Titan Beneath the Heavens Chapter 36

Four dazzling black beasts carrying a luxurious carriage tore along the streets under the night sky. Along the way, a number of guards from the Ministry of Justice tried to interrupt this speeding wagon. Even His Majesty the Emperor cannot let his horse carriage gallop in full speed like this on the main street of the capital, as there was a high probability for the carriage to overturn. However, the guards changed their mind immediately after seeing the dreadful expressions on the Narcissus Knights who seemed to be rushing to the battlefield.

The Narcissus Knights exercised their excellent horsemanship in the city of Dulin. The hurried steps of the horses alarmed the citizens who moved to the sidewalk instinctively, fearful that they would be knocked down by the beasts. The knights put on their signature silver masks, and the fast-moving armors reflected the light of the flames burning in the torches along the streets. Flashes of reflected light were mistaken as will-o'-the-wisp from the hell below while the devil-like knights swept across the city.

People walking on the street stared with full curiosity at the direction that the knights and wagons disappeared, while silently imagining possibilities about what has happened that made the knights dash at such a pace.

Nothing much has happened, except that His Royal Highness Prince was not in his most pleasant mood. On the other hand, the moment the Narcissus Knights learned about the victory of their young master in his latest battle, and that he has successfully slaughtered the opposition, unanimously they felt an extreme excitement. For them, nothing could beat hearing the news of an enemy's death.

Oscar did not begin to think about the fight until he got into the carriage. The young man was somewhat baffled. He did not even know whom he killed, but he knew that the matter was much more complicated that it appeared on the surface. At this moment, no one in Dulin would provoke the young prince so unscrupulously. That is to say, someone was indeed looking to stir up trouble. Oscar smiled lightly, there was no need for him to worry over these things. He took that guy's life in what seemed to be only a few seconds, the proud Dulin citizens must have learned an unforgettable lesson.

Out of their expectation, a small group of patrolmen from the Ministry of Justice was seen setting up a checkpoint at the intersection of Penelope Road.

The Narcissus knights hurriedly pulled the horses to an emergency halt. The beasts who have not galloped so freely for a long time raised their forelimbs as a means of protest, kicking in the air constantly to scare off the patrolmen who were trying to block their way.

Wozakad Elladan cursed silently in his native tongue as he pulled down the emergency brake to halt the carriage. The tallest and most handsome Raytheon on the left most side was completely angered. Despite the heavy wood hanging off its back, the horse kicked frantically in a crazy chaos.

"What happened?" Oscar pulled up the window and noticed his house was only a few steps away, it seemed like everyone was trying to ruin his night.

Paladin Kamille Rayen exchanged a few words with the patrolmen before he hopped off his horse to reach his young master.

"Your Highness, an inspector from the Ministry of Justice wishes to speak to you. He wishes to discuss with you about a grand robbery."

"Kamille, have you lost your mind? Do you need to report this to me? A mere patrolman from Ministry of Justice can't be telling the Colonel of the Narcissus Knights what to do. Tell him to get out of the way! If not, I'll have the carriage break him into two pieces." Oscar released his hands and the window was shut in a loud thud.

The negative atmosphere affected the young colonel, and so the paladin vented his anger over the patrolmen soldiers who had no idea of they what they were getting themselves into.

Kamille's sword whined fiercely through the air and sent out a deafening blow.

That action performed incited an almost simultaneous reaction from the rest of the Narcissus Knights. They immediately pulled out their respective swords and positioned themselves in a row in front of the prince's carriage, prepared to start a violent massacre.

"Hey, you, sergeant, do not move back!" Kamille led the horse over the wooden fence used to block the streets. " Listen clearly, my master has never heard of any robbery. You either get out of our way or stand still to wait for your official from the Ministry of Justice here."

Al Kairi did not expect things to unfold like this. He thought that his words would make that bloody disrespectful kid to obediently invite him into the carriage. Looking at the group of Narcissus Knights in line with a handful of weapons, the sergeant could not help but feel his throat go dry.

"So ... then ... then this must be a misunderstanding! Haha ... it must be a misunderstanding!" Al Kairi suddenly revealed a cautious, ugly smile, "What are you doing here still standing like a rock? Quickly remove the palisade to let His Royal Highness Prince and the honourable Knights through!"

In order for his performance to be extra convincing, Al Kairi kicked the frightened clumsy men while shouting loudly at the top of his lungs.

