Wolves of Hader

Chapter 46

I headed for the imperial palace.

Yesterday, after meeting the Guard Captain, I heard astonishing words and was able to obtain detailed information about the imperial palace.

What kind of people the Secret Council elders were. Which houses had joined hands with the Syren family.

Who held the key military posts.

I hadn't been able to clearly identify which houses would side with us or might defy the Syren family.

But if I knew who the enemy was, I'd eventually discover those on the opposite side.

I also received a certain promise from the Guard Captain, but whether it would be kept remained uncertain.

After all, for the captain, this matter was one that would risk his very life.

"It's unbelievably huge."

"It really is."

We entered through the massive main gate of the imperial palace.

Hundreds of palace guards were lined up all the way to the palace, but this wasn't some special reception—it was their regular duty.

Ross and I disarmed at the main gate and, following an elderly court attendant, walked toward the palace.

After quite a walk, we arrived at the palace and went directly to the imperial reception hall. There, we first bathed and had a meal. I even put on the formal attire for an imperial audience.

Just the procedures to meet the Emperor took a total of three hours.

We had to learn a brief version of imperial etiquette and get instructed on the precise distance to maintain from the Emperor during the audience.

"This is making me nervous."

"The elders are going to try and interrupt you no matter what. Whatever anyone says, don't lose your cool. They're trying to provoke you, elder brother."

"Don't worry. I don't have any of that noble pride left in me anymore."

But you never really know.

The sly old elders would surely be lying in wait with a plan.

"If things turn bad, act as I told you. If you get caught up with the elders, you'll fail the reaffirmation."

"Understood. Whew...!"

The court attendant entered.

"Heir of House Hader, Ross Hader, please follow me."

Ross stood up, straightened his attire, and followed the attendant out.

Since only the direct heir could have an audience with the Emperor, I was not allowed to enter.

After the audience with the Emperor, the Secret Council elders would deliberate on the reaffirmation of the title.

Unless the heir had a serious flaw, reaffirmation was usually decided.

But right now, the Emperor's power had weakened to its lowest point, to the extent that even the decisions only he could make could no longer be made at his own discretion.

The Secret Council, alongside the Legislative Council and the Resolution Council, was one of the three major political institutions of the imperial family.

It served as the Emperor's advisory council, the issuing and record-keeping body of imperial commands, and a military security agency.

It was the Syren family who now controlled all the key positions in the Secret Council.

It meant the Syren family had seized the core power of the empire.

The reason the Syren family had left us alone until now was that, with Father's death alone, it was already enough for them.

Whether we made a comeback or not didn't matter to them.

Thus, by simply canceling our house's title, they could finish us off. As mere commoners, anything we exposed would lose all influence.

About thirty minutes passed.

I heard hurried footsteps, and the court attendant entered the room.

"Are you Roger Hader, the second son of House Hader?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Young master Ross has been rushed to the palace physician due to sudden stomach pain. As we cannot wait forever, His Imperial Majesty has commanded that young master Roger attend the deliberation in his stead."

"How is my brother's condition?"

"His pain is so severe that he cannot continue with the deliberation. Please, follow me."

It must have been quite a scene. For elder brother Ross to completely give in like that.

I followed the attendant, leaving the room and walking down a long corridor.

All along the way, palace guards stood on watch. The knights who appeared to be of captain rank looked at me with thinly veiled contempt. As if saying, 'So you're that guy.'

After taking several turns, we entered a massive gallery. On a large golden chair at the front sat the Emperor.

Before the Emperor stood seven elders. These were the ones who, empowered by the Syren family, acted with unchecked authority.

"The second son of House Hader, Roger Hader, presents himself before His Imperial Majesty!"

The attendant announced this and then drew back.

I walked alone toward the Emperor.

Elders seated on either side stared at me intently.

I walked with steady steps and stopped.

Behind me, I heard whispering. The elders' attitude showed they didn't care whether the Emperor heard or not.

'So that's the second son of House Hader.'

'What a reckless fool. To dare come here.'

'He's apparently trained in sword technique.'

'A brat like that, sword technique will do him no good...'

It was only then that I met the Emperor's gaze.

His face was somewhat gaunt, his build thin. Even his posture and expression appeared very exhausted. He looked thoroughly worn out.

"Are you Roger Hader?"

"Yes, your Imperial Majesty."

The Emperor stared at me quietly.

I looked straight into his eyes as well. Though not explicit, I could sense some emotion toward House Hader in his gaze.

"Your elder brother, young master Ross, has left due to treatment. So you will now respond to the elders' deliberation."

"I will do so."

Weary, the Emperor leaned back in his chair. He continued to watch me, but it was impossible to guess what he was thinking.

Soon, one of the elders stood up.

"Roger Hader, listen well."

He addressed me with outright disrespect.

"Your house is a traitor house that defied the sacred command of His Imperial Majesty. And yet you dare come to inherit a title?"

Another elder quickly shouted.

"There is no need for a marquis of the border except in the west and south of the capital! The west has already been assigned a new marquis! The vast wilderness of the east requires no border defense! Knowing this, do you yet wish to inherit your title?"

I had no opportunity to reply.

"Your house has no lands to manage, nor a fortress worthy of being called such. How do you even have the face to covet a noble title?"

"Such shameless audacity! To seek a title when you should spend a lifetime repenting! Speak! Do you think your house is fit for the position of marquis of the border?"

"Do children like you have any idea of the weight of a title? If you understand, voluntarily withdraw!"

"To see youngsters recklessly rampage, unable to distinguish right from wrong. Tsk, tsk!"

"Your Imperial Majesty! To recognize the title of a traitor house is unacceptable! To maintain discipline, treason must be severely punished; please uphold this principle with rigor!"

