Chapter 177

Chapter 177:  The Disruptors

A golden imperial throne sat at the center of the vast audience chamber.

Emperor Leorine sat with a solemn expression, looking down as he continued to speak.

“There has been much said regarding the recent actions of the Daphne Viscounty…”

“……”

While Viscount Cobalt quietly bowed his head and listened, Hardin furrowed his brow slightly and glanced ahead from the corner of his eye.

‘Those bastards stayed behind on purpose.’

Even ignoring the presence of those so-called Rainfall people, the fact that those others remained here was telling enough.

‘They’re trying to apply pressure.’

They weren’t even Lords—just mere messengers.

At most, they were probably heirs to their houses or held titles like Steward.

For such people to sit alongside the Emperor and witness their audience… it was an overt display of just how powerful and influential they were.

Whether that display was directed at the Imperial Family, the Daphnes, or both—he wasn’t sure.

But either way, their behavior was enough to make Hardin feel thoroughly disgusted.

‘Arrogant bastards.’

Once upon a time, they wouldn’t have even dared make eye contact with us…

It was because they tucked tail and ran when Shagrath appeared that they now enjoyed their current glory.

They had lived off the Daphnes’ sacrifice, and yet here they were—acting so high and mighty. It was enough to make his blood boil.

Hardin clenched his fists and bit the inside of his mouth, then exhaled deeply to calm himself down.

‘Whatever. It doesn’t matter.’

What mattered now was being granted the title of Count.

Considering the Daphne Viscounty’s current financial status, the size of its territory, their success in Mudside, and Malion’s meticulous preparations—

And even factoring in their ties with Princess Medeia, they should be able to secure the title one way or another.

If they could just endure this humiliation a little longer and obtain the title, then they could begin expanding their official forces and knight orders without restraint.

And once that happened…

‘I’ll make sure to smear shit all over those smug faces.’

Just wait, you bastards.

I’ve got a nasty personality—I might forget favors, but I never forget grudges.

Just as Hardin was curling the corner of his lips in a smirk—

“Therefore… I cannot grant the title of Count to the Daphne Viscounty.”

“Huh?”

At that moment, Hardin blinked in disbelief at the words that came from the front.

‘What did he just say?’

He turned his head to the side, and there he saw the equally stunned faces of the Lord and Malion.

Slowly, Hardin raised his head to look at the one who had just spoken—Emperor Leorine.

“My apologies. I’m sure you’ve all put in considerable effort. Try again next time.”

Leorine spoke with a strangely bitter expression.

And from that expression, Hardin understood.

The refusal to grant them the title wasn’t entirely the Emperor’s decision.

As Hardin casually shifted his gaze, he saw it—those messengers seated nearby were indeed smiling.

“Uh, um… I-I see.”

“……”

While Malion and Cobalt sat with dazed expressions, their mouths slightly open, a thick wave of bewilderment swept over the rest of their group.

“Your Majesty.”

“Hmm?”

Hardin lifted his head and stared directly at Emperor Leorine, bold and unflinching.

‘N-No way…’

‘Brother?’

Tension instantly spread across the faces of everyone from Daphne.

Then, Hardin spoke again.

“My apologies, but may I ask a question?”

“...You may ask as many as you like.”

“Could you explain in a little more detail… why our house was denied the title of Count? With all due respect, the explanation you just gave isn’t entirely convincing.”

“Ha-Hardin! Didn’t His Majesty already say it? That our house’s honor isn’t enough to be granted a countship right now?”

“...Brother, what kind of nonsense is that?!”

For a brief moment, both Cobalt and Malion’s faces went pale.

Everyone here knew well—

Even if the Imperial Family had lost much of its power, the man before them was still the Emperor of the Fabian Empire.

“You say it’s unconvincing.”

“Yes. It’s true that our house’s prestige isn’t what it used to be, but not every countship out there is held by a family of great renown, is it?”

Hardin continued his daring rebuttal.

As Emperor Leorine rubbed his chin and searched for words—

“I wonder if Daphne is even in a position to be asking questions like that.”

“……”

The man who spoke had coarse, sharp features and fiery red hair, appearing to be in his mid-to-late thirties.

“Sir Volthis…”

“You know who that is?”

Hardin asked back in a low voice as Gadolph turned his eyes away and replied.

“Volthis von Ignima. Heir of the Ignima Ducal House. He’s also the acting head… for now.”

“……”

So that was the acting head of Ignima.

No wonder the bastard had such a thick-skinned face.

Hardin glared at Volthis with eyes that made it clear—he wasn’t backing down.

“I was speaking to His Majesty, not you.”

“Your words are absurd, so I’m merely answering on the Emperor’s behalf. You think it makes any sense for a house as low as yours—fallen for over a century—to receive a countship in the great Fabian Empire?”

A noble had cut off the Emperor mid-sentence and responded in his place.

It was disrespectful. Incredibly so. But the man showed neither hesitation nor remorse.

“Sir Volthis has spoken clearly and concisely.”

“A hundred times correct.”

And that wasn’t all.

The other messengers from the Empire’s Seven Great Houses seated beside him also wore mocking smiles.

A scene where one couldn’t even tell who the Emperor was and who the nobles were.

‘Those bastards.’

Hardin clenched his fist tightly.

Wrinkles formed on his forehead, and he bit down hard on his lower lip.

A cold sweat formed on the foreheads of Cobalt and Malion as they watched from the side, whispering almost inaudibly.

“Hardin.”

“……”

He could feel it—through their eyes, their expressions.

Whatever Hardin was about to do, they were telling him not to.

Especially those standing right behind him—Manton and Jerry…

Shiver shiver shiver!

‘Young Master.’

