TMLOH 76

Chapter : 76

“You should answer, Ed.”

Emperor Edward, seasoned by years on the throne, instantly realized that his response in this moment could decide his son’s future.

Valere—no, Duke Halbern—was smiling, but there was nothing warm in that smile.

‘Look at him, acting all friendly while radiating this icy aura.’

Gulp.

As a worried father, he chose to stall.

“We’re in the middle of discussing important state affairs right now…”

“I asked if your son likes my daughter.”

“…”

“Should I cut him down?”

“…”

My son! Your future father-in-law is a lunatic—avoid him at all costs!

“…Let’s first establish the cause and effect behind your question. What on earth did you hear?”

“What did I see, you mean.”

“Fine, then. What did you see?”

At the Crown Prince’s tea party, he had seen the little crown prince holding on desperately, clinging with affection.

Empress Azeny’s decision to throw Duke Halbern out had been excellent—if not for that, he might’ve grabbed the crown prince by the scruff of his neck and spirited him off into some hidden corner of the palace.

“My son’s good enough, isn’t he? No, he’s outstanding. In that sense, how about we become in-laws?”

Duke Halbern tilted his head.

“You’ve gotten more jokes since we last met.”

“I’m serious.”

“…”

His gaze sharpened.

“Can I kill him?”

“Only if you want to be branded a regicide.”

“You think I’d go through all that trouble just to kill you?”

“I’ll remind you, I am the emperor.”

Duke Halbern twitched his fingers but then smiled. According to his habitual calculations, it was entirely possible—but he had no real intention of becoming the emperor’s assassin.

Still, a warning was necessary.

He glared at the emperor’s hidden guardians lurking in the shadows.

The foolish shadows, brimming with killing intent, trembled.

“That’s far enough.”

“Tch.”

Wiping his smile away, Duke Halbern clicked his tongue.

“My daughter’s not an option.”

“Why not?”

“Because my daughter must be happy.”

“What nonsense…” Edward stroked his chin, making his own deduction.

“So you mean Arerine’s consent comes first.”

“I mean she can never be forced into it. There’s no way a life trapped in this palace could make her happy.”

“Azeny says she’s happy.”

“Maybe she has the constitution of an empress.”

“Azeny once told me happiness is subjective.”

Utter nonsense.

Duke Halbern smiled silently. It was breathtakingly beautiful, but Emperor Edward shivered and rubbed his arm.

“Let’s discuss this formally another time.”

“Fine, try it.”

…Edward swore to himself he’d double the security around his son. Otherwise, he risked losing his carefully raised heir in the most ridiculous way.

“Anyway, about the dragon.”

“Hm?”

Now that the immediate fire was out, another problem—one that had been plaguing him—rose up again. Edward groaned.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused me? All eyes are on the spoils the Saren Knights brought back. Foreign envoys keep asking whether dragon materials will be at the Founding Festival auction. Even the Sky Tower inquired—asking if they can get dragon blood!”

Under the subtle pressure, Duke Halbern chuckled silently.

“Spoils of war? I wouldn’t know.”

“Not even offering anything to the imperial family?”

“A little. I already used up most of my share.”

He gestured vaguely. There was no need to see what he meant.

He must have used it for trades.

“Even a little will do. Offer it up—I’ll make sure you’re not disappointed.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Good.”

Edward’s face brightened at the thought of finally having some breathing room.

But still—

“The Sky Tower, huh.”

Hearing the long-unspoken name piqued his interest. Edward added:

“They’ll be visiting during the Founding Festival. On the last day, after the ball.”

“So, right when the auction is held. Avoiding hassle but seizing all the gains, is it?”

Of course, such esteemed mages flocking together deserved the warmest welcome. Still, something felt off.

“You mean you don’t know their reason for coming? We didn’t invite them.”

“Hard to say. I’ve been holed up in the northern fortress, after all.”

Still, if he were to hazard a guess—

“Maybe the Empire’s barrier has gone missing?”

Edward’s face twisted again.

“I was only throwing out a guess. Those planet-worshipping zealots won’t budge unless it’s something on that scale.”

“Good grief.”

Edward wanted to dismiss it, but his imperial intuition rang alarm bells.

He rubbed his forehead and penned a note with one hand. A magical flash sent it off—the order likely to confirm whether any barrier had vanished.

“This empire’s too vast and riddled with crises. I can never let my guard down.”

At last, Edward realized why his predecessor had chosen to abdicate in favor of even a reckless man like him.

He too longed to raise his son, Pession, quickly and pass the throne.

“What about the northern fortress? Will it be fine without you?”

“For now, yes. I went into the Abyss and turned it upside down.”

The monsters there would first have to rebuild their disrupted territory thanks to the Saren Knights.

There were other things he had done too… but no need to mention those.

“Sigh. And who do I send as your replacement…”

Edward groaned.

As he fussed and whined about wanting to play with Empress Azeny, Duke Halbern finished looking around the inner chamber and turned to him.

“Ed.”

“Who should I send, huh? Hm?”

“It’s meeting time. Let’s go.”

Upon his return, Duke Halbern was faced with countless duties.

While he had hidden behind his proxy, Mähenn, invitations had poured in relentlessly. Now, most of those vanished, and nearly all visit requests had stopped.

Some minor procedures and issues remained, but the duke quelled them with Halbern’s prestige and his rightful authority.

Still, some obligations were unavoidable. The first was an imperial audience, and the second was this meeting.

A private council with only the emperor and the five dukes.

“Valere, it seems you’ve been well.”

The Duke of Muvisc, the Emperor’s sword, and the Duke of Sperom, the Empire’s purse, were present.

“Valere!”

Surprisingly, the usually distant Duke Sperom beamed and rushed over.

“I was about to visit Halbern myself—this is perfect. Valere, save me! Hand over your share of dragon byproducts to Sperom. I’ll pay handsomely—more than the others!”

“You must be in a rush, Simon. Skipping greetings and jumping to business.”

“Wouldn’t you be? I’d lick your boots right now if it meant getting those dragon parts! The entire capital’s in an uproar!”

“Haha. No need for that.”

Unfortunately, he couldn’t give him anything. Those byproducts already belonged to the emperor.

“My share’s already offered up. Ask the Saren Knights when they return.”

“Nooo…”

Edward waved his hand at the commotion.

“Everyone, take your seats.”

For six years, the Halbern seat had been empty. Now filled again, the four men looked around the table with mixed expressions.

Duke Halbern glanced at the remaining empty chairs.

“Two seats still unfilled.”

“Duke Gremwat is exploring a newly discovered ruin. And Duke Idichels…”

Edward shot him a sharp glare.

“…is still stuck in another empire, dealing with Regent Lord Roch. Thanks to someone.”

“Oh dear.”

Edward narrowed his eyes.

“I mean you.”

“My regrets.”

Edward pressed further, eyes blazing.

“What exactly did you do?”

Six years ago, Duke Idichels had rushed overseas because Regent Lord Roch had gone on an inexplicable rampage.

“What did you say or do that’s made Roch stir up chaos for years, you bastard? We’re already swamped with monster outbreaks, and now the southern front refuses to stabilize!”

Even under the emperor’s fierce interrogation, Duke Halbern remained calm, like a peaceful sea.

“I didn’t say much.”

“What, then?! Tell me!”

“I just told him to return my sister.”

Edward clutched his head and roared:

“Of course he went mad, you idiot!”