Chapter 95

The Crown Prince’s private office.

The Crown Prince remained alone inside the dark room without even having lit a lamp, quietly sinking into thought.

‘I’m worried whether I can drag Yurion out by joining hands with those two idiots. Rather than trusting them, I should come up with something myself.’

Deep distrust toward his brothers had taken root in the Crown Prince’s heart.

He had joined hands only because he lacked even a single additional ally, but from the start, he never regarded the two as being on his level.

‘If it comes to it, I’ll only pretend to cooperate, then strike them from behind and swallow them whole. It’s true that Yurion had grown in power, but if I can swallow the remaining two factions, standing against the Fifth Prince’s faction won’t be difficult.’

Realistically, that route had more chance of success than joining hands with his brothers to pull Yuwon down.

The Crown Prince sharpened his blade in silence.

For a prince, failing to become Emperor ultimately meant death.

In truth, Yuwon had no intention of going that far, but as the saying goes, you only see what you want to see.

For the Crown Prince, becoming Emperor was a matter of life and death.

‘Once Father appoints Yurion as the next Emperor and announces it as Heaven’s mandate, everything will become nothing. I must act before that. If not… then I’ll have no choice but to draw my final card.’

A card he absolutely wished never to use.

The Crown Prince fiddled with the worst option in his possession.

‘To think I’d truly be driven this far… I really didn’t want to borrow another nation’s hand….’

Even the Emperor instinctively knew that once he drew this card, something terrible would befall the Empire.

But such anxiety could not stop a man whose life was on the line.

‘I have no time left to hesitate with such worries. I’ll use it. That’s the only way I live.’

An intent that, in the end, he would not hesitate to go to war.

In the unlit office, the Crown Prince’s eyes flashed sharply within the darkness.

At the same time, deep inside the Second Prince’s Palace.

Here, something similar, yet different, unfolded from what had occurred in the Crown Prince’s Palace.

“…What? A military revolution? You’re telling me to ignore Father’s will and raise a rebellion?”

“Your Highness, you must think carefully. The mandate has already shifted toward the Fifth Prince. I speak with utmost shame, but if the Fifth Prince becomes Emperor and his faction gains dominance, Your Highness’s life will become as precarious as a candle in the wind.”

“But a rebellion? That is impossible. Father is watching with both eyes wide open, and you’re telling me to pull a rebellion! I didn’t think Duke Baros was such a man. Do you want to make me Emperor, or turn me into a traitor!”

Second Prince Arencar shouted as though he had heard something outrageous.

However, Duke Baros, who tried to persuade him, did not stop speaking.

“Of course, I say this because I wish to serve Your Highness as Emperor. As you said, if His Majesty the current Emperor remains alive, Your Highness will remain safe. Even the Fifth Prince, who will inherit the throne, will have no choice but to mind His Majesty Yulaios Aphahiel for some time. But that will not last long.

Recall history. When has the end ever been good for a prince who failed to ascend the throne? Please, once more consider this loyal subject’s sincerity, Your Highness.”

Duke Baros, the Second Prince’s right hand and the core of the military faction, bowed deeply to prove his loyalty.

Seeing this, the Second Prince fell into conflict.

‘A rebellion… a rebellion… Must I truly go that far?’

After the Second Prince made a mistake in the South and even returned with an injured arm, his faction, once comparable to the Crown Prince’s in strength, had declined sharply.

But still, Duke Baros and several military leaders who followed him remained loyal by the Second Prince’s side.

A loyal subject was speaking so strongly of rebellion—how could the Second Prince not waver?

‘My arm is almost fully healed anyway….’

He still pretended that his arm had not healed to make his brothers let down their guard, but in truth, his arm was nearly back to normal.

The Second Prince continued to hesitate.

“Do you truly believe… that there is no other way?”

To this cautious question, the bowing duke raised his head slightly and answered.

“I apologize for saying this, but… at present, this is the only path. The moment His Majesty proclaims the next Emperor, everything will become even more difficult. You must choose as soon as possible.”

The unshaken eyes of Duke Baros gave courage to the Second Prince.

“…How many would join us in this intent?”

“You need not worry about that. All the rabble have left long ago. Those who remain in the Second Prince’s faction now are only those who would give their lives for Your Highness. If we gather our strength and hold out, even if Your Highness cannot become Emperor, you can become the king of a new nation.”

“So you’re telling me not to become Emperor of Aphahiel but to flee and become king of another land?”

To this, Duke Baros replied without hesitation.