The barricade was soon pulled down. Two Narcissus knights led the Prince's carriage first to head back to the residence while Kamille and the remaining knights followed. The Paladin's sword inadvertently scratched Al Kairi's army cap when he passed by. The sergeant was intending to exchange his goodbye with the Paladin but felt threatened by that accident and fell to the ground.

The carriages have gone a long way by now. The helpless patrolmen finally came and aided their Sergeant who was paralyzed and sat on the ground. Each of them was horrified by the incident. They usually just put on a strong facade and that was probably the first time they faced a full-forced formation of knights. A younger patrolman wept uncontrollably and the first thing Al Kairi did when he got up was to give the disgraced little guy a kick.

"Head! What do we do now?"

"Hey! Lift up your spirit! He's not submitting himself because he knows we have no evidence. Isn't that little rascal leaving tomorrow? I bet those two criminals must be hidden somewhere among his convoy. By the time we root them out… hehe! Let's see how that proud prince would react," The sergeant was positive again. He was still fairly convinced at his own judgment.

The prince looked back in disgust. He never had any respect toward the people in the Ministry of Justice. In his eyes they were only sly wolves who wore legitimate cloaks, sometimes even the lowest criminals were disheartened by the Ministry of Justice's behaviour.

The residence of the Governor of the East Border became so quiet under the night sky. Oscar asked the servants to retreat and walked along the dim corridor slowly all by himself.

The room of Countess Antonia Horman was still illuminated with lights and the door was ajar. Outside the door, Oscar adjusted the pace of his own breathing, and then walked straight into it.

"Hey, little guy, you came just in time." The countess obviously knew about the arrival of the prince. "Come help me with this piece of luggage, I only realized how much I packed when I failed to carry it. Haha how silly am I!"

"Annie…" Oscar was unsure of Antonia's intention. She was well-dressed and appeared ready to go out.

"No, please do not say anything. I apologize for my selfishness. Did you come back by carriage?"

Oscar nodded lightly.

"Oh, it can take me right away. Lady Celia and the young lady must have been worried for me! When we arrived in Westberg Fort, I will be just in time to say goodnight to them."

"Annie!" Oscar blocked the door, he owed Annie an explanation. Although he still did not think he had made a mistake, at least he should not have left Annie alone here in the morning.

"Annie, mind if we sit down?" Oscar reached for Annie's hand but the countess immediately pulled back as if she had been struck by the lightning.

"What's wrong Annie?" Oscar stepped closer to her.

"No, nothing. I thought about it. There is no one to be blamed. You said that things have changed, but actually, we have not changed. It is just that... how do I say this? Since we left Damorga, your path has changed, and the point is, in this brand-new path that you're taking, there is no more room for me."

"Annie, I know my heart. I know I did cheat myself trying to suppress my feelings for you. But Annie, I cannot leave you, in fact, I have never thought of the day when we will ever be apart. However… you know, I only refused to make love to you, because… that is not fair to you, I can no longer be like before. I would never want to violate you for my own physical needs anymore."

Annie was silent. She spent a whole day trying to put herself in the young prince's shoes in order to understand his feelings. She did, eventually, but she still wished it was not true.

"Annie, you are an independent individual and no one can deny you all your wishes and hopes as a woman. But Annie, do you know? When I pondered at myself properly for the first time, I found out that I could not do anything for you! Your aspirations and hopes could never have been realized in me."

Annie shook her head. "All my hope is on you, you …"

"No! Annie, have you never expected to have a wonderful family? Have you never imagined living a beautiful life with your husband and children? Do not deny it Annie, this is a question every woman has considered."

Annie could not deny it because she was indeed a woman, and she was no different from the other millions of women.

"So Annie, look at me. I could never be your husband, and I could never have children with you. I am sorry to say so, but you knew this from the very beginning. However, the main point is, we love each other. Annie, although my words are cruel to the heart, but believe me, I do this entirely for you. I think you should forget about me and relocate the love to give it to someone else who can reciprocate your feelings and give you in return much more than I could ever give to you. It would be the best for me, and for you too. Annie, look around you with your heart, and you will find the right man. And I, believe me Annie, I will love you constantly even though I cannot give you the things you wish for."

Oscar pulled the crying Annie into his loving arms. Was this right or wrong for him to do so? Oscar did not know, but he was sure that in the future Annie would have a husband who loved her with all his heart and was able to give her three or four lovely children. As for himself, Oscar never imagined the same. His future would be like a jungle in thick fog, ghastly and endless.

