CHAPTER 123
Lewis explained how he ended up at the palace. He was planning to surprise me but noticed something suspicious and came to the palace.
"I also ran into Lady Yaniels on the way."
Charlotte?
"She said since you snuck out of your room, I should find you before the knights did."
"Oh, Lady Yaniels..."
She didn't know I had run into Philip soon after.
But in that short time, I could tell how much Charlotte cared about me.
Thinking about it again makes my heart ache. I should give her a big hug when I return.
"Don't do that again."
As I was feeling touched, Lewis spoke to me.
"What? What do you mean?"
Sneaking out of my room on the second floor?
"Interfering with Madden."
Oh, that’s what he meant.
"If I wasn't a mage, I wouldn't have been able to save you. You could have died."
"I'm usually very cautious, but I just couldn't stand seeing the Marquis in danger..."
I acted impulsively out of desperation, but now that I think about it, Lewis would have managed just fine.
So, did I overreact?
Was I the only one taking this seriously?
"I'll be really careful from now on. Don't worry, Marquis!"
In conclusion, I'll be cautious.
"Anyway, that won't happen again."
"Right. You can always handle yourself, Marquis!"
"No. I mean those guys."
The concern in Lewis's eyes turned into something more chilling.
"They're finished now."
* * *
Right after causing the landslide, Philip's group moved to the capital.
Thanks to Madden immediately casting teleportation magic, they got out unscathed.
By the time they arrived in the capital, it was late afternoon.
Philip heard the news from Davio in his office.
A carrier pigeon had brought the message about the landslide.
Although he knew perfectly well how the landslide had occurred, he had to pretend to confirm it.
"Did another landslide occur?"
-Yes, Your Highness!
"What is the scale of the damage?"
Philip asked, feigning ignorance.
-When we dug through the piled-up dirt, we found the wreckage of a broken carriage.
"Does that mean someone was crushed?"
-Well...
The lord hesitated.
-We found the emblem of the Mage Tower buried in the debris.
"Does that mean there were traces of the Marquis in it?"
It was certain that Lewis was buried.
Although he was glad, Philip asked, pretending to be shocked.
"How could that happen... Why was the Marquis there?"
-We don't know that.
The Lord answered, looking troubled. He seemed bewildered by such an incident happening in his territory.
"Have you found the body?"
-We have not found the body. It might have been swept into a nearby river by the dirt.
"I see."
The fact that there was nobody was a bit troubling.
But finding traces of Lewis there meant he had come to rescue Selina at that spot.
‘In such a chaotic situation that Madden had to immediately cast teleportation magic, it would be hard for him to survive.’
Philip was sure that Lewis had been swept away while trying to save Selina.
An incident involving the Marquis was a significant matter for the Empire.
Therefore, Philip decided to inform the Emperor immediately.
"I must see His Majesty at once."
"His Majesty has gone to Central Plaza."
When he told his aide after ending the communication, the reply was unexpected.
"Central Plaza?"
"Yes. His Majesty was looking for you as well. I was going to inform you, but you were receiving important news..."
"...Oh dear."
It was then that he remembered today was that day.
He was supposed to go to the plaza with the Emperor, but he had forgotten because of Lewis and Selina.
'How could I forget this?'
Philip belatedly recalled the crucial event.
* * *
Recently, in the Empire, there had been growing discontent among the citizens due to some lords excessively collecting taxes.
The lords claimed that the increase in taxes was because the royal family's taxes had gone up.
The resentment was not confined to one region, so the royal family was directly facing the blame.
In response, the Emperor decided to personally hear the grievances of the citizens at this time.
'This is all because the imperial power is not strong enough.'
Philip was displeased with the situation.
If the imperial power were strong, the Emperor wouldn't have to meet commoners to soothe their dissatisfaction in the first place.
In any case, nobles ruling regions with significant discontent were also attending the event.
"His Majesty is already at the plaza?"
Philip hurried to the Central Plaza.
The plaza, located at the center of the capital, was packed with citizens from the provinces.
"What I desire most is for the citizens of the Empire to live stable lives."
The Emperor was already on the podium, delivering a speech to the public.
