21st Century Archmage

“Your Majesty…”

“So youve come…”

“Please get up. May you rise and rebuke your humble servant like before.”

In the room within the Bajran Empires Imperial Palace, where the ailing emperor was lying, one of the four dukes of the empire, Duke Garvit, came running to the bedside at the Emperors call.

“Its already been 50 years since weve met… when I was young, you were like an older brother to me…”

“Your Majesty…”

In comparison to the other dukes, Duke Garvit in particular had shared a great deal of memories with the Emperor. The previous emperor and Duke Garvits father were friends, and thanks to that, Garvit came to the palace often to play and treated the crown prince back then, Prince Havitron, like a younger brother. However, after they grew older and Havitron ascended the throne, their relationship turned into one of sovereign and subject, leading to the current day. The Emperor was now gazing warmly at the duke while reminiscing on the past.

“My mind is especially clear today. I think its nearly time for me to enter Gods embrace.”

“What kind of calamitous words are those, Your Majesty! Gods embrace?! Even your old servant is this healthy, so how can you say such a faint-hearted thing…”

“Thank you for everything.” The Emperor merely responded with words of thanks. “It is thanks to you and my loyal retainers that my great empire could prosper. Among all my retainers, you, the one who trusted and followed me despite all my inadequacies, contributed the most.”

“Your Majesty…”

Upon hearing the Emperors warm, unusually frank words, the old dukes eyes filled with tears.

“I called you today because I have a request to ask of you.”

Not a command, but a request from an emperor. He was ill and bed-ridden, but the Emperor held the authority to overturn the empire with a single command of his. Such a man was asking the Duke for a request.

“Please, command me at will. I will carry out your order with my life on the line.”

Duke Garvit was aware. He was aware that the next words could be the Emperors last will.

“Take care of the empire for me.”

“…”

Garvits eyes grew wide with shock.

“Even if I die, dont take even one step outside of your territory. You have the advantage of age, so you can seclude yourself using senility as an excuse. Then, accumulate power.”

The Emperor expressed his will with such clear-headedness that it was hard to believe that the priests had said he would be passing either today or tomorrow. His eyes were filled with the sagaciousness of a wise man.

“And then… When the time comes, wield your sword, just once, for the sake of the empire. That is my last request.”

The Emperors request implied a great deal of unspoken meaning. If these words were to leak outside by any chance, it was possible that they would be treated as a conspiracy.

“Also, take this.”

“This is…”

“It is a directive stamped with the Imperial Seal.”

“Why are you giving me this?”

“The only person I can trust now in the Imperial House is you.”

“Your Majesty! How can you say such a thing?! No matter who it is, if they refuse your Imperial Mandate, this one will go and personally slit their throats!”

“Thank you… But now is not the time. You also know… that power is like endlessly flowing water.”

“Argh…”