VOLUME 12: CHAPTER 3

VOLUME 12: CHAPTER 3

Despite hardly resting on their way to the Empire, it still took Princess Luna’s group nearly a month to arrive at the imperial capital.

The City of Paradise – Capital of the Great Empire.

This city, protected by two massive walls, was seven times larger than the capital of the Kingdom of Lukas. The walls were fortified by magic artifacts, and an elite army numbering over a hundred thousand guarded the city. Home to over three million imperial citizens, it was dubbed as the most prosperous city in the entire continent.

Due to its reputation of being the safest place in the Empire, people naturally flocked to the city upon hearing of the tragedies that had befallen Meredith and Volkheim.

Outside the city, a long queue was seen on the road leading to the southern gate. Merchants, commoners, and nobles alike fell in line, as they patiently waited for their turn to be screened at the entrance.

When Princess Luna’s group arrived, the people waiting in line naturally turned their attention to them.

“What’s that?”

“Wow! Are all of those knights?”

“Look at the flags! The Golden Crow Merchant Association, the Fourth Tower of Mages, and the Imperial Family!”

The flags aside, the five hundred Blackstone Knights, fully clad in plate armor, garnered the attention of everyone.

They couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was, but an oppressive feeling emanated from the Blackstone Knights. Without a doubt, the one leading the group must be a big shot.

Did the Second Prince return to the capital?

But as far as they knew, the Second Prince was currently in Kreceir City.

Those in the queue started murmuring to each other, and unfounded rumors quickly spread.

“Hmmm… the line is quite long,” said Reginald Vont.

Princess Luna read the words that formed on top of Reginald’s head.

[I’ve been here before, back when I was a kid. But seeing it again… it’s really impressive.]

[I can’t believe I’ve returned here, not as a merchant, but as the representative of His Majesty.]

“Please don’t worry, Ambassador,” said Princess Luna. “Those of royal bloodline can always skip queues like this one.”

Princess Luna decided to show some of her authority here. She said to one of her soldiers, “You.”

“Your Highness!”

“Contact the guards at the southern gate. Reveal my identity and purpose to them. I want our group to be given prioritized entry – as soon as possible.”

“As you command!”

During her time as the leader of the imperial envoys, Princess Luna came to learn to order the soldiers around comfortably. They were elite soldiers, but before the authority of the crown, they became nothing but henchmen.

All she needed to do was be assertive and display dignity befitting an imperial princess.

While the soldier went to speak with the gate guards, another commotion occurred.

“Wow, another one?”

“Damn, I can probably buy a residence in the capital with that carriage!”

The crowd couldn’t help but stare as a carriage, ostentatiously plated with gold, passed through the road, bypassing those who were in queue.

No one dared to voice out their complaints at this, as the crest on the carriage was that of the imperial family.

The carriage, escorted by fifteen knights, suddenly stopped next to Princess Luna.

Under normal circumstances, such rude behavior would warrant the death sentence, but even the soldiers under Princess Luna didn’t dare move, as they didn’t know who was inside the carriage.

The carriage window opened, and a female voice rang out, “Well, if it isn’t my dear little sister.”

Princess Luna recognized the voice very well.

Emperor Sylvius Lockhart Mavis had a total of four daughters. After two died, only two remained. One was Princess Luna, and the other one was her half-sister. A woman older than her by three years. – Kiera Lockhart Mavis.

Kiera fully slid open her carriage window. She looked at Princess Luna, at Jacob Fraser, then at Reginad Vont. After seeing the crest on Reginald’s chest, she frowned.

“I heard you’ve been sent to the Kingdom of Lukas,” said Princess Kiera. She had the same auburn hair and sharp look as the Second Prince. “It’s only been what, three? Less than four months? What are doing here in the capital?”

Princess Kiera didn’t even bother to hide the displeasure in her voice.

Unlike Princess Luna, Princess Kiera held political might within the nation. She was the sister of the second prince and daughter of the late Empress. After Prince Quinn’s recent achievements, the likelihood of him becoming the crown prince was nearly set in stone at this point. And naturally, Prince Quinn’s authority flowed to his younger sister.

Most members of High Society already belonged to Princess Kiera’s faction.

