Chapter 145: Sixteenth Episode: Chapter 9 (1/2)
Chapter 145: Sixteenth Episode: Chapter 9
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The long-awaited rainy season had arrived in Titan at the end of June. The one-week long torrential downpour washed away the once-scorching heats of the earth, bringing with it breeziness and humidity to the intolerable Dulin.
It was the twenty-seventh. On this hazy day, the youngest son of the Andrews awoke from his warm blanket. His girlfriend unwillingly complained, though still unable to resist the temptations of sleep due to her exhaustion. Alanis had put the agenda of giving birth as an imperial purpose, and she and her husband had been putting in great efforts every night.
”Let her sleep, don't wake her up.” His Imperial Highness ordered his Household Manager.
Colonel Vick nodded in understanding. He was concurrently the Household Manager as well as the Secretary and was pleased with his positions. When his friends would introduce him as the blue-eyed Colonel of the Guards, the people would be blown away by the positions he had held.
His Imperial Highness the Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette's Family Affairs Manager! This man must be of great caliber and intelligence! It was normal for the Nobles of the Capital to voice out such compliments of Vick Keegan.
Breakfast of His Imperial Highness Prince would always be scrumptious. His Highness took two pieces of bacon dressed with one spoonful of golden creamy egg sauce. It was a daily routine for Countess Aeolia to rise from bed early as she placed much importance on breakfast, with the meal providing the only opportunity in the day to spend alone time with His Highness.
The countess tore open the bread barbarously, and then handed the bread and some smoked fish cakes to His Highness, whose facial expressions demonstrated apprehension.
Oscar meticulously applied the sauce onto the bread, added a piece of bacon, and sent the handful into his mouth. While chewing, he mumbled,
”Are there any more choices?”
Aeolia knowingly summoned a servant and ordered her to bring out the generous portion of fruit cake topped with whipped cream, left over by the previous night.
”Now, I suppose you are satisfied?” the Countess teased His Highness.
Oscar consumed the last piece of bread and let out a few burps in satisfaction.
The morning coffee's temperature was just right. Aeolia loved to add unconventional flavorings to her coffee, such as cocoa and cinnamon powder. While Oscar adored that particular combination, he would not dare to attempt the other versions of the ”Aeolia Coffee”.
The Prince slurped a mouthful of the cream-colored beverage, injecting surges of newfound energy into his head and chest. His Highness sized up the countess who put on a light makeup that morning. Aya promptly produced a pile of documents from her adjacent seat, ”What a responsible Military Intelligence Officer!” it was during these moments would Oscar only recalled the countess' dual identities.
”These are the consolidated analysis reports assembled recently, you can have a look when you have the time. Otherwise, it's fine too. Dulin seemed to be exceptionally peaceful with only the weather being weird. ”
Oscar retrieved the files and sorted out those with thicker pages.
”What's this?” His Imperial Highness Prince enquired about a document packaged in red.
”I was about to inform you on this.” Aeolia said while putting down her coffee, ”Do you still recall the Fat Dog by Madame Zoera's side?”
”The assassin?” Oscar seemed to recall briefly. That Fat Dog had challenged Snowstorm in the past and was rumored to be a brutal character.
”That's right! Ranked third in Westland, the Super Killer Ghost Dog! Following Zoera's capture, he vanished into thin air. The family's investigative personnel once discovered him in Lamington. Unfortunately, the operation failed and we lost some of our men.”
”Lamington? What kind of place is that?”
”Situated near Bragg, the city sits in the center of the Empire. You will be passing the city on your way to the Southern hills!”
Oscar knocked on the document's cover, ”Will there be a trouble?”
Aeolia nodded in caution, ”Zoera had saved Ghost Dog's life in the past. If Ghost Dog hasn't forgotten the incidents of his life saving, he will surely act. ”
Oscar shrugged in indifference, ”Should I be worried? I have Paul and Shaw with me, and I believe that there aren't many on this earth who are capable enough of facing the Snowstorm and the Black Devil simultaneously.”
