Ashes and Kingdoms

Around the same time, the rumored emperor, His Majesty, was in the process of consulting with Islev in a guest room at the Royal Palace. The neat face that pleases not only Nellis, but also the women of the capital, looks perfectly snappy because of the shadows that grief and affliction drop.

The cause of this was only in the Imperial Capital at the moment. The Nornicom capital has not yet fallen, and we have not received any news of it. What Islev and I are working on was a measure against Fercius, who persists in plotting to cut the Emperor's power.

The siege against Varys has not been loosened, although it was unanimously passed by Elesia's resurgence to retain his authority over General Glaus. The resolution to move the Fourth Legion from Nakte and put it into battle in the East was also creepy, not to mention that it was the only hand, the promptness that led to its passage.

"The next step is to let Nakute Dragon Marquis lead the soldiers into the Imperial Capital."

When Varis roared, Islev also nodded with a rugged face.

No force other than the Imperial Guard shall be put into the Imperial Capital. The regiment must pass at least half a day's journey or be disbanded before it gets any closer. A law that has been upheld since the days of the founding of Diatius, but we see signs that it is time to make an exception.

Think about how Islev will persuade each of the senators who are likely to be on his side on this matter alone, and how he will argue the claims of the anticipated enemy, with a collection of laws and regulations.

On that occasion, he also refrained from Senato. Because I don't have enough knowledge experience to be part of the discussion, but I can help both of you, upon your request, to find something that might be useful from past laws and regulations. That also makes me study myself.

That said, it was a little hard for a boy with a lot of energy to be indoors for a day when the sun was shining. Let's at least run around the courtyard for a few weeks, etc., and I look outside thinking about something else. And

"- Hmm?"

frowned and leaked a suspicious voice.

"What is it, Senato?"

Islev notices and asks. Senato closed the collection of laws and regulations that had been spreading on his knees and stood up and headed to the door.

"There seems to be someone in the garden. Maybe the kid got lost again."

The implantation rocks sometimes crusty. The gardens of the Royal Palace open part of the perimeter to citizens, but if you are a young and light child, you can enter this courtyard beyond a place where only cats can pass.

Of course, they'll probably soon find out and get stuck out. Besides, there are no security issues because there are guards at the gates with open areas and they are blindfolded as to whether they are in possession of inappropriate objects or have acted suspiciously.

In fact, only a few times since Senato started living in the royal palace, someone broke into the courtyard, and it was all an innocent adventure for a young child, too. Stepping on what would be the same this time, Senato walked towards the shaky bush without any particular vigilance.

A guard who noticed comes in just in case. But as for Senato, I was more worried that the child who was obsessed with exploring was not injured.

"Can't you see the exit, Lost?"

I kneel as I call and peek under the bush. Then he turned his eyes a little round. It was obviously the young man's face that looked back at us from under the lush branches.

To Senato, who spoke up, the intruder stood his index finger up and "sissy" sharply controlled. It's not a child's attitude. Senato was not sure what to do, and beckoned on the spot,

"Master Senato? Shall I kick you out of this side?"

The guard spoke out in surprise, so he stood up in a panic.

"No, that's fine. You seem scared, so don't threaten me. I'll take care of it. You can go back to your place."

"Ha..."

The guard opened his eyes, but Senato ordered him to back off with a hand gesture, returning to the building with a flair that did not fall on his heart. Senato waited until his figure was completely hidden afterwards, looking back behind him and checking his eyes, then crouched again and whispered.

"Who are you? Why are you here?

The little intruder grinned at Senato, who spoke to him like an adult.

"You're smart as rumors say, Master Senato. I left a message. When I said it was from Farnayne, he said he'd listen."

――

Senato sounded dangerously feverishly and painstakingly. I rush around again wondering if anyone could see what surprised me. Islev was out in the corridor suspicious of his hassle, but apparently he can't find what Senato looks like. He looks at the misguided implant with his eyes shaded.

Senato breathed in relief and lowered his body more.

"Should I ask here? Or somewhere..."

"It's a short message, so I can get it done here. Listen, listen carefully. 'The danger is imminent, run as close to the sea as you can', that's all. It seems that Utier of the Great Forest was detected to be undergoing anomalies in the hinterland. It's not far from overflowing, swallowing allowances and gradually everything that lives, and it's going to expand."

"What do you mean? I don't care what they say all of a sudden"

"You won't believe it, but if Master Utier says so, it's bound to be a reality. So, it'll be hard, but he wants us to let as many people get away as we can... he said Farnayne. We, Avanes, the dwarves you call dwarves, are starting to move."

