"What? Was it not Count Arient who was in charge of the road construction?"

"While Arient Construction handled the actual work, it seems that the rights to the construction were held by Vermont. The ingenuity to tunnel through the mountain range also belonged to them..."

"Oh. I thought Vermont was just a bunch of cowards hiding behind the mountains, but it seems they’re capable of such audacious acts."

In the imperial palace, Emperor Vanessa let out a hollow laugh as she dressed with the help of her maid. Even the maid who had cared for her for decades felt a chill at the eerie smile on her face.

It was extremely rare for the emperor to show such a smile in her lifetime. Those who had caused her to wear it rarely met a pleasant end.

"Did you clearly convey our intent to visit?"

"Yes. However, the Vermont side rejected negotiations regarding the schedule and simply sent back a messenger."

"It seems they intend to throw a surprise party. Bring me my holy sword."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Vermont had always been a troublesome frontier. The process of submitting to the empire was quite absurd. They successfully defended against the imperial conquest forces for two years, and just as they were about to give up and retreat, they surrendered.

Afterward, Vermont enjoyed unprecedented autonomy, but that was overturned when suspicions regarding Count Vermont's research into black magic were confirmed. The status of the frontier lord was demoted to that of an ordinary count. Since then, Vermont seemed to live like a mouse hiding in a hole.

However, the fact that Vermont was quietly conducting research on black magic was widely known, including to Vanessa.

"But suddenly, Vermont has taken the lead in constructing a road...?"

It didn’t add up. They were the ones who could conduct their shady black magic research far from the central authorities. So why were they suddenly carving through the mountains to connect directly with the capital?

"Are they plotting to invade instead?"

Historically, roads were the most critical infrastructure determining military mobility. Was the newly completed road actually a passage for an undead army to invade the palace?

At that moment, Vanessa let out a hollow laugh.

"The country has been too peaceful for too long."

It seemed it was about time for a crisis to arise. Would Vermont be the one to signal it?

With a sword adorned with dazzling jewels at her waist, she left the palace dressed almost as if in casual clothes.

She was now heading towards Vermont, where various slanders might await her. Yet in her resolute eyes, there was not a trace of worry or concern.

If anything, it was joy or anticipation. Such emotions filled Vanessa's face.

"Royal Guard. Raise the alert level to the highest."

"Why? It’s just a road opening ceremony, why the fuss?"

"But it’s Vermont..."

"If we’re too vigilant, won’t they just give up plotting on their side?"

"…"

The captain of the guard nodded silently in agreement. The alert level remained at normal.

The confidence to do so stemmed from none other than Emperor Vanessa's own formidable power. She was one of the six known holy swords, chosen by Tempest.

With the holy sword at her waist, she was in a state where she did not lag behind the entire guard in combat power. Raising the alert level or donning armor would only look ridiculous. Regardless of any schemes the opponents might have, she expressed confidence that she could break through them all with just her bare body.

"I'm curious. Aslan Vermont, what has prompted you to suddenly act so openly?"

Aslan Vermont. The young lord who had been holed up in the library suddenly began to take action. What on earth was he thinking? Vanessa was so curious that she felt like splitting his head open just to see inside.

Vanessa quickly mounted her horse, and a grand procession lined up behind her as they set off toward Vermont, taking a route through the mountains instead of around them.

"I-I apologize for making you travel such a long distance. I am Count Arient, the head of the road construction..."

"Enough. Where is Aslan Vermont?"

After a short while, they arrived at the entrance of the road. There, Count Arient and his staff, wearing helmets, awaited Vanessa, but she didn’t even spare them a glance as she looked around.

Where was Vermont? She didn’t care about the debt-ridden Arient; she wanted to see Vermont! Bring him out at once!

"Aslan Vermont is..."

So he hadn’t shown his face here, either. Was he quietly sitting in Vermont, waiting? Even after seeing his father’s head roll for challenging the imperial authority, he comes out so arrogantly?

Where did that confidence come from? Was he really preparing an undead army...!?

"He is currently behind Your Majesty..."

"Greetings, Your Majesty. You are finally looking this way. I am Aslan Vermont."

"What are you doing right now?"

"I am expressing the utmost respect to Your Majesty, the Emperor."

"…"

Turning back, Vanessa flinched. A shabby man was crouched on the ground, prostrating himself. Was this man Aslan Vermont? The one who carved a path through the mountains and made Count Arient a vassal state by sinking him into debt?

