Chapter 71
“Welcome, Sir Milton! Please forgive me for not arranging this meeting until after receiving your letter. I should have contacted you first.”
“Thank you for the warm welcome, sir. I didn’t expect to be able to see you in person…”
“What are you saying? I’ve always wanted to invite you for a cup of tea with me.”
Isaac's words were merely a compliment, but they instantly made Edmund's face light up. Isaac was then certain that Edmund had come bearing good news.
“So, what’s the matter? Honestly, even if you had no particular purpose, I would have been happy to visit you. But your coming to me in such secrecy must have a reason behind it.”
Isaac opened the conversation, and Edmund leaned his body forward and began to whisper as if he had been waiting for this moment.
“If my words are uncomfortable for you, please ask me to leave immediately. I will not hold any grudge and will withdraw quietly.”
"And what is this talk that makes you so reserved?"
“Sir… doesn’t the Emperor’s hunting dog bother you?”
Just as Isaac predicted.
A sparkle shone in his cold blue eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Do you mean that hybrid dog?"
“Not just a hybrid dog, but a greedy dog blinded by its ambitions, eating everything indiscriminately.”
"How comforting it is to say what I wanted to say myself."
Isaac laughed loudly and nodded his head.
“He has taken over the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard, which should have been yours. You must have been furious.”
“I don’t concern myself with such matters. But what truly disappointed me was that His Majesty kept that lowly character as his closest aide, while persecuting the old loyalists.”
“My God! That a young man of such justice should remain among us! It seems that God has not yet abandoned our empire.”
It was clear to both of them that they needed each other.
Isaac needs someone to plant him near the Emperor, and Edmund needs a strong ally to ensure his advancement in his career.
Therefore, there was no need for further evasiveness in the conversation.
“Sir Milton, I have an offer for you.”
Edmund approached eagerly when he heard those words.
“I will support you to become the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard. The current commander is mired in problems with gambling and women, and it will not be difficult to replace him.”
“Thank you, sir! And what do you want from me in return for this position?”
“If the Emperor ever loses his mind and becomes impossible to deal with… may I borrow your sword then? At the very least, I want you to stop Laszlo for a while.”
Edmund showed no surprise at hearing Isaac's plan to assassinate the emperor. In fact, he seemed to have been expecting this kind of talk.
"For the future of the empire, I am prepared to do anything. Leave it to me!"
Edmund's confident response was a great source of joy for Isaac, who felt he had finally got the trump card he had been waiting for.
***
“The deputy commander of the Imperial Guard will be replaced soon.”
DeMarcus suddenly announced his decision, causing the wrinkles on Laszlo's forehead to deepen slightly.
"What does this suddenly mean, Your Majesty?"
“Sir Gastor became involved in gambling-related problems. These were also complicated by an emotional issue.”
"Is there a single nobleman who does not have such problems?"
DeMarcus laughed lightly and pointed at Laszlo.
“Here it is.”
“I do not consider myself one of the ordinary nobles, Your Majesty.”
DeMarcus continued calmly.
“In any case, if no major problem had occurred, I would have left him in his position, but an unpleasant incident occurred in the early hours of this morning.”
Levi Gastor, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, was a popular figure among the soldiers because of his gentleness and straightforward nature. However, he was also known for being impulsive and getting into trouble due to his recklessness.
Lately, Gastor has become obsessed with gambling and has gotten involved with a woman from the back alley.
Unfortunately for him, the woman was the mistress of the casino owner. When the owner discovered his mistress's infidelity, he lost his mind and attacked Levi with a knife, unaware that he was the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard.
“The owner of the gambling hall was killed at the scene.”
“It is clear that Sir Gastor would not have been defeated by someone like that.”
“The problem was that the owner of the gambling hall was a member of the Black Cat back alley organization, which caused chaos.”
Fortunately, the police intervened to contain the situation, but keeping someone who had caused such an incident in his position as deputy commander of the Guard would have provided opponents with an argument against DeMarcus's reforms.
Demarcus was known for his ability to overcome emotions and make decisive decisions to implement imperial reforms. Laszlo, who knew his master well, asked no further questions about the details of the incident.
"Do you have an alternative candidate?"
