Chapter 6 - The Emperor

The next few days flew by.

Aiden did little more than keep an eye on how things were unfolding inside military headquarters, but his surroundings were surprisingly quiet. He had been certain he would be summoned and grilled again, just as before. Instead, there was so little reaction that he found it strange.

There was, however, one definite change.

"..."

Aiden kept stealing sidelong glances at Noel, who was working at her desk before him with an impassive expression.

Ostensibly, this arrangement was meant to ensure his comfort and well-being after he had suffered two unfortunate incidents in the short time since being invited here. The problem was that he had to spend most of his day in her office with her.

'I feel like I'm being watched.'

That was how insistently Noel kept him by her side. Just watching her work made it clear how extraordinarily busy she was, yet she kept him close at all times, as if determined to monitor his every move. She imposed no particular restrictions on his life, but it was unbearably uncomfortable. He could practically feel an ulcer forming...

"... Um, Dame Noel."

"Yes?"

"When will my orderly be assigned?"

Stella had previously told him to wait while someone was assigned to him. He meant that he could pass any requests through that person, so please, would she just leave him alone? But Noel's calm reply was as merciless as ever.

"I realize this is your roundabout way of saying I make you uncomfortable."

"Well, you don't have to spell it out quite so bluntly—"

"It will probably take some time to select your orderly, Mr. Aiden."

"Sorry?"

"No one currently meets the requirements. We're looking."

Was that even possible? Wasn't an orderly essentially an ordinary sort of aide? Surely Capital Command had someone suitable for that.

"No. Ordinary won't do. Anyone assigned to you must be exceptional."

"..."

"After the abilities you've demonstrated, what use would an unremarkable person be? Someone who will spend most of the day at your side ought to be on your level, at the very least."

She was giving him far too much credit, and to no purpose. An ordinary person would be perfect. He already felt he had encountered far too many unusual people lately...

"You can look forward to it. I'll find someone you'll be pleased with in all sorts of ways."

... Now his ulcer just felt worse.

After a brief grimace, Aiden promptly tried another excuse.

"... If people hear you're constantly keeping an outsider with you while you work, it might start unsavory rumors—"

"But there's nothing for anyone to find strange, is there?"

Dame Noel paused, then continued with a smile.

"We're about to become husband and wife, after all."

Her smile was pure and spotless, but the blood was draining from Aiden's face.

About to become husband and wife. Technically, that was true. He couldn't speak for Noel, but the words nearly sent him into fits every time he heard them. Given everything he'd been through in the mere few days since becoming entangled with this woman, that was hardly an unreasonable reaction.

'... My life has really gone off the rails.'

After all the trouble he'd caused, one might have expected her to reconsider the marriage itself, but her resolve was unshakable. And since she had seen fit to remind him of it again, she probably also meant to warn him not to entertain any ideas about escaping her surveillance.

In that case, he needed something to do, if only to take his mind off this uncomfortable atmosphere. He hadn't been assigned any work, but there was certainly information he needed to sort through.

"..."

Frowning, Aiden shuffled through the documents on the desk. While Noel worked, he did at least get some time to research whatever he wanted.

'Why isn't it here?'

... The enormous problem was that he could find none of the information he was looking for. In fact, considering its importance, this was likely a harbinger of a catastrophe that went well beyond an "enormous problem."

Information about the "protagonist." About the central figure of the main scenario, the savior of the world.

He couldn't seem to find it.

Even now, he desperately wanted to escape the main scenario and return to an ordinary life, and the protagonist was his "express ticket" there.

'Could they really... not be here...?'

And if the protagonist was missing, the consequences wouldn't end with Aiden being unable to return to an ordinary life.

In other words...

'Who's supposed to save the world without them?'

The protagonist. The savior of this world.

Aiden cradled his throbbing head as the thoughts continued. The main scenario, as tangled as a ball of thread, was ultimately built around that one person. Even his plans to reunite with his family and live in peace depended on the protagonist doing their part.

'... I just haven't found them yet.'

Of course, it was too early to conclude that the protagonist didn't exist in this world at all. He couldn't claim to have gathered enough information, even generously speaking. But if they really weren't here, Aiden would have to make a "decision" to account for that.

Forcing down a possibility that threatened to send chills through him at the mere thought, he summoned the system window. Protagonist aside, there was something else he needed to check right now.

-Skill Info

【 Katya Heinkel Craven 】

- Bond: Level 1

< Copied Skills >

◆ The First Vow

※Unique – Only this character possesses this ability!

An oath modeled on the covenant the first seeker made with the god of purification. Its firepower is unrivaled, and performing the <Rite of Vows> with the god of purification can additionally manifest qualities unique to the user.

◈ Unique qualities have not been unlocked, as the rite has not yet been performed.

Aiden slowly read through the text.

'Whatever else it does...'

Superior firepower would help in all kinds of situations. Its output would certainly fall short of Noel's <Heart of Pure White>, but unlike energy, which had no particular attribute as a supernatural power, divinity possessed distinctly powerful properties.

