Published: January 4, 2026
“Angus Bull. It is an utmost honor to behold your heavenly face.”
In the audience chamber, princes and ministers were all present. Additionally, the hall was guarded by many soldiers, making this a formal occasion.
There, a young general knelt on one knee and performed a formal bow in accordance with proper etiquette to me, seated on the throne.
“Raise your head.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Someone, bring a seat for Lord Bull.”
When I said this, a eunuch who was waiting nearby came over with a chair.
Angus stood up, but upon seeing this, hurriedly knelt once more.
“I-I am humbled beyond words.”
“That’s fine. You and I are relatives. In a normal family, you would be called ‘older brother.’ And since you have achieved such accomplishments, don’t hesitate to sit.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I am truly grateful.”
Still feeling embarrassed, Angus bowed again and then cautiously sat on the edge of the chair.
Angus Bull.
Husband of the fourteenth princess, Arlene.
Though born a commoner, he has repeatedly distinguished himself in battle and, during the former emperor’s reign, married Princess Arlene.
Despite his status as a quasi-royal family member by virtue of being the princess’s husband, he remained humble and continued to fight diligently on the frontier—a straightforward and honest military man.
I had held a fairly positive impression of him for some time.
“I have received a report from the fourth prince. It seems you have been holding your own well against Turbayf in recent years.”
“I am honored by such high praise, Your Majesty. Living off the empire’s support and having Princess Arlene as my wife is a debt I could never repay in three lifetimes. I only dedicate myself to tireless effort day and night.”
“I heard recently you defeated a gunman who pretended to rebel, in a one-on-one duel.”
“Yes, thanks to favorable circumstances, we overcame the situation with minimal losses.”
From this brief exchange, I got a good sense of his character.
At a formal event like this, no matter how much we spoke, only surface-level words would come out.
He was someone who clearly understood what it meant to serve the public good.
That was admirable in itself, but a little dull.
“You say you won in a duel—that means you have skill. Show me your ability.”
“As you command—eh?”
Angus nodded but then suddenly opened his eyes wide in shock.
Other princes and ministers started to murmur.
I had stood up straight from the throne and drawn the demonic sword Leviathan.
“Y-Your Majesty, that is dangerous!”
The sixth prince, Serius Ararat, stepped forward from the ranks to admonish me.
Among the dozen or so princes, he was the most earnest man.
Serius, who was straightforward to a fault, tried seriously to stop me.
“Don’t worry. I won’t hurt anyone.”
“B-but—”
Serius started to protest but then swallowed his words.
Most of the ministers froze; some even foamed at the mouth and fainted.
“Calm down, Leviathan. Serius’s concern is just goodwill.”
(Understood.)
Leviathan reluctantly—more like sulkily—sheathed itself.
When Serius tried to argue again, Leviathan’s killing intent alone overwhelmed the princes and ministers.
Even after awakening, Leviathan remained a mad dog—if anything, worse.
“That is the Demonic Sword Leviathan…”
“I thought I was going to die…”
“To completely control that… as expected of Your Majesty.”
Though I seemed to snap suddenly more often recently, my word was absolute, and Leviathan obeyed, so it was no problem.
Anyway.
“Draw your sword, Angus. I shall be your opponent.”
Stepping down from the throne, I approached Angus.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At this point, Angus bowed and took the sword brought by the eunuch (it was customary for generals to disarm during audiences), then drew it.
“Let’s begin.”
I struck first.
Since I had no intention of killing him, I did not use my full strength.
I tested Angus’s skill with sword techniques.
“Oh…”
(Impudent—)
“Wait.”
(...Understood.)