"What kind of etiquette is this?"

"If lowering one’s posture is a form of respect, then the utmost respect would be to get as close to the ground as possible. This is called a bow in the East. There’s also a modified form called a grand bow; would you like me to show you?"

"…No, just raise your head. I want to see your face."

The bizarre etiquette that made her dizzy at just the thought of it. Vanessa brushed her hair and immediately refused. After a moment, the pale-skinned man stood up, dusting off the dirt from his knees.

This man was Aslan Vermont... He indeed had a rather sinister-looking face as heard. And beside him stood a woman with a blushing face, likely his sister, Irene Vermont.

"It is a great honor to invite Your Majesty to the completion ceremony of this monumental road connecting Vermont and the capital. Until now, the distance between Vermont and the capital was close in a straight line, but it was obstructed by the mountain range, making travel very difficult. Understanding this situation, we constructed this road to supply Vermont's material and human resources to the capital, enabling smoother trade..."

"That’s enough. I can already grasp the kind of ripple effects this road will bring, so let’s skip that. I want to hear more about this Aslan Vermont. How could a man who has only participated in external activities such as baptism for over 20 years suddenly embark on such ambitious actions? That’s what I’m curious about."

"…!"

Vanessa's fierce gaze pierced through Aslan's body. Unable to endure that gaze, Aslan averted his eyes slightly. Damn it. He shouldn’t take an interest in me. This was unexpected.

Aslan shot a desperate look for help, and Irene stepped forward with a sigh.

"It seems this conversation will take quite a while, Your Majesty. It wouldn’t be appropriate to have it on horseback in the middle of the road. Why don’t we move and arrange a time later for you to talk leisurely with my brother?"

"Let’s do that. I’ll let you stall me just this once."

"…"

Finally, the procession began to move again, but Aslan's originally pale face had turned completely white, showing no signs of improving.

What? They’ll prepare a place to talk leisurely later? What the hell is that crazy woman talking about?

Aslan glared at her, but Irene merely wore a relieved expression.

'Shit. I never expected them to take an interest in me.'

He absolutely hated looking like he was hiding something. That’s why he had completely lowered his pride and prostrated himself on the ground.

The emperor had already focused on Aslan as a person.

What should I say? "For the past 20 years, I haven’t been myself?"

I’ve acted like a complete mess until now, but one day I suddenly woke up after hearing a divine command in my dreams?

This is really maddening.

Before he knew it, Aslan’s clothes were soaked with cold sweat.

'I have to redirect their attention somehow...!'

There was only one method. Divert the emperor's attention that was focused on him.

Activate Plan B!

Aslan suddenly gestured skyward with an unknown signal. Seeing this, the guards looked up, but all they could see was a clear sky.

"I’ve heard that you sent a messenger back with an excuse that you could not reveal the schedule, which was terribly rude."

"Yes..."

"Because of that, my expectations have soared through the roof. I can’t wait to see how Vermont welcomes me."

"Y-You will be satisfied...?"

Instead of Aslan, who didn’t know how to ride, Irene rode alongside the emperor, her voice trembling.

No matter how she looked at it, they seemed to have returned the messenger without any plan at all, and it was all too obvious!

Irene stiffened with tension, but at that moment, Aslan dried off all his cold sweat and became more spirited.

How on earth am I going to satisfy this iron-willed emperor...!?

"We will arrive soon."

"Hm?"

"Your Majesty! Please step back! There’s something ahead!"

"…!?"

As an unusual energy suddenly surged forth, the guards reacted and jumped forward.

The ground began to shake violently.

With a familiar tremor, Count Arient screamed and fled.

And before their group appeared...

[This is Vermont! Welcome! Kyah!]

A massive, earth-colored giant.

It was an unknown being that spoke human language.

"A monster? No, it looks too insignificant to be a monster."

"Is it a spirit? At that size, a great spirit?"

"A great spirit wouldn’t look like that..."

"More than anything, spirits wouldn’t be visible to us."

"Then what on earth is this doing here?"

The entire group stared in shock, and Irene shot a furious look at Aslan.

Damn it, how is that supposed to satisfy the emperor!?

"…Cute."

"Pardon?"

"…Ah."

In that moment, a small voice slipped through the emperor's lips.

It was so quiet that only Irene could hear it.

As Vanessa made eye contact with Irene, she covered her mouth, her face turning as red as a radish.