Chapter 53: 53

Chapter 53 – Road to the Empire (5)

The scenery changed as they got closer to the Emperor’s Domain. There wasn’t a spot on the road where it was prematurely cut off. It was to the point where they could travel to their destination without a map.

“A road made of rocks?”

Urich bent over to touch the path. It wasn’t the dirt path that he was used to traveling on. It was an artificially made, paved road.

“The imperial road. It’s evidence that we are now closer to the Emperor’s Domain. The Domain is about as big as a normal kingdom, but the Emperor is able to maintain order in a kingdom-sized land just by dispatching officials and not using vassals. The only reason something like that is possible is because of the imperial road. Thanks to the road, soldiers are able to move fast enough to maintain the territory and supplies and letters could be sent easily,” said Fahel. He spoke proudly, as if it was his accomplishment.

“If it’s a road like this, it’ll be easy to move around. Even if the rain comes, the ground wouldn’t get wet and there’s no chance you could ever get lost. Amazing… it’s almost like it couldn’t have been done by a human,” said Urich while walking on the road. While he had seen tons of stone buildings in the civilized world, it was the first time he had seen a work of such massive scale. No matter how far he walked, the road didn’t end.

‘This was made by humans?’

Urich couldn’t even fathom it. How many people… and how much time would it take to build a road like this?

“Like I said, they’re able to maintain the ridiculous size of the Domain because of the road. But the nobles who live near the Domain are terrified of it. The imperial road stretches further with each passing day, and the Emperor revokes the titles of the nobles who live nearby to extend his influence.”

The Emperor was also called the Ruler of the World. It was because the Emperor had powerful authority and strength that the other rulers couldn’t even compare to. The essence of all strength was in the land. Powerful sovereigns had always coveted more and more land.

“That’s the reason why people call the Emperor’s Domain the true Empire. The world’s strength is concentrated here. Whether it’s culture or civilization, the extent of all of humanity’s capabilities are here.”

Fahel looked towards the end of the road. He respected the Empire. Every learned boy in the imperial territory respected the Empire’s culture. It was because the imperial capital was not only the center of strength, but also the center of academia.

Countless noble boys studied abroad in the capital and returned home after learning their advanced culture.

‘If only my father didn’t collapse. I would have… already left the kingdom to study here.’

Fahel smiled bitterly. It had been a year since his father had fallen. As the sole direct heir, he was forced to seek asylum, running away from Duke Harmati’s clutches.

“I still can’t believe it. People made this.”

Urich raised his head. He saw people other than the mercenary group traveling on the road. The road went through the hill and even cut through a forest. Because there were no rough paths on the road, horses and carriages were able to follow it straight through.

“Road Patrol,” said Donovan while looking ahead.

They could see five soldiers traveling on the road as a group. They were the Road Patrol, a military group which carried the Empire’s Purple Eagle flag with them. They constantly checked the road’s condition and security, and thanks to them, there were no bandits or robberies near the road.

The Domain had impressive security and administrative power. Even though the mercenary group hadn’t entered the Domain yet, Urich could already feel their power.

“Mercenaries, don’t cause any trouble. The Purple Eagle is always watching,” said one of the patrol officers while crossing by. He spoke on top of his horse, looking down at the mercenaries. His confidence was close to arrogance, prideful of the fact that he belonged to the strongest army in the world.

“They’re acting like they’re all that. Oi, Donovan. You were also an imperial soldier in the past. Say something!” said one of the mercenaries. Donovan laughed while glancing at the passing patrollers.

“That’s in the past. I’m just a mercenary that works for a barbarian now. You never know how your life will end up. All of you should be careful as well.”

Donovan watched the patrol guards until they disappeared to the horizon. To him, those soldiers represented himself, had he taken a different path.

‘I could’ve been one of them.’

However, that was in the past. The current Donovan was a mercenary who was dishonorably discharged for killing his superior in the past.

The mercenaries followed straight down the imperial road. After traveling for an entire day, they could finally see the entrance gate to the Domain. There were a lot of groups camping outside of the gate. Because the inspection was meticulous and picky, it would take days after arriving at the gate to gain entrance.

