The Requiem Of An Empress 5 Mien: ???? 「U?Ás」

"I am honoured, Your Majesty."

"Very well, return to your rank."

It isn't unreasonable to a.s.sume that the Emperor esteems his knights to be dispensable, for the reason that he does. Withal, this credence of his doesn't solely apply to his retainers. He also counted himself as a replaceable tool. People who are incognizant of the genuine character of the Seraphiel Empire's Monarch would have this verdict that he doesn't commend the efforts of his knights adequately, saving the knights' opinions to their imagination. Truly a waste of the revelation that the individuals, who const.i.tute the Knights of the Round Table, willingly consented to sacrifice their lives in exchange for the prolongation of peace. They demand no validation from their Lord.

Humans were not created to stand the test of time, and that is a fact. This reality is the core reason why the Emperor focuses on preserving a concord society for the generations to come and hopes to bequeath the same virtue to his descendants. He could care less apropos the contempt he receives for his cold-heartedness, considering that he believes that his atrocious and brutal methods in dealing with the enemies, eliminating grudges to their roots, would be justified by the successful acquirement of his goal.

The Emperor stood up to indicate that he's going to deliver his final commands. The knights corresponded with arranging themselves in one straight line wherein the Emperor could see every one of them.

"I know we still have a lot of points to discuss. Although, the defeat of the Demon n.o.ble takes precedence over anything. Countess Lukan, I implore of you to inform the Empress of all the subject matters that were raised in the audience room. Tell her that the written report will follow."

"I will do so, Your Majesty. I will keep in mind that the circ.u.mstance regarding the demon n.o.ble will be left out of the report, since it is an issue that is required to be disputed in utmost confidentiality among the fifteen of us.", Lauviah bowed as she accepted the order.

"No, do not leave anything out. I wouldn't have given you the task to deliver a report personally if the contents are simply trivial issues that could wait for a dier or two."

"Excuse me? What did you just say, Your Majesty?"- Lauviah straightened her body to look at the Emperor eye-to-eye. She wanted to ask again to confirm the intentions of the Emperor, forgetting that her words were inappropriate.

'I might be hearing things.', the Countess thought.

"Your priority is to provide the message that a demon n.o.ble has arrived in our world, to the Empress. Is that more comprehensible for you?"

The idea left a bitter taste in Lauviah's mouth, likewise with the other knights. It was bound to earn quite the opposition.

"Your Majesty, I am afraid that I cannot fulfil your request.", the lady firmly expressed her adamance to comply with the Emperor's behest.

Unsurprisingly, Zelel and Iophiel chimed in by voicing out their opinions that shared similar sentiments with Lauviah's.

"I beg to disagree, Your Majesty. In the Empire, the knowledge concerning the subsistence of Demon n.o.bles is exclusive to a handful of people. A foreigner of an Empress doesn't need to be aware of these dangerous beings."

"The Demon n.o.bles are the primary threat to the serenity of this world, Your Majesty. If we aren't cautious about who to divulge the information with, the populace might be alarmed."

The two knights stated their judgments in carefully constructed phrases to avoid putting a bad impression on the Empress. Rather than dislike, they opted to disregard the existence of the Empress. The moment she arrived in the Seraphiel Empire, the said woman, with two of her maids, hurried to hide in the simplest palace built on the farthest corner of the castle. She has never been sighted since then. The Emperor pardoned it for the reason that she merely wanted a quiet environment. The knights found it difficult to swallow such a statement when they haven't even seen her face. The Empress herself does not greet the knights that went out of their way to meet her. The maids always receive the communications from the castle.

A string finally snapped in the impenetrable self-control of Lauviah. She balled up her fists to somehow tow down her rage. It was, sadly, ineffective. Lauviah cannot grasp why she gets infuriated whenever the Empress is the topic of the conversation.