It was already late at night when the prince returned to Westberg Fort. The entire area of the fort was under martial law, but the guards behaved respectfully when they saw the prince's carriage. Despite the orders from superiors, the news of the prince's terrifying strength has spread throughout the capital like a disease, and these guards could not be more cautious and courteous whenever they encountered the prince.

Without any regular inspection, the prince and Narcissus Knights entered the Westberg Fort successfully. On the porch leading to the main rampart of the fort, three ministers were waiting patiently to greet His Royal Highness Prince.

Oscar exchanged greetings with the ministers. He knew that he could trust these ministers, all the three of them could be considered as the closest confidants of His Majesty the Emperor.

They were Count Rudolf Hoss from the Secret Service Department, the Imperial Confidential Secretary Philip Goolean, and Palace Chief Marquis Laston Cambre who was responsible for all matters relating to the royal family. The lords seemed to be in the middle of a dispute but when His Royal Highness Prince arrived they immediately shut up and received the prince with bright warm smiles on their faces, as if they just met their little nephew whom they have never met before.

"Oh la! I did not expect you, distinguished men, to receive me tonight."

"Your Highness, we have been worried about you. What was the matter that kept Your Highness busy just now?" said the Imperial Confidential Secretary Philip Goolean.

"Oh, it was nothing. Countess Antonia Horman and I left behind an extremely important piece of luggage. Oh, right, Marquis Laston Cambre, would you mind arranging a room for Countess Horman?"

"Of course not, it is my pleasure!" Laston Cambre kissed the back of Antonia's hand lightly. He noticed that the Countess seemed to have just cried a little before, but he knew better to not mention it at the moment.

"My dear Antonia, I am so sorry I did not visit when you returned to Dulin. I really did not have the chance to be out of the palace, I hope you understand."

Annie smiled while keeping her little hand in the Marquis's. He could be considered as her old friend as they knew each other from when they both entered the palace at young age. She was the companion of Princess Mica, while Laston became the little footman of the then crown prince Osli Alfa Morisette.

"You do not need to be so polite with me," Annie's voice did not sound like herself.

"So dear Annie, let me serve you and direct you to your room personally. The troop will leave tomorrow morning and it will be good for you take some rest." The Marquis was somewhat excited. Annie's appearance brought back to him many of his childhood memories. He could still remember the times when Annie and Her Royal Highness Princess would tease him.

"Alright, thank you."

Countess Antonia Horman and Marquis Laston Cambre bid farewell to the Prince and the other two ministers. Oscar waited until they disappeared at the corner of the hallway, only then did he return his gaze to the other ministers. The young man was feeling rather uncomfortable. He thought Marquis Cambre seemed to have an ulterior motive on his Annie, but the boy quickly dismissed the thought. Annie was not his lover, he could not be concerned about it anymore.

"I hope I did not cause you lords any trouble?" Oscar said to the remaining two ministers.

"Oh, what do you say? It is not uncommon for you to leave us with huge mess!" Said Count Rudolf Hoss from the Secret Service Department jokingly. "After you left the ballroom, ha! Guess what? The aristocrats, who are usually poised and well mannered, went into chaos. They were clamoring for all sorts of things madly. Thankfully, Marquis Cambre called in the guards to quell the riots."

"What did His Majesty say?" Oscar asked calmly. He was sure the emperor would not let him off this time easily. After all, he had turned a lively ball into a bloodshed war.

"You do not have to worry about His Majesty, for His Majesty will talk to you about it in a moment," Confidential Secretary Philip Goolean sounded like he was ridiculing the young prince. "What you really should be worried about is Her Royal Highness Princess Alanis, who definitely is not used to being refused in public."

Oscar felt a slight pain in his head at the thought of Alanis. He did not think about the consequences of his action when he was at the ball. Sure enough, the young man was worried, and Alanis was harder to deal with than the emperor.

"So ... Her Royal Highness Princess... did not say anything?"

Philip looked sympathetically at the young prince, he knew this little guy had created for himself a big trouble. "Her Royal Highness Princess did not say a word after the incident, but she shed tears for you. My God! You have to believe me Your Highness, the tough and stubborn Princess has never been like this before. She locked herself in the room after you left, and Her Majesty the Queen and several elderly ladies are now comforting her, but I do not think any of their words will work."

Oscar did not comment on that. He believed that if Alanis persists in following him on the road tomorrow, then he absolutely could not have a relaxed journey.

