Chapter 180: For You

Contrary to expectations, the Emperor didn’t need to intervene.

As the Emperor reached the meeting room door, he saw nobles streaming out, grumbling yet seemingly convinced.

It was clear the meeting had adjourned.

‘…What’s going on?’

He’d managed to navigate things so far, but he hadn’t expected this time to be easy.

They hadn’t noticed him yet. To assess the situation, the Emperor slipped behind a nearby pillar. Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, he listened to their voices.

With a bit of focus, he could clearly hear what they were saying.

“Since Duke Illuster says so, I suppose we can trust him and wait.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

He didn’t need to hear more. That conversation was enough to convince the Emperor.

‘The Duke must have done something.’

He must have persuaded the nobles somehow.

The Emperor frowned, his brow furrowing.

‘…This doesn’t make sense.’

The Duke was helping him for the sake of the Empire. After all, the throne meant nothing if the Empire fell.

But pulling back the troops now seemed to endanger the Empire, and anyone could see that. The Duke he knew wouldn’t try to stop them; he’d be leading the charge to corner him.

Lost in thought, he didn’t notice the nobles leaving. Soon, only the Duke remained in the hallway, striding towards him. When had he been spotted? Reaching the Emperor, the Duke placed a hand over his heart and gave a shallow bow.

“Glory to the Empire. Starbe Illuster greets the current Emperor.”

“…Indeed.”

A strained voice replied, masking his turbulent emotions. The Duke straightened and faced the Emperor.

“I heard you’ve evacuated Imperial citizens from all routes to the capital while the Margrave of Amiable holds Miller. And you’ve even withdrawn the nobles and troops?”

“I have.”

“…Rumor has it the Emperor has finally lost his mind.”

His voice was low, but loud enough for the Emperor to hear.

“Many are saying it’s the karma catching up to you.”

The Emperor chuckled at the blunt words. Gone was the usual tension; a calmer atmosphere had settled in.

It was definitely a sneer. The Duke’s eyes narrowed instantly.

“Maybe you’re right.”

A languid voice replied.

He honestly wasn’t sure if he was still sane.

Holding onto his fading sanity felt like grasping at smoke. Was it even sanity he clung to? Seeing things others couldn’t made him wonder if they were blind.

Yes, the Emperor was losing his mind.

“Which is why I need to end this quickly.”

“…If Your Majesty truly loses his mind and makes poor decisions, remember that there are plenty around willing to pull you down.”

“Don’t worry, I have no intention of disgracing myself.”

If he truly felt his sanity slipping away, he would end his life himself rather than be dragged down by others.

‘Ah, I see.’

He seemed to grasp the Emperor’s thoughts. Meeting the Emperor’s confident smile, the Duke paused, lips pressed together.

His expression hardened for a fleeting moment, but then, as if nothing had happened, he plastered on his usual smile and bowed again.

“Then I shall trust and wait.”

Even though the ten-year deadline had passed.

The Duke still respected the Emperor’s free will, even now.

***

He’d said he’d wait, but he had no intention of doing nothing. He never had before.

‘I have to do everything I can.’

He didn’t have many cards to play, so his options were limited. Maybe suppressing the nobles’ dissent or leveraging the Salvation Church? To gain any advantage, the Duke intensified his information gathering.

He threw himself into information gathering with such intensity that his previous efforts seemed like child’s play. Like branches spreading from a tree, the information grew wider and wider, eventually reaching Esperance, the mysterious kingdom that hadn’t joined the alliance.

And as if his efforts were finally paying off, he uncovered a crucial piece of information.

‘Esperance… it’s a mercenary nation.’

Esperance, the oldest kingdom, steadfastly enduring as countless others rose and fell around it.

Being a reclusive kingdom, and with no kingdom older than Esperance, information was scarce. But delving into ancient texts, he found a surprising wealth of useful information.

‘Esperance people are said to be a warrior race.’

They were known for their silver-tinged hair and eyes, and even their children were said to be fiercely warlike.

As a reclusive kingdom, they didn’t take mercenary requests from within their borders. Instead, they dispatched brokers to various regions of each kingdom, building an intelligence network superior to any information guild through constant communication.

‘In fact, running the largest information guild on the continent was practically their main business.’

Historically, Esperance had officially accepted mercenary requests from other nations only a handful of times. He had to scour ancient texts to find any mention of it.

Of course, precedents for mercenary dispatch were rare, and running an information guild seemed to be their main focus. But Esperance was still a mercenary nation at heart, and their brokers were initially sent out to secure mercenary contracts.

‘Children born between Esperance citizens and outsiders were said to lack the ‘silver’ trait. Meaning anyone with silver-tinged hair found outside Esperance—true Esperance citizens—were brokers, regardless of appearance, gender, age, or profession, all sent out to solicit contracts.’

The Duke leaned out the carriage window, urging the coachman onward.

News of the Margrave of Amiable’s fall and the Demon King’s army’s terrifying advance left him no room for leisure. At this rate, they’d reach the capital in no time.

He needed to request troops to slow them down. It would be costly, but worth it for the certainty. The Emperor’s attitude had given him that confidence.

