By Zephyria “There were no problems with the appearance or function at all. No dangerous magic or curses were detected either. After applying lubricant to some parts and tuning them, I simply tightened the screws and brought it back.”
Hugo carefully examined the wristwatch he had entrusted to him earlier. In front of him, the craftsman with his hands politely gathered was explaining the inspection results with a nervous face.
If His Excellency had ordered an inspection first even though it wasn’t the scheduled inspection date, it meant that there was definitely some problem.
But as a craftsman who had carefully disassembled it, no peculiarities were found in the watch. He had even called in leading experts to discuss it for five days, but the condition was so good that it was hard to believe that it was an item that had been taken on a subjugation.
“There were no problems?”
“Yes, that’s right….”
Perhaps it wasn’t the answer he wanted, as His Excellency’s voice asking again made the craftsman’s hands sweat. Hugo stared at the world inside the watch that was turning at a constant pace, then turned his eyes to the white-haired crown of the craftsman’s head.
“You’ve worked hard, you may go now.”
“Yes? …Ah, yes. If any problems recur, please let me know. I’ll come running right away.”
“Hmm. When you go down, there will be a carriage waiting, so take that and go back. Take a few boxes of groceries with you while you’re at it, the wheat harvest has been good recently.”
Hugo eased his tension with light small talk and, as always, put the watch on his wrist. The craftsman hesitated, wondering if he should receive the favor even though he hadn’t solved anything, then bowed 90 degrees after noticing the butler’s expression.
“Thank you, Duke.”
A servant who quickly approached bowed to them and led the way across the dressing room. The craftsman glanced at the busy servants and followed him out of the huge room. He had heard that he was scheduled to attend an important event today, and he could only hope that the watch he had inspected for five days wouldn’t cause any trouble.
After the two had left, Hugo fiddled with the crown of the watch and continued to straighten his clothes in the mirror. Perhaps because he had only been wearing uniforms and combat uniforms for the past few months, he felt that formal attire was unnecessarily cumbersome. But the gazes of those around him were somehow filled with pride.
His glossy hair with added volume, the white and smooth skin unique to the Agrizendro family. Intelligent yet deep eyes, a neat face made up of only straight and graceful lines. The subject, which was both splendid and full of dignity and majesty, gave the greatest satisfaction to everyone who had helped the Duke prepare for his outing.
If a scene of God incarnating in human form were to be captured, it would surely be a painting like this. The high-quality fabric that wrapped around his broad shoulders and chest narrowed along his waist, creating a flawless silhouette. The long hem of his pants that stretched down from his sturdy inverted triangle upper body ended appropriately above his shoes. The perfect completion of a refined suit fit that no one could disagree with.
The butler, who was smiling contentedly at Hugo’s dazzling appearance, noticed his master’s stiff expression and asked cautiously with a cough.
“Ahem, if you’re worried, would you like to wear a different watch today?”
“…It’s fine. The person who made it said there were no problems, and he would know best.”
“I will instruct the attendant to prepare a spare watch just in case. Which gloves would you like? Since you have a series of events until late this afternoon, I think a dark color would be good.”
“Use those.”
When the butler held out the gloves he had prepared in advance, Hugo put his hands into the gloves with the feeling of wearing combat gauntlets. It was too early to judge rashly, but it was because he felt that the most revered one was definitely not calling him for a good reason. In the first place, the phrase in the imperial edict itself was an ‘appearance order,’ so it was natural for the person being summoned to have all sorts of thoughts.
He didn’t know what had offended that person’s sensibilities, but the fact that he had been summoned to the most secret inner chamber of the Carseil Palace meant that there was a close matter at hand.
Loss of national territory due to volcanic eruption, intrusion into the territory of another country, the worst casualties?
Or the secret of the founding Emperor, a clash with the Imperial Royal Guard, Leonardo Blaine, Leonardo Blaine….
The more he looked back on his past footsteps, the more parts he was concerned about, and he suffered from worry for several days. But the servants who didn’t know the details thought that the Emperor was calling him to commend him for his merits and were constantly excited.
