The Emperor of a Fallen Nation!

Buzzz~~~

The distant, ancient chimes gradually began to ring.

The sound drifted on the breeze, winding its way into Gawain's ears.

Gawain suddenly understood, then opened his eyes amid the chiming bells.

He found himself dressed in fur robes and wearing a crown, seated upright within a palace!

Looking around, he saw painted beams adorned with dragons and phoenixes, while Dark Birds on the walls seemed ready to spread their wings and take flight.

But aside from those decorations, there was not a second person in sight!

After surveying the room, Gawain drew his gaze back to the table before him—a most distinguished writing desk.

There were no brushes, ink, paper, or inkstones on it. Only a rolled-up painting made of some unknown hide.

Without hesitation, Gawain reached out and unrolled it.

At that instant, a dim glow shone from within the scroll, becoming more complete as it unfurled.

Once the scroll had fully opened, a palace formed from black-and-gold spectral light floated before Gawain.

The palace was magnificent and grand, steeped in an ancient air. Directly above its entrance, the three words Xianyang Palace stood clearly visible!

Looking at the words Xianyang Palace carved in seal script, Gawain's heart shook violently. Could this be a palace of Great Qin?

"I... had the same dream twice?" he muttered.

It was no wonder he thought so. An ordinary person had somehow crossed into an anime world, only to inexplicably appear in Xianyang Palace afterward?

Anyone who encountered something like that would probably think their dreams had gotten mixed together.

But whether it was a dream or something else...

Gawain closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Is anyone there?"

He asked, and as expected, received no reply.

Gawain shook his head and once again studied the scroll on the tea table before him, the one capable of projecting a glowing 3D image.

Gawain was not an optimist, but he was rational enough.

Since no one could answer his questions, then even if this was a dream, he would have to explore every piece of information within his reach himself.

And as he looked, the scroll truly began to change.

Several lines of text gradually appeared beside the 3D projection of Xianyang Palace above the scroll.

[Pacify all nations, sweep across the six realms. Until they are broken, there can be no return.]

[With every feudal lord conquered, record and release their palaces, reducing palaces to halls.]

[Descendants of Immortal Qin, if you seek immortality, then fight.]

[Advance without retreat, victory without defeat. Those defeated shall perish with their nation.]

[Emperor!]

"Phew!!!"

Gawain let out a long breath and abruptly sat up in bed.

The maid standing respectfully at his bedside hurried closer.

"My lord, you're awake!"

After saying only a few words, the maid lowered her head nervously.

Despite receiving countless rounds of training, this was her first time truly being assigned as a chief maid to serve a Celestial Dragon. She had already been nervous enough.

When her gaze shifted to Gawain's slightly stunned face, she became even more nervous.

The awakened lord looked a little dazed. That handsome face paired with such an innocent expression was simply unfair!

This Celestial Dragon lord was completely different from the others. He looked far too normal—normal and incredibly handsome!

How could she, the ordinary daughter of a marquis from the Rhine Kingdom in West Blue, be so lucky?

Not only had she been selected to live in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise and study service alongside Cipher Pol members at the Five Elders' Sabaody Castle, she had even been fortunate enough to be promoted to chief maid. And now, she had actually been assigned to such a handsome Celestial Dragon lord!

For a moment, the chief maid who had only recently been assigned to Gawain Castle flushed crimson, her breathing growing rapid.

Perhaps she was nervous. Or perhaps excited.

She could barely contain herself!

On the bed, Gawain looked at the young maid beside him. She wore a beautiful short maid outfit, its skirt barely reaching the tops of her thighs and exposing both of her long, elegant legs.

Gawain was lost for a moment. Then he raised his right hand and smacked his forehead.

Slap!

A crisp sound rang out.

"Urgh."

Gawain let out a quiet cry of pain. This pain was nothing like the vague, indistinct sensation of being hurt in a dream.

So he really was awake!

Whether it was his conflict with Charlos or his conversation with the Five Elders, it had all been real. He had truly come to this world!

But Xianyang Palace and those words...?

Gawain could not help falling into thought.

Gawain's sudden movement startled the chief maid. She hurriedly threw herself onto the bed, gently yet firmly clutching his arm.

"My lord, could it be that your injuries have not fully healed, contrary to what the Cipher Pol agents who brought you back said?

Do you have a headache? Or is there somewhere else that feels uncomfortable?

If you merely wish to hit something, then please, do not hurt yourself. Hit me instead!"

As the young chief maid spoke with utmost seriousness, she lovingly rubbed Gawain's slightly reddened forehead.

Such a handsome face—how could you bear to hit it!

If you want to hit something, hit me instead!

This girl's tough enough!

After having his forehead massaged by a girl who looked only fifteen or sixteen, Gawain sighed and waved his hand.

"It's fine. I was just... not fully awake."

