Chapter 248. The Signature Technique (3)
In the capital of the Orias Empire, Decus, an elaborate state funeral was underway.
One week earlier, Emperor Pellin Karien, the twelfth emperor of the empire and son of the famous Malevolent Emperor, had passed away. Fortunately, the coronation had taken place just before his death, so the succession had gone smoothly, without much chaos.
The thirteenth emperor, Revelio Karien, had ascended the throne then.
Just a few weeks prior, no one could have predicted that Revelio would ascend to the throne. Many initially feared that the empire would begin to stagger under the weight of his reign. After all, he was the so-called discarded child of the royal family.
But despite the abruptness of his enthronement, the new emperor presided over the funeral with a calm and composed presence that surprised all.
Some gossip-mongers had whispered that the nobles were simply pulling the strings behind the throne. But as if to mock those rumors, the new emperor won the overwhelming support of the aristocracy himself.
And so...
"Did you hear the news? The Pajar Sultanate sent a delegation to offer condolences."
"I heard it too. Apparently even the elves from the Southern Great Forest are coming."
"Beastkin, giants, dwarves... It's hard to believe. Why would non-humans come to pay respects to the empire?"
"According to the rumors, His Majesty, the new emperor, has some ties to them. Sounds like he intends to open diplomatic channels with the other races."
A peculiar sense of anticipation began to take root among the people of the capital. It was a vague hope that the empire was on the cusp of change.
As the citizens mourned the former emperor and dreamed of a new future, the Imperial Guards stood firmly at the palace gates, maintaining tight security.
At the forefront was Luke, the vice-commander of the Imperial Guards, standing silently at the main gate, his eyes scanning the distant streets.
"Vice-Commander," came a quiet voice. It belonged to Amy, Luke's most trusted subordinate.
"What is it?" Luke asked.
"There's a message from Lady Leon of the Ducal House of Leston. She said to take special care with one of today's visitors. Apparently, they have... an unusual personality," Leon said.
"Amy," Luke said, narrowing his eyes, "You seem to be getting a bit too close to Lady Leon these days. Don't forget you're part of the Imperial Guards."
"Yes, sir," Amy replied.
Luke pulled a folded sheet of paper from inside his uniform. It was a document listing the foreign delegations scheduled to enter the palace today. Most were nobles of the empire, but at the top of the sheet, names in bold font stood out.
"Chief Utula of the Giants."
"Elf Patrol Captain Orion of the Southern Great Forest."
So which one of these is the eccentric guest? Luke wondered.
He had never met non-humans before. The giants and elves would be the first non-humans to set foot in the Imperial Palace.
"...Seeing how the street is bustling, it looks as if they're almost here," Amy murmured, watching the movement beyond the gate.
And indeed, something seemed to be stirring in the distance. Noise, murmurs—perhaps even shouting.
Luke let out a slow breath and nodded.
They waited and waited, but the commotion didn't subside.
Amy looked uncertain, then asked, "Shall I go take a look?"
But Luke shook his head with a sigh, then replied, "No, I'll go with you."
Even though it was the mourning period, the emperor had openly said the people should not feel obliged to be solemn, and that it was fine to live their lives as usual.
But a ruckus in front of the Imperial Palace was another matter entirely.
Sir Luke gathered four Imperial Guards, including Amy, and started walking toward the noise.
This was the first time non-humans had ever visited the empire. Luke couldn't let them be embarrassed in front of the non-humans on their first visit.
Luke exhaled again and pressed forward.
Before long, they reached the source of the disruption.
"...Did a battle break out?" Luke muttered.
Four carriages lay completely overturned, their horses foaming at the mouth and collapsed in heaps.
A towering group of non-humans stood to the side, surrounded by angry imperial nobles pointing fingers at them.
"I'm sorry," one of the giants said. "This was not intentional."
"And how are you going to take responsibility for this?" one of the nobles snapped. "This is exactly why we don't let non-humans in so easily! No manners, no honor—!"
"We understand honor," the giant replied, his voice calm but firm. "Dying in battle. Dying to protect one's comrades. That is honor."
"Tsk tsk. Barbarians like you wouldn't know true honor," another noble sneered. "Don't trouble yourself, Marquis. My servant's already gone to fetch new carriages."
From the looks of it, it seemed as if the giants had made some sort of mistake. The only problem was that they had picked the worst possible people to offend.
Marquis Drogang... Luke thought.
He was a noble counted among the top five in the faction led by Duke Salmon. Now that the Diaz faction had crumbled, Drogang wasn't someone to be taken lightly.
Luke let out a deep sigh once more before slowly approaching the commotion. He called out, "Marquis Drogang."
Marquis Drogang looked at him and said, "Sir Luke."
"I noticed a disturbance and came to investigate. Is there a problem?" Luke asked.
"A most unpleasant one," Marquis Drogang answered with his arms folded behind his back and an air of smugness on his face.
