WeTried Translations

Translator: Coughing Baby

Editor: Coughing Baby

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

Chapter 107: We Must Kill Him

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“It isn't that I find Sir Kyle unsuitable as a son-in-law. It's simply that both Sir Kyle and Soha are still young. Rather than discussing a future marriage arrangement, let's talk about the present.”

[Grand Duke Julius, you know it too. The Emperor is not normal. How can a body that has learned neither a cultivation technique nor magic belong to an old man past seventy?]

Julius's parted lips slowly closed. He composed his expression and stared at Muheok for a moment.

Alastor was the Empire's sole Grand Ducal family, a house that had guarded the north since the Founding Ancestor's time. That duty was a mission carved into Alastor blood, as well as an imperial command that had endured for five hundred years.

In other words, Alastor was a family that cooperated with the Empire, a family that ultimately stood within the Empire's walls. And before the head of that family, before the Empire's only Grand Duke, the Family Head of Izelion was spouting the mad claim that the Emperor had to be killed.

“That is fine as well. Let us speak of the present, for the friendship between our families. Muheok, bring out the liquor first. I would like to taste the liquor you were so proud of.”

Julius answered with a calm face, but the gaze he fixed on Muheok was sharp as a blade's point. What Muheok had just said was unquestionably treason. Even in a shabby tavern, the assassination of the Emperor was not something to joke about. If it became known that anyone had said such a thing, not only that person but three generations of their family would be wiped out.

Yet Muheok was saying something so dangerous in a detached palace of the Imperial Palace, to Julius, the man called the Empire's sword. In truth, Julius should not have heard another word. Simply uttering treason was enough for Muheok to be cut down by Julius on the spot, with no excuse to offer.

But Julius did not draw his sword. In a voice loud enough for the Emperor to hear, he calmly continued an ordinary conversation.

[You'd better explain this very well, if you want to see morning alive.]

“Ha ha... Grand Duke Julius will be very satisfied with our family's liquor as well.”

Muheok answered in a cold sweat. His nature made it difficult for him to beat around the bush, so he had gone straight to the point, but even he understood that what he had just said was dangerous enough to get his head cut off.

[Muheok, you cannot bear the responsibility for those words alone. Soha, who came with you, and every member of the Izelion family living in the forest below the Wisdom Mountain Range would share it. You understood that when you said it, did you not?]

[Of course.]

Muheok replied in a trembling voice and turned away. His voice in their minds shook, but his steps did not. As Muheok strode ahead, Soha composed her expression in his place.

“Until Father returns with the liquor, I will show you around. And Grand Duke Julius, thank you for looking kindly upon me. This may be our first meeting, but I have a rather favorable impression of Kyle as well.”

[This is something I discussed with Kyle earlier too.]

Soha's voice overlapped her spoken words. Julius replied without showing the slightest confusion.

“My grandson is the sort of person who would stand out anywhere. It is only natural to take a liking to him at first meeting.”

[Kyle. Is what Soha says true?]

‘Yes, it is. She suddenly started telling me earlier that the Emperor had to be killed.’

[I was wondering why you two had been talking for so long about the pointless matter of how many meals you eat...]

Julius clicked his tongue and rubbed between his brows.

“If I had my way, I would discuss the marriage arrangement at once, but Muheok's refusal is so firm.”

“In the end, won't my wishes matter more than Father's?”

“Soha, do you wish to become engaged to Kyle?”

“Not now. He is still far too young, isn't he? We should grow older first, and our bond should deepen.”

‘I'm asking because I'm confused. Are you two sincerely talking about marriage right now, or are you just saying it to keep the Emperor from becoming suspicious?’

Kyle finally asked after listening for long enough. Soha smiled softly as she answered.

[Honestly, it is half and half. If Kyle grows into someone I cannot help but fall deeply for, and our bond deepens, then we may truly become engaged.]

[You may be executed for treason as well.]

Julius's voice in their minds was bleak. Soha shivered and quickly composed her expression.

[The reason you did not immediately cut off Father and my heads... is because you also have doubts about the Emperor, isn't it?]

[Do I look like a blind fool to you?]

Julius replied coldly.

[Everyone in the Imperial Palace knows the Emperor is suspicious. If you brought a child who had never seen the Emperor in their life into the audience hall, even that child would point at him and say something was strange.]

[...]

[The Emperor has learned neither cultivation techniques nor magic. At least, that is what I know. Yet his face looks younger than mine. Do you think I do not know that is not right?]