"Haha! Come here, my courageous Royal Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette!" The Emperor of Titan left his seat on the sofa to receive the young Oscar happily.

"Your Majesty seems extremely happy! If I remember correctly, I killed your nephew three hours ago," the young prince said in the emperor's embrace.

"Come! Have a seat and do not talk about that little beast any more." The emperor was really delighted, he had no idea this little guy could end that little beast's life with such ease and not leave a big mess behind.

Oscar looked blankly at the emperor for a second, but he understood right away that it was probably the emperor who created the discord.

"That ... that little beast is it?" Oscar was very uncomfortable. He did not like to be used, but then he could not show any dissatisfaction in front of the emperor. "Has that little beast offended you?"

Alfa III laughed loudly. He was extremely proud at his little game and was thrilled at the victory.

"Yes, ha ha ha! See, Roment, I told you our young prince is able to kill the beast with only a lift of his fingers," Alfa III said loudly and arrogantly. Oscar suspected that he did not kill the emperor's nephew, but only a poor unlucky dog.

Young prince was very unhappy. He did not want to handle the neurotic emperor and so he chose a seat furthest from the Majesty and sat down comfortably. It was not until then that he noticed that all the ministers who showed up in the room were his old friends, Roment from Ministry of Justice, Godzilla from Ministry of Finance, Rudolph from the Secret Service Department, and Philip Goolean the Confidential Secretary who was at the moment serving him a cup of hot coffee.

The subsequent conversation seemed to have nothing to do with the Prince, but Oscar knew that all of these adults were revealing to him the information about the poor dog. The young man did not care about that dead man, he was nothing but a dog, a stray dog who had been abandoned by its owner.

At the thought of this, the young prince stood up, showing his disinterest and intention to leave. However, the emperor did not seem to have anything to say to him.

Alfa III then waved his hand lightly in the air and Oscar thought he could leave, but he realized instead that it was the the few ministers who were signalled to leave. The young man had no choice but to sit down again, he could not figure out what was on the emperor's mind tonight.

"Hey, little guy, do you mind giving me a glass of wine?" The emperor casted a friendly look toward the young prince who was sitting far away from him.

Oscar helplessly left his seat and took out from the cupboard two crystal goblets. "What would you like to drink?"

"I would like some pure and strong Montrachet white wine," No doubt the emperor's mood at the moment was wonderful.

Oscar looked at the array of wine cabinets and shook his head, "Your Majesty, I remember your Confidential Secretary Count Phillip Goolean usually prepares for you low-alcohol red wine, and since it is already late at night, the high concentration of white wine would do no benefit for your liver and kidneys. Of course, unless you do not mind your health and body."

"Hey, little guy, I know you are not happy, so I allow you to act against me. I will listen to you, anything will do just fine!"

Oscar shrugged nonchalantly and picked the original Chablis region wine of Faran Kingdom for the Emperor, and some native pomegranate liqueur from Dulin for himself.

"Ha ha ha!" The emperor pointed to Oscar's choice and laughed, "What is it that you're drinking? Do you think that will make us regard you as still a kid? Haha! You little guy."

"No, Your Highness, I chose this only to hope that I will not aggravate my anger."

"Ah, you're right. You must be really angry, but my child, you and Borghese are both my nephews, you know why you can sit here and drink with me, and Borghese is lying cold in the coffin?" The emperor's smile disappeared almost instantly, he just performed his unique expression-changing skill again.

Oscar was accustomed to the emperor's stunt by now so he did not feel any discomfort. "I know, he betrayed you."

"Exactly! He betrayed me. He did not live up to my expectations after all the support I have offered him, so I'm going to destroy him!"

Oscar knew the underlying meaning of the emperor's words, he was saying to him that everything Oscar has now was also given to him by His Majesty. "Why did you not do justice to him and offer him a chance for a proper trial?"

The emperor picked up a document lying on his side table, and Oscar vaguely saw a few words mentioning Secret Department Service.

"Young Oscar, you do not know what these charges mean for a family, even if these charges are only being done by a black sheep alone. But you should know, Titan Codex does not tolerate with the family. A fair trial you said? Well, what do you think I could do with the younger brother of the Queen's father?"

"That guy was the son of Her Majesty's brother?" Oscar said with disbelieve, how could the emperor manipulate him to play such a bearish role?

