Chapter 16: The Envoy’s Arrival
Not long after, envoys from the Empire arrived in the northern lands. It was a time of great tension.
“Show your respect before the Emperor’s representative!”
Under the command of Emperor Wilhelm, the envoys were sent to uncover the truth about the so-called “Great Magic Empire” that had supposedly resurrected in the north. As the rightful rulers of the continent, they were determined to extract what they could from this mysterious power.
The Fourth Empire, once the mightiest on the continent, had vanished into history, only to reemerge. News of its return spread swiftly, reaching even the southernmost edges of the land.
In a time when the Emperor was already clashing with revolutionaries, the significance of the Great Magic Empire’s return was not lost on anyone.
“Bow before the great Emperor Wilhelm of the Ninth Empire and his envoy!”
The command was shouted with unwavering resolve, a refusal to easily relinquish their status.
“Welcome.”
The envoys were greeted by the Night Raven Knights of the Saxon family, led by a man who was anything but ordinary. He wore a robe embroidered with the Saxon Night Raven, not the tattered rags of a commoner. He bowed respectfully before the Ninth Empire’s envoys.
Turning his back, he led them towards the fortress that symbolized the Empire’s might.
The envoys held their breath as they approached the northern stronghold, once the Duke of Saxon’s castle and now the imperial fortress.
”……!”
From the fortress, figures gazed down at them with an imposing presence.
There stood Sir Helmut Blackbear and his knights, along with the elite Night Raven Knights known as the “Grave Guard.” It was clear that the power within their swords was formidable.
If their claims were true, these were warriors who could single-handedly dominate a hundred foes.
But that wasn’t all.
There were also wizards, cloaked in robes that exuded an ominous power. In an age where magic had faded and lost its color, these wizards still wielded the unmistakable “black” magic.
Could they be the wizards of the Black Tower, the pillars of the Great Magic Empire?
The man crossed the grand hall and took his seat on the black-gold throne prepared for him.
The Black Gold Throne, said to have ended the conflict between gold and shadow, was his seat of power.
But they were not alone. The nameless assassins of the “Grave Walkers,” who carried out the Shadow Lord’s orders in the darkness, were also present.
In an era where magic was dying and tales of legendary warriors were mere stories, their presence was undeniable.
Yet, they could not be intimidated. They were there as representatives of the Emperor, the Shadow Lord.
Their insult would be an insult to the Emperor, and their voice was the Emperor’s voice.
“We heard that your land and fortress rose from the sea of the North.”
To the people of the Ninth Empire, this place was once nothing but an empty sea.
And then the man, Dale, spoke from his black-gold throne.
“What do you seek?”
“Reveal your identity! Where do you come from, who are you, and what do you desire?”
One of the envoys raised his voice.
“And kneel.”
”…….”
“Kneel before the Emperor and the Empire, and swear your loyalty.”
“Kneel, you say?”
The air froze at those words. Even the envoys felt an inexplicable chill, their hands trembling involuntarily.
Yet they could not retreat. Their words were the Emperor’s words, and the Emperor’s submission was unforgivable.
“Swear fealty to Emperor Wilhelm and do not choose the folly of opposing the Empire and His Majesty!”
“I kneel before no one.”
Dale replied with a cold smile. The envoys held their breath. Dale continued.
“Would you kneel before me?”
”……!”
Simultaneously, the Night Raven Knights placed their hands on their sword hilts. An indescribable killing intent surged forth, causing some envoys to collapse in fear, kneeling involuntarily.
“Have you forgotten your duty as the Emperor’s representative? How dare you!”
“But, Lord Ludwig! Please, consider the situation…!”
The leader of the envoys shouted, but he too was not immune. His legs trembled as if they might give way at any moment.
“I can easily make you kneel.”
At that moment, the man rose from the black-gold throne.
“And making your Empire and Emperor kneel would not be difficult either.”
“How dare you…!”
“Do you not believe me?”
Dale asked.