Yes, this was better. There was no point in transferring his worries to others. Hugo made an effort to relax his stiff expression and mouth.
‘There are many things to wish for safety.’
As he was fastening the fixing buttons of his gloves without showing any expression, Flynn and the attendants approached with heavy coats as tall as themselves. Hugo put his arms into the coat that was spread out like wings and put on the last piece of clothing. At that moment, one of the attendants who was packing his belongings asked next to his master with a small case.
“Master, should I pack the cigarettes separately?”
Several people who were tidying up his collar turned around with puzzled expressions. Everyone in the mansion knew that their master didn’t smoke.
Receiving several gazes, he hurriedly added.
“Ah, I was wondering if you were smoking again because there was an opened cigarette case mixed in with the luggage that the Council sent the other day….”
“It was in the luggage?”
It was Flynn who asked back. Hugo gestured to the attendant as if to bring the case closer.
As soon as the attendant opened the case and held it out again, a familiar yet pungent smell hit the tip of his nose.
‘This is….’
It was a smell he couldn’t forget even if he tried. It was the item he had taken from the guy who had been a seriously ill patient until recently, but had been smoking a cigarette while he was away. Also, it was something impure that Kenneth Weaver had possessed in order to win Leonardo’s favor by hovering around him.
Come to think of it, he had said he would return it later, but he had forgotten about its existence because he didn’t have the time.
Hugo stared at the neatly arranged cigarette case, then gestured as if to close it again.
“I don’t smoke it, it seems like the luggage got mixed up. Don’t throw it away, keep it in a suitable place. I’ll return it when I get the chance later.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Even as he said that, Hugo repeatedly reminded himself that he had many things he hadn’t said to Leonardo before they parted. He was going to advise him to quit smoking for his health, but… he was worried that he would see it as interference, so he ended up missing the timing to say it.
He thought about talking to him again when they met again, but he always belatedly realized that he had no way to find him first. At times like this, he regretted not having put a location tracker on him. But he had promised to let him be free.
‘By the way, I haven’t heard from him once.’
Hugo stared blankly at the communication Magic Tool placed on the transparent display case. He had put in a device that was paired to connect only to his, but there was no sign of contact at all.
He wondered if he hadn’t found it yet, but he was the type to explore new spaces or objects as soon as he found them, so he didn’t think he wouldn’t know.
He was doing well, he was glad to be free from that tiresome place. He wished he could hear his voice, even if it was just something.
“Master, it seems that the carriage maintenance is finished.”
A servant’s voice announced the imminent departure time. Hugo, startled, quickly snapped out of his reverie.
He adjusted the brooch on his lapel, a simplified version of the Imperial crest, and strode forward, his coat billowing behind him.
“Let’s go.”
His entourage hurried to follow. It was a busy morning, not unlike an inauguration.
Traveling to Zodiac by carriage was a frequent occurrence, but the road to the Imperial Palace never quite became familiar. Perhaps it was because he didn’t particularly favor the place. Moreover, since the main administrative and military bodies were located within Magic Control Zone 2, even a Duke rarely had reason to enter the inner grounds unless summoned.
Passing through the eastern Gate of Zodiac and heading north along the avenue bordering the Council, one could sense the city becoming noticeably quieter. After passing through the temporary Portal installed there, one’s gaze would naturally be drawn to the towering structure in the distance.
Porta Aeternitatis, the Gate of Eternal Life.
Between two pillars that resembled rising blades, a sculpture embodying the sun connected their intersection.
This was a type of Gate, one of two entrances allowing access to Magic Control Zone 3 within Zodiac. From Zone 3 onward, only facilities and personnel dedicated to protecting the Imperial Palace were stationed, so in effect, this marked the beginning of the Imperial Palace.
The imposing presence of the Gate, which formed the ramparts of each territory, paled in comparison. The gate ahead boasted an overwhelming size and imposing presence that defied comparison.