“It appears that the Vice-Commander of the Imperial Cavalry, Edmund Milton, will replace him. His reputation as a future successor to the Commander of the Guard has long been circulating, and he has received many recommendations.”
“Edmund Milton?”
When he heard the name, Laszlo couldn't suppress a mocking laugh.
“He finally found a place for himself in the Imperial Guard.”
"You don't seem to like him."
"And why should I love a snake like that?"
"I've heard he has an excellent reputation. Do you have a specific reason for not liking him?"
Although others might not notice it, Laszlo was fully aware of Edmund's cunning, which was attacking him in subtle ways.
How could he miss the actions of someone who was trying to undermine him in devious ways? However, Laszlo had no concrete evidence of any bad deeds by Edmund.
'Isn't it enough to look into his eyes? They're like the eyes of a snake.'
When Laszlo didn't reply, DeMarcus asked him jokingly:
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of Edmund Milton?”
Despite knowing that DeMarcus was trying to provoke him, Laszlo could not hide his displeasure.
“If I were this weak, it would not be I who stands beside Your Majesty now, but Edmund Milton.”
"Are you angry?"
"And if I get angry, will you be kind enough to calm me down?"
"Why not?"
“There is no need. I cannot argue with you verbally, Your Majesty.”
László suppressed his anger, wishing he could strike Demachorus just once. A few days later, Edmund Milton was officially appointed deputy commander of the Imperial Guard.
Edmund was immensely popular, and the congratulations on his promotion were endless. For Laszlo, who was obliged to accompany him and familiarize him with the Imperial Guard's buildings, personnel, and operations, the situation was extremely unpleasant. Even Demarcus seemed to admire Edmund.
“I feel reassured because Sir Milton, recognized by all, is now standing by my side.”
“You praise me greatly, Your Majesty. All I wish is to lighten the load a little on Sir Crisis.”
“What a humble person. Laszlo, learn a little from him.”
DeMarcus laughed and lightly patted Edmund and Laszlo on the shoulders.
But at that moment, the person who was most upset was Edmund himself.
Why is he speaking to him in such a friendly manner?
Edmund was uncomfortable with DeMarcus addressing Laszlo only by his first name and treating him like a younger brother. However, this was just the beginning of a day filled with resentment.
"How wonderful it is to have such distinguished young men surrounding the Emperor!"
"And have my facial features ceased to attract attention?"
“Your Majesty, ever since Sir Crissius shaved his beard, no one has paid any attention to your face. Don’t you think it’s time to admit that?”
“Hey! Do you not know that the Empress admired my face when we first met? Lazlo! You know that, don’t you? Don’t you remember how I was known for my attractiveness?”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I don’t have any such memory.”
“Even you, Laszlo!”
Even amidst the lighthearted banter initiated by Tallon, one of the Emperor's closest aides, Edmund felt completely excluded.
Today was supposed to be his special day, yet DeMarcus called out to Blaslow on every occasion, while Edmund either followed him silently or was left alone.
'Is he ignoring me? Me, who has the support of the nobles?'
Edmund tried to suppress his anger, feigning a friendly smile. But as evening drew near, he could no longer control his desire to outshine Laszlo and demonstrate the difference between them.
The opportunity arose when a moderate nobleman approached the emperor and addressed Edmund.
“Sir Milton, congratulations on your promotion! I saw you at a party held by Count Radrick, do you remember that?”
“Of course, Viscount Brungin. Are you and your family well?”
“Thanks to your care, we are well. Anyway, I don’t see you at parties much, Sir Crissius. I heard you attended a party at the Count Bliss family’s, but you don’t seem to attend them often.”
Upon hearing the words "party" and "László," Edmund immediately pictured the modest Château de Crésis compared to other noble families. He realized he could use this opportunity to embarrass him without getting personally involved.
“Sir Crisis seems to be getting more involved in social life. Why not consider hosting a party at your mansion? It’s a great opportunity for networking.”
Viscount Brüngen enthusiastically agreed.
“Absolutely right! Parties aren’t just for dancing and drinking, they’re for socializing and connecting. But I’ve noticed you haven’t had a party since you won the title. Is there a special reason for that?”
DeMarcus added after the Viscount.
“That’s right. Why don’t you think about having a party?”
At that moment, Laszlo's facial features froze slightly.
Edmund saw that, and felt inwardly overjoyed.
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