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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Regent
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"Heh heh heh."
The Dark Divine Beast smiled wickedly.
Especially that little emperor who had made him so weak—he would inflict upon him a pain worse than death.
And finally, the White Tiger, Anash.
'I will come for you, who they say has been reincarnated in a frail form and is growing up showered with love.'
I'll torment you for a very, very long time before I devour you, so for now, have sweet dreams.
"Hoo hoo."
As the Dark Divine Beast chuckled softly, his red eyes gleamed eerily.
***
On the morning of the tenth day after their flight began,
the magical airship that had flown from the Eastern Continent to the Western Continent finally arrived in Berk, the capital of the Rilberg Empire.
Jusielia, nestled in Uni's arms, had been staring down at the splendid capital of Berk, her mouth agape.
"Kkyang!" (Amazing!)
"It's truly incredible!"
"Krarang!" (Isn't it!)
As the magical airship gradually descended, the full view of the capital city of Berk came into sight.
Jusielia was utterly astonished as she admired Berk with her retinue.
It was a sight completely different from the Penterin Empire.
Although Jusielia had never been outside the capital of the Penterin Empire, she could tell that even compared to the Penterin Imperial Palace, the buildings had a completely different feel.
While the Penterin Empire's buildings were mostly large, grand, and classical in style, the Rilberg Empire's were predominantly tall, sleek high-rises.
Sophie, Uni, and Xaviet were also quite amazed.
Just then, Archmage Heiren Kantech, who had approached them, kindly explained.
"It's thanks to the development of magical engineering that we can construct such tall buildings."
"Oh, magical engineering, you say?"
"Yes, yes. For example, to ascend to higher floors, stairs are insufficient, so each building is equipped with an automatic elevator. The machine uses magic stones for energy, which requires magical engineering."
"I see."
"The Penterin Empire is advanced in the military field. In contrast, the Rilberg Empire has developed in technology and engineering like this. It would be wonderful if our two empires could engage in exchange."
Archmage Heiren Kantech bowed his head respectfully toward Princess Jusielia, who was cradled in Uni's arms, and spoke politely.
'So there are some decent people among the Archmages.'
Come to think of it, this middle-aged man was the one who had dragged away Archmage Noah, the one who'd begged her to hit him just one more time.
When Jusielia nodded, Kantech smiled brightly and added.
"We will arrive at the Rilberg Imperial Palace's landing dock in ten minutes. Many people will be waiting, so please do not be too alarmed, Your Highness."
"Kyaang." (Okay.)
Jusielia replied in affirmation and turned her head.
Ekiel and the other Archmages were holding some kind of meeting before preparing for landing.
We're finally here.
I wonder how many people have come out.
Since the Emperor is returning after a long time, it's only natural that many would be in attendance.
A moment later, the Rilberg Imperial Palace came into view.
'Wow.'
It was a beautiful and magnificent palace, truly different from the Penterin Imperial Palace.
As the magical airship approached, a massive, invisible shield above the Rilberg Imperial Palace disappeared, and it slowly entered.
Jusielia looked down with interest at the Rilberg Imperial Palace's enormous airship dock, something the Penterin Palace lacked.
Then she saw the immense crowd lined up along the long avenue connected to the dock and was startled.
'Why are so many people here?!'
Not only soldiers of the Rilberg Empire but also many mages and nobles were visible.
And even the other seven Archmages who had remained in Rilberg, awaiting the delegation.
'Especially that silver-haired one! That must be the Regent.'
From the landed airship, Jusielia recognized a man in the distance.
His silver hair, tinged with violet, shimmered in the sunlight, making him easy to spot.
Seeing him standing at the very front confirmed it.
Duke Luke Jetar.
She had heard stories about the Rilberg Empire from the mages she'd befriended on the way here, and they had warned her to be most cautious of that man.
'He's supposedly famous for being incredibly prickly.'
The Archmage who was most loyal to the late former Emperor.
He was one of the Ten Stars who served the former Emperor, and it was also well-known that he was a close friend of Ekiel's parents.
Perhaps that was why, after Ekiel ascended the throne, he had been diligently serving the young emperor as Regent.
However, she heard that he hadn't been very proactive in the current exchange with the Penterin Empire.
