Chapter 84….
The capital was still as magnificent as ever.
Towering walls, spires, and endless crowds.
It was a true metropolis—utterly incomparable to the quiet life of a marquisate.
Once again, Eina had her head sticking out the carriage window, eagerly taking in the sights without a moment’s rest.
“Wooow!”
Watching her like that was actually quite entertaining.
But unfortunately, sightseeing had to wait for another time.
Now that they’d arrived in the capital, Dante first had to pay respects to the Emperor.
An ordinary noble would never even dream of an audience, but as the heir of House Aquites, Dante was required to visit the Imperial Palace first.
“Don’t wander too far. Stay at the inn, and don’t go getting lost.”
“Do you still see me as a kid, Young Master?”
She was right.
Eina was still just a child.
Not even of age yet.
Of course, it was a little funny for Dante—who also wasn’t yet an adult—to say that, but it was the truth nonetheless.
“You too—same goes for all of you.”
He repeated the warning to Akrathion’s men.
Especially Zionhak’s gang.
Wherever they went, trouble followed.
And in a bustling city like the capital, someone would surely pick a fight.
“Don’t worry, Commander. We’ll be quiet as mice in the inn.”
Given it wasn’t a battlefield, Dante had zero faith in those words. He sighed as he stepped out of the carriage.
“We’ll escort you.”
This time, only Milleon accompanied him to the palace.
Bringing too many would only drag out the audience unnecessarily.
Milleon and the Imperial Guards led the way, and Dante followed.
Wuuum—
The moment he crossed into the palace, that familiar surge of magical energy brushed past him.
‘Is this a defensive spell again?’
He knew almost nothing about magic.
His whole life had been spent clinging to the sword.
Still, he’d always been curious—about how mana could be shaped into such wondrous techniques.
He recalled Eina’s request.
‘If I could really enter the Magic Tower, maybe I could deepen my understanding of magic a little.’
Perhaps he should ask the Emperor’s permission? The thought crossed his mind as he walked deeper inside.
The palace interior was wrapped in its usual suffocating silence.
It was so still, it felt like a pin dropping from a hundred meters away would echo.
After walking through that ornate yet hushed corridor for quite some time, he finally arrived at the audience chamber.
“The heir of House Aquites and his retainer have arrived.”
The guard announced to the chamberlain, who bowed deeply before sending word inside.
“You may enter.”
The Emperor’s voice—frailer than before.
Five years had not spared even the Empire’s most powerful man.
“Proceed.”
The chamberlain carefully opened the door.
Ssshhk—
It slid open smoothly, revealing a space steeped in restraint and dignity.
And at its end sat the Emperor upon his throne.
Dante strode forward with confidence, then halted at his appointed spot. He bowed his head and dropped to one knee.
“To His Majesty, the Sun of the Empire and Keeper of Order in the World. I, Dante Aquites, heir of House Aquites, stand here at Your command.”
His voice carried solemnly through the chamber.
“…It has been a long time.”
The Emperor’s weak words just barely reached Dante.
‘He won’t live much longer.’
Indeed, the Emperor’s passing wasn’t far off.
Though Dante couldn’t recall the exact moment, he remembered that not long after entering Rittergut, the throne had changed hands.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As he answered, Dante’s eyes flicked sideways.
Not at the Emperor, but at the Crown Prince.
Adrian Ka Lorian.
The man who, in time, would be remembered as the Mad Emperor of Iron and Blood.
‘Hmm.’
His gaze was still clear.
Hard to believe he would one day be consumed by madness.
If such a man truly turned into that infamous emperor, then there must have been a trigger—a great event to twist him so completely.
As Dante pondered, the Emperor spoke again.
“I’ve heard much of your deeds in the Principality. You have spared me the regret of my decision that day.”
“You honor me, sire.”
Dante bowed low.
“Nay. That a son of Zenon proves so outstanding is a blessing upon the Empire.”
A satisfied smile touched the Emperor’s wrinkled face.
“From this day forward, aid the Crown Prince, and guard this Empire’s golden age.”
“I will, without fail.”
That was Dante’s wish as well.
The continent was destined to enter an age of endless war and slaughter.
But that was not the future Dante wanted.
If it were in his power, he would prevent it.
