CHAPTER 137

–I hereby issue this decree to the Melvinger family, a loyal servant of the Empire and an old friend of the Imperial Family.

It is well known that a sinner, whose very name is blasphemous to utter, has committed unspeakable crimes against the Empire. 

This person, rather than begging for mercy for their transgressions, seeks to defy the order set by the heavens and the gods.

From this day forth, I command the Melvinger family to lead in the apprehension and punishment of this criminal.

This is the Golden Bull.

A command issued by the Emperor is often referred to as an "Imperial Edict," and the document containing such a command is called a "imperial rescript."

Even among such decrees, there are levels of imperial rescript.

The Golden Bull—stamped with the golden imperial seal—was the highest among them.

Failure to comply with such a decree could result in the most severe punishments, even death.

Under the theory of divine right of monarchs, which state that the Emperor ruled the earth as a representative of the god who governs the heavens, Elric Melvinger, as a subject of the Emperor, had no choice but to comply. He could not defy such an order.

Of course, to avoid the potential abuse of power, the issuing of such decrees was restricted by the House of peers' oversight.

For instance, for high-ranking noble families, there were limits on how many such decrees could be used.

As far as Elric knew, the Imperial Family only had two remaining Golden Bull that they could issue to the Melvinger family.

Since the Melvinger family had served the Empire for hundreds of years, the Imperial Family had been cautious in using these decrees over the centuries.

If they hadn't been careful, they would have lost their control over the Melvinger family—a family once said to rival even the Magic Tower in influence.

But now.

They had used one of the two remaining decrees?

'This stinks. It stinks too much.'

It wasn't just a bad smell—it reeked like something rotten.

『It's like they're digging a pit and telling you to walk right into it. It's basically an open declaration that they intend to harm you.』

Mephistopheles crossed his arms and scoffed, clearly finding the situation absurd.

"What's even more ridiculous is that the Golden Bull was sent here, not to the Melvinger mansion," said Guy Nerester, reading Elric's thoughts.

Though his tone remained calm, it was clear he was just as displeased.

The Melvinger family was one of only four ducal families in the Empire.

Even though they had declined in power, the Imperial Family still owed them a measure of respect.

But sending a Golden Bull to the Nerester House, and Melvinger family is not a vassal family of the Nerester family, was tantamount to saying the Imperial Family had no intention of treating the Melvingers as a noble ducal family.

"What kind of nonsense is this?"

While Elric remained silent, staring at the decree, Sean was the one who was most outraged.

Normally calm and composed, he now looked furious.

"Father! Are you going to let this go?"

"And if I don't? Do you want me to start a rebellion like the Red Lion?"

"Father! That's not what I meant—!"

"Your voice is too loud, Sean."

"…!"

Sean realized he had let his emotions get the better of him and quickly shut his mouth. 

No matter how much Guy was his father, in official settings, he was still the head of the family, and challenging his authority was not something to be tolerated.

"I too am displeased with the Imperial Family's behavior. The Melvinger family has a formal agreement with our house. The Imperial Family knows this, so to disregard it is to disrespect our family."

Guy adjusted his glasses.

Though his eyes behind the lenses were as calm and unreadable as ever, there was a distinct coldness to them.

"Whether they aim to disrupt our alliance with the Melvinger family or to test the strength of our agreement, one thing is clear."

Sean silently watched his father's expression grow darker.

"This is too sloppy. I almost wonder if the Emperor himself even authorized this."

Sean glanced again at the Golden Bull that Elric was holding.

Everyone knew how ambitious the current Emperor was and how skilled he was at weaving sly and serpentine plots. There wasn't a noble unaware of this.

"Even the head of the Melvinger family must have sensed it by now. What do you think?" 

Sean's gaze now shifted toward Elric.

Elric crumpled the Golden Bull and shoved it into his inner pocket.

"I think they're hoping I'll resist. That way, they can easily charge me with mocking the Imperial authority and take care of me. Or—"

Elric's lips twisted into a crooked smile.

"They can send me to the battlefield, where I could conveniently die in an 'accident,' making it no loss for the Imperial Family either way."

***

Elric and Sean left the family head's office, walking down the hallway. The whole time, Sean's steps grew more agitated and restless.

His stride was filled with irritation and frustration.

Elric couldn't help but burst out laughing, and Sean shot him an annoyed look.

"You think this is funny?"

"No, of course not. I'm angry too. They're openly disrespecting me and my family. It's like they're daring me to fight."

After all, for the Imperial Family, using up one of the few remaining Golden Bull wasn't a major loss.

If the plan succeeded, they could drive a wedge between the Melvinger and Nerester families.

Even if it failed, they could still drag the Melvingers into a battlefield filled with traps.

This kind of attitude could only be taken if they thought they could easily eliminate the Melvingers.

"Then why are you laughing?"

"Because I'm grateful."

"For what?"

