21st Century Archmage

Editor: Enigami

“This is an edict of His Majesty, the Emperor! All citizens are called to witness the order of the new emperor!”

A knights shout resounded in the Glory Square located in the Bajran Empire capital, and an edict of the new emperor, inaugurated formally as the emperor yesterday, was pasted onto a wall on one side of the square.

“He said its an edict…”

“What is it about?”

Around one third of the residents living in the capital were at least somewhat literate. A certain amount of wealth and qualifications were necessary in order to live in the empires capital. For instance, anyone who wanted to become an attendant or maid of a noble house needed to know their letters. As such, many residents crowded to read the edict being strictly guarded by soldiers.

“Goodness…”

“Ah!”

They couldnt speak carelessly because of the soldiers craning their ears around them, but the citizens were shocked.

His Majestys Edict

1. From this day forth, the status of nobles and commoners shall be sharply differentiated. The acceptance of commoners into knight academy is henceforth forbidden.
2. Even if one is not a slave, a commoner may not leave a territory without a nobles explicit permission.
3. The crimes of rebellion, treason, and insubordination of an imperial mandate will result in the decapitation of not just the criminal himself, but three generations of his family.
4. Defying any of the above orders shall result in punishment equivalent to that of the crime of insubordination of an imperial mandate.
5. This edict shall take precedence over previously decreed imperial law and customs.

The Emperors edict was short, but it held a great deal of meaning. The unique advantage of the Bajran Empire was that commoners were granted free movement and the opportunity to become knights. It was already a noble-centric society where the movement of subordinates was restricted, but now, it wasnt just restricted, but completely forbidden. To add onto that, those who defied the imperial mandate would be punished by three generations. The emperor was threatening that it wouldnt just be themselves who were punished, but also their entire families.

“Move it!”

“W-What are you doing? Im a knight academy cadet.”

“Silence! From today onwards, you guys have been demoted to regular soldiers. If you dont like it, Ill have no choice but to label you with the crime of insubordination.”

Along the main road cutting through the square, a group of knights and soldiers were dragging dozens of young men dressed as knight academy cadets to who knows where.

“Please allow me an audience with His Majesty the Emperor! There cant be a law like this! How can the legacy of the First Emperor Alvatreon—”

Bam!

“Guh!”

“Behead him!”

Slice.Splooooosh!

It all happened in an instant. In front of the eyes of countless citizens, a knight academy cadet fell to his knees on the street, his head rolling away.

“…”

Every onlooker stiffened. Up until a few days ago, knight academy cadets received treatment akin to nobles. But in a single morning, one of them was beheaded like a rabid dog on the street.

“Those who have complaints, speak. If you want to become a corpse before you become a soldier, that is!”

With their swords drawn, the arrogant knights silenced the cadets.

“Take them away!”

Seeing the cadets horrified by the death of their fellow student, the knight in charge gave a dark laugh as he ordered the soldiers. Such incidents occurred all over the empire. So began a period when commoners who had become knights or nobles were sent to the front lines, altogether demoted, or stripped of their noble peerages for no good reason.

The expulsion of skilled talents, the foundation of the Bajran Empire, was the first of Emperor Poltvirans tyrannical deeds.

* * *

“Did you sleep well, Sir Playboy Count?”

‘Geh!

I got up, washed my face real quick, and left my room like usual, only to find myself face to face with a certain womans sudden morning greeting.

“Ha-Haha, I hope you werent uncomfortable sleeping in an unfamiliar place?”

“Goodness, unfamiliar? I had a very comfortable sleep for the first time in a while, Sir Playboy Count.”

‘Im gonna go crazy.

The guests were a princess, prince, and the knights who guarded them, so I had rooms set up for Irene and the other Imperial Knights in the headquarters, the same one where only the territorys central nobles and Aramis were taking up residence. There were just enough rooms, and somehow, the Princess, Prince, and Irenes rooms ended up being on the same floor as mine.

And then, after a night of rest, Irene woke up early and condemned me as a playboy immediately upon seeing me.

‘Huhu, at least I get to see a flower first thing in the morning.

Her hair looked freshly washed—her long, silver locks were sparkling above her airplate and cloak. The sight of the beauty, with her usual inscrutable smile, made me happy.

‘I cant just keep letting myself be berated.

We were fated to live for the time being in close quarters like this. Irene might be lovable and all, but I had to give her a clear education to keep her from calling me a playboy.

I swiftly closed in on Irene.

With a flinch, her natural smile stiffened.

‘Kyaa, she smells good.

How could a flower without a fragrance still be called a flower? As I sidled up to Irene, the fragrance I had smelled when we were in flight training before came floating off her body, her unique odor.

As I drew one step closer, Irene shuffled backwards, leaning into the wall behind her.

“W-What are you—”

Irene was a woman with the guts to defend me in front of the Crown Prince, but now, she was wearing a flustered expression.

‘I could get addicted to this.