“I greet elder sister—”

“—Address me as the First Princess,” interjected Princess Kiera.

Despite the blatant mistreatment, Princess Luna didn’t flinch or falter in the slightest. She’d been already been used to this. Just for the mere fact that she was a lot prettier than Princess Kiera, and that she was a ‘dirty half-blood’, she was frequently bullied.

One of the reasons why she’d been frequently called a bitch and a slut – and other derogatory terms within High Society – was because of Princess Kiera.

The rumors that Princess Luna always flirted with married nobles and that she’d been selling her body to high-ranking government officials were false in the first place.

It wasn’t Princess Luna’s fault that a baron left his wife just because she smiled brightly at him at a banquet, two years ago.

“I greet the First Princess of the Empire,” said Princess Luna.

“Hmph,” said Princess Kiera. She opened a steel fan and covered her lower face with it. “You’ve really grown, Luna. When we were young, you couldn’t even look at me in the eyes. But now…”

“Not at all. I wouldn’t dare, First Princess,” said Princess Luna.

Princess Kiera’s gaze moved from Princess Luna, to Jacob Fraser. The Vice Master of the Fourth Tower of Mages was known for his cold personality, and Princess Kiera knew that this wasn’t the place to senselessly utter insults to her little sister.

Moreover, Jacob Fraser was exactly her type.

Young, handsome, intelligent, ambitious, and moreover, powerful. He had everything a woman could ask for. Although there were issues regarding lineage, since he came from a fallen noble house, Princess Kiera was willing to overlook the matter. She could just buy him a title later on.

“It’s been a while, Lord Fraser,” said Princess Kiera. She smiled brightly, like a flower in full bloom. “I’m glad you’ve returned safe and sound from your mission to the Kingdom of Lukas. Do you know how worried I was? When I heard from father that you’ve been sent to escort Luna—”

“—It pleases me to hear that, Princess.” Jacob Fraser cut her off.

Princess Luna stifled her laughter.

This wasn’t the first time this happened.

Princess Kiera cleared her throat in embarrassment. “Anyway,” she diverted the topic, “The lines sure are long.”

“Yes, First Princess,” said Princess Luna. “I heard what happened to Meredith and Volkheim on the way here. With the threat of demons looming, it’s no wonder the citizens chose to take refuge in the capital.”

“Refugees? And here I was, thinking that the lines are so long because of those useless chunks of armor at the back.” She added in a whisper, “those damn Lukasians.”

Realizing that Princess Kiera had just insulted the Blackstone Knights, Princess Luna turned cold. Fortunately, Princess Kiera uttered those words in a voice low enough for only the two of them to hear.

Princess Luna glanced at Captain Symon, terrified that someone as powerful as him heard everything. She inwardly sighed in relief upon seeing no change in the Captain’s expression.

During their way to the imperial capital, Princess Luna had seen the extent of the Blackstone Knights’ abilities. They did not tire, they were absolutely loyal, and they were ridiculously powerful. They were basically living and moving weapons of carnage at this point, and she couldn’t believe that Princess Kiera was foolish enough to outright insult their group.

Had she known this, Princess Kiera would probably retract her words and flee in fear.

Ignorance was truly bliss.

Princess Kiera stared at Reginald Vont. She said, “If I’m not mistaken, that is the crest of the Kingdom of Lukas.”

Reginald Vont politely bowed his head. “Yes, Princess. You are correct.”

Princess Kiera seemed satisfied seeing Reginald bow his head to her. She looked at him from head to foot. “You are?”

“Reginald Vont, representative of His Majesty, King Lark. I’ve come here to the Empire as the Kingdom of Lukas’ Ambassador.”

“An ambassador.” Princess Kiera squinted. “I’m sure you’ve heard of the current state of our Empire by now. And you still came here, despite all that?”

Reginald nodded. “Yes, Princess. Particularly, we came here as military aid for the Empire, as per the will of His Majesty, King Lark.”

Hearing those words, Princess Kiera couldn’t help but scoff. Mocking laughter came out of her mouth.

“Military aid?” said Princess Kiera. “Surely, you jest?”

Even the knights escorting Princess Kiera laughed at Reginald’s words. To them, there was no army more powerful than the imperial army.

Why would they need the help of the Lukasians?

