Free Web NovelChapter 225: The Spider and the Empress (2)
For the past five hundred years, no, even longer, the Empire’s capital had carried an ancient legacy of tradition and history, overwhelming all who beheld it with its sheer splendor. Its streets were paved in white marble, and a faint, perfumed scent drifted through the air. Fountains installed throughout the city sent crystal-clear water soaring skyward without pause, and nobles in lavish attire strolled down the roads.
Among all the buildings in the city, or rather, even the nation, the one that drew every eye was the enormous golden palace at its very center. It was the residence of the Empress of the Empire, Camellia—the pinnacle among tens of thousands of heroes and the sovereign known simply as the Empress.
A white-haired man wearing a monocle let out a short sigh as he looked up at the golden palace. He slowly turned his gaze. “Are the preparations complete?”
This man was Mephisto, and gathered before him right now were figures wearing animal-themed masks.
One of them, a man in a bear mask, stepped forward. “Yes. Everything is ready.”
Mephisto narrowed his eyes at the distant golden palace. “Then all that remains is to infiltrate the Imperial Palace.”
After staring for a moment, he turned back toward the bear-masked man, glancing around as though searching for someone. “He’s not coming?”
“No. He said he has other matters to attend to and has entrusted the operation’s command to you, Lord Mephisto.”
Mephisto released a long, weary sigh. “Well, I suppose that’s fine. The God of Eternity you all serve was never the type to move lightly.”
“All things will proceed according to His will.”
“Yes, yes. I’m sure they will.” He clicked his tongue and shook his head. “Archbishop Ruin has begun to move.”
Staring again at the golden palace, Mephisto bit down on his lip. “All of you, remember this.”
He walked toward the palace, speaking in a low, solemn voice. “We absolutely must keep Empress Camellia alive.”
***
The day after I received the Empress’s invitation, I left the academy and headed to the Warp Gate station located in Valhalla City. Of course, I wasn’t going to the Empire alone.
Professor Baldwin, who had arrived early and was waiting for me, put out the half-smoked cigarette between her fingers. “You’re here.”
“Sorry, I’m late. I had a few things to prepare.”
She stared at me for a moment, her expression unreadable. “Hmm.”
“What is it?”
Her lips curved into a small smirk as she took in my tidy formal uniform. “It’s just... This is the first time I’ve seen you dressed up like this, Dale.”
“Well, Iris nagged at me that I couldn’t meet the Empress looking the way I usually do.”
“Oh? Iris prepared the outfit for you?”
“The clothes are borrowed from Yurina. Apparently, it’s the style most Imperial nobles prefer.”
Honestly, I could never understand why Imperial nobles loved outfits covered in so many dangling ornaments.
“It suits you well,” Professor Baldwin said.
“Ugh! You don’t need to sugarcoat it. I know it doesn’t suit me.”
“Hmm? Who said anything about sugarcoating?” She stepped closer, gently brushing a hand through my hair, her smile softening. “It genuinely looks good on you.”
Her purple eyes didn’t carry even the slightest hint of deceit.
“Ahem. Is... Is that so?”
“Of course, it might look even better on Yuren, but still...”
“Urk.”
She gave a playful pinch to my cheek with the same hand that had been stroking my hair. “Hehe. I’m teasing. To my eyes, you look more handsome than any so-called peerless beauty.”
“I think your eyes might be a little faulty.”
“Love blinds a woman, you know.”
With a faint smile, Professor Baldwin turned away. “Anyway, are you sure it’s fine for me to come? The Empress invited you, not me.”
“I told you, didn’t I? I need your Blessing of Insight for this, Professor.”
What were the goals of the Church of Eternity? Why had Empress Camellia met a mysterious death in my past life? To uncover the truth behind everything, Professor Baldwin’s Blessing was indispensable.
“And besides, going alone just feels less reassuring than having you beside me,” I added.
“You feel reassured when I’m with you?”
“Of course.”
All my party members were trustworthy, but none gave me the solid sense of reliability that Professor Baldwin did.
Her lips twitched, as if struggling not to smile too widely. “Hm? I see. Is that so? I feel the same.”
“Sorry?”
“Ahem. Nothing. Let’s get going. The Warp Gate to the capital can get crowded, and if we’re late, we’ll be waiting forever.”
Face slightly flushed, she hurried ahead. I suppressed a laugh and followed after her.
A few moments later, we stepped out of the Warp Gate into the capital of the Empire. The breathtaking scenery befitting the world’s greatest nation unfolded before us.
Professor Baldwin looked around. “Still as flashy as ever.”
“Do you come here often?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Would a nobody from a nameless countryside village have any reason to? I’ve only been here a few times for work.”
