IRMHW Chapter 4

11-14 minutes 16.06.2023

“Pft, hahaha.”

Frivolous laughter unexpectedly spread throughout the emperor’s office.

Despite Libertisha’s silent gaze, the emperor’s chuckling didn’t cease.

“The Crimson Moon knight who insults me because he can’t live with the fact that he’s unrequitedly in love with me. Does such a tragic story amuse you that much?”

“Yeah, it does. It’s even funnier because it’s definitely how you’d act, Dame Libertisha.”

“As a loyal subject, it’s an honor to have brought you joy, my lord.”

“Geez, look at you getting all upset again.”

“I am not upset.”

It was only after giggling and bursting into tears that the emperor stopped teasing her.

He smiled so much that he fanned his face a little as if it were hot.

“I was depressed after hearing so many boring things all day today, but thanks to you, I got a good laugh. You really won’t become my consort?

“What number would I be?”

“If it’s you, of course you’d be the fifth… No, I think it would be okay if you were the third.”

*note: they're referring to what number/rank she’d be if she becomes his consort since he’ll likely take in multiple wives

“ … You can live alone for the rest of your life.”

Libertisha narrowed her eyes.

“That’s a harsh statement you’re making to the emperor of an empire. You’ll be punished to death for committing such a grave offense.”

“If you do that, then who will make you laugh, Your Majesty? More importantly, why did you call for me today?”

“Oh, I need to get myself together. I almost forgot because I was laughing too much. Here, take a look at this.”

He unfolded the map he had on the table.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary map. Libertisha furrowed her brow and focused intently on the map.

There were a few places that were circled.

“This area here has been showing abnormal phenomena recently.”

“What do you mean by abnormal phenomena?”

“There are several things, but I’ll start with the most peculiar one.”

Tap.

The emperor pointed to a section of the map using the pen in his hand.

“The ice on this lake doesn’t melt.”

“ … What?”

Libertisha tilted her head.

It was still early spring outside. It wouldn’t be so strange if there were parts where the ice had not yet melted…

Is what she had thought, but she couldn’t help but be intrigued by the Emperor’s following words.

“To be exact, it’s been 2 years. And it’s not the entire lake, but only a specific area that remains unaffected.”

“That is definitely a bit unusual.”

“That’s not the only thing. Plants that should be growing do not grow around the area, and plants that should die don’t.”

Having heard that far, Libertisha looked up abruptly and locked eyes with the emperor.

The two realized that they were thinking of the same thing.

“It’s black magic.”

Black magic.

It was the collective term used to describe the five types of magic that were universally prohibited from research and experimentation across all countries on the continent.

Resurrection of the dead, creating life, immortality, annihilation, and time magic.

They were all equally dangerous forms of magic. However, as dangerous as it was, the immense power in it made them incredibly captivating.

The entire empire came together to ban black magic, but there had been a recent increase in the movements of the black mages. The reason why was also because of that.

The biggest victim to it was Duke Valtale who suffered it in the last battle.

Thinking of him, Libertisha clenched her fist.

“I’ll go check it out right away, Your Majesty.”

“No, not yet.”

The emperor lightly clicked his tongue.

“It hasn’t been long since Duke Valtale was attacked. We need to be more cautious in our movements.”

“If we leave it alone, they will only continue to grow and hatch their eggs like damn bugs.”

“Disturbing them recklessly will only make them dig deeper underground, making it harder to capture them. We’ve sent out a search party, so we’ll have to wait and see if they find anything else. More importantly, there’s something else I need you to do.”

The emperor snapped his fingers.

The attendant who had been waiting behind him brought a small box and placed it on the table.

The box opened with a click, revealing a red pendant inside.

“What is this?”

“It seems to be a keepsake of Duke Valtale’s. It was found on his body.”

“ … His body?”

“Oh, I made a mistake. I was referring to his clothes that had been left behind.”

The emperor hastily corrected himself.

Duke Valtale had been “annihilated” by black magic on the battlefield.

So there couldn’t possibly have been any remains of his body.

“I conducted an investigation to see if there were any traces of black magic. Now that the investigation is over, I intend on returning it to the duchy. The bereaved family held a funeral without a body, so even something as small as this keepsake should be returned to them.

“That would be a good idea… So why are you giving it to me?”

Libertisha hesitantly accepted the pendant, feeling a sense of unease creeping up her spine.

Surely enough, the smile on the emperor’s face grew.

“I want you to directly deliver this to the duchy.”

Of course that was the reason.

Libertisha let out a sigh.

What Barton had said earlier came to Libertisha’s mind.

It seemed like the emperor really wanted to marry her off to Duke Valtale.

It was because they were both loyal supporters. Especially since he became the emperor due to internal conflicts within the imperial family, it was even more important for him to have a strong and reliable ally on his side now.

“Ahem. I want to see Duke Valtale wearing this pendant at the upcoming imperial banquet.”

“Is that an order?”

“This mission falls on you.”

Libertisha narrowed her eyes as she looked at the emperor’s shameless expression.

What kind of mission was this…

“I think I can hear you making disrespectful remarks all the way over here, so I’ll mention that this mission wasn’t only given to you. I’m giving you it so that you’ll be more enthusiastic in carrying out your duties.”