Despite seeing their reactions, Reginald remained calm and composed.

As the head of the most powerful merchant group in the Kingdom of Lukas – at least before Big Mona rose to power – Reginald had been to similar awkward situations before. A normal ambassador would be have been uncomfortable addressing this, but to a seasoned merchant like Reginald, this was as easy as breathing.

“We came here with sincerity, Princess,” said Reginald. There were no fluctuations in his voice, as though he was not perturbed at all. “As I’ve said before, we came here to give military aid to the Empire, as per His Majesty, King Lark’s, command.”

Princess Kiera quickly scanned the Blackstone Knights standing behind the group.

“How many soldiers did you bring with you?” she said.

“Half a thousand, Your Highness.”

Hearing this, the knights escorting Princess Luna snickered. Even Princess Kiera was amused that Reginald Vont could confidently say the words ‘half a thousand’ in the first place.

There were over a hundred thousand soldiers protecting the capital.

What could half a thousand soldiers even do or contribute at this point?

It was nothing but pointless endeavor, she thought.

“Is that so?” said Princess Kiera. “Well, at least you’re amusing, mister ambassador. We’ll be on our way then, little sister.” She added softly, “Lord Fraser, I hope to see you again.”

“Yes, First Princess,” said Princess Luna.

“Please take care, Your Highness,” said Jacob Fraser.

After one last look at Princess Luna’s group, Princess Kiera and her knights went to the southern gate. They bypassed the queue and immediately entered the city.

By this time, the soldier tasked by Princess Luna to speak with the gate guards finally returned.

Beads of sweat were seen on the soldier’s forehead, and his face was pallid. He looked utterly terrified, as though he’d been given the death sentence.

“P-Princess,” said the soldier.

“What is it?” said Princess Luna.

“I-I’ve spoken with the gate guards and…” the soldier nervously gulped. “I apologize, but they strictly told me that they can’t allow us to enter the city right now.”

“What?” said Princess Luna. She looked at the gate where Princess Kiera had passed through. Without a doubt, this was her doing.

Did it make sense for mere gate guards to restrict their entry?

No sane person would do this, unless they were under the orders of someone way above in hierarchy – either the First Princess, the Chief Royal Advisor, the Princes, or the Emperor.

Fed up with what was happening, Princess Luna decided to speak with the gate guards herself. And as expected, they didn’t budge, despite her coming in person to see them.

“What do you mean they’re outsiders?” said Princess Luna.

The gate guards didn’t even call Reginald and the Blackstone Knights as envoys, but as mere outsiders.

This infuriated Princess Luna the most.

“I apologize, Princess,” said the captain of the guards of the southern gate. “But only imperial citizens are allowed entry into the capital.”

It was outright hogwash. And even the captain of the guards knew this.

“Did my elder sister order you to do this?” said Princess Luna sharply.

“N-No, Princess,” said the guard captain.

“Then, are you telling me that you, a captain of the gate guards, have enough authority to restrict my group’s entry into the capital?”

The guard captain looked around him, desperately looking for a way out. He felt constricted, sandwiched between the fight of two people with royal blood.

“I-I apologize, Princess, but we can’t let five hundred unknown soldiers enter the capital. P-Please think of the capital’s security!”

The part regarding the capital’s security was a valid reason, especially when considering the viewpoint of the guards. They were in charge of keeping peace and order in the capital, after all.

Still, Princess Luna was sure that had it not been for Princess Kiera, everyone, including the Blackstone Knights would have been given permission to enter the capital.

Princess Luna knew she couldn’t easy back down here. Otherwise, it would sully her dignity and authority as an imperial princess.

“You do realize that I’m under my father, the Emperor’s, direct command, right?” said Princess Luna. “Bringing them to the capital is part of my mission. Do you plan on going against the words of the Emperor?!”

Bringing the name of the Emperor in the argument had instantaneous effect. Unable to bear the pressure any further, the guard captain prostrated on the ground.

“I-I’m really sorry, Your Highness!”

Princess Luna looked at him coldly. Although he looked pitiful, the mere fact that he chose to side with her elder sister made him despicable in her eyes.

“Is apologizing all you can do?” said Princess Luna.

