Today was the day of the monarchs' convocation.
Airships had been dispatched across the continent, bearing kings and queens directly from their palaces. Such urgency was reserved only for calamities that threatened the world itself. Even during conflicts between nations, it is imperative that all monarchs gather around the table to discuss a common threat.
The last time this had happened, demons had poured from the abyss.
And now—
In Jurnick's eyes, the danger standing at their doorstep was no less severe.
A human powerful enough to kill the Hero. Of course, a hero does not need to be strong to serve their purpose. The purpose of their existence is to be the weakness of the Demon King and wielder of the Holy Sword of Song and Light.
Their individual strength does not matter in the end.
However, despite that, even when the reality of the situation set in, Jurnick could still not believe it.
If circumstances were different, Arnold could have been in the Hero Party…
"…."
Jurnick stared at his reflection as servants fastened his ceremonial gown.
The man in the mirror looked older than he remembered.
Dark rings bruised the flesh beneath his eyes. His shoulders sagged, as though the crown itself pressed down on his spine. The fire that once lived in his gaze had dulled into something unfocused and tired.
The weight on his shoulders felt so heavy that he believed, if he were to let his guard down, he would crumble.
He had not slept properly in days, as he viewed it as a burden that will lower his guard.
Even the Inner Palace had become a burden.
He had gone out of obligation to relieve himself, not desire—and failed even at that. Another quiet humiliation added to the pile. Another reminder that his body, like his will, no longer answered him as it once did.
Perhaps rumors have already spread of his impotence and frankly he did not care enough to check whether that is truly the case.
Anyway, the nation certainly will stand in the end but they still don't know when the demons will invade again.
The empire would endure the loss of one Hero if there are two. That much he should know.
A knock cut through his thoughts.
"Enter," he said, his voice thin.
"—Your Majesty. Her Majesty Roseria has returned."
"Hm—?"
The sound escaped him before he could stop it.
Roseria.
For a moment, something surged in his chest.
Relief.
Hope.
The foolish, desperate belief that if she was here, then perhaps things could still be set right. Or maybe she could drill the life into him as she had done many times before.
Before sense could catch him, he was already moving.
He descended the halls with a haste unbecoming of an emperor, robes trailing behind him, heart pounding like that of a man chasing salvation.
And there she was.
Standing in the great hall, issuing orders to her maids with the same composed grace she had always possessed.
He did not pay it any mind in the past few years but he finally noticed how beautiful his wife was. She had the angelic kindness, the body, beauty and smile of a Goddess.
Many have called her the incarnation of Melis, the Goddess of Beauty and Life, and he could finally see why.
With this gorgeous woman by your side, what emperor would be bereft of the energy to rule?
"—Prepare the dress I wore to the last ball."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"You may go."
Only then did she turn to him.
But the smile he had waited for never came.
Her eyes were empty. Cold. Distant.
"Greetings, Husband," Roseria said tonelessly. "I trust nothing went awry during my absence."
Even with her cold greeting, something in him cracked.
Ignoring the stares of courtiers and guards alike, Jurnick stepped forward and buried his face against her chest, clutching her as though she might vanish if he let go.
For a heartbeat, the noise of the world faded.
He had been a poor husband. A negligent one. Two years without sharing her bed. Two years of choosing the empire over the woman who had once chosen him.
He hadn't realized how much he needed her until the separation became unbearably long.
But the warmth lasted only an instant.
"We are in a public setting," Roseria said coolly, stepping back. Her hands adjusted her dress with practiced composure, concealing what he had just clung to. "Compose yourself."
The space between them felt wider than the hall itself.
"A-Ahem," Jurnick stammered, straightening too late. "It is quite early. I feared for your safety, returning at such an hour."
"Do not concern yourself," she replied. "Arnold assigned knights to my escort."
At her gesture towards the front door, two red-armored figures entered the hall.
The air changed instantly.
These were not knights of the empire. They were something else entirely. They did not radiate a human's presence—rather, that of a monster.
Almost as if instinctively, the palace knights put their hands on their weapons, however, one of the red knights moved and instantly appeared in front of one of the imperial guards with his sword at the knight's neck.
The knight froze in place having that thick slab of black iron at his throat.
"I would suggest keeping your hostility in the presence of these knights in check. They will assume you are trying to attack me." Roseria merely glanced at the interaction and spoke flatly.
Does this not mean they are basically mindless husks of armor that could not discern hostility correctly?
What kind of knights has Arnold been raising in his city!? And to think it could make an imperial knight, the elite of the elite, tremble so. Not only do they have a terrifying presence, their speed far outmatches the average imperial knight.
"Excuse me, Husband. I must go freshen up." Roseria beckoned the red knights to follow her before walking past Jurnick, who she treated as no more than a stranger.
He was a little taken aback by her cold behavior but it's not like Roseria is immune to getting upset so something must've happened in Whitage during one of her business ventures around the land.
Thinking she may have quarrelled with Arnold makes him unnervingly happy.
**
After a few hours of doing a bit of work, Jurnick was informed that the Berkley Family had arrived. At the same time he was greeting them, the airships scheduled to bring the monarchs, docked in the palace estates.
