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Chapter 28
Installed at each archipelago is a crystal gate, a key point of the empire.
This crystal gate was nothing less than a symbol of the Allanquez Empire.
The vibrancy and resonance of magic within the crystal can take those who are passing through it wherever they want to go.
Even before the Allanquez Empire was created, this crystal was used as a currency on the continent. In addition to its vibrancy, it also possessed a resonance of magical power. However, after Amaryllis Allanques, who was said to have nine lives, established the Empire, the alternative Allanque currency was created and used.
The new alternative currency was difficult to circulate without the public trust, because it could not be guaranteed as an acceptable currency, even if it was widespread. But Amaryllis Allanquez managed to guarantee the new alternative currency through various archipelago reforms.
The decline in magic also helped gain trust in the new Allanque currency. Because magic was declining, no one could use the crystal even though it had a large amount of magical power. The crystal gradually lost its value. Thus, Allanque has become the representative currency of the Empire since 170 years ago.
What happened to the crystal that was once used as currency?
Amaryllis Allanquez bought all the crystals on the market, and the areas where crystals were produced were established as an archipelago. Numerous crystal gates were installed at key points of the empire that could only be built with the crystals in addition. She had purposes other than monetary stabilization.
To be able to use the crystal gates would need the help of complex formulas. But those who inherited the bloodline of the Allanquez do not need any crystals, thanks to Amaryllis Allanquez. She was also called as the Last Wizard, and her blood resonated with the crystal. Her heritage has passed on so that the members of the Royal Family can still escape through the crystal gates even if they are being chased. That’s why the crystal became the symbol of Allanquez.
“This was from the Royal Supply.”
Reinhardt looked down at the crystal Count Murray’s attendant had offered on his hand. It was the size of the smallest Allanque coin; it was transparent and had a metal chip embedded in the center. The pink skin was visible behind the crystal. The crystal vibrates and breaks once it is used.
This was also made by the first emperor. This wasn’t allowed to be used by just anyone. Crystals were only distributed to those who had to use the crystal gates under the strict control of the Imperial Family. It could be seen as a strange law. But Reinhardt knew about it – that this was how those in position emphasize their privileges and strengthen their power.
Reinhardt also felt special when she passed by the crystal gate on her last life as the Crown Princess. Her youthful heart felt joy when she passed through it while the Crown Prince held her hand without needing a crystal.
‘What’s special about this crystal?’
Reinhardt held the crystal tightly, her nails digging on the palms of her hand. In front of her, Count Murray was being picky towards the knights and the servants.
“No weapons when passing through the crystal gates. You! What is that pointy thing on your waist?”
The knights grunted and put down their weapons. The servant explained that it was a tobacco pipe developed in the East, but Count Murray didn’t even allow it. The servant cried, and Reinhardt sighed.
“Count Murray, I called all of these people here.”
“But you should know that this was also a rule for those passing the Crystal Gate.”
“I’ve been through the Crystal Gate before, Count. If I pass through the Crystal Gate and get off, I cannot guarantee His Majesty’s safety.”
Count Murray’s face was grim. After Reinhardt passed through the Crystal Gate, she would encounter the 20 or so knights guarding it and not the Emperor. The Crystal Gate was located at the foot of the mountain where the Imperial Palace was also located, next to a small annex, and it would be difficult for even a large number of people to push through the Imperial Palace surrounded by double or triple walls.
“But….”
“Count.”
Reinhardt made a blatantly boring expression.
“I know you are following His Majesty the Supreme Emperor’s command, but I would rather ride my horse and go to the archipelago myself if passing through the Crystal Gate is this cumbersome.”
“But not Sir Wilhelm’s long sword.”
Nevertheless, Count Murray argued again. The man who was standing behind Reinhardt all this time, Wilhelm, raised his eyebrows. Count Murray winced at the gaze given to him by Wilhelm, but he steeled himself and continued.
“No one in the Imperial Capital can carry a long-sword longer than 1 lisle in length without a permit. This was also true for the Crown Prince. You must’ve also known about that.”
(T/N: A typical longsword is estimated to be about a meter long or about 33-43 inches. I don’t know if there was such a unit as ‘lisle’ used in swords, but I do think that the sword Count Murray was talking about the typical length of a medieval European sword which is around 24-30 inches.)
He was shaking while saying that, but he was indeed right.
“… Wilhelm.”
Reinhardt called Wilhelm’s name. It meant to hand over his sword. Wilhelm immediately released his sword and dropped it on the floor without any qualms. The people around buzzed with chatters. It made Count Murray muster up his courage.
“The sword behind him, too….”
It was the late Hu Linke’s sword. Wilhelm squinted his eyes.
“This is not possible.”
“No matter how much I look at it, it still looks like it exceeds 1 lisle . . .”
“Count Murray.”
Reinhardt called him again. Why, what now? Count Murray’s eyes were wide as he looked at her. Reinhardt spoke again, as if she was preaching to an immature kid.
“That sword was left behind by my deceased father.”
“….”
“You won’t be able to take away my knight’s sword if you knew the meaning of today’s trip to the archipelago.”