The moment we stepped outside the station, a knight in armor bearing the Imperial crest approached us. “Are you Sir Dale Han?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“May I see Her Majesty Camellia’s invitation?”
“Here you go.”
He checked the invitation, then straightened his posture and saluted with crisp formality. “Thank you for agreeing to the verification procedure, Honored Guest! We will escort you safely to the Imperial Palace!”
Honored guest, huh.
According to Headmaster Ryu, the Empress supposedly had a capricious personality, but they were treating me surprisingly well.
The knight said, “Please follow me.”
“Yes.”
Suddenly, he stopped, “But, um, who is the lady beside you?”
“She’s the professor accompanying me.”
“Uninvited external individuals are...”
“If she can’t come along, then I’ll just return,” I replied.
“Uh, one moment, please.”
The knight turned away with a troubled expression, tapping rapidly at his Hero Watch and exchanging messages with someone.
Then he said, “Professor Elisha Baldwin, is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Understood. Please come with us.”
He led us to the Imperial Palace. Before us rose a massive golden structure, and the towering gates guarding its entrance. At least ten magic circles were carved into the gate, each powerful enough to be used in fortress defenses.
It was no wonder the Empire didn’t care about the so-called warning that the Church of Eternity was targeting them. Calling the Imperial Palace impenetrable wouldn’t even begin to describe the security.
However, the problem was that the Church of Eternity was working with Mephisto. Mephisto, the Archbishop of Depravity, specialized in infiltration and disguise, with unmatched skill in bypassing protective barriers like these.
Passing through the gate covered in densely inscribed spells, I clicked my tongue. Mephisto could indeed easily infiltrate the palace.
The knight guided us. “This way.”
After walking through a maze-like series of corridors, we arrived before a massive platinum door. The knight guiding us stepped back with a bow, signaling that his role had concluded.
As I walked forward, the platinum door shimmered and opened. Beyond it lay an enormous hall with priceless jewels and paintings littering the room as though they were nothing more than trinkets tossed aside at a market.
At the far end of the hall, so large it could’ve doubled as a training field, lay a platinum-haired woman sprawled across a throne-like seat, though calling it a throne felt generous. Her clothes were so thin that they resembled sleepwear.
Her languid eyes rested on me as if she could drift off any moment. “Hmmm. So, you are the candidate from the rumors?”
I had no idea what rumors she meant, but I lightly bowed my head toward her. “Yes, I am Dale Han.”
Empress Camellia slightly frowned.
Before I could react, Professor Baldwin grabbed my arm and dropped to one knee like a knight pledging fealty. “Dale, kneel.”
“Ah, my apologies. I’m unfamiliar with Imperial etiquette,” I said.
I moved to follow her and kneel, but Empress Camellia’s low voice cut through the air. “Stand. I am not petty enough to demand formality from someone who hasn’t learned it. However, I believe I summoned only you.”
Her gaze slid toward Professor Baldwin. “And you are?”
“I am Elisha Baldwin, and I am Dale’s teacher.”
“Elisha... Elisha Baldwin... Ah! Yes, I recall. You are the one they call the Cursed-Eye Spider, yes?”
“Shameful as it is, that is indeed the name they use.”
“I heard you were from the Empire.”
“Only from a nameless rural village.”
“Hehe. Whether you’re from a noble house or a backwoods hovel matters not.” Camellia plucked a grape from a bowl beside her throne and popped it into her mouth. “In the end, everyone in this world, aside from myself, is nothing more than an insignificant lifeform.”
Professor Baldwin kept quiet.
Camellia jerked her chin toward Professor Baldwin. “Well then. I have no interest in you. Stand back.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Professor Baldwin rose and stepped back toward the door.
Camellia continued, “So then, Dale Han, was it?”
I knew I was in front of the Empress, but watching her treat Professor Baldwin like a disposable servant sent irritation flaring inside me.
But I held myself back and replied, “Yes.”
Breathe, hold it together, endure.
Camellia examined me with her drowsy expression, then yawned. “Hm. Looking at you like this, I can’t tell. Indeed, seeing it for myself is better than hearing any rumor.”
“Seeing what, exactly?” I asked.
Instead of replying, she flicked her fingers. The entire hall quaked as if struck by an earthquake. From the floor emerged knights clad in full steel armor, drawing their swords and surrounding me instantly.
Camellia tilted her head, a languid smile curling on her lips. “Come now. Show me a bit of entertainment.”
I took a glance at the ring of armored knights around me and let out a deep sigh. Ashen Flame slowly curled up around me, and I glanced toward Professor Baldwin, who looked panicked and uneasy, and then toward Empress Camellia, who watched me with amused, predator-like eyes.
Entertainment, huh! Entertainment, is it? Fine. If that’s what you want, then I’ll entertain you. I’ll show you an unforgettable performance.
