186. Empress, long live!
I stayed by Tesha’s side until she opened her eyes.
As the battlefield continued, Tesya collapsed, exhausting herself. Fortunately, only Tesha’s energy had been lost, so she opened her eyes after twelve hours had passed.
Naturally, as a result of the death of both the emperor and the crown prince, I wasn’t the only one standing by Tesha’s side.
Until now, the ministers, Seian Erze and countless knights were holding their breath. Tesha got up and they started to move around.
“Princess Arlia has awakened. I’m glad you’re up!”
With those words, the knights knelt down in unison. For a moment, Tesha blinked as if she didn’t understand the situation.
“here is… .”
“Woke up?”
I wanted to say a lot, but I couldn’t say it easily. Because I couldn’t easily predict the loss Tesha would feel.
Tesha raised her upper body slowly and moaned, frowning in pain. It was Tesya who dealt with Mine Buer alone.
“it’s okay?”
“How did it go? ah… .”
Soon, Tesha felt bitter as if she remembered the whole situation. Soon Tesha issued a congratulatory order.
“Would you all leave?”
At that, the ministers and knights retreated. As I sneaked up, Tesha added.
“Except for Ethan, of course.”
At that, I sat down. In the hospital room, where everyone retreated, Tesha was silent for a long time. He seemed hesitant about what to say.
“Older brother and father are… .”
“Sorry… . Sorry, I’m late. Tesha.”
“No way… , I can’t say it’s okay.”
Tesha still smiled bravely. The forced laughter made me suffer.
“Thank you anyway. Ethan… . You kept your promise this time too.”
No matter how much I hoped that the original story would follow, I did not want Tesha’s family to die.
It would be a lie if I said I didn’t have any regrets left.
If I had appeared in that situation a little earlier, if I had fully predicted the variables and moved… .
Perhaps the end of this story could have been different.
Tesha’s status in the imperial family may have been able to rise without the death of the emperor and crown prince. Perhaps he could have inherited the throne rightfully in the succession of succession.
“Hey Ethan, just for today… . I will be a little sad just for today.”
Tesha clutched at the blanket.
“Don’t worry too much. Ethan. Because Ethan did his best.”
“… … ”
“Why is my brother like that? The first older brother was Mine, right? Does Ethan know why his older brother did that?”
After a lot of thought, I hinted at what I knew. Originally, Tesha and Arthur would ask many ministers several times to guess the reason.
“From what I heard, the deceased emperor had a lover when he was an adventurer… .”
As if I had guessed, I told the story. Tesha was bitter until she heard the story. And after hearing the whole story, Tesha nodded.
“I see. The first older brother is also… .”
Tesha shook her head softly, as if trying to shake off her sadness.
“Has the battle been won?”
“yes. Captured five Mine personnel. All of the high-ranking monsters such as Amon, Buer, and Valefor have been eliminated… .”
According to the testimony, there was a girl standing there wearing a parasol. Probably Helya, the thirteenth apostle.
“That’s fortunate. We were able to win thanks to Ethan leading the mercenaries.”
I didn’t know what to say, so I just shook my head.
* * *
After confirming that Tesha was asleep, I slowly got up. Headed to the room where the coffin was placed to find the emperor’s soul. Not only the emperor, but also the second prince’s soul could be met there.
Under the soft moonlight, the emperor appeared with the crown prince.
[Are you Ethan who saved Arlia in this battle? Are you a medium? Can you see the luggage?]
There was a seriousness in his voice.
[Yes, a psychic. Your Majesty the Emperor. It is called Ethan.]
The emperor was silent for a long time.
It seemed complicated, and it seemed bitter.
[First, I didn’t know Carlston would plan to murder Jim… .]
I heard the story of the past unfolded by the emperor. By the end of the story, the prince was looking at his father with trembling eyes.
[I didn’t know my father had such a life.]
[I can’t say I have no regrets at all. It was a good life though.]
After a moment’s hesitation, I explained why I had found the emperor.
[Your Majesty, I may be rude, but please listen to me… .]
Since the body was still intact, there was a way to become a vampire. Then he could come back to life. However, it is also important to listen to the opinions of the parties involved.