"But... what are you saying is coming out? Who would ask you to run, even though you don't know that?"

"I don't even know what's coming out. But if you hear that it is in the heart of Diatius' home country, that is, where the family of darkness was sealed in the earth in ancient times, isn't that enough?

――

"You're the next emperor, aren't you? Then you can strike something with your hands that will take the people of the capital somewhere. You just have to do a big thing. You don't have to tell me to go. You just have to open the one where everyone takes you out, in some seaside town. I don't know if I'll make it."

The dwarf youth, speaking quickly, did a little snooping outside. Senato also notices with it and carefully puts his head over the implant to make sure that, three times, he has no eyes.

By the time Senato lowered his face, the youth had already begun to retreat with a crawling stomach.

"Oh, wait."

Senato called to rest in haste. A young man asks with his eyes what is still going on. Senato opened her mouth confused, not knowing what she wanted to ask herself.

"Um..., Farnein, how have you been"

Ask, then blush by accident. I asked him something stupid. Didn't this young man only talk about Farnayne in hearsay form? A dwarf tribe in the capital can't possibly know her directly in the Great Forest.

The young man blinked for a moment before leaking a not-so-malicious bitterness.

"Come on, I haven't seen you. But when they asked me, they asked me to tell them I was perfectly fine."

…………

Senato's expression loosens to relief. The young man left a pranky grin and it was only this time that he disappeared with astonishing speed.

Senato was sitting on the spot looking up to the sky, blindly hearing the little noise of things moving away.

(Good)

That girl, who was hurt and completely locked up, got better. Don't forget about Senato, who was only around for a short time, and entrusted me with the message.

(- Really, good...)

Hmm, deep exhalation. Then he finally returned to me, and no, it wasn't good, he shook his head.

Meaning In retrospect of a long and enigmatic warning, stand up and pay off the dirt on your clothes. Run from the hinterland, but whatever the “danger” is, can you see that you can't come out into the sea or the river? Then we'll have a race like boating down the Orne River? But will that be all the money available? What's the excuse?

Senato was busy circling his thoughts as Varis and Islev returned to the waiting room. In the corridor across the yard, without realizing that Mion is still pouring his vain gaze.

Returning to the room, Varys asked in a casual tone.

"Were you still a child?

"No, that's..."

Senato shook his head and lowered his back to the chair, worried about how he had explained it. Varis and Islev will look suspicious and will face back once Parliament measures have been put aside. Senato, choosing his words, let both of them hear the earlier message, but as expected, the reaction between them was not fragrant.

"To the dwarf, the legendary Dragon Hou Tia. Besides, an ancient, sealed family of darkness? You're finally starting to smell."

Senato responded to Varys with a sarcastic bitter smile a little.

"We met Utier of the Great Forest immediately and exchanged words. It's not a distant old magpie that makes kids listen. I've never seen a dwarf before... Whatever the contents of the warning, it can't be a lie or a plot, knowing that I was hiding in the Great Forest during my disappearance, knowing Master Utier and even Farnayne"

"I guess so," Varys nodded pale. "It's the only thing that makes it difficult to deal with. We have to deal with it. But it is impossible to remove all the inhabitants of the Imperial Capital, even temporarily. More than 100,000 citizens alone."

"That's...... but if only some of them are moved first, that's all you need to do to evacuate them when the danger is clear. If Master Utier misses his expectations, if he hides the event, will confusion and dissatisfaction be curbed?"

Even though he is frightened by being stuck in front of him with practical difficulties, Senato thinks sincerely and expresses his opinion without frustration. Islev had observed the situation with interest, but slightly more and more open-mouth.

"Your Majesty, as a victory prayer against the Eastern Rebellion, you have the hand to hold a game of devotion. It's not too late, but if it's a festival, citizens will be happy with whatever their excuse is."

"Hmm. If we were to hold a boat competition with Ordos at the mouth of the estuary as an end point, and serve and worship the local temple upon arrival, could we pull citizens out seven to ten days"

Varys will soon consider and accept the proposal as well. There are a number of temples in Ordos built by the famous ancient monks. The origins vary, but if you cling, you will find a temple worthy of prayer for victory.

"Don't be me personally hosting. Sell one farm..."

Oh, boy, Varys shook his head. I can't use taxes or co-sponsor with anyone else than I can't discuss this for someone else's convenience. The fame since the founding of Shizukuni is not comfortable with the kitchen situation yesterday, but it is the property to be used in times of crisis. I am not lost in Varys.

