Egret

― The Crown Prince is back!

As the news spread, all the greatness he had done on the pilgrimage began to sweep away from his mouth. Everyone watched him, from the heavenly people to the nobles. Rumors of all the areas he went through spread like ripe crops in the autumn.

Some of them were said to have saved the inhabitants who had been exploited and suffered. Some of them were said to be somewhat futile because they punished corrupt commanders and because they were blessed by the Blue Dragon.

Some praised the monarch's successor, who had already shown great prominence, and others wondered if it was too inflated a rumor, but consequently his reputation was more general than ill-fated.

The emperor summoned Judas as as soon as the group that had left the pilgrimage came back to the palace after sweeping the empire first. The nomination meant celebrating his safe return, but in practice it was a confirmation process to train him as his successor, a solitary confidant that could not be felt at all.

Only Judas, the Crown Prince, did not speak of Sage, the three princes who had accompanied him.

The predator still had dry eyes and looked at his son as if he saw a cub lion passing the test.

“Where did you get what you wanted? ”

“I got more than that. ”

I will no longer hide, but will use my power for those who need it. But when he turned around at the end, he got a lot of things.

Emperor Levis, who heard Judas' answer, did not inquire further about the content.

If there was anything the prince could have gotten out of the world, that was enough. The emperor leaned against the back of the chair and brought out another story.

“I punished the lord of Raven. ”

“Yes.”

“What is the reason? ”

After receiving a report from the shadows in advance, the Emperor asked the successor directly, knowing all the details.

Judas, who had just returned and even changed his clothes, answered the Emperor's question unceasingly.

“Because he has only rights and no responsibilities. ”

“irresponsible rights. Why did you use it as a reason to punish me? ”

“Firstly, we do not follow any rights without responsibility, which must be taken away from others. Secondly, it is dishonorable for such a person to be recognized as the owner of the territory, that is to say, an authority that fulfils its inherent role and duties in place. ”

The Emperor's dark gold coin, which led to a decisive opinion, became finely intrigued.

“Last but not least, we are not worthy of existence as the ruling class of the country. ”

As gentle and merciful as they usually are, they punish without looking back.

The Emperor appreciated Judas' clear code of conduct.

‘It's a long way to go. ’

Leaders need to be a little colder.

Levis was very considerate. He knew that his successor had gained much more than he had before he left the pilgrimage, but he still bitten.

The throne is not reserved for warmth or softness. If necessary, it is a cruel place to survive even if you have the determination to cut your friend's throat.

This time, I heard Judas' question in the Emperor's ear.

“Don't you ask about thawing? ”

“ ……. ”

There was no change in the Emperor's expression. He was still dry and as full as a lion.

Judas noticed, however, that his indifferent gaze darkened.

“Thaw. That tranquil eastern country was especially important to you. ”

“Only to me? ”

The second was a question that led to the closing of the horse gate.

The emperor slowly took his back off the backrest. Then, with his chin bent on his armrests, he grabbed the predator's willingness in his eyes. He looks like himself without honor, but as much as that look doesn't scare him, it reminds me of someone else.

‘So you have nothing to enjoy? ’

It was a woman who was a good match for a butterfly embellishment with black hair.

The subject, the princess of a small eastern country, was more afflicted than her father, and she drew closer to him than anyone else.

Apparently, it was the same as the other eye level, but she turned around.

‘I'll let you know. The reason this world, this country, is special. ’

She smiles like a baby, facing a cold gold eye that everyone is busy avoiding.

‘Cause it's the only thing that exists right now. You too, me too. ’

‘ ……. ’

"Nothing is the same in the world. ’

It was like the voice I heard yesterday hovering around my brain. Levis closes his eyes with his chin open.

“It was special.”

It's too quiet right now without that voice. There was nothing the same in the world as she said. He couldn't find anything like her.

As if he were asleep, Judas slightly lowered his head as he looked at the emperor who had closed his eyes and blocked his vision. It was enough to avoid it. It is frightening to face the wounds of anyone. Even if he is the ruler of the Empire, he will flee before the wounds of his heart.

“…… you. ”

Judas' back, which had just turned around, followed with a thunderous voice.

“Have you ever given water for a dead flower? ”

Judas remembers the children who cried in front of the wishful tree after Maid Mika died, who lived with her in her former life.

Frid then asked him with grudging eyes. Why aren't you angry at Micah's death?

“Thawing is for me a pot containing dead flowers. There's no reason to be interested, no need to give me water. ”

“No, Your Majesty. ”

Judas shakes his head. I thought maybe the emperor was similar to himself in his former life.

Levis was accustomed to sitting on a bloody throne from a young age and hiding emotions.