[Jim doesn’t want to do that. Thinking that the one who is ready to leave should leave.]
[I agree with my father’s opinion.]
is it.
After all, there are people who don’t want to live until they become vampires.
[Are you planning not to meet your daughter?]
[There is only shame left. There is just something I want to ask of you. Please take good care of Arlia, who will become the emperor.]
[I will.]
I turned around after watching the two souls disappear after attaining Buddhahood. In the room where the coffin was placed, the faint moonlight cut across the ground.
* * *
During the funeral, the members of the club, including Arthur, were invited to the imperial palace. It was a natural result since they were Tesha’s friends.
Other than Tia, they seemed surprised that Tesya turned out to be the princess. Numerous knights formed a long line carrying the emperor’s coffin.
“Tesha… . Will it matter?”
Sepia asked with a worried look. Tesha had suddenly lost three family members.
“yes… . It will be fine.”
“I hope so.”
Fortunately, Tesha’s eyes met as the procession continued. Tesha gave a faint smile.
It was a smile as if he was trying to convey that he was fine. During the funeral, Seian Ergé approached me.
“Uncle, long time no see.”
“Tia has become a young lady now.”
Tia slightly bowed her head towards Seian.
“Is the Istvan Auction House going well?”
“Based on the information my uncle gave me, I am setting up an auction house larger than North Barn.”
“That’s good.”
Soon I met Seian’s eyes.
“Ethan. I did one more thing. You called a giant golem this time? Rumors abound.”
My calling the golem on the battlefield was, of course, widely rumored. There were only about 200 mercenaries who saw the colossus by his side. There were rumors that he was the strongest summoner or golem maker.
Perhaps thanks to that, almost no one paid attention to the sword I used.
“thank you. Mr. Treasurer. It helped me a lot this time too.”
“I’m glad I was helpful.”
This time, thanks to Seian’s help, he was able to enter the imperial palace. Not only Seian, but also Tia’s help was great. Thanks to Erze, the case was able to be closed.
We turned our eyes to the plaza where the funeral was being held. Two knights were setting fire to the coffin where the emperor slept.
Tesha came to visit us after the funeral. A strange atmosphere prevailed. Tesya was now someone who, tomorrow, would be an emperor, not a friend.
“Tesha, I didn’t know that Tesya was the princess.”
Arthur smiled awkwardly. He had been without fault until now, but he said that he was uncomfortable dealing with Tesha now.
“It doesn’t change that I am your friend.”
Tesha looked around at her friends once. The one who suffered the most was Reus. Also, people have to look good.
“thanks. all. Thanks to you, I feel a little stronger.”
It was awkward at first, but soon everyone talked about their past with Tesha late into the night. Naturally, the main story was related to the academy.
“Do you remember when Reus hit me during the final exams in the first semester last year?”
“Is it? I don’t remember very well.”
At Tesha’s question, Reus raised his glass and pretended not to know.
“At that time, when I ascended the throne, they were going to execute Reus first.”
“uh… . It’s a bit of a personal grudge… .”
“just joke. Reus. Reus is now my friend too.”
Come to think of it, this guy, Reus, became a colleague like a middle boss in a shonen comic who joins as a colleague at some point.
“Princess Arlia… . Now, is the princess or the emperor of Arlia staying in the imperial palace?”
Sepia asked while expressing awkward honorifics. At that question, Tesha smiled.
“Everyone, please call me Tesha as usual.”
“uh… . yes… . okay… yo. this. Princess Tesha.”
“Sephia, it’s okay if you don’t use honorifics. Because it’s Teshara. This is your friend Tesha.”
“But now Tesya is the one who will become emperor… , yo. this?”
Sepia, as usual, seemed unable to let go of her words. Tia snorted at this.
“Put, Sepia, so you should have treated everyone with respect.”
“What did you say. Tia. you are too much You speak respectfully even to the spirits.”
Sepia narrowed her eyes and glared at Tia. Tesha laughed once as the two engaged in a war of nerves.
“I will miss the academy a lot. To the point where I want to go play sometimes.”
