Imperial Throne

Chapter 102: Subtle Underlying Currents

Azman nodded.

But as if suddenly realizing that such behavior was unbefitting of "a knight's" pride, he nodded again with an affected air of reserve, then spoke in a calm tone, "Understood. You may leave."

The brawny man smiled and backed away slowly for several steps before turning around and leaving.

He walked all the way to the alley's entrance. Only after confirming that Azman could no longer see him did he spit a thick glob of phlegm to the side with a vicious "ptui", his eyes filled with mockery and disdain as he looked toward the house number of Azman’s residence:, "Really thinks he’s a knight now, huh… Just you wait, once I become a knight too… heh."

Azman did not see the contempt shown behind his back by the ruffian he looked down on.

At that moment, he had returned to his room and pulled out a long rectangular box from under the bed.

The box contained many miscellaneous items.

Most of them appeared quite worn out.

But from how meticulously everything in the box was arranged, it was clear that anything stored inside held a certain degree of “value”.

Azman searched through it for a good while before finally finding a short dagger with a sheath embedded with a ruby the size of a fingernail.

He picked up the dagger, then quickly tidied himself up. Only after making sure he was clean and presentable did he turn and leave the room in a hurry.

Carefully avoiding the filthy, sewage-strewn ground, Azman walked from the alley to the street.

It was afternoon; the hottest part of the day had already passed, so the sunlight was not too intense.

Yet Azman hesitated for a moment before raising his hand to hail a carriage: "To the City Lord’s Manor. It’s urgent."

Seated inside the carriage, Azman quickly calmed his excited heart.

In truth, his thoughts of avenging his father were not that intense, at least, compared to returning to that glamorous and splendid life, revenge ranked second.

When his father died back then, he had only been thirteen.

Still too young to grasp the changes that his father’s death would bring, he only knew that a year later, when his older brother failed his first bloodline awakening, and the whole family was driven out of the castle by the lord, he felt an overwhelming sense of shame.

And in that first year after being expelled from the castle, that shame gradually transformed into resentment, toward his father, toward his brother, toward the other knights, and of course, toward himself.

He hated his father for dying.

If he wasn’t strong enough, couldn’t he have stayed in the back?

So many had gone out together on that mission, why was his father the only one who died?

He also hated that his brother failed to awaken his bloodline; hated even more that when his father fought, no one went to help him.

And when he himself failed his first bloodline awakening, that hatred turned into envy.

So becoming a knight was truly such a dazzling thing.

But unfortunately, his brother failed twice, and their future was completely cut off.

Then his mother shifted all her attention to him. Even his brother began to take interest in him, all because one of his father’s comrades had once said that his aptitude was still decent.

However, with wars and accidents following one after another, his father’s former companions all died in battle.

The Knight Hughes who had promised to prepare a Bloodline Awakening Potion for him also seemed to have died. From then on, their family’s fortunes plummeted, and they eventually moved from the wealthy district to the slums.

After that, his brother died in the war, and then his mother fell ill and passed away. From that point on, he was alone in this world.

He drifted through life for several years.

By the time he looked back, he found that he had become a villain who did all manner of evil.

Azman gripped the dagger in his hand.

He looked at the City Lord’s Manor, that building from his memory which symbolized all things beautiful, growing ever closer, and a blazing fervor lit his eyes:m, Why could those country bumpkin lackeys become knights? Why could that vulgar man named Soderbell become Chief Knight, and that servant’s son named Shunes become Deputy Chief Knight?

None of those people had looks, manners, or ability. The only reason they became knights and were favored by Baroness Anna was because he was not yet a knight.

Once he became a knight, he would make Lady Anna see what a true Bloodline Knight was!

...

At that moment, Anna also felt a bit nervous.

However, she showed no signs of it, instead asking lightly, "Why did your father come here?"

"Originally, my father didn’t plan to come. He was preparing to organize a crackdown on the smuggling route at the three territories of the Fertile Plains, intending to take over all the smuggled goods from the enemy lands.

But then, because Lady Monica suddenly visited the White Mountain Territory, Yam was held up, and this shipment was extremely important, so my father and I had to deliver it together," Akar sighed, but facing Anna—

Akar's expression remained gentle as he looked at Anna. “If you really don’t want to see my father, then don’t. I’ll handle everything else.”

“No… no need.” Anna took a deep breath. “Your father… already knows about us, so no matter what, I must meet him. It’s a basic courtesy. I don’t want to put you in a difficult position because of me.”

