Episode 267
「6. The Empire」
In a distant past, so far back that it’s now beyond memory, when the Blue Tower Master was just a young girl unaware of the world.
Right after the human king defeated the king of monsters, rulers from various nations were summoned to a single gathering.
Seats were meticulously assigned according to rank, and at the highest seat sat Dale.
The Lord of Black Gold.
In the wake of the fallen Third Empire, countless independent states had sprung up like mushrooms after rain, but it was nothing more than a fleeting daydream.
Wars between nations were unending.
No matter how closely the kings were watched, no matter how much force was used to suppress them, it was impossible to prevent all wars.
Blood still flowed on this land, and to the human king, it was the height of folly.
Thus, he decided to rule directly.
To prevent the people of this land from repeating their foolishness. To bind the entire continent under one nation and system, watching over them with a web of blue.
After making his decision, he summoned the rulers of each nation.
“From this moment, I announce the beginning of a new empire.”
The Lord of Black Gold spoke, and the sound of held breaths echoed throughout the room.
“And this assembly will be recorded as the first imperial council, marking the start of the new empire and determining its collective will.”
There was only one nation on this continent, and even the minor nobles and vassals were no exception.
“If any ruler disagrees with my intentions, please speak now.”
Silence fell at Dale’s words. No one misunderstood their meaning.
No one dared to oppose the emperor’s words.
Thus began the Fourth Empire.
「7. Lize」
“Brother, I’ve finally awakened to the third circle!”
When his sister Lize said this, she was no longer a little lady.
She had grown into a fine young woman, and like Dale, her innate talent was beginning to blossom.
“That’s wonderful.”
Dale smiled as he spoke.
“Have you seen your world?”
Every mage has their own world. And as a mage who had just awakened to her world, Lize smiled without hesitation.
“In my magic, there was a world where people were happy.”
“You still wish for that, do you?”
“Yes! That’s why I’m learning magic.”
Lize smiled as she spoke, her expression still that of an innocent girl who knew little of the world.
“Just like how you’re changing this world, brother.”
But at Lize’s next words, Dale couldn’t smile.
“You founded this nation to end the rulers’ conflicts and bring about a peaceful world, right?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Dale smiled as he spoke.
“I believe in the empire you’re going to build, brother.”
Lize said this without a hint of doubt.
“You’re the only one who believes in me, Lize.”
Dale smiled wryly at her words.
When Dale declared he would build his empire, their father had smiled with a complex expression.
So had Charlotte, Sepia, and Aurelia—all those closest to him.
Yet on that day, when he defeated the true king of humans in the Sea of Islands.
Dale realized he had become something he could never turn back from.
And in his changed eyes, the world was full of things that were out of place. It was a decision made to set things right.
No longer did Dale’s actions require anyone’s permission or understanding. He thought it didn’t matter if no one understood him.
Yet until the very end, Lize believed in him.
“I’ll work even harder so I can be of help to you, brother!”
Dreaming of a world where everyone is happy through her magic.
「8. The War of Unification」
As time passed, a single empire swallowed the continent. At the same time, some vassals banded together to resist the empire, ready to go to war.
But no war occurred.
The new emperor sought out the rulers who resisted him alone.
“I do not wish to fight you.”
“Our demands…”
“Kneel.”
The king of humans spoke.
“Do you wish for me to consume everyone in this castle and the entire army?”
“Ah, ah…”
To the rulers present, the being before them was no human.
The most terrifying and grotesque creature in the world stood there.
The son of the ancient mother.
Indescribable, grotesque tendrils writhed, persuading the lambs present.
─ Ah, my beloved child.
The ancient mother of darkness lovingly embraced her son, and some, terrified, swung their swords at the being.
Simultaneously, the tendrils wrapped around their swords and seized their bodies. Cries of agony echoed, but that was all.
“I do not desire meaningless slaughter.”
The king of humans spoke.
“Kneel.”
But to them, the being before them was nothing more than the king of monsters.
They recalled the tale of Duke Saxon defeating the monster army in the Sea of Islands. Yet, the being before them could only be a monster. No one dared to voice this thought.
Thus, those who stood in the way of the new empire knelt, and the empire triumphed without a single battle.
「9. Charlotte (2)」
The Duchy of Saxon became the Imperial Territory, and the castle there was reborn as the Imperial Palace.
Afterward, Grand Duchess Charlotte of Lancaster officially became the emperor’s wife, and a child was born to them.
In the north of the continent, at the heart of the new empire.
“My beloved child.”
“Yes.”
Fortunately, the child was undoubtedly human.
