Chapter 128
Before the black tea in the teacup had even cooled, the Count's story continued.
"His Highness the 1st Prince has conveyed his intention to bestow a title upon Sir Karl, who has achieved many accomplishments for the Empire."
"The 1st Prince?"
"Does something like that have any meaning now?"
"His Highness the Prince also does not believe he can become emperor himself."
"Then why is he calling for me?"
"As far as I know, His Highness is a person who still does his best for the stability of the Empire."
"Even knowing he cannot become emperor himself."
He was a peculiar individual.
To do his best for the stability of the Empire even while knowing he couldn't become emperor himself.
Anyone who gained power would want to go higher, and if they had incomplete power, it was natural to strive for more complete power.
This space called the West Continent, funnily enough, had a structure where princes could no longer wield much power.
To assert the legitimacy of a unified emperor, the factions in each region had already solidified their own power.
The current real powers on the continent were Duke Ellenhower Somerset in the north, Marquis Marco Bellocchio in the south, Duke Yevgeny Volkov in the east, and Duke Jacques Marin in the west.
Relatively speaking, in terms of the size of their forces alone, Duke Ellenhower and Duke Yevgeny Volkov of the east could be seen as having the largest power.
The hegemons of each region had already strengthened their power to the extent that they could grant countships without reporting to the capital.
Normally, bestowing titles like a countship should have been done in the central capital of the Empire, but in the current Empire where all power had already been dispersed, it was an unexpectable procedure.
The funny thing was that the decentralized dukes did not bother to declare kingdoms.
I hadn't known before, but looking at it now, it could be seen as a sign that the lords of each region had not given up on the dream of unifying the Empire.
It could be seen that everyone once again harbored the ambition to unify the Empire.
Was it the same principle as in the old days of the Three Kingdoms, where countless heroes aimed to unify the continent, staking the revival of one imperial family as their cause?
"What is Count Vito's opinion?"
"Would it be good for me to go?"
"I think it wouldn't be bad to go at least once."
"I also think it's good to officially receive a title."
"No matter how much of a scarecrow prince he is, isn't he, at any rate, a person whose legitimacy can be recognized regarding the bestowal of titles?"
"If it's a title bestowed by him, no one anywhere on the continent will complain about Sir Karl's title."
Personally speaking, the title held little value for me.
However, in a situation like now, where a faction following me had emerged, the story could change.
In the worldview of this continent, centered around nobles, a noble title was an essential part of officially maintaining and managing a faction.
"The rumors I've heard about him are not bad."
"If the Count says so, I will go and see him once."
"However."
Even though things had been quiet recently, I was still concerned about the elves and those Tarantula bastards.
In any case, if they hadn't all been subjugated, they could target the castle whenever I was absent.
"Don't worry too much; the Lighthouse Knights are formidable, and our Collo is no longer an easy target either."
"Alright."
"However, I will officially request support from the Order and the Mercenary Guild."
"It wouldn't hurt for them to establish connections here either."
"I won't stop you from doing that."
With Count Vito's agreement and my nod, the conversation between the two of us ended.
A week later, I set off for the Imperial Capital.
***
A man wearing an eight-legged spider mask was looking at his subordinates in silence.
In that place were the Five-Legged to Seven-Legged Masks.
"I hear talk that it wasn't us, but those elf bastards who summoned the demon."
"We heard that too, but in the end, those bastards failed to control the summoned demon."
"Yes, that's right."
"However, it's undeniable that they accomplished what we had long wished for first."
"..We are ashamed."
"No, still, thanks to that, we were able to learn about the dangers of an uncontrolled demon, so it's not all bad."
"The Demon's Seed is knowledge we also possessed, but doesn't it ultimately mean that high-ranking demons escape the summoner's control?"
They all nodded.
The group called Tarantula was not just a group of demon worshipers, but a group formed by a mix of them and those who wished to overturn the world with them.
Funnily enough, Tarantula's core personnel were a rather ambiguous group to say they truly worshiped demons.
Typically, their leader, the Eight-Legged Mask, was also not someone who worshiped demons.
"At this rate, our standing on the continent will only continue to shrink."
"We've only suffered failures at Essus and Alcantara, so now we need a turnaround."
"How about we also go public?"
"Seven-Legged, what do you mean by that?"
"Either way, if things continue like this, we'll lose even our symbolism."
"It's also a method to declare our cause of overturning this rotten world to the public and openly confront them."