The emperor gave a disdainful look at the young prince. "I will pass this document to the parents of the little beast, if the Karl Arnold family will not be restless, or still have any vengeance toward you, hah…"

Oscar stared at Alfa III, not convinced, as the emperor's cold threat meant nothing to him. He could still remember what the emperor said to him before, the angry face of His Majesty was hideous, and also extremely shameless. Oscar put on an expression of ridicule and returned the emperor's gaze, he believed that the retaliation by the Karl Arnold family would not come any time soon, but he was worried he might not get any help from the emperor once retaliation came to him.

"This cunning old fox!" The young man cursed in his heart quietly.

"Little guy, have some trust in me," The emperor's voice softened suddenly, "The Karl Arnold family would absolutely not dare to go against my will once again, and with that investigation report on my hand, I could turn it against them at any moment I want," The emperor paused midway, and his gaze turned sharp again like the blade of a sword.

"Any sane person will not be let themselves drown in the pool of hatred and vengeance, but you, my Royal Highness Prince, can you explain to me what you are going to do with the Brickfield family? They will be escorted to Damorga by tomorrow. Haha, the whole thing really seems like the arrangement of the God of Light. This time it is also going to be the beginning of a journey, but that criminal from many years ago will return with honor, while the one who tried him years ago is going to be inside of the prison cart. Robert Carter Brickfield and his family would be send into Damorga to spend the rest of their lives, what else do you want to do? Do not argue with me, the secret agent from Ministry of Justice has inquired clearly that you bribed all of the escorts for the troop tomorrow."

O'Neil Andrew Morisette's face changed as well. The prince turned into a bloodthirsty fierce beast.

"Your Majesty! My defense would not make any difference if you believe in the investigation of the secret agent, but you must have some impression of the incident that happened years ago. I swore an oath and it was clearly written on the transcript of the interrogation during the trial. Andrew family never gives up hatred, but I'm sure Your Majesty is aware as well, that the Andrew family never gives up our loyalty and faith."

The emperor quietly enjoyed the taste of wine swirling in his mouth. This little guy chose a unique flavor for him.

After what seemed like a decade later, the emperor finally chose to give in. He felt a little tired having the tense conversation with the young prince.

"Well then, maybe the investigative capabilities of the secret agent from the Ministry of Justice is not as well like the ones from the Secret Service Department. Their capabilities are limited and sometimes they make mistakes too, anyway."

Oscar stood up and respectfully saluted the majesty. This was the first time he paid such high tribute to the emperor with great devotion.

"It's late, you should leave now. The plan of tomorrow's journey remains unchanged, but I want to remind you, if you cannot return me a happy princess, then I will personally crush you into pieces of bones."

Oscar did not take the emperor's threat into his heart, but he knew that the matter with the princess was indeed difficult to be solved. The young man knew he has harmed a girl with high self-esteem, and what made it worse was that this particular girl was someone of a high status and position that no one could offend.

The prince was rudely rejected by the Countess Emory at the princess's door. The young man did not have to see the princess to know that she would not fall asleep so easily tonight. The young fatty did not blame Emory for keeping him out of the door. Indeed, since that incident, Oscar has become a mean and heartless guy in the eyes of all the young ladies.

Oscar decided to go to say goodnight to his Mam Cecilia and little Sasha, but the women in the family seemed to all be asleep. When the young man returned to his own bedroom, the entire palace seemed to have already settled. However, the young man knew that in some corners of the palace, there must be someone who was having trouble sleeping, just like him.

The year of 791 according to the church, the 30th day of 5th month, the silhouette of Westberg Fort once again was blurry in the thick misty fog. Today is the big day of departure for Andrew family. A cavalry squadron from the the Capital Security Division was assigned to be in charge of all coordination tasks to ensure the journey would be smooth and safe. After they managed to load the baggages of the Andrew family up into the carriages, they occupied themselves with helping the Narcissus Knights to sort out the equipment and various supplies needed on the road.

The soldiers of the Capital Security Division found it a bit strange to notice that Her Royal Highness Princess's carriage also appeared in the convoy. They believed they would not be wrong at recognizing it. Some clever people immediately realized that the princess would be joining the journey as well, even though they had not received any notice yet.

The princess was indeed going to participate in this long and tiring journey. This matter was however still in the state of secrecy, as the emperor did not want more gossip to be created among Dulin at the moment.

