The Wind Calms the Fire - Chapter 48

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 48
People gathered steadily in the Hall of Judgment.
There were no chairs save for the Emperor’s seat upon the dais.
Rather than stand idle, everyone made use of the gathering to exchange pleasantries and news.
It was rare for such luminaries to assemble in one place all at once.
Enoch moved through the Hall of Judgment, greeting people and exchanging courtesies.
Thanks to the privilege of his Imperial Bloodline, even those he addressed first offered him respectful replies.
Then the atmosphere in the Hall of Judgment shifted suddenly.
‘What is this?’
Enoch turned his head slowly, feigning indifference.
The Fourth Prince had entered the Hall of Judgment, his attendants in tow.
Enoch’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He disliked the way all attention had converged upon this moment.
Reluctant as he was to admit it, the Fourth Prince—returned after so long—carried an unmistakable presence.
‘Surely there’s no connection between today’s Grand Assembly and the Fourth Prince.’
It was merely coincidence that the Emperor had summoned the Grand Assembly shortly after the Fourth Prince’s audience.
He’d had his subordinates gather intelligence and agonized over it, yet found no link.
He’d concluded it was merely the Emperor’s whim, and yet something nagged at him.
Watching the Fourth Prince stand alone like some distant island, Enoch felt his sharpened nerves ease.
‘There’s the Fourth Prince for you.’
The Commander of the Northeast Region, with his meager network, was certainly an attractive target for recruitment.
His earlier wish that the man would hurry back to the Northeast had given way to something else.
‘I should arrange to see him privately once the Grand Assembly concludes.’
Everyone continued to steal glances at Carion, striving to catch his eye.
Yet Carion, the focus of all this attention, was lost in thought and scarcely noticed them.
‘Everything has gone according to plan thus far. So long as His Majesty doesn’t suddenly change his mind.’
That was the real problem. The Emperor wielded absolute power, and absolute power bred caprice.
The heavy bronze doors swung open.
The murmur of voices died in an instant.
The Emperor had appeared.
Behind him trailed a Black Silk Cloak, embroidered with golden thread, stretching long and regal.
From the moment the Emperor ascended the dais, every head bowed.
In this instant, only the Emperor possessed the right to speak in the Hall of Judgment.
“Hmm.”
The Emperor settled into his seat and gazed down upon the assembly with an inscrutable expression.
“Hear me, all of you.”
The Emperor’s voice resonated with weight.
“We await your command.”
“You have labored greatly in answering my urgent summons. Yet how trivial is that hardship when weighed against the peace you enjoy beneath my reign.”
The eyes of the assembly flickered with unease.
None could divine the Emperor’s intent behind such a grand preamble.
“You must not forget the essence of things. That the Empire stands unshaken is because I hold this seat, and because Heaven itself does not turn away from this realm but watches over it with care.”
As the Emperor paused, the assembled nobles hastened to speak.
“Your words are wisdom itself. How could we not perceive their truth?”
“By Your Majesty’s grace and generosity, the Empire enjoys peace and plenty. The blessing of Heaven falls abundantly upon this great realm and upon Your Majesty alone.”
Since none could fathom the Emperor’s true intentions, all competed in flattery.
Enoch, eyes downcast, clenched his fist slightly.
‘One day.’
One day he would ascend that throne and gaze down upon them all.
Merely imagining that day sent a thrill down his spine.
The Emperor, watching the assembly grovel before him, felt the deep satisfaction of surfeit.
Tedious as it sometimes grew, there was no pleasure quite like this.
“Heaven has sent me a gift to illuminate my reign with splendor. I have summoned you all to witness and unveil that gift. You should be grateful for the honor of standing in this glorious moment.”
The Emperor gestured once with his foot.
The Chief Chamberlain, standing below the dais, called out.
“Open the doors!”
All eyes turned.
As the iron doors opened, revealing those who entered, eyes widened throughout the chamber.
The Zephyros delegation had brought traditional garments with them when departing the kingdom.
They had chosen the most resplendent ceremonial robes worn at state occasions in the kingdom to leave a striking impression.
The traditional dress of the desert kingdom was far more ornate and distinctive than the Empire’s formal robes.
The basic silhouette of garments differed little between men and women.
