As a mere baron, I found myself face to face with the Emperor as soon as I entered the palace.

Considering that ordinary barons often wait several hours even when they have an appointment to meet the Emperor,

“Some loyal nobles must be so grateful for His Majesty’s imperial grace that they would collapse from it.”

But that’s their story; I don’t see the Emperor as anything more than a hereditary ruler of a nation, so I wouldn’t shed tears of admiration for him.

“Baron Fabio de Medici, I come bearing your command, Your Majesty.”

“Feel free to raise your …