21st Century Archmage

Poouuuur.

Red wine over a century old from the Laviter Empire royal wine cellar bubbled as it splashed into a golden wine glass embossed with a Gold Wyvern with outstretched wings.

“Drink.”

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

Wine was exchanged in the office of the emperor, where he handled his paperwork, located within the Laviter Imperial Palace. The young Emperor Hadveria, who had curly blonde hair that suited him well, offered Duke Luvidium a glass of wine with a quiet, but smooth voice. That offering was carefully received by Duke Luvidium with both hands. Despite being a duke, one of the pillars of the empire, and despite his advanced age of over 70 years, Luvidium treated the Emperor with such restrained politeness that he seemed less like a duke and more like a knight having an audience with the Emperor for the first time.

“Was the business you went for concluded well?”

The rich fragrance of wine circled around the office. The Emperor asked a question off-handedly while bringing the glass to his lips.

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty. I safely completed the prisoner exchange negotiations.”

Because the Emperor had achieved Blade Master level, even though he was in his mid-forties, he didnt look a day over his mid-thirties. Facing such a young-looking emperor, Duke Luvidium was as taut as a drawn bowstring. He knew. He knew that the moment you offended this emperor with such a calm and quiet demeanor, something as insignificant as the ducal house would disappear like the morning dew.

“Well done.”

The Emperor had taken a sip of his wine, and when his mouth opened, the sweet fragrance came spilling out.

“It is an honor.”

The Duke had received the glass of wine, but he dared not drink. Cold sweat had even beaded up on his forehead.

“Right, did you meet the Lord of Nerman?”

After meeting the Lord of Nerman, Duke Luvidium had flown to the palace without resting. He carefully responded to the Emperors query.

“I have, Your Majesty.”

Hadverias eyes gleamed brightly at those words. His eyes flashed for a moment like a passing meteor before disappearing, like a wolf in the darkness spotting prey.

“What manner of person is he?”

Pouuuur.

Having drunk one glass of wine, the Emperor refilled his glass. His actions were slow, but the deliberate movements made the watcher feel as if they were slowly suffocating. This was the invisible pressure created by the Emperor. Anyone other than Duke Luvidium would have already begun panting from shortness of breath.