However, it would not be easy for Tesya, who had become emperor, to visit the academy. I’ll be busy with state affairs.
“Anyway, thank you all for coming to my coronation.”
“Tesya! I knew from the beginning that Tesha was of a very high status. Should I say that the dignity comes out? Anyway, it was!”
At Anya’s words, Tesha smiled and raised her glass.
Arthur, Sepia, Tiado, Arianne, Reus, Anya, and Sonny all followed Tesha and raised their glasses one by one.
And the next day, the coronation ceremony continued.
Tesya will lead the empire from now on.
There will be many mistakes, but Tesha will overcome them enough to stand up.
The Tesha I know is that kind of person. She was so proud. Tesya’s teacher, Heian, the royal mage, put the crown on Arlia’s head.
“My new empress. You are now the master of this empire.”
The applause of the people was heard from all directions. Arlia looked at the people from the balcony while wearing a golden crown.
“Long live!”
“Long live!”
“Long live!”
So the girl became a queen.
It was after the coronation that I met Tesha again. In the meantime, I watched the coronation ceremony among my closest aides.
Tesha, sitting on the throne, seemed awkward even herself.
“You guys, get away for a while. I have something to say to Ethan.”
Teshar, who doesn’t use honorifics, is precious. By that order, only Tesya and I were left there.
“Thank you, Ethan. I just want to thank you all… .”
Her emotions and expressions were strange to dismiss in a word. It took a lot of sacrifices and hardships to get here.
“The feeling is new. I have a sense of futility for what did I become emperor for?”
“Nice job, Tesha.”
“what. Why are you suddenly polite?”
Tesha narrowed her eyes.
The fancy clothes and the gold-painted crown all suited Tesha well. Although she is the empress of a country, Tesha wanted to lay down her crown in front of me.
“Ethan said it’s okay to treat me as usual.”
“… … .”
“Why no answer?”
Tesha didn’t say anything for a while. He seemed at a loss for words. After a while, Tesya smiled softly, as if something funny had come to her mind.
“Ethan, there is something I want to tell you.”
“Yes, I am listening.”
“Stay by my side.”
“… … .”
I knew that Tesha and I would be separated for a while. We won’t be able to meet as easily as we did at the academy. Her voice trembled subtly. It was a request, not an order.
You could call it a plea.
It would have been difficult for Tesha, now the empress, to say that first.
Even though she knew she would refuse, Tesha was asking for it. But I couldn’t do that request. There were still many things to do before entering the imperial palace.
“… sorry.”
“It would have been the same even if it was an order rather than a request, right?”
Tesha asked in a cautious voice. I watched it silently.
Tesha’s golden eyes were shaking.
“It would have been the same.”
“… To refuse the request of the Empress.”
Tesha, who has now become an empress, will never hear anyone reject her.
“… Are you thinking of going back to the academy?”
“yes. Shouldn’t you still get your diploma?”
“like. Let’s go well. Ethan.”
Sunlight streamed in through the window and illuminated the two of us.
“And thank you for all this time.”
Tesha smiled faintly. In response, I laughed too.
“Come here. Ethan. This is my order as the empress.”
I slowly approached Tesha.
Tesha was looking me in the eye. Golden eyes, as beautiful as top parts, were staring at me.
But he laughed as if it was a joke.
“I am Arlia von Ignis. I command Ethan, my friend and escort. hug me No, hug me.”
I smiled and hugged Tesha tightly. Tesha buried her head in my shoulder.
“and… … . and leave me Instead, come often. It would be boring to only guard the throne in the imperial palace.”
“Yes, I will.”
“If you don’t come often, I will call you Hwangmyeong.”
Tesha’s eyes, which slowly lifted her head, were moist.
“And hug me next time.”
“Yeah, I will.”
“Not that hug… .”
Only then did I understand what Tesha meant.
“ah… . yes. I will.”
“At that time, please treat me roughly.”
“However much.”
That evening, I left the imperial palace with my friends. It was strange to see the imperial palace getting smaller and smaller. And now all I want is one thing.
I just hope this empire will be forever as it is now.
So I hope Tesha will be happier with a brighter smile.