Everyone is meant to convene in the throne room, where two large tables had been placed and Jurnick's throne had been placed at the very top.
By his side was his wife, the Empress. Usually, the Crown Prince would also be called to meetings like this but he's a commander in the army, per his own will, so he's absent for most important things.
But it's good that Julius isn't here, as he is most likely to oppose Jurnick's decisions today.
There were servants standing at attention, each holding a trolley of silver platters where lots of food were placed on
"—Your Majesties, Lord Ashuron von Tivurgian and the rest of the Berkley family have arrived." a servant opened the door and announced, "The kings have also arrived."
"Send them in." Jurnick said, "Tell the chefs to prepare refreshments as this will be a long meeting."
The servant bowed before leaving.
"…How was the weather in the countryside?"
"The mornings and afternoons are cool, and there has not been a dark cloud in the sky in months." Roseria replied curtly.
"Did you run into any troublesome nobles I need to give an earful to?"
"No."
'Hmm, it is quite awkward to speak to her.'
He doesn't know what changed from the past. He's always been able to speak to her comfortably and she would speak with energy and always crack small jokes every now and then.
Maybe she needs some time off. Arnold probably made her work a lot so she didn't have time for herself.
'I should book us a trip to a luxury inn over the weekend.'
The two of them have only spent time together in the palace or at parties so it would be nice to get out once and a while.
"…." Jurnick glanced behind the quiet Roseria who was looking at the door.
The red armored knights barely moved an inch since getting here. Even though they were merely standing there, one wrong move made it feel like their blades would be at your neck in an instant.
"Are these knights contracted to Arnold's new household?"
Arnold was banished from the Berkley family so maybe he married secretly into another one and that's where he got the knights from.
"No, he has an ally who trains and supplies these knights to his city. They are now Whitage city's guards and patrol every inch of his land."
"Hm, I see. What are their names? The knights, I mean."
"They have not spoken to me nor to each other during our three-hour long ride so I do not know."
Every single reply she gave was short and to the point, as if she was bored of him already.
Jurnick's brows furrowed slightly but he's very interested in these knights so he pressed on, "They are quite formidable from a glance. What rank do they hold?"
Typically, a knight is measured with a star ranking. The imperial knights are usually six stars. The red armored knights may be on the same level or a little beyond their level.
"I do not think they have one. But I heard from Arnold's advisor that they can take on SS-class monsters."
A few gasps caught Jurnick's ears. His eyes widened slightly at what he heard.
SS-class monsters!? Is this some kind of joke!? Only the empire's top adventurers, the Great Nobles and the Testaments can handle such monstrosities that can level a nation singlehandedly.
Looking at Roseria's deadpan expression, she did not seem to think it was a joke so she must've seen them in action before nad never questioned what she heard again.
Jurnick coughed, not because he must but because he wanted his surprise to ease down a bit before he embarrasses himself.
If the empire can swallow these knights, its power would rise astronomically (assuming what Roseria heard is true, of course).
There's one issue though: Arnold.
They are his knights. But why does he need them if he's already so strong? The empire needs them more than he does.
He made sure to keep the knights at the back of his mind as the door opened.
**
The people in attendance are as follows, some taking a dedicated seat at the tables while others were sitting on chairs next to the wall, watching and listening in:
1. Holy King Zeminnik's son - Zeminnik II
2. Theocracy Ruler - Pope Augustus
3. Elf Queen - Setariah (accompanied by Feldina who stood behind her chair)
4. Thalori Kingdom's Monarch, Jenfry IV
5. Royagaurd Kingdom's Monarch, Zibel von Claur
6. King of the Dwarves, Rockwell Golem
7. Lion King
8. Earl Ashuron Tivurgian, Arthur's adoptive father
9. Adrianna von Berkley, First Lady of the Berkley House
10. Ariane Marldor
11. Queen Amarene Sarevonne, ruler of the small Berrenlotte Kingdom that lies east from the imperial border so it's a neighboring nation but lies closer to Whitage city than it does the imperial capitals or the surrounding kingdoms.
12. Marquis and Great Noble Vance von Penston
13. And finally, the extended Berkley family and Judith were sitting on chairs near the wall, listening in on the conversation. Ashuron had one wife and three children. Alongside them was Marcus' mother, his father and younger siblings.
--
'Hm, so it was true that the Holy King is ill.' Jurnick glanced at the Holy King's son. In the presence of all these adults, he was trying to make himself look small, not daring to open his mouth,
The Holy King was ill so his son—who looked no older than 15—came in his place, as he is the crown prince of the southern holy kingdom.
Rumors are going around that Augustus poisoned the Holy King in an attempt to swallow the whole Holy Kingdom into the Theocracy, thereby strengthening his rule.
Jurnick prefers to not listen to rumors spread by bad faith actors. He already spoke to the Holy King's wife and arranged for an investigation to be carried out. With the wonders of magic, you would think something like this would not take long but whoever did it covered their tracks quite well.