'As for the rest...'

He wasn't sure what the Rite of Vows meant, but it sounded like some grand ceremony that could probably only be performed in the Holy Kingdom itself. There was no reason to worry about it now.

Then, as he scrolled down and continued reading, his face twisted slightly. Nothing written so far really warranted that reaction. People could get used to anything; compared with what had happened with Noel, receiving something after being told he would receive it was a considerable improvement.

The problem was this: the entirely unfamiliar entries at the very bottom of the window.

-Skill Info

■ Omnipotence [ Locked ]

This skill is locked. Wield two or more supernatural powers simultaneously to unlock its first stage.

■ Origin [ Locked ]

This skill is locked.

What on earth were these? He had no memory of acquiring anything like them, and even their information was locked, preventing him from reading it.

'... Ideally, I'll never be in a situation where I need to use any of this.'

Aiden smiled wryly to himself at the thought. Whatever the ability, if he ever needed to use it, chances were he would have been dragged into another desperate situation. Unfortunately, the odds of that happening didn't look remotely low.

"..."

Even now, he desperately wanted to go back to being an ordinary person living an ordinary life. Normally, wouldn't this be about the time he called his father and younger sister over for dinner?

'I wonder what Dad and Siscella are doing...'

They were probably worried sick about him after he'd vanished with nothing but a letter. At that thought, Aiden glanced sidelong at Noel, who was engrossed in her work.

Really, when he thought about it, he could say that woman had robbed him of time he could have spent with his family—

"Mr. Aiden."

"Yes."

Her sudden voice nearly made him choke on his breath, but he somehow managed an answer. Noel gave him a brief, puzzled look before continuing in an even tone.

"We'll be going to the imperial palace tomorrow."

He remembered hearing about this. Stella had already mentioned the visit. Something about having to report his proposed marriage to Dame Noel directly to the Emperor.

"Aren't there all sorts of things I need to be careful about at the palace? I don't think I've received any instruction."

Being picked on over his manners so recently had evidently put him on edge, prompting the question, but Noel replied matter-of-factly.

"If you mean etiquette, you needn't worry too much. There are other things you should be careful about, though."

"What do you mean...?"

Noel took a sip of tea, then rested her chin on her hand, still smiling as she continued.

"Our 'sham marriage' contract lasts one year. I will be sure to compensate you generously once it ends, so I ask for your cooperation until then."

"Sorry?"

"I understand that being entangled with a woman like me is distressing, but our position requires us to act a little more intimately than usual in public. I hope you'll forgive that in advance."

What was there to ask his forgiveness for? She'd kidnapped him without giving him a say, and now she was asking?

"I mean, please bear with me if I suddenly touch you or act affectionate. I know it won't be easy."

Aiden merely blinked in silence, listening closely to her calm words. Something felt a little strange. She sounded too sincere in her low opinion of herself for it to be a joke.

'Does she have low self-esteem?'

That made no sense. The most powerful knight in the Empire? A beauty coveted by countless men? A soldier of such standing that even the Emperor took a special interest in her?

What he said next came from that same bewilderment.

"I don't think there's any reason to put it like that."

Aiden scratched his cheek as he replied. Noel was silent for a moment, gazing steadily at him.

"... Thank you."

Her reply was faint, accompanied by a smile. But rather than looking pleased, that smile strongly suggested she thought he was merely being polite. It was a common trait in people with low self-esteem.

"..."

Aiden tilted his head slightly.

This woman genuinely believed that marrying "someone like her" would be an ordeal for the other person. He didn't know why.

"To be honest, I have absolutely no experience with romance."

"..."

The more Noel spoke, the quieter her voice became, and the deeper the flush on her face grew. She cleared her throat and barely managed to continue.

"I don't know where to draw the line."

"..."

"... So I may do something inappropriate. That's what I mean..."

Oh. Was that why?

'... That's another surprise.'

Come to think of it, someone like her ought to have men lining up. In that light, it was rather odd that she had abruptly kidnapped Aiden instead of finding someone she knew for this sham marriage.

"Oh, and one more thing."

Noel promptly added another warning.

"Once we're inside the palace, please say nothing. Don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself."

At a warning delivered with a gravity she rarely showed, Aiden's mouth fell slightly open.

"... Sorry?"

"You'd do well to stay out of 'that person's' notice as much as possible. Otherwise..."

Noel fell silent for a moment. Aiden didn't know who "that person" was, but she appeared to be choosing the least disrespectful wording she could.

"... If you get entangled with that person the wrong way, you'll find it utterly exhausting."

"..."

Despite her efforts, however, the words that emerged sounded ominous in the extreme.

▣

"He's pointlessly pretty. Has that always been your type?"

For someone with the imposing title of Emperor, the man puffing away on tobacco before Aiden looked more like an easygoing, friendly fellow from next door. He was a strikingly handsome young man who appeared only a few years older than Aiden.

And in keeping with that first impression, there was something rather odd about the circumstances of this imperial audience.