“We finally arrived,” said Fahel with a tired expression. His face—which was clean when they first started the journey—was covered in dirt and grime. His good clothes had grown worn and dirty. But his eyes—just his eyes—remained the same brilliant hue of blue.

* * *

Translator – goguma

Proofreader – yukitokata

* * *

Ohber, the captain of the 12th gate of the Emperor’s Domain, was not a diligent official. He would leave the majority of his work to his adjutants so that he could go satisfy his own worldly pleasures.

‘What does it matter if I work hard? What does it matter if I work myself down to the bone? I won’t be able to enter the Steel Knights anyway,’ thought Ohber as he drank alcohol with heavy eyes. Even though he was drinking in the middle of the day, he was the person who held the highest position at the gate. No one could reprimand him.

At one point, Ohber was also a brave knight. Ten years ago, he was a knight participating in the subjugation of the barbarian remnants. Because he was born as the third son of a noble family and wouldn’t inherit any land, the only way he could find success was through military accomplishments.

“Buuurp. That’s all in the past. If it just weren’t for that time…” muttered Ohber. He spoke while burping and patting his stomach. Even though he was a knight, his stomach stuck out. He had sucked up to this and that person to eventually make it to the position of the gate captain. It was a position that was in charge of a hundred soldiers.

‘My dream was to enter the Steel Knights and spend my later years with noblewomen… Damn it.’

The Order of the Imperial Steel Knights. Every Imperial Knight dreamed of entering it as it was under the direct control of the Emperor. Gate captain wasn’t necessarily a bad position. However, Ohber was a man who dreamed of city life. He wasn’t content with working an unimportant job like this.

‘The era of rising ranks through the sword is over. There are no more enemies of the Empire.’

Ohber knew that the Era of the Sword was over. The conquest of the North and South was over. The remnants of the barbarians lived in lands that were difficult to survive in and could only maintain their population. There were no more places to conquer. The seven minor kingdoms essentially had their limbs torn off, so they weren’t able to disobey the Empire.

‘The era of knights rising the rankings through their accomplishments is over. My life will probably end as a boring gate captain as well.’

He looked at the full plate armor that stood in the corner of his office. The Imperial Steel Knights received all of their steel equipment, including full plate armor, from the Empire. However, for normal knights of the Empire such as Ohber, it was either passed down from the previous generation or purchased by scraping together every last coin of their personal wealth.

‘The full plate armor that I received from my father instead of land.’

Ohber Locastr. That was his full name.

He had two older brothers, who split up the fief between themselves and eventually ended up spilling blood between each other under the name of ‘the unification of the Locastr House’. The eldest fell to the second son, who then became the head of the Locastr House.

Because Ohber didn’t inherit any territory, he was able to escape from the bloody battle between brothers.

“And now, the only thing that’s left for me is this armor.”

Ohber walked right up to the armor, a bottle of alcohol still in hand. While full plate armor was the symbol of imperial knights, there were countless knights who didn’t have enough money and were only able to purchase a chestplate or a helmet. In fact, there were a lot who wore chainmail armor.

The methods to produce full plate armor was a secret of the Imperial Smithy. Not only did it require imperial steel, but the armor was also produced using a peculiar process and method. If one were to try and make full plate armor with low quality iron or with half-assed techniques, the only thing that would come out was useless scrap metal.

Ohber gazed at the full plate armor with a sense of admiration. He thought of his days in the battlefield, back when he would wear this armor.

“Captain! Captain Ohber!”

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One of his adjutants rushed in, causing a big fuss.

“Urgh. What’s the matter now? Did an inspector come or something? It looks like today’s the day that I get chased out,” said Ohber. If an inspector really did visit and discovered him day drinking, he would be immediately chased out of his position as gate captain.

“I-It’s not that. There’s royalty at the gate!”

“Royalty? Just stamp the seal and send them their way. You’re acting like it’s the first time royalty is passing the gate. Or are they yelling and causing a commotion?”

“Negative! They are seeking asylum!” said the aide. Ohber lowered his bottle.

“…Which royal family did they say they were from?”

“They are Prince Varca anu Forlcana! Not only are they seeking asylum, they have also requested to be escorted to the imperial capital.”

Ohber startled awake. He didn’t know why the prince was seeking asylum, but it wasn’t a normal occurrence.

