Chapter 45

In a sunlit seat, Yuwon and the Emperor sat facing each other.

It was the same place where Hastings, Yuwon, Renania, and the Crown Prince had once sat.

But this time, it was the Emperor who occupied that seat.

“I’m not sure if the tea will suit Your Majesty’s taste.”

Having welcomed a noble guest, Yuwon personally prepared the tea.

“How could the tea brewed by my own son not taste good? The aroma alone is this pleasant — there’s no need to worry.”

The Emperor spoke openly, as if he had made up his mind to treat Yuwon as his son.

‘What on earth is this old man planning to say….’

Thinking back to what had happened at the Third Prince’s Palace just before dawn, the timing was uncanny.

Yet, Yuwon didn’t let any of those thoughts show and simply responded with a polite smile.

“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

“Haha, clever boy… For today, call me Father. It’s just the two of us for once, isn’t it?”

‘Lies.’

It was an absurd lie. 

Marquis Bradman might not have been present, but there was still a hidden master concealed near the Emperor.

‘A secret royal guard… I sensed it before too. This one’s strong.’

Stronger than Emperor Yulaios himself — that much was certain. At least equal to, if not greater than, Marquis Bradman.

All three of them were masters whom even Yuwon, at the peak of his previous life’s power, would have struggled against.

‘At the level of the Empire’s Greatest Sword or higher… But now isn’t the time to act like I know anything.’

Yuwon smiled gently, as if truly speaking to his father.

“I am deeply honored, Your Majesty. Then, with your permission, this son shall call Your Majesty ‘Father’ for a moment.”

“Good, do so.”

The Emperor smiled back — a smile Yuwon had never seen before.

“Yes, I shall. Then please, have a taste… Father.”

Yuwon served the tea and snacks before the Emperor.

“My friend, who works as a librarian, knows quite a bit about tea ceremony. I’ve been enjoying it myself, but I fear this humble tea may not suit Father’s refined palate.”

“I am a man who once crushed grass and drank it for water on the battlefield. How could this possibly taste bad?”

The Emperor lifted the cup without hesitation, proving his words true, and savored the tea.

A warm, toasty fragrance wafted between them.

While sipping the hot tea, the Emperor spoke first.

“You’ve been making quite a name for yourself lately. My life was dull and uneventful, but hearing tales of your exploits has given me something to look forward to.”

“Exploits, Your Majesty? I’m merely trying to shed a shameful nickname. There’s been no great accomplishment.”

“Haha, yes, I suppose by your standards, it wouldn’t count as an accomplishment. Things like facing your revered elder brother or overwhelming Curington’s boy — such feats, I mean.”

Then the Emperor abruptly cut to the heart of the matter.

“Compared to breaking the wings of a rival, calling those things ‘exploits’ might indeed be an overstatement.”

The pleasant air instantly chilled, as if it had all been a lie.

The Emperor, as expected, wasn’t one to mince words.

“…Is that what you came here to discuss, Your Majesty?”

“Don’t feign ignorance, my son. A child like you surely knows why his father has come.”

Yuwon sighed and admitted defeat with a small chuckle.

“I did suspect that Father’s visit wasn’t merely for a cheerful chat between father and son… But it seems I cannot outwit you after all.”

“You say things you don’t mean. There’s no one who handles me as well as you do. Who else could, if not you?”

The Emperor’s gaze, impossible to read, met Yuwon’s smiling eyes.

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll take it to mean that Father and I understand each other well.”

Yuwon knew very well why the Emperor had come all this way.

‘Well then, since the prelude’s done, we might as well move to the—’

Just as Yuwon was about to speak,

“Let’s get to the point.”

It wasn’t Yuwon who said it — it came from the Emperor’s lips.

“I heard that your hands were stained with much blood last night. My son… must it really be taken this far?”

“They were the ones who started this war, Father. If they drew their blades at me, they should have known that my sword might one day be turned on them.”

“…”

“Still, I didn’t kill my brothers. Not yet.”

That final word — “yet” — rang chillingly in the Emperor’s ears.

“I doubt you spared them out of mercy… You must’ve thought they’d still be of use, didn’t you?”

The Emperor’s blue eyes pierced into Yuwon’s.

Yuwon merely smiled faintly instead of answering.

A look that seemed to say, ‘You caught me.’

That bright, almost innocent smile sent a shiver down the Emperor’s spine.

‘He’s a child who’s been sharpening his blade for nearly a decade, deceiving even me. Terrifying… Terrifying indeed. He’s craftier than Yulia, braver than Arencar, wiser than Bernid, and more cautious than Mariel….’

Without realizing it, Emperor Yulaios let his thoughts slip out loud.

“…Can you spare your brothers?”

The Iron-Blooded Ruler — once so imposing and unyielding — now wore the expression of a nameless, ordinary father.

The wrinkles hidden beneath his imperial dignity, the silver in his hair, the thinning beard — all of it was visible.

He was already in his mid-fifties. In the end, even the Emperor was merely someone’s father.

“…”

Yuwon delayed his reply.

In the quiet library, only the sound of their breathing could be heard.

Click—

After a pause, Yuwon lifted his cup, wetting his lips before giving his answer.

“Grandfather would have felt the same.”

