I Will Surrender My Position as the Empress - Chapter 60
As Lionel gently embraced Adele, Vuetta Viscount, who had been lingering nearby, quickly approached and spoke.
“I will escort you as a viscount. Please follow me.”
He then ordered his knights to prepare in advance and swiftly climbed into the carriage. While Lionel held Adele in his arms, he urgently questioned Duke Despone, who was approaching on the other side.
“She coughed up blood while using magic. What should we do?!”
Duke Despone looked at the limp empress and, seeming reluctant, opened his mouth.
“Brunhill Alexa. You go.”
As Brunhill mounted the carriage by his command, Lionel deeply instructed Henri with a low voice.
“Handle the aftermath.”
“Do not worry.”
As Vuetta Viscount and Lionel rushed to the viscount’s residence with the empress, a heavy silence descended upon the remaining individuals. The knights gazed at the scattered red stains on the ground with eyes filled with intense concern. Unable to endure this eerie atmosphere, one of the wizards loudly cleared his throat and spoke.
“If it weren’t for our commander, it would have taken at least half a day to destroy the tower, wouldn’t it? Isn’t that right?”
Upon hearing this, Duke Despone, who was nearby, actively agreed and patted Lennox on the back.
“Ahem! Ahem! That’s right! Well said! Lennox! You did a great job! Without you, the damage would have been severe!”
“It’s an exaggeration, Your Grace! Compared to Your Grace’s magic, my powers are truly insignificant.”
“Oh, stop being so humble!”
The knights glared at them as they indulged in self-praise. Henri Jackal tightly clenched his fists, gradually calming his boiling chest, and raised his voice towards the knight who had been in charge of guarding the empress.
“Why did Her Majesty end up in such a predicament!”
His sudden outburst drew the attention of those around. The questioned knight, under interrogation, hesitated for a moment but quickly replied with a sullen expression.
“Her Majesty insisted on using magic to restrain the demons… Despite us urging her to stop when her complexion turned pale, she continued.”
Once again, tears welled up in the eyes of the knights, and they wiped them away with rough hands.
“If it weren’t for Her Majesty, our entire squadron would have been wiped out.”
“When the ogres charged, I thought I was done for.”
“She gave her best, even coughing up blood… and she apologized to us.”
The burly commanders, attempting to hide their tears, gazed into the distance as if searching for solace. The wizards, who had been mocking Lennox, fell silent in front of the vivid bloodstains.
“It seems that Her Majesty possesses remarkable magical skills, doesn’t she?”
The knights of Vuetta nodded in agreement, continually nodding their heads.
“It was truly surreal! Did you see Her Majesty annihilate the wyvern in one go earlier?”
“We are genuinely concerned. Our Empress, she’ll be okay, right?”
As they walked away to attend to the aftermath, their minds were still occupied with the empress’s story. Duke Despone watched the retreating figures of the knights and then slowly turned his gaze to the bloodstains left by the empress.
“…….”
[ Ehmont’s way of doing things, just sweep it away! ]
The face of the empress, who had defiantly looked him in the eye, flashed in his mind.
I’ve stepped on my foot. He sighed, closing his eyes tightly.
The choice he had made after much deliberation to create a scarecrow had turned out to be a thorn in his side. Adelaide, that woman with a thorn stuck in her throat, dared to throw a stone into his world. Dared.
****
Lionel chewed on his lips, possibly not realizing blood was oozing from them. Adele’s head shook weakly with the movement of the carriage. Lionel, even while driving the carriage, continued to inspect the woman in his arms, exerting strength in his arms. Pale, bloodstained face, a small and delicate body. The blood felt chillingly cold, and it seemed as if the entire body was covered in goosebumps.
Even as they rushed, the viscount’s residence seemed so distant.
[ I’ve walked into hell. ]
Looking at the dried blood sticking to him like glue, that phrase came to mind again. Even though it was certainly not directed at him, it felt as if, like breaking her wings and dragging her into hell, the words haunted him.
The viscount’s residence was in chaos to the point of resembling a battlefield. People who had evacuated were returning. If it hadn’t been the viscountess who rushed out upon hearing the news, Lionel and Brunhill would have had a hard time entering the viscount’s mansion due to the crowd. A room had already been prepared to accommodate the empress. As Lionel laid Adele on the bed, the physician and Brunhill approached.
Lionel stepped back, asking Brunhill, “Is she going to be okay?”
“I can only hope her injuries aren’t too severe.”
“Minister, you must leave for the treatment to begin. Please exit quickly.”
