Chapter 15 – The Fall of the Imperial Family (Part 5)

At that moment, Reubellina signaled to Selena. Understanding the signal, Selena began to move cautiously behind Monterno.

Before the nobles could turn their attention to Selena, she forcefully pushed Monterno. Startled, Monterno released the Emperor and swung his dagger wildly. A long cut appeared on the Emperor’s face, and Selena screamed.

“Father!”

Her cry of shock was echoed by Reubellina, who rushed to the Emperor’s side. As she handed over a handkerchief, Selena pressed it against the Emperor’s face. With Reubellina’s assistance, Tartenon also stood in front of the Emperor to protect him.

“Seize that man immediately!”

But Monterno remained unfazed. There were no knights around the Emperor, and Monterno had long since seized control of the palace. The Emperor’s knights, who had rushed into the banquet hall, pointed their swords at the nobles. The Emperor shouted in desperation, but no one heeded his command.

“Seize him! Seize that traitor right now!”

His desperate cries echoed hollowly. The knights glanced at Monterno but did not lower their swords. The knights, remembering the promises of wealth and glory Monterno had made, ultimately chose to point their swords at the Emperor.

“Lower your swords.”

Tartenon stepped forward and commanded them. The presence of a Sword Master was intimidating, causing one of the knights to falter. Even though they were palace knights, they couldn’t match Tartenon’s skill.

Despite their individual lack of prowess, the sheer number of Monterno’s knights gave them the courage to stand against Tartenon.

“I will spare anyone who lowers their sword now.”

Tartenon shrugged nonchalantly and reached out. Hemil, who had been waiting beside him, handed him a sword. The knights laughed and jeered at Tartenon.

“Arrogance!”

“We outnumber you!”

“Yes! Don’t be afraid of the Sword Master!”

Their eyes were filled with mockery as they laughed at Tartenon, thinking he couldn’t possibly take them all on by himself. Tartenon smirked in response.

His sword moved with deadly precision, reflecting a sharp light. Each swing of his sword brought forth a splash of red, cutting down the knights who blocked his path.

By the time the red flowers bloomed and all those who had stood in his way lay on the ground, Reubellina could finally blink.

She had forgotten to breathe. It wasn’t just her; every noble in the banquet hall was equally stunned.

‘Wow.’

Reubellina was once again astonished by Tartenon’s skill, which she had already known to be impressive. Unable to hide her amazement, she glanced back. The Emperor’s eyes were filled with a crazed delight as he watched Tartenon cut down the knights.

“Kill them! Kill them all!”

The Emperor’s harsh voice echoed through the banquet hall, but Tartenon’s sword remained still. He stood there, his sword lowered, as the nobles turned their eyes away from the gruesome sight. Without blinking, Tartenon addressed Monterno.

“Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve?”

“W-what did you say?”

No one pitied Monterno, who trembled in fear at the overwhelming display of power. Tartenon shook off his sword and spoke again.

“Do you have any more men? This is too easy.”

Tartenon’s eyes, filled with murderous intent, were fixed on Monterno. Overwhelmed by Tartenon’s aura, Monterno collapsed to the ground. The Emperor stepped forward.

“How dare you commit treason by taking me hostage!”

“Y-Your Majesty! It’s not what it looks like!”

“Not what it looks like, huh!”

The Emperor’s enraged shout was directed at Monterno. With blood still on his face, the Emperor glared at Monterno and kicked his shoulder. Monterno, who had fallen backwards, had no one to support him. Tartenon swung his sword, preventing Monterno from escaping.

Monterno, now crawling on the floor, left red stains on his clothes. The Emperor, watching the scene, reached out to Tartenon.

“Give me that sword.”

“Your Majesty, it would be better if you did not—”

“Didn’t I ask for it!”

The Emperor’s mind was consumed by a single word: anger. His eldest son, who had once whispered sweetly in his ear, had ultimately aimed for the throne. Moreover, he had even dared to draw a sword against him. The Emperor realized too late that his son was willing to kill his own family to become Emperor.

Inferno was no different. He had been of no help until the end. The Emperor had tried to kill him, but Inferno had survived and refused to aid in the expulsion of the North.

Receiving the sword from Tartenon, the Emperor looked around. None of the nobles who had bowed their heads and shown their loyalty had protected him. Only Selena had acted.

His small, delicate daughter had moved to save him. If Selena hadn’t pushed Monterno, the Emperor might have been killed by Monterno’s dagger. If that had happened, the Freynante Empire would have fallen into Monterno’s hands.

The nobles were also displeased. Tartenon was the same. But at least Tartenon saved him from danger. No one else moved, but Tartenon stepped forward and wielded his sword, dealing with the knights who pointed their swords at the Emperor.

The Emperor, who had always thought the Northern Grand Duke, Tartenon, was untrustworthy, had been saved by him. In that fleeting moment, the Emperor made his decision and stood before Monterno, gripping the sword.

“Do you know your crime?”

“Your Majesty! That’s not it!”

As Monterno tried to retreat, he found Tartenon behind him. Unable to move further back, Monterno was paralyzed by Tartenon’s overwhelming presence. The Emperor approached and placed the sword under Monterno’s chin.