"Besides, given the current situation on the continent, it's not like we'll be publicly condemned, right?"
Previously, everyone would have opposed the Seven-Legged Mask's opinion, but now, his opinion seemed to have some merit.
In the past, they were the only faction fundamentally opposing Essus and the unified Empire.
But now, wasn't it a situation where everyone, here and there, was raising banners claiming to oppose the Empire?
On top of that, demons, other races, and groups of heretics were popping up one after another.
If they were to raise a banner, now was the optimal time.
"Still, given Tarantula's symbolism, there will be many other factions who would want to join us."
"If that happens, we might be able to consolidate our forces."
The Eight-Legged Mask also seemed to agree with the idea to some extent.
"...."
The Eight-Legged Mask, who had been lost in thought for a moment, nodded and then, as if having firmed his resolve, opened his mouth.
"You are right."
"Yes...!?"
"If we have moved in darkness until now, it is time to step into the light."
"We will immediately transform into a form befitting that."
"From today onwards, we are Postasia, a name that raises the banner of anti-imperialism."
With a declaration that could be somewhat abrupt, the Eight-Legged Mask and threw off the mask he wore like a second skin.
There stood a person who looked to be in his late 30s at most.
"I was the 3rd Prince of the Empire, but now, as Patrick Gloster, who stands at the forefront against them, I hereby declare that I will use the name Patrick Postasia from this day forward."
"And we officially declare this westernmost land where we have established ourselves as our territory."
"We will follow the great Master's will."
At Patrick's declaration, the remaining masked figures all took off their masks and prostrated themselves before him.
And on that day, Tarantula disappeared, and a new power called Postasia emerged on the continent.
***
"Hmm... My master told me to go, so I am going, but, ah... should I call you Sir Karl or Baron Karl?"
I barely managed to suppress a throbbing headache as I watched Oliger, who had been chattering non-stop beside me all day.
Sancho, Kelvin, and everyone who accompanied me were all talkative.
"Could you please be quiet?"
"Yes?"
"I asked you to be quiet."
"Ah... but, there are only two of us."
"It's boring to go without talking."
"Don't you think it's better for Sir Karl to have a companion to talk to on the way, rather than going awkwardly in silence?"
"Hoo...."
Words like 'be quiet' had no effect on Oliger.
Come to think of it, that fellow seemed to have been beaten up by Emilio every time he ran his mouth, yet he still seemed to chatter endlessly.
"By the way, has Sir Karl been to the capital?"
"I was cooped up in the mountains with my master, and when I finally came out into the world, I only went around deep mountain areas or small domains, so I never had a chance to go to the capital."
"So, is the capital really big, huge, magnificent, and all that?"
Wouldn't it be alright to kill him?
Emilio would probably overlook it if such a guy disappeared.
Watching Oliger talk endlessly, I seriously contemplated whether to draw my sword.
"Can't we just go quietly?"
"...Alright."
"Fine then."
"If Sir Karl says he doesn't like it, what can I... a powerless fellow like me, do?"
"I don't have a title either... Even if someone like me wanted to talk...."
"Hoo...."
The reason I was accompanying Oliger was to help with a new method of magic training I had recently been practicing.
Emilio had decided it would be best to stay in the County of Collo to prepare for a possible attack by the elves, so he remained in Collo.
Thanks to that, Oliger was the only helper I had, so I had no choice but to move with him.
Even though the fellow talked a lot, his skills were genuine, and his magic ability was outstanding, almost comparable to Emilio's.
Emilio's explanation was that his magical talent was as immense as his endlessly moving mouth.
‘Though I can't shake the feeling that I've been saddled with a chore.’
When Emilio sent Oliger with me, I was sure there was a smile on Emilio's lips.
-If Sir Karl is to practice magic and proceed with the new training method I've created, my disciple is absolutely! necessary, that's what I think.
-So don't refuse and take that fellow with you.
-He will definitely be a great help.
-No, I'll go alone.
-No, he'll definitely be necessary.
-I guarantee it, absolutely.
-Definitely.
-He will be needed without a doubt.
-And it's not just because he's my disciple, but if you're with him, Sir Karl will never be bored.
-I vouch for it.
-...Alright.
I thought something was strange back then, but now I seemed to know exactly what it was.
"Hoo...."
A sigh escaped my lips once again.
Whether I sighed or not, the horses carrying the two of us continued to move steadily towards the capital.
After traveling for quite some time, we were nearing the capital.
