Chapter 101. Secret Audience with the Emperor

“Come closer.”

The emperor, seated on an ornate chair, commanded with an expressionless face. Approaching him, she first introduced herself on behalf of the Francis family.

“I am Camilla Francis of the Francis family. It is an honor to meet you. May boundless glory accompany Your Majesty’s future.”

“I greet Your Majesty. I am Aster Blanche.”

Aster briefly introduced himself next. Given that his family was directly involved in the incident, he offered a humble greeting.

“Raise your heads.”

At the emperor’s command, Aster and I simultaneously looked up at him. He scrutinized us keenly.

From his demeanor, it didn’t seem like he intended to reprimand Aster.

Then why did he summon us separately?

My curiosity was soon resolved by the emperor’s next words. He said,

“The reason I called you here separately is because of the Maved Stone.”

The mention of the Maved Stone out of nowhere made me tense. It was more troubling than reprimanding Aster. I tried to evade the topic.

“If you mean the Maved Stone…”

“Did Samuel Blanche fail to create it?”

“!!”

The emperor’s direct question left both Aster and me momentarily speechless.

Who would have thought his first question would be about that?

It was chilling in a different sense. I knew he was interested in the Maved Stone, but I didn’t expect him to be so blatant about it.

‘What is he scheming?’

If I said it was successful, he would ask where it was. If I said it failed, he would inquire about the manufacturing process.

“Why aren’t you answering?”

The emperor asked again in a high-handed tone. Unable to delay any longer, I opened my mouth.

“The Maved Stone…”

At that moment, I felt the emperor’s gaze fixed intently on me. Reading greed in his eyes, I composed myself and answered.

“It failed.”

“Failed? Then the Duke implanted a failed Maved Stone?”

“Yes. He arrogantly believed he had succeeded, but he suffered a seizure and died. It seems the manufacturing process was flawed from the beginning.”

I subtly hinted that the process was unreliable, and the emperor’s expression noticeably darkened.

“So, it was never completed.”

The emperor clicked his tongue and rubbed his chin. He looked visibly disappointed.

‘Father was right.’

I recalled my father’s stern warning when I coveted the Maved Stone. Like he said, the Maved Stone was as alluring as it was powerful.

If I hadn’t destroyed it, something truly catastrophic might have happened. The thought of a continental war sent chills down my spine.

At that moment, the emperor spoke.

“So, a fragment of the experimental Maved Stone was embedded in your body, blocking your abilities?”

Having not received the answer he wanted, he got straight to the point. Pretending to commend me, he subtly sought a pretext to constrain the nobles. I answered without letting my guard down.

“Yes. Fortunately, we found a way to remove it. Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern.”

“Concern? It seems I have been too indifferent to the nobles’ abilities. Allowing you to use your powers freely was not meant to encourage recklessness.”

The emperor’s eyes gleamed sharply. His stern face suggested that he had anticipated such an incident.

“Thanks to Your Majesty’s generous care, not only Francis but many nobles have lived peacefully.”

“But the result was rebellion. If the imperial family had such abilities, this wouldn’t have happened. Therefore, I plan to restrict the nobles’ use of their abilities.”

So the emperor intended to limit the use of abilities.

This might be my last chance to express my opinion. I clasped my hands together and spoke.

“The imperial family has traditionally played a mediating role, nullifying the abilities granted by the gods. The first emperor did not regulate abilities for that very reason.”

The emperor frowned at the mention of the first emperor.

“Are you saying it’s unreasonable for me to use this incident as a pretext to regulate the nobles’ abilities? Isn’t this the fault of a noble who abused his power?”

“No, my point is to find a way to achieve harmony among the nobles through this incident. Regulation breeds resistance, and resistance leads to greater rebellion.”

The emperor’s anger subsided at my calm words. He looked at me sharply and asked,

“So, what solution have you found?”

His eyes suggested he would hold me accountable if I spoke without a solution. I calmly shared my thoughts.