“Bring me cold water. Immediately!”

He washed his face with the cold water. While he was able to focus up, the smell of alcohol still lingered in his breath.

‘If I can just do this well…’ he thought as he wiped off the water. Ohber called over his assistant to assist him in putting on his full plate armor. Because the stomach area didn’t fit, he tied it loosely.

“You look amazing, Captain!”

His assistant flattered him. Thanks to the armor that he wore for the first time in a long time, Ohber was filled with confidence. He tottered over to the drawing room.

Creak.

After entering the room, he was met with a dirty youth and rugged men.

‘That youth must be the prince.’

There was only one person with an aura of elegance.

“I am Gate Captain Ohber Locastr,” he said as he took off his helmet.

“Varca anu Forlcana, Sir Ohber Locastr,” said Fahel while standing up.

“Please, just call me Ohber. You have traveled a long way. I can’t believe you have traveled all the way to the Emperor’s Domain from Forlcana.”

“It is all thanks to Ru’s guidance. The person next to me is Sir Phillion, a knight, and behind me are the mercenaries that guarded me.”

A few greetings were exchanged afterwards. After that, Ohber gazed toward Fahel.

“I sent someone to the capital. Soon, someone will come to validate Your Royal Highness’s identity. Until then, you must stay here. We have prepared the VIP room for you,” said Ohber, politely.

“Thank you, Gate Captain Ohber.” Fahel accepted his kindness. Even though Fahel was only royalty of one of the minor kingdoms, that was enough to work on for Ohber. He was working hard to curry Fahel’s favor.

“And you mercenaries can camp out outside of the gate.”

Contrariwise, his words were quite stiff towards the mercenary group.

“Huh? Huh? He’s…”

Ohber made a large sound after looking at the mercenaries. Only Urich and the group executives followed Fahel.

“Damn it,” muttered Donovan. Ohber recognized him and scowled.

“Officer Killer Donovan!”

Those words were, without a doubt, filled with contempt. Urich looked back and forth between Donovan and Ohber.

“Donovan, you were famous?”

“I’m just meeting someone I know,” said Donovan while avoiding Ohber’s gaze. The gate captain clicked his tongue.

“I thought you would die on the streets like a dog, but you’ve become a mercenary. It suits you perfectly, Donovan!”

“So you were able to receive a promotion, Adjutant Ohber. Gate Captain… How amazing. So amazing,” said Donovan while clapping in a mocking manner.

“Because you killed our leader, our unit was forced to go to the rear! If it wasn’t for that, right now, I would have been…”

“You would have been what? Your head would’ve been split in two by a barbarian’s axe a long time ago. If we followed our leader’s orders then and charged, we would have all died.”

“Bullshit! Looks like that damned tongue of yours still works.”

The mood became hostile. Ohber and Donovan didn’t have just a normal bad relationship.

“I should’ve just killed that bastard that day as well. Tch. Those bastards are all the same, I’m the idiot for letting him live because he begged for his life,” muttered Donovan. Ohber heard that as well.

“Y-You bastard!”

Ohber was on the verge of pulling out his sword.

Fahel quickly stood up and signaled Urich.

“Donovan, shut the fuck up.”

Urich grabbed Donovan’s arm and calmed him down. Donovan flinched and looked around him. As he settled down, he left the room first.

“Calm down, Sir Ohber. Who do you think you are standing before?” said Fahel as he looked at the gate captain. Ohber was trying to curry his favor, so Fahel’s words were plenty enough to settle him down.

“Ahem. I apologize, Prince Varca. He is someone who committed an abominable crime in the unit that I was in. He killed our unit’s commanding officer. Execution could be considered a light punishment for a disgusting bastard like that under military law, but he was able to keep his life through General Perjen’s magnanimity. He is not a mercenary you can trust. I swear this on my name.”

“Don’t worry. The person that I believe in is Mercenary Leader Urich. He has complete control of the mercenary group.”

Ohber rubbed his chin.

“Hm, a mercenary group with a barbarian leader… Anyways, I would like to invite you to dinner as a sign of apology. The mercenary leader as well,” said Ohber while looking back and forth between Urich and Fahel.

The two nodded.

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