Chapter 261: Imperial Family’s Unhappiness

Even before the King of Sanguo called, Elpidius, the current Emperor of the Empire, was already arguing with the Chancellor.

And for good reason.

“Every nation allied to kill Deon Hart…!”

The Chancellor had received this news far too late.

And even this early warning was only because he was the Chancellor. Ardal, pressing firmly on his temples to calm himself after hearing that no one else except the Emperor and Crown Prince knew, finally raised his voice.

“This is a plan of absurd scale! How could you decide on such a crucial matter without a single word to your subjects!”

“It may be large in scale, but it’s not a wrong plan, is it?”

“Is that what you think I’m talking about right now? Your Majesty, I’m talking about proceeding with a plan that could determine the fate of our nation without giving any hint to your vassals.”

This was a decision that should have been made after being placed on the meeting agenda and discussed. Even if you were to push your opinion, it should have been done in a formal meeting.

You should have at least allowed them to prepare their minds; instead, the nobles are about to be struck by lightning out of the blue, knowing nothing.

Moreover,

“And can Your Majesty swear that there was no personal motive in that decision?”

“……”

A plan that prioritizes killing Deon Hart above all else. There’s no way personal feelings weren’t involved.

Their uncle and the late Emperor Eudoardo had died at the hands of Deon Hart. It felt like only yesterday they were clamoring for revenge with every fiber of their being, there was no way they’d have sorted out their emotions already.

It’s good that the royals are close-knit, but not when they can’t distinguish between public and private matters. Ardal sighed, a cloud of frustration.

“The late Emperor at least maintained the minimum line that should be kept as the ‘Emperor’ of the Empire.”

No, looking back now, he was more Emperor-like than anyone else.

“And yet, he personally recognized you as his successor and passed on the throne, but if Your Majesty acts like this….”

“You.”

His words cut off abruptly.

Aletea, who had been observing the situation, leaning against the windowsill, straightened up, and Elpidius, who had been propping up his chin as if bored by the nagging, lowered his hand. Golden eyes flashed coldly, sharply.

“Do you take me for a fool?”

“……”

“The late Emperor is the late Emperor, and I am I. How dare you compare the late Emperor and me?”

Comparing a person to others is impolite in itself, let alone doing such a thing to the Emperor and using it to pressure him—how should he interpret this?

Does he think I’m that ridiculous? Elpidius’s voice sank even lower, colder.

“I will not forgive those who belittle the late Emperor, but I also did not allow anyone to belittle me by using him as a shield. Of course, you are a figure from the late Emperor’s generation and have watched me since I was the Crown Prince, so I understand that the throne supporting me might not be easily visible to you….”

“……”

“But you shouldn’t show it outwardly. Don’t you think?”

“……I apologize for my discourtesy.”

Once he realized his mistake, the apology was quick.

Elpidius, who had been glaring at the Chancellor bowing his head, sighed deeply. Fatigue was evident in the hand he waved dismissively, as if to say it was enough.

“If you weren’t competent, your head would have flown off already.”

Thanks to his capable Chancellor, the otherwise chaotic Empire was somehow maintaining balance and operating smoothly. The speed at which it was stabilizing was also quite fast.

‘If he hadn’t been competent in the first place, a commoner like him wouldn’t even be in this position, though.’

The Chancellor apologized again by silently bowing, and silence descended.

This crisis is over. It was a bit unpleasant, but thanks to it, the awkward topic was diverted, so should we end the reckoning for the Chancellor’s rudeness here? In the atmosphere that was regaining its warmth, Elpidius leaned his upper body against the backrest.

“……I often think about this.”

At the end of the silence, a subdued voice, close to a soliloquy, echoed softly.

“If our family hadn’t been born into the Imperial family, we might have been happy.”

“……”

“Chancellor, you seem to think Uncle was Emperor-like, but in reality, that’s far from the truth.”

Does the saying ‘position makes a person’ ring a bell?

It’s a phrase that perfectly fits Eudoardo Deserte. A sneer touched his eyes as he looked up at the ceiling.

“Regardless of his nature, Uncle was merely struggling to fit himself into the position, carving himself to fit the mold.”

Even while knowing that the Imperial crown was pressing down on him to the point of suffocating him, even while lamenting that it was more of a leash than a crown, he endured. And so….

Elpidius, who had watched that scene closely, closed his eyes slowly.

“I get the feeling that neither Father nor Uncle were suited for the Imperial family.”

“……”

“And neither am I.”

Even if Father had become king, he would have walked a similar path to Uncle.

By nature, they were not suited for the position of ruler. That was true for Elpidius as well. The only difference was….

‘I can’t do it like them.’

He had no intention of carving himself to fit the position just because he was unfit for it. He didn’t have the confidence to bear the weight of the Imperial crown.

That’s why he didn’t wear the Imperial crown.

‘I am not the Emperor.’

Because he wasn’t the ‘real’ Emperor, he was acting so recklessly.

Swallowing words he couldn’t say out loud, he opened his eyes. Elpidius smiled at the Chancellor who was looking at him with an indescribable expression.

“Just let the alliance matter slide. It’s not a wrong path, and aside from personal feelings, isn’t it something we have to do anyway?”

“However.”

“I’ll handle the aftermath.”

I was going to take the blame anyway. It’s something I started in the first place, so it’s not even really taking the blame.

He had no intention of letting Aletea, or even the Chancellor, be criticized for not speaking up even though they knew, so they didn’t need to worry.

