Chapter 95: Highest-level Talks, and the Empires 12 Swords

The Emperor regained consciousness? That was pretty quick. According to Carol-san, he had stabilized considerably and it looked like it was safe to talk to him.

With Carol-san following behind me, I entered the room assigned to the Emperor. He was there speaking calmly with his daughter. He really looks to be fine.

Touya-sama! Father has awoken!

You are Mochizuki Touya-dono?

While Rue turns around looking very happy, the Empires emperor watches me with a quiet expression. With his long white beard and thin face, he gives the impression of a hermit.

First I would like to express my gratitude. For saving my and Rushias life, gratitude alone does not suffice

The Emperor bows. Its a little embarrassing.

Please do not worry. I had come to the Imperial Capital on a shopping trip by chance

If you look at it, it really was a coincidence. If I had been a day earlier or later then nothing could have been done.

It saves me to hear you say that. To have a riot in that place at this time. It is truly regrettable

What do you intend on doing from now on? I have yet to inform Belfast that you are here, if there is someplace you wish to go then I can open aGateand send you there?

The Emperor looked at me with surprise, he gazed at me closely. What is it?

WellIs Touya-dono not a person of Belfast?

I live here so I am a resident of Belfast. I dont particularly serve the country. I am friendly with the king, but it is different when to comes to problems between nations

I think that if there is a place he wants to go he should apply for asylum there. Like the country where the first princess married or where the second princess is studying abroad?

The Emperor reflected upon it for a little while but

No, I would like to meet with the King of Belfast. If possible to speak in secret, how about it?

It would probably be alright butIs it fine?

Its a good opportunity. I want to speak of all the things that have happened, and all the thing to come

N- its still early in the evening, and the king may have time now. For the time being I should ask Yumina. I left the Emperors room and went toward Yuminas.

===========Scene Change=========

Sorry, can you say that again?

Aa-Actually I have been giving shelter to the Emperor of Regulus and the third Imperial princess. I am sorry

Was the King shocked at what I said, he was holding his head. Its a little amusing.

Regulus Emperor is in my Capital? Today is just a series of surpriseswhats going on!?

I cant say anything to that. Even if it has nothing to do with the pregnancy of the queen everything else is probably my faultwell, its definitely my fault.

So, the Emperor wishes to meet secretly with the King, what do you wish to do?

The Emperor?

The King sighs deeply, slouches deeply in his chair and interlocks his fingers on his stomach. After thinking for a while, he stands up as if making up his mind.

I cant run away here. That talk, Ill just go to it

Well, shall we move to my house directly

I useGate in Yuminas room and transport directly into the room that had the Emperor in bed.

The Emperor, who was laying on the bed, was startled by the sudden appearance of the gate and us who pass through it, tried to sit up, and faced the King of Belfast who was directly in front of him. They were silent for a while looking at each other, and after a short time, the Emperor casted his eyes down and lowered his head slightly.

Please excuse my appearance, King of Belfast. On this occasion it seems that we have caused your country some trouble

No, please do not blame yourself very much, Regulus Emperor. I have heard about the circumstances from Touya-dono

Saying that, the King sit at the bedside on a chair. The highest-level talks between nations began, and outsiders were supposed to leave. In the room were the King of Belfast, Regulus Emperor, and their daughters Yumina and Rue, and I left the room.

Out in the hall Carol-san stood as guard. Because she didnt see me coming into the room, when I went out she was surprised, but it seems that she got used to the Gateby now.

The king of Belfast and Regulus Emperor are in conference now, so you cant go interfering

What!? Just when did that happen!?

Carol-san said in surprise, again. She really over reacts to every little thing.

Suddenly, my eyes stop at Carol-sans sword. The crest that was carved on itAh!

Excuse me, Carol-san. About the crest on that sword

What about my Ritto family crest?

She let me see it up close. Its the same after all. As the one on Renes pendent.

This crest is the same one as carved on a pendant that I saw

! Is it the one set in Wind demon stone!? Where is it!? That person!?

Her eye color changes and Carol-san starts to approach me. There seems to be some great reason. Because I dont know the reason, I wont tell her about Rene just yet.

The owner seems to have died. She was sick

I, see

At my words she loses her strength and Carol-san looks at the ground listlessly. Was it that important of a person?

The owner of that pendant was my older sister. When I was younger, our father was strict and she was sent out of the house, my one and only sister

It was her older sister huh? No wonder she was desperate. Which means, Rene is Carol-sans niece? They dont really look alike. Carol is blond, but Rene is a redhead. I wonder if she got it from her father.

Was the Ritto house a famous noble in the Empire?

I dont know if they were famous, but they were tentatively on the lowest seat of the 12 swords of the empire

12 swords of the empire?

Belfast probably hasnt heard much of anything about them but, in the Empire theyre the 12 people that supported the first generation emperor who founded the nation. One of those is our Twin swords of Kiru Rittoancestor. Well right now the 12 swords of the empire are really nobles in name only

Saying that Carol-san laughs sadly. Impoverished noblesnot quite that bad, they just dont have that great of a role in the Empire. Lyme-san didnt even know about the house crest after all.