Count Murray had a shocked expression on his face. Wilhelm then kicked the sword he dropped forward expressionlessly.
“Thank you.”
“I didn’t say it for you.”
Reinhardt looked back, fiddling with the crystal in her hand. There were five knights and two servants, then Mrs. Sarah and Marc.
“Mrs. Sarah, please take care of the territory.”
“… Yes.”
The old lady replied with a complicated face. The last six months have been too disturbing for Mrs. Sarah. No one disliked the growth of the territory they manage. However, the size of the manor, which has grown terribly in the past six months, was not a size that ordinary people could handle.
Wilhelm engaged in territorial battles without even thinking about it.
With a thousand enlisted men, he won the first and second territorial battles, and made his name known in the third and fourth. The Lords who didn’t surrender at first and the Lord who surrendered were all now under Mrs. Sarah.
Mrs. Sarah was now the Supreme Lord of Del Maril instead of its Lord that hadn’t surrendered. Was that all? Instead of just ‘Reinhardt’, she was now from the Luden Territory – exactly what it is. Luden was now not just a name, but a name representing a territory! – in less than a day she had become the Supreme Lord.
(T/N: Don’t confuse Reinhardt’s title with Mrs. Sarah, because Reinhardt was the Great Lord, while Mrs. Sarah is a Supreme Lord. Take it as something like a president and a vice-president. )
So, the Madam only had a headache.
The livelihood, systematic plan, soldiers and the budget of the estate – her Lord had actually left for the capital even before she could figure out everything. But there was no one who could take care of the estate other than the madam. Reinhardt smiled and took the old lady’s hand.
“Why that face? Your life wouldn’t be like this if not for me.”
“My mother couldn’t sleep last night because she thought it was going to be suffocating.”
Sarah’s third daughter, Marc, jumped out and responded. Mrs. Sarah’s eyes were red when Reinhardt looked at her.
“Oh dear!”
“Really. She even called my married older sister asking if we should mobilize just in case.”
“Ahahaha. She did?”
Reinhardt smiled. She took Mrs. Sarah’s hand and said warmly.
“Madam, I’m sorry. It wasn’t my best intention to keep you from sleeping.”
“Not at all, my Lord.”
Sarah shook her head.
“It’s much better for me to count the number of orchards than to count the cost of a sack of dried apples in a grove.”
Reinhardt grinned. Del Maril was famous for its apple harvest.
“Yes, me too, though it was so sudden. I fully understand, so I will be back ASAP.”
“… Lord.”
Mrs. Sarah hardened her wrinkled, stern face – a rare sight.
In recent days, Mrs. Sarah’s expression ranged from those of surprise, bewilderment and frowning, so Reinhardt naturally stiffened her body. But the words that came out of Sarah’s mouth were unexpected.
“I remember the time five years ago, when the Lord just came to our estate.”
“….”
“I wouldn’t dare to say that the Lord was nice to me at that time, because my Master was once one of the most important figures of the Imperial Family and didn’t know how to treat me. However, I have never once hated the Lord.”
“What is this suddenly, Madam….”
“There were times when the Lord looked down on her knees with her eyes full of wrath.”
Reinhardt almost touched her knee unconsciously. The wounds adorning the side of her knee that she received when she was imprisoned for stabbing Mikhail were now dark brown.
“If this will dissipate the Lord’s anger,” Sarah said slowly, straight and firmly, “Then I would be fine with the fact that you had to spend a few years in the Capital. So, finish everything you need to do and come back with glory, as slowly and comfortably as possible.”
“… Madam.”
Honestly, she had never thought Mrs. Sarah would say something like that to her. The old lady has never shown her favor ever since she came to the Luden Estate. Moreover, Reinhardt was all the more moved by her words as she had always thought she was a nuisance the Luden Estate had to embrace.
“… Thank you.”
So Reinhardt could only say that one phrase aloud. Marc smiled broadly. Their good feelings were conveyed for a moment. Mrs. Sarah left soon after but Marc remained. This was because she also wanted to train to be Reinhardt’s handmaid, who didn’t have a proper handmaid, and also be Reinhardt’s bodyguard. Marc was saying goodbye to her mother when she opened her mouth when she saw Wilhelm.
“Oh right. Thinking of it, you’re still wearing it.”
“It?”
Reinhardt was about to be received by Wilhelm so she was still standing on the carriage. She looked down at the direction Marc pointed – it was Hu Linke’s sword worn by Wilhelm. A familiar navy jacquard was tied to its handle.
‘That’s….’
Reinhardt’s stiff expression softened unconsciously as she recognized it. But before Reinhardt could say anything, Wilhelm was faster.
“Take care of Mrs. Sarah instead of caring about irrelevant things,” he responded coldly to Marc, “She was stumbling over there.”
“Oh!”
Marc then looked back in surprise. The old lady, who had been struggling to get up from dawn to prepare to see off the lord, was slowly sitting in a chair with her forehead pressed. When Marc ran away, only Reinhardt and Wilhelm were left. Reinhardt looked up at the knight. A clear, meaningless voice came out after a long time.
“Was that what I gave you?”
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