Claudia was invited to the event with the emperor’s active support — sothing she never wanted at all. Though it was called an invitation, in reality, it was no different from being forcibly conscripted to enter into a slave contract with the emperor.
On her way to the imperial palace after being summoned, she couldn't stop thinking: ‘Had Rin and I not been steadily pursuing our plan to dethrone the emperor, I would never have agreed to such an absurd demand. I would sooner have ended my own life than serve and swear loyalty to such a foolish emperor.’
Claudia’s true feelings hit their peak just before the oath ceremony began when the loyalty oath docunts were distributed to the heroes.
[Let us praise Your Majesty, the Emperor, the glory of the heavens. Please save us, the humble ones, with the radiance of Your divinity.
You are the unique and incomparable light cast upon this earth, and You illuminate the darkness that has been cast upon us.
Your Majesty's reign shall endure eternally, without end, until the world itself ceases. We humbly beseech You to grant us the will to obey.
Until the conclusion of this humble life, my soul and body will gladly devote themselves to serving You.]
The loyalty oath docunt. It was a docunt they were required to solemnly read aloud and swear to in front of millions of people. Claudia scanned the ridiculously absurd text from beginning to end. In short, the content was sothing like this: ‘His Majesty, the Emperor, is a revered figure, and I will engrave my respect for him in my bones and devote my life to protecting him.’
"What trash."
She spat out a blunt insult, without any filter. Then, as if nothing had happened, she gently brushed back her silver hair, which had fallen forward as she bowed her head, with a gentle touch that contrasted with her sharp tongue.
His Majesty, the Emperor was nearby. Of course, it was a quiet mutter, so he probably didn’t hear it since he was sitting in the seat of honour, but still, to say such a thing — it wasn’t like she had her liver sticking out,
“...”
“Did you enjoy the position of emperor established by Duke Lamberg? Now, it is ti for you to bear the responsibility.”
“...You will regret the choice you made today for the rest of your life.”
The best he could co up with was that. Claudia was genuinely baffled. Putting aside his utterly hopeless attempts at courting her, she couldn’t understand how he expected to win her attention when he was so oblivious to her feelings.
"Even if I were to die right now, I wouldn't regret it. I'm so happy at this mont. My dear older brother understands my heart so well, you see."
“...Older brother?”
Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, soone who had passed away long ago was ntioned. Lucas narrowed his eyes and muttered under his breath. At that mont, the oath ceremony, which had been montarily paused, resud.
“Let us praise Your Majesty, the Emperor, the glory of the heavens...”
It was a flat, monotonous voice, perfectly masking a deep hatred.
“...The blood You have spilled and the long-standing hatred and resentnt You have sown will persist eternally, lasting until darkness engulfs this land and the very end of the world.”
However, precisely because of this, it reverberated through the square in a manner both devout and solemn, as if chanting a prayer, as if speaking on behalf of God's will. The people, caught amid confusion, were unsettled, yet at the sa ti, they fell silent. Completely overwheld, they did not dare utter a single word.
"Through Your suffering, blood, sweat, and pain that far transcend death, grant us salvation."
And finally, the judgnt was pronounced.
Reviews
All reviews (0)