145. Homecoming
After being guided by Exceed’s Assassin, we arrived at a bar in the dark outskirts.
Traces of time can be seen in old boards or cracked wooden beams. This is where the Pantheon, the City of Freedom, was located before it was developed.
As far as I know, this place only operates late at night, so it should be closed now.
“The Master is inside.”
“… ….”
I don’t know what happened, but there’s no reason for them to lie to me. I nodded and entered the bar.
Dalkak.
“You’re here.”
Seldas is sitting at a small round table and drinking a brown glass of alcohol. Seeing him relaxed and alone makes me angry.
“All the buildings here are only open late at night. “Did you rent the whole bar?”
“It was a place where we couldn’t do business anyway, so we decided to use it.”
I guess they were living here as a base. Well, this isn’t the important thing, so it’s probably okay. Let’s get straight to the point.
“Did you know from the beginning that I was here?”
Tak. Seldas puts down his drink and shakes his head.
“It hasn’t been long since I found you. “I just watched quietly.”
“Didn’t you come following France’s orders? “What do you mean, you were just watching?”
Seldas nodded and pointed to the chair across from him. Does this mean sit down?
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“Now that you are seated, explain everything.”
“Just drink all of this.”
After hitting his glass with one shot, Seldas continued his speech.
“I came to you after being threatened by the duke. “They said they would rebel if we didn’t cooperate.”
Seldas told us about France’s visit.
Franche said that if Exceed did not cooperate, he would take over the empire through rebellion and seek me out with the power of the nation. Exceed said he knew what was the better option and he followed suit.
“I’m not just bluffing for nothing. “The demonic beasts that died in the waves of disaster were brought back to life using necromancy and stored.”
This is magic I learned from an ancient magic book. It was also shown in the waves of disaster. Now that you know why you came to me, the next question is.
“Why did you find me and watch me? “If I had followed France’s orders, I would have had to take him right away.”
Seldas said as he poured alcohol into a glass.
“This is a preliminary investigation. It’s impossible to take you by force, so I have to persuade you through conversation. Didn’t you say it’s the most important favor of a lifetime? “I thought I couldn’t take you away easily.”
You decided that it would not be a good idea to move hastily.
“But things have changed. As you know, the new emperor is shaking up Descartes. So you naturally chose to join.”
There’s something I’m wondering about.
“Did you intentionally deliver articles from world newspapers to tell me news about Descartes?”
Seldas nodded his head and continued, “Yes.”
“I decided that if you heard that news, you would definitely move.”
So, Jang Jong-won brought articles from world newspapers that he had not even read. I didn’t think anything of it at the time.
“Well, anyway, I got you moving, so the operation was a success.”
“Okay, congratulations. “It went exactly as you intended.”
“… I have no intention of sharing such lame jokes. “If you plan on going back, do it quickly.”
Seldas stood up and nodded his head. Then, assassins in the form of shadows appeared in large numbers.
“Everyone, finish your preparations. “I return to Fedelian.”
─Chung!
Sarak! With a sound like feathers fluttering, the shadows of the Assassins scattered in all directions.
“I guess the preparations have already been completed, right? “I’ll leave right away.”
“I have more questions… “I’ll ask this as I go.”
I quickly climbed over the roof and crossed the Pantheon border. Seldas said, stroking the neck of the horse that had been prepared.
“It takes three weeks to get from here to the Fedelian Empire. If you shorten the time, you could go in just two weeks. “I will go as fast as possible.”
Seldas jumps up and gets on his horse. Since I didn’t know how to do that, I quietly stepped on the stirrup and got on.
“Let’s leave right away.”
“Wait a minute, there’s something I want to ask you first.”
“Say it.”
“Is Descartes’ current situation serious?”
“According to the Imperial Branch Manager, that’s true.”
Seldas explained the current situation of the empire in detail.
The changed imperial authority and other aristocratic forces are uniting to keep Descartes in check. It is said that if either of them takes even one step, a civil war will break out.
“Not only was the sudden change in imperial power, but he kept Descartes in check even by crossing the line. “Of course you know that this is the work of a saint, right?”
I know. That b*tch was hostile to France from the beginning.
“Yes, I need to return quickly before something bigger happens. The question is over. “Let’s leave right away.”
Hey! With the start signal, the horses started running.
Let’s go back to France.
Descartes.
* * *
The imperial royal letter has arrived.
It was a letter from the emperor, who realized the seriousness of the situation, saying he would hold a meeting to reconcile with Descartes.
This means the surrender of the imperial family.
“As soon as you show it’s strength, it lowers its tail.”
Boo! France tore up the book in a refreshing manner, explaining what had been going on. Kazar, who also heard the news, shook his head and said:
“It seems like the imperial officials somehow tried to rip off the emperor. “Because these people are the people whose positions are most important to the safety of the empire.”
The current imperial officials are not Rezef’s people, but are the exclusive property of the previous emperor.
Even if Descartes’s authority soars and the balance of power is broken, the imperial officials will not care much, just like previous emperors did.
