The reflections of sword blades on the banquet hall floor created a ripple of glimmers in the chandelier. The owners of the thinly and sharply forged swords, like pieces of calligraphy paper, had somewhat puzzled expressions. They had come expecting a fight with the Imperial Guard, but the emperor was alone, seated at a table. Moreover, he was unarmed, dressed in a simple shirt and jacket casually draped over his shoulders, leisurely sipping tea.

Due to the mirror covering the entire back wall, their numbers appeared even more numerous. ‘What’s this? It’s too trivial, isn’t it?’ The soldiers of the Duke’s household chuckled with disappointed expressions.

At that moment, the emperor looked up from his teacup. “Would you all like a drink too?” The emperor gently scanned the men.

Everyone’s gaze became even more bewildered.

It was unexpected for the emperor, who had entered without bloodshed, to face such a large number of enemies. The emperor’s attitude toward confronting a large-scale enemy, even if entered without bloodshed, was even more surprising.

They shared a sense of confusion, causing a small disturbance among them.

At that moment, hearty laughter echoed at the entrance of the banquet hall. “Haha, Your Majesty came out so boldly that my soldiers were scared instead.”

The soldiers split on both sides to make way for the Duke. The Duke, walking leisurely, spoke, “They are familiar with swords, axes, and maces, but not accustomed to soft strategies.”

“Uncle has come,” Hersis welcomed with a smile. “I was just thinking about making lemon tea and boiling it, so I knew you were coming. Would you like to join?”

“Sorry, but I’ll decline.” The Duke, who had advanced near the table, stopped and tilted his head. “Since that crazy woman gave me wine poisoned with venom, I don’t easily accept what others offer me.”

“Ah… right, that incident happened,” Hersis replied nonchalantly. “But it seems the lesson she left didn’t resonate much with Uncle.”

“…”

“If it had been properly conveyed, you wouldn’t have come all the way here.”

“Well, I found other things more resonant. Such as, attachment to life… or revenge.”

Glancing around Hersis, the Duke said, “You’ve cleared people out quite thoroughly. Trying to face all these soldiers alone is truly commendable. It will be praised for generations to come.”

“I think Uncle brought too many, didn’t you?” Hersis laughed, pouring tea into his cup. “Maybe there are about five times more outside?”

“We have to bring this much to accompany Your Majesty to the hall of audience. Is Your Majesty an ordinary person?”

“Well,” Hersis playfully retorted, “I’m not an ordinary person. After all, Uncle raised me. No… in this case, should I say nurtured me?”

“Nurtured, indeed.” The Duke chuckled again, taking Hersis’s jesting banter with a mocking smile. “I raised Your Majesty with love.”

“Even pigs and cattle are raised with love, but the ultimate goal is to eat them.”
Hersis chuckled as he poured tea into his cup. “Perhaps there are about five times more outside?”

“We have to bring this much to accompany His Majesty to the hall of audience. Is Your Majesty an ordinary person?”

“Well.”

Hersis playfully retorted, “I’m not an ordinary person. After all, my uncle raised me. No… in this case, should I say nurtured me?”

“Nurtured, indeed.”

The Duke, once again chuckling, received Hersis’s banter with a mocking smile. “I raised His Majesty with love.”

“Even pigs and cattle are raised with love, but the ultimate goal is to eat them.”

Between the two, a calm and leisurely yet razor-sharp psychological battle unfolded. However, the gazes of the soldiers observing them gradually became clouded. Postures wavered, and the sword tips gradually dropped, accompanied by the sound of yawns from the rear.

Most of them were gladiators or criminals stamped with a mark, skilled in combat but lacking in dignity and patience.

It was only natural that, under Hersis and the Duke’s subtle exploration, a few soldiers felt uneasy, almost itching.

Whether the Duke sensed their feelings or not, he burst into laughter again, concluding the conversation with his nephew’s sarcasm.

“I’m sorry you don’t understand my sincerity. But I believe you will someday.”

Bowing politely, the Duke added, “In the next life.”

As he straightened up and took a step back, the lowered sword tips of the soldiers rose as if it were a signal.

Hersis, still holding the teacup, spoke casually, “You seem to be in a hurry. I wanted to have a more extended conversation with my uncle.”

“Postponing farewells tends to stretch indefinitely.”

The Duke took one more step back, and the soldiers took one step forward.

“There’s one thing I want to ask.”

Hersis said, and the Duke halted.

“What do you plan to do after I die?”

“…”

“People won’t easily overlook a Duke of humble origin who killed the emperor and seized the throne without justification.”

The Duke burst into a wry smile.

“His Majesty sees far ahead even in such a tense situation.”

“…”

“Don’t worry. Justifications are all prepared.”