”The world is full of uncertainties!” concerned, the countess held onto the Prince's hand. ”Do you still remember the gunner? Snowstorm and Black Devil successfully countered all blades and arrows, but they failed to do so against bullets…”
”Who says?” the King of Assassins voice boomed, shocking Aeolia to let go of Oscar's hand.
”I'm faster than bullets!” said Paul while stuffing a smoked fish into his mouth.
”You haven't had breakfast? Come, let's eat together!” Oscar pointed at the seat next to his.
Paul shook his head in rejection, ”I've eaten, I'm just here to confirm what time we'll be leaving.”
Oscar wiped the corners of his mouth with the napkin and rose from his seat, ”This is it!” As His Highness finished his sentence, he turned towards the countess, ”Have the Military Investigative Officers resume their hunt until they have found the Ghost Dog's corpse.”
”Yes, your Highness!” Aeolia nodded sternly. To be frank, she was not confident of their agenda to hunt down and kill the Westland's third most lethal assassin.
”Is my appearance required?” the King of Assassins saw through the countess' worries.
”It's fine!” Oscar rejected Paul's good intentions. ”You shall stay with me and head nowhere else!”
”Hey! Are you losing your guts?”
”No, I'm not!” Oscar stubbornly turned his head away. To be honest, the Prince had increasingly been cautious since he was fired with a shotgun to his chest. The world is changing! The scenes would no longer be dominated by blades and swords; a tiny lead shot meters away could end one's life! There was no mistake about it!
”Hey, look! You really are scared…” refusing to stop the teasing, the King of Assassins pursued the Prince to the door.
The Tacheles Fortress' shadows appeared thin in the low domes. On the contrary, light reflected from the Paladin's armor and swords filled the fortress with shades of color, all the way to the gates of the King's sleeping quarters. In the history of the Empire, never had there been a successful invasion into the King's bedroom, the most important space in the whole Tacheles Fortress.
The Captain of the Guards, Colonel of the Guards, and Paladin Viscount Basil Kenny, stationed in front of the King's bedroom, greeted the visiting His Imperial Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette with slight curls on their lips.
”Good morning, Basil!” Oscar gave the Captain a friendly greeting. Accustomed with the procedures, he discarded his Marshall sword, his two Delin Mini Cannons which were the only two in the world, along with two other flying knives and one dagger concealed in the depths of his boots.
Colonel Basil was used to seeing the extent of the Prince's arms. He received the weapons with utmost respect, especially the Marshall sword filled with jewelry and the two guns assembled with top-quality lumber and shining metal. The Paladin then handed these weapons to the Guards and commanded them to safe-keep them.
”Do you want to check if there's anything on me being overlooked?” narrowing his eyes, Oscar stared at the Colonel.
”We'll pass!” Basil laughed helplessly. ”It' shameful enough to disarm a Marshall, please don't embarrass me further! You know this can't be helped!”
Oscar chuckled and patted the Paladin on his shoulder. After that, he entered through the main door opened by the servants.
”Your Majesty! Let me see you!” the Prince rushed over to the King's bed upon entering.
Alfa III His Majesty grinned and waved at his nephew, having recovered much of his strength in the past two weeks. Although his upper body remained weak and had been experiencing sharp pain when urinating, the majority of the toxins had been successfully eliminated from the King's system. At that moment, he thought that he ought to thank the lad standing before him. It was far too early for Osli Alfa Morisette to be hanging out with the God of Light.
”I can see that you are in great condition!” Oscar sized up the King in delight and saw a familiar light in the King's eyes.
”Thank you!” the King patted on his bed. Oscar sat atop comfortably.
”How are things on your side?” His Majesty held his son-in-law's hand and was returned with a strong grip.
”Almost done! Just some complications in the details of the troops' assembly. It's two hundred thousand kilometers to reach the Southern hills but I've only one brigade!”
His Majesty chuckled, ”How about I grant you an additional corp?”
”It's fine, your Majesty!” Oscar laughed heartily, ”I'm aware that Marshall Alan's words in his letter were rather aggressive. He's doubting my one brigade, never mind one corp!”
The King was silenced. He was about to mention Marshall Alan's distrust of the Prince's aims in the South. But the King had no more doubts. Getting cleaned off the family's traditional convictions, Imperial Highness the Prince O'Neil would be the forthcoming standard-bearer of the royalties. Furthermore, the King had expectations for the Prince to achieve more deadly agendas.