'So that's why I didn't need to worry about etiquette...'

Had she said that because they would be meeting the Emperor directly, without any elaborate formalities? The Pontiff of the Holy Kingdom, a close friend of the Emperor's, was called an eccentric more often than most rulers of the great powers. But judging by this, the Emperor was no slouch himself.

"Yes, well."

As though serving such an eccentric sovereign had worn on her nerves, Noel answered curtly with a frown. Given how polite she normally was to everyone, regardless of rank, the sight was quite shocking. More shocking still was the Emperor, who didn't so much as blink at her attitude.

"My dear, haven't I told you time and again that a man ought to look dependable? And here you are bringing home this prissy pretty boy and talking about marriage—"

"I don't believe this is for Your Majesty to debate. He's my husband, and I chose him."

"Well, listen to you. Is that any way to speak to your emperor?"

"You were the one who picked a fight with me first—"

Their conversation was even more appalling. They were like a teenage girl bringing her boyfriend home for the first time and an older brother who disapproved of him. Nothing about this resembled a conversation between the Emperor and the Empire's finest soldier. What's more, both seemed remarkably accustomed to it, as though this childish bickering was nothing new...

"..."

Still, there were two things Aiden could establish with certainty from this situation. First, the Lionhearted and the Emperor were far, far closer than the public knew. This degree of informality didn't develop overnight. Whatever the details, they had clearly shared a close relationship for quite some time.

And...

"So, as things stand, I absolutely cannot sanction this decision."

Despite that relationship, the Emperor opposed Noel's marriage so strongly that he persisted in saying things like this.

"Noel."

"... Yes."

His voice had grown considerably weightier. Noel likewise dropped her curt manner and answered seriously.

"You know the situation inside the Empire, my dear. The nobility is a den of ravenous fiends, each looking out for themselves. With the people so firmly behind you, everyone is watching your next move intently. Even if I do nothing, the other factions won't sit idle."

"Whoever I marry will tip the balance, Your Majesty. Civil war would be the best-case scenario. At worst, it could escalate into another Coalition War. Surely bringing in an outsider is the most reasonable option."

"It's a stopgap. Not one of them will fail to see through such a transparent ploy. My own son will be the first to act."

There followed a long discussion that Aiden couldn't make sense of. Something about the disarray of noble society after the war, and imperial authority being too weakened to keep them under control, and so on. And so forth. Complicated talk for important people.

The only thing that stuck with him was the Emperor's attitude when referring to the imperial prince. He spoke of him almost like a stranger. It went beyond a poor relationship; they might as well have been mortal enemies.

Aiden's eyebrows arched slightly.

'They don't get along with their own family?'

This felt subtly different from the "original story" he knew. In his memory, the imperial prince had unquestionably been one of the good guys, a man with a nearly flawless character. He didn't remember him being the sort to fall out with his father.

"Then there's only one option left."

As he mulled this over, those words suddenly came from in front of him.

"Ultimately, the biggest problem is that the others will object to this fellow being your husband. If they recognize you as a well-matched couple, that should silence their complaints, at least in public, even if it doesn't settle everything."

"... I don't want to burden Mr. Aiden any further. Isn't it unreasonable for them to pry so deeply into my personal affairs in the first place?"

"You're not wrong, but politics has always been that kind of garbage heap."

As the two continued arguing back and forth, Aiden's expression grew serious as well. From what he was hearing, His Majesty the Emperor clearly held a deeply unfavorable view of this engagement. That wasn't welcome news for Aiden, either.

'If the marriage falls through...'

If the sham marriage collapsed, that meant "quest failed." Aiden absolutely did not want that. Which made his next course of action clear.

"I'll do it."

The Emperor and Noel both turned to look at him.

"I'll do it. Prove my worth, I mean. If that's what it takes for us to get married."

Silence settled around him. Noel's eyes, in particular, were wide. She clearly hadn't imagined Aiden would volunteer himself.

Then...

"You've got spirit."

The Emperor tapped his short pipe against the ashtray, a smile spreading across his face. It was the smile of a mischievous boy who had just thought of a brilliant idea.

"You volunteered for this, remember?"

"..."

["If you get entangled with that person the wrong way, you'll find it utterly exhausting."]

The words Aiden had heard only yesterday flashed through his mind.

"... Your Majesty. Nothing too dangerous—"

Noel broke in, tension edging her voice. From the slight pallor of her face, she looked as though she had suffered at the hands of the Emperor wearing that expression more than once or twice.

Ignoring her with perfect ease, the Emperor turned to Aiden.

"Your name was Aiden, wasn't it?"

Without waiting for an answer, he continued.

"Let's prove just how devoted a couple you two are."

"... Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I'm not quite sure what you—"

"Nothing persuades the Empire's hidebound nobles quite as effectively as combat prowess. Especially in turbulent times like these."

"..."

"Fight together, the two of you."

The Emperor grinned, cutting Aiden's reply short.

"I happen to have just the opponent for you."