“The others face flames at their feet as well. Should the other princes also conceive similar thoughts…”

Duke Baros carefully avoided finishing the final sentence.

The Second Prince spoke the rest.

“…Civil war.”

“Yes, that is correct. And… in an age of civil war, the most important thing is the army.”

Civil war.

It was clearly the ideal stage for the Second Prince’s faction, built around the military.

After a brief period of contemplation, the Second Prince finally crossed the river he should never have crossed.

“…Very well. Let it be so.”

Princes driven to the edge began one by one to draw their final, worst cards.

“You summoned me, Your Majesty.”

“Ah, yes, come in. I have been waiting for you.”

At the Emperor’s summons, Yuwon stood before the throne.

It seemed the Emperor had made up his mind, for in the vast great hall where the throne stood, there was not even an ant present—only Yuwon and the Emperor.

“You seemed to have had many worries.”

Whether he had contemplated matters day and night, the Emperor’s face looked gaunt, but his eyes alone appeared refreshed.

“That is true. But one cannot continue worrying forever, can one.”

“Have you made your decision?”

“For what reason do you think I called you?”

It was not a question.

Yuwon did not answer.

“….”

And then, in a low voice, the Emperor called Yuwon by his other name.

“Yurion. My son.”

“Yes, Father.”

“I shall ask you several questions. Answer truthfully.”

“Ask anything you wish.”

With a heavy tone, the Emperor continued.

“…What made you this way? Why do you wish to become Emperor?”

“What meaning is there for a prince who does not aim for the throne? I merely strove for the right that I was entitled to claim.”

“For ten years. You acted as a wastrel and deceived the eyes of the people for a full ten years. Correct?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

“Those who once called you a wastrel and a White Dog now say the Fifth Prince Yurion deceived the world with a decade-long scheme. But, my son. I do not think so. Even if the world believes it, you cannot deceive me.”

“….”

Yuwon waited silently for the Emperor’s words to end, offering no response.

He was merely searching inwardly for the correct answer to the question he expected.

‘He truly isn’t Emperor for nothing….’

“You were certainly a wastrel. But after you fainted and awoke this spring, you completely changed. Am I wrong?”

“You are not mistaken, Father.”

“What happened to you during that time?”

“…….”

Yuwon pondered what he should answer.

But the hesitation did not last long.

‘A frontal breakthrough is the only way.’

From the beginning, the answer had been decided.

Yuwon chose not to run.

He raised his gaze and looked straight into the Emperor’s blue eyes.

“I was reborn that day.”

The Emperor did not avoid his gaze either.

The Emperor’s gaze crashed into Yuwon like a stormy sea.

The Emperor’s deep blue eyes that seemed to hold the great ocean and Yuwon’s wintry sea eyes clashed in the air, scattering sparks.

“Reborn, you say… Do you think that is a sufficient answer to my question?”

“Regarding that matter, I have nothing more to say beyond this. Whether you believe me or not is entirely your decision, Father.”

At Yuwon’s shamelessly grandiose answer, the Emperor faintly furrowed his brow.

“No matter what more I say, your stance will not change, so you are telling me simply to accept it as truth.”

“I never said that, but if that is how you interpret it, I will not deny it.”

Yuwon drew a smile across his face—an unforced smile, the kind that could only come from genuine ease.

Seeing that smile on his son’s face, the Emperor let out a bitter laugh inwardly.

‘So… this boy is no longer afraid of this old father….’

Even Yulaios Aphahiel, Emperor of the Empire, the lion with windblown mane who ruled the Empire, could no longer make Yuwon tense.

Ever since he had become Emperor, every single person he met displayed some measure of fear toward him.

All people of the Empire, his vassals, kings of other nations, even his oldest friend, and even his sons.

Even Rohan, who seemed to treat the Emperor casually, could not escape this.

The Emperor Yulaios was a born predator.

Instinctively, he felt the fear and awe others had of him.

Only Yuwon differed.

‘Truly, this child is fit to be Emperor. If not him, who could possibly become Emperor.’

Yuwon’s simple, ordinary-looking smile—nothing more than a smile—ultimately turned the Emperor’s wavering heart.

Then the Emperor erased the heavy air and looked at Yuwon with a pleased expression.

“…Very well. That is enough.”

The Emperor changed his tone once more and spoke solemnly.

“Fifth Prince Yurion Aphahiel.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Yuwon responded with utmost respect.

Then the Emperor opened his mouth.

“Prepare yourself. Before long, you shall succeed me and become Emperor.”

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