If you look at the results alone, it is true that the power of the empire increased. However, this is not a family where the venerable Descartes would abuse his power.
“The officials must have been heartbroken after seeing Rezef’s actions. “You must be glad it’s over now, right?”
France smiled, lifted the teacup, and added.
“Well, now that I’m here, I guess the internal situation there is good. Anyway, we won. “There were some benefits, too.”
Through this power struggle, Descartes’ authority increased further. It has been proven that even if the imperial family and noble forces come together, they cannot be defeated.
“There have been a lot of twists and turns so far, but in the end, it all worked out well.”
Ladea said. It made me feel better to see her face looking brighter than any time I had seen her before.
“Okay. Exceed also said they found Jin, and the magic experiment was a success. Since we even defeated the imperial family, everything worked out well. “The public sentiment shaken by the slander will calm down once the talks are over.”
Well, France smiled bitterly as she drank her tea.
“I can finally focus on Jin… ….”
Whoa. As I took a deep breath, the memories of the past years of severely constricting my chest flashed by.
Ever since Jin left. To some it may have been a short time, but to France it felt like an eternity.
A breakup that seems like it will never end.
Symptoms of hallucinations and auditory hallucinations still persist. Since he left, I haven’t had a single good night’s sleep, and I’ve always been on edge.
But now the end has come.
You will be able to meet Jin soon.
“But if it’s a meeting, the duke has to go to the imperial palace?”
Kazar asked.
“That’s right. “They say we are stronger, but we have to show respect for the imperial family.”
Hearing this, Khazar narrowed his eyebrows and stroked his chin.
“Something is at stake.”
“Which one?”
“I think the saint has something she’s after.”
France tilted his head, “What are you aiming for?”
“When I went to the imperial palace to meet the transcendent wizard, the saintess invited the duke to a banquet, right?”
Yes, France nods his head. Lathea also listened to Kazar’s words.
“If you look at this separately, it is simply the royal family welcoming the duke who came to the imperial palace, but since the saint is involved, something seems suspicious.”
Kazar is thinking about something while frowning infinitely.
“What do you want to say?”
France asked. It was a simple curiosity.
“I think the saint has a separate purpose. It feels like everything that has happened so far was a stepping stone for him…….”
Ka-Zar repeats his agony with his face distorted as if something is uncomfortable. France, who was worse off, said.
“The meeting place is the imperial palace, which has many eyes. I plan to follow you all to serve as my escort. “As long as the Transcendent Wizard doesn’t attack you like you’re crazy, there won’t be a problem.”
That was correct. Kajar, Kale, and Radea serve as direct guards, and the imperial palace is a place with many eyes. It would be difficult to move hastily.
“And I am also an archmage. Even if I fall alone, I can hold on until you guys come back.”
Despite France’s continued words, Kazar still felt uncomfortable… ….
“I understand. “If you say that much.”
I decided to skip it for now. No matter how much I guess or infer, I don’t think I’ll find the right answer right now.
“What will the meeting schedule be?”
Ladea asked.
“Hmm. Normally, we would just organize the necessary items and get it over with, but this time, since the goal is unity, there might be a party centered around Descartes and the imperial family.”
After the meeting, a short party will be held at the Imperial Auditorium. And there, the reconciliation between the imperial family and Descartes was officially proclaimed. This is a standard reconciliation summit.
“Then I will stay at the imperial palace for about a day.”
France did not want to set foot in the imperial palace where the saintess reigned as empress, even for a single hour, but since it was work, there was nothing he could do.
“Harura, I have to stick by the duke’s side and raise my guard to the highest level.”
Radea bowed her head.
“It would have been nice to have Exceed at times like this. When you deploy Assassins, the information coming in is different…….”
Kazar sticks out his lips in regret. France grinned.
“I wish I could do that, but the more I look for regrets, the more they come out. I have to compromise a bit and go in. “This is the best thing for now.”
Exceed was tasked with tracking down the most important Jin. The dispersion of power was a planned process, so we had no choice but to understand.
“Sister Kazar, don’t worry too much. Even among sword masters, I have exceptional five senses. “If I’m there, you can tell right away.”
Radea is still a fledgling sword master and the Aura she can utilize is lacking compared to Cale, but her senses alone overwhelm Cale.
“… “Yes, I plan on using my detection magic as well, so that will be fine.”
She was still a Kazar who could not shake off her doubts and worries, but she soon decided to accept it. This is the inside of the imperial palace where there are many eyes watching the guard…….
“Radea? “Tell this news to Cale.”
Radhea nodded yes and left her office. Kajar and France are left alone.
“Kazar, are you going to use search magic around me?”
“Yes. “I plan to reduce the range to detect the movement of even a single speck of dust.”
“Okay, then there will be no problem.”
Once this meeting is over and things are settled, we can focus on finding Jin. France finally felt relieved at the thought that the distractions were finally gone.
‘There really isn’t much left.’
You can meet Jin soon.
The moment France has longed for has arrived.
