Chapter 21

Chapter 21

“Yes, your majesty.”

Mikael stood before the Emperor, his face intentionally blank. There was no emotion apparent in any his features—it was like he’d become a droid-like golem.

“On your knees.”

“...”

Instead of commanding Mikael to kneel with just his left knee, as was customary for knights, the Emperor ordered him to go down on both knees. Mikael complied without a word. The Emperor pulled back his right sleeve and with his large hand, gripped Mikael’s forehead roughly. Many artists in the empire had described the allegiance ritual as both a blessing and a baptism. Real life did not reflect such sacredness. The hand grasping Mikael’s head made it look much more like an act of violence, rather than a baptism. This was true both physically and mentally. However, despite how savage the experience of the ritual actually was, a white light emanated from the Emperor’s hand, creating a deceptively holy aura.

The Emperor verbalized the spell in a forceful tone, inculcating loyalty to the imperial family.

“I, Desmond Dominic Callisto Hadelamid, the 16th emperor of the Hadelamid empire, command you, Mikaelis Agnito, a creation of imperial alchemy, to henceforth obey all with Hadelamid blood in their veins. You may not rebel against the will of or attempt to harm any of this noble blood. This limitation is second only to your imprint, and will be effective until the moment of your death.”

“I accept.”

“Then kiss the ground at my feet.”

“...”

It was a humiliating request, the sort only made to slaves three centuries ago. His expression empty, Mikael obeyed in silence, leaning forward and kissing the carpeted floor. His dark hair fell forward and touched the tips of the emperor’s white shoes. The Emperor smiled with satisfaction as he stared down at the back of Mikael’s head. To see this troublesome homunculus on the floor showing abject obeisance pleased him greatly.

“It is done. You may descend.”

The Emperor washed his hands in a basin the grand chamberlain brought him. Mikael did not make eye contact with Eve as he came down from the Emperor’s dais and returned to where he’d been standing.

Mikael...

Eve felt horrible as she watched him, but knew Mikael probably felt much worse. She decided to wrap up the meeting as quickly as possible.

“Thank you for undertaking the ritual, Father. I do not wish to take up any more of your time than is necessary and will now depart. I will leave the tea for your headaches with the grand chamberlain.”

“Yes, that is fine,” the Emperor replied.

Eve left the stifling audience chamber with Mikael as quickly as decorum allowed. They took a different path back to the east annex. It was a bit farther, but they could walk through a relatively secluded hydrangea garden where they could avoid prying eyes. Eve paused at a spot where two large white fringe trees hid them from view. She turned to face Mikael for the first time after leaving the palace.

“Are you all right?”

“...”

Mikael’s face was still carefully passive, making him look devoid of emotion. Eve didn’t fail to notice the somber light in his purple eyes, however. His eyes seemed to be a good indicator of his current state of mind. Eve sympathized with the grievances he must be feeling. Mikael, who would one day be King of the Homunculi. It was worrisome to Eve that these demeaning experiences in the imperial palace might serve to push him faster to the point of rebellion.

Mikael finally spoke. “It was completely different from when you did it.”

“What?”

“I did not feel so disgusted when you imprinted me.”

“...”

It was a confession she hadn’t been expecting. His candidness left her feeling disoriented. Eve’s eyes strayed to Mikael’s disheveled bangs, mussed from the Emperor’s firm hand. She tentatively reached out her hand.

“May I fix your hair?”

“...I am your personal knight. You do not need my permission.”

“Then if you don’t mind...”

She rearranged Mikael’s hair so gingerly she could have been touching shards of glass. He stood completely still, like a wild beast at pause. When she was done, Eve said, “Good work, Mikael. I know that wasn’t easy.”

“...”

Mikael’s hard eyes softened a little. The dark, somber light she had noticed in his eyes faded, her words seeming to offer a small consolation. He gazed at her for a moment.

“Thank you for your sympathy... Princess Evienrose.”

It had only been a day, but Mikael was already addressing Eve by her name instead of her title. Before Eve could respond, Mikael strode forward on the pretext of scouting the path. Watching Mikael’s straight, firm back, Eve got the impression that she could trust him to be there for her on the long, arduous path ahead.

The Sword and Flower of the Imperial Palace

Mikaelis Agnito had come to the palace. The news spread among the homunculi very quickly, and in less than five days, almost everyone knew. Mikael was well known at the homunculi training center. He always had a noticeably imposing air about him, and unlike other homunculi, he had openly defied the imperial house. Homunculi generally acted indifferently, but many harbored hostility toward Mikael, and were not happy about his arrival at the palace.

The Monster of the Floating Prison is now the personal knight of the seventh princess?

He always acted like he was special. Perhaps prison life has taught him a thing or two.

He wouldn’t have been locked up in the first place if he’d obeyed the emperor.

The brainwashed homunculi were extremely critical of Mikael. Even though he was no longer incarcerated in the floating prison, it didn’t change anything. They were short-sighted, unable to grasp the significance of a homunculus capable of rejecting the control of the emperor. Mikael paid them no mind. Because life at the training center had been an unending competition for survival, there were no bonds between the homunculi. It did not faze Mikael if others spoke ill of him or openly despised him.

Clang! Schwing!

The sounds of swords filled the air. Mikael was training again with Eve’s permission. The homunculus training grounds were located further north from the Imperial Guard barracks. It was a stadium-styled building, too shabby and seedy to be considered part of the imperial palace. It was called the Colosso Arena, where 300 or so homunculi trained every single day. The outer wall was seven stories tall and shielded with all kinds of magical barriers and protection spells. These were not for the protection of the arena itself, but to prevent the intensive training inside from causing damage to the imperial palace.

Boom! Clang! Schwing!

Throughout the arena, homunculi were each honing their skills against a mithril training golem, and Mikael was no exception. Mikael inhaled deeply as he stood on a floating platform, watching the giant golem standing at its center. Mikael held his longsword—which was lightly coated with a shielding sword energy—horizontally at shoulder height so the tip was aimed at the golem. He then pushed against the ground and sprinted forward.

Kaboom!

There was an earsplitting explosion from atop the rock platform, and a gray dust cloud drifted across the Colosso Arena. Moments later Mikael appeared from the cloud, jumping off the floating rock without hesitation. There wasn’t so much as a scratch on Mikael as he landed. The homunculi who’d been watching him from the ground gawked, wondering if they were watching some kind of monster. Not that Mikael noticed or cared about their stares, of course.

“Phew...”

Mikael loosened the collar of his uniform slightly and rolled his head from side to side. He didn’t want to get too sweaty or disheveled. Just then, someone approached him.

“A drink?”

“...”

Mikael hadn’t expected anyone to offer him a canteen. Mikael looked up to catch a glimpse of the person.

Silver hair?

It was Sylvestian, the homunculus with the unique silver hair color. His blue eyes were astonishingly clear, and seemed to lack any ill intent. Gauging the man for a moment, Mikael decided to accept.

“Thank you.”

Mikael’s throat undulated as he gulped the water, parched. Sylvestian took back the empty canteen.

“Incredible. You defeated a mithril golem so quickly by yourself. However, don’t you think you should soften your blows when fighting? You wouldn’t want the golem repair costs to be billed to the seventh princess.”

“I was unaware that you shouldn’t destroy them. Thank you for letting me know.”

Though the mention of his princess was unnecessary, it was helpful information that had been offered without any apparent animosity. Mikael accepted the advice graciously.