented a spell like
that and kept his mouth shut about it with me? "He probably didn't tell me
because he knew I wouldn't listen to him." That petty Emperor, he knew him well.
Just as Dante was gritting his teeth. "Focus on the conversation, Dante Renard,"
Elisha cut off Dante's thoughts with a firm tone. Dante blinked a few times,
then nodded slowly. Returning to the main point, it was certainly strange when
he thought about it. The previous Emperor had a personality where once he
decided on something, he’d see it through to the end no matter what. If there
were a reason to back down, it could only be that the parties involved didn't
want it.
It’s not as if that woman, who just went with the flow, would have refused...
"Eric was always the one who refused the royal marriage," as if she were reading
Dante's thoughts, Elisha blinked twice and continued. "In the beginning, it was
because he didn't like me. When we grew up a bit, it was because we were still
too young. After our coming-of-age ceremony, it was because I wasn't ready yet,
supposedly."
"Elisha." "We finally took our engagement vows after the previous Emperor's
death, but that was only to honor his final wish. In the end, even Eric couldn't
refuse his father's final request." A faint smile touched Elisha's lips as she
finished speaking. It was a faint, somehow bitter smile.
"Anyway, if what you’re saying is true," he then spoke in a voice that sounded
somewhat uncomprehending. "Eric adamantly avoided marrying you. So you left for
his sake." "......That is correct." "But now he’s trying to find you again. And
I’m stuck in the middle, feeling this pain." Dante pressed his forehead with the
hand that wasn't holding Elisha's arm and sighed. In the end, it was all Eric's
fickleness. "What kind of chaotic situation is this?" If he weren't his boss, he
would have grabbed him by the collar by now. But he was Eric's subordinate, and
he had been ordered to return Elisha. He was even promised a sweet paid leave as
a bonus.
"Ah, Elisha......" I understand the situation, but I really want that paid
leave. Let the two of them solve their own problems. Wasn't I in a position
where I only had to obey the orders I was given? Having made his decision, Dante
began to speak cautiously.
"Anyway, you were just trying to do what Eric wanted, weren't you? And now, Eric
wants you to return." "......" "Maybe Eric changed his mind. So for now, let’s
return and......" "Dante Renard." but before he could finish his sentence,
Elisha interrupted him. "You remember the day the subjugation squad was attacked
by monsters and had to retreat in haste, don't you?" "How could I not know?" It
was the decisive event that led to the previous Emperor's death. Dante answered
cautiously, watching Elisha's expression.
The incident of the Shelan Plains monster attack. Thanks to Elisha's late
arrival and her efforts, a disaster was averted, but Emperor Bernard, who was
attacked first, didn't live to see the next spring. For Elisha, who was
particularly fond of the previous Emperor, it must have been a memory she didn't
even want to recall.
"On that day, Eric said it," she continued with a firm voice. "That I was
someone who should not have been in the Imperial Palace in the first place."
"What?" I knew they argued on that day, but he said something like that? "So,
maybe I would have been kicked out before I could leave on my own. Perhaps when
Eric had fully secured his position as Emperor." Having finished her words,
Elisha blinked slowly. Dante offered a faint smile. Eric, that crazy bastard.
And after saying that, he has the audacity to search for Elisha? At this point,
I should write a book titled: "On the Fact that the Emperor of Cardion Turned
Out to Have a Split Personality."
"Even so, if he is searching for me," while Dante was lost in thought, Elisha
spoke, her lashes fluttering slowly. "First, as you said, it would be because of
the Allied Nations Conference." "......" "Second, it would be because Cardion is
losing a major military asset." "Probably that’s it."
In the end, both reasons were one. Dante nodded in a small gesture. What other
reason could there be for a man who said such harsh things to try to hold on to
Elisha?
"Whatever the reason, Eric wants you to return." "And so?" "Let’s put out the
most urgent fire first. You don't want anything bad to happen to Cardion either,
do you?" And I get a paid leave on the side. Dante smiled awkwardly and
tightened his grip on Elisha's arm.
Elisha watched him without a shred of emotion, then narrowed her eyes slightly.
"I believe I said this earlier. I have no intention of returning." "Ah,
why......" but once again, the words "someone who should not have been in the
Imperial Palace" were too powerful. Dante immediately closed his mouth. Elisha
then spoke brusquely, a scowl on her face.
