Chapter 23: The Weak Emperor?
"I'll pretend I didn't see your impudence today. However,"
"......"
"Do not think you will continue to receive such special treatment—."
"Be quiet, Renard."
While Eric spoke as if he were chewing his words, Dante shrugged his shoulders
with a wide grin.
"Since Your Majesty is still an Emperor who hasn't fully gained his experience,
shouldn't you overlook a little impudence like this?"
"Shut up."
"Such words from the lips of our always patient Majesty......"
"Dante Renard."
In the face of a sharp gaze that looked ready to cut a man down, Dante finally
shut his lips. Even so, his cheekbones were high in a smile he couldn't
suppress. Seeing this, Eric let out a long sigh. Of all people, Dante Renard had
to be the one to hear that. It was the worst possible predicament.
"I was truly amazed, you know."
Dante finally started talking again, a full-blown smile on his face.
He's even using formal language intentionally to mock me. Eric took a deep
breath. I should have invented a spell to shut that mouth first.
"For someone who looks like he'd cut anything that bothers him, the fact that
you managed to maintain your dignity until the end was very......"
"I think I’d rather just cut your head off."
"You and I both know you can't."
Who’s going to perform your magic experiments if I'm gone? As Dante retorted
with a gentle smile, Eric's brow furrowed. He was so bold that it made Eric
regret thinking, even for a moment, that the second Princess he met yesterday
was bolder than Dante Renard.
"As soon as the allied nations conference is over, I'll invent a spell to shut
your mouth."
"You haven't forgotten that I'm the one who will manifest that spell, have you,
Your Majesty?"
"There are plenty of mages other than you."
"But there are no mages you can trust."
"......That way of speaking reminds me of someone."
The moment Eric's words ended, Dante shut his mouth. Damn, he's sharp... Was it
because he had been talking with Elisha a lot lately? But it's not like he’d
been polite for only a day or two.
Don't tell me he knows everything and is just pretending not to.
"Renard."
At that moment, Eric suddenly called Dante's name. Dante flinched, his shoulders
tensing from the surprise.
"W-what?"
"There's something I want to ask you."
A pair of sharp, cold eyes fixed directly on Dante. He was suddenly overcome by
an urge to bite his tongue. What do I do? He must really know everything. He
won't ask where Elisha is, will he? If he asks why I hid it, what do I say?
"I'm going to die one way or another, so maybe I should ask for one last leave
before I go......"
"Do I give off such a weak impression?"
But what followed was a question completely different from what Dante expected.
Dante Renard stopped his train of thought and doubted his ears. Weak impression?
"Weak? You, weak?"
A man who looks like he could erase a person with a single look asks if he gives
off a weak impression? Seriously?
"......I heard your answer loud and clear."
Eric studied Dante's expression and nodded awkwardly. Until then, Dante stared
in daze at Eric with a look that said he had heard something he shouldn't have,
before finally letting out a small dry cough. It was the strangest thing he’d
heard all year.
"But I think I know where that idea came from."
Maybe it was because of what happened yesterday. And the overall atmosphere in
the Imperial Palace lately. After finishing his thoughts, Dante opened his
mouth, his expression softening slightly.
"The fact that you have a natural genius for inventing magic formulas is known
only to a select few. People probably think you're incompetent rather than
weak."
"......"
"Besides, it's also true you haven't shown yourself much in public."
People who don't know any better might think you're weak. At Dante's words,
Eric's brow furrowed slightly as he lowered his gaze. Thinking about it, he
never appeared before people except at official meetings. He rarely attended
gatherings like balls. Because Elisha hated them.
"I hate pretending to smile while saying things I don't mean."
The image of her grumbling on the library floor is still very vivid. The memory
surfaced effortlessly, and Eric slowly closed his eyes. Elisha hated social
gatherings. Given her personality, which made it impossible for her to utter a
single empty compliment, it was perhaps only natural. That's why on the days
banquets were held, she’d always run away and hide in the library. Eric was no
exception.
The two of them, reading books in the dark library on the night of a ball,
surrounded by a small ball of light. They didn't exchange tender conversations.