The conversation resumed with Oscar explaining about his Southern plans. The King listened attentively and they had a heavy debate about the topic of the government of the Southern Allied Army of the Five Provinces. However, it was nothing more than a debate, and the atmosphere was still very peaceful.
The King seemed to lack interest regarding the Allied Army government, what he cared about was for the taxes to regain its previous level. From the Empire's point of view, the harm of the armed riots was still far and the South's business acumen had once brought the Empire generous amounts of profits. Thus, the King had been anticipating the profits.
While Oscar's intentions were not as simple as the King's, his points were still fairly valid. Reasoning that only when the South had stabilized would the economy recover, Oscar opted for the increase in military prowess to tackle the armed rioters to be established as a pressing matter. While time could wait for the negotiation with businessmen, it was more urgent to have the businessmen lose confidence that armed riots could possibly overturn the nation.
All in all, the Prince's strategy could be simplified into one aspect: to employ physical force! Considerations of the political scene must be preceded by a victory by force. Therefore, the establishment of the government of the Allied Army of the Five Provinces could wait, but not the unification of the Southern Army groups.
After brief consideration, the King agreed with the Prince's plans. There would be no disadvantages to both the Empire and the Five Provinces in the South alike, and the King had no doubts about Oscar's resolution. The energetic Marshall would definitely present to the royalties a stable and prosperous South.
”Have a look at this appointment letter!” in great spirits, the King finally presented the long-awaited document to the Prince.
Oscar received the document courteously. Although he might be elated on the inside, he restricted his desperation from showing.
”The Imperial Commissioner, Imperial Envoy, and the Senate of the Southern Amy!” Oscar read aloud his new titles.
The King grinned, ”I'm well aware that these positions may be different from what you're expecting, but you know that this is the only order which can ensure the obedience of all.
”The Holy City of Roman was not built in one day!” Alfa III His Majesty directed his gaze at the young Marshall. ”People may view the idiom as a metaphor, but if its interpretation is limited to just a metaphor, there will be no meaning to it. Do you understand what I'm saying?”
”I understand! You're implying that I should take things slowly and that some things are not to be rushed!”
Satisfied, Oscar kept the document. In fact, he long knew that His Majesty had prepared the letter. He was only seizing the chance to persuade the King one step further.
At that moment, the doorbell sounded. Alfa III His Majesty hinted at Oscar. Understood, Oscar headed for the door and opened. The Imperial Confidential Secretary, Philip Goolean, bowed courteously.
”Your Majesty, Your Highness, Her Elder Highness Ashfin has arrived!” the Confidential Secretary informed while stepping aside.
Oscar then witnessed Lobb's French wife stepping into the King's bedroom gracefully.
”Good morning, your Majesty!” standing at the door, Princess Ashfin Kristen paid her respects to the King who was seated on the bed. Her Elder Highness still had her hair tied and bore exquisite hair accessories which were associated with the Nobles of Faran.
”Oh! Good day to you too!” Osli Alfa Morisette sat up in delight and did not bother to mask his passionate demeanor. However, he stared pointedly at Oscar and Philip when he saw them scurrying out of the room suspiciously.
”What are you doing? Both of you, come back in!”
Puzzled, Oscar questioned His Majesty,”Don't… don't you need us to leave?”
”Why leave?” the King's eyes were bulging.
The quick-witted Count Goolean said no words and pulled the Prince in by the end of his sleeve. The two proceeded to stand at the door side awkwardly. Goolean, who was the King's close guard, knew all about his not-so-honorable affairs whereas Oscar, the Military Intelligence Bureau Chief, had received news from the Secret Service Department not too long ago.
What was the King planning in his head? Oscar threw glances at the Confidential Secretary but to his dismay, the Secretary feigned ignorance.
”Alright! Since you're all here, I shall make an announcement!” His Majesty struggled to move. Upon seeing that, the Faran Princess rushed forward and put a pillow behind the King, providing support. She then covered the King with the blanket he flung away previously.