"Citizens will have to change the course of the Fourth Corps as well. I don't know if that Mitsuhito will listen, but let's send an ambassador. Marquis Senato cannot speak after the legions have moved."

"It seems so. If you're Lord Rufus, you can't ignore the warning."

Islev also agreed. The Fourth Corps is essentially the army of the Naktedragon Hou Senato, but if you start any action, it's Legion Chief Rufus who takes command. All specific instructions shall be authorised by the field commander. You can't act quickly even if you're asking about your "boss" intentions.

"If we were to let them take a detour instead of the shortest distance, it would take more days than originally expected. I have to give Glaus some news."

Do it. It's a busy thing, Varys rubs his eyebrows all the time. Senato watched things get bigger and bigger with a slightly nervous face.

Realizing how he was, Varys softened his expression.

"No rush, though. There's not much I can decide now, but as soon as I get the job done, I need you to work for me. I would like to return to my room for now. I don't know if I can sneak in with new information."

"... Yes"

Though slightly patrolled, Senato took his seat knowingly. I was a little pitied that he finally asked me to call a secretary or a preaching order, but all I can do now as a real problem is run out of use. I wanted to tour the Emperor and Islev's work, but I left the room shaking off my untrained.

After finishing the errands he was asked to do, he returned to his room alone. Apparently after Nella has cleaned up for me, the interior is clean. There was a bowl of new fruit and a small wax plate for the message, beside the watermark. I'll go shopping, there is.

"Nella, you're not here"

I was going to let you know about Farnayne. Senato dropped his shoulder and lowered his back to the bed, doing nothing.

There are few people in and out of this part of the royal palace and it's quiet. If the dwarves were to bring any news to Senato, they would be less worried about being found by servants and guards...

(More than that, I don't think I can hear you)

If they have already begun evacuation, it is better not to expect them to stay for the sake of humans and circulate information. I was surprised that there were dwarves in the Imperial Capital, but that means that's all they've been skilfully hiding their existence. I was hoping you could help me with that now.

(Is there anything I can do? When the game of service is settled, you'll get one out in my name too, but what about the rowers? To serve so that citizens are willing to come with us to Ordos and see the outcome of the match......)

I have to temporarily send out a cheap carriage. Besides, we must also give notice to the accomodation towns that line the streets parallel to the Orne River and prepare them to deal with large numbers of tourists.

(I wonder if I have time for that)

I will run and write the challenges and solutions that come to mind on the wax board for the message. Along the way, the pen stopped.

(Orgin would know something... no, I can't trust him)

Think of the magician and strike it off instantly. That old man here often seems to be out of the royal capital by himself. I don't know exactly where it is, but when Senato remembered and went to see how it was, the room was empty, or people heard that a suspicious old man was walking outside the walls, and so on.

(I thought you said you were picking something up or burying it - it looked that way)

I recall the cleaning husband of a cemetery lined up on the south side of the Imperial Capital, coming to report with a puzzled face. Nothing, I ignored it because it doesn't disturb or scatter, but later someone told me it was a sorcerer living in the royal palace and I got anxious.

Instead of a magician, he's an old man who's just a little crazy, don't worry. After saying so and letting the cleaning husband go home, Senato of course questioned Orgin, but he was only made to peel by example.

Absolutely, he made the citizens swear by the gods that he had done nothing harmful, but it did not change unpleasantly.

When Senato shook his head to pay for one thing he didn't like, a reluctant voice called him "Master Senato".

When I saw it, Myon stood at the door. It's not like I'm here on some errand, but I'm calmly stuck. Senato frowned.

Before, when things were wrong with him, I asked Nella to look for Mion's behavior. However, he did not come into contact with suspicious persons, nor was he able to hold down the scene of giving or receiving money.

However, I did not see anyone in the city talking to whom I wonder if the royal palace's servants would be close. That said, it was just a decent human being, not the kind of person Nella's whispering sensations warn against. It is not enough to pry into the personal friendship of a servant, be it undesirable.

Senato and Nella have been relieved of their guard lately because they have only lived normally since then.

"If you have something to say, come in."

With Senato's permission, Mion entered the room with a snack and stopped a few steps from his desk.

"Is it true that... Leaving the Imperial Capital"

"Were you listening?

When Senato blamed him, Mion lowered his head gently.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrogate you. but every part of the story got to my ear...... I was wondering what was going on. Will something strange happen in the capital soon?"

