Chapter 15: Uncovered the Empress’s Dark Past?
The mages present were initially thrilled when they heard the Empress was assigning tasks.
“To serve Her Majesty, to spread the glory of the Empire, it is our undeniable duty!”
Then, they heard it was to compile the imperial history…
Interest evaporated instantly.
In this era, combat was the primary duty of mages.
The Empress of Eternal Night had swept across seventeen nations, achieving the greatest territorial expansion in the history of the Azurevine Empire.
Her followers naturally wished to become human artillery or bombers, fighting for the Empress, not wasting their lives buried in dusty tomes.
Thus, the mages’ sentiment shifted. “Let’s see which unlucky soul Her Majesty has taken a liking to?”
“Oh, it’s Dio!”
However, some felt a pang of discontent.
The Empress’s statement, “We do not inquire about origins; the capable shall hold office,” made a few radical nobles uneasy.
In this era, an insurmountable chasm existed between commoners and nobles.
To become an official in the Empire, whether through family legacy or marrying into a wealthy family to avoid effort, one had to be noble first.
Even if a commoner cultivated himself to become an advanced mage, he could either join the army to earn a noble title or merely muddle along in an adventurer’s guild; entering the imperial political stage was impossible.
Yet today, the Empress of Eternal Night intended to appoint a commoner mage to an official position. Although it was a minor role, a historian unvalued by the Empire, it was an unprecedented endeavor.
In everyone’s eyes, Dio Brando himself was unimportant; it was the symbolic significance of this act that mattered!
Was the Empress of Eternal Night using this person’s identity to test the limits of the traditional nobility, intending to usher commoners into the court in large numbers?
But what they didn’t know was that the Empress of Eternal Night’s initial intention was merely to punish Roger for his “willful disregard for things.”
The Empress looked at Roger, who stood dazed, still somewhat flustered, and smiled.
“Could it be, you are the young and capable Mr. Dio Brando? Are you willing to serve as my historian?”
“This commoner is untalented and truly…”
Roger prepared to decline.
However, before he could finish speaking, he felt the gazes of the surrounding mages turn sharp.
“A mere commoner; being granted an official post is already the Empress’s benevolence. Do you intend to refuse?”
“If you dare to disrespect Her Majesty, don’t blame us for not respecting you!”
Some impatient individuals had already drawn out their white gloves, ready to toss them.
[Damn, brothers, are you serious? If I dare to say no, will I be instantly challenged to a duel?]
[Is the Empress’s prestige that terrifying? What should I do? In a public appointment like this, it seems I have no chance to refuse!]
[If the Empress says I’m capable, even if I’m truly not, I must be!]
The Empress of Eternal Night showed no impatience, standing quietly as a magnanimous and great monarch, patiently awaiting the answer of the talent she planned to recruit.
“Face reality!
Without me needing to act, countless fine men of the Empire will show you how to choose!
You are not the Prime Minister’s brother now; you are merely a commoner. If something happens, no one will protect you!”
Facing the countless hostile gazes, Roger could only change his words.
“This commoner is truly… well, truly surprised that Your Majesty places such trust in me. This commoner will surely do his utmost to compile a good imperial history for Your Majesty!”
“Excellent. The curator will make the necessary arrangements for your work later.”
“As you command…”
Roger was completely bewildered.
[No way, it’s settled just like that? Without any administrative exams, I’m a civil servant now?]
[Your Majesty, isn’t this too hasty? I know nothing about history; I’m just a slacker! I can’t handle such a crucial responsibility!]
[Should I reveal my identity and say I’m Roger Charles?]
[No, that would be a crime of deceiving the monarch, a sure death…]
[Ah, I’m so frustrated. This damn fate is toxic, how could it be me who was chosen by such a coincidence?]
The Empress of Eternal Night deeply etched Roger Dio’s conflicted and distorted expression into her memory, let out a resonant laugh, and continued her tour of the grand library.
“You thought a disguise would let you escape my grasp?
Young man, the water here is too deep; you can’t handle it.”
…
…
Not long after, the Empress returned to the palace.
