It seemed as if we were returning to the days of the young and ambitious Emperor, whom no one dared to approach.
"Your Majesty, I have already..."
"No, I will not allow you to return. Your title, your house, everything. If you need anything, I will bring it to you. I, no, this country needs you."
The Emperor summoned the chamberlain and ordered him to bring the goods from Eratosthene's estate and the monastery.
Eratosthenes was ultimately defeated by his stubbornness, Eratosthene sighed.
"If God can be of help to Your Majesty even for a moment, I will follow."
Eratosthene left the Golden Hall with a final greeting that did not hide his intention to remain in the palace for long.
The indifferent attitude of not even heeding the Emperor's pleas only made Perdiccas II more impatient.
Just a moment, Penterus must be reluctant to return because of the attention.
The Emperor, who had been staring at the door through which he had left for a long time, interpreted Eratosthene's reaction in his own way.
He rubbed his eyes as if lost in deep thought, then nodded his head as if he had made up his mind.
Even though he was the father of the Empress, he could not allow Eratosthene to enter the palace in such a shabby manner, even for the sake of honor.
'I should be able to spread my wings by my side.'
He must not let himself be oppressed by the Empress or Reniar.
"Chamberlain, promote Penterus to Marquis."
"... Yes, Your Majesty."
The chief of chamberlain, who had been watching the conversation between the two from the side, could not hide his surprise.
'He is still a truly great man. His Majesty was once as wary of him as Reniar.'
Perdiccas II also allowed him to retire, fearing that his father-in-law, heartbroken by his daughter's death, might harbor vengeance against him.
'With just one appearance, His Majesty has forgotten all those years.'
Even Perdiccas II today, unlike the brilliant young man of the past, has become an obsessive paranoid patient who believes that everyone is after him.
Nevertheless, Eratosthene let down his guard and won his trust.
This eventually led the Emperor to declare his return without question...
This will be the most spectacular return for the Baron, who has been out of politics for ten years.
And that too with powers that have been elevated several levels.
The chamberlain could not have dared to predict how Eratosthenes' return would change the game.
All he can vaguely guess is that an even fiercer battle is about to unfold.
Meanwhile, Perdiccas II, unaware of the chamberlain's astonishment, hummed.
"Chamberlain, prepare a royal decree to be issued to the Princess of Valdina. As her guardian, I will guarantee her the same treatment as the Katzen Imperial Family, and promise immunity and protection of the Imperial Family throughout the Empire."
It was unprecedented in Katzen's history to promise a foreign Princess immunity and the protection of the Emperor, which even a public servant could not receive, and to treat her as a member of the imperial family.
However, he doesn't want Valdina to find out that he is trying to cover up this incident with a veneer of honor, as Eratosthene said.
On this side, they had to offer them some groundbreaking conditions that they couldn't refuse.
"Hmm. What precious gift would you give to Valdina's woman? You may open my report..."
Not only did he solve a long pending problem at once, but he also had the strategist by his side again, and the Emperor was in a good mood for the first time in a while.
"No, I don't want to give my belongings to that damned blood relative."
Then he thought of the face of the Emperor of Valdina and again took on a look of displeasure.
"Let's see... Hmm... Ah... I guess we can find it in the legacy of the former Emperor. Raju, when that guy returns. That kind of faded glory is enough for Valdina."
"..."
When the answer he had been waiting for did not come, the Emperor, who had been lost in thought, raised his head.
"Why aren't you answering? Do you think the luggage is too heavy?"
"That's not possible, but..."
The attendant paused.
"I have something to report to Your Majesty regarding the legacy of the late Emperor that Raju has revealed."
The Emperor frowned at the ominous expression.
"Is this a serious matter that would ruin even the joy I feel after a long time?"
There was a sharp resonance at the end of the voice.
He didn't know when his sparkling eyes would explode.
Others will be too afraid to open their mouths.
But after so long away from the Emperor, the chief chamberlain without hesitation, handed him a bundle of parchments from his bosom.