"Even if the royal family is prosperous, it means nothing if the citizens suffer due to taxes. I will thoroughly investigate where the problem lies."
It seemed the speech was already nearing its end.
Philip approached the Emperor's side.
‘Why are you only coming now?’
‘I apologize, Your Majesty.’
Philip smiled, gauging his reaction.
When the Emperor finished speaking, the citizens in the plaza applauded.
During this, Philip spoke to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, I have something important to tell you."
"Is it something to be said here?"
The Emperor asked, stepping back from the magically amplified podium.
"Yes. It is something that must be said here."
Philip wanted to assert his presence in front of the gathered citizens.
"The citizens should know about the grave news regarding the Mage Tower's head."
"The Mage Tower's head?"
The Emperor looked perplexed.
"Are you saying there's something wrong with the head of the Mage Tower?"
"Yes."
The Emperor appeared flustered.
After a brief silence, the Emperor spoke.
"Later. It would be better to discuss this back at the palace."
Not now?
"Is there any need to confuse the citizens with such news at the end of this event?"
'For that reason?'
He knew the Emperor wasn’t someone who would unconditionally accept his words like his mother.
This only fueled his determination.
"I am not trying to confuse the citizens. I want to gain their hearts by speaking here."
"Can you win their hearts?"
"Yes. Please trust me."
Philip replied earnestly.
By now, the applause from the citizens had quieted down.
The Emperor pondered briefly before granting permission.
"Alright. Say what you must."
Only then did Philip step forward to the podium.
"As the Crown Prince, I first want to apologize for being late to this important event."
He began with a conciliatory tone.
After the brief introduction, Philip got to the main point.
"I was late because I was confirming the landslide that occurred in Davio."
"Landslide?"
The nobles looked puzzled.
Being engaged in the conference, they were unaware of the landslide in Davio.
For Philip, it was an opportunity to make the situation dramatic.
"Davio is known to be particularly susceptible to landslides. Before the conference, I received a report about a landslide in Davio."
"Then isn't that a serious matter? Were there any injuries?"
One of the nobles asked, and Philip replied with a pained expression.
"Unfortunately, it seems the Marquis of Bloomberg was affected."
"The Marquis of Bloomberg?"
"Do you mean the head of the Mage Tower?"
Everyone was astonished.
Yes, this reaction made it worthwhile.
Philip continued with a somber tone.
"Yes. They found the wreckage of a carriage and the emblem of the Marquis amidst the dirt."
The carriage he had been in bore no royal emblem, just a plain one.
So, he made it seem like Lewis had been in that carriage.
"Why was the head of the Mage Tower there?"
"Who can understand his mind? He happened to be in Davio when the landslide occurred..."
The nobles exchanged bewildered looks.
As the chatter grew, Philip spoke again.
"The realization that even those with great power can be helpless against nature was a profound shock."
This was the moment.
With the citizens gathered, he could emphasize his role.
"Therefore, I plan to ensure that such incidents never happen again."
Philip spoke with feigned reverence and determination.
"From now on, I will actively assist His Majesty in stabilizing the Empire."
The citizens' eyes reflected their expectations of the next ruler.
Philip inwardly relished the moment.
'I have managed to eliminate the head of the Mage Tower without summoning the demon, and even gain the people's support.'
"The royal family will strive for the happiness of the citizens. Always extend your support and encouragement to the royal family."
As he concluded his hypocritical speech, an unexpected voice interrupted.
"Ridiculous."
The voice came from beside Philip.
"...?!"
Turning, he saw faces that should not have been there.
Lewis and Selina, who should have been dead, were there!
The nobles pointed in astonishment.
"Aren't those the Marquis and Lady Elsner?"
"How is the head of the Mage Tower alive? You said he was buried in the landslide!"
The Emperor was equally shocked.
He demanded an explanation from Philip.
"What is the meaning of this? How is the Marquis here? Explain yourself."
Philip was too stunned to respond.
He could only stare blankly at them.
* * *
"Surprised to see the people you thought dead come back alive?"
Lewis mocked from beside me.
Hey, Philip! Are you alright?
As he slowly regained his composure, Philip finally spoke to us.
"How are you...?"
Comments
Post a Comment