The Solitude of an Emperor [TO BE UNPUBLISHED]

76: The General

As Emperor Darya heard the thundering of the sky, her heart sank as it was strangely filled with remorse. She felt so sad that it was becoming hard to breathe and it felt like she was getting further and further away from her destination. She then prayed to Fergus that she would arrive at Nirov as soon as possible and as she opened her eyes, her horse was galloping in the entrance of the said town.

The surroundings were a mess and blood was splashed everywhere. It was already quiet and all she could hear were the cries of the injured knights.

“Y-Your Majesty!”

A knight immediately recognized her and all of them lowered their gazes as they were surprised to see the Emperor, in her sleeping wear, as if she rushed to go to Nirov. 

“Where is General Theobarlt?” Darya immediately asked.

As soon as they heard her asking about the whereabouts of the General, all their eyes showed an anguished sentiment, their mouths could not speak as if it was permanently sealed. This kind of reaction made her feel even more miserable in her heart. Her mind is going blank of all the thoughts running.

She bit her lips, trying to not believe her presumption. “Again, where is my third consort?” Now, her voice became firm, making them feel the pressure. How could they tell her?

“H-He is…” One of the knights bravely started speaking but then Sir Alluka suddenly came running towards her direction.

He stopped a meter away from her as he dropped his right knee to the ground, put down his sword, and lowered his head.

With his hefty heart, he spoke, “Your Majesty,” He could hardly compose his voice. “Please punish me for my irresponsibility as a subordinate of the Empire’s General—”

“Everyone, prepare to come back to the Capital City at once.” Darya does not want to hear more.

The knights panicked. “Y-Yes, Your Majesty!”

Alluka remained on his knees and was trying to not break the tears before his eyes.  While the knights started preparing for departure, Darya stayed on her horse for a while and did not talk to Alluka. Few minutes later, she jumped off the horse, pulled Alluka up, and started walking to the silent tent a few meters away. 

Every step she takes is like stepping on thorns to which her feet bleed while she walks deep into the darkness of nothingness. She stopped in front of that tent, unable to lift her foot to step inside. She can already feel that godly aura which means that… a god was present inside the tent. What makes it lonelier is that the aura exceeds melancholy.

There she heard the calming voice of the god, “Come inside, child.”

She bit her lips. Although her heart suddenly felt lighter after hearing the voice, she could not bring herself to be alright with all these. She stepped inside the tent, immediately seeing a white cloth covering a human flesh. The god is standing behind it.

“So you are Fergus’ apostle?” The god spoke but she could not entirely process those words in her mind because she was occupied with something else.

The god saw her predictable remorse, making his heart become even softer. This is his first time to see such a look in those eyes from a human.

“This child,” the god referred to his apostle who was covered with white cloth. “He asked me to put his soul back.” He looked into Darya’s eyes. He is telling her this because his apostle looked so sad when he begged him to give him a chance.

Darya was not able to speak.

“He said he wanted to at least say something to you before he goes to the other world.” The god added.