The upper tunic had wide sleeves extending long enough to cover the backs of the hands, and a hem that fell to the thighs, cinched and fastened with a metal belt.
The lower garment was a pair of trousers that flared wide at the ankles.
With each step they took, the fabric caught the air, puffed outward, then settled again.
Over the bold primary-colored cloth, intricate embroidery and small jewels were set so densely that not a gap remained.
As they moved, the jewels caught the light and glittered finely.
Small metal ornaments dangling from the hem of the garments chimed softly against one another.
At the head of a procession of some fifteen people walked a woman, her face draped with a thin veil.
Upon the Golden Tray she held at eye level rested a rolled parchment document.
The people, confused and bewildered, stepped back and made way for these mysterious strangers.
‘Is this some performance planned by His Majesty the Emperor?’
‘Even so, summoning jesters to the Hall of Judgment seems rather….’
Among all those gathered, not a single soul recognized the traditional dress of the distant southern desert kingdom.
When the woman at the head of the procession came to a stop, all those following behind her stopped as well.
“To His Majesty the Emperor, sovereign lord of the great Empire, the Princess of Zephyros makes her humble declaration.”
She raised the tray above her head and knelt.
Those behind her also knelt in unison, lowering their heads.
“The Zephyros Kingdom desires to bow humbly beneath the dominion of the Empire and become one with the Continent. We present this document bearing the steadfast resolve of Zephyros, and humbly beseech you to accept it. The legend of the ancient kingdom shall submit to Your Majesty’s authority. May you achieve the true unification of the Continent.”
Lea’s clear, crystalline voice rang through the Hall of Judgment.
In that moment, not a soul dared to breathe or speak.
The people felt their hearts swell as they witnessed what would surely become a moment of historic significance.
Upon the dais, the Emperor’s lips curved into a smile.
“I shall accept it.”
The Chief Chamberlain took the Surrender Document from the tray and ascended the dais to present it to the Emperor.
“Rise. Henceforth, Zephyros shall be part of the Empire and part of the Continent, entitled to all proper treatment befitting such status.”
“The Emperor’s boundless grace shall illuminate the Continent with splendor.”
After Lea rose, the others who had been kneeling also got to their feet.
The Emperor stamped his foot once more.
Those who had been staring blankly at the Zephyros delegation suddenly jolted, looking up at the Emperor in alarm.
The Emperor rose from his seat and held up the Surrender Document.
“That they should bow their heads of their own accord and seek refuge in the Empire’s embrace without a drop of blood spilled speaks to the heavens’ favor upon this realm.”
“For the eternal Empire.”
Someone spoke first.
“For the eternal Empire!”
“For the Emperor’s boundless reign!”
Thereafter, the people vied to raise their voices.
The details and circumstances could be sorted out later.
For now, everyone sensed instinctively that they must not spoil this spectacle the Emperor had orchestrated.
Once the Emperor had returned to his seat, the clamor gradually subsided.
“Fourth Prince.”
Carion stepped forward.
“I acknowledge your achievement in contributing to the glory of the Empire without using the Surrender Document of Zephyros for private gain.”
The eyes of the assembled crowd flickered with sudden interest.
That the Fourth Prince stood behind the convening of this Grand Assembly—no one had anticipated such a thing.
‘So the Fourth Prince orchestrated this Grand Assembly!’
‘The Second and Third Princes couldn’t even attend. He used strategy to keep them in check.’
‘The Fourth Prince, of all people?’
‘He appeared indifferent to power—was that just him gathering strength before his leap?’
‘He played the decisive role in the unification of the Continent. No other prince has achieved such a merit.’
‘The true Succession War has begun.’
The people racked their brains, spinning theories and speculation.
There were five princes, yet no heir had been named.
Until now, the five princes had each kept to their own domains, careful not to provoke one another.
Who could have imagined that the Fourth Prince would be the first to declare his intentions so boldly.
The Emperor spoke.
“Fourth Prince, if there is anything you desire, speak freely in this assembly.”
“Your humble servant bows before you, Your Majesty. I am grateful for your gracious words, and I have a petition.”
Normally, one would offer at least a token gesture of modesty before speaking.
As Carion answered as if he had been waiting for this very moment, the Emperor let out a short laugh.
Surrounded by men who were always scheming, the Fourth Prince’s blunt recklessness was oddly refreshing.
“What is it?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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