21st Century Archmage

Editor/Proofreader: Enigami

“Your Majesty! We beseech thee to retract thy edict!”

“Your Majesty, we beseech thee!”

In the Grand Throne Room of the Bajran Imperial Palace, sat Emperor Poltviran atop a throne sculpted into a Black Wyvern holding a huge diamond in its mouth. Three nobles were begging him to retract his edict—Marquis Isevant, who was called the Empires Sage, and two old counts. Following the proclamation of the Emperors edict, they had left their territories post-haste to seek an audience with the Emperor.

“Why should I do such a thing?”

Despite being in a formal audience with high-ranking nobles of the empire, the newly crowned Emperor Poltviran was sitting in a slovenly manner. His legs were crossed and one hand was propping up his chin. He sneered as he addressed the old nobles with an air of annoyance.

“Your Majesty, unearthing talented commoners to form the pillar of this empire was the ideal Bajran has maintained since the time of the Founding Emperor, Emperor Alvatreon. That ideal has been maintained uninterrupted all this time, and as a result, our empire has become the strongest in the continent. But if Your Majesty were to abolish that institution overnight, such an action would soon bring enormous harm to the empire. Oh sagacious and merciful Emperor, your old vassal is speaking earnestly from the heart, so please reconsider the edict!”

Marquis Isevant was nearing 80 years of age, but he spoke out against the edicts injustice with a voice no less powerful than that of a youth.

“Do you men think the same?” Poltviran directed a question at the two counts standing behind Marquis Isevant. They were both old nobles with a reputation in the empire for their loyalty.

“We are of the same opinion as the Marquis. Your Majesty, before it is too late, I beseech thee to withdraw thy edict!”

“I beseech thee!”

Repeated motions from senior noblemen was something even an emperor could not ignore.

“Kuhahahahahahahahahaha!!”

Emperor Poltvirans laughter suddenly swept wildly through the expansive throne room. “I definitely made myself clear in the edict… Are you men resisting an imperial mandate right now?” asked Poltviran, his voice frosty. His body began to emit a dangerous aura.

“This humble one has one more piece of advice to offer.”

Emperor Poltvirans violent temper had been a problem since his days as the Crown Prince. Marquis Isevant was aware of that, but he plowed on unintimidated with his advice.

“This empire… does not belong to Your Majesty alone.”

“Shut up!!!!!!!”

“From Your Majesty at the top to the slaves at the bottom, this empire belongs to everyone working hard for the empire. As long as Your Majesty keeps that in mind, Your Majesty will become a wise emperor on par with the late emperor.”

“YOUUUUUU!”

The Emperor jumped up from his throne. He rushed towards the nobles standing in the throne room.

Clang!

Then, the Emperor suddenly drew the sword of one of the Imperial Guard Knights protecting him by his side.

“!!”

“Y-Your Majesty…”

Behind the Marquis, the two counts paled in shock.

“May you become a wise emperor. Not a tyrant…”

Marquis Isevant gave his final advice to the emperor rushing towards him with a sword.

Schwiiiing.

The Emperor used the momentum of his charge to slash Marquis Isevants mouth.

Cruuuuunch.

The blow was so powerful that the chilling sound of the old Marquis teeth and jawbones being smashed rang throughout the throne room. Though his mouth was slashed, because it wasnt a fatal injury, the old Marquis crumpled to the ground and thrashed in agony.

“Kukuku, you dare defy the Emperors command?”

His eyes glimmering with madness, Poltviran looked down on the Marquis as he bled heavily on the ground, his mouth and jawbones sliced.

Thud.

The two counts watching the violent scene fell to their knees. Nothing like this had ever happened in the history of the empire. Unless they were traitors, even the lowest-ranking noble wouldnt be disposed of like this, without any trial. That was a form of respect to the nobles who managed the empires land in the emperors stead. But today, that respect was crushed into bloody pieces. To make things worse, it wasnt even a baron, viscount, or count who was cruelly slashed by the Emperor, but a marquis.

“Keep this bastard alive! This man dared to defy an imperial mandate and insult the emperor. Sever all his tendons, slather his entire body with honey, and throw him into the ant pit!”

The Emperor gave a command so vicious one could hardly believe it. Even a noble guilty of treason was afforded the respect of a clean decapitation, but the Emperor passed down a violent command more fitting for a slave.

“Yes, siiiiiir!”

The loyal cry of the Knights of the Imperial Guard shook the throne room.

“These two bastards are also guilty of resisting an imperial mandate. Their current peerages will be stripped and their fortunes seized. Their family members will all be turned into slaves. Deal with that old piece of shits family in the same way!”