The Returnee Wants Peace

Valier, the capital of the Marcia Empire.

Given the endless trials they were experiencing, one might expect a gloomy and desperate atmosphere.

Surprisingly, these days the place was bustling with long-awaited anticipation.

“Did you see it too? Last night.”

“Of course I saw it. It was pure white, without a hint of red. We’ll know for sure after tonight’s full moon passes, but still.”

The maids cleaning the palace whispered as they passed by carrying laundry baskets.

“Is the day finally coming when we can enjoy moonlight without any worries?”

“Well…”

Though they trailed off, smiles were spread across their faces.

Renan, an imperial knight guarding the Emperor’s quarters, found this scene very unfamiliar.

“…It’s unusual.”

Although the ‘conquest party’ was somehow managing to resolve the trials, the world had become incomparably devastated compared to before the trials began.

Small provincial towns had fallen one by one after battling demonic beasts, and the few big cities where survivors had gathered were racking their brains over the lack of space to accommodate them.

When the full moon rises, life and death are divided by whether one has a roof to hide from the moonlight or not.

The fateful night was approaching once again, and amidst the prevailing sense of despair and defeat, wondering how long they would have to live on tenterhooks like this…

‘The changed appearance of the moon appeared.’

There was still no official announcement that the twentieth trial had ended.

However, even this change alone was causing a faint hope to sprout in people’s hearts.

And one more thing.

The imperial knights, including Renan, were aware of a major news that had not yet been announced to the public.

“Renan, is it true? That House Aper is finally receiving a marquis title?”

To his fellow knight’s question, Renan nodded slightly.

“Probably. We’ve already received a cooperation document on our side.”

“Huh, strange. They declined before, saying they would accept when Lady Roshanak woke up, but now they’re accepting the title?”

“Hmm…”

“Could it be that she really woke up? There’s been all sorts of talk about the moon turning white this time.”

His tone was hopeful, but Renan took a rather negative stance.

“How could she wake up without any special trigger after being in a coma for 3 years?”

“But that family already has someone who woke up after a long coma. The former Count Aper, I mean.”

“It’s different from then. That time, Lady Roshanak took special measures, but now she’s the one lying down. And even if she did wake up, rehabilitation would be essential, but it doesn’t make sense that no rumors have spread in the meantime…”

It was at that moment.

Someone appeared as if seeping into the air and brushed past them.

There was no sign at all, as if a ghost was moving. Only a flash of long, pale hair was seen moving at shoulder height.

“Oh… Wait!”

“This is Her Majesty the Emperor’s…!”

The knights, belatedly startled, placed their hands on their sword hilts.

It was the current Emperor’s unilateral decision to casually reinstate the knights who had remained in the imperial knight order, bearing the dishonor of colluding with demonic beasts.

They couldn’t just let an unidentified intruder pass by Her Majesty who had made such a decision.

However.

‘The sword… won’t draw?’

It felt as if someone was firmly pressing down on the sword hilt.

As they were flustered, a black-haired handsome man suddenly appeared and put his finger to his lips as if to say be quiet.

The former rebel and current key figure in imperial politics.

It was Duke Froy Echerzen.

“Let them pass. I’ll vouch for their identity.”

“Even so, this is…”

“It’s an urgent matter. Understand that they’re passing through because it would be improper to skip even this corridor to see Her Majesty.”

“…There’s a guest already having an audience with Her Majesty. It would be better if you waited a little…”

“I already know who it is. It’s the same business, so it doesn’t matter.”

At the Duke’s words, the knights reluctantly stepped back.

Of course, it bothered them to let someone in without even verifying their identity, but Duke Echerzen was the one who had led the rebellion and supported the current Emperor’s ascension to the throne.

‘If they were going to do something, they wouldn’t have bothered coming through here.’

Since this much was clear, the knights consoled their uneasy hearts while watching the two figures quickly receding.

Renan, who had been staring at them, belatedly opened his eyes wide and muttered:

“Could that person be…”

Regardless.