Amidst the King and the Princess' exchanges of gestures and expressions, hints of absurd romantic feelings could be traced, that much was as clear as day to Oscar. Upon realization, the Prince hastily halted his observations and felt chills. He wasn't sure if he was merely disgusted by the scene before him or he was genuinely concerned about the implications.
”Enough, Ashfin! Sit aside, you're making me dizzy!” the King held the Princess by her arm and guided her to sit on the sofa next to the bed.
”I know that you're not happy in Dulin, so where do you wish to go next to relax?”
The young Ashfin Kristen blinked multiple times, puzzled by the King's question, ”To relax?”
The Prince and the Confidential Secretary finally met each other's gazes. There were never slow-witted and thus they understood the King's underlying meaning perfectly. The King meant for a means of retreat for the Princess or her protection.
Ashfin was not a fool either. She came to a prompt understanding of the transpiration of events thus far. Prior to this visit, there had been numerous times she was denied of entrance into Westberg Fort by Her Majesty the Empress, even with the purpose of a normal visit. This only explained that how much of a dangerous situation the Princess was in!
”Are you fond of the South?” the King held the woman's hand. ”It's near to Faran, and the ways of living of the Southern Nobles are similar to that of Faran as well. You'll feel amiable and free!”
Ashfin was speechless. Strings of tears fell from her face. Had she just been exiled by the King?
”Oscar!” the King ignored her tears as he believed that Ashfin would eventually understand his reasons, that they were all for her own good.
”Yes, your Majesty!” Upon being summoned, the Prince hurried over to the King.
”Ashfin will traveling to the South with you, is there a problem?”
Oscar swiftly made his promise. He pointed to the heavens and earth and vowed to the King that there would be no troubles throughout his sister-in-law's journey.
The King nodded lightly. He was aware that the perceptive man had discovered his relationship with Ashfin, and thus believed that the matter would be managed by Oscar with great caution.
”Philip!” the King turned towards his Confidential Secretary.
”Yes, your Majesty!”
”The South lies the roots of the Goolean family, so you and your family are very familiar with the terrain. I want you to accompany O'Neil. You're permitted to take a brief rest at home, but keep in mind that the His Highness Prince needs an assistant who knows the ground well!”
”Yes, your Majesty! Never mind resting, I'll be assisting His Highness Prince O' Neil together with my family,” promised Philip. He was elated beyond words when he recalled that he had not been back to home for seven or eight years.
Oscar's brain worked fast. He had long foreseen that the King would appoint a trusted man to monitor his each and every action in the South. Besides, he also expected the ideal candidate to be Philip Goolean of the wealthiest family among Southern Nobles. Now that things had turned out according to his predictions, there was no need for him to worry.
”Which reminds me, Your Majesty!” Philip suddenly recalled. ”The Cabinet Chancellor Duke Kachev Drakas Ferdinand, Archbishop Karl Amold, and the Speaker of the House of Lords Cadro Budisette have been waiting for you. They had me to relay their urgency of matters.”
”Who's the most urgent?” Alfa III His Majesty enquired with a perplexed demeanor.
”The Speaker of the House of Lords, Cadro Budisette!” Philip continued subconsciously, ”The Duke's matters seem so urgent that he's walking in circles in your study.”
”Who's the least urgent?”
”It's Archbishop Karl Amold, he drank three cups of tea and is now asking for snacks!”
His Majesty had no words, he only proceeded to wipe the tears off the Princess, ”Go Ashfin! Go! You don't need to worry, you don't have to face that unlucky son of a fool anymore! He'll only bring you more shame!”
Princess Ashfin stood and excused herself from the King. Just as she was about to leave, the King once again gripped her hand, unwilling to let go. In the end, the King had no choice but to face his loneliness. After the door closed, Oscar heard a long, defeated sigh from the ruler of the Empire.
The room was only left with Oscar. The bright young man once again seated himself next to the King.
”Do you still have any orders?”
Alfa III nodded lightly, ”I can only pray that my judgment is correct! I've handed to you the two most important women in my life: Alanis and Ashfin! Regardless of what you'll make of the South, I'll consider your mission accomplished as long as the both of them are safe and sound.”