Chapter 176

Chapter 176: An Unexpected Roadblock

A large building stood right in the middle of the road in Pavillonia.

On the front door, the words [Tailor Richter’s House] were boldly written.

Inside—

“Alright now, please stand straight, sir.”

“Uuuuugh. Hurry up, just hurry.”

Behind Hardin, who was standing at attention, an elderly tailor moved around with a measuring tape, taking measurements of Hardin’s body here and there.

‘This is suffocating me to death.’

Hardin’s face was filled with irritation.

His uniform was tightly fastened around his waist and clung snugly to his body—enough to drive him mad with discomfort.

But the tailor, seemingly oblivious to Hardin’s state of mind, remained utterly composed.

“A fine garment must be crafted with absolute precision, without a single inch of error.”

“I don’t need a fine garment. Just hurry up already.”

Hardin pouted with his lips jutting out as he grumbled, and at that moment—

“Hardin, this is important! Cooperate with the tailor as best you can!”

“And what’s so important about this?”

“Sigh… It’s the day our house is granted an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, and we’re to receive a countship. If you show up in your usual disheveled state… it would be a disgrace to noble etiquette.”

No, the clothes I normally wear are neat and respectful enough.

‘Please… I beg you…’

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but Hardin couldn’t bring himself to say them out loud.

Well, this wasn’t exactly his first time dealing with something like this either.

— Varlach! Wear your clothes properly! You didn’t button up?

— Wendy… this is suffocating, you know?

— Endure it! You think I’m enjoying myself in this tight dress, smiling and chatting?

— If it’s that hard, just don’t do it.

— Shut that mouth of yours!

Whenever there was a social gathering or an important event, Wendy or Mother would nag him to the point his ears bled about his appearance.

Anyway—

‘I really hate this kind of thing.’

How long had he been tormented like that?

“Thank you, tailor.”

“Please visit again, sir!”

“Phew… I-I survived.”

Hardin stumbled out of the building, pale-faced.

“Thank you. Even we got these outfits…”

“We’ll wear them well.”

Manton and Jerry, awkward in their uniforms, gave Cobalt a respectful nod of thanks.

“No need. You accompanied us as guards, so it’s only natural you be properly dressed.”

Of course, Hardin’s torment wasn’t over yet.

“Alright, now this way.”

“Where are we going this time?”

“Where else? You need to get your makeup done. Your hair, too.”

“We’re not women! Why do we need all that?”

“How many times must I say it? We’re going to meet His Majesty the Emperor.”

S-someone please save me…

Hardin was dragged along by Viscount Cobalt’s hand, tears brimming in his eyes like a cow being led to slaughter.

---

After a long journey, the moment of reckoning had finally arrived.

“How’s the gift?”

“It’s been prepared in the finest quality.”

“Good. Let’s move out!”

“Yes, sir!”

Viscount Cobalt, along with Manton, Jerry, and the accompanying administrators, all stood proudly in full dress from head to toe.

Their hair was slicked back with oil, perfectly styled, and thanks to the powdered makeup, their skin was spotless without a single blemish.

They truly looked like they had been groomed with meticulous care.

Everyone from Daphne climbed into the noble carriages they had reserved in advance and headed toward the Imperial Palace.

---

“You may step down now.”

“Thank you.”

As they all carefully got out of the carriage, a magnificent castle stood waiting before their eyes.

“So this is... the Imperial Palace.”

“Yes.”

In front of a massive iron gate, engraved with the grand crest of the Imperial Sun.

Guards with intimidating auras were stationed all around, keeping watch over the area with sharp eyes.

‘At least 2 or 3-star level powerhouses.’

‘If the guards are this strong… just how many monsters are inside?’

Gulp.

Manton and Jerry swallowed nervously, unable to hide their tension.

At that moment, Cobalt approached the guards and presented the invitation he had received from the Imperial Family.

“Ahem! I am Viscount Cobalt of the Daphne Ducal House, scheduled for an audience with His Majesty the Emperor today.”

“...Ah, yes. Please wait while we verify your identity.”

The guards muttered among themselves for a moment, then pulled out a peculiar item from their coats—made of wood, it had two holes carved into each end.

“Viscount Cobalt of the Daphne Ducal House has arrived. Please confirm whether his visit is scheduled.”

The guard spoke into one end of the device, and a voice answered back from the other side.

Hardin stroked his chin in thought.

‘A magic device, huh.’

It was probably a type of magical tool used to communicate sound inside the castle.

Thinking back to how he used messenger birds in his days as Varlach, it seemed Imperial magic and technology had progressed quite a bit while he was gone.

A moment later—

“May I see your noble ID card for a moment?”

“Here you go.”

After verifying the ID, the guards collected their weapons and inspected the carriage for any suspicious items.

“All is confirmed. Please proceed inside.”

“...Very well.”

Creak—Clunk!

The iron gate opened, and Daphne’s carriage rolled into the palace grounds.

Everyone’s eyes widened.

“Wow...”

“S-So this is the Imperial Palace of the Empire.”

A vast garden so large it couldn’t even be taken in at a glance.

Exotic trees and flowers they had never seen before filled the landscape, along with statues that looked expensive at first glance.

Numerous servants and gardeners were busily moving about, working non-stop.

“Hooo... I guess we really have to finish this all today.”

“Can’t we push it to tomorrow?”

“We’ve been ordered to complete it as quickly as possible.”

It wasn’t hard to spot the Imperial officials carrying documents and ledgers under their arms.

For those who had spent their entire lives in the narrow confines of the Daphne Viscounty, this must have felt like witnessing the heavens part before their eyes.

