Chapter 88: Audience

The White Tiger called Noah cute and headed straight into the mountain, then he fell asleep.  

The Empress, who had been hiding away nervously, fearing what might happen to the one who fired the mana cannon, let out a sigh of relief, as if she had just escaped a disaster.  

“Whew… Summoner… I’m exhausted…”  

“What did you even do?”  

“Just… Can’t I go in and rest?”  

Even when the Empress entered the summoning glyph without permission, Ian didn’t say anything.  

In truth, he was too tired and hungry to bother.  

“…Noah, did you hear him?”  

“Huh? What?”  

“He said you’re cute. Got it?”  

As he said that, he gently pinched Noah’s cheek. 

Realizing he was teasing her, Noah’s face turned red with irritation.  

Ignoring her reaction, Ian recalled what White Tiger had said.  

‘It said it was all taken care of.’

It was hard to believe that all of Ian’s problems had been solved with just one kick. But since there was no other explanation, he could only accept it.  

Turning to Korn, he spoke, “Countess. Wake up.”  

“…What exactly did you just do?”  

“I saved humanity.”  

“Saved humanity? Please. From your actions it would be hard to take it as something altruistic.”  

Recalling Ian’s earlier words—that saving humanity was pointless and that his own survival mattered most—Korn’s attitude shifted. Her voice grew cold, her previous politeness was gone.  

Ian wasn’t some noble protector of mankind, nor was he a hero. If anything, he was a selfish person who prioritized his own safety above all else.  

“So?”  

Ian looked down at Korn, his gaze sharp.  

Yes, he had no altruistic intention of saving mankind. It was simply a means to an end.  

But a tool was still useful as long as it served its purpose.  

“I still saved humanity. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to save myself. That’s why I struggled this much.”  

“…What kind of nonsense is that?”  

“How can anyone trust a so-called hero who fights only to save others? I am not an enlightened saint—I am not someone who strives to save the rotten people.”  

Heroes who believed all humans were worth saving inevitably fell into despair when they realized the truth—that some people didn’t deserve salvation.  

But Ian had already accepted that truth.  

He knew humanity was garbage. There was no universal worth in human life—some deserved to live, others deserved to die.  

Yet, despite that…  

Ian chose to save humanity for his own purpose.  

“Shut up and trust me. Even if I can’t save everyone, I’ll save the most people possible.”  

It was as if he was saying–Follow me. I won’t tolerate objections, questions, or doubts. Just obey. And in doing so, I will bring salvation.  

Korn fell silent for a long time. Then, without a word, she summoned her beast.  

*** 

“…It’s really buried.”  

Back on the massive eagle, Ian realized that every tunnel they had discovered had collapsed.  

From the tunnels near the White Tiger Mountains to the furthest reaches of his territory, all had been completely buried.  

A shiver ran down his spine. Even if White Tiger had been the one behind it, Ian couldn’t help but feel uneasy. He couldn’t just place all his trust in something with power beyond comprehension.  

“Well, then… Are we heading back to the Imperial Palace now?”  

“I have to report in. There’s still the follow-up…”  

“Uh… Then, can I come with you this time?”  

“Of course.”  

Hearing Ian’s response, Noah’s face lit up with a smile.  

Ian couldn’t even begin to imagine what she had gone through in the imperial palace in such a short time for her to react like that.  

“So, Korn, work hard until the end.”  

“…I am a Countess. Show some respect.”  

“Yes, yes. Countess, please.”  

Korn bit her lip but said nothing, silently fulfilling her role as a transportation.  

As they flew, Ian glanced at Noah, who was muttering to herself.  

“So… Once we’re in front of His Majesty the Emperor—”  

“Noah? What are you doing?”  

“Practicing my etiquette. You should too, Ian.”  

“Oh, right. I forgot.”

“Uh, yeah. A commoner who doesn’t even know etiquette can’t just waltz in to meet His Majesty the Emperor.”  

“—Who told you that?”  

Ian’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Noah.  

Who had the audacity to say that to her? To Noah, a multi-summoner with a 3-star summon?  

Either someone incredibly reckless, or a noble with a status higher than a marquis.  

Unfortunately, Ian wasn’t familiar with the noble hierarchy of the imperial palace.  

However, based on his knowledge, he could make an educated guess.  

‘Those b*stards…’ 

There were two types of nobles in this world.  

The first were those who became nobles by becoming summoners.  

The second were those who gained nobility through their family’s power or by becoming high-ranking officials.  

While the majority belonged to the former group, the latter still held significant influence.  

After all, summoners spent most of their time battling demons at the front lines. They had little opportunity to involve themselves in administration.  

