RPG chapter 59

59　The emperor’s judgment

Thus, the mayor of Irunne town appeared at the capital

With my and Grey Ryuuga’s meditation, he was able to have an audience with the emperor

「I already stop thinking about my life even in my dream, but I only wished for dismissal for the people who were involved in my foolery」

The town mayor begged

Before him is the majestic Emperor sitting on the throne

「I have heard of the details. There was a worm squirming behind the scene, wasn’t it?」

「It is as you said」

「However, it can’t be said that you are faultless. It is a disgrace for the one in charge to be taken advantage of by a crook. That shall not be forgiven」

「It is as you said」

Lots of people are around, waiting for the outcome of judgment

They are the representatives, feudal lords of various towns and villages of the empire, in addition to royalties from other countries

「Failure is also a sin. It is not possible to not blame you for that either. Therefore, you are released of your town mayor duty」

「……!!」

「Then, the successor will be your son. Are you dissatisfied?」

「……no! No, absolutely not! I am deeply grateful to your Majesty the Emperor’s benevolence!!」

Benevolence

This measure can be called so

His position is stripped away, but he is neither killed nor imprisoned. On top of that, the successor being his son means the authority doesn’t actually move at all

This is as close as being acquittal as possible

The people presented at the place were also bewildered at the lightness of the punishment and were noisy

「The one with the true crime is the one squirming behind the scene, that someone who tried to detach the town of Irunne from the empire. The punishment for this time will be borne by that one person. Immediately find and capture him for public execution!」

Everyone froze upon hearing the firm declaration

It is as if the warmth of sympathy a few second ago has been vanished

「Hasten the investigation. Drag that scoundrel before me quickly」

「As your will」

Grey Ryuuga received the strict order from the emperor

Splendidly bringing the mayor of Irunne town to the capital was his merit

「This instruction is for all the vassals here. Remember it」

The emperor’s pursuit attack freezes the hearth of everyone gathered here

「If that person wholeheartedly points his rebellious spirit toward the empire, his despicable acts won’t just end here. Perhaps he has spread his hands to other towns in similar fashion?」

The emperor overlooks the place

There are various governors and feudal lords in this place. But their stomach just shrinks after being glared at by those charcoal-fire eyes

「What’s wrong, did they come to your place? If they did then tell me. It’s natural that those insect will swarm under the light. You should not feel guilty. Since it is not your fault」

However……。

「Ignoring it without doing anything is clearly a crime. When the mayor of Irunne town realized it, he was already not in a state he can talk. Therefore the treatment is different」

If you are guilty of something, say it now

If you don’t and something happens afterward, you won’t be forgiven

The emperor is threatening all these influential people like that

That is a threat they can’t opposed to

「……So far, there is no traces of such a suspicious person appearing in my territory」

Among the invited influential people here, an especially important-looking man talks

「However, immediately after returning, we will have a thorough investigation. We will report immediately if something is found. To show our loyalty to the empire……」

「My town too……」

「My village too……」

The other follow in succession

Why all the influential people all over the empire are gathered here, let me explain

The debut of the Twelve Apostles

It is today

In order to make the strongest elite of the empire widely known, all influential people from the empire as well as other countries are invited

Therefore, feudal lords, governors, town mayors and village chefs, or even royalties of neighboring countries are gathering here

The judgment to the mayor of Irunne town is an event before the debut

「Recently, I was told that the debut would be about half a month later, but it is surprisingly time-consuming, isn’t it?」

「There were some prior arrangements. But we had to dispatch soldiers as we can’t leave the town of Irunne alone. Not to mention that we couldn’t fly so it naturally took time」

「Hmm, I see」

As the judgment ended, I and Grey Ryuuga walked together in the castle

To recap the chain of incidents

The soldiers were being stationed in Irunne town for investigation, but after this event, they would be pulled back soon

「But more than that, the intention of his Majesty the Emperor is great. That person’s judgment is terrifying. Using the timing of the Twelve Apostles’ debut, he made the judgment under the watchful eyes of all feudal lords and governors」

What a man with a terrifying heart!

Thanks to that, although this world doesn’t have TV or the press, he was able to present the empire’s intention to all the targets accurately

Moreover, in a single swoop

「The empire’s strictness and tolerance were conveyed just right. Moreover, it will also restrict the movement of the mastermind, his Majesty the Emperor’s judgment can only be called terrific」

Certainly

All influential people in the empire have confirmed 『We are not related to those』, they also vowed to promptly report afterward

Whoever break their vow are obviously traitors

It would need considerable courage to communicate with an unidentified person despite that risk

「If that you-know-who’s plan is to shake the foundation of the empire’s domination, not only his plan is blocked, even his movement would be sealed」

What a brilliant checkmate

The emperor is frightening

「In the end……, who the hell is that person?」

Grey Ryuuga said seriously

「Hmm, well……」

「In my opinion, it must be those Resistance bunch. Resisting our empire using movement behind the scene is really like those guys」

I understand that prediction

Resistance is an organization introduced in 『Beast Fantasy 4』, an underground organization opposing the empire

It’s a handy organization with various setting and acts as backup for protagonist Sero who is trying to revenge

「I……, think it is wrong」

Certainly, the aim to shake the empire’s government system matches the Resistance

However, that is an organization of justice that sides with the protagonist

Would they use a cowardly plan that involves ordinary citizens like this time?

Moreover, there was a definite proof

The dark, eerie aura that snatched the mind of the mayor of Irunne town……

「That is undoubtedly a dead spirit aura……!」

That is an aura originated from death god Nodes

A different god than beast god Beast and wisdom god Sophia

Why is that occurring in this world, which is based on 『Beast Fantasy 4』?

Death god Nodes’s first appearance is in 『Beast Fantasy 8』

Is something starting to shift?

I thought it would be an easy victory if me, my sister, my cute brother-like Sero and my buddy survive

But it seems like caution is necessary

「However, I also realize how amazing you are in this mission」

「Eh? Is that so?」

I don’t think it’s such a big deal though?

「Not only you are strong, you are also endowed with political sense. Thanks to that, no one became a scapegoat this time and the empire was able to subdue it in advantageous position. If I was alone then it wouldn’t be that smooth」

「It would be a problem in that case」

「At first, when being given the task, his Majesty immediately gave his approval after you said you would accompany me. I think I understand the reason now. I should stay nearby to watch and study your actions」

「Really?」

「Honestly, with just this one case, I can’t learn everything. But there is one thing I understand, if I don’t value capable people like you, the empire’s future will be grim」

No no

I would be troubled if you overestimate me like that

It is fine. If the empire has a diligent prince like you then the future will be bright

「No, the lord’s duty is to treat the capable retainers like jewels. I want you to wield your power as my right hand man in the future. That’s why I am thinking」

「Hmm?」

「What is the best way to treat you well? That’s why I have an idea, how about accepting your sister Selen as my spouse?」

Hmm?

「If that’s the case, your sister will be the empress in the future. You will also gain the power as my brother-in-law. There is no better way. Guboo!?」

I hit him

What the hell is this guy saying!?

「Selen is only 13!?」

Is this guy a lolicon!?

「Guoo……!? No, of course it’s after she has grown up enough. How about 2 years later?」

「She is still 15 then! Die!」

「ogofuoo!?」

No, more than that, no matter how old she is, Selen won’t become his wife!

Because she would be always with me!