Chapter 166: Nineteenth Episode: Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 166: Nineteenth Episode: Chapter 3
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Lights were lit up in Tacheles Fortress. The smell of kerosene disrupted the peacefulness of the atmosphere. Two paladin companies were occupying the Emperor's immense bedroom. These stern looking professional knights had all sorts of weapons on them and they stood as still as statues in every corner of the castle.
In the public square outside the gates of the palace, a great number of carriages with classes of nobility titles were left there. The drivers were huddled by the fire altar close to the public square for warmth. Their masters were waiting in their respective carriages for the summons from the palace.
The nobles' eyes would flit towards it every so often, but they were destined to leave in disappointment. There wasn't the slightest sound coming from Tacheles Fortress. There wasn't even a doorman within the gates to help notify the fortress, but only the simple fortification and barricade that the paladins had built.
”How long are we to wait?” a prominent noble started to grumble.
”Yes, if His Majesty III is to leave us then please make it quick...”
”That's right! This weather is freezing!”
Ignoring the noise nearby, His Imperial Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette abandoned his carriage at the intersection and crossed the public square on foot. Quite a number of nobles noticed the marshal. Some quickly ducked into their carriages and pulled their curtains securely shut; others immediately went forward to greet him and offered gracious and splendid wishes to the young prince.
”May our Majesty Emperor recover soon.”
Oscar nodded at the respected man, ”Yes, we've been praying for this all the while.”
He calmly left the nobles, a sneer by lips. Osli Alfa Morisette's time has arrived. Perhaps it was tonight; perhaps it was the next morning.
Anyway, when the Emperor could speak, his doctor instead said, ”Hand over the matters!”
It seemed that… the entire Empire was looking forward to this moment. The great bureaucrats and nobles were in their respective Shalons all day, probing into the Imperial Household's decision and gossiping about the various ugly things about the successor of the Emperor. They would only bring up the current Emperor when they were utterly bored. Furthermore, they used light tones and mostly talked about His Majesty's entanglement with women.
Compared to the civil servants who had nothing to do, the soldiers of the Empire undoubtedly have the conventional character of being conscientious and meticulous. The lights in the General Staff Headquarters burned through the night. The tactical staff officer with black circles beneath his eyes listed the various military units and troop deployments on the map and recorded all the possible existing movements of the enemies. The Combat Department's Staff Officer Team's work was more focused. They tried to figure out the intent of the enemy's military strategy from the secret information reported by the Military Intelligence Bureau. After that, they would simulate the Guard's dynamic offensive and formulate a war deployment plan accordingly.
It went without saying that there were often two incompatible war strategies from the general staff and the Combat Command Center. Thus, intense disputes would often erupt between the two sides. The commissioned officer of the general staff would at this time block the entrance of the Combat Command Center with the soldiers crossing their legs and hands on their hips. Then they would spit at their co-workers like a teapot.
The Combat Department wouldn't show signs of weakness. They would clear the doorway well. They regarded their coworkers of the general staff as army orderlies. After that, they used the same antiques to get back at them until someone stepped in to put a stop to such senseless fighting.
Usually Marshal Robin Sparse would always aptly show up when both sides were worn out. Time was ingenious. The long-term dispute and sticking to each own opinions have caused the minute flaws in the strategies of both sides to be exposed. Robin handled it quite impartially. He didn't have any biases or subjective opinions. He would get the general staff to admit their mistakes and apologize to the Combat Department and also get the Combat Department to bow to the superior plan of the general staff. In short, the Chief of staff of the Guards received respect from both sides and the Marshal still maintained the prestige and practice of the Imperial Military Academy.
At last, the busiest group of people in the capital circle finally arrived. Rudolf Hoss hasn't shown his face since announcing the news of His Majesty III's critical illness. This more or less made people find it difficult to believe. The Secret Service Department wasn't that secretive as compared to the Military Intelligence Bureau, but recently, indeed no one had any idea what the Head of the Secret Service was busy with. Some even suspected that Rudolf simply wasn't in the capital.