And that meant… the ones Noah had encountered were most likely from the latter group.

The administrative work was handled by a small group of nobles residing in the imperial palace.  

As expected, aristocrats who had undergone rigorous education and examinations from a young age to attain their noble status harbored little respect for summoners. Those from noble families who had served the empire for generations were somewhat more acceptable, but commoners who had only recently become summoners were seen as nothing short of an eyesore.  

Noah must have felt the same.  

‘Maybe I’ll end up in a similar situation.’  

Despite possessing multiple 4-star and 3-star summons, Ian was still the son of a baron from a newly established noble family. The other nobles probably assumed they could manipulate him easily within the imperial palace.  

If that was what they believed, it was all the better. If they underestimated him, it would only make things easier.  

“It’s fine.”  

“…Huh?”  

“I’m a very polite young man, after all.”  

Of course, that only applied to those who treated him with respect.  

Whoosh—! 

The flying summon began to slow its descent. 

In the distance, the grand residence of His Majesty the Great Emperor came into view.  

They had finally arrived at the Imperial Palace. 

Ian disembarked onto the landing pad designated for flying summons and took a moment to observe his surroundings.  

‘Come to think of it… this is my first time at the Imperial Palace.’  

In fact, it was his first time in the imperial capital altogether. Suppressing his anticipation, he stepped inside.  

***

Inside the Imperial Palace.

“Countess of Corn.”  

“…Marquis Evaton.”  

The moment they entered the palace, they encountered the nobles waiting for them. 

The marquis, a man whose striking white hair made him stand out, cast a sharp glance at Ian and the others.  

“Lady Noah, and…?”  

“This is Ian Clark.”  

“Oh, so you’re the one?”  

Upon hearing Ian’s name, the Marquis’s demeanor shifted instantly. A warm smile spread across his face, making him seem like a kindly old man. However, Ian did not miss the way Noah flinched slightly at the sight of him.  

“Yes, that’s right.”  

“Then why have you only just arrived?”  

“We came to meet His Majesty.”  

At this, the Marquis gave them a sly smirk. Though he quickly masked it with another benevolent expression, Ian had already caught the change.  

Spreading his arms wide as if in a warm welcome, the Marquis lavished Ian and Noah with exaggerated praise.  

“Oh, how wonderful! You’ve come to see His Majesty the Emperor?”  

Ian simply nodded.  

“…I heard you are the son of a baron, yet you seem to have acquired a level of etiquette quite unexpected for someone of your background.”  

“I know enough.”  

“If you’re uncertain, I can assess you before you meet His Majesty.”  

With that, the Marquis ordered Ian to demonstrate proper etiquette—essentially demanding that he treat him as he would the Emperor.  

Noah had likely been subjected to this same treatment before, enduring relentless criticism simply because she was a commoner. The Marquis had probably exhausted her mentally by constantly nitpicking her behavior.  

“I refuse.”  

“…What?”  

Ian had no intention of playing into such an obvious trick. If he had been an ignorant commoner like Noah or a typical nobleman’s son, he might have obeyed.  

But he was neither.  

“I don’t have time for this. I’ll be on my way.”  

“…Are you planning to present yourself before His Majesty like this?”  

“No? I already know how to conduct myself properly.”  

“Then give me a demonstration first—”  

“Why should I?”  

Ian retrieved a decree from his pocket—the very one given to him by the Emperor. Even Noah, who had received it directly, hadn’t been aware of its contents until it was opened. No matter how high-ranking the noble in front of him was, he had no idea what it contained.  

“Marquis, didn’t you just say you were busy? Do you really have time to waste on this?”  

“…No, but still—”  

“And tell me, are you the Emperor? His Majesty alone has the authority to judge whether I have shown him proper respect, not you.”  

“How dare you—”  

“How dare I?”  

Ian flicked the decree once more, as if brushing aside the Marquis’s presence. The older man’s expression hardened slightly before he took a step back.  

Without another glance, Ian strode past him, signaling to Korn to lead the way. 

Watching from behind, Korn hesitated before leaning in and whispering urgently.  

“…Marquis Evaton is an influential figure at court. If you antagonize him like this—”  

“Even if I kill him right now, the Emperor wouldn’t be able to lay a finger on me.”  

“…What nonsense are you spouting?”  

“If a sword cuts your hand in battle, do you throw the sword away?”  

With an unwavering stride, Ian continued toward the audience chamber—the grand hall where the Emperor customarily addressed his subjects.  

Standing before the towering doors, he placed a firm hand on Noah’s shoulder and pushed them open without hesitation.  

“Emperor! Your representative has returned!”  

It was a pity he couldn’t address himself as the ‘Prodigal Son’—even as a joke.