That was why Julius had not immediately drawn his sword at Muheok's statement and had decided to hear him out. He knew the Emperor was suspicious, but Julius stood in too high a position to act on suspicion alone.

If the Family Head of Alastor doubted the Emperor, it could split the Empire apart.

[Of course, Alastor is regarded as the Empire's sword, and so we have a duty to cut away the Empire's evil, even if what must be cut is the Empire's heart. As our Founding Ancestor did, an illegitimate imperial throne must be cut down by the sword.]

Julius spoke those words and let out a short sigh.

[But we cannot do that based on unclear suspicions alone. Our family's sword is very sharp, and very heavy.]

“Talking about Kyle's marriage already, time truly flies. It feels like only yesterday that he came to the Sword Tower at five years old.”

To keep the sigh he had let out from inviting suspicion, Julius murmured softly.

Those words were sincere as well.

* * *

Muheok had not lied when he said he would bring out an old, fine liquor made directly in Izelion. He returned to the reception room carrying a large, worn-looking wine jar in both arms.

“May I drink too?”

Kyle struck first. Julius, who had been staring at Muheok with a serious, contemplative expression, shifted his gaze to Kyle.

Fifteen years old. Ordinarily, he was not old enough to be allowed alcohol, but he was a boy who had eaten things far worse for the body than liquor every day in the capital's Tower. Besides, the conversation they were about to have would be heavy and unpleasant enough to require alcohol.

“Drink.”

“Promise me you'll keep it a secret from Mother.”

“Arian used to sneak around drinking when she was younger than you.”

Of Julius's children, Arian alone had not learned martial arts and had instead studied Spirit Arts. Her teenage years had been a reckless storm that Kyle could not compare to.

Muheok opened the wine jar with a face frozen by tension. The scent of alcohol flowing from the unsealed jar filled the room. At the smell of liquor brewed in the eastern traditional style, Kyle swallowed.

“Grand Duke Julius.”

Muheok scooped up the liquor with a wooden ladle. Julius held out his cup while watching Muheok with sharp eyes. Liquor filled the pure white porcelain cup.

“Take it.”

Julius accepted the ladle and poured Muheok a drink. Muheok's fingers trembled faintly around his cup. Julius smiled with only his lips at the sight.

“You created this drinking table, so why are you so tense?”

“Ha ha... I am worried whether our family's liquor will suit your taste.”

Muheok replied with a bitter smile. He then poured drinks for Soha and Kyle as well.

“Let us speak of something other than the marriage arrangement first. Is your father well?”

“He passed the position of Family Head to me and is living at leisure. Recently, he has taken up bonsai as a hobby.”

“Hmm, I envy that somewhat. If I had my way, I would retire from the front lines as well.”

“Ha ha... Alastor's family customs differ from Izelion's, do they not? Grand Duke Julius is far too strong. It cannot be helped that you remain active for so long.”

While those words passed between their lips, another conversation unfolded in their minds.

[I know the Emperor is suspicious too. But suspicion alone is not enough to discuss assassination. Muheok, the fact that you called me here to discuss assassination means... you have evidence, correct?]

[The evidence is not only with me. Your grandson has it as well.]

[Kyle? What do you mean?]

[Sir Kyle's necklace. That Out-of-Place Artifact contains the Power of Direct Sight.]

Julius's gaze immediately turned to Kyle. Kyle, who had been holding his cup close to his nose and savoring its scent, replied in his mind.

‘I don't know anything about a Power of Direct Sight, but I did see something strange through the necklace.’

[The Power of Direct Sight is exactly what it sounds like, the power to see through the truth.]

Julius answered.

[To think such a power remained in your necklace.]

‘I only learned about it today as well. I couldn't see anything from Grandmother.’

[What did you see at the Imperial Palace?]

‘Some kind of threads flowing from the chests of Crown Prince Alero and Her Highness Princess Ludmia.’

[Threads...]

‘I do not know exactly what those threads are. I do not know where they lead, either.’

Julius emptied his cup in a single gulp. Muheok immediately rose and filled Julius's cup again.

[Muheok. Did you see those threads as well?]

[Yes, I did.]

[Did the threads extending from His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Princess connect to the Emperor?]

[I... did not see that.]

Muheok hesitated before answering.

[But I clearly saw those threads leading into the audience hall. Does that not leave only one possibility, that the Emperor's unnaturally young body is the result of those threads?]

[The Emperor never leaves the audience hall or the main palace.]

