Unbeknownst to Me, I am Secretly Dating the Emperor - Chapter 185

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

Chapter 185
Within hours, the entire contingent of forces deployed along the Western Region’s border—including the knights who had just completed half a day’s rest—finished their preparations for departure.
Edwin took in the sight of soldiers regarding him with reverence and trust.
Even to Edwin, who showed little interest in others, familiar faces appeared scattered throughout the ranks.
They were all veterans whose bones had been hardened by eight years of war.
They were more than adequate to face the Nobility Faction’s levies, whose lack of actual combat experience had resulted from avoiding hardship throughout the conflict.
“Warriors of the Empire.”
The soldiers fell silent to hear Edwin’s quiet voice.
Beneath the rising morning sun, Edwin’s lips curved upward.
“I trust that you will not tarnish the undefeated glory of the Empire over something as trivial as the Western Region.”
After the brief speech, a roar erupted from the assembled troops.
The sound of war horns rang out, announcing the opening of the campaign.
* * *
It had been four days since Ed departed for the Western Region.
In those four days, I had not signed a single marriage certificate, yet I found myself handling affairs of state in Ed’s stead.
Of course, it was not by choice.
‘I mean, before I knew it, somehow things had come to this.’
The only part that was my doing was reporting to the Advisor’s office, thinking I might as well do something to pass the time.
“Your, no, Diaz, no, Advisor Renkels.”
“Yes, Advisor Oswell.”
Whether intentionally or by mistake, the Advisors—supposedly the Empire’s finest elite—referred to me one time in three with the unwieldy title of “Your, no, Diaz, no, Advisor Renkels.”
The slip-ups with the honorific were understandable enough given my change of surname, so I simply let them pass without comment.
But the problem was…
“Advisor Renkels, envoys from both Talion and Liandra have arrived at the Empire simultaneously. How should we handle the matter?”
“Weren’t their visit schedules supposed to be staggered, given that the two nations are practically enemies?”
“The envoys from Talion were delayed due to rough seas, while the Liandra envoys arrived ahead of schedule, so the timing got tangled…”
“They don’t seem inclined to remain placid during their stay, do they?”
“No, they’re locked in a struggle over who stays at Cloren Palace.”
“Cloren Palace holds symbolic significance as the residence reserved for the most important guest among visitors. Given the poor relations between the two nations, they seem eager to gain the upper hand through this…”
“They acknowledged that as guests they would defer to the host’s decision, but they did press for a swift resolution, citing fatigue from their journey.”
“I take it they show no willingness to either share Cloren Palace or have one side yield?”
“Indeed. If we suggest they stay together, they’ll likely return home claiming the Empire showed discourtesy to its allied nations.”
“If those are the only two choices, then Liandra. Though Talion has greater national strength, Liandra is the primary producer of Delica, which the Empire does not manufacture.”
“Very well, I shall convey that decision.”
Whenever an urgent matter arose, they came running to me.
“Advisor Renkels, would you review the budget proposal for the Harvest Festival?”
“Everything looks good, but since the hunting competition this year will be held on Jascaria Mountain, wouldn’t it be wise to increase the cold-weather gear budget slightly?”
“We overlooked how rapidly temperatures drop in the Jascaria Mountain region. Truly, you are remarkable, Your, no, Diaz, no, Advisor Renkels.”
As requests piled on—arguing that it was common for an emperor’s betrothed to oversee domestic affairs and festivals—I found myself assuming the role of the Emperor’s regent without quite realizing when it happened.
And I hadn’t even signed a marriage contract yet!
However, given that Ed, the only member of the Imperial Family, was absent, there was little choice.
Someone had to do the work, and frankly, there was no one better suited than me.
‘Once this is over, I need to insist he stay in the Capital.’
I waited for Ed to return, carefully handling only the most pressing matters.
While I devoted myself to preparing for the Harvest Festival, one of the few things I could legitimately undertake.
Then, on the fourth day after Ed’s departure, news arrived that low-ranking priests afflicted with Brainwashing Magic had been rescued.
The junior priests were transferred to the Capital via the Transportation Magic Circle in Peram and, as Brainwashing Magic could not be immediately dispelled, were kept in isolation.
However, the mages dispatched from the Magic Tower had meticulously captured the entire rescue operation on a Recording Artifact.