Ardal, reading from Elpidius’s resolute expression that there was no room for persuasion, swallowed a sigh.

“……It’s already done, anyway.”

It was already beyond the level he could manage on his own.

Elpidius raised the corner of his lips at the indirect permission mixed with resignation to do as he pleased.

“That’s right.”

“……”

“Then, you may leave now.”

On one side, the communicator blinked. Knowing well who was trying to connect, he naturally issued an order to leave while reaching out his hand.

At the same time as the Chancellor left and the door closed, the communication connected and a voice rang out.

– How is the persuasion of Rweche going? May I ask?

It was a voice that sounded somewhat bloodthirsty.

***

The young Emperor soothed the King of Sanguo.

“I was going to send someone anyway.”

– …….

“I’ve even prepared the letter. As soon as I pick a suitable person, I’ll send them right away.”

The King of Sanguo said.

– I will join the alliance. So please proceed as quickly as possible.

Having heard these words, there was no way he wouldn’t know. Elpidius was certain. Something had happened. Something urgent.

The upper hand had shifted. Now the Empire had the upper hand against Sanguo. If he played it cool and dragged his feet, he could get what he wanted.

However.

“Understood.”

From the standpoint of wanting an alliance of as many countries as possible, it would be troublesome if Sanguo were to fall because of such actions. And that is what a ‘ruler’ who seeks the benefit of the country would do, not something I should do.

Elpidius readily agreed instead of attaching unnecessary trade conditions.

And then he pondered.

Who should he send?

“Sending just anyone will get them rejected….”

“It would be lucky if they just didn’t get their head cut off. There is a suitable person.”

How long had it been since he cut off the communication and fell into thought?

At the quiet murmur, Aletea, who had been listening silently, opened her mouth. Under Elpidius’s questioning gaze, a relaxed voice continued.

“Someone who knows how to use their head enough to serve as my Crown Princess’s aide, and someone who can easily win the favor of the King of Rweche.”

“……Is there such a person here?”

“His brother already has a track record of not only surviving against the furious King of Rweche but also receiving a promise. If the King of Rweche sees someone who resembles her, wouldn’t he be unable to get angry easily?”

“Ah.”

He knew who it was.

Following a soft exclamation, the target’s name followed.

“Lindel Riner.”

Lien Riner’s brother.

Correct. Aletea finished her words with a bright smile.

“Yes, perhaps Lyndell, who is even smarter than her, might be able to persuade the King of Rweche.”

***

When Deon Hart was playing Ches-s with the King of Sanguo—that too, right before the last day—he had been raided.

It was when he was returning after finishing the game as usual.

He went to a remote place, going around and around to avoid unnecessary attention, when his foot sank, and a small flame fell from above his head.

It was a dark night, but the eyes of a Hero, unconstrained by the environment, saw it clearly. It wasn’t just a flame, it was a fire arrow. The sparks falling and filling his vision against the jet-black night sky were quite beautiful, but….

‘What are they going to do with just a few fire arrows?’

He didn’t know who was behind it, but it seemed they weren’t from Sanguo. On his first day here, he had rampaged and shown overwhelming power, there’s no way they would think they could kill a Hero with just this.

—While having such thoughts, he suddenly thought.

‘Under my feet….’

—Was it originally like this?

There were piles of rattling things under his feet. Too big to be pebbles, and an unnatural texture.

He lowered his head. And what he saw was….

“……Ha, damn it.”

All of these are bombs? Whoever it is, they came prepared.

The things that were spread out like black pebbles by the stream were all bombs. Bombs here, bombs there. Bombs. Bombs. Bombs….

‘I let my guard down.’

Now it was too late to catch or deflect the fire arrows.

Belatedly, to escape the pit, he roughly covered his head and jumped up through the rain of arrows, but….

KWA-GWA-GWANG!!

It was not enough to escape the range of the explosion.

‘Shit.’

With the scorching heat, his vision turned red.

***

When the red light, as if the sun had risen in the untimely moonlight, illuminated the world and faded away as if nothing had happened, a group of people appeared around the pit.

The still smoldering black ground hissed with steam every time it was stepped on. A man peering into the pit in a scene that resembled the manifestation of hell, opened his mouth.

“Surely… he’s dead, right?”

“Don’t you know that phrase is taboo?”

“But he must be dead. No matter how much of a Hero he is, there’s no way he could survive an explosion of that magnitude. Finding a corpse would be a miracle…!”

Thud.

As if lying, a hand rose from inside the pit. After the black hand touched the ground, ashen hair appeared.

“As expected.”

An eerie voice echoed.

“I knew someone would come if I waited here.”

Following that, crimson pupils glinted under the moonlight. Everyone flinched and stepped back, startled by the appearance as if from a ghost story.

Deon didn’t care and raised the corner of his lips.

As he emerged from the pit, his figure was clearly exposed. His clothes were tattered, and his entire body was stained black with soot, but there were no visible wounds.

“I did let my guard down.”

Just like someone said, he had become arrogant as a Hero. He paid the price for it this time.

In the explosion, his body was repeatedly torn apart and healed. His skin melted and recovered due to the heat. Almost simultaneously with the injury, recovery proceeded, so there was no permanent damage such as losing parts of his body, but the pain was unbearable, so Deon repeatedly replayed the situation, angry at himself for being careless and at the opponent who had committed this act.

“And I thought. Who woke up my lax mind?”

Who did this dog-like thing?