The capital of Estelia, boasting a thousand years of history, was Luden.
As befitting the capital of the most powerful empire on the continent, its scale surpassed that of any other country's capital. Even the imperial palace where the current emperor resided alone was incomparable to the palaces of other kingdoms.
Above all, the imperial palace held significance beyond being a mere residence for the imperial family. As a place where the divine bloodline resided, it was akin to a sacred sanctuary for the people of the empire who believed in the god Altair.
Serving as both the residence of the imperial family and a temple at the same time, was the reason why the imperial palace of Luden had a larger scale than the palaces of any other country could ever need.
Thus, the magnificent sight of the imperial palace held a sense of pride for all people of the empire residing in Luden. However, just as there is a shadow in the light, there were also those who hated it.
"Why does His Majesty always remain in this distant palace instead of staying in the main palace...?"
A man sighed as he walked through the long corridor leading to the detached palace. It was Orcus Estelia.
Unlike most other buildings that maintained a close distance from the main palace, the palace where the current emperor was staying was as far away from the main palace in the capital, almost like the distance between the sun and the moon.
Within the imperial palace, numerous detached palaces existed, matching its grandeur. However, the detached palace named the 'Shelter of the Sun' towards which Orcus was heading, was notably smaller in size.
It was called a palace because it was located within the imperial castle. Originally, it was a small mansion-level building that could hardly be called a palace, but strangely, the current emperor spent more time there than in the main castle.
As all administrative tasks were carried out in the main castle, it was common for the emperor, the ultimate decision-maker, to reside there for the sake of efficiency and personal safety. However, the emperor started to have everyone responsible for his safety, including the head of the knights' guard, move to the place he was currently staying
In the end, only the legs of the ministers suffered as they walked the long distance to the detached palace to deliver their duties. For this reason, the ministers asked the emperor several times to return to the main castle, but the emperor's answer was the same each time.
Orcus also complained about his father, the emperor, residing in Shelter of the Sun, far away from the main castle. As someone who always valued efficiency and results, it was difficult for him to understand his father's actions. However, he had never once requested the emperor to return to the main castle.
Although he couldn't comprehend his father's eccentric behavior, he knew well that his own judgment couldn't match his father's wisdom. So, he followed his father's intentions, believing that there must be a hidden meaning behind it.
"Still, I wonder what he's summoning me for today."
As Orcus approached the end of the corridor, he noticed a knight guarding the door to the palace. The yellow sun engraved on his full plate armor indicated his affiliation. When the knight spotted Orcus approaching the door, he relaxed his statue-like posture and gently bowed his head, speaking.
"I, Beheloth, greet the small Sun of the Empire."
"Ah, Sir Beheloth. Are you in charge of the entrance today as well? It seems like I see you quite often.?"
"Hahaha... Is that so? Well, please come inside for now. His Majesty is waiting."
Despite his casual laughter and denial, Beheloth's face showed signs of concern. Orcus gave a slight smile, patting Beheloth's shoulder, and entered through the door.
As the door opened, a cool spring breeze entered through the window. A gentle amount of sunlight streamed in, filling the room with warm radiance.
Unlike the other rooms within the imperial palace adorned with gold and jewels, the room Orcus entered seemed to lack any luxurious items. If one were to pick, there was perhaps only one elegant fountain pen placed on the table.
In the center of the room, a man was sitting with a gentle expression on his face.
He was the current emperor of Estelia and a wise king who was praised by the people for achieving unprecedented peace and prosperity in the empire. Aslan Estelia.
Reflected by the sunlight, his shimmering golden hair resembled a calm sea in bright sunlight, and his deep and vivid blue eyes, gazing silently at the paper held in his hands, emanated a profound and mysterious aura.
Seeing that, Orcus refrained from speaking hastily, fearing that his concentration might be broken by such a sight. He waited for a few minutes. Finally, Aslan finished reading the letter, and his clear voice resonated in the room.
"Looks like he finally decided to do it."
Though his words carried a smile, Orcus could faintly perceive a tinge of regret in Aslan's eyes.
As this was the first time Aslan displayed such a reaction since his daughter and Orcus' twin sister said she would learn swordsmanship, Orcus wondered if something significant had happened. However, instead of asking him, what flew toward Orcus was the letter that Aslan just had been reading.
"This... It bears the emblem of Duke Edelweiss. Something is happening in the north."
On the seal that was holding the letter, there was a drawing of a wolf and five stars floating above it.
The pattern was that of Edelweiss, one of the few aristocratic families outside of the three imperial armies. As soon as Orcus saw it, his face contorted with worry, but Aslan spoke with a nonchalant voice.
"There's something going on. It's an engagement announcement. An engagement announcement about her. Do you remember? The Edelweiss family's daughters. That girl is getting engaged this time."
At Aslan's tsk-like words, Orcus was able to retrieve a girl from his memory without difficulty.
A girl with pure white hair of the same age as him.
He hadn't paid much attention to her appearance, but somehow, the word 'beautiful' unconsciously escaped his lips. It was a meeting that happened only once, and it was limited to a brief exchange of greetings and farewells. The only other memorable information he had was that, true to the name Edelweiss, she was accomplished in magic beyond her age. That was all Orcus could recall about Elena Edelweiss.
Still, based on that scarce information, Orcus was able to deduce one thing.
"It's a political marriage. Who is the opponent?"
Being a noble lady from a family located in the imperial border of the north, who didn't speak much and was shy by nature, it would be impossible for her to develop a romantic relationship with someone based on her own efforts.