In the midst of the viscountess’s urging, Lionel had no choice but to leave the room. While the viscountess hurriedly ran somewhere to gather necessary supplies, the viscount, who had been waiting for Lionel outside, offered to personally guide him to a place to rest. However, Lionel politely declined his offer.
“When Henri Jackal returns, please inform me.”
In the face of Lionel’s stern gaze, the viscount refrained from suggesting any further. Leaning against the wall, Lionel stared at the closed door with sharp eyes.
‘That’ Lionel Baldr becoming the empress’s aide had also reached Vuetta as a rumor. On the day this news was heard, the viscount remarked, “Looks like the Baldr Marquis is gathering as much attention as possible. Responding directly to the empress’s aide position, how audacious.”
While the news of the empress being a striker had also been heard, it wasn’t given much significance as Lionel hadn’t personally confirmed it. However, today, it seemed like the marquis had seized an opportunity by becoming an aide. Did Viscount not notice the gaze of the knights towards the empress, who had collapsed, coughing up blood? The viscount turned his body and pondered, ‘Finally, cracks are forming in this disguised stage.’
Physician and Brunhill diligently examined the empress’s condition. Although she had suffered injuries, fortunately, the empress wasn’t in a life-threatening condition. Just as too much physical exertion could strain the body, excessive use of magic could also strain the body. Brunhill’s role was to explain the empress’s condition in detail to the physician as a mage and assist in her treatment. She earnestly answered the physician’s questions, and after a while, the physician prescribed the appropriate treatment.
“…She should consume a liquid diet for a while and take sufficient rest. I’ll prepare a potion to aid in her recovery.”
“Is that all?” Brunhill asked, surprised. The physician, showing a somewhat displeased expression, retorted, “Then, what do other mages usually do in such situations?”
“…Rest until you get better.”
Upon her words, the physician shrugged his shoulders as if saying ‘whatever’ and instructed the maids before opening the door. However, the moment he opened the door, the physician was overwhelmed by a pair of black eyes he met. Unknowingly, he swallowed dry saliva. His hands trembled, and his legs felt weak. As Lionel, who had been leaning against the wall, stood up and approached steadily, the physician involuntarily stepped back. It wasn’t because Lionel’s attitude or expression was threatening. It was simply the unrefined wildness emanating from his entire being that pressed down on the physician.
“How is she feeling?”
At the soft question that fell from above, the physician quickly blinked his eyes and hastily replied,
“She has suffered injuries, but her life is not in danger. If she takes sufficient rest, the empress will recover. I’ll prepare a potion to aid in her recovery.”
“What does ‘sufficient rest’ mean?”
“That is a matter that needs to be observed, so I cannot provide a definite answer right now. I appreciate your understanding.”
“…Thank you.”
“I’ll come back again.”
The physician vanished like a creature with its tail on fire. Following the physician, Brunhill also stepped outside.
“Will there be any lingering effects from the injuries caused by magic?”
In response to Lionel’s question, Brunhill hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I haven’t observed any. Since it seems to be an excessive strain, for now, trust the physician’s prescription and wait.”
As Lionel stood there, watching the hallway as Brunhill and the maids followed the physician’s guidance towards the end of the corridor, he absentmindedly stared at the slightly open door. The petite face visible through the maids was still pale. He wanted to approach a bit closer and check her condition firsthand, but he couldn’t bring himself to enter. Their relationship had only come this far.
As the viscountess returned with the necessary items, she looked at Lionel and widened her eyes. The anxious expression, the worn-out gaze – was that man Lionel Baldr?
“He became an aide for political reasons, but it seems there’s more to it than just that.”
The viscountess changed her expression and gracefully moved forward.
“Minister.”
Lionel didn’t even notice her presence until she called him. That’s how focused his attention had been on the empress beyond the open door.
“Oh, Viscountess.”
He seemed to realize his state and took a step back, straightening his posture. In the elegant gaze of the experienced viscountess, Lionel felt bewildered, as if something hidden had been exposed.
“First, how about the Minister takes care of his fatigue and then attends to the empress? I’ve prepared clean clothes for you in the minister’s room.”
“Thank you, but I’ll stay here and guard until the deputy arrives.”
“…If that’s the case, perhaps I should offer you a chair.”
After instructing someone to bring a chair for Lionel, the viscountess, with a changed demeanor, led the maids into the room. Lionel’s black eyes, fixed on the closed door, softened.