He was a middle-aged noble with an imposing mustache, dressed head to toe in extravagant clothing and gaudy jewelry. The rumors of a recently discovered mana stone mine on his estate seemed to be etched into every inch of his flashy appearance.
"I was on my way to the Imperial Palace," Marquis Drogang continued, gesturing disdainfully at the giants, "when I encountered them . I had been summoned urgently by Duke Salmon, so I was hurrying. But the moment my carriage horses came near them, they foamed at the mouth and collapsed. As a result, all my carriages were overturned."
"I see. Was anyone hurt?" Luke asked.
"No injuries. We saved everyone," came a deep voice.
Thump thump.
One of the giants beat his chest proudly as he spoke. The gesture made Marquis Drogang's face twist in disgust.
"They have no manners whatsoever," Marquis Drogang scoffed. "Utterly repulsive. Can't you see I'm speaking right now?"
"If compensation is needed, I will provide it," the giant said, calmly but firmly.
"Tsk tsk. What kind of money could your kind possibly have?" Marquis Drogang muttered, loud enough to hear.
Luke decided to ignore Marquis Drogang for now. Instead, he focused on the giant standing before him. Perhaps Marquis Drogang hadn't noticed, but Luke had sensed something—an aura, a presence—that could only belong to a warrior of tremendous power.
This giant was a true powerhouse. That subtle pressure emanating from him wasn't something one could dismiss.
And so, Luke asked respectfully, "Would you happen to be Chief Utula?"
The giant nodded and answered, "I am Utula, chief of the Black Axe Tribe, and the Grand Chief of the Giants."
"We've been expecting you. Welcome to the empire, Chief Utula. I am Luke Hymer, the vice-commander of the Imperial Guards," Luke introduced himself.
"Sir Luke Hymer! Nice to meet you!" Utula boomed, breaking into a wide grin as he extended his hand, which was thicker than most human heads.
Luke clasped it firmly.
It was a heartwarming moment, but Marquis Drogang wasted no time in ruining it.
"Sir Luke," Marquis Drogang said coldly, "It seems the royal family needs to do a better job of regulating things."
"What exactly do you mean, Marquis?" Luke asked, keeping his voice even.
"This is the hour when imperial nobles typically come and go. Are you saying we should tolerate suffering disruptions because of these non-humans? Wouldn't it be more reasonable to restrict their entrance to a different time of day?" Marquis Drogang said. The arrogance in his voice was suffocating.
Luke fought back a rising headache. He thought, ...Wasn't he Duke Salmon's nephew?
Luke had heard plenty about Marquis Drogang's distasteful personality, but he hadn't expected this level of ignorance.
These non-humans were honored guests, personally invited by the emperor himself. No one in their right mind would dare speak to such guests in that tone.
"Marquis Drogang," Luke said with clear disapproval, "These individuals are here at His Majesty's invitation. They have come a great distance to mourn our late emperor. How can you speak of them that way?"
"Tsk tsk. It's already intolerable that commoners are allowed anywhere near the Imperial Palace," Marquis Drogang sneered. "Now we're letting non-humans walk through its gates? It's an embarrassment to the empire—"
But just then, Utula turned his head slightly. He said, "Hmm, my friend is arriving."
Luke blinked and followed the giant's gaze. He asked, "You have a friend in the capital?"
"I heard he'd be here," Utula replied. "And there he comes!"
Luke wondered how the giant had a friend in the capital when it was his first time in the empire. But he didn't have to wonder for long.
Two figures came running from the far end of the street. And as soon as they came into view, Luke instantly recognized them. They were two young men he knew all too well.
"...Are they your friends, Chief Utula?" Luke asked.
"Yes!" Utula declared proudly. "We fought side by side against the Demon King of Slaughter near the Southern Great Forest. They are warriors I hold in the highest regard!"
"Ah," Luke murmured.
Caron Leston and Leo Leston were the friends Utula had spoken of.
"Utula!" Caron Leston greeted the giant with a broad grin and a fierce slap across his back.
Smack.
"Caron! Leo! Come here!" Utula said, then laughed as he threw his massive arms around the two young men.
Crack!
Something popped—bones, perhaps—as the two found themselves crushed in Utula's enthusiastic hug.
"Argh!" Leo yelped.
"Y-You bastard! Let go of us!" Caron shouted.
"It's been too long! You've both grown so much!" Utula bellowed with delight.
The violent reunion eventually ended, and Caron managed to wriggle free, gasping for breath.
"Still terrifyingly muscular, I see," Caron said, brushing himself off.
"Thank you for the compliment!" Utula said with a grin.
Luke noticed the strong smell of alcohol wafting from Caron and leaned in to ask quietly, "When did you return to the capital?"
"Early this morning," Caron replied with a crooked smile. "We returned using the Imperial Palace's magic circle."
"I wasn't informed of your return," Luke said.
"Oh, that's because I jumped the palace wall the moment I got back. I just wanted a drink. Didn't seem like anyone noticed," Caron said, chuckling.