"This is information that Raju's goddaughter secretly passed on to us. It contains the source and location of the slush funds of the late Emperor."
"He found them all?!"
Perdiccas II opened his eyes wide.
A flash of greedy anticipation rose in his eyes.
In his letter requesting repatriation, Raju only briefly mentioned the existence of the late emperor's legaсу.
To avoid the risk of being removed with only the kernels stolen, the exact location and specifics were hidden.
Eventually, Perdiccas II had no choice but to demand the repatriation of Valdina, which further deteriorated relations between the two countries.
The Emperor snatched the bundle of parchments his chamberlain had offered him and immediately turned to the first page.
His sharp eyes scanned the parchment.
"30,000 seom of grain from the north, 500,000 gold in salt revenue from the south, and 100,000 gold in financial support according to the secret agreement..."
"As you may have noticed, Your Majesty, this is completely different from what Raju reported. He only mentioned His Majesty the late Emperor's report."
Before the Emperor's eyes could fill with joy as he read the words on the parchment, the chamberlain hurriedly put it on as if it were still too early to rejoice.
"As soon as it was confirmed, the inheritance had already been recovered and disappeared. It seems that Raju had disposed of it and laundered it as personal funds."
"What?"
A deep vein bulged out across the Emperor's forehead.
His mouth was twisted into a sinister grimace, and his beard trembled in rage.
"Up until recently, there were indications that he had been using up a huge amount of money for his smuggling and living expenses. It seems that Raju had been planning to present these falsified ledgers to cover this up."
"This disgusting thief should be chewed to death!"
Clang-!
The attendant was unable to continue speaking.
"How dare he mock me and steal my property! I will tear his limb from limb and kill him!"
This was because the Emperor, filled with anger, threw away the objects next to him.
"Your Majesty. My judgment may have been inadequate due to the lack of time. For now, I suggest that you send Raju back here for a thorough investigation..."
"No need, send a lion right now and give him 500 lashes."
Despite the chief chamberlain's persuasion, his eyes were already red.
The pieces of parchment that the Emperor had torn to shreds fell limply to the floor.
'My hunch was right. That guy didn't recognize me as his master.'
Perdiccas II was wary of Raju and kept him at a distance simply because he was a vassal of the previous Emperor.
But when he found out that he was not just a simple vassal, but was trusted to the point of even entrusting him with slush funds, his suspicions exploded.
'Why did you only reveal this now...'
And his madness confirmed his suspicions.
'That wicked bastard was waiting for an opportunity to stame in the back.'
He confessed it reluctantly when he was on the verge of death, but judging by the fact that he tried to hide it until the end, it's clear that he had some kind of hidden plan.
The slush fund that Raju's goddaughter revealed was by no means a small amount.
If this money had come into his hands, it would have given him the power to seize new opportunities and lead the situation.
That's why it was even more bitter. The fact that he was thoroughly eaten by a small, insignificant country's lackeys.
Perdiccas II twisted the corner of his mouth.
"Do not stop whipping him even if he dies before that, and do not finish the punishment until his body is crushed."
It was a cold voice covering the heat of anger.
"I will never allow even the soul of that
filthy bastard to touch my land!"
***
The time when Perdiccas II was faced with the truth that he had been deceived by a lowly person.
Marquis Reniar, who had left the Imperial Palace one step ahead, was also preparing to face the shadows of the past that had not yet ended.
A sense of silence lingered in the pavilion located behind the palace garden.
The Marquis, standing in the middle of the bridge, slowly moved his fingers and touched the ring.
In the center of the golden ring was engraved the head of an eagle entangled in thorny vines.
The eagle's eyes, adorned with red rubies, sparkled in the sunlight.
The Marquis, lost in thought as he turned the ring, looked absentmindedly across the lake.
The waves were calm, and a magpie flying in the distance gave a sharp cry.
The Marquis had a blank expression, but there was strength in the fingertips that were touching the ring.
He curled his hands under his sleeves as if trying to hide the slight tremors that were making him nervous.
At that moment, Eratosthenes slowly walked towards him from the other side of the bridge.
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