Hibiren Flowers And Recital (6)

“When you say ‘family’, does that mean that unlike now, where if a count under a ducal house wins, the ducal house takes the benefits, the benefits would go directly to the count’s house instead?”

“Of course.”

“Then what about the great nobles?”

“If the great nobles want to win, they can participate as well. If it’s the Delian ducal house, then someone with the surname Delian can win. If it’s the Rinerne count’s house, then someone with the surname Rinerne can win.”

“Then what about the claims they make about the rights to check the Imperial power?”

“That’s not something I’m concerned with, but if a great noble house wins, they can take it. If they don’t win, then just let them draw lots or something.”

I mentioned drawing lots as if it didn’t matter to me.

The thought of power, which they usually split among themselves, being decided by a random draw makes me vividly imagine the dukes’ bewildered expressions.

“But currently, the winner is chosen by the great nobles’ votes. Of course, they’d vote for their own house. Wouldn’t that split all the votes?”

“That, too, will change. The one who chooses should be neither the dukes nor the nobles, but Your Majesty himself.”

“Me?”

The Emperor’s eyes began to sparkle slightly, as if he had been waiting for this.

That’s natural. The power of the Central Army that the dukes claim is a check on the Imperial power. If the Emperor is the one to choose, it introduces another check in reverse.

But that’s the only way it can be fair.

“If you let the great nobles choose, problems will naturally arise. And if you let the nobles under them choose, the same problems will arise. A count is a count. Naturally, they’ll be mindful of the duke they serve. If you let them vote, they’ll choose the participant with the ducal house’s name. Instead of being fair, the outcome will be decided by the number of nobles they control.”

It’s not like a parliamentary seat count.

In the end, it would just be a numbers game.

“But if Your Majesty does it? You’re free from the concerns of taxes and the interests they speak of. You can judge the most fairly. Of course, handing over half of the Central Army would weaken the Imperial power, but if you’re the one choosing, they’ll have to be somewhat cautious, won’t they?”

The Emperor nodded firmly.

But he also groaned as he did so.

At present, there’s no need for the Emperor to take sides with any other nobles. Just choosing fairly will strengthen the Imperial power.

If the Delian house is chosen, the military power goes to them, so collusion with other dukes is impossible.

If a ducal house isn’t chosen, they’ll have to draw lots, so collusion is impossible, which helps the Imperial power.

So the fairer it is, the more it benefits the Emperor. It’s a very transparent method.

Of course, this isn’t a method you could suggest if the Emperor were a fool or a tyrant.

But the current Emperor, Remidan, isn’t that foolish.

And frankly, what happens after that is none of my concern. I have no intention of getting involved in dirty politics.

What’s important is creating a situation that benefits me.

“Then does that mean the Great Being doesn’t need to be chosen?”

“There are many ears listening. If the skill isn’t there, choosing them would only bring about criticism. Your Majesty just needs to choose based on skill. If the skill isn’t there, Rurin won’t get angry. Don’t worry. She’s someone who accepts losing a bet.”

I said this while gently patting Rurin’s back.

Rurin looked at me, pouting, but stayed quiet.

“Wouldn’t that make for a beautiful competition?”

“That’s true, but…there’s a problem. The dukes won’t accept this, will they?”

“Think about who’s participating in this competition. And if that someone, including themselves, says they want a fair evaluation, what choice do they have but to comply? Fortunately, all the current dukes are from the generation that deeply understands the terror of that someone, thanks to the war.”

“Are you saying it’s okay to borrow the name of the Great Being?”

“For the sake of setting this up, that much is fine. Besides, Your Majesty and the four dukes already know about me and Rurin, including her true nature.”

The Emperor stood abruptly.

It was only natural that an opportunity to strengthen the Imperial power had fallen into his lap.

And I wanted fairness.

In fact, this was just a bit of amusement that arose because Rurin said she’d participate.

No matter what, I’ll get the Hibiren flower.

Peacefully, of course.

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by this? Why do you wish to interfere in the competition?”

“But this is the fairest way. Up until now, hasn’t the competition just been a plaything in the hands of the lords?”

“Your Majesty, it is unacceptable to change what has been agreed upon to check the Imperial power. Your role is to bestow the Imperial treasure upon the winner and divide the Central Army. That’s to check the Imperial power…”

“Silence!”

“Your Majesty…? Are you trying to become a tyrant now?”

At the Emperor’s words, Duke Delian faintly smiled. If the Emperor went astray, it would create a perfect opportunity and justification for power to shift to him.

“How is this tyranny? Isn’t it a fair way to ensure all houses benefit according to the competition’s original purpose?”

El’s suggestion had no downsides for the Emperor.

Just because he’s the one choosing doesn’t mean the competition’s purpose of checking the Imperial power disappears.

But at the very least, he could prevent these guys from dividing the spoils as they pleased. And even check the nobles under the great nobles.

“We cannot change a tradition that has lasted for hundreds of years. It is unacceptable!”

“It is unacceptable!”