Julius answered, draining his cup again.

[This party as well. He used state affairs as an excuse, but as far as I know, he was not so busy that he could not attend.]

The banquet hall where the party had been held was separated from the main palace.

[Yesterday, when I asked why he would not attend the party, the Emperor answered me. He said the holy arts of the main palace maintained his youthful body, so he did not wish to leave it.]

[That means... the Emperor himself has practically admitted to an evil art!]

Muheok shot to his feet. He looked at Julius with eyes blazing with fervor, then hurriedly composed himself and refilled his cup.

“How is the liquor?”

“Excellent.”

“That is a relief. How is it for you, Sir Kyle?”

“It tastes a little medicinal. Is it supposed to taste like this?”

“It contains many ingredients that are good for the body.”

Wasn't alcohol bad for the body no matter what healthy ingredients went into it? Kyle thought that as he held out his cup.

[The Emperor is certainly maintaining his youth by draining the life force of the Crown Prince and Princess.]

[It is too early to conclude that. Princess Ludmia is frail, but the Crown Prince is not.]

[If the Crown Prince were frail as well, anyone would become suspicious...]

[Muheok.]

Julius stared at Muheok.

[It is easy to conclude that an Emperor who wishes to avoid old age is draining his children's life force to preserve his youth. It is easy for me to draw my sword and judge the Emperor as well. The aftermath would never be easy, but the act itself would be.]

[...]

[Of course, if it must be done, I will do it. Alastor is that sort of family. But we cannot conclude that what we have uncovered is the whole truth.]

[Grand Duke Julius. What do you mean?]

[I mean we cannot be certain that the Emperor is the one behind all of this.]

This time, Julius did not immediately empty his cup. He only wet his lips before continuing.

[When I asked the Emperor about the secret of his youth, he readily told me it was due to holy arts. Because I received that answer, I am more inclined to think that the Emperor is not directing this conspiracy. It may be that he does not know how the youth he has been given is sustained.]

[The Emperor is ignorant...]

[That is what I think for now. We only learned this secret through your eyes and Kyle's necklace. The Angel of the Secret Realm gave Kyle that necklace as a gift, saying it should be used to save my wife. Thanks to it, we succeeded in waking my wife from her long sleep, but... another power resided in the necklace, and that power has revealed part of the Emperor's and imperial family's secret.]

[...]

[Only part of it. Nothing is certain. My wife... has not yet regained her left arm and both legs. We still do not know exactly who attacked her.]

[Could the Emperor not have planned everything... and be lying without a trace of shame?]

[I admit that the Emperor is not in his right mind, even based on what we know so far. But I do not believe he has gone mad enough to harm my wife, then summon my grandson and me and award us medals.]

That was a possibility Kyle had considered as well.

[Alastor's strength remains intact. Our friendship with the families allied to us remains intact as well. If the Emperor planned something like this, I would have sufficient justification to cut off his head.]

[...]

[Making Alastor the new imperial family would be excessive. After cutting off the Emperor's head, the cleanest course would be to make Crown Prince Alero the next Emperor.]

‘What if that bastard Alero planned all of this because he wants to become Emperor?’

Kyle offered his opinion while sipping his liquor. Julius gave a hollow laugh as he answered.

[I would rather think that is the case as well. I can understand an Emperor obsessed with youth draining his children's life force, but I cannot understand him harming my wife. It would be more logical for the Crown Prince to have plotted to remove his old father.]

[Then we should seize the Crown Prince and...]

[Muheok, calm yourself. What we must keep in mind is who truly owns this conspiracy, and what they intend to gain through it.]

Julius refilled Muheok's cup. Muheok replied with an expression that said he could not understand.

[Does he need a reason beyond wanting to become Emperor?]

[Enough to drag Alastor in and cause civil strife within the Empire? If he wished to kill and remove his father, there would be many better ways than this. From the moment it became connected to the harm done to my wife, this conspiracy has felt like it seeks to divide the Empire.]

[...]

[If this truly seeks to divide the Empire, then neither the Emperor nor the Crown Prince will know the truth. In that case, who does?]

Julius's eyes turned to Kyle.

[No one could wake my wife Lavian. Yet my grandson woke her, with the gift he received from an Angel. As you know, Muheok, my wife... suffered an accident in a Secret Realm. She was cursed by the god of that Secret Realm.]

[Do you believe a god stands behind the conspiracy?]

