Chapter 16. Destination: Imperial Palace

The last time we had enough leisure to have a conversation was the day we arrived at the camp.

After spending a night in the tent, we boarded the carriage early in the morning.

"How long until we arrive!"

"It will take a few more days!"

"Ugh... We need to go faster!"

For the past few days, we had been running almost without rest.

We ate while moving, and sleep time was very short.

As if trying to save even sleeping time, we continued moving until it was too dark to see the road after sunset.

To match the speed, instead of regular infantry escorts, a few cavalrymen in light armor ran guarding the carriage.

Moreover, whenever the horses pulling the carriage got tired, they were replaced with other horses as we kept running.

All of this happened because of a single letter brought by a messenger.

After receiving and reading the letter, Erika urged the group as if someone was chasing us from behind.

She showed the letter even to the soldiers and coachman who were suspicious about whether the contents were confidential, and they reacted similarly.

Our destination was said to be Nordenberg.

It would normally take more than a week to travel from the encampment near Zabinsk where we started to Nordenberg, the northernmost city of the empire.

However, thanks to constantly changing horses and urging on,

Feeling the vibrations, that even the master craftsman's touch on the expensive carriage couldn't completely block, with our bottoms, our group was able to arrive in Nordenberg in just 4 days.

***

Since Nordenberg was Josef's territory, I thought Paul would get off and proceed with the business.

I thought that since it's one of the areas where the noble faction's power is strongest, Paul's influence as an elder of the noble faction might be stronger than the imperial order.

"Who are you! Get out of the carriage and identify yourselves!"

When the guards guarding the city gate blocked the carriage,

Erika used a method simpler than I had imagined.

She just leaned her upper body out of the carriage door and,

"We are carrying out Her Majesty the Empress’ orders!"

She shouted.

"Ah. Excuse us. Hey, open the gate!"

The effect was tremendous.

Perhaps because the carriage was decorated with the imperial emblem, no one doubted Erika's words about the Empress’ orders.

Since one word about imperial orders could easily persuade without the need for lengthy explanations,

We were able to easily enter Nordenberg Castle.

"We're almost there. They say Phlegethon is prepared, so we can go right away."

"..."

Perhaps due to the influence of the conversation we had that night, Erika kept speaking to me in a friendly tone.

She even nodded as if understanding even when I didn't answer separately, so it was definitely worth speaking to her at dawn.

Now, about Phlegethon.

Phlegethon is one of the unique buildings of the empire in the game.

With the setting of being a legacy left by the Red Dragon Vulcanus who helped found the empire, it's a building that can quickly transport a single-digit number of people to where Phlegethon is installed.

In typical turn-based strategy games, when moving a general without troops, you can move quickly as if teleporting due to game allowance, but "The Great War," which strangely maintained realism, required several turns depending on the distance even when a general moved alone.

Phlegethon is a system for the Dragonian Empire, which has large territory from the beginning but also many places to defend.

It's like a temporary teleportation portal connecting the imperial palace in the capital and certain cities, but for gamers, it's a system considered non-existent unless for entertainment or concept play.

The reason for ignoring it is simple.

Perhaps because it's a world setting where magic is very limited, its usage conditions are terribly harsh.

Not only do you have to pour in enormous resources that could keep an elite corps rolling for a long period just for construction, but even when using it, it consumes 10 magicians from the departure point along with a tremendous amount of resources.

The 10 consumed magicians become unusable for a long time, and the used resources evaporate.

You also need to spend a considerable amount of money on repairs for reuse.

And what's the result after all that enormous consumption?

It just moves two or three generals.

Since you can't send troops along, in the game, if you need to move a general urgently, people use the free trick of dismissal and re-employment rather than building Phlegethon.

"Sigh..."

I can't help but sigh.

There is a need to head to the capital quickly.

Probably, the letter Erika received also said to move quickly, and it's advantageous for me to face Louise before her interest shifts elsewhere.

However, it's just a shame about the poured resources.

I knew that the Dragonian Empire AI unusually preferred Phlegethon, but...

Seeing them use it now as if they've been waiting, it might have been historically accurate.

It feels like the Empress, gone mad with collecting talent, built Phlegethon to bring them in even a little faster.

It's regrettable thinking about how many more troops could be employed with this money, but making the best use of what's already built is the best option.

"We've arrived. Do you see that huge building over there?"