"The Empress dares to behave like a sheltered, spoiled n.o.ble lady in her rebellious age? If you want to tolerate such impudence, then I won't!", the Countess hollered, nescient that she has crossed the line with her insults.

Without warning, a tempestuous silence rose in the atmosphere. The knights slowly felt smothered of the uneasiness brewing in the air. Some knights internally grumbled of their reproach to Lauviah's misconduct while the rest shook their heads disapprovingly. It was clear that Lauviah was in the wrong. They all grew dithery biding for the Emperor's response.

"Have I been to magnanimous towards your repeated insolence that you challenge the essence of my orders, Countess Lukan?"- A dispa.s.sionate voice came out of the Emperor's mouth, withal, his eyes were narrating a rather ominous story.

Lauviah threw herself on the floor, kneeling. She was, admittedly, frightened, being familiar with the Emperor's propensities. The Countess held the position of crown princess for several aethras. She was supposed to be wed to the current Emperor until the Empress was introduced in the picture.

'This d.a.m.n boldness of mine!', the female knight mentally scolded herself.

The Countess remained unmoving, sensible that replying to the Emperor will not save her sorry a.s.s.

"I gave a directive, not requested for a favour."- As opposed to the fury the knights were expecting, the Emperor handled his emotions calmly.

"I will forgive your irreverence to the Empress just this once. I understand your sentiments. I, myself, have only seen the Empress once. However, I can confidently vouch that she is suitable to be the Empress. Let her adjust in her own pace."

After his speech, the Emperor sighed, bleary of continuously wasting their time.

"We have urgent matters to deal with, do perform your a.s.signed duties. Countess Lukan, apologize to the Empress in person, Haniel will be your company. All of you, besides Sarakiel, depart immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty.", the Prime Minister answered, then the Knights performed their salutations to the Emperor prior to scurrying for the exit. They were hardly relieved that Lauviah was cleared of her sin, seeing that Sarakiel's destiny was a greater sacrifice. Not a single soul looked back on the figures of the two people who stayed in the room.

Meanwhile, the Emperor trod down the steps to stand on an equal level with Sarakiel. As he walked, he observed the mien of his knight. Sarakiel is one of his oldest and treasured comrades. Thus, he was defiant of sending the knight to his demise, but it was ultimately inevitable.

The trial-and-error approach will be carried out by Sarakiel in his endeavour. This process relies heavily on the uncertainty that Angels, archnemesis of Demons, would notice their call of distress. They summon the angels by using the timeworn scrolls they discovered in a remote cave in an uninhabited island.

Angels are demanding and fickle creatures. For them to provide help, their ultimatum invariably consists of tangibles beyond the humans' reach or conquest of missions that are impossible to accomplish in a hundred aethras. This caused the knights to perpetually redo the summoning ceremony till an angel abides. Angels are beings that reside in a higher realm, so for them to manifest a spiritual body for a few seconds in this world, a stupendous amount of mana should be provided. In consequence, the ceremony surceases with the life force of the summoner depleted.

"Sarakiel"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Do you know why I haven't sent you off on your journey yet?"

Sarakiel c.o.c.ked his head to the side, weirded out by the strange question.

"Is it to make sure that I am prepared?"

"You're not wrong, in a sense. Mind listening to me?"

"No? Of course not, Your Majesty." Sarakiel became even more confused on how the Emperor was phrasing his words. When the latter put on a stern face, the knight realized the seriousness of this discourse.

"I will be briefing you personally on this mission, Duke Sarakiel Helian."

Unknown to anyone, the Emperor seems to have devised another way of triumphing over the Demons.

*****************************

Presently, Lauviah was en route to the Empress' palace. She was riding her horse in the wintry air of the Inso. The Countess was on the tail of d.u.c.h.ess Haniel Tristan who took the lead. No pleasantries were traded between the two and momentarily, they arrived at the palace.

Lauviah and Haniel vacated their saddles. They proceeded to tie the leashes of their horses on a nearby tree. Ensuing was a short stroll on the rocky pathway directly to the main entrance.