[For now, I do. The holy arts of the Imperial Palace were installed by the Moon Church, the Empire's state religion. The Emperor himself said his youth was thanks to the Moon Church's holy arts. Rather than kill the Emperor at once, let us investigate the Moon Church first.]

[Would it not be better to simply storm the Imperial Palace, force the Emperor and Crown Prince to their knees, and interrogate the truth from them?]

[If we do that, there will be no turning back. This entire conspiracy seems intended to divide the Empire. We cannot act exactly as they wish, can we?]

Julius spoke firmly. Muheok let out a deep sigh and emptied his cup.

[Muheok. Why do you want to kill the Emperor so badly?]

[Because I want to end my family's fate in my generation.]

Muheok held out his cup.

[It has been four hundred years since Izelion crossed the Wisdom Mountain Range. Grand Duke Julius, you know my family's fate.]

[To tend to the roots of the Spirit Tree. But what does ending that fate have to do with killing the Emperor?]

[Because the Grandica Empire lies at the center of the continent, excluding the severed east.]

Muheok bit down hard on his lip.

[For four hundred years, Izelion has tended to the roots of the Spirit Tree. But in recent decades, the Spirit Tree's roots have begun to rot rapidly.]

[...]

[The period when the roots of the Spirit Tree began to rot exactly coincides with the reign of the current Emperor, Germea Valhart. If the Spirit Tree's... roots rot completely and are severed, Izelion will perish.]

[You believe the rotting of the Spirit Tree's roots is connected to the Emperor?]

[Yes. While he maintains his youth at an age when he should be old, the Spirit Tree's roots are rotting at a rapid pace. This is... unconfirmed, so I did not intend to mention it, but I have wondered whether the Emperor is draining the Spirit Tree's power.]

“Hah...”

A sigh escaped Julius's lips.

“This liquor is stronger than I expected.”

Julius muttered with a bitter smile.

[If that is your reason, I must dissuade you all the more. In the end, you are saying the Emperor must be killed based on suspicion alone.]

[Suspicion is not all we have. It is certain that the power of the Spirit Tree's roots is flowing somewhere.]

[Have you confirmed that somewhere is the Imperial Palace of the Empire?]

[That is... no, but you cannot understand because you are not one of our people...!]

[I acknowledge that. Because I am not Izelion, I cannot understand your urgency. But I swear as the Family Head of Alastor, my family and I will do everything in our power to ensure Izelion does not perish.]

Muheok's eyes trembled at those words.

[What matters to us is the truth. Rather than assassinate the Emperor at once, we must learn what lies behind him. If it is the Moon Church, we must secure proof and learn what the Moon Church seeks. We must also investigate who is taking the Spirit Tree's power. Once we know all of that, and reach the conclusion that the Emperor must be killed...]

Julius paused and ran his fingers over his cup.

[Then we must kill him.]

If they acted boldly and without restraint, everyone here could join forces and storm the Imperial Palace right now.

But what if, as Julius feared, the Emperor was only a puppet in a conspiracy devised by someone else? What if the threads connected to Crown Prince Alero and Princess Ludmia had nothing to do with the youth the Emperor maintained?

It would be easy to charge in and put a sword to the Emperor's throat, but dealing with what came afterward would never be easy. If the Emperor was the leader behind every conspiracy, they only needed to cut off his head. But if he was a puppet, the Empire would split apart.

That would be exactly what the hidden force behind it all wanted. The continent's situation was already unstable. If the Empire split as well, the Dark Age of five hundred years ago would return.

[...I understand.]

Muheok calmed his emotions. When he considered it rationally, Julius was right. His family's fate was at stake, and he had been too impatient because he did not want to pass this heavy burden on to Soha as well.

‘What is the Spirit Tree?’

Kyle, who had been filling his own cup and sipping from it, asked. Soha answered.

[It is a sacred tree on the eastern continent. The Mok Family, Izelion's main house, has guarded and worshipped the Spirit Tree for generations.]

‘The Mok Family...’

[Four hundred years ago, the Mok Family confirmed that the Spirit Tree's roots had extended beyond the Wisdom Mountain Range, and they sent our ancestors, a branch family, to the other side of the mountain range.]

‘When you say roots, you do mean actual tree roots, not a metaphor?’

[Yes, actual roots. Though it is no ordinary tree.]

‘Then may I go see it once?’

Muheok and Soha opened their eyes wide and looked at Kyle.

‘I am good at hearing the sounds of trees, wind... things from nature like that.’

Kyle smiled as he sipped his liquor.

Footnotes:

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