EMATEC Chapter 159

159

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If you asked what the hottest issue across the continent is right now, everyone would unanimously say.

All the exciting things these days are happening in the Lutinas Empire.

"I heard Diana Gray has resurfaced! Apparently, she's been secretly tracking traces of demons all across the continent."

"So she wasn't dead after all?"

"Exactly! Look here, it says that the High Priest is currently staying at the imperial palace and bestowing blessings upon Diana Gray."

Whenever people gathered, they would huddle together and eagerly read news from the continent-wide newspaper featuring updates from the Lutinas Empire.

Diana Gray had become living proof that the recent large-scale outbreaks of monsters across the continent were orchestrated by demons.

The emperor of Lutinas, who had been working to sign peace protection treaties with every nation across the continent, now had his motivations clearly understood, because of Diana Gray's return.

"I hear the Lutinas Emperor is preparing to abdicate the throne. But why now?"

"They say Crown Prince Aurelian is incredibly capable. Maybe the Emperor wants to leave the running of the Empire to him and focus solely on implementing those peace treaties… particularly concerning the demon threat."

"It sounds like a declaration that Lutinas will stand at the very front lines, no matter when or where the demons appear."

Rumors that the Lutinas Emperor was preparing to abdicate for health reasons spread rapidly across the continent.

However, since Diana Gray, who had just returned, was actively demanding the fulfillment of the Emperor's peace treaties, people could only interpret the abdication as a clear expression of the Emperor's firm resolve to confront the demons, even if it meant giving up his throne.

Just as people's expressions had turned grim over how complicated things in Lutinas were becoming, the next piece of news brought smiles to their faces.

"So, will the Crown Prince be the one to officiate the engagement between the Emblems and the Grays?"

"Sigh… I really hope our family's name appears on the guest list of the Lutinas delegation."

"An engagement between those two families… I never thought I'd live to see it. The two contenders for the captaincy of the future Imperial Knights becoming a married couple?"

"Married? It's just an engagement for now."

"Still, it's the Emblems and the Grays. This isn't just some ordinary engagement."

The House of Emblem and the House of Gray, two ducal families recognized by all as both fierce rivals and enemies.

So the announcement of an engagement between them stirred up the entire continent.

Even in countries beyond the Lutinas Empire, many doubted whether this engagement would truly take place. Both the Emblem and Gray families received hundreds of letters questioning the authenticity of the announcement.

The flood of letters, and unexpected guests, eventually led both houses to officially announce a complete suspension of all social activities until the engagement ceremony.

With so many events happening simultaneously, it was only natural for the public's attention to be entirely fixated on Lutinas.

"...So, I'll be officiating the engagement ceremony between the two of them. It's a chance to demonstrate the Empire's stability. Even if Sir Enoch is firmly resolved, it's not something we can easily permit under current circumstances."

Crown Prince Aurelian of Lutinas raised a hand to his forehead, visibly troubled.

His complexion was far paler than usual, he looked like he could collapse at any moment. With the Emperor bedridden, Aurelian had been handling all state affairs alone, and dark shadows had formed beneath his eyes.

"The Kratyn Forest is still teeming with monsters. Even if we've been conducting regular extermination missions, that place is on a completely different level. Dame Cherrya, who's led most of those operations, would know that best, wouldn't he?"

"Yes, I do."

"But still-"

A look, laced with clear reproach, turned toward Cherrya, as if asking, Why haven't you stopped him?

Cherrya, the target of the look, just shrugged as if it couldn't be helped and continued speaking nonchalantly.

"Well, if he says there's something he needs to confirm personally, what can we do? Give him a suitable mission and he'll handle it well. As you know, Your Highness, Enoch is, well, it's awkward to say this myself, but, he's quite capable. He'll come back safely."

"It's not that I'm worried Sir Enoch won't return."

"Then what is it?"

"There's definitely something in Kratyn Forest. Even if the Empress isn't a demon contractor, something is going on that demands direct involvement..."

"And that's why Enoch is going, right? Honestly, if it's something that dangerous and related to demons, who else besides us can go investigate Kratyn Forest? Not like Grandfather can leave the Emperor's side either."

Cherrya had a look that said she genuinely didn't understand why Aurelian was so against it.

Though both Enoch and Cherrya were still receiving instruction from Seffield Emblem and hadn't fully mastered the powers of a Swordmaster, they were strong enough to be aware of that power within themselves. Therefore, it was hard for Aurelian to argue against it just on the grounds of danger.

Even so, with worry still visible in his eyes, Aurelian looked toward Enoch, who stood beside Cherrya.

"Cherrya, don't you think you should watch your words and behavior a bit more carefully… especially in front of the Crown Prince?"

"What's the big deal? It's just us. I'm kinda close with His Highness the Crown Prince, you know?"

"Isn't it more like His Highness just tolerates you?"

"No way. I'm doing him a favor. Doesn't he deserve to breathe a little more freely in this suffocating palace?"

"And that has to be you doing it?"

"Well, who else but me could?"

Cherrya, dressed in the sharp and splendid uniform of the Emblem Knights' Commander, and Enoch, in his characteristically composed Gray Knights' Commander uniform, stood side by side exchanging witty jabs.

Surprisingly, the sight of them standing together was… fitting.

No one would've expected that seeing the uniforms of Emblem and Gray side by side could evoke a feeling of harmony. Yet here it was.

Aurelian, watching them, found himself staring intently at the two.

"......"

Who would ever believe these two had lived as sworn enemies their entire lives?

To Aurelian, the relaxed air between them and the sense of silent understanding that seemed to tie them together was unmistakably clear.

The engagement between the Emblems and the Grays.

Aurelian had known of it since childhood.

He had always known this day would come. Just as it is with any noble house, he understood it was a natural outcome of a political marriage.

"It's simply because I'm such a weak ruler that I worry so much about you both…"

Aurelian had to turn away from his own ugly sense of weakness.

If something were to happen to Enoch in Kratyn Forest, just before the engagement ceremony…