Knock knock-

Rosha, who had politely knocked on the reception room door, slowly entered.

Inside were her brother Cedric and the current Marcia Empire Emperor – Illien.

“This unfaithful knight greets Your Majesty the Emperor after a very long time.”

“Ah… L-Lady Roshanak.”

Illien’s expression brightened as she stood up abruptly, expressing her delight.

After a moment, she straightened her back, squared her shoulders, and continued in a solemn formal tone:

“I-I am truly pleased to meet you again in such good health. Also… I express my gra-gratitude for resolving the twentieth trial that had been leading our imperial citizens to despair, as soon as you rose from your bed.”

“Your words are too kind, Your Majesty. It was only what I had to do.”

Illien’s appearance, using a superior’s tone while subtly watching for reactions… was cute, though it might be disrespectful to say so.

It was even more so seeing how she couldn’t take her eyes off Koko perched on Rosha’s shoulder.

“They said to wait a little… but you really came incredibly fast, Rosha.”

“Yes. I said I’d pack my things and come right away, didn’t I?”

Given the nature of the matter, she had no choice but to come urgently.

After greeting Illien and taking a seat, Rosha first gave Cedric a look indicating he should talk about the engagement.

In fact, she had roughly guessed on her way here. She just wanted to hear the explanation from his own mouth.

Cedric slowly began to speak.

“I couldn’t tell you earlier, but you don’t need to worry too much about the family. The engagement announcement with Her Majesty the Emperor is just a temporary agreement based on mutual necessity. If there’s anything wrong with what I’m saying, please feel free to correct me, Your Majesty.”

“Y-yes, the Count’s words are correct.”

“A temporary agreement?”

Illien’s expression seemed to darken slightly, but Cedric didn’t seem to notice.

“Yes. I’ve been having headaches because of the endless marriage proposals coming in for the past few years. Her Majesty the Emperor, who happened to see me wasting time writing rejection letters, suggested that perhaps a fake engagement might be a good idea.”

Since Illien was also of age, it seemed she was under a lot of pressure from various quarters.

Being the only legitimate heir of the imperial family, it must be even more so.

‘She didn’t seem like the type to suggest an engagement first…’

Perhaps someone had advised her?

Anyway, now that she had confirmed it was fake, there was nothing more to say. It also seemed that Cedric had no intention of making Cassis the head of the family.

But Cedric’s words weren’t over yet.

“So Rosha, you should think about it too.”

“Think about what?”

“A fake engagement. You’re already twenty.”

“…Huh?”

“Once it’s known that you’ve woken up from your coma, you’ll also be flooded with marriage proposals, so it might be easier to look for a suitable partner from now.”

…This was an aspect she hadn’t thought of at all.

Even more so because three years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Noticing Rosha’s eyes trembling slightly, Froy skillfully changed the subject.

“More importantly… the reason we came here isn’t just because of the Count’s engagement. Shouldn’t we show her what we’ve found out?”

“Ah, that’s right. Everyone, this way.”

Illien stood up smoothly and opened a different door from the one they had just entered.

Rosha, finally coming to her senses, followed her with a dazed look.

They say the structure of the imperial palace is so complex that no one knows it all, and indeed, that seemed to be true.

After passing through a short, winding path that led from the door Illien opened, a spacious bedroom appeared not long after.

“This place is…”

“It was once m-my father’s bedroom. I’m not using it currently, so don’t mind and come in.”

The former Emperor’s bedroom had a simpler composition than expected.

One large bed, one bedside table with a vase on it, one fireplace.

But somehow, a strong sense of formation could be felt from this arrangement.

A strange sense of stability, as if things that should be there were ‘properly’ placed in their respective positions.

“Hmm…”

Koko seemed to have felt it too, looking at Illien with interest.

And then.

Creak-

As Illien moved the vase to the left, the bricks of the fireplace all moved like a wave, creating a path to enter inside.

It looked as if the inside and outside of the fireplace had switched, opening wide.

Seeing Rosha’s surprised expression, Illien smiled slightly and gestured.

“This way.”