"Are you alright, Your Majesty?"
"....You know, I'm getting sick of you saying that."
Sylvester dismounted from his black horse with a sour expression.
Though they had traveled for two consecutive days on horseback, it's not that they couldn't say anything else, but the one making it difficult to start a conversation was the one who'd hardened his bones on the battlefield.
His breath still steady, Sylvester took off the black hood covering his face.
"Has it been five years?"
Sylvester scanned his surroundings while standing on the outskirts of the city.
He wore a blank, indifferent face, as if there wasn't anything especially new. But seeing was probably different from remembering.
Though he was a thorough ruler,Slyvestor was surprisingly indifferent to many matters that were outside his interest. Particularly if it was related to a woman.
'But he should change at least some day, right?'
Now that he should be thinking about a successor, matters concerning the family line should be more important.
Sylvester gave a scornful laugh and then scowled. A wry smile hung on his face.
It didn't matter as much if it were the Eastern or the Western Lands, but this was the Northern Lands of the Empire, the region with the highest population and with booming trade cities.
As merchants are extremely sensitive to changes in the city's trade policies and situation, the rate at which rumors spread was enough to surprise anyone.
Swip.
He brought away his hands from his back, his eyes becoming sluggish.
What's such a big deal about the nobles getting suspicious.
"That pathetic lot."
He couldn't really stop them from having interests in the emperor, since in the end, the nobles were the ones who made the imperial family's ends meet.
There was no one who'd survived up until now in the palace.
straightforwardly disagreeing with the noble families.
"Well aren't you three just so enthusiastic."
"............."
Sylvester began moving towards the city with an expression of disgust on his face.
Without thinking, Sylvester grabbed the sword at his side, gripping on it.
*Crick.*
He made a harsh grinding sound with his teeth.
Shing.
It was as if Rashid's sword moved before he even pulled it out.
