Chapter 26

[Edict. Regarding the 50th Succession War]

-The existing rules and trials are hereby abolished.

-Ownership of the seven Treasures already found is recognized.

-For the three undiscovered Treasures, the special provision ‘Grand Convergence’ shall be applied.

-This provision may, depending on the circumstances, also affect the ownership of existing Treasures.

-The ‘Grand Convergence’ shall commence ten days from the proclamation of this edict.

-All administrative authority lies with the Imperial Chief Mage ‘Hermai Merhes’.

[Continua Cordis Magnus]

A short edict shook the Great Palace.

The name of the Great Emperor Continua held absolute authority.

No one could rescind it now.

No matter how many complaints or bewilderments there were, it would not be broken.

The flow of the Succession War had been completely overturned.

This much was clear.

***

“Ferbiaaaas!”

CR-A-A-ACK, a deafening roar.

“You, son of a bitch–!!!”

Secundus let out a monstrous scream and threw a heavy shield.

The large shield, which an ordinary person couldn’t even lift, flew like a toy discus and, with another roar, embedded itself in the stone wall.

But Secundus showed no sign of his anger subsiding.

“Dammit, Ferbias, dammit-!”

As he raged, all sorts of things lost their shape.

Thick iron bars bent like springs, and the stone floor was pitted like a sandy beach.

Only after tearing several pieces of high-quality magic armor like paper did Secundus finally begin to catch his breath.

“Huuuu……”

Steam rose from the muscular prince’s body.

As he struggled to control his anger, he looked like a large beast.

In fact, there wasn’t much of a difference.

“Have you calmed down a bit, brother……”

“…Hmm.”

Kateka spoke cautiously.

He and I had taken a step back, waiting for Secundus’s anger to cool.

Secundus looked at his two brothers and forced a smile to his lips.

“My apologies. I made a scene.”

“Not at all. It’s understandable……”

The Reclusive Prince, Kateka Keshulei, shook his head.

He was just as bewildered and angry.

“The Grand Convergence. To think he’d bring a rule from 400 years ago……”

It was enough to make one wonder what kind of trick he had used.

This was an absurdity among absurdities.

To bring a special case from 400 years ago and push it through!

Secundus wiped his sweat and spat out a curse.

“It’s twisted, completely twisted! Just when we had gained the upper hand, to think it would be overturned.”

“Don’t we still have one more Treasure on our side?”

“The problem is whether we can protect it.”

At my question, Secundus clicked his tongue.

Ferbias’s faction was overwhelming.

If they were to clash head-on, there would be no chance of victory.

“Brother Ferbias… no, that son of a bitch got us good!”

At the words ‘son of a bitch’, Kateka and I simultaneously nodded our heads.

Brother or not, Ferbias was indeed a son of a bitch.

Secundus, unable to contain his anger, let out another monstrous scream into the air.

“This is frustrating, dammit! That bastard must have already finished his preparations for the Grand Convergence. He’s a meticulous one when it comes to preparation……”

Secundus was, in name and in reality, the prince with the strongest physique.

However, there were many problems in life that could not be solved with a strong body alone.

For instance, schemes, for instance, factions, for instance, rules.

Ferbias was truly excellent at using all of these.

“We can’t just let him play with us. We need a move, something……”

“Brother.”

I opened my mouth.

“How about contacting sister Leniar?”

“…Sister Leniar?”

“Yes. An alliance might be out of the question, but a non-aggression pact seems quite possible.”

“Huuuhm……”

Secundus stroked his chin.

If Leniar de Volmark did not turn into an enemy, it would certainly be less of a worry.

However, there were some concerns.

“Will she agree to our proposal?”

“She must be just as bewildered by the Grand Convergence.”

“Thinking of it that way, it seems plausible. It’s a good idea.”

Secundus’s lips slowly curled up.

“Our sister’s personality is so, well, that I never even considered a truce.”

Leniar de Volmark was famous for her cold disposition.

She trusted no one and had no intention of being trusted by anyone, so how could one think of joining hands with her.

If Ferbias hadn’t been so unreasonable, this would have been an impossible event.

“I should send an envoy right away.”

“If you send an envoy, you’ll be turned away at the door. I even know how difficult our sister is.”

“Then what should we do?”

Secundus and Kateka looked at me.

A certain expectation was in their eyes.

It was because my words seemed to be unraveling this frustrating situation one by one.

“I will go.”

“Yourself, Zionis?”

“Yes. If a prince goes, she won’t be able to turn me away at the door.”

Hmm.

Secundus stroked his chin again.

My words were very plausible.

So it was also true that it looked a little suspicious.

He still did not fully trust me.

But the muscular prince soon made a decision.

He had no other choice.

“Alright. I’ll leave it to you, Zionis.”

“I’ll do my best.”

I bowed my head, and Secundus looked down at his brother warmly.

Though he couldn’t know all his intentions, it was clear that he was working for his faction.

