Cornered Rat (2)
As soon as the Emperor appeared, the surrounding was enveloped in silence.
"Can someone explain?"
Among the people who were just coughing in displeasure, Prime Minister Hallstail stepped forward.
"May this old man speak?"
"Do so."
Prime Minister Hallstail never defended Oslo, nor did he take my side.
I just watched from a distance.
It was only natural that his words would carry weight. People paid attention to the words of Prime Minister Hallstail.
"The Third Prince of the Empire claimed that 'the first walker' has regained her sight."
The Emperor remained silent as if dumbfounded, then turned his gaze to Oslo.
Oslo shook his head as if it was unfair, but the furrow between the Emperor's eyebrows did not disappear.
"Then he swung his sword at the 'first walker', saying he would show proof. In the process, little Duke Eldern was injured, and the 'savior' healed him."
"So, what was the evidence?"
"I don't know."
"Don't you know, Dani?"
"I saw no evidence that the 'first walker' had regained his sight."
The Emperor slowly closed his eyes as if in disbelief, then opened them again.
"But the Third Prince did not withdraw his claim. He asked for another chance to prove it."
"..."
"If Your Majesty had not intervened, the Third Prince would have attacked the 'first walker' again."
The explanation by Prime Minister Hallstail was completely devoid of emotion. Several attendees spat in discontent.
"As I watched the situation, I had this question."
"What questions do you have?"
Prime Minister Halshtail raised his head and met the Emperor's gaze.
"Doesn't the Imperial Family have a duty to protect their Guardians?"
Oslo's face lost its color. He moved his lips several times but was unable to say anything.
The Emperor answered with a look of holding back something.
"...There is."
"Then I will formally suggest this to Your Majesty."
"What is it?"
"Please expel the Third Prince from the Imperial Summit. I will not elaborate on the reasons as they have already been explained."
"...!"
The ramifications of Prime Minister Hallstail's proposal were enormous.
No matter how wrong Oslo was, it was not something that could be said easily. The attendees held their breath.
"If Your Majesty refuses the offer, we, Romena, will return immediately. From then on, the Empire will be held responsible for the disruption of the summit."
Prime Minister Hallstail was the second most powerful person in the Grand Duchy of Romena, and in some areas, he held even more power than the Duke.
The weight of words spoken by someone who is no different from the King of a country is bound to be several times heavier than those spoken by an ordinary person.
So the Emperor could never ignore Prime Minister Halsteil's proposal.
No matter how much he promised Count Beatrix.
This is the kind of situation I wanted.
To put the Emperor in a situation where he has no choice but to break the promise he made.
How many boring hours had I had to endure for that? The end was finally approaching.
The Emperor opened his mouth after a long time.
"What do the attendees of Shancrecia think of the Prime Minister's opinion?"
"We, Shancrecia, demand that the Third Prince of the Empire not only be excluded from the summit but also severely punished!"
"Yes! If you reject our offer, the Empire will consider it as denying the existence of God!"
Guardians are proof of God's existence.
It was natural for a person who served God to be angry when he saw the third Prince of the empire treating such a being so carelessly.
A faint hint of discomfort spread across the Emperor's silver-gray eyes as he listened to the attendees' demands.
Oslo's mistakes aside, the very situation of being pressured by both countries is hurtful and uncomfortable.
"I understand your opinions. I will listen to the parties involved and then decide. You two, follow me."
The Emperor turned around and headed towards the barracks.
***
In the barracks, the imperial knights stood with a solemn air.
Among them was Chevio, but unlike usual, he just stared straight ahead with a blunt expression.
The Emperor stood before me and Oslo for a long time without opening his mouth.
As the silence grew longer, Oslo became less able to hide his anxiety.
That makes sense.
Because if he is excluded from this summit, he will have no more chance to become Emperor.
Oslo, realizing that they were absolutely at a disadvantage, bowed his head first.
"Father. I think there was a misunderstanding. Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
The Emperor raised his hand and covered Oslo's mouth.
"You have already caused great damage to our national prestige. Now the Empire will be branded as a nation that treats its guardians carelessly. How do you plan to repair this?"
"..."
"Did you do this without any plan?"
The Emperor struck down his armrest.
Boom!
Oslo's shoulders flinched at the loud noise.
"Haven't I told you countless times! Don't just look at what's right in front of you, think about what's beyond! If you don't, you won't be able to become Emperor! I've told you countless times!"
Oslo closed his eyes tightly and lowered his head.
Of course, he wasn't reflecting. He was just trying to hide his distorted expression.
"Tell me the basis for your claim that the 'first walker' regained her sight."
"My partner saw it clearly."
"Where is your partner?"
"Uh..."
Oslo opened his eyes wide.
He just realized that Vivi had disappeared without a trace.
The Emperor sighed in despair.
"You created this mess and are now blaming it on others."
"Oh, no. Father! I'm not trying to avoid my mistakes..."
"Shut your mouth!"
An overwhelming sense of intimidation emanated from the Emperor, making his whole body tremble.
As Oslo closed his mouth, overcome by the energy, the Emperor turned his gaze to me.
"Let me tell you, 'the first walker'. How would you like me to handle It?"
The moment I heard the Emperor's words, I realized that he wanted this incident to be covered up quietly.
To do that, I had to agree. I was the only one who could sort this out.
That is, the Emperor wanted me to forgive Oslo and convince the attendees.
It was a very big problem that the royal family attacked the guardian.
So, it is not that I do not understand the Emperor's desire to not make a big deal out of the incident.
I wasn't upset. The choices for an individual and the choices for a country can't be the same.
But just as Oslo planned to attack me at the hunting competition, I also planned to take him down.
That too, long before Oslo, and thoroughly.
That was the opportunity that was created. I had no intention of missing out on this life-or-death opportunity.
"Please exclude His Highness the Third Prince from the summit."
"Millenia!"
Oslo screamed, and the Emperor covered his forehead.
You shouldn't be surprised yet. It's just the beginning.
"I will also accuse the Third Prince. The charges are attempted kidnapping, attempted murder, and instigation of murder."
"...!"
Oslo's body suddenly froze. The Emperor asked in a hurry.
"Just now... what did you say? Kidnapping? Instigating murder? Did I hear that correctly?"
Oslo screamed urgently.
"Oh, Father, no! That's a lie! Don't be fooled by such ridiculous tricks!"
"Stop!"
The Emperor's voice began to sound anxious.
If even just one of the charges I mentioned turns out to be true, it will cause a huge stir.
"Conspiracy against the royal family is punishable by severe punishment. There must be solid evidence."
"Of course there is."
"Take it out and see."
"It's not an object, it's a person. If you allow me, I will summon it."
"...You're here?"
"Yes."
As I nodded briefly in response, Nadia, who had received the signal, went outside and brought someone.
Oslo's face turned pale even though I couldn't see it because his head was bowed down.
'It looks like he knows who it is.'
After all, even in Oslo, where people of lower status than him are not treated as human beings, there is no way he wouldn't recognize someone he's spent over 20 years with.
I introduced the witness.
"Baron Albert Redfield, Chief Chamberlain of the Third Prince's Palace."
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