Actually, Rudolf reported daily to Tacheles Fortress. Although the Emperor was barely conscious, the Head of the Secret Service still liked to prattle away about certain things to His Majesty. If at this moment an outsider were present, then he would definitely be dumbfounded by the internal matters the Head of the Secret Service rattled on about.
”Indeed, who would have thought? If not for my investigators' usual habit of digging to the root of a matter, I believe no one would have known about this all the while!”
The Emperor nodded feebly to the Head of the Secret Service. His eyes were sunken, his face sickly, his lips pale. The only thing that seemed to prove that he was still alive was the rays that shone in his eyes.
”Is… everything set?”
”Yes, don't worry! The human testimony and material evidence are all accounted for. Everything will be exposed in broad daylight.”
Alfa III beamed and nodded and opened his arms towards the close minister who has followed him for many years. Rudolf Hoss hurriedly stepped into it and held the Emperor's emaciated form tightly. He pondered; His Majesty III hasn't done anything like this in many years.
The Emperor patted the Head of the Secret Service on the shoulder, hinting to him that he could let go of him. Thus, Rudolf carefully helped Osli Alfa Morisette to the pillow. The ruler and the minister looked each other up and down and at last, the Emperor suddenly laughed.
”Hoss, how do you keep your looks? How many years has it been? Why do you always have this grim look?”
The Head of the Secret Service only gave a bitter laugh, ”My liege, if it wasn't for my grim look, then we would all be in trouble.”
”Hehe! This is indeed true!” the Emperor's smile suddenly turned stiff. He scrunched his whole face up. Osli took his hand out from under the bedding with difficulty and put it around his liver, the pain causing him to take gasping breaths.
”Should I call the doctor?” Rudolf pressed down heavily on the Emperor's arm. He was heartbroken; Osli was his master.
”No… those useless people already can't do anything more! Hand me the smoke pipe!”
”Sire…” Rudolf took the hookah hesitantly, ”This thing has absolutely no benefit to you.”
”I know… thank you!” Alfa III snatched the hookah that was emitting steam. He took in a few mouthfuls fiercely. Then, he leaned contentedly back against his sickbed.
”Go on now Rudolf! There's nothing to worry about… thank you for all that you've done for me.” The Emperor flashed a hideous smile to the Head of Secret Service. After a glimpse, Rudolf immediately averted his gaze.
”Oh gosh! What has the illness tormented you into!”
”This is considered pretty good! I've lived an extra year. If it wasn't for Oscar rescuing me that time, I fear that I would have long since joined the gods for tea...”
”Hehe, at least you still can joke around,” Rudolf patted the Emperor's hand. He himself found it strange, as he had never done this before as well. ”Won't you let me accompany you a bit more?”
Alfa III shook his head, ”Accompany me to hell? Just stay back and look after Dulin well. Go on Rudolf, that rascal outside really can't wait any longer!”
Rudolf Hoss took in the still living Emperor one last time, despite that he was drawing closer and closer to death's door. How should he view this matter? Rudolf Hoss wasn't exactly sure. His father was His Majesty Alfa II's Secret Service Division Head. When it reached Alfa III, it became him. He has served his whole life in the Imperial Household and come to really think about it, he really didn't hope for anything from them. Thinking about this, Rudolf inadvertently lifted his head and puffed out his chest. He strolled out of the Emperor's bedroom with light footsteps, as he could definitely be considered as the number one loyal servant of the Morisette Dynasty.
***************
Oscar almost collided with the Head of the Secret Service as he entered the entrance hall of the castle. Without giving it any thought, he pulled Rudolf Hoss to a secluded end of the hallway.
”Hey old friend, you indeed are my old friend!”
The Head of the Secret Service gave a bitter smile for he really didn't have that good fortune. ”My Lord, just come right out. There will be a price to pay for associating with you; this I know.”
The Marshal of the Guards rolled his eyes and his voice fell to a whisper, ”Is it tomorrow? Or the day after?”
Rudolf looked around him. There were only a few paladins close by who wouldn't spill a word even if pressured. ”The doctor says… it's very difficult to endure until tomorrow!”
”So soon?” Oscar's face instantly fell.
”What else can I do? This has arrived at a point where only the God of Light is capable of making a decision! Those physicians don't have any countermeasures.”