"Because you're worried about me."

"W-Who said I was worried about you?!"

Sean's face flushed red, and he shouted back, but Elric just smiled warmly.

Despite his outward calm, however, Elric's heart grew colder by the moment.

As cold as the winter winds that General Winter used to command.

[It looks like the Crown Prince has laid a trap. The question is, how do we bury him so well that everyone will say it was a job well done?]

『Are you asking this king, the one who is technically on the same level as that Crown Prince?』

[Will you stop being so uncooperative? If you keep acting like this, you won't get anything out of it either.]

『Hmph! Do whatever you want. I'm only interested in finding a way to deal with Gregory.』

Elric wasn't expecting much help from Mephistopheles anyway.

Mephistopheles, being unable to physically intervene, had limitations in what he could do. He could only point out things Elric might have overlooked or give advice when it came to dealing with demons.

Still, in recent times, Mephistopheles had become more cooperative, offering help when he could. Perhaps he saw this as the only way to regain his strength more quickly.

Either way, after fighting together on various battlefields, they had developed something akin to camaraderie.

Or, more accurately—

'Since the release of the Seal of Original Sin, huh?'

As if on cue.

『But the most important thing right now is figuring out exactly what that Crown Prince is planning.』

Given that Mephistopheles had risen to the rank of a great demon king without needing vast armies, he was quite skilled in reading strategies and plots.

Elric nodded in agreement.

[That's true.]

『Since the Crown Prince is also after Gregory, if you can tie them together, you'll understand the full picture soon enough.』

[And then we can bury them both.]

『Isn't that your specialty?』

Elric chuckled, sensing a strange trust in Mephistopheles' grumbling tone.

'Now that I think about it, Sean and Mephistopheles are pretty similar.'

They both grumbled and snapped, but they helped when it mattered. They really were alike.

Of course, if either of them heard him say this, they'd probably try to kill him.

'But for now, I have no choice but to walk into the trap, knowing it's a trap.'

Now that the Golden Bull had been issued, refusing it was not an option.

Unless the contents of the decree posed a direct threat to his life or the existence of his family, there was no legal way to reject it.

'I'll have to pretend to comply for now and find a way to turn the tables later.'

As Elric was thinking this, Sean asked him.

"So when's the deadline for this summon?"

"One month. Or, to be exact, 29 days."

"That's a bit tight."

Elric nodded.

Even with a long journey to Wynz Province, using the teleportation gates meant it wouldn't take more than two weeks at most.

"There's not much time to prepare. What's your plan?"

Sean knew Elric wouldn't just sit back and accept things. That wasn't the Elric he knew.

"There are two things I need to do."

"Two things?"

"Yeah. First, I'm going to take the Magus Certification Exam."

Sean nodded, understanding immediately.

Given Elric's current abilities, he would have no problem proving himself as a magus.

It was widely accepted that the sixth circle, the threshold to becoming a magus, was the dividing line between magicians. Before that, hard work alone could take you far, but from the sixth circle onward, talent and luck played a significant role.

Having a magus certification came with many benefits.

Until now, Elric had been considered an apprentice. But with this certification, he would be recognized as a true magician.

Even when summoned to the battlefield, the treatment he received would be entirely different.

At the very least, he'd be regarded as an officer.

Elric's aim was likely to secure some freedom of movement, rather than being restricted by his title as the Radiant Star Duke.

'He'll probably get an officer's position easily because of his title, but that would limit his actions. He's trying to ensure more freedom for himself.'

This only made Sean more curious.

What was the second thing?

"What's the other thing?"

"That's a secret."

"…Seriously?"

"Sorry, but it's a family business."

"Is it something like when you searched for the Temple of the Flowers?"

"It's related, yes."

Sean didn't press further. Though still curious, even close friends don't pry into each other's family secrets.

『You're planning to visit the private residence of Otto Han, aren't you?』

[I'm going to dig through the records there. Oh, and I also need to search Tiger King Yul's treasure vault. Great.]

So much to do, so little time.

Elric grumbled internally, thinking about how long it might take to find Otto Han's residence since he didn't know its exact location. But then, Mephistopheles said something that made him turn his head sharply.

『In that case, I might be able to help.』

[Wait… you know where Otto Han's residence is?]

『Maybe?』

[Then why are you only telling me this now?]

『You never asked.』

Elric clenched his fist.

He was seriously tempted to punch Mephistopheles.

Mephistopheles folded his arms and gave a mischievous grin.

『To be honest, I don't know the exact location. But I've been thinking, and I may have a clue.』

[You're not lying, are you?]

『Hmph! Do you think I'd try to deceive you? I've been embarrassed enough times already. I wouldn't risk any more disgrace. Believe me or don't. It makes no difference to me.』

[Then what do you want in return?]

『Tell me what you can offer.』

Not this again.

Elric's face twisted in frustration.

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