‘Please, please… just hold it in!’

Perhaps sensing just how grave the situation was, their whole bodies were trembling like aspen leaves.

A brief silence followed.

“I understand. As for the reason… I’ll accept it.”

Hardin bowed his head once more as he replied.

In response, the messengers from the Seven Great Houses wore grins that bordered on mockery.

Emperor Leorine slowly opened his eyes after briefly closing them and replied.

“…Thank you for understanding.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Then, please return to the waiting room. I believe that should be enough explanation for now.”

As everyone from House Daphne stood up, the imperial official who had guided them earlier approached with a bitter expression.

“This way, please.”

“…Yes.”

Thud!

As they exited the audience chamber, the sound of the door closing echoed behind them. Beyond that door, faint traces of laughter could be heard.

Cobalt and Malion’s faces contorted with a mix of resentment and frustration.

They didn’t know the full details, but anyone with half a brain could piece it together by now.

‘This has the Seven Great Houses written all over it.’

‘Looks like their influence… had something to do with this.’

It was because of those smug bastards laughing back there that they had been denied the countship.

But at that moment—

More than anything else, their concern turned to Hardin.

When everyone turned their gaze toward him—

“Phew, what a load of crap.”

Hardin let out a loud sigh and scratched his head.

“……”

Everyone stared at him in confusion.

Noticing their looks, Hardin glanced at Malion and asked—

“Why’re you looking at me like that?”

“Ah, well… I thought you might lose your temper, that’s all.”

“Lose my temper? Why would I?”

“Because, well… we just got rejected for the countship?”

“Eh, it couldn’t be helped. The Emperor… he’s got his own situation to deal with.”

Thud!

Hardin flopped down onto a waiting room bench and casually crossed his legs.

“Huh? What are you doing, Hardin?”

“Why are you sitting down? Aren’t we leaving?”

Everyone tilted their heads in confusion. In response, Hardin stuck out his lower lip and said—

“What’re you talking about? Didn’t you hear what His Majesty just said?”

“He told us to withdraw.”

“Not just ‘withdraw.’ He said to return to the ‘waiting room.’ Don’t you remember?”

“Uh… did he, Malion?”

“I don’t really remember either…”

But even if he had said that, wasn’t it just another way of saying, “get lost”?

As everyone stood there, confused and dazed—

“Please accept this.”

“Huh?”

A servant with their face covered by a thin cloth quietly handed a small note to Viscount Cobalt and left.

As they unfolded the note, the message inside read:

[Be at the northeastern annex in one hour.]

“…What is this?”

One hour… later?

Everyone’s eyes went wide.

---

A short while later, in an annex located about thirty minutes northeast of the audience chamber.

“…What do you think will happen, Father?”

“W-Well… we’ll have to wait and see.”

Malion and Cobalt sat at a long table, nibbling awkwardly on the refreshments provided as they waited.

Even though they’d come all the way here after receiving the note, they had no idea what to expect, and that uncertainty kept them both visibly on edge.

In contrast, Hardin was…

“Snore… pfffff…”

Slouched back in his chair, his head bobbed peacefully as he dozed off without a care.

Seeing this, both men sighed heavily.

Well, looking at it in a slightly positive light—

‘At least he didn’t cause a scene.’

The one relief was that Hardin hadn’t exploded in front of the Seven Great Houses earlier.

Just as that uneasy atmosphere continued to linger—

Creaaak!

The door opened, and someone stepped in, supported by a knight at their side.

That person was—

“Y-Your Majesty!”

“Hoh…”

It was Emperor Leorine—the same man they had seen earlier in the audience chamber.

Cobalt and Malion sprang to their feet with startled expressions.

“Oh, you’re here.”

Hardin belatedly opened his eyes and gave a casual nod.

Leorine took a seat and smiled as he spoke.

“Hoho, thank you for coming so late at night. I imagine things were rather uncomfortable for you earlier.”

“O-Oh, not at all. Not in the slightest.”

“…Not bothered at all, Your Majesty.”

Both men shook their heads with awkward smiles, but Hardin wrinkled his brow and muttered bluntly.

“It was uncomfortable, alright. Those damned bastards…”

“H-Hardin?”

What the hell was he doing now?

Cobalt and Malion’s jaws dropped once again, dumbfounded.

Hardin crossed his arms and let out a long snort through his nose.

“Just because they’re one of the Seven Great Houses, they think they can act however they want? Strutting around in front of the Emperor of the Empire like they own the place. Isn’t that right, Father? Malion?”

“W-Well…”

“U-Uhh…”

Unable to respond, the two men glanced anxiously between Leorine and Hardin like stones skipping on the surface of water.

Then—

“Hohohoho! Truly, a bold and amusing young man. Just like Medeia described.”

“Her Highness… mentioned me?”

Hardin smiled faintly as he asked, and Emperor Leorine stroked his chin and replied.

“She did. With a gleam in her eyes, she said there’s a completely unhinged man in the Daphne Viscounty.”

“Bit harsh, don’t you think?”

“Is that so? Well, she also said this—she’d like to be on the same ship with that lunatic at least once.”

Hardin answered with another grin.

‘This… isn’t a bad vibe at all, is it?’

Cobalt and Malion looked at each other and nodded, starting to feel more at ease with the shift in atmosphere.

Once the mood had softened a bit, Leorine spoke again.

“Well, I’m sure we’re all busy, so let’s put the small talk aside. It’s time I told you why I summoned you here.”

Looking each of them directly in the eyes, Leorine’s gaze sharpened as he continued.

“I wish to grant your house—that is, the Daphne Viscounty—the title of Count.”

A serious and solemn expression appeared on the Emperor’s face.