“I’ll contact our sister’s side in advance, so try to go and see her as soon as possible.”

“I’ll go within the day.”

“You’re really fast!”

Secundus laughed heartily.

His anger seemed to have mostly subsided.

“It’s a good thing to be diligent. It seems you’re quite worked up because of that Ferbias bastard too.”

He gave me a few things.

A protective artifact and a pouch of gold coins.

Saying that you never know how things will turn out.

“Go to the villa at the edge of the capital. Our sister doesn’t often stay in the Imperial Palace. Should I lend you my carriage?”

“No, it’s alright.”

“Alright. You’ll manage on your own. By the way, have you ever spoken with sister Leniar?”

“I have not.”

‘Not before the regression, at least.’

I knew a woman named Leniar de Volmark, my half-sister.

But that was before my regression.

Only I remembered.

Secundus placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Then there is something you must be careful of.”

Secundus’s face was serious.

“You must have heard that our sister spent her childhood in the Duchy of Volmark.”

“Yes.”

“It’s a rumor, but I heard that at the time, our sister was kidnapped by an enemy country to the north.”

“If it’s north of Volmark……”

At my question, Secundus opened his mouth.

“The Silver Dragon Magic Kingdom.”

For the past four centuries, the Silver Dragon Magic Kingdom had been Cordis’s greatest adversary.

So much so that the greatest mission given to the Duchy of Volmark was to protect the Empire’s territory from the Silver Dragon Magic Kingdom.

“I don’t know what she went through, but I heard our sister is very sensitive to the name ‘Silver Dragon’.”

“So, Silver Dragon is a forbidden topic.”

“Yes. As long as you’re careful about that, there shouldn’t be any problem.”

“Understood. You can count on me.”

I smiled.

I smiled so brightly that I almost looked like a girl.

“I’ll come back with a very good story.”

***

The path to Leniar’s villa was peaceful.

‘The Grand Convergence before the regression was a chaotic mess.’

I looked up at the sky.

19 years ago, a past that would not come again, came to mind.

‘The three factions took turns fighting three times with rules that would be advantageous to them. It was a complete disaster.’

The first two were manageable, but the last one was the problem.

Leniar and Secundus never made a truce until the end and just coveted the Imperial Throne, brandishing their swords against their siblings.

Dignity and etiquette were nowhere to be found.

‘If the two of them make a truce, the conflict will be less than before. Ferbias’s plan won’t go so smoothly either. Then that’s a good thing for me too.’

The First Prince Ferbias’s faction and legitimacy were strong.

But if Leniar and Secundus joined forces, he wouldn’t be impossible to deal with.

‘But what’s more important is my second secret. I need that thing that sister Leniar has……’

Whoosh, something grazed past my ear.

There was no time to draw Valziart or Fantasy Finger.

My head could have flown off and I broke out in a cold sweat and turned my head.

What had flown by was a large and sturdy thing made of steel…….

“…An axe?”

“Stop, kid!”

A gruff voice was loud.

A short old man walked out.

He must have been the one who threw the axe.

“Do you know where you are!”

“…I’ve heard the northern folk are rough, but that’s a very harsh greeting.”

With the old man at the lead, several axe-wielding warriors quickly surrounded me.

I did not resist.

I had expected this in the first place.

I just didn’t expect them to be this rough.

I raised my hands and said.

“I am the Fifth Prince Zionis. Brother Secundus should have sent a message.”

“Hmm? Prince Zionis?”

“We met once at the temple site, didn’t we, Commander Yosef?”

One of the Volmark Six Warriors, Yosef Haider, feigned surprise.

“Oh my! It really is Your Highness! What are you doing, you brats! Aren’t you going to apologize at once!”

The Haider warriors lowered their axes and bowed their heads.

Yosef laughed heartily and even smacked his subordinates on the head.

“My apologies, I’m old and my eyes aren’t what they used to be.”

‘Excuses. You knew from the beginning.’

I let out a soft laugh.

It was an obvious attempt at intimidation.

I had no intention of playing along with such a trick.

Yosef, as if sensing this, laughed awkwardly.

“Now, now, please come in. Her Highness Leniar is waiting.”

***

Yosef guided me to the dining hall.

“My apologies for receiving you in a place like this. I was just in the middle of a meal.”

“It’s alright, sister.”

It was a northern-style dining hall with small windows and a cozy atmosphere.

Leniar greeted her brother while remaining seated.

“It seems this is the first time we’ve spoken, Zionis.”

“It’s my first time as well, sister Leniar.”

“I heard that you obtained the Treasure from the library and joined Secundus’s faction.”

The First Princess, Leniar de Volmark, had the same grace as always.

She swept up her silver hair and gestured.

“Have a seat. Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“Prepare a meal for Zionis.”

The servants brought out plates with a clatter.

The first thing placed was a bowl of water for washing hands.

While I was washing my hands, bread and salt, and a fork and knife were placed.

