novelraw Chapter 203
Chapter 203
Chapter 203. Adratan (2)
Those who were aware of the current state of the 'Emperor Adratan' had at least a rough idea of how immense the power of the diviner 'Abigail' was.
She stood backed by the favor of the 'Emperor', who had lost his mind.
And so, only the royals could potentially restrain her unilateral actions.
"... Are you saying to submerge it in water!?"
In the Emperor's audience chamber, there had never been such a blatant disgrace presented before.
"A, are you actually demanding the diviner Abigail arranged to be submerged in water now!?"
As if he would melt at any moment, the body of the Emperor Adratan, which was slumped in the throne, swelled once.
Though even in decay, the body of Adratan IV was massive enough to evoke the title 'Iron Sovereign'.
Yet, the muscles once symbolizing that title had long since vanished.
His legs, swaying like reeds, seemed strained to support his bloated body.
'He'll die.'
Yulian, once the imperial hound, would die in this very chamber.
The 'Smiling Executioner' was headed for the gallows.
Everyone gathered in this vast audience chamber believed without a doubt in this notion.
Amidst such a situation, only Rinne and Hayden thought Yulian might have some stratagem.
'What could it be?'
As the Emperor's threat resounded, Rinne strained to grasp Yulian's intentions.
'... I don't know.'
Being as unpredictable as Yulian was, she couldn't fathom it at all.
"Y-you there! Heed me, Heavenly Reverence Guards! Drag that scoundrel to the execution platform at once...!"
"There's no need to become so furious, Your Majesty Adratan."
Just as unsettling thoughts began to materialize, Abigail gently stroked the Emperor's arm and smiled bashfully.
"It seems his comments hold a semblance of truth. I can't speak for the sculptor, but when it comes to refining the Resonance Stone, he didn't rely on my help at all."
"I-is that so?"
"Yes, so it seems the Smiling Executioner's words hold some merit after all."
As Abigail spoke with a soothing, tickling voice akin to warm spring sunlight, emperor Adratan's fury gradually subsided.
Everyone gathered in the Heavenly Reverence Palace, not just Rinne, thought of it this way.
That was poison with the face of spring.
Poison—deadly poison—that could kill.
"It's unavoidable if you say so."
"Yes, I shall re-examine the matter of the resonance stone once more. Surely, counterfeits must not be included in what will be used for the statue of Your Majesty!"
"Uh, uhh."
Those gathered in the Heavenly Reverence Palace could not hide their bewilderment as they watched Abigail slightly retreat from punishment.
Originally, excluding 'royalty' whom she couldn't eliminate, she would always easily rely on the Emperor's hand to remove her enemies.
But the fact that she deferred Yulian's punishment left them confused.
Their gaze turned to Yulian's face, showing an insidious smile, as if he expected this outcome— the 'Smiling Executioner'.
***
I thought I was going to die.
I'm fully aware of how irreverent and unnecessary my words are before the Emperor.
But what else could I do?
'If she were to recover the resonance stone, it would cause considerable trouble.'
My gaze was not on the 'Emperor Adratan', seated at the end of the grand audience chamber of the Heavenly Reverence Palace, but rather on the diviner Abigail.
The diviner Abigail.
She is a 'witch' akin to 'Abisha', residing in the northern blizzard forest.
'In the World of 《Kill the Demon King》, four witches exist.'
They each wield 'sorcery' corresponding to the four seasons.
Consequently, within the established lore, they are referred to as the 'Witches of the Four Seasons.'
'Abisha, the Winter Witch of the North.'
And at present, in front of me, I see Abigail, the 'Spring Witch'.
The reason this witch settled in the heart of the empire, amid the public eye, is simple.
'To gather resonance stones.'
In the world setting of 《Kill the Demon King》, 'resonance stones' are minerals that suppress residual thoughts of the Demon God but also serve as a store of vast amounts of magic power and mana.
The quantity that can be mined is limited, and its value can make gold seem insignificant by comparison.
No matter if one is a 'witch', acquiring minerals managed by the state is not a simple task.
'It seems she concluded that being near the Emperor was the easiest means to obtain resonance stones after much contemplation.'
I smiled toward Abigail, who returned my gaze.
'Originally, she wouldn't have hesitated to plead for my execution before the Emperor, without even batting an eye.'
But currently, I'm aware that Abigail... Or to be precise, the 'witch' she is, cannot make such a decisive move against me.
The reason is Milena, Yulian's mother, known as the 'Queen of Thorns'.
'The mediator among witches.'
She mediates the not-so-friendly witches, ensuring their calamity does not exceed limits, through constraints—a role held by the 'Queen of Thorns'.
How Milena, Yulian's mother, ascended to the position of the 'Queen of Thorns' is unknown.
'Witches cannot directly or indirectly bring harm to the Queen of Thorns's kin.'
Such is a setting within 《Kill the Demon King》.
Of course, that setting would become void if one's lineage was unknown.
'But you know.'
Once more, I shifted my gaze upon Abigail, who bore a troubled expression.
It's unlikely she remains ignorant of Yulian being Milena's son after nesting for such a long time within the capital, especially beside the Emperor.
'Even if slightly, stay beside the Emperor.'