How far he could go, he didn’t yet know.
“I hear you intend not to enter Rittergut as a student, but as an instructor. Is that true?”
Here was the main subject.
Dante answered quietly.
“Your command that every noble child should enter Rittergut to build both martial skill and virtue—I believe it wise, Your Majesty. However, I…”
He took a steadying breath, then continued.
“…I have passed the time of receiving instruction.”
A statement that could easily sound arrogant.
Especially before the Emperor and the Crown Prince.
One wrong word, and all the goodwill he had built could crumble instantly.
But Dante spoke firmly.
It was the truth—acknowledged not only by himself, but by countless others.
He was now in the position to teach, not to be taught.
“Heh-heh.”
The Emperor’s weakened laughter echoed softly through the hall.
“You say you’ve outgrown instruction?”
He didn’t sound angry.
If anything, he sounded amused.
“From those I sent to the Principality, I heard all your feats.”
The 3rd Magic Battalion’s Veratis.
The knights of eight different orders: Palantium, Bloodyon, Blackbough, Escarion, Belzenor, Lumiergard, Harmion, Breiven.
“All who fought beside you to fell Erebos praised your sword.”
Of course such a tale would reach the Emperor’s ears.
Dante had personally prevented disaster that could have ravaged the Principality and all the southern Empire.
Events of such scale could not help but spread.
“Some even said you had reached the same height as Isabella. Is that true?”
“Not at all. I am still far beneath her.”
That was the truth.
Isabella still stood leagues ahead of him.
Though compared to five years ago, the gap had narrowed exponentially.
At the very least, until Dante came of age, he could not fully catch up.
“Your humility is pleasing.”
The Emperor seemed delighted by everything Dante said.
Laughter never left his lips.
“Even if only half those tales are true, entering Rittergut as a student would indeed be excessive.”
He nodded and raised his hand.
“Dante Aquites. I grant you the post of sword instructor at Rittergut. May you raise pillars to uphold this Empire.”
“I am endlessly grateful, sire.”
And with that, the audience ended.
As Dante backed out of the chamber, he once more glanced at Adrian.
‘I’d best look into him carefully.’
If he could stop the next Emperor from falling into madness, countless lives would be saved.
The wars to come might never happen.
That possibility alone was reason enough for Dante to act.
‘But first—Rittergut.’
He had one year.
He had to use that time well.
Leaving the palace with Milleon, Dante headed back to the inn where Eina and the others were waiting.
“Magic Tower!”
“No, the central clock tower square first!”
“What are you saying? Watching the sunset over the River Le Barceau comes first!”
So noisy.
They were arguing over where to go sightseeing.
When Dante entered the large inn they’d rented, he sighed deeply.
He’d told them not to cause trouble outside, yet here they were, bickering inside.
“Young Master!”
At that moment, Eina spotted Dante and rushed over with both hands raised high.
“It’s the Magic Tower, right? We have to go there first, don’t we?”
Her excitement made it clear she thought she had gained a strong ally.
Akrathion’s men had no choice but to shut their mouths—everyone knew how much Dante cherished Eina.
“I agree,” said Trisiel quickly, backing her up.
Sierra and Elaine also nodded.
“Ugh…”
Meanwhile, Zionhak and Cedric, who had been arguing for taverns, groaned miserably.
This was why they had wanted to decide before Dante came back…
“Do as you like, each of you.”
“Huh? Not all together?” Zionhak blinked in surprise.
“No. We’re not here on a picnic. There’s no need to move as one.”
That was fair enough.
Aside from Dante, Milleon, and Eina, the others were all adults.
They could go wherever they pleased.
“What about you, Young Master?” Eina asked carefully.
Dante smiled faintly.
“I’ll visit the Magic Tower.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Yay!”
Of course, part of it was fulfilling Eina’s wish.
But the surge of mana he’d felt in the palace had also piqued his own curiosity toward magic.
“Still, it’s late today. We’ll rest first. Tomorrow you may sightsee.”
“Understood.”
“Got it!”
“Yes!”
Everyone responded and scattered quickly.
Likely off to have a drink before bed.
Dante smacked his lips briefly, but then turned away.
‘Five years. Just five years.’
Until he came of age and his growth was complete, he had to endure.
