NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 334
As the thought of a possible conspiracy started to crawl into my mind…
“Definitely, it does make me a bit anxious hearing that. But without evidence…”
Lost in my thoughts, I returned to the words thrown out by the Elf Representative.
Indeed, without proper evidence… It was all just speculation.
For now, I had no choice but to leave it as mere intuition.
Later… If I could check things more calmly, maybe, but for now, I needed to focus on what had to be done.
“More importantly, shouldn’t we be deciding on the Emperor’s treatment first?”
Nodding at the Dwarf Representative’s words.
I still felt uneasy about that Emperor, but I couldn’t keep the messenger waiting forever.
The Emperor’s treatment was the priority.
“Then… what should we do?”
I glanced around at the two representatives, and after a moment of thought, they spoke.
“We don’t need to look any further. The nobles of North Romania look at it this way too; let’s just cleanly sever his head and be done with it, right?”
The Dwarf Representative said coldly. It was such a typical statement from him, expressing discontent even at the thought of keeping the Emperor alive.
“While it may be best to kill him as he suggests… I feel uneasy about doing exactly what those humans want.”
The Elf Representative leaned closer to the killing side, but also showed a somewhat nasty side wanting to not give in to the humans.
Regardless of whose opinion it was, the direction of killing remained unchanged.
“It looks like killing him is a definite. I was just thinking of severing the muscles in his limbs and tossing him deep in the mountains.”
It was indirect murder after all, essentially leaving him to die at the hands of monsters or beasts.
“If he’s discarded like that, he’s bound to die anyway, right?”
“Well, that’s true.”
While monsters rarely appeared on the well-trodden paths or those maintained by the Church of Life’s pilgrims, deviating even slightly from those paths would see beasts and monsters abound.
There was no way the Emperor would survive with his limbs severed.
“If you’re worried about the burden on the Elves or Dwarves, there’s no need. If the matter stems from protecting Betelgeuse, it’s something I can gladly bear.”
Though that was not a worry of mine…
Well, I suppose it doesn’t really matter.
“Then let’s decide on killing the Emperor, but let’s ask a few questions first.”
“A few questions… So you’re thinking of asking about the parts that have been bothering you?”
“Yes. He probably won’t give honest answers, but I believe I can find some information by rummaging through his mind somehow.”
Of course, there’s a chance what I dig out won’t be coherent, but since he’s destined to die anyway, pulling out essential information should be fine, right?
As for the chaos that would ensue from the Emperor’s death… Well, the nobles in North Romania have prepared for at least some aspects, so is it really such a bad idea to go ahead with it?
Perhaps they’ve already secured a candidate for the next Emperor. I suppose they’ve made some preparations to counter any upheaval.
“Then let’s convey our intention through the messenger. We will deal with the Emperor, the root cause of all the issues.”
Upon the Elf representative’s words, the Dwarf representative laughed heartily and rolled up his sleeves.
“What a joyous opportunity to cut off that foul neck! I hope that chance is given to me!”
“Remember, extracting information first is the priority. Beheading him comes after that.”
With the Dwarf representative eagerly taking on the role of executioner while checking the blade of his axe, the Elf representative calmly soothed him.
Hmm… They bicker and fuss but can also get along well enough. I guess it’s alright to leave things in Betelgeuse’s hands to these two races.
“Then, let’s prepare to send the letter through the messenger.”
“Yes.”
The Elf representative pulled out parchment, a quill, and a pouch of ink from his cloak.
“I will draft the content of the letter suitably. Basically stating that we will handle the Emperor and that our relationship with the North Romanian Empire remains unchanged…”
“Oh, it can’t stay unchanged. Since we suffered losses, it would only be right for them to provide adequate compensation, wouldn’t you agree?”
At my words, both the Elf and Dwarf representatives nodded slightly.
“Indeed. However, determining what kind of compensation is appropriate…”
“That part will require separate discussion. We won’t directly handle such practical matters ourselves but should entrust it to those who handle those tasks.”
“Definitely, that’s true.”
The Elf and Dwarf representatives for Betelgeuse, they likely weren’t people much involved in such matters.
They are simply the strongest among those in Betelgeuse. That’s all there is to it.
Therefore, the relevant tasks should be handled by the best in that field. Experts need to take the reins.
“Understood. I’ll note it down to have separate discussions on that point.”
“And one more thing to add. The ownership of Betelgeuse will be guaranteed by the Church of Life to the race that wins the racial war.”
We may have brushed it aside for now, but there might again be those who covet Betelgeuse.
It’s not strange at all for those wanting to seize the city blessed by the Goddess of Life, where two races are in a prideful struggle.
Thus, let’s guarantee Betelgeuse’s ownership in the name of the Church of Life. If they want it, they should participate in the racial war and win.
Of course, since only Elves and Dwarves will participate, one of those races will end up owning it anyway.
“Indeed… understood. I will also add that into the content.”
With that, the Elf representative skillfully penned the letter on the parchment, quickly producing a beautifully crafted missive.
The letter decorated with flowery language stated that we would handle the Emperor and guarantee the independence of Betelgeuse in the name of the Church of Life.
After the ink dried, it was rolled up and tied with a small leather cord.
“Now then, let’s call in the messenger waiting outside.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
I lightly snapped my fingers, and the messenger waiting outside was summoned instantly.
The messenger appeared with a dazed expression, having been transported through the door in an instant, but soon regained composure.
“It seems that the Dragon Priestess has summoned me.”
“Yes, the letter for the nobles of North Romania is complete.”
The parchment in the Elf representative’s hand gently lifted into the air by the wind spirit and was handed to the messenger.
“Further detailed discussions are needed, but we’ve decided on the general content. Please deliver the letter.”
“Yes, I’ll take care of it.”
With that, the messenger took the letter and exited the room.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
“This way.”
After delivering the letter to the nobles of North Romania and resting for a bit, we headed to the room where the Emperor was locked up.
After all, we had to get things done.
“By the way, rummaging through one’s memories… Is that something magic can do?”
The Dwarf Representative looked at me with a slight suspicion.
Normally, a regular mage wouldn’t be able to do such a thing. The human brain is incredibly delicate after all.
“It’s not easy, but it is possible. Oh, and if anyone tries to imitate me, please stop them. If someone clumsily reads another’s mind, they could end up ruining the brain or their own head might explode from excessive information.”
That was slightly exaggerated, but the expressions of both the Elf and Dwarf representatives went pale at my words.
“A magic that dangerous… Shouldn’t we just end him now?”
“Don’t worry. I don’t fail.”
It’s not like rummaging through some fool’s mind would change my fate.
On that note…
“Is this the room?”
“Yes.”
We arrived at the front of the heavily guarded room.
Originally, a hastily organized chamber in the basement of the central government building of Betelgeuse. Or rather, a prison.
Aside from the entrance, it was a small room completely cut off from the outside world…
Two individuals—an Elf swordsman and a Dwarf warrior—guarded the entrance to the room.
But…
“Is he really in this room?”
“Yes. I confirmed it myself.”
“If so…”
I quietly approached the door and swung it wide open.
The room furnished luxuriously to accommodate the Emperor.
In that room, no one was present.
“Why is no one here?”
“What…?”
“No…”
Both representatives of the races, as well as the guards at the door, were aghast as they looked at the empty room.
“He was definitely here during breakfast this morning…”
“Breakfast this morning…”
I stepped gently into the room and examined the rumpled blanket and bed.
There were indeed traces of someone having been there, but there was no escape route. Yet the Emperor had disappeared somewhere.
As if faint smoke had evaporated into thin air.