Irregular Curved
Chapter 16: Audience

"Shut up and don't do anything."

The sentence stuck tightly in the mind. Light knew that his father did not want him to get the slightest appreciation. Light chooses to be silent and according, it is disadvantageous to fight his father and stepbrother who are walking right in front of him for the time being.

Led by Gilbert Lawrence, the Supreme General of the Corthia Empire, four men climb a thick red carpet to the empty throne with no one to occupy it. The hall used for the audience is very magnificent, the walls and the frame of the painting is nothing to escape from the gold rust.

Ministers, imperial generals, all the eyes of the heavyweight of the state were on the Allain Family, the party that had a great share in the war.

The appointment of Count Allain as caretaker for the northern border was certainly the right move after Renesse's rebellion in the past, although everyone knew Jade and the son of his second wife, Colin, just sitting sweetly waiting for the arrival of the imperial reinforcements where the main forces are located.

Gilbert's feet stopped, and so did the three people behind him. In unison, each of them knelt down, pulling his right leg in front as well as bowing in their heads.

Taps.

Taps.

The protocol knights signaled, the footsteps of several people sounded from one side of the throne stage. Because the room is so quiet in a solemn atmosphere, the slightest sound will surely be heard.

There goes.

A middle-aged man with white hair entered the audience. His body was tall, his facial skin had a scar line on his right cheek. It was very reminiscent of a grand noble leading a war on a large scale. His thin beard greatly added to the authority of the Emperor who was wearing a red robe dragging the floor.

Exactly one step behind the Emperor, the woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties walked gracefully, her temperament unable to be juxtaposed in the slightest even to the top-tier noblewomen.

The long red hair that was stroked, the red eyes that exuded an aura of intimidation, the smile as well as the gaze that he appeared to really look down on everyone who was under the stage.

Emperor Louis, Empress Maria, the couple is said to hold power over half the world.

So powerful was the power possessed by Nouvelle, no one had a foolish plan to make both of them their puppets.

"Lift your heads." Accompanied by Mary standing behind him, Louis sat on the throne, his head turned with his eyes fixed downward.

Gilbert was the first, followed by Allain. Facing directly with the emperor did not give a single chance to say even just one word. Been handed down from the time of the emperor in the previous era, anyone who knelt before the Emperor would only open his mouth if they had been asked.

"Gilbert Lawrence's bravery and hard work as supreme commander and Count Allain's restraining of the Arcadia barbarians had contributed greatly to the integrity of the empire." The protocol knight read the special inked parchment sheet he held with both hands, "Because of his contributions as well as his outstanding results as a knight appointed to quell the enemy forces, he said, Your Majesty is so touched by the loyalty and dedication you have given to the empire."

The words of the protocol knight were heart-shaking, several times the skin of the listeners trembled in response. However, Light understood that it was just a sentence without content.

"For that, the empire will compensate you commensurate with the contribution you have made."

Light paid no heed to the sentence spoken by the protocol knight. The look in his eyes was only on Louis who was looking at him emotionlessly.

There is fear present in the mind, Light cannot deny the existence of it. Louis's expression that was not the slightest bit readable really made Light want to end this audience.

The distribution of the prize as a form of appreciation has been announced. Gilbert as the supreme commander received the greatest prize, followed by the officers under him and Count Allain as the border guard. However, because from the beginning of the empire underestimated this war, the announced prize was not as big as the war prize in general.

"The great man must understand the capacity he has in order that he is not to be considered a fool." Louis' sentence is a broad thing, the content is so weighty as an advice. However, everyone knows those words were addressed to Light Allain who had Renesse's blood flowing in his veins, "Remember this if you don't want the dark history to repeat itself in the future."

Just a short sentence, an overwhelming aura of intimidation instantly struck Light to the point of making him fall from his kneeling demeanor. The intimidation was also felt by Jade and Colin even though both of them were not on the same level as Light.

Louis decided to hold back. Although it was unpleasant that his goal did not end according to what he had predicted, but touching Light who currently had value among nobles was very risky.

Moreover, Light himself was not a top priority for Louis. Renesse's blood flowing in Light's veins was no more important than any other interest prioritized by the empire.

Emperor Louis was a realistic man. It is true that Louis disliked Light because he was a descendant of Renesse, one of the founding families of Corthia who rebelled several years ago. However, Louis himself was not a fool who would exert much expense and effort just for his personal grudge alone.

The grueling audience ended with the departure of the emperor and his empress. The four kneeling men now stood up straight. Thronging, nobles with interests began to move closer to Jade and Colin. Although unofficial, the prestigious title as Arcadia's clean sweeper owned by the Allain Family will further add to the influence of the group that successfully recruited Jade into their ranks.

"Are you vengeful for me, son?" Intending to protect from the invading nobles, Gilbert pulled Light away to a corner of the hall with a chuckle.

"No. From the beginning, I had absolutely no ambition for the prize, General." Light replied politely.

"Hou...is that so?" Gilbert squinted, judging whether Light said his heart. Finding Light still smiling sincerely, Gilbert finally gave up, "So, what are you going to do after this, son?"

"Maybe, I'm going back to my daily routine. Study and read books in the corner of the Academy library." Light low.

"Hm? Have you not graduated?" Gilbert.

Supposedly, in addition to having reached adulthood, war commanders are also required to complete their studies. Although it was only a formality, but such small details were very important for the appearance of the noble house.

If Light dies and the border is usurped by Arcadia, it was certain that Count Allain would be blamed by the other nobles for his incompetence in guarding the territory and sending the war commander without any experience who had not even graduated from the academy.

It was like two sides of a coin that each had a bad effect on Jade because she had a hidden order from the Emperor to send Light as the commander of the war.

"Not yet, but I will." Light smiled kindly, trying his best to avoid Gilbert. After all, Lawrence was a house loyal to the empire as well as one of the country's founders.

His proximity to Gilbert poses a great risk to Light in the future.

"Oh, good luck, son."

Gilbert left Light alone. Seeing Gilbert's departure, there is a desire to call him back and ask him to tell things about the unknown side of Light about his uncle and mother that he had never previously revealed.

However, Light ultimately undoes his intentions. He turned around, left the audience room through another door and executed the plan he had made over the past few days of his journey towards the capital.

"You too, General."

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