No matter what he did, he had to think of the justification for his personal feelings, and everyone watched him walk.

Judas knew that he wanted to flee with his sorrowful loneliness.

“If the flower was special to Her Majesty, you don't have to forget it by force. ”

As soon as I looked back at when I had opened my eyes.

“The pot is not as small as Your Majesty thinks. ”

“Not small? ”

“Yes, even if the flower loses, the roots may still be alive. If you give it water, the new flowers may bloom again. ”

Judas smiled as he spoke.

“Flowers are always ready to bloom, even if they don't bloom right away. ”

The Emperor Levis' solid mask was filled with fine gold. While he turned away from Hayun Lee's death, the child solved his mother's bluff and found out the truth. Without a sip of water, the child survived and grew up as the successor to a monarch praised by all.

At the same time, the Emperor felt skeptical about himself, who even had to be the 'Emperor’ at this moment.

The emotion of losing control once dampened his heart like a flooding river.

Even after Judas left, the emperor's face was not easily hidden.

‘You……. Why are you smiling at me so much? ’

Years ago, the young Judas was found unfit for succession, but failed to give up.

It was just a crooked affection after all.

* * *

About a month after returning to the Imperial Palace, an invitation from Judas flows forward.

It was not an invitation that was delivered through the formal route, but an invitation that was literally bitten by the green wind.

"Greg, this!

Uni gives him a white envelope in his arms.

"The lamb boy wants to give it to you.

“If you're a sheep, you mean Kiri. ”

"Yep. A girl singing.

Kiri was a Sheep Demibeast who met at Midgard Slave House and moved to the Empire.

With a special ability to assimilate emotions into her voice, she began to learn songs under the patronage of Judas, who was known little by little for her outstanding talents.

‘Lovely Idol Kirier. ’

Recently, the word that defines her is' idol ’.

A lot of people were enthusiastic about her because she sang a song that quickly distracted her with a beautiful appearance and voice. It was enough to say that no one had ever heard her song before, but no one had ever heard it before.

She sang around like a drunkard and produced thick fans everywhere she went. Now Kiri's song was sparking a new trend in the Lubarzan Empire.

Judas opened the invitation from UNI with great pleasure.

Dear Master.

“One, stubborn..... I told you not to use this title. ”

Forms for writing letters, how to write, etc. must have been learned from the teacher he put up for sponsorship, but the most important title issue remained. Judas eliminated the Slave Forge and brought slaves to the Empire, but he did not become their master.

But Kiri called him Lord. In a way, I did not break my stubbornness even though I became an attitude that did not follow orders.

From the outset, the invitation to give him some frustration contained a simple clarity.

“You're playing your first concert this time. ”

"Concert"? You mean a music festival?

In the Empire, singing was not a custom that recognized singing as a profession.

Even drifting drunkards, singing poetry and songs, were more likely to pursue art and wander the world than to make money.

Music that pays and appreciates is usually an elegant instrument performance in noble societies.

The common people were busy continuing their livelihood rather than enjoying the song.

“It looks like a music festival that ordinary people can enjoy without burden. It's my first concert as a singer, not a trainee, and I really want you to come. ”

"Singer! It'll be fun!

Tony, who was stretching like a fat cat, raised his body and revealed a complexion.

Since I returned to the palace, I was bored because I didn't have anything particularly interesting to draw from.

Uh, um. Well, you can go. Can't we get out of here now?

“Even if it's hard to travel like last time, it's okay to go out for a while. ”

I didn't eat long enough to come and go as long as Uni was around anyway, so I could afford to come and watch the song.

“The next week is the evening of the full moon. I can't wait to hear what he's singing. ”

He sits squawking and looks at him muttering with an invitation, leaning his head up.

…… But Greg. I've been wondering, what are you doing?

It was time to read calmly, as usual, but Judas was now in a garden full of trees.

And I was sitting among the leafy leaves that filled the floor, looking carefully at something.

When Uni looked at him with a curious look, Carney replied in a kind tone instead.

"I'm looking for a bookmark.

Bookmark

“Haha, you heard the foliage very beautifully. ”

Finally, whether he picked up a yellow bitten leaf or put it between invitations. Between the books I carried, there were already mottled leaves.

Even though he was in a position to use the finest bookmarks made by melting gold and silver coins, he did not.

Uni looks back at their contractor, who seems to have changed but hasn't changed at all, and kicks his smile.

Yes, it's pretty.

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* * Ballerina Top by Boutique

Chapter 25: The Beginning of Kyrie

And it's also the beginning of the last week of June. It's July... it's really the middle of the summer. *_*!

So have a great day! Thank you.

(I will raise the remaining amount later tonight. ◗)