The scenes showed Black Magic being used to strengthen the brainwashing, high-ranking priests making contact with Black Mages, and soldiers of the Nobility Faction secretly guarding them.
Due to the High Priest’s distrust of others, the senior priest in contact with the Black Mages held a considerably high position within the Temple.
Moreover, though the Nobility Faction soldiers wore unmarked black robes, their weapons bore their house crests.
It was undeniable evidence.
When the Recording Artifact’s footage was made public and the Black Mages were transported, the people’s sentiments erupted.
This was not the resigned emotion of resignation mixed with despair that had pervaded before.
Their rage was immense and searing, burning away all other feeling in its wake.
The Black Mages were locked in the deepest cells of the Underground Prison the moment they arrived in the Capital.
Mana Restraint Devices were fastened around their wrists, and teams of Aura-wielding knights paired with mages from the Magic Tower took turns as guards.
The Black Mages were to be executed as soon as Ed returned.
To reassure the Empire’s citizens, who had begun to fear that Black Mages—creatures they had regarded as nothing more than legends—were a terrifying reality, their executions were to be carried out with great ceremony, with news spreading across the entire Empire.
‘Those who have resorted to Black Magic, which demands human sacrifice, deserve no mercy even in death.’
This time, even the Temple could not stand aside.
The high-ranking priest stationed in Diegis had been the High Priest’s closest confidant, and Priest Udaph testified that “those brainwashed served as puppets for the High Priest.”
The Temples of the Minos Religion came under attack by enraged mobs.
People hurled refuse at temple buildings, spat upon and hurled curses at anyone wearing priestly robes.
The priests, who had always carried themselves with stiff pride under the protection of the Minos Religion’s prestige, no longer dared set foot outside the Temple.
And even that was only possible for those whose crimes were not grave.
Priests who had committed earlier offenses—those whom the authorities had previously let pass with a warning—along with anyone connected to the current matter, were arrested one by one and dragged to the Underground Prison.
The High Priest, of course, was the first to be taken into custody.
* * *
The army Edwin commanded moved with deliberate slowness, like a predator herding its prey.
The overwhelming superiority of their force was felt in the fact that there was no need to anticipate what strategy the enemy might employ.
At last, they encountered the Nobility Faction’s soldier corps.
Only one side radiated apprehension.
They, too, had heard and were well acquainted with Edwin’s deeds during the war.
When the sun had fully risen, Edwin gestured with a glance.
Soldiers with loud voices called out, urging surrender at the top of their lungs.
A murmur arose from among the ordinary soldiers of the Nobility Faction’s corps, but it quickly subsided under the threats of their commanders.
Edwin knew they would refuse, of course; it was merely a formality.
Edwin twisted his lips into a smile.
The warning by words had ended. Now came the demonstration of strength.
Of course, this too was a kind of warning.
Edwin wished to end this war with as little loss of life as possible.
Edwin dismounted, drawing his sword, and began walking slowly toward the enemy lines.
A single presence filled the vast plain.
Another murmur erupted from the enemy ranks.
This time, even the commanders’ threats could not quickly silence it.
Bearing the terrified gazes of the Nobility Faction soldiers upon him, Edwin walked to the midpoint between the Imperial forces and the enemy corps.
There, he infused his sword with his Aura.
A brilliant golden Aura grew and expanded, finally becoming distinct enough to be seen by tens of thousands of eyes.
“What… what is that?”
An astonished voice escaped from somewhere, but no one answered.
Most were too overwhelmed by the crushing display of power to open their mouths.
Edwin poured his Aura to its limit, then swung his arm.
Toward the forest where no one stood.
The warm, sunlight-hued Aura unleashed tremendous destructive force, obliterating the forest.
A thunderous boom shook the earth, and shock registered on the faces of soldiers from both sides.
Edwin steadied his breathing, then gestured toward the Imperial forces.
The Imperial soldiers, riding high on momentum, drew their swords at their lord’s command.
Yet the standoff dissolved before the Imperial forces could even attack.
Terrified soldiers of the Nobility Faction cast down their weapons and assumed postures of surrender.

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