“Until now, each family could use their abilities freely within their own domains.”

“Yes. They built magic towers in their castles, competing to see who could build the tallest.”

“Exactly. Each family lived as if they were the best, given the different strengths and natures of their abilities. As a result, it became difficult to detect malicious intentions in advance.”

If there had been a central management agency for abilities, this incident might not have occurred. I took a breath and continued.

“So, I propose that the imperial family oversee a magic tower representing all nobles. It would act as a sort of command center.”

A command center to unite the scattered magic towers of each family. If the imperial family supervised it, families wouldn’t be able to misuse their secret techniques for nefarious purposes.

“While outright restriction would cause resistance, appointing a suitable overseer would be agreeable. If any family harbors dissatisfaction, Francis and Blanche will persuade them.”

With confidence, the emperor blinked. Mentioning Blanche was a way of saying not to destroy the Blanche family over this incident.

Knowing that Aster had led the revelation of this matter, I also hinted that collective punishment wouldn’t apply.

The emperor, being astute, likely understood my intention immediately. He looked at me with an incredulous expression.

“Hahaha!”

After a moment, the emperor couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“I intended to tighten the reins, but you offer the reins as a tool to gain freedom. Truly an intriguing idea.”

“I merely sought to ease Your Majesty’s concerns, even if just a little.”

Feigning innocence, I attributed the idea to the emperor, causing him to laugh again. Judging by his expression, he didn’t seem entirely displeased.

Just as I was feeling relieved, the emperor leaned back against the armrest and pointed at Aster.

“Aster Blanche.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Finally, Aster, who had been silent, spoke. Due to Samuel Blanche’s crimes, he couldn’t speak without the emperor’s permission.

The emperor asked with a lazy smile,

“I am curious about your thoughts. How does it feel to expose your father’s crimes, preserve your family’s lineage, and become the sole heir?”

It was a mocking remark, given that Aster had gained immunity from punishment. Despite the pointed comment, Aster remained calm.

“I am only saddened by my family’s disloyalty.”

“Frankly, without your internal report, the Blanche family would have been annihilated.”

In response to the emperor’s authoritative tone, Aster bowed his head. The emperor spoke after a brief pause.

“However, the Blanche family is a founding family that helped the first emperor establish the nation. It is not easy to find a replacement for Blanche.”

This meant he wouldn’t destroy the Blanche family or hold Aster accountable. Aster bowed deeply and accepted the decree.

“Your Majesty’s grace is boundless.”

I, too, bowed happily.

“But.”

As expected, the emperor wasn’t going to let it go easily. He looked at Aster and me alternately and spoke meaningfully.

“You must take full responsibility for this matter.”

“I will gladly accept any responsibility.”

At Aster’s prompt response, the emperor smiled slyly.

“Good. Since your wife has made an excellent proposal, it is only right for the husband to assist her.”

“……”

“I will demolish the Blanche mansion in the capital and build the command tower on its site.”

The Blanche mansion was located on valuable land in the capital. Reclaiming such a prime location meant reducing Blanche’s influence.

Great nobles had their main residences on land granted by the first emperor in the capital. This allowed them to wield significant influence in the capital.

Taking that land to build a magic tower meant the Blanche family could no longer flaunt their power as they once did.

It was within my expectations. The imperial family needed to show that they were disciplining Blanche to maintain face. Understanding this well, Aster responded with a solemn sense of responsibility.

“I will follow Your Majesty’s will.”

Just as I thought everything had ended well, the emperor’s attention turned to me.

“Since your husband has given up something significant, you must fulfill your role as his wife.”

What was he planning to ask now?

I glanced at the emperor with a wary face, unsure of his intentions.

“It is not a bad proposal for you, so there is no need to make that face.”

“Please, speak.”

“I want you to take on the role of the first overseer of the command tower. Appoint seven tower masters under you to ensure thorough management.”