"Young Lord, don't you have a new robe?"
As we were leaving the Colosseum, something else caught Asella's eye, and she confronted me harshly.
"Why are you asking about my robe?"
"It's all wrinkled. His Majesty the Emperor will be attending. Your attire should be neat."
"I can't help it. My work hours are always long."
"So should I just not wear a dress at night?"
Well, Asella always maintains an impeccable appearance.
"You have attendants, Princess."
"Hmm... that's true. Lucy."
Even though Asella hadn't given any specific orders, the head maid and her attendants quickly gathered around me to fix my appearance.
They worked professionally and efficiently, and in an instant, my robe was clean and crisp as if starched. Do they have some kind of ironing artifact? How convenient.
"Thank you, Head Maid."
"Please direct your thanks to the Princess."
The head maid replied stiffly. She never drops her professional tone while on duty.
"Much better. You looked like you were dying of a hangover just moments ago."
She seemed somewhat satisfied at last.
I blew my bangs up with a puff of breath.
"I'm just an inconspicuous physician. What does it matter? As long as you look perfect, Princess."
"You're my betrothed, Young Lord."
"Well... that's true."
I suppose I am more visible than other physicians.
It's really hard to win an argument against Asella.
"Princess, His Majesty will arrive shortly."
The head maid informed Asella.
While other royal family members typically have separate secretaries, at Wolgwang Palace, the head maid fulfills that role as well.
Hundreds of knights formed lines creating a path in front of the teleport gate.
It was quite chaotic with people running around carrying flags.
Asella took her position at the end of the path created by the knights, where the imperial family had gathered. I could see Lauga there as well.
I stood a bit further back with the other physicians, guard knights, the head butler, and the head maid.
"Outdoor activities are always physically exhausting. Don't you agree, Dr. Gotberg?"
"Hello, Lord Falkenhain."
When Falkenhain, the physician of Second Prince Georg, tried to make conversation, I responded halfheartedly.
"Haha, even though we're in the same medical office, it's hard to see each other. I've been hearing about you. I knew you would excel like this when I brought you in."
"You flatter me. I'm simply performing my duties diligently."
These formal conversations drain more energy.
Since Falkenhain was the one who recruited me, I can't exactly ignore him.
"His Majesty the Emperor arrives!"
Fortunately, just as I was about to yawn from boredom, the Emperor's secretary announced.
The bustling atmosphere instantly vanished, replaced by solemn silence.
—Flash!
Light emanated from the teleport gate as the Empire's first-class guard knights came through first.
Behind them appeared an elderly man with an imposing figure.
Though his powerful aura was palpable, his physical strength seemed depleted as he walked slowly, supported by his physicians.
—Bwooo!
The sound of trumpets spread through the clear sky as if tearing through the clouds.
The band played a welcoming tune as members of the imperial family paid their respects one by one.
He's such an important figure that even his blood relatives find it difficult to have an audience with him.
He probably has no idea how much preparation went into creating this momentary impression.
The Emperor smiled broadly at them and waved his hand adorned with numerous rings.
"On this clear morning, I am blessed to see Your Majesty's benevolent countenance at the Square of Healing."
"You've grown so much, Asella."
The meeting between Asella and the Emperor, which took a month to prepare, ended in an instant.
***
The Emperor wandered freely around the mountainous area where flower petals were fluttering abundantly.
He mostly chatted with his siblings about surprisingly ordinary topics.
Things like hunting a massive boar the size of an ogre, or purchasing a new fishing rod from the Principality.
It seemed that with nobles having to wait months for an audience with the Emperor, this was a rare opportunity for family members to converse leisurely.
Among the three empresses, only the First Empress was included in the conversation.
Her good relationship with the Emperor made it easy to understand why the frail First Prince was essentially designated as the next emperor.
Even royalty living above the clouds seem ordinary at times like these.
Of course, there are far more aspects beyond common understanding.
'Teacher, please mind your footsteps.'
The head maid whispered to me, barely audible.
The problem is that we must remain tense and quiet throughout to avoid disturbing their conversation.
When the Emperor walks in a direction, all imperial family members follow, along with hundreds of knights and attendants moving at once.
Of course, I too was squeezed in between them, feeling like a squashed sandwich thrown into a bag.
We must stay out of his sight and make no sound.
Yet we must remain within a certain radius in case of emergency.
If that's the case, they should just cast an invisibility spell on us.
Wedged between the guard knights, my forehead was drenched in sweat from the heat.
When families gather for holidays, children inevitably get bored while adults talk.
The princes and princesses, including Asella, and even the Emperor's nephews and nieces, maintained their positions silently without a chance to speak.
Only after the Emperor's enjoyable main event ended did he move toward the martial arts tournament venue.