Luke silently vowed to discipline the Imperial Palace guards later.
Caron nodded, still smiling, then glanced slowly around the area. He asked, "Did something happen, Utula?"
"Hmm, I made a mistake," Utula said gravely.
"What kind of mistake?" Caron asked.
"I was walking with my tribesmen when we came across a noble's carriages. The horses saw us and collapsed in fright. The carriages overturned, and I personally helped rescue everyone," Utula answered.
"Did you apologize?" Caron asked.
"I've been sincerely apologizing, but they wouldn't accept it. I truly am sorry about what happened," Utula said.
Caron nodded as he pieced the situation together. He turned his gaze toward the noble who had collided—figuratively and nearly literally—with Utula, Marquis Drogang.
"Pleasure to meet you. My name is Caron Leston," he said politely.
"...I'm Muel Drogang," the marquis muttered.
"Ah, Marquis Drogang," Caron said. "I've heard quite a bit about you from my father."
Whatever arrogance Marquis Drogang wore earlier had completely vanished. His face had turned ghostly pale.
...I picked the wrong fight, he realized with a jolt.
One warning echoed in his mind—something Duke Salmon had once said...
"If you ever run into the youngest of the Ducal Family of Leston, don't even hesitate—just run away. That bastard is a certified madman. Provoke him, and you'll lose your head before you can blink."
And Duke Salmon wasn't just anyone. He was considered the second most powerful man in the empire. There had to be a reason he'd issued such a warning.
Marquis Drogang quickly shifted gears, his expression melting into something kinder, almost gentle.
"Well, mistakes happen to us all," he said. "I will be understanding, because this is probably your first time in the capital."
Getting out of this situation was the priority.
When Marquis Drogang suddenly pivoted to a generous attitude, Utula tilted his head and said, "Noble, something about you is strange. Your words have changed."
"W-What are you talking about?" Marquis Drogang stuttered.
"Earlier, didn't you say you didn't want non-humans in the palace? You said it was an embarrassment to the empire. I heard it quite clearly," Utula said.
"Aha," Caron said, smiling. "So what you're saying, Marquis Drogang, is that you insulted my dear friend and comrade."
"You misunderstood! That's not what I meant—" Marquis Drogang began, urgently defending himself.
"No, no, it's fine," Caron interrupted with a cheerful tone that only made the tension worse. "As you said, mistakes happen to everyone. You're absolutely right."
And with that, he reached into his pouch of dimensional space. He pulled out a small notebook and began to jot something down, his hand moving with deliberate precision.
Scribble, scribble.
"What are you writing, Caron?" Utula asked, eyeing him curiously.
Caron waved his hand as if it were nothing, then replied, "Just noting down the name of Marquis Drogang."
Utula tilted his head and asked, "Hmm? Why?"
"So I can tell His Majesty about it later," Caron said with a grin. "This kind of thing is best reported in person. Hehe."
"Ohhh, I see. Are you close with the emperor, Caron?" Utula asked.
"We're basically brothers, just not related by blood," Caron answered.
"That's incredible. As expected from a great warrior,I hold in such high regard!" Utula boomed.
That little notebook would later become known as the Caron Note—a name that would strike more fear into the hearts of imperial nobles than even the prospect of death.
"Alright," Caron said as he slipped the notebook back into his pouch of dimensional space. Then he turned to Marquis Drogang with a dazzling smile, saying smoothly, "Marquis Drogang."
"...Yes?" Marquis Drogang responded, his voice brittle.
"If you have any complaints, speak now. Anyone else too—this is the time," Caron said.
But not a single noble in the vicinity dared open their mouths. They all knew quite well who truly held the reins of power in the empire these days.
Caron glanced over the silent crowd, lips curled in a crooked smile. He said, "Heard some nasty rumors have been going around lately... You never know. One of you might be next."
It was broad daylight, and they were standing right in front of the Imperial Palace, but he didn't seem to care.
"Be careful how you act from now on. Utula, do you want me to help you negotiate a settlement?" Caron asked.
"A settlement?" Utula asked, puzzled.
"Yes. we'll get some compensation from these people. The carriage ran into you, didn't it?" Caron asked.
"That's... not inaccurate. But really, it's fine—" Utula said, but was cut off by Caron.
"Hey now. I'll collect the money for you, so just give me a small cut as a commission, okay?" Caron interrupted.
Here was a man who could openly make threats, even in front of the vice-commander of the Imperial Guards. A man who could shamelessly reach into the noble class's wallets with a smile.
That was who Caron Leston was.
"So!" Caron said as he clapped his hands. "How much are you all willing to cough up? If you're short on cash, we can settle this with your bodies. Oh, and if you claim you've got no money but I happen to find some in your pockets... Well, you know how that ends, right? Haha. This, my friends, is wealth redistribution."
A new era had dawned under the rule of Emperor Revelio.
And at long last, it was the age of the Mad Dog of the Ducal Family of Leston.
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