Unless it was an arranged engagement facilitated by her family, it would be highly unlikely for her to be engaged. With her exceptional appearance and the background of Edelweiss, Elena was practically a prime candidate for the role of a bride, making it easy to conclude that the engagement had been arranged successfully.
As Edelweiss' successor was already decided as Eltman Edelweiss, the eldest son of Edelweiss, who was currently studying in the Golden Tower. It was a fact that he already knew what kind of fate the descendants of noble families who were pushed out of the succession structure would face, so it was nothing new.
Orcus rested his chin on his hand and lost himself in thought.
Despite being located on the remote northern border, Edelweiss was one of the only three duke families in the empire. Furthermore, they were the owners of one of the seven mage towers, Towers of Dawn, in the continent.
The outcome of the intermarriages between these formidable families would have a significant impact on the imperial political landscape. It was only natural for Orcus, as someone who would rule over them, to be concerned about it.
However, what he was most worried about was their advance to the center.
All aristocratic families in the empire had always operated within their own territories and had never reached out to the central region. But if this intermarriage caught the attention of the central powers, it could change the situation.
That was why Orcus fervently wished that the names of the families that came to his mind would not be mentioned by Aslan. Fortunately or unfortunately, Aslan didn't speak the names of the families he had been thinking about.
"It's Kraus. Kraus from the south. It seems they have entered into a marriage contract."
Once again, Aslan clicked his tongue with a tsk-sound, but Orcus couldn't hear it. Hearing the name Kraus, all the unsettling assumptions he had made were erased, but an even bigger bomb exploded in his mind.
'Count Kraus.'
'How could I not remember that name?'
Edelweiss in the north.
Erthuen in the west.
Cromel in the east.
And finally, Kraus in the south.
Orcus was no fool to the extent of not knowing the names of the four families that divided the empire. Although Kraus didn't hold the title of Duke, their history and power were second to none among the three other families.
Most of the nobles in the south had fertile land for farming, and while dealing with the monsters that came down every year, they developed their personal strength and accumulated enormous wealth from the by-products of the subjugation. And the family standing at the top of them was Count Kraus.
A family with one of only five Sword Masters in the entire continent.
Kraus and Edelweiss.
Even though he knew that the engagement was something worthy of being celebrated by others, for Orcus, the union of these two families seemed nothing but a threat of division for the empire. Of course, he couldn't deny that it might be an exaggerated thought, but nonetheless, he had to leave room for doubt at all times.
Orcus opened his eyes and met Aslan's gaze.
In the eyes of the man called the current emperor, there was no trace of unease that Orcus felt. He still seemed somewhat melancholic about something, but he didn't appear to be worried about the engagement between the two families, at least.
"It's not a wedding but an engagement, but we should still offer our congratulations. Orcus."
"Yes."
Seeing Aslan silently smiling and calling his name, Orcus folded away the uneasiness he had been carrying and tucked it deep into his chest. Aslan handed him a sealed letter bearing the royal seal and spoke.
"You'll have to go."
The moment he heard those words, the piece of paper that should have felt weightless became as heavy as a chunk of iron. However, he couldn't dare to utter a word of refusal. Orcus knew that even if he tried to evade the responsibility given to him now, it would eventually remain with the empire that he would inherit.
Orcus placed the letter in his embrace and nodded quietly at Aslan's words. Aslan, wearing a satisfied expression, then called him back as he prepared to leave.
"Just a moment."
"What else?"
"On your way, take Noel. Take her with you."
"What?!"
Orcus immediately made a bewildered expression at Aslan's words, and Aslan mirrored the same expression. He chuckled and patted Orcus' shoulder, saying:
"Don't argue with me and just bring the child along."
"Have you forgotten what happened in Cromel's territory last time? If it's about the sword, that girl completely changes. At that time, the Sword Saint happened to be in hiding, so it led to a duel with Cromel's cattle lord. I don't know what will happen when she meets Count Kraus this time."
Noel...
Noel Estelia.
Upon hearing the name that came out of Aslan's mouth, Orcus swallowed nervously.
She was his twin sister who always had a bright smile and was full of energy.
If someone were to ask about their relationship, Orcus could confidently answer that they got along well. Despite being born on the same day, she never once complained about being his younger sister and always treated him affectionately.
Orcus also treated Noel as an ordinary younger sister rather than a competitor for the throne, and they maintained a harmonious relationship.
Until Noel developed an interest in swords.
Unlike himself, who was born with talent in magic, Noel was born with exceptional talent in swordsmanship. Strangely enough, whenever it came to swords or martial arts, her passion soared excessively. It was like an uncontrollable flame.
The last time, when the Cromel family, one of the three great martial families of the Empire, arrived in Luden in connection to the Western tribes, she sparkled with excitement and impulsively challenged Cromel's cattle lord to a duel. Orcus couldn't even imagine how she would react when she met Count Kraus, who had reached the level of a master.
Seeing his son looking at him with worried eyes, Aslan said it was okay and patted him on the back.
"It's okay. If it's him, he'll be able to deal with whatever Noel does. And more than that, it's more of a problem when Noel finds out that you've been to Sarham alone, leaving her alone here."
"You're right but..."
She was usually a gentle sister, akin to an angel that descended upon the earth. But if she were to learn that Orcus had met with Count Kraus alone and returned, he didn't even have to deeply contemplate on whom the blade of that girl's sword would be directed at. Perhaps she would have to be confined to the imperial training grounds all day long... Maybe even that wouldn't relieve her anger.
His thoughts quickly settled.
It was clear what was a gain and what was a loss, so there was no need for hesitation. Orcus smiled faintly and nodded.
"Then, understood. I'll make sure to tell Noel as well."
"Yes, good thinking."
The two men faced each other and smiled.