“We’ve arrived, sir.”

…….

He opened the carriage door himself and stepped out onto the steps. An eerily quiet mansion greeted him. The gate was unmanned, which gave the Duke pause.

Hart Marquis household. No, he couldn’t even call it the ‘Marquis household’ anymore. Deon Hart was no longer an honorary marquis.

With no one in sight, he briefly wondered how to announce his arrival. Then, someone emerged from within the mansion.

“A guest after so long. I’d invite you to the reception room, but regrettably, the mansion’s owner is currently absent. Perhaps you could visit another time?”

Calm voice, composed demeanor.

An old man with thinning silver-blue hair bowed politely, his silver-blue eyes crinkling at the corners. The Duke met his gaze calmly.

“I’m here to see you, not the mansion’s owner, Rememver.”

“…Is that so?”

Rememver, the Esperance broker, smiled kindly.

“This sounds like it could be a long conversation. I’m not the mansion owner, but I can certainly invite you inside. Butler’s privilege, if you will.”

…….

“This way, please.”

The massive iron gate swung open at the old man’s touch.

Stepping inside, the Duke considered Rememver’s composure. Despite the abrupt visit and his words, the old man hadn’t shown a flicker of surprise or hesitation. Looking around the immaculate mansion, he was impressed, especially since only one butler seemed to be present.

Suddenly, his gaze fixed on the back of the capable-looking butler.

“If you’re planning to kill me, I should warn you, I have guards.”

“…I’m aware. Books say Esperance brokers always travel with a guard when they leave the kingdom.”

“Yes, and if a guard falls, we can request a replacement from the homeland or a branch.”

“That wasn’t my intention at all.”

He’d just had a fleeting, absurd thought about hiring him as his own butler.

“I know.”

……?

“It was a jest. Didn’t land, I see.”

…….

Jokes that made your heart drop weren’t great, but he wasn’t offended. The butler’s sharp awareness only reinforced his belief that Esperance was indeed a warrior nation.

If the old broker was this sharp, what level were the guards? And the mercenaries they dispatched?

He didn’t dwell on Rememver’s past as Deon Hart’s butler. His research into Esperance had clearly shown their detached, bystander stance. It was likely just another cover identity, and Deon Hart’s betrayal of humanity was just unfortunate timing.

‘Besides, he wasn’t in a position to haggle.’

They had reached the reception room.

Seated at the table, watching the old man’s movements, the Duke couldn’t wait any longer. He spoke.

“I’m here to request mercenaries.”

“You’re in quite a rush. I’m brewing tea. Why don’t you relax for a moment?”

Even at his blunt request, the old man remained unfazed, leisurely placing the kettle over the fire.

Sensing he was avoiding the question, the Duke paused, then spoke slowly.

“…I understand the Empire’s attempt to seize Esperance must be resented. Appealing for help by invoking the Human Realm’s survival probably won’t work, will it?”

Throughout history, this isn’t the first crisis to befall the Human Realm. Even then, Esperance remained a detached observer, and they still do now. They likely always will.

So, logic wouldn’t sway them.

The Duke slowly rose from his seat. He addressed Rememver, who, despite surely sensing his movement, remained focused on brewing tea, not even glancing back.

“Name your price. I’ll pay anything, just help me.”

…….

“…I have someone I need to protect.”

This was purely strategy.

It was just a means to an end, a way to secure mercenaries. There was no sincerity in his words. He wouldn’t lower himself for anyone. This was for the Empire, for his future.

…Yes, that’s all it was.

Rememver paused, then slowly turned. His silver-blue eyes widened slightly, a rare sight, as he met the Duke’s gaze.

A man who had never bowed to anyone but the Emperor was now kneeling.

…For Esperance’s survival, non-interference was the wiser path, but…

‘Guess I’m getting old.’

Rememver smiled wryly, then placed a teacup on the table in front of the Duke with a soft clink.

“Please, have a seat.”

…….

“The tea will get cold. Don’t let an old man’s efforts go to waste. Please, sit.”

Only then did the Duke sit. Rememver sat opposite him, waiting for him to compose himself.

Essentially, dispatched brokers had considerable freedom. As long as they maintained contact with a certain number of people, their cover professions weren’t scrutinized. They were free to help or interfere as they saw fit, and could accept or reject requests at will.

Provided one condition was met.

‘Do not jeopardize the survival of the Kingdom of Esperance.’

Simple enough, yet incredibly difficult to uphold.

This was also why Esperance rarely dispatched mercenaries throughout history.

Typically, mercenary requests came from kingdoms on the brink of defeat. But providing mercenaries meant risking the ire of the opposing nation that had pushed that kingdom to the edge. Esperance rarely intervened unless victory was assured.

‘Currently, the Demon Realm probably isn’t even considering Esperance.’

They were just a tiny kingdom nestled in harsh mountains, uninvolved in the war and not part of any alliance.

Even if the Human Realm fell, Esperance would likely remain untouched. The cost of conquering their small, mountainous kingdom far outweighed any potential gain.

So, if they remained as they were, existing in the shadows, Esperance would survive… but the client before him was lucky.

‘To find *me* of all people.'”