The prince and the women of his family had a short meeting at the palace's basilica. As Oscar had expected, Celia and Little Sasha both gave him a lengthy lesson early in the morning. After all, he murdered someone the night before. The women of the family of Andrew seemed to have already accustomed themselves to these kind of bloody and cruel incidents. As a matter of fact, no one could blame them for that as women from their family have witnessed blood and murder for hundreds of years. They did not really care about it, and honestly, they thought that bad guy deserved what happened to him. However, they worried that His Royal Highness Prince would be criticized by the people for his actions.

Annie felt a little regret after learning about Oscar's deed last night. In a way, that incident happened because of her, but she could not really mention it to anyone, hence she joined Celia and the Young Lady in critiquing him while concurrently showing her care and love toward him subtly.

Her Majesty the Queen was not present. The princess had long hid inside her own carriage, only the yawning emperor Alfa III and the main leaders of various departments were there in the great hall to send off the troop.

By now, Oscar was already quite familiar with the emperor and these ministers. He modestly accepted the ministers' compliments and the emperor's words of encouragement, and finally he went to greet Her Royal Highness Princess along with the emperor. Oscar did not think it was the right time yet but the emperor insisted him to do so and pushed him into the princess's carriage. It was apparent that Alanis did not liked her father's self-righteous arrangement either.

The emperor would not stop exhorting his daughter again and again on ensuring her own safety and well-being. After all, it was the first time his precious young daughter would be away far from home for the first time. Oscar noticed that the worried father was trying his best to hold back the tears.

The power and influence of the Andrew family was actually confined to only the East Border. So according to the imperial practice, the emperor absolutely did not need to send the troops off personally. However, the participation of the princess added some color to that state affair. Therefore, the palace chief Marquis Laston Cambre specifically asked the Royal Secretariat to arrange marching bands and clerics at the forefront of the convoy.

At seven o'clock morning on the dot, the bright sound of clarion call shot through the morning sky. It was followed by Titan military songs played by the military band, and priests began to pray. To sum it all up, the scene was rather confusing, what should have been done accordingly was all happening together at once!

The emperor was very upset. He glared at the palace chief, which was also unhappy about the confusion. Even though Marquis Laston Cambre did not know how the event went wrong, but no matter what, the charges of poor organization would no doubt fall on the shoulder of the palace chief.

The Capital Security Division were trying hard to suppress themselves from laughing at the chaotic scene of the military songs mixed with sound of prayers. The strictly disciplined Narcissus Knights were of course not affected by the hilarious scene. In fact, they were the group of people who most looked forward to this journey because they were finally going home. To be specific, they were returning to the battlefield. Although it was a glorious mission to welcome the prince back to Narcissus, nothing mattered more to them than returning to the battlefield.

The troop who accompanied the young prince on his way home consisted of many important people, including Lady Duchess Celia, Young Lady Sasha, Countess Antonia, Baron Erbe, Percy the Poision Doctor, Fenrar Donarte the trainee doctor, "hedgehog" Sarlat, the famous King of Sins Doramy, as well as the big man Ferry and Godot. There were also a dozen of maidservants at the back of the team on the last carriage.

A squadron cavalry from Capital Security Division was at the front leading the way while the Narcissus Knights split into two groups guarding the troops from both side. Only a small team was formed neatly behind the carriages.

The grandiose troop finally started moving to commence their long journey home. The guards guarding the fort maintained a proper salute posture until the last knight was out of the gate of the fort.

Alfa III looked at the troop gradually disappearing in the thick fog and lazily yawned again. Now that his daughter was on the road, it would be the young prince's responsibility to worry about her. "That little guy was really incredible. Courageous moves he performed at me last night!" The emperor thought to himself.

"Hey…that fella Borghese, my unlucky nephew, if I am not wrong he was preparing for the Paladin test?"

"Yes Your Majesty," the palace chief answered respectfully.

"Then…Rudolf!" The emperor called for his Head of Secret Service.

"Yes Your Majesty, please let me know your command," the humble Count Rudolf Hoss stepped forward.

"I think you need to get in touch with Marshal Alan of the Military Affairs, check if the current Paladin and Paladin-to-be are as useless as that Borghese. I think there must be something wrong within their organizing structure. Have a thorough look into it, make sure the sacred paladin assessment has not been tarnished by some shameless men."

The emperor turned his back and headed into his palace. He needed to get some sleep, he could not wait to close his eyes and to never wake up again. This empire, and the events that have taken place within, has exhausted His Majesty the Emperor.

Chapter end