Should she recover the amount of 'resonance stone' she's aiming for, she may depart from Adratan IV's side, disappearing altogether.
Then, the rampage of 'Adratan IV' begins—one of 《Kill the Demon King》's events known as the 〈Blind Monarch〉.
'The mad Emperor will indiscriminately initiate wars both internally and externally.'
Consequently, the empire plummets into rapid decline.
That signifies the downfall of the Northern Front, hinting at the resurrection of the 'Demon God'.
After organizing my thoughts thus far, as I looked towards Abigail, she grimaced as she met my gaze.
'While it would be ideal if you remained until the Emperor's demise..."
Regardless of being seen as a fatal attraction, if the calamity can be 'suppressed', it is prudent to make use of it.
"Instead of arguing about this and that, why not discuss the original reason these people were summoned, Your Majesty Adratan?"
Before I knew it, Abigail, who bore a frown, smiled at the Emperor and pointed towards me and the Sword Saint.
Adratan IV, after rolling his eyes, seemed to remember and heaved a sigh before lifting his gaze to me and Hayden from the 'resonance stone' atop the statue.
"Th-that's right. The reason for calling both of you here is none other than..."
"It's related to the 'Dawn Society', isn't it?"
"Yes, you're right."
Nodding at Abigail's words, the Emperor began to summon the Heavenly Reverence Guard by gestures.
"Herman, you explain it."
At the Emperor's behest, Herman, leader of the Heavenly Reverence Guard, stepped forward.
"Thank you for your efforts in coming here. The reason His Majesty has summoned you is none other than to investigate and further eradicate the 'Dawn Society'."
The blond man, Herman, began speaking with a businesslike tone.
Despite addressing and continuing his speech, he couldn't conceal his displeasure as he glared at the diviner Abigail.
Suppressing his emotions, Herman continued to speak.
"The fact that Sir Hayden could come to this place is proof enough that both the Holy Kingdom and our Adratan Empire recognize the 'Dawn Society' as a dangerous organization."
He spoke smoothly, even with the Emperor right beside him. His composure hinted that this was not his first time facing such situations.
'He's had it tough.'
Abigail might stir his ire, but what can one do?
"Given this, it was decided that with the cooperation of the Blind Eyes and the Sword Saint to eradicate the 'Dawn Society', we are sending this official document."
Herman shifted his gaze to the document he held as he continued.
"To the representative of the Follower and the Blind Eyes..."
As Herman was about to speak the title of the 'Blind Eyes' representative, he cleared his throat.
Technically, the 'Blind Eyes' commander is not me but 'Ordwin Valadir.'
No one present here seemed to sense any incongruity, yet it seemed Herman felt a slight sense of awkwardness.
"The Emperor Adratan IV decrees to Sir Yulian..."
At Herman's words, the Sword Saint lifted his head.
"Uproot them, and restore the Empire's honor."
As expected.
I nodded internally, having anticipated the reason behind summoning the Sword Saint and myself.
Yet sweat started to trickle down my back.
It signified the formal commencement of the 'Dawn Society' investigation at this gathering, indicating my 'Bishop' position was about to tighten.
'... What should I do now?'
***
With the investigation into the Dawn Society commenced.
This is troublesome.
Even while feeling my heart burning with anxiety, fearing mental gridlock, I found myself unexpectedly calm, which, in turn, left me more bewildered.
In fact...
"... This orchid, having a pale purple blossom, is quite useful in gardening like this!"
So calm was I that I was inquiring the gardener regarding the 'orchids' I observed while coming to the Heavenly Reverence Palace.
'... What's terrifying remains terrifying.'
A hobby remains a hobby.
"Indeed. I've heard of orchid gardens before, but to see them with my own eyes for the first time now."
"H-ha ha..."
My comment seemed to put the gardener in a bit of a bind as he let out a nervous, albeit fearful, laugh.
The 'Smiling Executioner' couldn't have approached merely to ask about orchids.
He likely assumed I engaged him to pry into the clandestine incidents arising here.
The gardener's back damp and a cold sweat beaded upon his forehead.
Nonetheless.
'Beautiful.'
Indeed, my objective was to inquire about this 'orchid garden' with no ulterior motives.
The thought of this garden preoccupying my mind must be why I could maintain such tranquility, even upon seeing the Sword Saint at the audience chamber.
'Still.'
I'm fortunate to have avoided direct discussion with the Sword Saint here.
Now, having satisfied my curiosity about the 'orchid garden', the animosity towards the Sword Saint began to brew afresh within my fingertips.
If perhaps I were to encounter the Sword Saint here, a clash of blades could erupt—
"I can't fathom understanding this hobby either way."
Always.
This fellow always had a knack for spoiling important moments.
Even during my asylum at the Holy Kingdom and upon our encounters there.
As I turned my head, there was Hayden Reich, Rinne, and one man I encountered in the 'Follower'.
'Sevi... Something.'
Yeah, sevi... Whatever.
"It's been a while since the Holy Kingdom, Yulian. Would you spare some time to talk?"
Despite Hayden's inquiry, I did not cease my gentle caress over the orchids.
For any wavering—
Tremble.
'Yulian' was unpredictable.