Hopefully the evidence will be satisfactory to the king's family so that they can seek justice. If it were Augustus, Jurnick would have to get involved to ensure he does not abuse his political power to escape persecution.
In any case…
Without delaying any further, Jurnick began.
"Thank you all for coming at my request. I've stressed this in the emergency message I sent all of you but the matter I called you here for is of grave importance as it will decide the fate of our continent."
"Is it true that a demon lord was right under your noses?" Setariah, a mature elven woman with long light green hair, wearing exotic fashion none of the others here have seen before, asked. True to the rumors, elves are an immortal race so despite being thousands of years old, she barely had a wrinkle in sight.
This is the first time she's ever been outside her kingdom. With the situation at hand, she can't stay isolated forever and must work together with all the nations.
"I would not call him a true demon lord," Jurnick spoke, "But Sir Arthur could clearly sense a factor within his body. For those who are unaware, a factor is a vessel of energy that can consist of anything, ranging from the abilities, memories and souls of past individuals and carrying whole identities that can change the person harboring it—should the factor ever awaken."
"Taking that into account, what Sir Arthur did was the correct thing." Augustus said simply, "A demon lord isn't something you want in your backyard. Yes, it is true that they cannot survive in our world for long with the World Tree's blessing being stronger than ever before, however, it is not impossible for them to hold on until they can find ways to bring their brethren into our settlements and turn our homes into their personal slaughterhouses. You could say they are like a vampire spawn. If you don't kill it right after it awakened, it will return with more vampires and cause trouble for everyone."
He glanced at everyone, as if he was eager to see one of them object, "He is a reasonable monster, yes, but do not let his supposed kindness fool you. Once that tournament is over and he satisfied his sadistic desires, who will be at the end of his sword?"
"…Thank you for offering your insight, Sir Augustus."
"Where is the Republican president?" Queen Amarene asked while glancing at the empty seat next to her.
That's right, her nation lies to the far southeast, near the mountainous and isolated highlands so news hasn't reached her just yet. The rest of the monarchs here must've heard of it, though.
"I thought he would be here as well." Setariah added. The two of their nations lay the furthest away from the others,
Jurnick was going to address this anyway so he answered the two.
"On top of the main issue I called you here for today, Serz attacked the Republic, killed thousands and captured the president." Before the news could even register in their minds, he reassured, "I sent my most elite imperial knights, along with Julius and his army, to the Republic to free the citizens from that tyranny. Sir Augustus also provided our forces with magicians, priests and Sir Alitus as backup."
"That's terrible! What is Serz planning on doing to the president? Is his family safe?" Setariah gasped and asked.
"…We do not know what their intentions are. But my agents found his daughter in the empire recently. I cannot attest to the rest of the family yet so we can only pray. Princess Wistorina is even attending the academy as the institution adds to her security and is…" Jurnick grimaced as he squeezed out, "under the protection of Arnold."
"He must not have good intentions for keeping her under his wing," said Augustus, "He may be holding her hostage due to his own little conflict with Serz."
Jurnick nodded as that's something he considered as well, "That being said, we cannot retrieve her and place her under our protection just yet."
He's not threatening her life and from the reports Jurnick got, Wistorina seems quite comfortable in his presence, even holding hands with him in public.
Arnold is a charming young man so there is a possibility she fell in love with him and—due to what happened recently in the academy (his confrontation with Tyrgavion, a literal Ancient Dragon)—she may be trying to convince him to help her save her people.
"Let's put aside Princess Wistorina for now as she is not in any immediate and obvious danger."
Everyone nodded, though concern was quite obvious in their expressions.
Jurnick looked over at Earl Ashuron, Marcus' great uncle.
"Ashuron, I am sure you are worried for your nephew and eager to see your son again so forgive me for keeping you."
The grey-haired, slightly wrinkly man shook his head slowly, "The most important thing right now is to decide a punishment for that boy. That is the only comfort I shall get now."
Though there was a bitter taste in Jurnick's mouth, he agreed. To the side, he noticed Adrianna quietly glaring at Ashuron.
"Is it true the boy has teleportation powers? And that he's a magician despite having the background of a warrior?" Ashuron asked.
"Indeed. We believe he found a grimoire in the dungeon on the coast of Queen Setariah's nation."
Augustus rubbed his chin, "Hm, we have a grimoire in our possession and I can attest that it grants you magical abilities where you may have had none so that might be the most plausible explanation."
"But for a grimoire to have spells that can kill an Ancient Dragon in one shot… You would think this boy is Lady Freya York in disguise as she should be the only one capable of such magic." Ashuron added.
Just as their discussion was about to head in a non-productive direction, a knock came from the door.
Jurnick waved to one of the knights at the door to open it.
A maid hurriedly came inside, keeping her head down as she approached Jurnick.
"Hm? What is it?" Jurnick wasn't angry at all that a servant interrupted the meeting as he was the one who told them to always let him know if someone important shows up. With how busy he's been the last few days, he barely has time to read letters to know when certain individuals will visit the palace.
Her head still down, she spoke.
"The Oracle of Melis, Madam Angelica, requests to join this meeting."