Ch#71
Chapter 71"Welcome, Sir Milton! Forgive me for only arranging this meeting after receiving your letter. I should have reached out first."
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Your Excellency. I never imagined I'd meet you in person..."
"Nonsense. I've always wanted to share a cup of tea with you."
Edmund's face brightened at the courteous words. Isaac was convinced Edmund brought good news.
"So, what brings you here? I'd be glad even if it were nothing important, but coming to see me so secretly means there must be a reason."
As Isaac broached the topic, Edmund leaned forward as if he'd been waiting and whispered,
"If what I'm about to say makes you uncomfortable, please send me away at once. I won't hold it against you and will simply withdraw."
"Why beat around the bush like this?"
"...Your Excellency. Doesn't the emperor's hunting dog bother you?"
Isaac's intuition had been spot on.
He flashed his cold blue eyes and slightly lifted the corner of his mouth.
"That mongrel, you mean?"
"No ordinary mongrel. He's a bastard pup blinded by ambition, devouring anything edible without discrimination."
"You've said exactly what I was thinking—feels good to get it off my chest."
Isaac nodded with a hearty laugh.
"He even devoured the Imperial Guard deputy commander position that should have been yours. Must have stung."
"I don't mind that. But I'm deeply disappointed in His Majesty the Emperor for keeping such a vulgar man as his closest aide while oppressing long-time loyal vassals."
"Oh my! To think such a righteous young man still exists! It seems Para hasn't abandoned our empire yet."
They instantly recognized they were perfect matches for each other's needs.
Isaac needed someone planted by the emperor's side, and Edmund needed a new power holder to guarantee his rise.
- 2 -
.
With that confirmed, there was no reason to mince words.
"Sir Milton. Let me make you a proposal."
Edmund drew closer as if he'd anticipated it.
"I'll push for you to become Imperial Guard deputy commander. The current one has gambling and woman troubles—replacing him is no issue."
"Thank you, Your Excellency! What must I do in that position?"
"If, by any chance, the emperor goes utterly mad beyond remedy... might I borrow your sword then? It would be ideal if you could at least hold off that Laslo bastard briefly."
Though it was tantamount to hearing an regicide plot, Edmund showed no surprise—as if he'd expected this very conversation.
"For the empire's future, what wouldn't I do? Entrust it to me!"
Isaac was overjoyed at his utter lack of hesitation.
The card he'd long awaited had finally fallen into his hand.
"The Imperial Guard deputy commander is changing."
Laslo's brow furrowed slightly at Dimarcus's abrupt announcement.
"What do you mean all of a sudden, Your Majesty?"
"Sir Gaster has some gambling issues. And a scandal with a woman got tangled up too."
"Is there any noble without such problems?"
Dimarcus chuckled and pointed at Laslo.
"Here's one."
"I'm no ordinary noble."
"Anyway, I would have let it slide without major incidents, but troublesome business arose at dawn today."
- 3 -
Imperial Guard Deputy Commander Levi Gaster was well-liked and affable with the guards. But put negatively, he was moody and impulsive, constantly stumbling into headaches.
Lately, he'd sunk deeper into gambling started as a pastime, and rumors said he'd bedded a back-alley woman.
That woman happened to be the gambling den owner's lover, and the enraged owner attacked Levi with a knife—unaware he was the deputy commander.
"The gambling den owner died on the spot."
"No way Sir Gaster lost to street riffraff with his skills."
"The problem is, that owner was a subordinate of the back-alley gang <Black Cat>. It caused a huge uproar."
The constabulary intervened and quelled it, but keeping the culprit as deputy commander would give critics of Dimarcus's reforms more ammunition.
Dimarcus could sever personal ties for the empire's reform, and knowing that well, Laslo didn't pry into details.
"So, do you have a candidate in mind?"
"Edmund Milton of the Imperial Knights Order deputy commander. He seems likely. He's long been touted as the next Imperial Guard commander, so recommendations poured in."
"Edmund Milton?"
Laslo snorted involuntarily at the name.
"So he's finally claiming a spot in the Imperial Guard."
"You dislike him?"
"Why like a snake like that?"
"I've heard he has an excellent reputation. Any particular reason?"
Others might not know, but Laslo, subtly checked by Edmund, was certain of his black heart.
How could he miss someone slyly undermining him?
But stating reasons directly was tricky—Edmund hadn't done anything overtly wrong.
'Can't tell just by looking? His eyes are snake eyes.'
As Laslo hesitated, Dimarcus teased,
"You're not scared of an Edmund Milton, are you?"
.
He knew it was provocation to rile him, but he couldn't hide his displeasure.
"If I were that weak, it'd be Edmund Milton by Your Majesty's side now."
"Are you sulking?"
"Sulking? Will you coax me?"
"Nothing I wouldn't do."
"Spare me. How could I win against Your Majesty in words?"
Laslo suppressed his anger, inwardly wishing to punch the chuckling Dimarcus just once.
And days later, Edmund Milton was indeed appointed Imperial Guard deputy commander.
Popular across the board, congratulations flooded in. For Laslo, stuck explaining the building, guards, and duties while stuck with him, it was irritating—even with Dimarcus seemingly favoring Edmund.
"With even the acclaimed Sir Milton guarding my sides, I feel secure."
"You're too kind. I merely wish to share the burden Sir Criserus has shouldered alone."
"So humble. Laslo, learn from him."
Dimarcus laughed heartily, patting Edmund and Laslo's shoulders.
But Edmund felt worse in that moment.
'Why call him so familiarly?'
Edmund chafed at Dimarcus using Laslo's first name, treating him like a close younger brother.
Yet that was merely the prelude to a frustrating day.
"Such fine young men flanking His Majesty—it's dazzling!"
"Is my face invisible?"
"Your Majesty, no one's noticed your face since Sir Criserus shaved. Time to accept it."
"Hey! Doesn't the empress adore my face? Laslo! You know, right? Back when we first met, my looks turned heads!"
-5-
"Regretfully, I have no such memory."
"Even you, Laslo!"
Even amid the casual banter started by the emperor's attendant, Count Talon, Edmund felt sidelined.
Today should have been his day, yet Dimarcus sought Laslo for everything, leaving Edmund trailing or awkwardly alone.
'Disdaining me? The one backed by the nobles?'
Edmund suppressed his boiling rage, forcing a congenial face.
But by evening, he could no longer contain his desire to show the difference between him and Laslo.
A moderate noble granted audience signaled the chance.
"Sir Milton, congratulations on your promotion! We met at the Radric count's party—remember?"
"Of course, Viscount Bringhen. I hope your family is well?"
"Thanks to your concern, we are. Speaking of, it's hard to see Sir Criserus at parties. I heard he attended House Bliss's recently."
Hearing "party" and "Laslo" together evoked the Criserus estate—pitiful for a count's. He could humiliate Laslo without dirtying his hands.
He seized the moment.
"Sir Criserus seems to be entering society. How about hosting a party at your home? No better chance to meet many people."
Viscount Bringhen chimed in.
"Exactly! Parties aren't just for dancing and drinking—they're for networking. You've never hosted since your ennoblement. Any special reason?"
"Indeed. Laslo, what about throwing a party?"
With Viscount Bringhen and Dimarcus agreeing, Laslo's expression subtly hardened.
Noticing, Edmund inwardly cheered.
.