I just stood there as the elders shouted. Now I understood why Ross handed the matter to me.

It wasn't mockery or provocation—they simply didn't give us any chance to speak.

"Why are you not responding?!"

I still didn't answer.

The result was already decided.

These Secret Council elders were either relatives or in-laws of the Syren family.

The heart of their power comprised kin upon whom they could not turn their backs.

Even if these elders were not the direct perpetrators of the ruin of our house and maternal kin, to me, they were targets to eliminate.

They were houses destined to move wholly in league with the Syren family.

These men were also the heads of the seven most powerful houses in the Syren faction.

Therefore, if they experienced [Terror], the shockwaves would be immense.

"Speak! Why do you not respond?"

Let the elders rant as they please.

I looked only at the Emperor, then asked:

"Your Imperial Majesty. May I ask a question?"

"What do you mean by asking something of His Imperial Majesty?!"

"How dare this insolent—!"

The elders erupted again.

But when the Emperor raised his hand, the elders' voices faded.

"Speak. What is it you wish to know?"

"If conflict arises between houses, and war is declared, is it true that the imperial family will not intervene? Is what I know correct?"

Another commotion broke out.

"What are you babbling about now?!"

"Enough nonsense, just answer our questions!"

"Your Imperial Majesty, this question bears no relevance to the reaffirmation of the title!"

Finally, the Emperor shouted.

"Enough! All of you, be silent!"

The hall grew quiet again.

The Emperor let out a wry smile and spoke.

"If two houses report that they are prepared for all-out war over a dispute between them, then you are correct."

"If one receives permission from the imperial family, even killing a head of house during such a war calls for no punishment?"

"If the imperial family cannot prevent a war by mediation, what else can be done? All responsibility for any dispute lies between the two houses."

Another uproar broke out.

"Your Imperial Majesty! This person is only wasting time!"

"How dare you try to sway His Imperial Majesty!"

"That's right! You insult His Imperial Majesty and must be flogged and cast out of the palace!"

"Your Imperial Majesty! The traitor house's title must be revoked!"

Just then—

As the elders barked like enraged dogs, the Emperor stepped down from his throne.

The uproar immediately ceased.

The Emperor approached me. The guards tried to stop him, but faltered and could not block his way.

"Your Imperial Majesty! He is dangerous!"

"Return to your throne, your Imperial Majesty!"

"Your Imperial Majesty!"

The Emperor stood before me.

Then he spoke quietly.

"To them, your words are no longer audible. Well then, why did you ask me that question?"

I did not expect the Emperor to come so close. The Guard Captain hadn't told the Emperor about me. That was clear; I'd been told it was impossible to speak privately with the Emperor.

"May I ask a disrespectful question?"

"Trying to be even more disrespectful here? Fine, what do you wish to know?"

"If you do not follow the elders' wishes, will some harm come to Your Imperial Majesty?"

At my words, the Emperor's eyes narrowed. He glared at me, then unexpectedly grinned. As if asking how I knew.

"The Guard Captain will be dismissed."

I expressed my gratitude for the Emperor's answer.

Currently, the Guard Captain is the only man on the Emperor's side.

There might be others hiding their loyalties, but for now, that's it.

"Please grant our house its title. The Guard Captain shall remain in place."

"On what basis?"

"Before today ends... one of those elders will die."

"What?"

The Emperor's eyes widened.

I continued.

"The rest of the elders will receive warning letters. Should they try to remove the Guard Captain regardless, not a single one of those seven will survive."

"Impossible..."

"Furthermore, should their houses attack us over that matter, we will annihilate them. For this, I seek Your Imperial Majesty's approval."

The Emperor was at a loss for words.

He was surely both flabbergasted and incredulous. Above all, he was likely shocked that I, a mere seventeen-year-old, was saying such things.

"Has your house managed to restore itself?"

"Yes."

The Emperor was lost in thought for a moment.

But not for long.

"Can you handle it?"

"I can handle it."

He asked whether I understood the impact of these events. The Emperor also implied that he himself would bear the consequences as well.

"When I think of your house, my heart has always been heavy. If my life were truly mine alone, I probably wouldn't still be alive."

A faint sigh escaped the Emperor's lips. I understood why he would say such things.

Even through all sorts of humiliation, he had reasons to stay alive.

"Do as you will."

The Emperor returned to his throne.

Then he proclaimed,

"Secretary of the Secret Council, hear me. I, Ardian Kaden II, the 18th Emperor of the great Kadena empire, acknowledge Ross Hader as the heir to House Hader, and thus Ross Hader is affirmed as the head of House Hader and, as the Star of Guardianship, shall fulfill his duty defending the eastern border."

"Your Imperial Majesty!"

"This cannot be, your Imperial Majesty!"

"The secretary shall immediately execute the imperial order, and any who defy my word, regardless of status, shall be strictly punished. None shall escape the crime of defying an imperial command."

The Emperor continued into his private quarters.

"Your Imperial Majesty! Your Imperial Majesty—!"

"This is impossible!"

"Escort His Imperial Majesty back to the throne! Now!"

The elders rampaged in a veritable uproar. Even the Secret Council officials, supposed to execute the Emperor's order, engaged in physical scuffles with the elders.

I, meanwhile, bowed respectfully in the direction of the now-absent Emperor.

At that moment, one elder looked about to rush at me, but stopped. That was because I had begun to let my magic power seep out.

"How dare you!"

I looked at that elder and said,

"Lord Nord. If there's anything in your life you haven't experienced, you should try it today. You don't have much time left, after all."

I passed by the trembling elder.

It was a tiger's den I had entered anyway.

Since I was already inside—

Any tiger that got in my way would die.