Having seen through her intentions, I burst out laughing inwardly.

‘Testing me right away. How difficult she is.’

Bread and salt was a traditional symbol of hospitality.

However, the etiquette of eating it differed slightly from region to region.

In imperial etiquette, the bread must be cut with a knife, but in Volmark’s etiquette, the bread must be torn by hand.

‘I’ll play along, Volmark style.’

I ignored the fork and knife placed before me and tore the bread with my hands without hesitation.

It was of good quality, so it tasted good with just a dip of salt.

‘Oho.’

Leniar raised her eyebrows as if surprised and gestured.

“Bring out the next course. The appetizer has just been served, but we can’t serve cold food.”

Soon, a servant brought out a silver platter.

It was a grilled fish dish, with a light sauce drizzled over it.

“Grilled Dam-eo with Bacha sauce. How did you know it was my favorite.”

“I’m glad you like it. Enjoy your meal.”

Leniar smiled benevolently.

At first glance, she looked like a very kind sister.

But my eyes were sharp.

I saw the servant who had received Leniar’s gaze bringing a teapot.

The servant was about to pour the tea, but I stopped him.

“Wait. Is that by any chance Fre Leaf Tea?”

“Yes. It is. It’s a high-quality product from the west of the great mountain range.”

“Hey. Who serves tea with such a wonderful fish dish? I’d rather drink water.”

With a fish dish, one drinks wine, or if not, water.

To eat it with tea is what barbarians do!

This was also the etiquette of the northern Volmark.

The people of the capital didn’t much care if one drank tea or water with their fish.

Leniar stared at me and then opened her mouth.

“There’s dessert too, Zionis. Delicious butter cookies.”

“Pardon? Butter cookies? I can’t believe it. The Fre Leaf Tea from before, and now this, it’s a bit too much.”

I shook my head in an exaggerated manner.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to ask for pancakes. You must have Selomberry jam, of course?”

“Huhuhu……”

Leniar let out a small laugh.

Her eyes as she looked at me were clearly softer than before.

It was because I had followed the etiquette of Volmark.

“You know the northern etiquette well.”

“I read about it in a book.”

“Is that so? Now I feel embarrassed for having tested you.”

Leniar wiped her mouth.

It was a simple motion, yet it was imbued with grace.

“I didn’t know you were this kind of child. If I had known, I would have snatched you up before Secundus.”

“You wouldn’t have, would you?”

“You’ve seen through me again.”

With a flick of her silver hair, the princess giggled.

The old man standing next to her, Yosef, could not hide his surprise.

It was by no means common for Leniar de Volmark to laugh like this.

“I like you, Zionis. Since time is of the essence, let’s get straight to the point.”

Leniar spoke with a smile on her lips.

“What did Secundus say?”

“He says he wants a non-aggression pact.”

“And why should I do that?”

“You already know.”

“That’s right. I do.”

The silver-haired princess’s smile deepened.

She was really starting to like the half-brother in front of her.

It was strange.

She never opened her heart to anyone unless she had been close to them since childhood.

“We can’t just let brother Ferbias run wild. Even if we can’t be allies, we shouldn’t be enemies, should we?”

“Wise words.”

“Take it.”

At the princess’s gesture, a servant approached.

In his hand was a stiff piece of paper decorated with gold leaf.

“It’s a certificate stating that if Secundus’s faction does not show any hostile actions first, our side will also remain still.”

“You wrote it in such detail in such a short time.”

“We have to be sure.”

I clicked my tongue.

The writing was dense.

It was an explanation of what the standards for hostile actions or staying still were, and what the definition of a faction was.

Leniar’s seal was also clear.

It might even be effective if used as a national document.

“Because of Ferbias, a lot of work has piled up, so I want to finish the things I can finish as quickly as possible.”

I smiled.

Leniar did as well.

Perhaps because they shared blood, their smiles were similar.

It was the smile of a liar who did not reveal their inner thoughts.

That’s why a strange emotion arose.

“That should be it, right, Zionis? Finish your meal before you go. It’s a really good grilled Dam-eo. I’ll have the pancakes prepared right away.”

“Ah, though brother Secundus’s request was easily resolved, I also have some business.”

“Business?”

Leniar raised her head as if interested.

She was in a good mood because she had seen an unexpected side of her half-brother.

So much so that she felt like she wanted to indulge him a little.

“You’re making me curious.”

“There’s something I need that you have, sister.”

“If it’s within reason, there’s no reason I can’t give it to you as a sign of our truce.”

The silver-haired princess asked.

“Tell me, Zionis. What do you need?”

Shion Pollinglight snickered.

“A silver dragon’s scale.”

My blue eyes shone with a chilling light.

“……”

Leniar de Volmark’s face stiffened.

Her face was instantly stained with rage.

Even Yosef Haider gasped for breath.

But I was nonchalant.

My blue eyes never wavered.

“You will have to give it to me.”

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