The official name, the Gate of Eternal Life, stemmed from the fact that the masters of this Imperial Palace a thousand years ago were the Laina Dynasty. Afflicted with genetic diseases due to consanguineous marriages, their lifespans were short, and they believed that when a King passed away, he would be reborn as a descendant. This was their hope that the royal lineage would continue unbroken, repeating in a cycle of reincarnation, forever. However, with the passing of the last King, Theo, their wish remained only tethered to this Gate of Eternal Life.
Hugo traversed the wide path paved with tawny bricks, passing through the gateway of eternity as if entering an entirely different world. Afterward, he suffered a brief period of discomfort, akin to altitude sickness. This was due to the increased suppression of Magic Power.
In this city within a city, adorned with ornate spires, grand bridges, and geometric architecture, the use of Magic Power was almost entirely prohibited, save for small-scale spells. This meant that to reach the Imperial Palace, which seemed to embody the celestial realm of myth, one had to rely solely on physical strength for transportation.
Although the summons stated noon, this was why Hugo had set out early in the morning. His white carriage passed through the first checkpoint, followed by the carriages of his entourage, and sped down the straight road.
The reason it was safe to travel at such speed was that not even an ant dared to venture here. The golden city, awe-inspiring in its splendor, couldn’t shake the feeling of being a lonely civilization left on this earth after the world had ended.
Aside from the royal guard lined up at regular intervals, it was rare to see anyone. Much like the day he had returned from the peninsula with Leonardo.
Passing along the road lined with statues that seemed to possess souls, one could see the endless expanse of lawn and the entrance to the Imperial Palace. Passing through gate after gate, and then through what appeared to be another fortress-like gate, one could finally enter the Carseil Palace, which stood proudly among the glittering golden buildings.
There were several palaces within the Imperial Palace, but among them, the Carseil Palace was where the Emperors of successive generations had resided the most. It was impossible to set foot inside with ordinary status and honor. The same went for the Duke’s retainers.
Before entering the palace, Hugo’s attendant dismounted from the carriage, handed a card containing the request for an audience to Lord Cassius, the commander of the guard, and returned. Afterward, along with another attendant, he took Hugo’s coat, gave a brief bow, and drove the carriage to the designated waiting area.
“Duke, this way, please.”
Hugo, guided by Lord Chawood, a servant from the palace and a close aide to the Emperor, ascended the ‘Stairs of Reason’ on foot. Whenever he passed this place, he felt as if the lightning rod-like towers on either side were aimed at him. Despite the warmth of the sunlight, a blade-like wind blew, chilling his skin.
Seeing that Hugo’s expression seemed slightly strained upon receiving the summons, Chawood offered a gentle smile and softly opened the conversation.
“There are others who arrived before you at the audience chamber. There’s still some time before noon, so I’ll guide you to the reception waiting room.”
“…Was there a schedule for audiences from the morning?”
“No, sir. Some individuals, including Lord Duncan, visited to pay their respects ahead of the banquet scheduled for this evening. However, His Majesty is still in his private chambers, so they have been waiting for quite some time…”
In short, even if they had made an appointment, it would be awkward if someone who arrived late were to enter first, so he was offering to arrange a different place to avoid them meeting. However, Hugo, glancing at his wristwatch, stared at Chawood’s profile as he walked half a step ahead and replied.
“It’s fine. I’ll wait in the gallery as usual. I can exchange greetings as well.”
“Is that so? Then, I’ll guide you to the gallery.”
The Emperor’s servant was like the Emperor’s shadow. The attitude he showed to visitors was always consistent yet contained non-verbal elements. Hugo subtly observed the servant, who wasn’t being stiff with him, and once again speculated on the reason he had been summoned here today.
“His Majesty was pleased that you successfully completed the subjugation and returned.”
“I should have paid my respects immediately after returning, but I’m visiting too late.”
“Since you hold an important position, he will understand.”
The two exchanged simple pleasantries and headed towards the top of the stairs. Hugo tried to gauge the atmosphere within the palace from the other person, offering various remarks.
At the same time, he continued to watch Chawood, whose light tan hair swayed. He didn’t know why the Emperor’s young servant, who had changed about two years ago, was catching his eye today.