”Now who is in His Majesty's bedroom?” Oscar asked anxiously.
”It's Rolyn Kate!” the Head of the Secret Service couldn't conceal the disgust in his voice.
Rolyn Kate was still her old self. More than half a year of a life in the convent, cut off from the world, it didn't make her appear too frail. She has the habit of washing her face with pearl powder, drawing her eyeliners with whale oil from the Northern Ocean, and dabbing her wig with seal oil and great lion flower perfume. Her wigs were known far and wide. As an Empress, there was bound to be something that the people praised. So, one thing that must be mentioned in chitchats was Rolyn Kate's three thousand over styles of wigs. In order to set its style, the Empress' attendants smeared a lot of gel onto it. Once it dried, it would emit a smell similar to that of urine.
***************
The anesthetic effect of opium has started to take effect on Osli Alfa Morisette's mental state. His eyes were out of focus, but his sense of hearing and smell were extraordinary. This was the magical effect of opium.
The Emperor gaped at his wife and gave her a once over. He suspected that Rolyn Kate had a chamber pot on her hand, otherwise why else would she stink so badly! Having thought about this, a scene inadvertently appeared in the Emperor's mind. He and a group of nobles were at the dining table, laughing to their heart's content and kept downing wine. After that, they went to relieve themselves together. They released urine onto the Empress' hair and she actually smiled at them happily.
Rolyn Kate was indeed beaming happily. She noticed the Emperor of the Empire had already completely lost all sense of reason to the extent that he couldn't hear her calls and couldn't see the hand that she was waving before his eyes.
”So sorry Osli! How did you become like this?” the Empress drew closer to the Emperor's ear. ”Let me find you a woman with huge bottoms! Though you're unable to do anything to her. However, she will appear more pleasing than me. What do you say?”
The Emperor indeed didn't have any response. He was still immersed in the hallucination and thrill that the opium brought to him.
Rolyn Kate was impatient. She found it a little hard to believe that this senile, hideous man was actually her husband. She actually spent half her life with him.
”So it has finally come to an end…” the Empress let out a gentle sigh, ”But may the God of Light have mercy on you. I don't wish for you to report to hell.”
Rolyn Kate stood up. She wanted to leave this house that made one feel sick and this man who others would find amusing if they saw him. However, she seemed to have thought about something and stooped down by the Emperor's ear.
”Hey, old man! Compared to those women of yours, I have had my fair share of men! Moreover, all of them are better compared to you!”
The Empress evaluated the Emperor's eyes until she was certain that the lifeless Osli Alfa Morisette still didn't have any response, she chuckled and left her husband.
***************
Alanis received the same treatment as the cabinet ministers who were keeping watch outside the bedroom. She had a cup of coffee and a few lumps of sugar but those remained untouched. She sized up everyone with a meaningful look. Marshal Robin, who was in his old age, was beside her. The old Marshal's shriveled hand was placed on his glistening sword, assuming the look of an escort. Kachev Drakas Ferdinand and a few cabinet members were huddled in a corner, discussing something in low voices and shooting glances at the princess now and then.
Cadro Budisette, the spokesman of the House of Lords, has already drunk quite a few cups of coffee. He and Archbishop Karl Arnold also requested the palace chief for light refreshments.
Regarding her eldest uncle, Alanis didn't quite understand Archbishop Karl Arnold's actions, but she has heard some of the rumors of Dulin. The capital nobles looked upon Titan's religious leader with disdain because this rascal has sullied the virtue of many girls.
As for the two of her brothers… Alanis covered her forehead! She was fantasizing that a tremendous earthquake should break out in Dulin. Then the people would realize that there would only be two victims. One was the drunk Lobble and another was Lobmus, who was riding on one of the women.
Empress Rolyn Kate came out. Her expression wasn't as frivolous as it had been back in the room. The mother welcomed her young daughter's embrace and her eyes were even red from tears.
