Chapter 15

He clenched his teeth hard, producing a grinding sound.

Was it Morgan Herbon, who hadn’t engaged in battle until now? Has that ghostly strategist finally revealed himself? Why did he leave us alone until now? Was he waiting for us to let our guard down? Why… why.

Setting aside his angry thoughts of blaming the gods, he needed to quickly withdraw the soldiers and escape the camp.

“Everyone retreat! Prepare the horses and get out of here as fast as you can, even if it’s just your body! Move! We must act before the whirlwind hits. If it does, this entire high ground will turn into a sea of fire! Move! Retreat!”

When the general shouted, his lieutenant, with a pale face, joined him in raising his voice.

“Retreat! Load the soldiers who can’t move onto carts as much as possible! Quickly! Retreat!”

They shouted until their throats bled and blew the horn, but only a few hundred soldiers began to move and descend the high ground.

Imeldes, wearing only his chest armor, mounted his horse and rode without looking back. Having seen the chilling majesty of the whirlwind firsthand, it was a natural reaction. Delaying any longer at the camp felt like certain death.

How far had he ridden… the sun was already rising, glowing red. Without dismounting, he turned to look back and saw the high ground already engulfed by the whirlwind, with pillars of fire soaring close to the rising sun.

Is that what hell sent by the gods looks like?

The screams of soldiers unable to escape and the cries of horses mixed together, echoing beyond the high ground.

Ha. How could anyone believe it without seeing it with their own eyes? In just one night, with a few fire arrows, they completely destroyed the camp built solidly over three years, driving ten thousand troops into hell without shedding a drop of blood. Who, indeed…

* * *

Lady Jenna did not originally enjoy tea. But today, to calm her mind before the Imperial Palace’s attendants arrived to take her, she took out her mother’s beautiful tea set. Magda quietly poured from the teapot beside Jenna.

“Lady, um… not that direction. This way… yes, yes. That’s right.”

Magda, who couldn’t read the room. Was the direction of holding the teacup important right now, when her hands were trembling at the thought of negotiating with the Emperor?

The steward of Red Hall came up to the parlor to find Jenna.

“Lady Jenna. Someone has come from the Imperial Palace. What shall we do?”

“I shall go. Magda, tell Cloud to prepare the carriage immediately. Ah! Cloud will come as well. Tell him to attach ten skilled swordsmen behind me.”

Jenna stood up immediately. When she went outside, the mute knight was waiting by the carriage with some fierce-looking knights. His expression was quite solemn as he opened the carriage door for her.

“Cloud! Listen carefully. Even if I meet the Emperor in the Imperial Palace reception room, you follow me inside. If the attendants or lower-ranking knights try to stop you, it’s okay to push past them. Understood?”

Cloud nodded; his eyes gleaming.

* * *

In front of the Imperial Palace reception room, Jenna and Cloud wandered around, pretending to admire the portraits hanging on the walls.

Soon, when the announcement of her visit was heard, Jenna quickly led Cloud into the reception room.

The steward of the Emperor, who was said to have more authority than most nobles, glared at Cloud with fierce eyes. But, with a light gesture from the Emperor indicating he should leave, the steward reluctantly bowed his head.

A clever girl, indeed a descendant of the Herbon family known for its wisdom!

The Emperor’s deep green eyes slowly scrutinized Jenna’s small face, which still showed signs of youth. Then, with surprisingly gentle tones, he spoke.

“I have underestimated someone like you, Jenna Fleur. Isn’t that, right? Lady Jenna Fleur Herbon. Hahaha! To make ten thousand troops of Lucus retreat without shedding a drop of blood, all in one night. Remarkable, remarkable. Minstrels will travel across nations singing your praises.”

Since it wasn’t something, she wanted to respond to, Jenna kept her mouth shut, and the Emperor continued talking to himself.

“My goodness. Jenna! Yes. I lost the wager, so naturally, I must grant your request. You are now the Chancellor standing to my right. On my left is Evelyn Fleur, and on my right, you, Jenna Fleur. At this point, am I not a man chosen by the gods?”

Watching the Emperor’s rejuvenated face as he laughed heartily, Jenna involuntarily clenched her fists.

Jenna carefully examined the face of Emperor Joseph Henrique. The face, which supposedly returned to its thirties after acquiring the Lion’s Stone, was quite handsome. It was so similar that she thought Adrian Henrique would look like this in his thirties. Blond hair, emerald eyes, a strong jawline.