Looking where Erika pointed, I saw a fortress-like building made of stone.

In the game, it was simply displayed as an icon, so I didn't feel anything, but seeing it like this, it looked surprisingly nice.

Not enough to change my mind about it being a waste of money, though.

"I heard they built it, but it's my first time actually using it!"

"In fact, the Phlegethon here has never been used until now."

"Wow, really?"

That's understandable.

Not just the money, but because it neutralizes magicians, who are tactical weapons rare in the country, it's difficult to even think of using it unless you're the Empress.

"Her Majesty must have been very curious about the results of the negotiations."

"Hmm."

As Erika euphemistically expressed, it seems to show how much expectation the Empress might have for me.

The problem is that those expectations don't always work positively.

There's an event simply named 'Disappointment'.

It's an event linked to 'Empress’ Employment', where the Empress punishes if the performance of the person selected through that event is poor.

Usually, it ends with salary cuts, equipment retrieval, etc., making it a filial event that can take back money and items from useless people.

But occasionally, there are cases where they cut off heads entirely, saying the disappointment was too great.

If we apply this to reality?

Great expectations mean great disappointment.

In other words, if I don't satisfy her expectations, I don't know when my head might fly off.

The pressure has increased a bit.

The Empress’ expectations are ultimately a double-edged sword.

If I live up to the expectations, I'll soar, but if not, I'll be cut down in an instant.

"...Why are you looking at me like that?"

I sent earnest gazes to Erika, who I need to speak well to.

Although I've prepared myself, it would be much easier if she helps well.

-Creeak.

As the carriage arrived at the entrance of Phlegethon, the door opened from the inside.

Inside, magicians were waiting for us, holding their staves.

"Let's go!"

We got out of the carriage and entered the building.

Perhaps the outer walls are just structures to protect that room.

Although the building itself was quite large, there was nothing inside except for a small room about the size of five pyeong.

"General Paul Richter, Miss Erika Bauman, Mr. Viktor. Is that correct, three people in total?"

"Yes."

The magician who seemed to be the leader verbally confirmed our identities and briefly explained the procedure for passing through the dimensional gate.

The content was that since the dimensional gate only opens for a very short time, we need to move without hesitation following instructions.

After the brief explanation, the lead magician and the surrounding magicians entered the room in the center.

After all the magicians in Phlegethon had entered, our group followed.

"...Oh."

I didn't expect it at all, but the interior was very splendid.

"Wow... This is..."

From the interior of the room to the frame of the dimensional gate placed in the center, everything was made of jewels sparkling in various colors.

The size of each jewel was also quite large, so this room alone probably ate up most of the construction cost.

"We're opening it! You must pass through immediately! The destination is the imperial palace!"

The lead magician caught our attention with a slightly urgent tone.

Tension filled the small room packed with people.

"Jump on three! One, two... three!"

As instructed, we jumped towards the dimensional gate as soon as we heard "three."

The moment I felt like I was passing through something red, the surrounding scenery changed without any warning.

The place we arrived was also a room full of jewels like before, but it seemed about 4 times wider.

"Eek!"

"...Be careful."

I can hear Erika and Paul's voices too, so it seems everyone crossed over without problems.

A moment later, the door in front opened.

"We've been waiting."

Dozens of people who looked like imperial palace maids were waiting beyond the door.

---

In the lounge prepared for the Empress of the Dragonian Empire.

A maid approached Louise, who was sitting in a relaxed posture in a chair waiting for news.

"Your Majesty, I’m told Erika Bauman and her party have arrived."

"Is that so?"

Louise's eyes flashed as she stood up at the maid's message.

The maid, who hadn't expected such a reaction at all, inadvertently met Louise's eyes.

"Move Viktor and Paul to guest rooms. As for Erika..."

"Huk...!"

The maid's legs gave out under the extreme pressure from Louise's eyes, which seemed to emanate an unknown aura.

"I want to see her right away. Go and bring her."

"Huk, hah."

Instead of calming her emotions, Louise gave orders to the maid with her eyes closed.

As the pressure eased a bit, the maid who had collapsed exhaled her blocked breath and forcibly got up.

"Y-yes, understood!"

Feeling like prey standing before a predator, the maid hurriedly left.

"Hmm..."

Louise sat back in her chair and enjoyed the throbbing in her chest.

Just controlling so that her energy wouldn't leak out, she waited for Erika to come.