Chapter 270: The Frenche Empire (3)

The Guardian Dragon of Frenche.

The first historical record of its existence dates back to the reign of Great King Pablo.

“In the not-so-distant future, that being will return someday to check on the task they entrusted to me.”

Everyone wondered about the identity of the “being” Great King Pablo referred to. Who could this figure be, whom the great conqueror and hero addressed with such reverence?

Though Pablo never explicitly named this being, he left clues that allowed people to deduce its nature.

There were the stone statues he created, the wooden carvings he always carried with him, and the White Dragon Ring he left behind.

All of these artifacts pointed to the being being a dragon.

Thus, the people unanimously concluded:

“Could the entity that sent Great King Pablo to this land have been a dragon?”

But who could truly believe in the existence of dragons?

Until then, the Guardian Dragon remained nothing more than a rumor.

This rumor began to take concrete form only after Pablo’s departure.

Decades passed after he left.

Finally, Pablo’s son completely conquered the Summer Continent and became known as the first Conquest Emperor.

On his deathbed, he gathered his descendants and spoke:

“Our revered ancestor often sat me on his lap when I was young and said, ‘The reason you exist today is because of the Great One.’”

The Great One.

This title was practically synonymous with dragons.

“He said the Great One is always watching over us… Never forget His existence, ever.”

With those final words, the first Emperor of the unified Empire closed his eyes.

Just as Pablo’s father had done, Pablo warned his son, who carried dwarven blood.

But whether he couldn’t or wouldn’t, Pablo’s son failed to pass on the precise details to future generations. As a result, his father’s will was misinterpreted, its cautionary message twisted into something else entirely.

The intended meaning—“We are always watching you, so be careful and don’t act rashly”—was transformed into the belief that the divine emperor perpetually observed and protected them.

Seizing upon this symbolism to legitimize the newly unified Frenche Empire, its Imperial Family promptly announced the existence of the Guardian Dragon to the world.

As time passed, the White Dragon of Zaan became the Guardian Dragon of the Frenche Empire, firmly established as the emblem of the Imperial Court.

However, not all members of the Imperial Family, nor even the nobles of the Frenche Empire, truly believed in the existence of the Guardian Dragon.

Dragons were creatures of legend.

No matter how solemn the Emperor’s Will, how could anyone accept such a thing as fact?

Only a few, mostly older individuals, still clung to the belief in the Guardian Dragon’s existence.

Ivan Kuan Frenche, the reigning Emperor, belonged to this skeptical group.

He had always considered the Guardian Dragon of Frenche merely a tool used to stabilize the newly unified empire during its turbulent formative years.

But now…

That… it was real after all!

The sensation coursing through him…

The warning screamed by his instincts…

They proved it: the Guardian Dragon was real!

Louis smiled as he watched the Emperor’s stunned expression.

And then…

Swish.

Louis’s body dissolved into white sand, scattering into the wind.

At the same moment, the sand on the white beach shifted, gradually reforming into its original shape.

The luxurious floors of the Imperial Palace.

The interior walls and ceiling.

And all the people who had been within.

The Emperor, who had been watching as if entranced, only regained his senses after everything had returned to normal.

“Your Majesty!”

At the sound of someone calling him, the Emperor raised his hand.

Shiver.

His hand trembled slightly.

His mind felt hazy, as if waking from a dream, but his body testified that what he had experienced was no illusion.

Just then, a noble standing beside the Emperor cried out in shock, “A wound?!”

At those words, the Emperor touched his face.

His fingers met dampness.

The throbbing pain and the slick texture of blood left no doubt in his mind.

“How long was I gone?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“How long was I gone?”

“Y-you weren’t gone, Your Majesty.”

“I wasn’t gone?”

“Your Majesty has been here the entire time.”

As Emperor Ivan stood there, bewildered, Louis’s voice drifted into his ear.

The playful voice ringing in his ear startled the Emperor, causing him to flinch.

”…”

His reaction drew a curious glance from the noble beside him. But when the noble noticed the blood still dripping from the Emperor’s face, he shouted, “Summon a healer immediately!”

“That won’t be necessary,” the Emperor replied.

“Your Majesty, shouldn’t you tend to your wounds first?”

“It’s nothing,” the Emperor replied, raising his hand. “Withdraw the troops.”

“What? Your Majesty, that’s too dangerous!”

“Since when have I needed to repeat myself?”

The noble, cowed by the Emperor’s icy tone, hastily lowered his head and retreated.

The wall of soldiers surrounding the Emperor dissolved.

Then…

Thud.

The Emperor took a step forward.

”…?!”

Those present widened their eyes in astonishment at the Emperor’s actions, but none dared to stop him.

Thud.

The Emperor descended from the platform, his footsteps echoing.

Soon, he stood face-to-face with Louis.

Those concerned for the Emperor’s safety remained vigilant, their eyes fixed on him, ready to react to any mishap.

Then, a voice reached their ears, a voice so unbelievable that they questioned their own hearing:

“That was a truly invaluable experience.”

It was an utterly unremarkable story.

Yet the one who uttered those words was anything but ordinary.

The Emperor of Frenche.

The most revered figure on the Summer Continent was speaking deferentially to a white-haired young man who appeared younger than his years.

Even more astonishing…

“Just say the word, and I’ll have you repeat it as many times as you wish.”

The young man addressed the Emperor with casual familiarity.

“Gladly,” the Emperor replied, accepting the informality without a hint of offense.

The sin intertwined with dwarven blood is truly terrifying.

Even the thinnest trace of dwarven blood, merely by awakening its instinct, had brought about such a consequence.

Though its effect was negligible compared to that on ordinary dwarves or Pablo, it was enough.