The scene of the guard captain prostrating before Princess Luna caused a commotion. Some nosy nobles and merchants started moving closer to look at what was happening near the gate.

Princess Luna resisted the urge to click her tongue.

Princess Luna was certain that before the day ended, this incident would spread within the capital.

What monicker would she earn this time?

“I apologize, Princess! But please, it’s not like I can go against the words of Princess Kiera!”

Princess Luna scoffed. “So, now, you’re admitting that it’s my sister’s orders. You’re afraid of my older sister, but you’re not afraid of me?”

The gate captain’s face turned even paler.

“T-That’s not it, Your Highness. Please, it’s not like I have a choice! If Princess Kiera finds out that I went against her orders, my head will roll!”

Princess Luna read the words that formed on top of the guard captain’s head.

[Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! I was supposed to be on leave today!]

[Why do they have to include mere soldiers like us in their power struggles anyway!]

[We’ll die, no matter which side we choose. So, wouldn’t it be better to choose the side of the more powerful one?]

[These damn royals!]

[Damn it!]

Well, the thoughts of the guard captain weren’t wrong. If Princess Luna were in his position, she would have also made the same decision.

The power of the Emperor in this land was absolute. And his direct descendants held enough authority to make the life of a mere guard captain miserable.

Princess Luna sighed. In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to punish the innocent guard captain.

“Then, let’s do this,” said Princess Luna. “You said that only imperial citizens can enter the capital right now, but captain, those soldiers are currently acting as envoys of the Kingdom of Lukas.”

The guard captain silently listened. Tears had already fallen down his cheeks at this point.

“Allow them entry. Ten soldiers, two ambassadors,” said Princess Luna. “You can do this much, right?”

After being nearly ground into dust by the two behemoths of royal bloodline, the guard captain finally saw a way out. He immediately grabbed it.

“Of course! If it’s only ten soldiers, it shouldn’t compromise the security of the capital!”

The gate captain even justified the number of soldiers to his advantage.

“Then, get up,” said Princess Luna. “You’re not going to make us go through that long queue, right?”

The gate captain stood up and frantically shook his head. “I wouldn’t dare, Princess. As for the remaining soldiers in your group, we’ll make sure they remain as comfortable as possible. We’ll bring them tents to serve as temporary accommodations, Your Highness. And if needed, we can even send servants.”

By now, Princess Luna was already aware that the Blackstone Knights were living suits of armor. Although pitching tents for the knights seemed unnecessary, she deemed that she needed to show at least this much courtesy. In the end, they still represented King Lark, after all.

She’d seen King Lark in person, and he was nothing similar to the rumors. On the contrary, she believed that the young king was more frightening than her father, the Emperor.

It was laughable.

Had she told this to her younger self three months ago, she would have derided those words.

After speaking with the gate captain, Princess Luna relayed what happened to Reginald Vont. She originally planned on bringing him and Captain Symon inside the capital, but to her surprise, Captain Symon refused.

“I’ll stay here with the Blackstone Knights, Princess,” said Captain Symon.

Reginald seemed to have expected this after hearing the Princess’ story, as he didn’t look surprised in the slightest.

Captain Symon explained further, “Someone needs to say behind. Although those knights look docile, they tend to be dangerous when no one is around to keep them in check.”

“I agree with Captain Symon, Princess,” said Reginald. “It’ll be best if one of us stays behind to lead the knights. The last thing we’d want is a scuffle between the imperial soldiers and the Blackstone Knights while the two of us aren’t around.”

A fight between imperial soldiers and those monstrous suits of armor.

Just imagining it was terrifying.

Princess Luna was sure that if such a thing happened, the imperial soldiers would be crippled after the battle. And that was if they were lucky enough to survive the fight in the first place.

These were the same knights who punched through the bodies of the yetis of Yorkshaire Mountains, as though they were made of parchment. She could only imagine what would happen if those fists hit the bodies of a regular soldier.

“Then, I’ll leave this place to you, Captain Symon,” said Reginald Vont.

After picking ten Blackstone Knights to come with him – including the Lord Knight – Reginald said to the Princess, “Whenever you’re ready, Your Highness.”

Princess Luna clenched her fists.

“Then let’s go, Sir Reginald,” said Princess. “Let’s meet my father, the Emperor.”