They simply shared the same space.
"You'd show up at the banquet, say your greetings, and then disappear. They must
have thought you were either in poor health or had no social skills."
Honestly, that's what I thought at first, too. And you’re really prickly. Dante
continued. Eric, his gaze still lowered, remained immersed in his memories.
"However, for about two days a year."
There were times when both Elisha and Eric had to stay. One was the birthday
banquet for the previous Emperor, Bernard, and the other was his own birthday
banquet.
"The way she would eat sweets with that expressionless face was something to
behold."
Her eyes were empty of emotion, but her cheeks were puffed out as she nibbled on
treats. Her small hand, silently offering him one of the sweets she was holding
whenever she caught him staring. The memory was unbearably sweet now...
"Anyway, you handled yourself well yesterday. It's better than causing a scene
right before the conference."
At that moment, Dante's voice pierced Eric's daydream. Eric immediately narrowed
his eyes and opened his mouth.
"I didn't do it to be praised by you."
"I wasn't exactly trying to praise you, either. What is there about you worth
praising?"
"You have no reservations about talking to the Emperor."
"You're the one who told me to speak comfortably, and who asked to be friends,
Your Majesty."
And there's no taking it back, of course. Dante Renard finished with a bright
smile. Eric decided to just keep his mouth shut. Preparing for the upcoming
conference was many times more efficient than continuing this pointless
conversation. Dante, too, didn't say more and just rolled his eyes.
I think I’m done teasing Eric for now. Maybe I’ll go organize the knight
divisions.
"If there's nothing you need, I'll be on my way......"
Just as Dante began to slowly retreat.
"Your Majesty, it's Molin. May I enter?"
Suddenly, a familiar voice came from outside the office. It was his assistant,
Molin Casus. Dante swallowed hard. Molin Casus.
"Can I, by any chance, use teleportation magic now?"
I've been intentionally avoiding him because I don't want to run into him. He
then pleaded with the eyes of a puppy caught in the rain. Eric asked in return,
not understanding.
"Why this reaction? Did you do something to Molin?"
"I didn't do anything wrong. But if I run into him, Mr. Casus will do something
wrong to me."
"......?"
"He tells me not to take my overtime work home but to stay and finish it myself.
He makes me work extra hours without paying me!"
If he had to do the work himself, it would be one thing, but he couldn't stand
doing a losing job when he was dumping everything on Elisha. Dante finished
speaking, his face wrinkling again. Eric tilted his head for a moment, then...
"Enter."
...A broad smile curled one side of his lips. In that moment, Dante was hit by a
deep sense of betrayal.
"Villain, such a villain......"
Exactly what I expect from the man who said those things to Elisha after all the
years they grew up together.
"Ah, Lord Renard, you're here too."
While Dante was drowning in despair, Molin Casus entered the office and smiled
broadly. Dante flinched. Why is he smiling at me of all people......
"What is it?"
Eric asked, a gentle smile on his face. Dante internally clicked his tongue.
Look at that crafty fox smile. He wasn't like this when we were kids.
"I have something to report regarding a message I just received."
Molin then turned his gaze away from Dante and spoke calmly. Eric gave a short
nod.
"Well then, I hope you two have a pleasant chat, and I'll be on my way......"
Seizing the opportunity, Dante was retreating rapidly to escape. Molin's gaze
returned to Dante.
"I think it would be best if Lord Renard heard this as well."
"M-me?"
"Yes. It's somewhat urgent......"
Molin's brow furrowed with a troubled expression. Dante's face became even paler
as he looked back and forth between Eric and Molin. What other urgent matter
could there be besides the allied nations conference? If there were one, it
could only be: "Work speed shouldn't slow down because of the conference. You’re
working extra hours."
"No, not that!" Absolutely not! Just the thought was horrifying. Just as Dante
closed his eyes tightly.
"The Dixion delegation was scheduled to arrive today, but we haven't heard from
them. Upon investigation......"
Words completely different from what Dante imagined spilled from Molin's lips.
"They seem to have been attacked by monsters in the Shilan Plains."
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