The Men in the Kingdom - 2

Interlude

The red carpet that covered the entire room was so soft you could feel your feet sinking into it. Two chairs were placed inside the room, made from high quality wood carved in the style of French Rococo, the black chairs gleaming in a way unique to treated leather.

The man on the chair stretched his legs and laid back into his seat.

A pretty face. If someone sketched his appearance perfectly, that would be how others think of him.

His blonde hair reflected the magical illumination, just like the shine of the stars. His clear purple eyes were like amethysts, tempting the people who looked at him.

However, people who actually saw him in person would have a different impression other than a pretty face. Basked in his aura of a natural leader that had nothing to do with his face, no one would have a different impression.

He was Jircniv Rune Farlord el Nix.

The reigning emperor at the age of 22, feared by the aristocrats and respected by the citizens, the most talented emperor of all times. He was also the one who purged the nobles within the Empire, a man feared by the neighbouring country as the Bloody Emperor.

There were four other men aside from Jircniv in the room, but all of them stood as still as statues.

Jircniv shifted his eyes away from the paper he had been reading and gazed into the distance. As if there was a blackboard before him, he started writing his thoughts on it.

Jircniv exhaled with his nose shortly after. That was either a mocking or curious noise.

At that moment—

This impudent action made the servants lower their stance and watch the door with hostility. But after confirming the identity of the one entering, they lowered their guard.

The one entering was an old man half their height with a long white beard. He still had a full head of snow white hair.

His age was shown on his face as wrinkles, and the light of wisdom could be seen in his eyes. On his neck was a necklace made with numerous crystal balls.

On his dried up fingers were several plain rings. The loose white robe he wore was made from a very soft material.

This was the image of a magic caster for those who were ignorant.

The old man walking slowly into the room said this with a liveliness that didn’t match his appearance. Jircniv simply shifted his curious gaze.

“What is the matter, gramps?”

“What do you mean?”

“… Your Imperial Majesty, magic has to follow the laws of this world too. Researching knowledge—”

“Ahh, I get it, I get it.” Jircniv waved his hands disinterestedly.

“Your lecture is too long, gramps. Instead, can you get straight to the point?”

“… If the man named Ainz Ooal Gown does really exist, and he possesses magic items or the ability to avoid detection, then we can presume that he is a mage of a similar or higher level than me.”

With the exception of the emperor and the old man, the tension in the room raised several notches.

To be on par with the highest tier magic caster in the history of the Empire, ‘Tri-arts’ Fluder Paradyne, they couldn’t believe their ears.

“You met one two hundred years ago?”

The words driven by the curiosity of the Emperor threw the thoughts of the top court magician to the distant past.

“That'd be so. One of the thirteen heroes from the legends, necromancer Rigrit Bers Caurau, a great figure. She was probably the best of the thirteen heroes.”

Fluder’s eyes seemed to be lost as if he was glancing into the distance.

In contrast to his movement of stroking his beard while speaking, his words were full of confidence. He then raised an eyebrow.

“Are you hoping that Ainz Ooal Gown has that kind of value?”

Jircniv smiled and chose a piece of paper from the few scattered on the couch, and stretched his hand over.

He felt baffled, but Fluder still caught and scanned the paper.

“Oh.”

That was the entirety of Fluder’s comment. But his sage-like appearance changed drastically. A fire burned brightly in his eyes, like those of a famished beast.

“I see, so that’s what this Ainz Ooal Gown, whom your Imperial Majesty is looking for, has done? This is really intriguing. They could probably hold their own against the special unit of the Theocracy with just the two of them… Hmm. I want to meet him and discuss about magic with him.”

On the paper was detailed what Gazef Stronoff said before the king, it even included the comments of the official taking down the minutes.

“Your Imperial Majesty, who did you dispatch to that village?”

“I didn’t go that far. It is too obvious to send people over.”

“…Send my disciple… No, if this report is true, we should try to build a cordial relationship if possible.”

“That’s the idea, gramps. If he is a man we can put under our control, I will welcome him to the Empire.”

“That will be for the best. In order to glimpse into the abyss of magic, all sorts of knowledge are needed. If possible, I would like to meet a pioneer.”

Jircniv knew very well what Fluder desired.

Fluder wanted to peer into the abyss of magic. In order to do so, he wished to seek for a master who'd be more advanced than him.

As for the ones behind, they could take the road — which in most instances, was paved by Fluder — and travel through it.

By taking the path that suits you better in a more efficient manner, one could develop their own talent without any wastage.

However, this wasn’t permitted for Fluder who walked alone at the very front. As he had to tread in the dark, he wasted too much unnecessary effort in his studies. If he could develop his talent without any waste, Fluder would be an even more powerful magic caster.

In order to do so, Fluder thirsted for someone who could guide him. There was a limit to one’s talent, he didn’t want to waste anymore effort.

Fluder nurtured his disciples in the hopes of finding someone who could surpass him, and then pull him ahead. Unfortunately, this has yet to happen.

“Also, I want to collect information on the Adamantite adventurers that appeared in E-Rantel. Could you help me?”

“Of course, your Imperial Majesty.”