“So that I’ll be more enthusiastic?” A smile appeared on the emperor’s face.

It was the same ominous smile as earlier.

“I also gave the Crimson Moon Knights the same mission.”

“Oh.”

Libertisha’s face twisted into an expression of extreme disdain. Although it was disrespectful of her, she had a reason for it.

It was because Duke Valtale was the former commander of the White Silver Knights. Despite that, he had also entrusted the Crimson Moon Knights with the mission of delivering his keepsake?

This was a matter of pride, regardless of the mission.

Libertisha narrowed her eyes and glared at him. Though the emperor was fully aware of her inner thoughts, he only shook his head as if there was nothing he could do about it.

“Even if this was despicable of me, there’s nothing else I can do. It’s the only way I can survive.”

After the death of Duke Valtale, the relationship between the ducal family and imperial family became uncertain. However, by personally delivering the keepsake and having the new duke wear it at the imperial banquet, the emperor intends on creating the impression that they still hold a solid relationship. If the pendant is worn publicly, the people will see that the relationship between the ducal family and the imperial family is still strong and unshakeable.

It was an important matter not only to Libertisha, but also to the emperor.

Libertisha let out a small sigh and got down on her knee.

“ … I will follow your orders.”

***

During the trip to Duke Valtale’s residence, Libertisha’s expression remained visibly displeased as she had to carry out the mission given to her by the emperor.

As she rode her horse, she muttered words of discontent under her breath.

“So annoying.”

“ … ”

“He really gets on my nerves.”

“ … ”

“I’m going to kill–”

“Stop right there.”

Barton quickly intercepted her words.

If she were to say anymore, it would be treason.

He didn’t want another storm to arise in the empire that had just found peace.

Libertisha couldn’t contain it and continued to curse to herself.

The place they were heading to was the Valtale Duchy.

The Valtale Duchy had an imposing presence right from the entrance.

As befitting of a family that has had the title of “Dragon Hunters” since ancient times, there was a statue carved with the head of a dragon at the entrance.

As soon as she told them that she had come to deliver a keepsake under the emperor’s command, the thick iron door opened and they were invited inside.

On the way to the mansion, there were large statues and a splendid garden that caught her eye.

Guided by the butler, they arrived at the drawing room where Egan and the other knights of the Crimson Moon were already present.

The Crimson Moon knights who had been chuckling were taken aback when they saw Libertisha staring at them with disdainful eyes as they entered.

Unexpectedly, she was successful in asserting her dominance.

“Please wait here for a moment, everyone. The duke will come soon.”

Following the butler’s words, the two of them sat down on the sofa in the drawing room.

When nobles greeted guests, they would usually show up within thirty minutes.

However, Duke Valtale did not show up no matter how long they waited.

“Ahem.”

When the wait lasted for about an hour, the Crimson Moon knights and Egan cleared their throats with a look of discomfort.

The butler who was waiting also seemed taken aback by the unexpected turn of events.

The restless butler finally told them to wait a moment and went outside. As soon as the butler had gone, Egan broke his straight posture and grumbled.

“What is this? His Majesty sent us here, so why is he so late?”

“You’re so impatient. Aren’t you supposed to keep your dignity as a knight? Isn’t that what the Crimson Moon Knights value the most?”

“Even if that’s the case, how long do we have to wait like this for?”

Little by little, dissatisfaction began to flow out of the mouths of the Crimson Moon knights.

Only Libertisha and Barton waited silently for the duke.

One of the Crimson Moon knights who had been watching them muttered to Egan in a small voice.

“Honestly though, isn’t this mission advantageous for them? The former duke was originally the commander of the White Silver, was he not? I’m pretty sure he’ll be much closer to them…”

Hearing that, that could be the case.

Egan glared at Libertisha in annoyance as she tucked her hair behind her ears.

Libertisha’s elegant appearance caught Egan off guard and he swallowed back his saliva without realizing.

Libertisha opened her mouth to speak.

“Don’t worry. Even if we were close, the commander separated his public life from his private life. I have no personal connection with Duke Valtale. In fact, this is my first time meeting him as well.”

“Y-You heard us?”

“Of course. I can even hear you swallowing your saliva.”

Shit.

Egan’s face turned red.

At that moment, a faint scream came from outside the window.

“Kyaaa!”

Even though the scream was far in the distance, Libertisha and Barton abruptly stood up from their seat like ghosts.

Egan and the Crimson Moon knights frowned in confusion when seeing them stand up as they did not hear the sound themselves.

“Weren’t you the one who said to keep your dignity as a knight?”

“I was talking about the Crimson Moon Knights.”

As she spoke, she flung open the window from where the sound had come from. The drawing room was on the 2nd floor, but the height from where they were was quite high.

However, Libertisha jumped out the window without hesitation.

“We never had such things to begin with.”

“What? H-Hey!”

“Barton, just in case something happens, you’re on standby here.”

“Understood.”

Unlike the perplexed Crimson Moon knights, Barton calmly blinked his eyes as if this were something he experienced often.

“Are you all crazy or something? Hey, where are you going!”

Disregarding Egan’s calls, Libertisha rushed in the direction of where the sound had come from.