Of course...

‘It’s been over 80 years and nothing’s changed here, huh.’

To Hardin, once a member of the Daphne Ducal House, this place was nothing but a dull and suffocating space.

---

After walking across the garden for what felt like dozens of minutes—

— Whiiinnee!

“You may disembark here.”

Everyone stepped down from the carriage and tilted their heads back to look up.

“……”

A massive mansion, so large it couldn’t be taken in with a single glance, loomed over them with an overwhelming presence.

As the Daphne party stood there blankly, mouths slightly agape—

“Are you Viscount Cobalt Daphne?”

“Ah, yes, I am.”

An older man, who appeared to be an imperial official, came out to receive them.

“Please follow me. I’ll guide you.”

“Yes.”

After walking a while more into the mansion—

“This is the waiting room. Please remain here until you are summoned.”

“Ah… yes.”

They were guided into a vast hall filled with rows of chairs. Everyone quietly sat down, legs together, in their seats.

‘What kind of waiting room is this big?’

‘And… there are so many people here.’

The room bustled with nobles and knights alike.

“Count Deltron, this way, please.”

“…Understood.”

With each passing moment, those waiting were called out one by one by the imperial officials and led off somewhere.

One hour. Two hours. Time passed.

Before long, the sky outside the windows turned a deep orange.

Hardin looked up at the ceiling and let out a long sigh.

“…Seriously, when’s our turn?”

“Shh. Watch your mouth, Hardin.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

To think they had to wait this long just to get an audience with the Emperor.

‘The Emperor… I guess he really is something else.’

Back in the day, he just felt like some guy from the neighborhood.

But now, sitting in this place, it really hit him—just how much influence their old house used to wield.

“Sir Romihen, this way please.”

“Yes, sir!”

Time continued to flow.

Eventually, the sun had completely set, and the waiting room was nearly empty… No—only the Daphne party remained.

‘Something’s off.’

We definitely weren’t the last ones to arrive… so why haven’t we been called in yet?

Just as Hardin scratched at his forehead in confusion, Viscount Cobalt stopped a passing official and asked,

“Excuse me, but… is our turn still not here yet?”

“Ah… apologies. His Majesty has just entered an urgent meeting with the Seven Great Houses.”

The official scratched his forehead awkwardly as he answered, and Hardin’s eyes widened.

“The Seven Great Houses? You mean those damn highborns?”

“Y-Yes, that’s correct…”

The official looked startled by Hardin’s reaction.

Cobalt immediately furrowed his brow.

“Hardin! I told you to watch your words!”

“Ah, y-yes… I’m sorry. It just slipped.”

Hardin bowed his head, but a look of irritation and unease lingered on his face.

‘So those bastards from the Seven Houses just happen to be meeting the Emperor ahead of us?’

No way… there better not be something going on.

---

“It’s fine, don’t worry about us. We can wait as long as necessary.”

“Understood.”

The official bowed his head politely and stepped back.

And so… the long, arduous wait dragged on.

“The meeting has just concluded. Please, head inside.”

“Thank you.”

An official came rushing over to summon them, and the members of Daphne rose from their seats and calmly approached the door to the audience chamber.

“Your Majesty, Viscount Cobalt Daphne of the Daphne Ducal House has arrived!”

As the official announced their presence, Cobalt took a deep breath and composed himself.

Creaaak!

The massive wooden door opened, and everyone stepped inside slowly.

A beautiful hall with a high ceiling, gilded above with golden murals that gleamed brightly.

And atop the golden imperial throne beneath it—

An elderly man sat, gazing down at them.

‘So that bastard… is the infamous Leorine.’

Leorine Fabian.

The father of Medeia Fabian, who had once sailed on the same ship as Hardin, and the current Emperor of the Empire.

“Cobalt Daphne of the Daphne Ducal House offers his reverence to His Majesty the Emperor, descendant of the Sun God Faeron.”

Cobalt knelt and bowed his head, paying full respect to the Emperor.

Hardin and the rest of the Daphne party immediately followed suit.

“Raise your heads.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Only then did everyone lift their heads and glance around.

And in that moment, a faint frown appeared on Hardin’s face.

‘Why the hell… are they here?’

Beside the Emperor were seven chairs.

But instead of imperial officials, those seats were occupied by unfamiliar individuals.

Their identities—

“Ah, these are envoys sent in place of the heads of the Seven Great Houses. The meeting just ended, but… they insisted on staying to witness the rising Lord of the Daphne House firsthand. I hope you don’t mind?”

“…Of course not, Your Majesty.”

Cobalt bowed his head once again.

Grit!

Hardin clenched his teeth.

‘Those bastards… what are they scheming?’

He had never seen a single one of them before—not even born during his days as Varlach. But the color of their hair… and the traces of noble bloodline left on their faces made his brow instinctively furrow.

The one with fiery red hair and a nasty look must’ve been from Ignima of Flame.

The one with silvery platinum hair and eyes so thin it was hard to tell if they were open—Divinity of Light.

The one with orange hair and a greedy glint in his eyes—Bower of Gold.

The one with purple hair and a sinister aura—Shader of Shadow.

The one with green hair, glasses, and a face full of freckles—Quiznos of Mystery.

The black-haired, muscle-bound brute looked like someone from Bloodfoot of Wilds.

And finally, at the far end—

A young man with deep navy blue hair and long straight locks.

That bastard was most likely—

‘So he’s the one who snatched the seat of the Seven Great Houses in our place… Rainfall.’

A cold, frightening look spread across Hardin’s face.