Chapter 2

The Empire’s vast territory contained countless fiefdoms. Even if you spread out the map of the Empire on a large table, you couldn’t mark them all. The Empire, which had ruled the continent for a thousand years, was endlessly wide, and there were innumerable noble estates. Powerful nobles commanded knightly orders and private armies in their territories. Duels between knightly orders to show off their strength were common. There were famous knightly orders that had won numerous battles, and some mercenaries for revenge in the name of their territory. But such confrontations only happened in the provinces. In Siiad, the great capital of the Empire. Such things didn’t dare occur in the capital. “Head Butler, Head Butler. Are all those people really ‘Teneuarha’?” “Yes. Since Marquis Nokbel has also arrived, be careful not to make any mistakes in attending to them.” The Teneuarha, the Imperial knightly order. They were the strongest military organization, gathering the Empire’s finest swordsmen. Even children in the slums knew of them, and the elderly with no strength left couldn’t forget their glory and dignity. The sword and shield that had protected the Imperial Family for a thousand years of history. Even the most renowned knightly orders in the provinces couldn’t hope to match the Teneuarha’s reputation. “We welcome the Teneuarha, the guardians of Siiad.” Countess Hereis gave a courteous greeting. She had never seen so many Teneuarha gathered before, and wondered if it was alright for them to assemble like this when it wasn’t even a state event, but fortunately, she wasn’t too flustered. This was because her husband, Count Hereis, was also a member of the Teneuarha. All the guests lined up before her were familiar faces on a personal level. “It’s been a while, Countess. You’ve become even more beautiful.” “You flatter me, Marquis Nokbel.” Her posture as she welcomed the guests in front of the massive Count’s manor was impeccably polite. The dress with its voluminous skirt was quite splendid for something hastily put on. “I know it’s rude to come like this, but we’re here. Perhaps you didn’t receive word from Count Hereis?” “Ah… Well…” “I knew it! If we hadn’t come like this, he was planning not to show his face today, too! On my birthday, that bastard!” “Pechenik. Refrain from such rough language. Aren’t you making the Countess uncomfortable?” “Ah, my apologies, Countess. It’s just that Count Hereis rarely keeps his promises to me. Would it be alright if we wait inside?” “Oh my, of course. I didn’t expect such a sudden visit, but I’ve always been looking forward to the day I could host you. The Count should be here soon.” “The Countess is so kind-hearted. I don’t understand why Count Hereis doesn’t want to come home.” “Hoho, as you know, he’s so devoted to his work… I’m relieved that he has someone like Sir Pechenik to be close to. Please, come inside.” Eight Teneuarha entered the Count’s manor with a clamor. If they had been wearing their knightly uniforms, one might have thought something serious had happened at the manor, but fortunately, they had the sense to come in casual attire. Among them, Pechenik, dressed far too casually, was a high-ranking noble, and today was his birthday. “Count Hereis will surely remember. He promised to hold Pechenik’s birthday party at the Count’s manor tonight.” “Oh my, Sir Pechenik’s birthday party… How did it end up at our manor…?” “Hahaha! Well, you see, we were having a bet among the First Division…” Pechenik laughed heartily as he walked. Then, by chance, his gaze rolled upward. To a window high up, like an attic. There, he spotted a small girl pressed against it. ‘…?’ He thought their eyes met. Though she was as small as a dot from that distance, Pechenik’s eyesight was sharp enough to see even the tears clinging to her eyes. A drinking party had broken out. The dignity of the noble and elegant Teneuarha seemed to have gone to the dogs; it was unbelievable to see. Count Hereis, who had returned home late after finishing his work, was at a loss for words. He could only stare blankly at the sight of his ancestral manor being occupied by drunkards. “How…!” He was about to shout, but his words caught in his throat. He lowered his voice. “Have the knights who guard the Imperial Family all become this incapacitated en masse! How can this be!” “Bleh bleh bleh! I switched all the shifts so everyone could come! This is how you abuse your authority! Hahaha!” “Pechenik!” “That’s right. I’m Pechenik. The birthday boy. You know, according to Imperial law, you have to grant the birthday person’s wishes, right?” “Hmm, was there such a law?” “Your Grace Nokbel, are you an idiot!? I just made it up! Hahaha! Idiot, idiot!” “Yly…” The idiot just happened to have his birthday today. Count Hereis rubbed his forehead and sighed. Even Marquis Nokbel was playing along with that fool’s tune. It was fortunate that no one but those present knew the disciplinary standards of the heavenly Teneuarha had fallen to such a deplorable state. “My dear, it will be troublesome, but could you please see to their sleeping arrangements? It’s nearly midnight, so it seems difficult to send them back.” “Yes…” “Huh? We’re just getting started. What are you talking about? Who’s going to sleep?” “Who said anything about sleeping? Are there such weaklings in the Teneuarha?” “Submit your resignation immediately and return all the salary you’ve received so far.” “Your Grace, how about we let off anyone who can down this entire barrel of alcohol in one go?” “I’ll do it!” “Weren’t you going to sleep anyway?” “It’s no fun to drink daintily! A real man gulps it down!” “Really… You’re all insane. It’s embarrassing to think someone might see. I’m retiring for the night.” In the end, Count Hereis, who had been rubbing his face dry, left his seat. That retreating figure was caught by the eyes of today’s protagonist. “Where are you going?” Pechenik sprang to his feet. Then, tucking wine bottles under both arms, he gave chase. He had to teach the workaholic Count Hereis, infamous even in the Imperial Castle, how to get properly drunk, at least for today. “Hey! Where are you hiding!” His movements were nimble, befitting a knight of the Imperial Castle. Outwardly, he showed no signs of intoxication. Pitter-patter! Pechenik freely roamed the vast Count’s manor. He was especially bold because it was his birthday today. Having lost his wife and daughter at a young age, he had lived without family for over ten years now. Since his only birthday well-wishers were his fellow knights, they were obliged to drink with him until dawn. This applied even to the strait-laced and boring Count Hereis. Erica, drawn by the noisy commotion, snuck downstairs to take a peek. Quietly, quietly. Peep. There were many people. All of them were large adult men, mostly middle-aged like her father. The child, hidden behind the stairs, counted. ‘One, two, three, four…’ There seemed to be at least ten of them. Each was drinking and shouting at the top of their lungs. Their voices were so loud that Erica kept getting startled. She almost gave herself away with a hiccup. ‘I should leave before I’m caught and scolded.’ Stealthily, Erica hugged her teddy bear to her chest and crawled away. In her dirty pocket were an egg tart and a small candle. Her small body headed for the garden. ‘I need to blow out the candle before midnight.’ The night air was cool. Erica sat on the garden fountain. Her pale, thin legs dangled pleasantly. She placed the egg tart on her knees. Fortunately, only the edges were slightly crumbled, and its plump shape remained intact. She stuck the small candle in it, lit it, and closed her eyes with her hands clasped. It was time to make her birthday wish. Just as her lips began to move. “Whoosh!” “…?!” The candle went out. Pechenik, who had been passing by, had leapt over and swiftly blown out the candle.