The VIP seats for the Emperor and his siblings were located on the top level, while their children were positioned on the middle level.
Only then could Asella leave the group and prepare for the martial arts tournament.
"Are there any schedule changes?"
"No. The first match is the representative knights' individual competition, as shown on the schedule."
Upon hearing the head maid's answer, Asella called for the Wolgwang Palace Knight Commander.
"Are you prepared?"
"I await your orders."
The Knight Commander bowed respectfully.
Wait. Is Asella planning to send him out?
I check the status window.
[No. 012: The Empire's Destruction 52%]
The bad ending probability has increased.
The Empire's Destruction.
An ending where rebellion erupts within the imperial family rather than among citizens, and an enraged Asella annihilates the imperial palace.
This isn't a metaphor—a massive hole literally opens up in the imperial palace grounds.
This event effectively dismantles the Empire. The Demon King subjugation forces lose their power, and the Hero's Party, without support, becomes isolated and perishes.
'If today creates the catalyst for Asella to attack the imperial palace...'
It means something at the martial arts tournament will cause Asella to harbor great hatred toward the imperial family.
Perhaps the tournament she prepared so hard for turns into a disaster, and she ends up being ridiculed for coming in last place.
'Let's at least achieve the goal of winning.'
That wouldn't be bad for me either.
To win, our Wolgwang Palace faction needs to achieve top rankings in all events.
'The Wolgwang Palace Knight Commander's skills aren't quite enough for the individual competition.'
I suggested to Asella:
"Princess, if I may be so bold."
"What is it?"
"How about entrusting the individual competition to my guard knight, Commander Tanya?"
"Your guard knight?"
Asella glanced at Tanya.
When her name was mentioned, Tanya stepped forward confidently without showing any nervousness.
"Suddenly changing competitors is troublesome. The commander has been training for the individual event."
"I don't doubt the commander's abilities, but Commander Tanya is excellent as well. She's a swordswoman who has reached the level of Sword Expert."
"Is that true?"
Asella showed interest at the mention of "Sword Expert."
"Commander Tanya."
"Yes."
She stepped back to demonstrate.
Drawing her sword, she concentrated.
Energy began to emanate from her body, and a heat haze-like aura radiated from her sword.
This was the sword energy that only those who had reached the realm of Sword Expert could use.
Asella already seemed quite satisfied watching Tanya. She asked the Wolgwang Palace Commander:
"What's your opinion?"
The commander answered immediately:
"I have sparred with Commander Tanya numerous times."
"And the results?"
"I lost every time. I am certain that Commander Tanya is among the best in the entire imperial knight order."
The Wolgwang Palace Commander calmly stated the facts.
He completely set aside personal feelings and emotions to help Asella make the right decision.
His loyalty is truly admirable.
After brief consideration, Asella made her decision:
"Gotberg Young Lord's guard knight, Tanya. You will compete in the individual event."
"I will follow your orders."
True to her Northern origins, Tanya responded decisively and immediately began changing into her armor to prepare for the competition.
I spoke to Tanya as she was preparing her sword:
"Commander, since you're representing Wolgwang Palace, you must win. Are you confident?"
"Who do you think you're asking?"
"Confidence is good. But keep in mind that the imperial knights have developed better tactical combat skills than us."
"Tactics, you say?"
"Yes. It hasn't spread to our marquisate yet, but in the capital, 'results are everything' is common sense."
"What do you mean specifically?"
"Right now, you probably think it's natural to compete with swordsmanship in a duel between knights, right?"
"Well, yes."
"Go out with that attitude and they'll throw sand in your eyes first thing. If there's no sand in the arena, they'll bring it in their pockets. If there's no rule against it, it means it's allowed."
After hearing my advice, Tanya nodded.
"I see. The rules for the individual competition are only two: the knight who drops their sword or falls first loses, and inflicting fatal wounds on the opponent is forbidden."
"That's right. You're free to do whatever you want with your other hand."
I've seen the Empire's army's combat methods plenty of times during the Demon King subjugation.
The imperial army normally values honor above all else, but their tactics are, well, quite underhanded.
Not that I think it's a bad approach.
For instance, it was quite helpful when fighting Wilhelm the Four-Headed Dragon, one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
The illegal mana bombs prepared by the imperial army were the only way to remove the adamantium armor stuck to that monster's body.
"Don't worry. I'll cut through any underhanded methods with my sword energy."
"The orthodox approach is fine, but tools are even better."
I take something out of my medical bag.
"Take these with you. I'll explain each one's purpose, so remember well."
I placed them in Tanya's hand.
Glass vials that made clinking sounds.
They were ampoules filled with various colorful elixirs.