Following the physician’s instructions to clean the empress’s attire and attend to her body, the maids carefully wiped the empress’s body and dressed her in clean clothes. Since the empress was an injured patient, the maids were cautious, which took quite some time. After finishing their tasks, the viscountess emerged from the room, and as soon as the maids followed, her expression stiffened. The maids, trailing behind her, were also startled, holding their breath. Dozens of large knights lined up in the corridor, making the wide passage feel crowded. Whether they were walking stealthily or intentionally silencing their breaths, the knights’ presence was not noticed by those inside the room. The knights, who had been watching the door with concerned looks, opened the door, and the viscountess appeared. Instantly, their eyes sparkled in unison. The viscountess’s gaze turned fiercely as she looked at them. After several days of forced marches and battles with magical beasts, the knights were covered in dust and even smeared with blood. Of course, she was grateful for their effort in rushing to defend her territory. However!
“Empress needs stability. The most important thing in caring for a patient is cleanliness.”
At the viscountess’s authoritative words, the large commanders swallowed their breaths, and collectively, they lowered their gazes. Even though they had taken off their armor, they were a mess with dust and bloodstains. Their hands, needless to say, were in no better condition. The knights bit their lips, hiding their hands behind them, and discreetly withdrew. When the viscountess’s gaze reached Lionel, he too coughed lightly and hid his hands behind his back.
“If you’re going to attend to the empress, leave only the essential personnel. Now, all of you, go and wash up. Thank you sincerely for rushing to Vuetta. We have prepared a hearty meal and warm beds, so please return to your assigned accommodations.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Hearing Lionel’s response, the viscountess stood up straight with dignity and walked past the knights. However, as she looked at Lionel, he, too, coughed lightly and hid his hands behind his back.
＊ ＊ ＊
Duke Despone received the greetings of Viscount and Viscountess Vuetta half-heartedly and found himself confined to a room, claiming it to be too chaotic. Alone in his thoughts, he dismissed even the maids for being too bothersome, leaving him alone to contemplate. The companions who accompanied him today were the elite guards, 1st and 2nd divisions, led by Lionel Baldr. They were considered the essence of the knight group, and that’s why Duke Despone treated them with extra severity, even extending his harsh treatment to the chambermaids, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
The group, led by Lionel Baldr, was crucial for Duke Despone’s plans. He saw them as the linchpin, and once he subdued the elite 1st and 2nd divisions, he believed he could control the entire knight order. It was a calculated move, treating them harshly like taming a beast. The plan was to starve them and then, by offering them sustenance, make them realize that Duke Despone was their true master.
“Is this vile creature trying to intercept that plan?”
Starting today, the knight group would undoubtedly align themselves with the empress. Their interests aligned, and once Lionel Baldr and his companions were bent, the entire knight order would follow suit. Many noble families, who were once afraid and hiding in the shadows, would rush towards the empress and Baldr as if drawn by a magnet.
“No, it can’t be.”
Duke Despone stood up abruptly, shaking his head vigorously. His eyes, filled with malice and desire, overflowed with wickedness. With today’s events as a starting point, the knight group would undoubtedly side with the empress. Mutual interests meant a solid alliance. What’s more? Even noble families that were once terrified and cowering would run towards the empress and Baldr like iron filings to a magnet.
“Unacceptable.”
Duke Despone rose from his seat, vigorously shaking his head. Hatred and malice overflowed from his eyes, adorned with desires. He had treated them cruelly, guided by the calculation that once he fed them after starving, they would recognize him as their master.
“What’s going on, Duke?”
Whether he was in the middle of washing or not, Lennox, with wet hair, hurried to Duke Despone. Duke Despone gestured subtly, signaling him to come closer, and then whispered in his ear.
“I must kill that damned woman, the empress.”
Lennox’s eyes trembled and widened in response. The duke immediately handed him a small note.
“Send someone to the slums northwest of Vuetta, an hour’s ride away. No matter how skilled the empress is in magic, she has collapsed due to injuries, and with the disappearance of the tower, she cannot use magic. If that skilled person fails, it won’t be because of lack of ability.”
Lennox unfolded the trembling note with his hands. A map was drawn, and at the end of the note, the name of the assassin was written in small letters. Lennox nodded without asking for a reason.
“Understood.”
“No one will suspect an attempt on the empress right now. They might think it’s too early. The castle is chaotic, and even if Lionel Baldr is a high-ranking official, he cannot stay in the empress’s bedroom without permission. There couldn’t be a more opportune time.”
Lennox couldn’t bring himself to reveal what he had done the previous night. The fact that the empress and Baldr were already prepared for an assassination attempt was also something he couldn’t disclose. If the duke found out, he would unleash his wrath on Lennox. Duke Despone looked at Lennox with a gleam in his eyes and patted his shoulders.
“Declaring her dead due to the aftermath of the injury would be perfect. Now, hurry and send someone. We never know when the empress, that venomous creature, will open her eyes. Time is of the essence.”
“Yes, Duke.”