This was said to be due to his deep distrust of the Beastman empire, which received the protection of a Divine Beast.
Jusielia was angered by his arrogance in looking down on the Penterin Empire, but at the same time, she was worried about facing him.
Would that stubborn old man really welcome the reincarnation of the White Tiger Anash, their supposed only 'hope'?
He was already in his late fifties and an Archmage of great skill.
'Isn't he going to get angry? Complain that I'm too tiny? What hope of the world? Won't he cause a fuss, asking if he's been saddled with babysitting?'
Recalling the information she had gathered on Duke Luke Jetar, the Regent, Jusielia was certain he would react with 100% negativity.
And she made a decision.
No matter if he was the Regent, if he dared to defy the great Jusielia, she would give him a taste of the princess's fist.
Having made up her mind, Jusielia finished her preparations for disembarking by doing a warm-up, rotating both her front paws.
"The princess will disembark with me first."
"Understood, Your Majesty." (Kyaang.)
Jusielia matched Ekiel's formal tone and answered politely as well.
At that, Ekiel's dazzlingly beautiful smile made Jusielia's mood lift.
Seeing his smile gave her a premonition that her time in the Rilberg Empire would be filled with only bright and beautiful things, just like the master of this country.
Soon, the magical airship circled above the Rilberg Imperial Palace before landing lightly on the dock.
It was so quiet that it was hard to believe an airship of such immense weight had landed, and Jusielia was quite surprised.
'Magic is truly amazing. Humans have done so much research to survive on their own. Enough that they might really be fine without the blessing of a Divine Beast.'
She even felt a sense of awe for these humans who had advanced so much over a thousand years in order to survive.
A moment later, the door of the magical airship opened, and Ekiel conjured a staircase of golden light from his hand.
"Shall we, Princess? Welcome to the Rilberg Empire."
Hearing the gentle voice from above, Jusielia answered with a single "kyang" and descended the stairs side-by-side with Ekiel.
Stepping onto the white surface of the dock, Jusielia spotted the numerous mages, nobles, and knights standing in the distance and swallowed hard.
'Ugh, this is overwhelming.'
She had experienced situations like this often at the Imperial Palace, but this time she felt particularly nervous.
It was because these weren't the Beastmen of the Penterin Empire she saw every day.
Besides, was it because this was her first time seeing humans?
Her throat felt dry.
Moreover, this was likely their first time officially meeting a Beastman.
Just then, a man emerged from the assembled crowd and strode toward Ekiel and Jusielia.
Jusielia flinched involuntarily.
A tall man.
With shimmering silver hair, glasses, and a blue formal uniform, it was undoubtedly the Regent, Duke Luke Jetar.
His face was hard to see as he approached with the sun at his back, making Jusielia even more tense.
'Go on, pick a fight if you dare...!'
Jusielia prepared to put her guard up.
Well, she was proud to say she was immune, having grown up with a father and brother who seemed to hate her on principle.
'So what if some Regent from another country dislikes me... Huh?'
As Duke Jetar, the Regent, drew closer and his face became clearer, Jusielia's eyes widened in surprise.
"E-Ekiel." (Kyarreung.)
Flustered, Jusielia urgently tugged on Ekiel's trousers with her teeth.
"Hmm? Yes, Princess. What is it?"
"Duke Jetar, no, the Regent, I mean, this old man, no, this young man." (Kyarreung, kyakakyarreureung, kkyang kkyang.)
Having come to a halt right before them, Regent Jetar expressionlessly observed the baby white tiger yapping and trying to talk to Emperor Ekiel.
Ekiel calmed the rambling Jusielia.
"Princess Jusielia? Are you all right? What about the Regent?"
"Ah, well! You said he was in his late fifties? Is this man really the Regent?" (Kkyang-reuk-reung, kreung?)
"Ah, yes. This man is 'the' Regent, Duke Luke Jetar."
Realizing what had flustered Jusielia, Ekiel gestured toward Regent Jetar and formally introduced him.
Jusielia's jaw dropped.
Finding her expression adorable, Ekiel had to struggle to suppress a laugh.
As the yapping Princess Jusielia fell silent with a bewildered look on her face, it was Regent Jetar who frowned.