As he spoke, Gawain lifted the blanket and checked what he was wearing.

Thankfully, he was dressed in a pure white nightgown. At least he had not accidentally given the young maid an eyeful.

He pushed the maid's hand aside and got up to sit at the edge of the bed.

Seeing this, the young maid knelt on the floor and naturally took Gawain's foot into her arms, beginning to massage it.

As she worked, the chief maid was utterly enchanted.

Th-This, this Celestial Dragon lord's skin was far too good!

Well, after Gawain—the genuine exception—had suddenly appeared among a group of Celestial Dragons with utterly bizarre appearances...

The young chief maid had fallen for him with astonishing ease.

Once the maid had finished massaging his foot and put his slipper on, Gawain asked her thoughtfully.

"Right, I still don't know your name. You are...?"

"Ah!"

The young maid jumped in fright. She hurriedly put the other slipper on Gawain's foot, then knelt solemnly before him and said,

"It is my negligence, my lord. I actually failed to introduce myself to you.

After your conflict with Saint Charlos, you knocked Saint Charlos unconscious.

But while the great Five Elders were receiving you, Saint Charlos went to your Sky Ladder Castle and, in his anger, took away all of your slaves.

As for me, I am Brooke. After that, I received orders from the Five Elders to come here as your new chief maid.

From now on, I will offer my life and everything I have in your service.

Within your castle, if you have any need whatsoever, you may make it known to me. I will surely do everything in my power to ensure that none of your wishes go unfulfilled!"

"Wait!"

Gawain interrupted the chief maid. Keeping his expression neutral, he asked,

"My former servants... were all taken away by Charlos?

Were any of them your friends?"

"Those..."

The young maid Brooke was about to answer, but then she suddenly looked confused.

That was right. Did she know Lord Gawain's former servants?

Logically speaking, she had many friends in the service department. She knew at least a few of the maids serving every Celestial Dragon lord.

But why did she have no impression whatsoever of Saint Gawain's former servants?

For a moment, the young chief maid stood frozen in place.

She felt like crying...

To her, nothing was more terrifying than discovering on the first day of such an important posting that she had a problem with forgetfulness!

But no matter what, Brooke swore that she would never deceive the lord she served!

So, with a tearful face, the young maid honestly told Gawain,

"I-I'm sorry, my lord. I can't remember who your former servants were.

It's not that I don't care about them, it's just... I truly have no impression of them. Is my memory too poor for me to be worthy of serving as your tool?

Sob sob~."

"Er...!"

Hearing the tremor in the young maid's voice, Gawain found a clue. So he continued asking.

"You have no impression at all of my former servants. Then what about me?

Brooke, you should know the appearances and identities of many Celestial Dragons, right?

What did you think of me before?"

What did I think of you?

I looked at you while trying not to drool!

As the young maid thought this, she tried hard to remember.

Only to feel even more like crying...

As an outstanding maid qualified to become a chief maid, she remembered photographs of every Celestial Dragon lord in Mary Geoise.

But how could she possibly have had no impression of a lord as handsome as Saint Gawain?

At his side, merely by looking at the confusion on the young maid's face, Gawain already knew the answer.

He truly had entered this world in an abrupt manner.

Gawain had not originally existed in this world. So although everyone felt that his appearance was perfectly natural, they could not remember Gawain's nonexistent past at all.

Having obtained his answer, Gawain naturally could not allow the young maid to keep speculating. Some details were better thrown into corners no one would ever mention.

So Gawain gently raised a hand and rubbed the young maid's brilliant golden hair.

"It's fine. Don't worry. We can slowly get to know each other from now on.

For now, wipe away your tears and bring me some clothes."

"Yes!"

The young chief maid wiped away her tears and retreated pitifully. Through the doorway, Gawain saw her lead in a large number of other maids, who brought him one intricate outfit after another.

While the maids fetched his clothes, Gawain let out a long sigh.

Could the reason he had abruptly been inserted into the world of the Pirate King be that magnificent Xianyang Palace?

Those whose nation perished... Emperor!

Did that Xianyang Palace want him to become an emperor?

Unknowingly, this was already Chapter Ten. Friends who feel that Banshi has been writing reasonably well should have probably met the investment time requirement by now.

If so, please support Banshi's new book as much as you can. Invest in it, and please keep up with the daily reading as well.

There is no need to send gifts. Money does not fall from the sky, and that is not what I need. What I need is daily reading—the crucial and only piece of data that will affect future recommendation slots.

Please do not stockpile chapters during the new-book period. I'm begging you.

Banshi will work hard to write a plot that satisfies everyone, and I hope all of you can help Banshi improve this new book's performance. Let us stand together and send Gawain to the top of the new-book rankings.

Reach Sanjiang, step onto the cover!

Banshi and all of you, onward together.