Dududududu.
From somewhere, the sound of horse hooves filled the ground, and through a cloud of dust, a group of knights appeared.
Their armor was emblazoned with a lily emblem.
They were a well-armed knight order in heavy armor.
"Glory to the hero of the Empire!"
A figure who appeared to be the commander, riding a horse at the head of the group, paid me a polite courtesy.
The knights who followed him also showed their respect by bowing their heads to me along with him.
It was one ofr the cultural practices from the old days, where a knight order would escort a distinguished guest to the capital as a way of welcoming them.
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
"I am Ralph Richardson, Commander of the 2nd Imperial Knight Order."
"Karl, Free Knight."
My introduction was short.
Ralph thought that I, introducing myself with just the short phrase "Free Knight," seemed rather refreshing.
"Indeed, you seem just as I've heard."
"From now on, we will escort the distinguished guest."
He guided me and slowly moved towards the Imperial Capital.
The sight of about 200 Imperial Knights in shining armor escorting Oliger and me was a magnificent spectacle.
While moving, the members of the Imperial Knight Order covertly glanced at me.
The opportunity to see a hero who shook the entire continent and a strongman who ranked among the continent's top 10 was rare even for them.
Furthermore, the unbelievable achievements I had made at an age similar to theirs created complex emotions in them, such as envy, awe, and curiosity.
"Do others also receive such burdensome stares?"
At my direct words, the knights who had been glancing at me turned their heads.
"Hahahaha, how could that be?"
"It's because it's Sir Karl."
"Who else could achieve such great feats as Sir Karl?"
"It is merely the result of coincidence."
"Hahaha."
The person named Ralph seemed to be quite a good-natured man.
Perhaps the Prince had also chosen and sent him with some care.
However, the expression of a person named Rhody, who appeared to be the vice-commander, had been bothering me from a while ago.
"May I also experience Sir Karl's martial prowess sometime?"
"Sir Rhody! How can you be so rude to a distinguished guest?"
"How can asking for guidance from a great knight be considered rude for a knight, Commander, you are being too sensitive."
Watching the person named Rhody speak to Ralph, who was trying to stop him, I let out a smirk.
"You said your name was Sir Rhody, was it?"
"It's fine when we rest, it's fine when we get there, come anytime."
"What's so difficult about giving guidance?"
I responded to Rhody, who had provoked me, with informal speech.
"In that case, may I also receive an opportunity sometime?"
Unlike Rhody, Ralph genuinely asked for my tutelage, and I readily nodded in agreement.
"We've almost arrived at the capital already."
"It's a pity, as I wanted to hear various stories from Sir Karl."
"I don't know where I'll be staying, but come find me."
"It would be even better if you bring good liquor."
When I, accompanied by the knight order, passed through the capital's gate, I couldn't help but widen my eyes considerably at the sight unfolding before me.
"Welcome to the hero of the Empire!"
The gate of the grand Imperial Capital opened, and in the place we entered, people living in the capital were scattering flowers and lining up to welcome me.
"Waaaaaaah!"
Seeing people who had never seen me before flocking to call out my name and cheer for me, I thought I felt a strangely ticklish sensation.
"Sir Karl! Please look over here!"
In truth, my popularity in this Empire right now was so high it was difficult to describe.
After a long period without anyone who could be called a hero, the appearance of a young hero who helped people without any conditions was a new story and gossip material for them.
Thanks to that, the stories about me, spread by word of mouth and through plays and bards' songs, were turning me into a kind of legend.
"Sir Karl, you are truly amazing."
"I've actually heard many stories about Sir Karl from various places, but I didn't know it would be to this extent."
"Actually, the imperial walls were so big that I was only focused on that, but seeing this, it feels like a different world."
Oliger's eyes were wide as saucers, and his mouth gaped at the welcoming crowd that had gathered.
Regardless of what they did, I couldn't erase the burdensome feeling inside.
‘Why are they going to this extent?’
In fact, from the 1st Prince's perspective, there was no reason to welcome me this extravagantly.
Unless he was trying to bind me to his faction.
‘I'll find out when I get there.’
Unable to read the Prince's thoughts, hidden by the countless welcoming crowd, I thus arrived at the center of the former unified Empire.
"Welcome, Knight of the Lighthouse, Baron Karl Reitz Meyer."
There stood a man with a broad, artless smile on his face.
He seemed rather old to be called a prince and not an emperor.