Yuwon’s answer had been short but strong. It was an answer that left Yulaios, who had killed his siblings and made himself Emperor, momentarily speechless.

“Is that so… I see.”

For a long while afterward, neither spoke. 

They remained silent until both had finished the cups they had half emptied during their conversation.

Only the occasional sound of a teacup being lifted and set down could be heard.

Clack—

“The tea was well drunk.”

The Emperor emptied his cup first. He rose from his seat.

“I will take my leave first.”

“Are you going in, Your Majesty?”

“Yes. I shall go now. Rev. Farewell.”

Marquis Bradman, who had been away from the room, appeared as if his business were finished. 

The Emperor quickened his steps.

“Then I will not go far; I have people waiting. Take care on your way back, Father.”

Yuwon bowed respectfully. 

Just before departing, the Emperor offered a parting remark in other words.

“You once asked why a snake could not become a lion, and in the end it became a dragon instead of a lion.”

The Emperor swallowed the rest of his unsaid words.

‘…My son, I hoped you would resemble your mother more than me.’

The Emperor’s retreating figure looked lonely in some way.

Ten hours earlier, around the time Yuwon had been locked in deadly combat with the Third Prince.

While Hastings was fleeing, a Man in Black had suddenly dropped down before him.

“…Found you. Hastings Bartlett.”

A gloomy voice that seemed to shape the mist into sound.

“Who are you to know my name…?”

Startled, Hastings guarded himself against the man.

“Let’s not say much here. Come to a safer place and speak slowly. There’s much to tell.”

The man nodded as if to indicate where his comrades waited.

“And why should I trust you enough to follow?”

“…Did you think you had a choice?”

The man had already dealt with the Third Prince’s men with overwhelming force. In truth, Hastings had never had a choice from the start.

“Hah… I didn’t have a choice to begin with, did I. Very well. Lead the way.”

Hastings complied meekly. Seeing him give in so quickly seemed to please the man.

“Huh, that removes a nuisance. Alright, then let’s go.”

The Man in Black spun and strode ahead. Hastings followed a few steps behind.

Tread, tread, tread.

Their footsteps fell in measured rhythm. Three paces back, Hastings gathered strength at his toes.

‘There was only one chance.’

He could not be taken from the Third Prince only to be handed over to unknown men again.

‘I was tired of playing the hostage.’

Having recently endured kidnapping, confinement, and torture, and having just seen a man’s limbs fly off in the bloody fight, Hastings was no longer the soft fellow he had once been.

“Graaah!”

Seizing his opportunity, Hastings let out a cry and lunged at the man, brandishing a small piece of metal he had picked up somewhere.

Clack—!

Of course, it was blocked in an instant.

The man, as if he had eyes in the back of his head, subdued Hastings lightly. His brutish grip seized Hastings’ wrist and bound it tight.

“Ugh, oof…”

“Even after watching me fight, you still thought to swing a sword? You do have nerve, as they said. But your method was wrong.”

The man released Hastings’ hand and spoke as if instructing him.

“Yes, a shout can help when courage is lacking. But when you strike by surprise and shout — that’s not it.”

His lesson continued.

“Remember this, Hastings. An assassin never makes a sound first. Before the target sees or hears you, you thrust the blade into the nape of their neck and let them know of your presence by that feel. Best is to hide your identity even at death, but anyway.”

“What is that supposed to mean…?”

Someone unknown was spouting unknown teachings. In truth, Hastings had prepared himself to die the instant the ambush failed.

‘What is this reaction… what is it?’

“You seem to have much on your mind. I can hear your brain turning.”

“…Just now I tried to kill you. Will you let this go?”

“You think you could kill me with such blunt attacks? Big dreams, kid. And don’t tremble so. I came to save you in the first place.”

What was this now? Hastings blinked and asked blankly.

“…You came to save me?”

“Yes. I came to save you. If I had intended to kill you, you’d be dead. If I intended to make you a hostage, you’d already be bound.”

There was reason in his words. Still, Hastings had no intention of trusting this mysterious man easily.

“You say that now even though you didn’t say it when we first met? Don’t you find that strange yourself?”

“You’re timid and suspicious.”

He looked at Hastings swollen with fear like a pufferfish; the Man in Black spoke as if Hastings’ struggles were amusing.

“It would be stranger if you didn’t suspect in this situation.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. You misunderstood me. Well, my words were a bit curt.”

“…?”

“You suppose fear and constant suspicion are bad? They’re actually a very good mindset. I’ve yet to see a man who lacked both live long.”

The Man in Black, who had suddenly praised Hastings, continued with enigmatic words.

“You have so much fear and suspicion, yet you also have guts and loyalty… Not a combination I often see. Hm, an interesting fellow has come along.”

“What on earth are you saying? It sounds like you’re talking about me, but I can’t make sense of any of this…”

Sch—

At Hastings’ question, the Man in Black raised a hand to stifle him.

“Alright, you’ll know soon enough; no real need to hide it.”

The man, who seemed to think for a moment while standing, spoke again. His voice, resembling mist, called to Hastings.

“…I have watched you until now. Hastings Bartlett.”

A past connection reaching Hastings that neither past Yurion nor the present Yuwon had recognized.

“Become the raven that guards His Highness the Fifth Prince in the darkness.”

That tenacious bond reached Hastings.

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