Charlotte couldn’t hold back her tears as she embraced her child.
“To think the day would come when you become a father and I a mother.”
With an expression of disbelief, yet with tears in her eyes, Charlotte smiled. Dale silently held her hand.
“I’m happy, unbelievably so.”
“Yes.”
Dale nodded quietly.
“Do we deserve such happiness?”
“Why wouldn’t we?”
Dale asked, as if he couldn’t understand.
“This world is at our feet.”
”…Yes.”
Charlotte smiled wryly at his words, unsure of what else to say.
“This world is entirely yours.”
“A world that exists for you and our child.”
Dale, the unquestionable king of humans, spoke. Charlotte didn’t reply, only smiled silently.
A smile filled with bitterness.
Seeing himself as a monster, the distance between them pained Dale deeply.
「10. The Blue Conspiracy」
As the existence of the empire became less novel, Lize’s achievements in honing her magic day by day were astonishing.
As the Blue Tower Master, sorceresses assisting Dale supported her learning.
The tower of deceit and intrigue, where lies are planted, and truths are overlaid as needed.
Upon realizing their truth, Lize accepted it more calmly than expected.
“Don’t you despise it?”
“Why would I?”
Dale, who had taught Lize the truth of the Blue, asked, and Lize shook her head, as if she couldn’t understand.
“Happiness is like a dream.”
And Lize answered.
“Sometimes it’s best not to wake up.”
In Lize’s words, there was no longer the image of an innocent girl unaware of the world.
Time passed, and it wasn’t just Dale who grew. Lize, too, had come to understand the world and found her own answers.
“I still want to make people happy.”
Thus, Lize did not refuse to inherit the power of the Blue.
“I feel like I’ve finally found what I’m meant to do.”
“Is that so.”
She, too, was a mage of Saxon blood. Dale was not unaware of the weight that blood carried.
“I want to see a world where meaningless slaughter stops, where wars aren’t waged, and blood isn’t spilled without reason.”
“I wish for that too.”
“Please allow me to be part of your empire, brother.”
Lize said.
“Together, we’ll create a world where everyone can be happy.”
At her words, the sorceresses of the Blue Tower finally bowed their heads, as if they had found their new leader.
“It won’t be easy.”
“I’m prepared.”
And just as Dale’s father had passed the position to him, it was time for Dale to pass on his role.
The new Blue Tower Master.
Just as Dale’s mother had been, another Arachne was born.
Spreading her web across the continent, to make this world a better place.
「11. Happily Ever After」
The emperor, the emperor’s wife, and the emperor’s two parents.
“I’m proud of you, Dale.”
Elena smiled as she spoke. Though she was now in the twilight of her life, she remained a beautiful mother.
“I’m proud of you too, Mother.”
“He would be very proud of you as well.”
“I hope so.”
Dale smiled wryly as he spoke. At the same time, the child in Charlotte’s arms began to cry.
“Oh dear.”
“I’m sorry, Mother.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Babies are always like that.”
Charlotte, flustered, soothed the fussing child, and Elena smiled as if even that was endearing.
“Ah, both of you, come here.”
Finally, joining the gathering were Dale’s father, Alan, and his younger sister, Lise.
Once they were all seated, the royal court painter began to capture their likenesses on canvas.
A loving couple with their child, a father and mother, and even the younger sister.
In the silence, the soft scratch of the artist’s tools echoed faintly.
What the painter was capturing was the image of the most noble, grand, and harmonious family in the world.
“I’m so happy,” Elena said, unable to contain her joy, smiling brightly.
“I am too,” Alan replied, embracing her with a smile.
Chapter 12: The Beginning of a Journey
Hiss!
It was a steam-powered train. A testament to the birth and fall of empires, the rise of dynasties, and the sweeping changes brought by new revolutions.
By the time the tales of the Lords of Gold and Shadow had faded into distant legend, the train was nearly ready to depart, and gentlemen in suits began to stir.
Among them was a young boy.
He appeared very young, with black bandages covering his eyes, concealing nothing beyond them.
Yet, it wasn’t as if he could see the unseen landscapes beyond.
He simply groped his way forward like a blind man, using a cane, when suddenly, a hand reached out to stop him. It was a gentle, caring gesture.
“Sepia.”
“The train will be leaving soon.”
A woman in a suit whispered, hiding her ears beneath the wide brim of her hat. The boy nodded.
“Where is the train going?”
“Who knows,” Sepia replied with a smile, tilting her head slightly.
“Anywhere is fine, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is,” the boy said, smiling back.
The End