I Next
All of a sudden, old thoughts pop into the mind.
Could it be due to the sound of wagon wheels rolling beneath the dark night sky? The dimly lit streetlights lit up by enchantnt? The fleeting clatter as they go by. The slightly chilly and damp nightti breeze. The sowhat tired sensation of coming back sowhere after a long day. Do all these feelings constantly stir a piece of mory?
Raciel didnt have the answer.
Raciel raised his head.
Did I nap for a bit?
Evidently, the lengthy journey from Cremo to the imperial capital took a toll. He slept soundly in the carriage the entire day, yet it appears he nodded off once more. Just like back in those days.
It brings back mories of my senior year in high school.
Initially, his house was close to the school. It remained that way until the second year of high school. However, right before the first sester of his third year, they relocated. From Daeyeon-dong in Busan to Haeundae. During that ti, there wasnt a subway over there.
By bus? The vivid recollections of buses 40 and 109. It consud a whole hour and a half just to reach school using them. The sa went for the return trip ho. As a result, he would often arrive ho just before midnight after completing his nightti studies.
The sound of bus wheels turning beneath the dark night sky. The faintly illuminated streetlights casting light on the nocturnal streets. The clattering as they sped along. The sowhat chilly and damp night breeze. The weariness of coming ho after a lengthy day.
It was a daily routine.
He was exhausted.
Back then, it was genuinely monotonous.
So I told a lot of lies.
He fibbed to his teacher about getting ho too late, about the schools proximity to his house, and how finishing all his nightti studies would make him late for school.
He fibbed to his parents as well. About excelling in his nightti studies. About the lateness being due to their completion. He lied and skipped his nightti studies. He indulged in activities during those study hours and then returned ho.
The day his father collapsed, it was the sa. Thats why he received the call belatedly. He hadnt even noticed the phone ringing because he was gaming in the PC room. Consequently, when he eventually answered the call, it was all too late.
Tsk.
Put a stop to dwelling on it.
Raciel shook his head to dispel the lingering thoughts. The emperor had summoned him. That particular finicky and irritable man might find sothing to criticize. So, theres no need to let himself be consud by gloomy thoughts. He needs to clear his mind and be prepared to face the situation head-on.
That was Raciels determination. In due ti, the carriage arrived at the palace, and he stepped out.
I will lead the way, Your Highness. Follow .
He followed the chief steward who had co out to greet him. After traversing several corridors, staircases, and turns, he reached the throne room. The throne room stood vacant in the midnight hour. The chief steward lowered his head.
His Majesty will be here shortly.
Thankfully, the wait wasnt long.
After only 2 or 3 minutes, the door on the opposite side of the throne room swung open. A familiar yet unwelco middle-aged man entered.
It was the emperor.
In the presence of His Majesty the Emperor, the rightful ruler of this land, Crown Prince Raciel Adria Magentano.
As soon as he spotted the emperors face, he automatically paid his respects. However, there was no response. The emperor simply walked by without acknowledging him, taking his place on the throne and regarding him with a cold stare.
A gaze that communicated, If you have sothing to say, say it. Those eyes devoid of emotion.
Raciel swallowed hard.
It was challenging and embarrassing.
That man is up to his usual antics.
He found it an. Summoning soone in the middle of the night and then behaving with that attitude, expecting them to speak first.
Isnt it customary for the one who summoned to state their purpose first?
He genuinely had no clue why the emperor had called him. And facing that attitude right from the start was truly vexing.
The emperor must be intentionally exerting control. Raciel refrained from hastily speaking. When the situation is unclear, its best to observe and wait. He made that decision and calmly t the emperors gaze.
Perhaps it was due to this approach.
In the end, the emperor spoke first.
I have a question for you. Why did you act so irresponsibly and incompetently in Cremo, causing our envoys to suffer?
So, that was the crux of the matter.
He had been summoned to address his actions in Cremo. But irresponsible and incompetent? Which actions from that day was the emperor referring to?
As he pondered for a mont,
The emperors sharp inquiry continued.
Why the silence? Ive heard that the Minotaur attacked the citys official residence. Is that accurate?
Yes, Your Majesty.
I see. Ive also heard that you were caught in the situation, and your life was in grave danger. Is that also true?
Yes, Your Majesty.
Thats why Im asking. On that day, why didnt you escape more swiftly, needlessly endangering and burdening the agents who were trying to protect you?
Thats
You might argue that you did your best to escape. But you were mistaken. You should have anticipated the danger and prepared in advance. If youre in an unfamiliar place far from the secure path of the imperial capital and you understand the significance of your role as a crown prince, you should have taken proper precautions.
But you didnt. You approached life in a foreign land with the sa mindset as you would in the imperial capital. Thats why you failed to foresee the impending danger, didnt react proactively, and consequently put those in your service in great danger and hardship.
Is this old man trying to convey this ssage? Yet, he seems to have little concern for him. Raciel felt sowhat unjustly treated. He wanted to respond, but the emperors sharp scolding and lecturing took precedence.
You are the one who will inherit my throne, provide guidance, lead, embrace, and bear the responsibility for millions of imperial subjects. Yet, youve overlooked even the minor precautions, carelessly subjecting a re few dozen attendants to danger and hardship. Isnt this a matter of sha?