I seeolder sister passed away? Even until father passed away they still fought and never reconciled, it was something he regretted.I wonder if they reconciled on the other side

Aa, About your older sister. Actually there is one daughter. That child is here right now

Eh?

Carol-sans eyes popped and she became speechless. Did the sudden news of her sister passing away, and her memento being here suddenly disturb her?

And whether it was good or bad timing, Rene had just came running into the hall.

Touya-onii-Dannasama, dinner is ready

Ah, thank you Rene. Ill take it later

To the guest, Carol-san, and myself, she gave a short bow and returned to the corridor. Carol-san followed after her with her eyes. After Rene disappears Carol-san returns her glance toward me.

Its that child. Her name is Rene. Before coming here she was pick-pocketing in the slums

That cant be!

She had to do that to survive. Her father was an Adventurer that didnt return from a demon beast subjugation. She has been carefully keeping her mothers precious pendant all this time

Carol who had been looking at me glanced back at the corridor.

I would like to speak to that child, would it be alright?

I can call her for you if you wish?

No, right now the Empire is such a state right now, I want it to settle down for a while. She seems to be relatively happy here. However I would like her to see mother someday. This child. she has different eyes and hair color, but her looks are that of my elder sister

By Carol-sans mother she means Renes grandmother? I hope that she gets to introduce her someday

While thinking about that Yumina peers inside the hall.

Touya-san, Father and the Emperor are calling for you

For me?

What could it be? I left because I thought I was going to be an intrusion between countries.

Inside were the Emperor on the bed, and beside him was the King sitting on the chair. Both had calm faces. Did the talks end?

Touya-dono, about the talk this afternoon?

This afternoon?

Did I say something? I tilted my head at the Kings words.

About doing something about General Bazuru? Can you really do something?

The Emperor supplies after the king had spoken. Aa, that?

Something, or rather, I think I can defeat the general. I can make the other servicemen powerless, it is possible to suppress the Imperial Capital even tomorrow

Wa-!!

Everyone except for Yumina were stiff in surprise. Yumina alone puffed up her tiny chest as if it was naturalits still in the process of growing.

Just, I want to ask something, for the servicemen that joined the rebellion, do you intend on capital punishment for everyone?

No, it was begun with the general, as the mastermind his execution is unavoidable, however as the servicemen who participated in the action, I intend on only banishing them from the Imperial Capital

Dismiss the rest. Well thats appropriate. Its about half the entire army so it can still be recovered.

Display map. Regulus Teikoku Imperial Capital

Understood. Displaying map

The map of the Imperial Capital appears in the center of the room.

Wh- what is this!?

Its the map of the Imperial CapitalThis detailed

This is my no-attribute magic. Convenient isnt it?

Isnt it something important, it was the feeling the surprised Emperor and Rue gave off. The king was impressed though. Hadnt I shown it to him before?

Search. Knights in blue, Army in Red

UnderstoodSearch end. Displaying

In an instant the red points extend throughout the Imperial Capital. It feels like the number has increased since earlier today. I wonder if they were summoned from other towns. There is a blue point in one corner of the castle.

This is?

The underground prison. The remaining knights are probably there. But not all of them. So few. Did the others run away, or were they killed

The Emperor bitterly grips his fist in frustration. Seeing that Rue asks me.

Umm, Touya-sama. Could you look for Older brother?

WellIts not like I cant but Does the crown prince have any distinct features? Is he someone that you would notice right away as the Crown Prince?

I did a [search] once more, for what I would judge to be one. I was able to search for servicemen because they were wearing service uniforms so I was able to judge them as Servicemen

But there were no hits. If he had something like a sword wound on the cheeklike Yaes older brother, I would recognize it at once.

A featureis it? Um He has silvery hairhuh? Featurefeature

Rue was thinking. Upon seeing that the Emperor smiles wryly. He really has a normal face. It cant be helped. Might as well get a memory.

Rue. Stick out your hand a for a little bit

? Hai? Ah

I grasped the small hand that was being held out. Rues face reddens at once, I speak as much as possible to calm her down.

Close your eyes and imagine your brother. As most recently as possible

Ha, hai

I put my forehead to Rues who was concentrating. Honestly, I could take a memory from the Emperor but if possible I dont want to press foreheads with another guy. I cant imagine what Rifurizu imperial princess author would write.

Fuwawa!?

Concentrate

Ha, hai!

The bewildered Rue is likable, I concentrate magic here and activate it.

Recall

An absentminded face comes to mind, the image gradually becomes clearer. He doesnt have silvery hair too, hes a gentle looking youthhuh?

If this person is the Crown PrinceIve met him before?

Eh!?

I retrieved the memory while the four people were surprised. Thats right. When the Imperial Capital was being attacked, it was when the knight was being surrounded by the soldiers. That was the crown prince? Was that his disguise to run away!?

Crap, I just left him there.