The four dukes all shouted in unison that it was unacceptable. This was expected, but there was an ace up his sleeve. As an Emperor, it felt awkward to rely on a power other than his own, but if it was the will of that Being…

“As the Emperor of this nation, I didn’t want to say something so embarrassing, but…”

“Your Majesty?”

At the word “embarrassing”, the four dukes each gave the Emperor a puzzled look.

Receiving their gazes, the Emperor paused for a moment before speaking.

“A Great Being is participating in this competition. And that Great Being desires that the competition be judged fairly.”

The four dukes, who had experienced the Dragon War alongside the Emperor, were the very people El referred to when he spoke of the terror of Dragons.

All of them were so shocked that they jumped up from their seats.

“Wh-what do you mean…?”

“Your Majesty, are you telling us such a trivial lie…”

“Gentlemen, as far as you know, who is the person closest to a Dragon?”

Thud!

When the Emperor said that, Duke Taemuran was so shocked that he fell backward.

“And you haven’t forgotten the Great Being who was by his side, have you? The secret that only you four dukes and I know.”

“Could it be…”

“Why in the competition!”

The Emperor didn’t answer that it was the result of the prize offered in the competition.

But they knew well the terror of Dragons. Just thinking about it made their legs tremble. And the arrogant Dragon the Emperor mentioned…

Well, arrogance is a Dragon’s nature, but they couldn’t forget the time they almost died from the fear of defying that Great Being, who was more arrogant and capricious than they were. The memories still haunted their dreams.

It was an absolute terror.

The absolute terror that any human would feel before a Dragon.

“I want to say that, for the sake of your lives, it would be foolish to meddle with a Being beyond our control.”

“……”

The four dukes looked at each other, except for Duke Taemuran, who was drenched in sweat and looked like he wanted to leave immediately.

Duke Delian asked the Emperor.

“Could it be that he’s returned?”

“No, that’s not it. Her goal is simply to participate in the competition. You know how Dragons like to amuse themselves. So the competition is just entertainment to her. But she requested that it be fair.”

“…But in that case, Your Majesty, wouldn’t it be best to just make the Great Being the winner and conclude the competition? Let’s say there is no competition this year.”

“Didn’t I tell you? Are you finally going deaf?”

“Your Majesty…!”

Duke Delian, who had been like a nemesis since childhood, shouted at the Emperor.

“But is it really true? No matter how omnipotent a Dragon is, I don’t believe they can capture people’s hearts with the subtle emotions that must be conveyed through the Regana.”

“Then just let Them be eliminated. I can assure you that even if They lose, our Empire will suffer no harm. This competition is purely about skill. So instead of arguing with me, it would be better for you to find skilled participants to send out.”

The dukes eventually rose from their seats.

A lottery, really.

The moment the carefully laid plans crumbled.

Their expressions were crumbling as well.

“It doesn’t matter. Our Delian house has a skilled person who’s even toured the Continent.”

Loriana Delian.

Duke Delian’s niece, she was so skilled at playing the Regana from a young age that she was invited to perform in other countries.

That’s why Duke Delian looked unconcerned.

“Even if it’s a Great Being, it’s impossible to believe that they could express human emotions through the melody of the Regana. This isn’t a war or a fight. If it’s a fair selection, that’s the silver lining. A lottery, such an uncultured act, is unacceptable.”

“Indeed, Your Grace.”

Count Michel merely nodded.

“By the way, is the Michel family not participating?”

“No, our children lack the necessary skills… But what about the Greek family?”

“Leave them be. What skill could that filthy Berna Greek have?”

“That’s true.”

At times like this, Duke Delian felt reassured by his niece’s presence. He was confident that there was no one in the Empire more skilled than her.

We were led to a private room in the Imperial Palace. Officially, it was to treat us as foreign royalty.

Of course, the private room was equipped with a Regana.

We sat side by side in front of the Regana, and I looked at Rurin.

“By the way, Rurin.”

“Hm?”

“Why did you hold back earlier?”

Earlier, when I said that even if she didn’t win, she’d accept the loss without complaint, Rurin had pouted.

It seemed like she had something to say but held it back without saying anything.

“Of course I’ll win! When you said that, I wanted to snap at you, but when I saw you stand tall and confidently lead that human emperor instead of bowing down…”

“Lead?”

“It was cool, so I just let it slide.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes.”

Cool, huh.

I didn’t expect to get a compliment.

Feeling good for no reason, I patted her head, and Rurin, sitting on the Regana’s bench, began to swing her legs back and forth, smiling.

Then she pointed to the Regana and asked.

“Is this the Regana?”

“That’s right.”

Rurin sat in front of the Regana, often played by the concubines of the Imperial Palace, and looked up at me.

Then she placed her hands on the keys.

-Tiiiing!

“Oh, interesting.”

“Um…Rurin?”

“What is it?”

“No matter how I look at it, it doesn’t seem like you’ll play well.”

“I don’t know how this works yet.”

Rurin said with a very innocent look. Well, she’d need to be shown how to play first. Even a dragon can’t play something perfectly the first time they see it.

I asked the Emperor to bring in a skilled Regana player from the Imperial Palace.

Seeing a splendid performance would determine whether Rurin could do it or not.