Published: July 4, 2025
Ryo and Abel passed through the gate of the Imperial Palace.
Of course, they had a free pass.
That said, they paused just after entering the gate.
This was not to scout the movements of the watchers, but to wait for their guide...
Because the Imperial Palace was too vast.
“Lord Rondo, where are you headed today?”
“I came here because I have something I wish to discuss with his majesty the emperor. Normally, I would have sent word in advance, but an urgent matter has arisen…”
“Urgent, you say?”
“Yes. I apologize for the trouble, but could you ask if it is possible for me to meet with his majesty? Five minutes would be more than sufficient.”
“Pl-please wait a moment.”
As the palace guide replied, another guide, who had been listening from behind, hurried inwards.
Of course, it was impossible for anyone, even a prince, to suddenly come to the palace and request to meet the emperor.
A royal prince might have that privilege, perhaps.
Considering that, Ryo's request was on the level of a royal prince's request.
“If the princes heard about this, they would certainly raise a ruckus about it being tyrannical.”
Abel muttered as he followed behind Ryo.
Such actions could disrupt the order within the palace.
However, in truth, Ryo understood all of this and had deliberately come to the palace to make his demand.
It was a modified version of what he had called “power reconnaissance” earlier.
“Lord Rondo, it seems his majesty will see you.”
“Oh, thank you very much.”
Thus, the two were led not to the emperor's private room, but to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
This was the center of morning governance.
It was likely a workspace where the emperor listened to petitions or summoned officials to inquire about matters…
However, given that discussions among courtiers could also occur in front of the throne, it was quite spacious.
“Lord Rondo, what brings you here? I heard you arrived in haste.”
“I apologize for disturbing you, your majesty.”
Emperor Tsuin asked with a smile, and Ryo bowed his head in gratitude for the time granted to him.
It seemed the emperor had been in the middle of work, as the Chief Eunuch stood at his usual position diagonally behind him, and a mountain of documents piled up on the emperor's desk.
And to Tsuin's left stood a man.
That was the third prince, Churei.
A prince who excelled in swordsmanship.
He was frowning.
It seemed that Ryo's sudden audience might have disrupted the timing of Churei's own petition or discussion.
Thinking of it that way, it was understandable why his expression was scrunched up.
It was not because he disliked Ryo… or so one could hope.
“Actually, earlier, I was being watched by six people.”
“Watched?”
Ryo stated the facts plainly without embellishment.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Tsuin tilted his head in confusion.
“Yes, your majesty. As an adventurer, I visited the rumored imperial capital adventurers' mutual aid association to broaden my horizons. That in itself was very interesting, and the guide told me various things. However, it seems that once I left that mutual aid association, I was followed by watchers.”
How brazen was this!
The pure sightseeing was done yesterday, and today was different.
However, he could not deny that he could argue that he had visited the Special Class Hall… it was a fact that he had been shown inside.
Moreover, the way he mentioned that he was an adventurer specifically hinted at Ryo's cunning calculations.
Yes, Abel felt that as he listened from behind.
Of course, he did not show it on his face.
For one, there was the sharp gaze of the third prince, Churei.
He remained frowning, but when Ryo mentioned the watchers, his expression shifted just a little.
Perhaps it could be said that his frown deepened.
“It is unpleasant to think there are those who watch over my guest, Lord Rondo.”
Emperor Tsuin clearly frowned as he said this.
“I apologize for troubling your majesty.”
“No, it is not Lord Rondo's fault. The fact that such actions occur in this imperial capital may be a challenge to my authority.”