"You can attend the Allied Nations Conference in my place. It’s not a difficult
task." "No, that......" "Besides, if the Allied Nations Conference can't proceed
properly just because I left, then Eric doesn't deserve to be the Emperor. How
can an Emperor who has to rely on others rule an Empire?" "So you can hit
someone with words..." "I’m just stating facts," Elisha added, blinking her
eyes.
The corners of Dante's lips lifted slightly into a faint smile. That look in her
eyes, that tone in her voice. I feel like I’ve been completely outmatched.
"Anyway, Cardion possesses magical capabilities far exceeding other nations. So
the Empire won't collapse just because I left."
"That might be true, but......" "If you’re worried I might become a military
asset for another country, don't be. That would be a betrayal of the previous
Emperor's grace." "I had a feeling that would be the case, but......" "Moreover,
the vacant position of Empress can be used as a political tool." Although that
would require the premise that Eric doesn't meet someone he loves. Elisha
continued with a perfectly calm voice, as if she were simply listing facts.
Dante found nothing to refute and just hummed with his lips. It was because
everything Elisha said was correct. No matter how long she stayed in the
Imperial Palace, she was ultimately a commoner who hadn't been granted a title.
She could have received a title if she’d been adopted by a noble family, but...
"Instead of taking a child from a noble family as Empress, it would be better to
form a marriage alliance with another country." "......" "I heard the Princess
of Dixion is still unmarried. Dixion has the largest magic stone deposits on the
continent, so a marriage alliance with them would be best. Or Nox wouldn't be a
bad choice either." In either case, it would be more beneficial than marrying a
commoner who has no support.
Having finished her words, Elisha lifted her chin slightly. It was a signal,
telling him to speak if he had something to say. Unfortunately, Dante had
nothing more to say. How could I argue with that? According to Elisha, it was
true that Eric wanted to avoid marrying her at all costs, and with Elisha giving
up the Empress position, it was as if Cardion had been dealt a new hand.
Even if a war broke out in Cardion, Elisha wouldn't just stand by and watch.
Come to think of it, isn't this a truly lucrative deal for Eric? It’s not as if
that cold-hearted man would ever truly love someone anyway, so if used well, it
could even help strengthen the Imperial authority...
"And I highly value your abilities, Dante Renard," Elisha then uttered words
that solidified Dante's line of thought. Dante's lashes fluttered for a moment.
To hear something like that from the Archmage who treated everyone except
herself as a fool.
As expected, I am quite competent... wait a minute. A thought suddenly struck
Dante, and he froze. And as if to confirm his uncomfortable premonition, Elisha
quietly added something else. "So, I’m counting on you to take over my share."
At that moment, Dante Renard realized. Taking Elisha's position. Filling
Elisha's void. In other words. "A life where I check in but never check
out......"
"What was that?" Elisha asked, an eyebrow raised. At the same time, Dante
grabbed Elisha's sleeve and began to shake his head violently. "That’s not
right. That is really not right."
If Elisha left, the position of Archmage of the Imperial Palace would naturally
fall to him. But would Eric really hand over the command of the magic knights to
someone else? A passing dog would learn to speak faster. Do you really think
Eric, the best in the Empire at exploiting Dante Renard to the bone, would do
that? Woof, woof?
Eric would surely have him hold both positions, under the pretext of "You like
money, don't you?". If he ended up working as Archmage and Magic Knight
Commander, his vacations would be cut too. Although he’d be paid a lot. On top
of all that, he’d have to work late every day. Although he’d get overtime pay.
He might even have to spend all his time staring at Eric's face in so-called
meetings. Of course, that face was already pleasant to look at.
"You should just cancel the engagement yourself and proudly keep your position
as Archmage. Surely, others will curse you, but you’re good at enduring that
kind of thing." Just return proudly to the Imperial Palace, slap Eric across the
face, and declare the engagement over. Dante began to mutter, his face looking
almost dazed.
Elisha stared at him with a look of pity before her eyes stopped on something,
and her brow knit in a deep frown. What on earth is this? "......Renard, wait."
"What? No, I won't let go! I’ll never let go! I won't let go even if a monster
suddenly appears in front of me!" Dante finally squeezed his eyes shut and
shouted. At that, Elisha let out a small sigh. "Then really, don't let go."
She immediately stood up and took a step forward. Only then did Dante turn his
head to see where Elisha's gaze was directed. The inn door, wide open just as
Dante Renard had left it. And behind it, a large, black, beast-like leg and
foot. That... "It’s a real monster."
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