Chapter 96
Carl lowered his voice in fury at the former Marquis’s attempt to paint the black dragon as ominous until the end.
“Sophistry? Nephew. The dragon hunter said she began to diverge from that black dragon’s master after they happened to see Idelin together! Idelin, the black dragon, the dragon hunter. This is destined to repeat the history of Yggdrasil who was mortal enemies with the black dragon!”
His recent trembling in fear seemed like an act. Though not causing great commotion, his powerful and robust cry subtly disrupted the atmosphere in the noble gallery.
“In over 1,600 years of imperial history since Yggdrasil and Pegadrasil, the silver dragon and black dragon had never appeared! Could it be mere coincidence that they suddenly appear together in one generation?”
Sian imperceptibly turned her head and pouted. It was quite plausible logic if heard without thought. Of course, being a one-sided claim without any evidence, it wasn’t even worth denying.
“Just watch! Though this time the black dragon pretends to protect the imperial family, surely that evil black dragon will bring calamity to the Empire…!”
BANG!
An angry thunderclap cut off the former Marquis’s words and split the confusion. The Emperor, barely maintaining his posture, had struck the table.
“You dare babble whatever comes out of your mouth. Aren’t you the one who brought calamity, indulging in futile greed despite being unqualified for the throne under the law of primogeniture?”
“The law of primogeniture!”
The cornered former Marquis shouted with bloodshot eyes.
“The law of primogeniture is an evil law! Among children born equally from the same parents, why must only the firstborn become Emperor! This is unfair!”
“At your age, you still argue about fairness in the ways of the world, Daniel?”
The Emperor responded in a rather subdued manner. Because his previous intensity had seemed ready to grab the former Marquis by the collar, the Emperor’s following calm voice sounded weak like a candle about to go out.
“So you walked the same path as that foolish hunter who desired to become a dragon master without receiving a dragon’s choice.”
“Your Majesty…!”
“Good and evil, fair and unfair. Though there are countless opposing values, they are chaotically intertwined in the world. There are none purely good, nor any purely evil. Where in the world is there one without desire?”
Hendrick unconsciously glanced at Carl. Carl, watching the confrontation between the Emperor and former Marquis with a serious face, noticed the gaze and looked at Hendrick.
What is it? Carl mouthed, but Hendrick just shook his head.
“The world is not so fair by nature, brother. Therefore, those born without, those who have, those who want more – many desires call for blood. Desire itself is not a sin. However, if everyone resented the world’s unfairness and struggled to satisfy their own thirsts, what would become of the world?”
At the Emperor’s weary words, the former Marquis bared his teeth with a growl.
Though the status of a noble who could stand proudly beside Carl would surely be welcome, her mind was filled with the pitch-black forest where not even moonlight reached. That terrible place where wolf howls seemed ready to tear at her throat.
“Returning as that father’s daughter… I cannot accept it as a reward.”
The Emperor’s eyebrow twitched in surprise as he looked down at Sian speaking carefully. He seemed not to have expected her to refuse.
“…Is that so. I suppose that’s possible.”
However, after a moment’s thought, the Emperor readily accepted her position.
“Then, how about receiving a title as a new dragon knight in place of the one just expelled?”
“Your Majesty! What are you saying!”
The nobles in the gallery, who had been listening quietly, burst out at the Emperor’s continued words. Not just one, but many.
“How can you accept a black dragon as a knight protecting the Empire?”
“That’s right. Even if it opposed this treason and protected the imperial family, the people’s perception of the black dragon as ominous hasn’t changed!”
“Accepting the black dragon’s master as a knight absolutely cannot be done!”
Starting with someone’s initial cry, voices opposing the Emperor’s opinion erupted from everywhere.
“Enough!”
The Emperor thundered, striking the table.
“Still with such nonsense? I clearly stated that the black dragon being a symbol of evil was due to Pegadrasil’s greed, not the color of its scales!”
Those who had been loudly voicing objections suddenly fell silent. But the silence that descended on the council chamber was only due to the Emperor’s thundering voice, not at all an atmosphere of acceptance.
Realizing through the restless atmosphere and drifting air that his words held no influence, the Emperor ground his teeth and widened his eyes like a healthy person.
“Why did the traitor initially think to kill my dragon and frame Carlston? Wasn’t it because of your loose tongues, trying to place a silver dragon on the throne while spouting nonsense about the Crown Prince’s purple dragon being impure? Though my sons never said or caused anything about it, didn’t you create chaos by recklessly babbling among yourselves, disparaging and exalting and pushing forward as you pleased!”
“…Father.”
Blood vessels stood out in the Emperor’s eyes as he shouted with a body near death. Hendrick frowned as he supported the Emperor who staggered after his fury-filled outburst.
The Emperor, who briefly held his forehead as if dizzy, soon regained composure and heaved a long sigh.
“This should have been done long ago – my inadequacy in missing the timing brought about this disaster.”
Then he looked around at each noble in their seats with bloodshot eyes.
“If anyone else dares nitpick about dragon scale colors, they too shall be considered accomplices to treason and executed.”
The Emperor’s razor-sharp threatening gaze returned to and stopped on Sian standing on the platform.
“Tell me, master of the black dragon. Do you have the will to become a dragon knight and continue protecting the Empire?”
Sian blinked. The situation was so surreal she couldn’t hastily speak.
A dragon knight. Her, who until recently couldn’t even reveal her identity and lived in constant anxiety.
Is it possible? Is it alright to accept?
It felt unreal and simply astonishing from disbelief. When Sian fell silent in confusion for a moment, the Emperor’s expression twisted as if disappointed.
“Do you mean to refuse?”
“…No.”
So Sian answered without deeper thought, almost reflexively.
“No. If you would entrust me with it, I will serve the Empire with all my might, enough to erase the black dragon’s old infamy and more.”
Though she moved her mouth confidently following her heart rather than head, Sian hadn’t properly accepted the fact of becoming a dragon knight yet. Her dumbfounded face, firm voice, and smooth speech were quite unnatural. But only Carl noticed this.
Clearly seeing that Sian hadn’t properly processed the honor presented before her, Carl had to suppress a smile for the first time. Color returned to the Emperor’s face.
“Good. Sian Roosevelt. Though formal appointment will be held together with the Crown Prince’s coronation, from today you shall be recorded as a new knight of the Dragon Empire Igrion.”
“Your Majesty…”