”My Niz, hurry in to see your poor father!” having said that, Rolyn Kate collapsed onto the ground as if her strength couldn't hold up anymore, causing Alanis to summon for the doctor at the top of her lungs. The aristocrats in the huge guest room hurried forwards. They fought to outdo each other and helped Her Majesty Empress to the sofa. Some fanned her, some poured a glass of water and a bold rascal from who knows where even pinched the Empress' bottom. Rolyn Kate furrowed her brows; she seemed to recognize those hands that took advantage of ladies.
Alanis gazed through the huge doors that were wide open and strode in without a backward glance. Her father was still in the same state. He was still lying paralyzed on his sickbed, his eyes distant, as if having some beautiful dream.
”Come here!” Alfa III suddenly gestured towards his daughter. Alanis glanced around in disbelief and ascertained that she was the only person in the bedroom. However, her father's tone… was as if he were speaking to those women waiting to be knocked up.
Alanis carefully approached the bed. She didn't want to be attacked by her father.
”Silly child, what are you worried about? I'm fully sober!” the Emperor finally lost his patience.
Alanis suddenly broke into laughter, ”You scared me!”
”Hehe!” the Emperor couldn't help but open his arms. ”Get over here you little rascal!”
The Princess threw herself into her father's embrace. It wasn't difficult for her to imagine her father's feelings; nothing was more important than this moment. This was rare because it was the first time Alanis was aware that age has taken its toll on her father and to an elderly, the past was everything. Osli searched for the young version of his daughter in the depths of his memories. He recounted things of the past with zest to his daughter. The warmth of the former times touched Alanis. When her father brought up about her being bullied badly by the young Oscar, she finally burst into tears. She didn't usually cry like this. She wept with tears streaming down her cheeks.
”Okay, okay!” Alfa III patted his daughter's back gently, ”Le roi est mort, vive le roi1!” Alanis immediately stopped crying and gazed at her father incredulously. ”Le roi est mort, vive le roi!” This was the most famous quote used by Engel's renowned writer in the most popular play, which meant that ”The old King has passed, long live the new King!”
The superficial meaning of this phrase in the Engel language wasn't this, but behind the theater stage, ”The old King has passed, long live the new King!” was a mysterious and subtle derivative, signifying a change in the Emperor position.
”You're saying…”
”Yes, Alanis!” Osli nodded his head at his daughter firmly. ”If there were any regrets of Emperor Alfa III of the Morisette Dynasty, that will be being unable to see his daughter's crowning ceremony!”
”No! Don't go!” Tears again welled up in Alanis' eyes; sorrow surged up from the bottom of her heart.
”You've seen it, foolish girl! The gods are saying that I must go!” the Emperor seemed to want to verify his words. A string of violently coughing caught hold of him suddenly. He grabbed frantically at the air until his hands closed around the hookah.
”Let me off! Let me off!” the Emperor lamented softly. He continued to take in and puff out gulps of the thick smoke that had the fragrance of opium.
”But… before then!” after the smoke had circulated through his system, Alfa III again perked up. ”My daughter, to be an Emperor, you must be clear of those around you. Who are the ones who sincerely serve you and who are the ones who harbor ill intentions towards you.”
”Just like Kachev?” Alanis was also driven.
”No!” His Majesty III shook his head, ”All the evidence indicates that he is merely a pitiful creature. Rudolf will teach you how to deal with him.”
”Then… will my brother inherit the throne?”
”Of course, he's the crown prince!” Alfa III nodded in exasperation. ”But he will not live to see the day of his coronation because someone will tear down his platform. Do you know who that is?”
”Isn't it Kachev?” the Princess was utterly perplexed.
”Kachev can't play any more tricks. His every move is within our control. If he does anything rash, I will drag him to the grave with me. So don't worry about Kachev, he knows what choices he should make.”
”Then who is it? There isn't anyone else left in Dulin City who can sway to the crown prince!”
”There is!” Osli Alfa Morisette pointed towards the heavens, ”The God of Light! The will of the gods is sufficient to waiver the orthodox position of the crown prince.”
”I don't understand…” Alanis shook her head.
”You don't have to understand because I myself am not too sure as well. What I can do is to pave for you the road that leads to Hamilton Palace. I know you aren't fond of that place, but that is the final home! Otherwise, my daughter, you will die!”