Raciel kept his lips sealed.
It felt profoundly unfair. But sohow, he couldnt counter. The emperors rebuke was entirely accurate.
So rember this. Reflect deeply on this incident, and utilize it as a lesson for the future. Ensure that you never repeat the sa error. Do you comprehend?
I understand, Your Majesty.
Any other remarks?
Yes.
He promptly replied. He acknowledged that the emperors words held truth. Yet, he wasnt ready to surrender so easily. He desired to offer so resistance.
Otherwise, this will continue being a one-sided dynamic.
Thats the nature of power struggles. Once you yield, the balance is set. Once that equilibrium is established, altering or disrupting it becos harder, especially when the other party is the emperor.
Ill likely keep getting pushed around unilaterally. I cant allow that. I must demonstrate that I can push back, at the very least.
Thats the key to making things smoother moving forward. With that resolve, Raciel opened his mouth and aid to prick at the emperors conscience.
I will heed Your Majestys words. However, I also dare to ask sothing.
You wish to ask sothing?
Yes.
Go ahead.
Yes, Your Majesty. May I dare to ask if you have successfully quit tobacco, as I inquired before?
What?
The emperors eyebrows twitched. Raciel didnt miss this opening and repeated his question.
I dared to ask if Your Majesty has stopped smoking.
This ti, the emperor remained silent.
Had he hit an unexpected nerve? If so, Raciel intended to press further with his counterattack.
You should unquestionably quit smoking. It would enable you to attend to state affairs in a healthier manner. As Your Majesty ntioned earlier, you are the one who supports, leads, cares for, and bears responsibility for millions of imperial subjects.
Hmm. Thats
So its imperative that you give up smoking! Because Your Majestys well-being is integral to the stability of the imperial family.
It was the truth. Not re rhetoric. Not a ploy for power.
In reality, the emperor suffered a stroke due to excessive smoking and stress.
Suddenly, the narrative from the original work Devil Sword Emperor ca to mind. This must have occurred after Crown Prince Raciels demise. The Emperors smoking had escalated. Whether it was due to stress or other factors, he would frequently set aside his sword to reach for a cigarette. Within a year, he succumbed to a stroke.
And thats why.
I must make him quit smoking.
Simply quitting tobacco would significantly reduce the risk of a stroke. If he wished to avoid the sa fate of his father, who fell ill during his third year of high school, and if he wanted to prevent a family from shattering, the Emperor had to quit smoking.
Only then could the empire withstand the impending upheaval. Only then could the imperial family remain intact. Only then could Raciel find solace. He continued to advise with resolute determination.
People often lant that smoking shatters families and disrupts society. My words might echo those sentints. However, this ti, its far from an exaggeration. If Your Majesty falls ill, the imperial family will falter, and the empire will crumble. This is a stark and plausible future that looms before us.
Your Majesty, you must quit smoking.
Raciel locked eyes with the Emperor as he spoke. But at that instant, the Emperors lips curled into an enigmatic smile, and he replied unexpectedly.
When it cos to smoking, I quit long ago.
Pardon ?
I said I quit a long ti ago.
Is that true?
Absolutely.
The Emperors smile deepened.
I stopped the day you dared to admonish .
Is there anything else you wish to say?
No.
Raciel swallowed his words.
The Emperor was undoubtedly no pushover. Yet, Raciel felt relief that he had indeed given up smoking. Avoiding further reprimand, he promptly bowed his head.
If theres nothing else, Your Majesty, Ill take my leave.
Go ahead. But keep this in mind.
Yes?
Refrain from consuming the Phantom Beasts food thoughtlessly. It cant be healthy for your body to experience such rapid growth in such a short period.
Could he have been aware that he ate the red sunflower seed?
Do you comprehend?
I understand.
There was no space for argunt now. It was a relief that he didnt face further criticism. Raciel quickly bowed and exited the throne room.
Once he departed, the throne room fell silent. Inside, Emperor Asterion let out a soft chuckle.
Hehe Hehehe.
He was content.
He took pride in his sons transford deanor. His son, who once couldnt muster the courage to respond to his reprimands, who couldnt even take a breath in his presence, had now dared to inquire if he had quit smoking.
So you were that concerned about your father, huh? Hehe, hehehe!
He felt gratified.
He felt profoundly proud.
His sons actions in Cremo facing unforeseen perils, subduing the Minotaur monster, and, most importantly, returning safely.
He felt thoroughly satisfied, proud, and elated. It seed like a modest delight for the Emperor, not as a ruler but as a father. Thats why he wished to provide him with more support. He yearned to strengthen his sons resolve.
So, how is that new dicine my son developed faring?
The Emperor directed his question to the empty space. A subdued voice responded from the shadows within the throne room.
As per your orders, were using the imperial familys intelligence network to disseminate information about the Minotaur-bile Clear Heart Pill extensively.
And what are the outcos?
There wont be anyone in the empire, not even in the remotest noble households, who remains unaware of the Minotaur-bile Clear Heart Pill.
Excellent, very good.
The Emperor nodded in agreent.
His smile was even more content.
(To be Continued)
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