Akar said nothing and simply looked at Anna.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I missed you.” Akar smiled as he walked over to Anna and gently kissed her forehead.

“How’s the child?”

“The physician said everything is normal.” Anna gently caressed her belly, and a serene tenderness appeared on her face.

“But the thought that I can only spend four years with this child makes me terribly sad.”

“It’s only a temporary separation.” Akar knelt on one knee and gently stroked Anna’s belly.

“Once the child grows a little older, I’ll explain everything to Father and bring the child here. That way, you’ll be able to watch him grow up.”

“Mm.” Anna nodded.

She knew that, compared to the customs of the Kasein Family, once she sent the child to Eaglehead Territory, she might never see the child again in her lifetime. In that case, she would rather send the child to the Soderbell Family.

At least the Soderbell Family didn’t have so many rules. Once the child grew up a bit, Akar could keep the child by his side and take care of him personally. That way, she could also accompany the child as he grew.

Anna would never allow her child to become another version of herself.

“Knock knock—”

A sudden knock came at the door, followed by the sound of the doorknob turning.

Joshua’s voice followed.

Akar’s expression shifted slightly. He quickly, without showing any signs, pulled back just a little, but remained kneeling.

Joshua was quick to open the door. If Akar had stood and then moved away, he would have been seen, potentially arousing suspicion.

So Akar remained half-kneeling and subtly distanced himself, exploiting the blind spot caused by the door’s opening angle to avoid Joshua’s view.

“All the goods have been transported back and are now awaiting inspection…”

“Hm?” Joshua made a light noise of surprise.

“Knight Commander Akar, you’re back? You’re really devoted to Anna. Every time I see you greeting her, you kneel like a proper knight. Truly a model of knightly etiquette, just like your brother Yam. I heard Monica…”

“Bang—”

Anna slammed the table with force, her face full of fury.

The sudden movement startled Joshua. “Anna, what’s wrong?”

“Haven’t I told you many times? Without my answer or permission, you are not to enter the study at will!”

“S-sorry, Anna…”

“Please step outside, Knight Commander Akar.” Anna ignored Joshua and turned to Akar. “Wait outside for my instructions.”

“Yes.”

Akar quickly rose and left the study, keeping his head lowered the entire time.

After Akar closed the door, Anna’s furious voice rang out in the room, followed by Joshua’s eager attempts to soothe her.

Moments later, Joshua exited the study with a sigh of relief.

He looked at Akar and gave a helpless smile.

“Anna’s child is due soon. The physician said her temper may be a bit much these days. It’s normal. Knight Commander Akar, please be careful not to upset her.”

“I understand.” Akar maintained a calm expression and nodded.

“Anna wants you to go in.” Joshua continued, “Come find me after your meeting with Anna. I already bought the batch of goods she requested through Monica at a discounted price.”

“On behalf of my brother, I thank you, Lord Joshua.”

Joshua chuckled and waved his hand before turning to leave.

Only then did Akar reopen the study door and walk in.

He looked at Anna, who sat in the chair, deep in thought as she stared at a short dagger in her hand. He smiled and said, “The physician said your temper might be a little worse lately.”

Anna rolled her eyes at Akar.

Utterly enchanting.

“What’s this?” Akar asked curiously.

“A token from Mokas.” Anna unsheathed the dagger and examined it. “It’s well-preserved. Clearly, he took it seriously.”

Mokas was the former Knight Commander of the Billy Family, a veteran from Baron Hess’s era.

After Anna became the Baroness of the Gem Territory, the former Knight Commander stepped down.

Still, as one of the only two Second-Tier Bloodline Users in the Gem Territory, Anna entrusted him with important tasks. He was no longer Knight Commander, and wasn’t even as trusted as Shunes, the grandson of Anna’s personal female physician.

“Did Lord Mokas ask a favor?”

“No.” Anna shook her head. “It supposedly involves an old case from years ago… Never mind. I’ll meet them in the parlor and hear what they have to say. My dear Akar, please first apologize to your father on my behalf. I’ll meet with you both this evening after you finish transporting the goods.”

“Alright.” Akar affectionately tapped Anna’s nose before turning and leaving.

“Looks like Mokas realized something and is getting desperate.” Anna tossed the dagger onto the table, a trace of scorn curling her lips.

“What a conceited fool. Even now, he still can’t see reality for what it is and dreams of boosting his influence by dragging outsiders in… heh.”

“But that’s fine too.”

Anna stood from the wide sofa chair, cradling her belly. “Let’s see what kind of tricks you all can pull.”