"That's not what I'm saying," Senato took care of a gentle voice to reassure him. "Just, hey, I have some information I might want to be careful with. As a precaution, I'd like to keep some people away from the Imperial Capital for a moment. Nothing could happen, and no matter what, just make it easy to deal with, right? Don't worry about it."

Then Mion raised his eyes anxiously and asked to peek into his complexion.

"At that time, can you take me with you?

"Of course not! I'm not leaving you behind."

I perceived what they were imagining, and Senato answered unexpectedly with a shuddering voice.

Something is at stake, and the emperor who found out about it took only the noble people and fled the capital, and we wonder if our own servants will be abandoned without being informed of anything - that's what we worry about.

"I'm not going to abandon anyone. It just wouldn't be possible to move all the residents of the capital at once, would it? First of all, if we do that and nothing happens, we have to pay huge compensation to those who have suffered damage without being able to do business. So the first thing I want is for you to leave the Imperial Capital voluntarily from the unimpeded. That's all."

In fact, of course, councillors and noble classes would prevail if they were to be evacuated, and then citizens, and finally slaves. But still, Senato wasn't going to ignore it because it was the lower class. Shortly after the assassination of Emperor Fedoras, we have not forgotten the poor who kept their young self hidden from us.

With Senato's sincerity, Mion was relieved at last, and breathed relieved. Return to your usual unscrupulous expression and thank you.

"Thank you. I said too much, but I'm relieved to hear you say those words. I'm really afraid so."

"I can't help but be anxious. So..."

Keep this to yourself so you don't make lousy rumors. Yes. As Senato was about to say, Mion looked up and laughed frankly.

"Well, can you tell everyone that?"

……

What are you going to say? Senato was a little frightened. My spine gets cold with the unusual glitter strained on Myon's face, not just the content of the words.

"You may tell Lady Fercius that His Majesty the Emperor is going to be fled from the capital, but all of them are going to be directed to leave in turn"

With only a smile on his face, Mion keeps talking perplexed. But my eyes are not laughing. He just opens his mouth wide open when he can't believe it, and moves around busily in confusion and impatience.

Senato floated without my knowledge, twitching and lagging behind. Mion goes on and on. Smile, sweat tight.

"Dear gentle Senato. Please take care of the servants as we do. I received money from other houses to keep you informed of your actions, but I didn't expect you to help them."

"Mion! Hold on, wake up!

"Oh, that's really sweet. It's not worth saving, it tries to save even those who shouldn't. You can't save anyone by yourself."

Slowly Mion's hand reaches out on the desk. Senato chased with his eyes what he was willing to do, and gave a grudge. At the end of the day, I was running and writing on a wax board - Mion's hand squeezing it.

Senato ran quickly through his eyes, driven by fear, but looking for something to protect him, or a way out. But Mion didn't come towards Senato.

"Isn't that necessary? Such a person who easily betrays the Lord with gold and falls on either side depending on the direction of the wind ha, buckwheat nigiri and mo harms ninardake"

My voice cracks and sounds vain. As if it's emanating from somewhere else.

Senato glances at him and stands idly by. It was no longer the servant I saw there. There is someone else's grin on his mouth and his body is stiff as a stick. Only eyes wet in tears stared in fear as the hand holding the iron pen crept up.

"Stop... stop, no"

Senato shook his head and took half a step to get closer. Mion's hand shakes up as soon as possible. Reflectively Senato jumped and pressed that arm in with full force.

"Stop it! Damn... this"

"Naze stop mel"

From Myon's mouth, a voice spills that is not thought to be the voice of man. Behind that, the original Mion voice whispered "help". Senato must have raised his face and glanced straight at Mion's eyes. of eyes shaking in fear and confusion, like shooting through what lurks further back.

"It doesn't matter who you are or where you stand with your life!

Senato yelled at him to slap him.

"Not to mention out of the question such as deciding life and death because you like it or not! Please let Myon go, grandfather!!

Moment after moment, the body of Bikun and Myon was confused. The look that was ticklish came to a certain surprise during the bundle - it disappeared. At the same time, all the power fell out of Myon's body at once, and all Senato, who was holding his arms down, crept to the floor in a docile manner.

"Ouch!

Senato groaned, but he did not forget to take the iron pen from Mion in an aggressive manner.

When the tension was resolved, fatigue pushed in more and more. Stay seated without getting up and wait for your gasp to subside. By his side, Mion remained in a fallen position, sobbing small forever.