“It seems you do.”

“Please, just this once, forgive me—”

“Have you ever heard of an Emperor who forgives treason?”

“Father! Please, just once—”

Before Monterno could finish his plea, the Emperor swung the sword. With a thud, Monterno’s body fell to the side, and the nobles in the banquet hall couldn’t lift their heads.

***

After Monterno’s death, the Emperor named Selena as his successor. The problem was that Inferno was still alive. However, the Emperor was adamant.

“I will elevate Selena to the position of Crown Princess!”

“Your Majesty! Prince Inferno is still alive. You cannot do this.”

One of the nobles stepped forward and spoke. But the Emperor did not retract his order. He couldn’t trust Inferno either. Since Inferno had been close to Monterno, he might pull some other stunt, so the Emperor did not want him near. If he handed the position of Crown Prince to him, Inferno might betray him just like Monterno did.

The Emperor’s growing suspicion led him to even consider killing Inferno, but Selena intervened. Realizing that Selena had no desire for the throne, the Emperor was even more determined to make her his successor.

“Your Majesty.”

Duke Asillious, the Chancellor, spoke up. On the day of the banquet, Heather had rescued the Duke and taken him to safety. Fortunately, Terynhad protected him, so he was unharmed. Although the Emperor knew the Duke had fled midway, he didn’t care. It had all been part of Monterno’s plan.

Even knowing that the withdrawal of Duke Asillious, who had supported the royal family, could cause problems in running the state, the Emperor allowed it. He trusted Monterno. But now that trust was shattered, and the person he needed most was Duke Asillious. He needed the money and power that the Marquis supported the royal family with.

“What do you think, Duke?”

“The Second Prince has been involved in unfortunate events and will need time to recover his health.”

“Yes, the Duke is right.”

Having already made up his mind, the Emperor was not swayed by the nobles’ political maneuvers.

“I hereby declare Selena Prinan as my successor.”

“But Your Majesty—”

“Anyone who opposes, step forward.”

The nobles hesitated, glancing at each other.

“Those who step forward will be considered allies of the deceased imperial. If those who committed crimes remain in the palace unpunished, things will not run smoothly.”

There were audible gasps from around the room. Duke Asillious also bowed his head and did not step forward. It was clear that Selena had effectively been named the successor.

“Prepare for the ceremony to appoint the new successor immediately!”

“Understood.”

No noble dared to defy the Emperor’s command. They all quietly bowed their heads in response. After the Emperor’s stern order, the nobles withdrew, but Duke Asillious remained.

“Why do you linger, Duke?”

“The Grand Duke of the North asked me to deliver a message.”

“Hmm. Why didn’t he come himself?”

“It seems he is wary of the attention.”

Tartenon, the Sword Master, had never displayed his skills in the capital before. The prowess he had shown at the banquet was unparalleled. Nobles, eager to curry favor with him, visited Duke Asillious’s residence daily.

The Duke was equally troubled by the nobles who clung to him. They assumed that since Tartenon was so skilled, the knights of the North must also be superior to those in the capital. They pestered the Duke, asking him to arrange for their heirs to train under Tartenon.

Despite Tartenon’s refusal, citing his busy schedule in the North, the persistent nobles continued to seek him out. In the end, Tartenon chose to stay within the Duke’s residence to avoid them.

“Let me see it.”

The Emperor took the letter from the Duke. There wasn’t much in it. It was just a letter stating that the situation in the North was urgent, and he had to return without even saying goodbye.

“Has the Grand Duke returned to the North?”

“He said he would leave today.”

“I see.”

The Emperor tapped the armrest of the throne. Thinking back, he owed his life to Tartenon. If he hadn’t been in the banquet hall, he wouldn’t have escaped from Monterno. Perhaps Monterno might have taken his life. Thus, the Emperor couldn’t let this pass.

“What do you think the North desires the most?”

“I am not sure.”

“Money?”

“Don’t they earn plenty from the Musen Trade?”

“Then what?”

Duke Asillious hesitated at the Emperor’s persistent questioning. He thought it was more important than anything else that the imperial family didn’t make clumsy checks, but he couldn’t say that out loud. As the Duke remained silent, the Emperor pondered. He couldn’t just pretend not to know.

“Let’s grant immunity to the North.”

“Immunity, Your Majesty?”

Duke Asillious raised his voice in surprise.

‘Immunity.’

“I will grant a privilege. It can be used only once by someone bearing the name of Speraum, and it is given to express gratitude to Tartenon Speraum, who saved my life and the imperial family of the Freynante Empire.”

“Isn’t that too much?”

“This much is necessary to be called the Emperor of the Empire.”

The Duke wanted to say that it would be better to just leave the North alone, but he kept his mouth shut. The self-praising Emperor wrote a pardon on gilded paper and handed it to Duke Asillious.

“Deliver this to Speraum in the North.”

“I obey Your Majesty’s command.”

Although Tartenon and Reubellina might have already departed, Duke Asillious received the pardon as politely as possible.