Roger had considered escaping midway.
But there was no opportunity.
The Empire’s talents did not care who became the historian.
But if the historian personally appointed by the Empress ran off on his first day, wouldn’t that be a great loss of face for the Empress?
Therefore, whether it was the guards at the grand library or the mages reading together, they all intentionally or unintentionally kept an eye on this “Dio.”
This went on until an assistant from the curator arrived to invite him.
Roger, helpless, followed and arrived at a large office.
Inside were over a dozen white-haired historical consultants and stacks of documents piled like small mountains, along with disorganized drafts.
The curator of the Grand Library, Finn Rodney, waited for Roger at the entrance.
He was a middle-aged, stout man with the power of a magister. He was always smiling and seemed unhurried in everything he did.
He familiarized Roger with the environment and introduced him to the scholars studying imperial history. Then he said earnestly,
“The compilation of imperial history began in the first year of the Eternal Night calendar. However, it’s unfortunate that the five previous historians either fell ill or met with accidents…”
“Wait, the accidents you mentioned… they weren’t…” Roger’s heart sank.
Could being a mere historian be life-threatening?
“Rest assured, no one here dares to harm imperial officials,” Curator Rodney said proudly, then showed a trace of helplessness. “It’s just that… well, later you can ask the consultants about the progress of the compilation, and you’ll understand.”
“???”
“In any case, this matter has been delayed until now, and His Majesty is quite displeased. We hope Mr. Brando can produce some results as soon as possible to repay His Majesty’s trust!”
Curator Finn patted Roger’s shoulder and drifted away.
Roger felt a bit helpless; the curator was being so cryptic, only telling half the story.
With no other choice, he had to ask the white-haired consultants.
“Esteemed teachers, where has the compilation of our imperial history reached?”
Roger’s attitude was quite polite.
After all, he truly didn’t know how to compile history and would rely on these old scholars to guide him.
The chief consultant of the expert team was Freeman, a coal-black old man, who said five words indifferently: “The Maynew City Incident.”
“So, it has reached the eve of the Empress’s rise to power…”
An eternal scholar suddenly understood.
The Maynew City Incident was the tragedy that caused half the Azurevine Kingdom to fall and forced the young princess to succeed to the throne as Empress.
That year, the Empress of Eternal Night was sixteen. The neighboring Kingdom of Vabryuga launched a surprise attack on Maynew City. The King, Queen, Crown Prince, and several other children were all killed.
The kingdom was instantly leaderless and on the verge of annihilation.
It was at this moment that the young princess Octavia stepped forward. Relying on her powerful magical strength, she assassinated the enemy general, creating chaos and buying the kingdom a month’s respite.
Then she succeeded the throne as Empress and, within that month, rallied the remaining forces of the Azurevine Kingdom and decisively counterattacked the Kingdom of Vabryuga.
This was background information from the game.
Reaching the Maynew City Incident meant that the imperial history compilation was nearing completion, with only the Empress’s deeds left to be written.
Yet, the work was stuck here, even changing historians…
This indicated that there was something fishy about the Maynew City Incident!
Roger immediately began to communicate with his historical consultants.
He also examined their compiled secret letters, military intelligence, news reports, and other records, unearthing a considerable amount of the Empress’s dark history…
“The Empress is suspected of fratricide and patricide to obtain the throne?”
A glint appeared in Roger’s eyes.
This was akin to a less tragic Xuanwu Gate Incident, wasn’t it?
No wonder his five predecessors, to preserve their official positions and noble titles, found various excuses to halt here, daring not to proceed.
Some things simply could not be avoided.
To embellish this history to the satisfaction of the Empress of Eternal Night would be as difficult as ascending to heaven!
But thinking from another angle, using this history to anger the Empress…
It would probably be as easy as turning one’s hand, right?
Did Roger want to be this historian?
Not at all!
“If I focus on detailing the Maynew City Incident and dig up its dark secrets, will I be dismissed immediately and return to my leisurely life?”
Roger, who had been depressed all along, suddenly perked up.
He felt that he had inadvertently found the answer to getting his laid-back life back on track!