Haniel knocked on the door to enlighten the host of their visit.

Lauviah felt awkwardness slinking in the s.p.a.ce between her and the d.u.c.h.ess, so she broke the quietness.

"d.u.c.h.ess Haniel, I apologize for my mishap earlier.", the Countess sheepishly said while rubbing her palms together.

The d.u.c.h.ess did not acknowledge Lauviah's apology, nor did she glance at the woman.

'I guess she finds me annoying.' Countess Lukan surrendered to the concept of befriending the aloof Haniel. She just straightened her back and tarried on the doorstep.

Minutes pa.s.sed and there were still no signs of the door opening.

'The maids are taking their sweet time. Are they asleep? Looking at it closely, the lights aren't on. Well, it is already the 3rd Inso. It won't be unthinkable that they're comfortable in their beds.'

"d.u.c.h.ess Haniel, we should go back. It seems that they are already sleeping, let them rest."

Again, the Countess was ignored.

'Well, it is like talking to myself, I don't really mind.' Lauviah heaved a sigh, getting used to the neglected treatment.

The sound of creaking woke the female knights from their musings. The double doors were unlatched by a pair of maids.

"A pleasant nasha to the two n.o.ble ladies."

The maids, who were identical from head to toe, greeted their visitors with perfect conformity.

"Good Nasha to the two of you too.", Lauviah cordially uttered. On the other hand, Haniel plainly nodded to show civility.

"What might be your business with the Empress?", the maid on the right interrogated them of their purpose straight away.

"What might it be?", the one on the left supplemented her sister's query. This is the unique "parlance" of the twins.

"I am here to give an urgent report to the Empress and to "- Lauviah found it hard to say the words. She is originally a person with a high self-regard. Thus, she rarely apologizes. But contemplating on it affirmed that she is at fault, solo.

'I said some things unbecoming that of an upright n.o.ble. I will set aside my pride for now.'

"I came here to ask for the Empress' mercy."

The maids stared at each other, then to the Countess.

"We will receive the report and also the apology on behalf of the Empress."

"Yes, we will."

Lauviah relaxed instantly after hearing their suggestion. She is glad to finesse lowering her ego for a petty mistake.

"That will do, Than-"

"No.", d.u.c.h.ess Haniel intruded.

Lauviah was stunned when she heard Haniel speak. Even so, it was an opportunity to converse with her. Thereupon, she instantaneously replied.

"What do you mean no, d.u.c.h.ess Haniel?"

"The Emperor ordered you to apologize in person, not through the staff."

"But I cannot do anything touching that. The Empress doesn't want to come out."

"You can appeal for the maids to let you inside the palace.", Haniel's tone implied that she was done chattering.

With that, Lauviah was coerced to push further. She turned towards the maids and spoke.

"Will it be alright to talk to the Empress? I can settle outside her room if she can't be bothered to get up.", her articulation was pa.s.sive-aggressive to a degree. Lauviah was evidently peeved about the hindrance.

"I ask for your understanding, Countess Lukan."

"The Empress cannot be disturbed during this time."

Lauviah was at a loss. It is a guarantee that Haniel won't let her step out of this place until she is acquitted.

"I guess the Empress is already asleep. If you don't min-"

"The Empress is not asleep. The Empress is praying."

"She had been praying the moment she woke up. We cannot disturb her conversation with the almighty beings."

The twins interrupted the countess for misinterpreting their master's status.

"Praying? Praying for what? What prayer?", obviously, Lauviah would be curious of the particulars if the Empress was devout on it.

"It's the same phrase, for the whole dier."

"Yes, same phrase."

What supervened creeped out the guests. The maids goggled at them, dead in the eye, and vocalized in unison a spell that they're unaccustomed of harking

"psalmus David Domine clamavi ad te exaudi me intende voci meae c.u.m clamavero ad te"