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Chapter 534
Chapter 534
Chapter 534: The Emperor's Envoy
The scene takes us a little back in time, to the throne room of the imperial palace. Here, Emperor Johannes was summoning a certain individual.
"Oh, His Imperial Majesty... I am... uh... honored and... delighted to be granted an audience... um... um..."
"You don't need to use unfamiliar words. Speak to me as you would to Arnold."
"Is that... alright?...um..."
"It's fine. You've done well to come, Mia."
The person called to the throne room was Mia, summoned not through Arnold, but by an imperial guard following the emperor's secret orders. Never did Mia imagine she would be standing face to face with the emperor of the empire. Despite trying to learn the proper language en route, it was clear she was struggling.
"So, His Imperial Majesty... why did you summon me...?"
"I've heard a lot about Vermillion. As the chivalrous thief of the vassal state, you've also cooperated with the empire. I felt it was necessary to thank you first and foremost."
"I should be the one expressing gratitude. King Traugott's rule is peaceful, unlike the former vassal king. The people are all happy. All of this is thanks to the Empire, and by extension, Your Imperial Majesty."
"If you say so, my guilt for invading your land lessens somewhat."
Emperor Johannes laughed lightly and nodded repeatedly. Mia's words, who had continued to be an ally of the people and strived to improve the vassal state, held weight. The fact that Mia found their current state to be better than before meant that it was indeed the case, and Johannes thought that his decision to place Traugott as king wasn't wrong. However...
"Yet, the achievements of Traugott's reign are his own, not mine. Your words should be directed to Traugott."
"If Your Majesty wishes."
"You're still too formal. Do you behave this way with Arnold?"
"Prince Arnold is... lacking in ambition... um, except in times of crisis."
Mia added what didn't exactly seem to be a compliment. But it was her honest opinion. And she had hit the nail on the head.
"Indeed. He's a man who only takes action when necessary. But because of this, few can understand his true worth. It seems you've seen through him."
"I wouldn't say it to him, but... I think he could be emperor if he wanted to. Although he would be a scheming emperor."
"I'd like to see that. Now, I have a request for you, who has a discerning eye for people. It's not a difficult request. I want you to meet Queen Marianne as my envoy."
"Meet Queen Marianne...?"
Mia's question was reasonable. The vassal king was Traugott. And Traugott was Johannes' son. She didn't understand why Johannes needed to send an envoy to Traugott's wife, Marianne.
"This is military confidential, so it should not be leaked... as soon as the military is ready, I will attack the kingdom. I want to borrow the power of the Allied Kingdom. Queen Marianne was once a hostage of the Allied Kingdom. She must have many acquaintances there."
"Why not just send a message then?"
"If I send a message, it could be taken as an order. I want to secure their cooperation. I don't want to pressure the empire or the vassal state."
"Certainly, if I go, it won't seem like an order... but Queen Marianne won't have a choice but to accept."
"...I understand the role. However, wouldn't asking King Traugott be more certain?"
"I know my son well. If I brought up this matter to Traugott, he would not burden his wife but take action himself. Then, it would be the empire's royal family prompting the Allied Kingdom to join the war. The Allied Kingdom is still unstable. Under the Dragon King, the Dragon Knight Order is united, but the nobility has yet to fully accept the Dragon King, who seized power. If this request is judged as pressure from the empire, whether they join the war or not, it will corner the Dragon King."
If the Dragon King, who climbed up through martial achievements, avoids joining the war, it will be rumored that he succumbed to fear, and if he joins, it will be rumored that he succumbed to the empire's pressure.
If the Allied Kingdom becomes unstable, it will likely be an opportunity for the kingdom.
Hence, this cannot be an order.
It is, after all, a request for cooperation.
And the request is made through the Queen of the vassal state.
They were being considerate of the Allied Kingdom because they felt the need for the power of the Dragon Knight Order.
"I understand your thinking. Please entrust the role of envoy to me. However..."
"However?"
"I will relay your words exactly as they are. And, I have no intention of persuading. Please understand that."
"Of course. I'm counting on you."
With those words, Johannes directed his gaze to the imperial knight nearby.
A symbol of being an envoy, and the expenses for the journey, were handed to Mia.
After accepting them, Mia prepared to leave the throne room.
However, after a moment of hesitation, she spoke up.
"Your Majesty... Is there no way to avoid war?"
"We're already past that point. Even if we don't provoke it, the kingdom will. If so, our only option is to provoke it ourselves. After all, we're always the ones taking."
Seeing Johannes smile slyly, Mia superimposed that smile on Arnold and thought;
'Like father, like son.'
With that thought in mind, Mia curtseyed and left the room.
TL's Notes:
Whoops forgot to unlock this chap sorry
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