As Louis inwardly savored the moment, the Emperor strode past him and approached Pablo.

Standing before Pablo, the Emperor roared in a thunderous voice, “All of you, kneel and pay homage!”

The brief command, carrying the weight of supreme authority, instantly brought everyone in the Great Hall to one knee—except for Louis and his party.

Bewildered by the sudden turn of events, Louis and his companions exchanged confused glances. Meanwhile, the Emperor’s booming voice continued:

“Zoltan!”

Count Zoltan responded loudly to the Emperor’s summons, “Your Majesty, at your command!”

“Postpone the Unification Festival.”

”…?!”

“The great conqueror and savior of the nation has returned after a long journey!”

A chill ran down the spines of those who heard the Emperor’s proclamation.

It was an official declaration, meaning that the towering man before them was now formally recognized as Great King Pablo.

“This Unification Festival, as a tribute from future generations, will showcase the achievements of our ancestors. Therefore, prepare it to be even grander and more magnificent than ever before!”

“Y-yes, Your Majesty! Your will shall be done!” Count Zoltan replied loudly.

The Emperor turned to Pablo and asked, “I trust you will grace us with your presence?”

“Heh heh, I’d be delighted to. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Finally, Pablo had received full recognition. He smiled warmly at his descendant.

After the Emperor’s declaration, the treatment of Louis and his party underwent a dramatic transformation. They went from being regarded as strange, unknown individuals to the returning Emperor of Conquest and his retinue, becoming the most honored of honored guests.

The Flame siblings and Lavina were particularly thrilled by this change in status.

“Oh my God… what is all this?”

“What?! One room here could fit ten of our houses!”

“I-is this chair even safe to sit on? Good heavens! How many jewels are embedded in it?!”

The Flame siblings, who had thought their experiences following Louis had made them quite seasoned, and Lavina, who prided herself on her noble status, were utterly overwhelmed by the sheer, extravagant opulence before them.

Meanwhile, Pablo turned to Louis and asked, “How…?”

“How on earth did you manage that?”

“Manage what?”

“How did you… how did you get the situation to turn out like this?”

Louis, who had been playfully wrestling with Ariana on the bed since entering the room, chuckled. “How do you think? I handled it peacefully, that’s all.”

”…”

“That’s just the kind of dragon I am! A peace-loving one!”

“Ah, yes, of course,” Pablo replied absently, quickly changing the subject.

No, that wasn’t the real question, but the one that had been weighing on Pablo’s mind the entire time.

”…By the way, Louis.”

“What now?”

“Why exactly am I here?”

That was it.

Just this morning, Pablo had been enjoying a leisurely time on the Winter Continent.

He had been dragged to the Spring Continent without really knowing why.

Before he knew it, he was being pulled along to the Summer Continent, caught up in errands and tasks he didn’t understand.

He still didn’t know why he had been summoned here.

Louis chuckled. “Hey, what’s the rush? I’ll explain everything bit by bit. Let’s just relax today. We need to feed Ariana her ma-ma. Our Ari must be hungry, right?”

“Oppa, I’m sleepy…”

“No way. Eat first, then sleep. Fin, prepare it right away!”

“Yes, sir!”

Pablo’s heart sank as he realized that all the hardships he had endured that day were being treated as less important than someone’s baby food. A wave of futility washed over him.

What’s the point…?

Emperor of Conquest, royalty of the United Empire…

What did it matter?

To Louis, it was as familiar as calling the neighbor’s pup by its nickname.

“No! I don’t want to eat!”

“You! Stop right there!”

Ariana fled from her meal, while Louis chased after her with a spoon. The twins joined in, bouncing around excitedly. The Flame siblings were busy exploring every nook and cranny, and even Lavina got caught up in the commotion.

”…”

The surroundings had changed so drastically in just a few hours that Pablo found it all utterly surreal.

I wish I could go back to the Winter Continent…

He felt a pang of sorrow, longing for the peaceful leisure he had enjoyed that morning.

“Gotcha, you little rascal!”

Louis slipped his hands under Ariana’s squirming arms and lifted her into a hug.

Giggle.

Just as I was about to pick up Ariana, who was giggling happily, and feed her baby food,

Knock-knock.

A sudden knock echoed through the room.

The problem wasn’t the knock itself, but where it came from.

Instead of the door, the sound seemed to originate from the window.

Everyone’s gaze snapped to the massive, door-sized window.

“Huh?”

At the same time, they noticed a man standing outside the window, and their expressions hardened.

What the…? How?!

I didn’t sense him at all?

I didn’t even realize he was there until I heard the knock!

Even though the room was spacious, the window was no more than ten meters away. Yet these Tier 1 experts hadn’t sensed his presence until the knock.

The Flame Siblings, Lavina, and Pablo swiftly began to gather their energy.

The large window slid open with a creak.

Druk.

The man standing outside the window entered as naturally as if he belonged there, stepping inside with ease.

Thud.

Black hair, black eyes.

He was a handsome man with an utterly expressionless and aloof face.

“Who are you!” Kendrick shouted, his face tense at the sudden intrusion.

The man’s cold gaze swept across the room.

When his slow-moving eyes paused briefly on Pablo, the old man shuddered violently, gripped by a sudden, intense chill.

The man’s gaze continued its sweep until it landed on Louis and Ariana.

“Heh heh heh…”

The corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

“Myyyy soooooooon! Myyyy daughhhhhter!”

The cold mask on his face melted away as swiftly as ice in the summer sun.

Louis and Ariana tilted their heads in confusion as they watched the man rush toward them with outstretched arms.

“Father?” Louis asked.

“Dad?” Ariana echoed.