Chapter 51: Audience

The day started rather rough however I had too much to do rather than stay holed up in my office all day

" Do you truly wish to do this so soon? "

The one asking that was none other than Merlin who I had contacted as soon as I had finished my morning paperwork

The reason for the sudden call was simply put, to handle the Koschei business and fulfil the Arcane’s promise

Merlin perhaps assuming I would take my time was such a matter seemed rather surprised

Either that or it was due the sudden wrapping around my head due to all the bashing

Still despite everything this was something I had to get around to eventually, and I was done stalling

" Today I shall bring his head, today I will fulfil our wish "

Watching me silently for a few seconds merlin then proceeded chuckle a bit as if struck by something amusing

" Blood doesn’t lie "

To that I could only smile

" If it is about Koschei then the emperor would most definitely make time so be ready

I’ll be at arcane in an hour "

Ending the call with that date I leaned back in my new chair thinking of all that I must do

" Are you not going to stop me? "

I directed that question towards albert, who was casually drinking tea by the window

Hearing me he turned his gaze away from the scenery outside smiling softly as he shook his head

" I am indeed a tad worried, and I am rather sceptic if this is the best choice considering your current state ...

however, you are the head, as such there will be times where you shall be scarred, however what defines you is if you do after

You had decided to continue walking, as such as long as you continue walking, I will continue supporting your decisions "

Having said all that was plaguing his mind he turned around continuing to leisurely drink his tea as though nothing happened

Hiding the small smile that appeared I also turned around

After that a comfortable silence ensued, it was only after a few minutes that I finally spoke again

" So about those papers... I won’t be able to handle them when I am gone? "

" Under the assumption that the meeting won’t take long you’ll get started on them as soon as you return

an episode and a traumatic brain injury can only get you a bottle master, your duties are another story "

Revealing the dark truth once again, albert didn’t bother even looking at me this time

Sadly it seems paperwork can only be pushed back so far

-----

An hour passed quickly under the endless review of paper, thankfully merlin was never one to be late

A burst of light flashed as the guardian of the empire appeared before us yet again, only this time he came in a different robe

Compared to his usual one, this one had a slightly darker shade of blue and seemed to be subtly decorated in gold

Turning his aged eyes towards me he stopped for a while simply staring at the chest placed upon my desk

The one holding Koschei’s head

" It seems you are already set "

That was all he said after watching it for another minute or so, as he simply raised his hand ready to teleport us all

He didn’t bother exchanging pleasantries or giving any advice, nor did I expect him to

To him I was a noble head before I was a student, if I failed to conduct myself then it would be right to assume that the Arcane household has already fallen

as for the pleasantries, it’s simply that the both of us are too busy to waste such time

and so, with a single wave and burst of bright light I was transported to the imperial castle

-----

Juluis Dragonblood

The sun of the empire

The holy emperor

A man with endless epithets

With a single hand gesture he could destroy the strongest of men

With a heavy sigh he could leave an entire territory in ruins

He lived under the guidance of the best that helped shape his being

He mastered forgotten arts that could not be seen

It was he who decided who lives and who dies

For all there is bowed down to him

For all there is obeyed him

To he who stood at the very pinnacle of this empire, he believed himself untouchable

’ No harm shall touch me for who dares to cut the heavens ’

A narcissistic and prideful remark stated by the emperor back when he was still young

One that revealed clearly the overwhelming self-confidence he had come to acquire

Yet years passed and he had never known otherwise

That was how it was supposed to be

Yet it was said nothing in this life is guaranteed

9 years ago

It was then that the emperor felt true pain for the very first time

The woman he wished to live had died

and the man he had wished to die had lived

He felt nothing but rage

To him that day seemed to leave a scar and for he who had been unblemished till then that was the greatest of sins

" For the one to bring me Koschei’s head I shall grant them anything they desire "

An announcement that shook the empire, a reward greater than any other

However, all the attempts to fulfil that request ended in failure dampening the fervour that filled the empire

Yet as time grew the emperor’s obsession also grew

to the point of madness

-----

The light faded and I stood inside a large room, one that was decorated in all sorts of gold and silver stretching right in the middle was a long red carpet leading to a golden throne

Immediately registering that sight I bowed

I could tell that albert had done the same, the only standing was merlin

I had only glimpsed lower end of the throne yet there was no need to see any more

After all consumed by madness and need for results that man must have ordered for us to be summoned directly to him

Knowing him that seemed quite right

" Rise "

I rough voice bellowed

I made no mistake and immediately complied

That is when I finally saw them

Those blood red eyes staring from above endlessly drowning in obsession

" Where is it? "

" ... "

" Where is that man’s head? "