He killed Graham.

Suppressing the urge to soften her heart, Jenna forced a smile.

“Of course, Your Majesty, you are the ruler chosen by the gods for the continent. On your left is Lady Evelyn, who brought eternal life to you, Your Majesty, and on your right is me!.”

Joseph Henrique nodded in satisfaction.

Inside, curses welled up. It was truly unpleasant to think why she needed to devise war strategies for such a trash. But unaware of Jenna’s true feelings, the Emperor chuckled.

“Indeed! Eternal life and youth! To be born human and become close to God. Ultimately, isn’t eternal life and youth what it’s all about? Evelyn is the woman who brought such blessings. A woman I am grateful for. I wish to make her my Empress, but what do you think, Jenna Herbon?”

Is he testing me? Does he expect me to say something nice?

“Of course, it’s a natural thought, Your Majesty. It’s a noble and grateful sentiment, and she is a precious woman. But Your Majesty, public opinion is…”

Joseph Henrique’s eyes momentarily turned fierce.

“Do you oppose it? Lady Jenna?”

Of course, I do.

“No, Your Majesty. How could I entertain such a dreadful thought against your eternal will? But what use is eternal life?”

“What do you mean? You just talked about the eternal ruler, and now you question the significance of eternal life?”

The Emperor’s lips twitched.

“Yes, that’s correct, Your Majesty! What use is eternal life? If you lose the trust of the people and nobles, and lose that power! What use is eternal life? Isn’t power your greatest fortune, Your Majesty?”

Words not planned flowed smoothly.

“I apologize, but if you lose power and only possess eternal life, what meaning does that hold, Your Majesty? It would be just an endless continuation of sorrow and unhappiness. Therefore, I, Jenna Fleur, humbly offer a proposal to you, Your Majesty.”

Someone stop my mouth! What am I even saying?

It was pathetic even to herself. But seeing the Emperor’s wide-eyed face listening intently, her mouth didn’t stop.

“What… what do you mean?”

“Raising Lady Evelyn to the throne as Empress can wait until after you acquire the Red Stone, Your Majesty.”

“Red Stone?”

Joseph Henrique’s face brightened.

“Yes. The Red Stone!”

“Are you saying you can obtain it?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Jenna spoke with feigned confidence. It was an idea that had just come to her. Lady Evelyn was a scheming woman, and tying her to the Emperor would be a disastrous combination. So, she said it on a whim to buy some time.

However, the Emperor’s expression became very serious. Not only the Emperor but her mind was in turmoil.

[Jenna Fleur! Have you finally gone mad? You can’t even make a dagger with Stone Killer, and now you’re talking about the Red Stone? If you pick up any pebble and present it as the Red Stone, that witch Lady Evelyn or whoever she is might try to take your head. Are you okay?]

It was the voice of her conscience, striking her mind heavily.

[Hey… don’t worry. Just go for it. If Lady Evelyn, whose intentions are unknown, becomes the Empress, will I survive? What about Father?]

[Even so, you’re confidently spouting such nonsense? Wow, you’re really something. Honestly, I’ve never met a Fleur as crazy as you. This is… truly new. Risking your life to boast. Ugh!]

[Shut up! You should help me! You said you’d be scared to keep quiet for 100 years if I die, right? Then help me! What else can I do? You want House Herbon to disappear?]

Stone Killer was silent. Jenna interpreted the silence as a positive sign of assistance and smiled brightly at Joseph Henrique, who couldn’t hide his confused expression.

“Lady Jenna, if you can indeed do that, I will give you anything you desire. Anything! Not just the position of Chancellor, I could even bestow Lucus upon you after unifying the continent!”

Leaving the palace, Jenna was assisted by Cloud into the carriage. She recalled the Emperor’s excitement, like a child tasting candy for the first time, at her words about presenting the Red Stone.

Beside Jenna was Cloud, a mute knight who could communicate everything with his eyes. He had heard all the lies Jenna told from behind the thick curtains of the reception room.

Lady, you’re not in your right mind now. Really not sane. We’re finished now. Why do you keep spouting such boasts? I’ve never seen a fraud like you!

Cloud’s mournful eyes seemed to say this. She had forgotten he was watching from behind. Though a bit embarrassed, she was not only his substitute Chancellor but also his lord. Jenna pretended not to see the reproachful look and turned her head toward the carriage window.