“Would you believe me if I proved it before your Emperor?”
His Night Raven robe began to writhe like a living creature, casting shadows.
The hall was engulfed in darkness. Some envoys, overwhelmed by fear, began to kneel desperately.
They were utterly overpowered.
The presence before them, his power, was no lie.
The Black Gold Sovereign, the Magic Emperor, a figure believed to be an exaggerated legend.
Instinctively, they realized the depth of his dark power, surpassing all the formidable figures in the northern fortress.
“I remember what people of this era called me and my Empire.”
“Is it true, then…?”
“There were many names. But none of them matter to me now.”
Dale continued.
“I will say it one last time. Kneel.”
A final warning. The envoys, their legs trembling, finally collapsed.
The representative of the Ninth Empire’s Emperor, a figure meant to be revered, was kneeling in disgrace.
“Kneeling doesn’t feel good, does it?”
Dale remarked with a mocking smile.
“Yet you asked me to kneel before you and my people. Did you wish to displease me so?”
“This is merely in accordance with the Empire’s tradition…!”
“We here are all outsiders.”
Dale replied.
“Do not impose your traditions on me and my people.”
His emotionless voice made the envoys hold their breath. An indescribable chill wrapped around their necks.
“When my Empire vanished into history, so did this northern land. Technically, this northern land is not even territory your Ninth Empire should claim. Isn’t that right?”
“But aren’t the serfs of the northern lords fleeing to your land?”
When Dale’s Empire merged with this world, there were no people to rule or nobles to serve. Yet the northern land, once the Saxon Duchy, had not entirely disappeared.
There was no reason to refuse those who would cultivate the empty land.
“You imposed harsh taxes on those struggling to survive. I merely offered them my land for a small price.”
Dale answered.
“I apologize, but my people and I also need food. We need to sell the castle’s treasures and find people to cultivate the empty land. When people came, we welcomed them.”
Technically, this act was akin to insulting the Ninth Empire and invading its territory. And it wasn’t just in the north. When word spread, the very foundation of the Ninth Empire’s regime would crumble.
“Isn’t it true that serfs are fleeing to join the ‘revolutionary army’ and rising up because of your Empire’s excessive greed?”
As the name was mentioned, the envoy’s face turned pale.
“Isn’t it more important to address the spilled water than to worry about a few drops leaking from this land?”
”……!”
“But don’t worry. I do not work for the Emperor or the revolution. And regarding the damage your Empire’s northern lords might suffer from us… I promise to negotiate so that we can reach an understanding.”
“Can you truly promise not to fight for the revolution?”
“Why would I do that?”
Dale asked.
“The Fourth Empire and the Lord of Black Gold no longer exist in this world. All that remains are ‘outsiders.’ Therefore, I have no interest in the conflicts of this era, the meaningless wars, or the clash between gold and shadow.”
“Are you truly saying you’ll remain neutral in the affairs of our empire?”
The envoy, mustering every last ounce of strength, desperately tried to maintain his dignity as he asked, his legs trembling beneath him.
“Neutral? You’re mistaken.”
Dale, the Lord of Black Gold, replied.
“I have no interest in you. You’re not even worth my attention. So, let me warn you one last time.”
His voice was devoid of any emotion, his expression as cold as a god looking down on mere mortals.
“Leave me be. Do not foolishly provoke my interest. If you adhere to the rules, I assure you, we will treat you with respect.”
That was the end of the conversation.
Without the courtesy or ceremony due to an imperial envoy, they retreated hastily, almost fleeing.
Soon after, day by day, serfs from the Ninth Empire began escaping to Dale’s land, the true North, where they settled and made new lives.
Amidst revolution and empire, a third path emerged.
To prevent further desertion and set an ‘example,’ the northern nobles dispatched their cavalry.
They raided and massacred the runaway serfs, and the northern lands burned under the hooves of their horses.
Despite Dale’s intentions, he and his empire were no longer outsiders to the world.