Chapter 96

After Yuwon left, the two men returned to the Emperor’s side and kept their places.

Marquis Bradman, Revildren—better known as the ‘Sword of the Empire’ and the Emperor’s long-time friend.

And the secret guardian who stood by the Emperor’s side: the Shadow.

“ So, Your Majesty has decided on the Fifth Prince after all.”

At Marquis Bradman’s words, the Emperor answered in a voice that sounded noticeably relieved.

“ Yes. It was truly difficult to make a decision until the very end, but when I saw the child’s face, I knew my choice had not been wrong.”

“You chose well. Considering the potential the Fifth Prince has shown so far, he will do well from here on, without doubt.”

“ Yes, I suppose so.”

“Above all, the young ones seem to follow Fifth Prince very well. His achievements in the South are still being talked about.”

There was no way the Emperor did not know this.

Proud of his son, the Emperor answered with a laugh.

“Ha-ha, indeed. That child is the greatest beneficiary of the recent Southern Subjugation.”

Once, the Emperor had not wished for Yuwon to become Emperor.

He had clearly seen the rivers of blood that would be shed if Yuwon were to ascend the throne.

The recent Southern expedition of the Houkijisu participants had also been born from that sentiment.

The Emperor had pushed the princes onto a stage where Yuwon could not shine.

Unfortunately, the opponent had been ill-chosen.

Yuwon had leapt over that obstruction with ease, turning crisis into opportunity and soaring upward in a single breath.

“For now, the support of the young won’t be of much help, but once those young men grow into heads of their houses, the Fifth Prince will benefit greatly.”

“Yes, that must be so.”

While the Emperor and Marquis Bradman were exchanging leisurely words, the Shadow—who had been silently listening—spoke for the first time in a long while.

“…Your Majesty. May I offer a word?”

A chilling voice, like fog taking shape as sound.

The Emperor listened, for the man seldom spoke first.

“Very well. Speak. What is it?”

“…Recently, the movements of Lehl have been somewhat unusual. After the death of Sword Saint Karniel, something appears to have happened within the Holy Kingdom of Lehl.”

“Hm? Is that so? Well, if it is their affair, they will handle it. Is it something worth noting? Power struggles between the Pope’s faction and the Saint’s supporters are nothing new.”

“My apologies for speaking out of turn, but… this time seems somewhat different. I would need to investigate further to be certain, but the atmosphere is not normal.”

“If you think so, there must be a reason. Look into it, and if you detect any unusual signs, report at once.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall do so.”

Perhaps because he had spoken for the first time in a while, the Shadow appeared to have more to say.

“Ah… and there is one more thing I wished to report….”

“What now?”

“I believe it would be wise to delay the appointment of the next heir to the throne.”

This time, the tone differed from earlier.

The Emperor revealed slight displeasure.

“And why is that?”

“The personal strength of the Fifth Prince has already been proven, but… I fear it is still too early to grant him the supreme position.”

The Emperor firmly shook his head.

His decision was already unshakeable.

“When I ascended the throne, I was not prepared at all. Don’t worry. That child will weather anything that comes his way.”

The Emperor dismissed the Shadow’s words in one breath.

Realizing nothing he said would change the Emperor’s mind, the Shadow let the matter go.

“…May everything proceed according to Your Majesty’s will.”

The Emperor nodded once and looked at his two closest loyal subjects with a gentle gaze.

“You two have worked hard until now. Please endure just a little longer. It would be wise for you both to begin preparing for the handover.”

As the sun set, Emperor Yulaios quietly began putting his surroundings in order.

Late at night.

Somewhere within the Third Prince’s Palace.

The light of a magic lamp pierced the darkness.

Third Prince Bernid remained absorbed in his research late into the night.

Before Bernid lay the piece of a giant serpent’s fang and fragments of its venomous tooth.

These were items bestowed to him by Yuwon as a reward for successfully completing the task in the Ute Mountain Range.

‘Hmph… the more I look, the stranger it is. How could such a substance come from a living creature? Not every beast we fought back then had anything like this… What exactly was that thing Yurion handled? And how many more of these could be lurking in the South…?’

The scales from the beast he had examined earlier had been special, but the venomous tooth—of which only two existed in each beast—was even more extraordinary.

Bernid, like a fish meeting water, enjoyed himself as he struck the tooth, crushed it, ground it, and infused it with mana—trying everything he could think of.

Knock, knock, knock―

Then an uninvited guest visited the Third Prince.

At the sound of knocking, Bernid lifted his gaze from the tooth.

“…Hm?”

“Your Highness, a visitor has arrived.”

“Who is it? Yurion?”

At this hour, the only person reckless enough to disturb Bernid’s work in the Third Prince’s Palace would be Yuwon.

But the answer he heard was far from his expectation.

“Your Highness, it is I, your humble servant.”

“…!”

A shrill and eerie voice—neither man nor woman—belonging to a castrated eunuch made Bernid’s eyes widen.

It wasn’t just any eunuch.

It was one he remembered all too well.

‘…Marcellus! That bastard Marcellus!’

Marcellus, the Chief Attendant of the Fifth Prince’s Palace! The very man who had dragged Bernid to ruin, now appearing before him after months.

A surge of anger erupted from deep within, and Bernid clenched his teeth hard before calming himself with a deep breath.

“…So it is you. Marcellus.”

“That Your Highness remembers even my voice… what an honor. Yes, Your Highness. This humble Marcellus is here. May I come inside?”

Just hearing that voice made Bernid’s blood boil, but he forced his temper down once more.

“Wait in the reception room. I shall come to you myself.”

“Yes, then I shall do so.”

Step, step—

Footsteps echoed beyond the door and gradually grew distant.

As he listened to them fade, Bernid fell into thought.

‘Why would that bastard Marcellus suddenly come here…? If Yurion learned he was here, he would tear him apart without hesitation…’

By sheer fortune, Hastings had survived with his life.

But Yuwon’s wrath toward Marcellus remained unchanged.

Bernid knew this better than anyone.

‘It isn’t only Yurion that bastard should fear. I, too, have plenty of accounts to settle with him. That sly fox knows this—so what confidence does he have, coming to me now? Does he have something to rely on…?’

Bernid had his own debt to collect, so there was no reason to avoid this visit.

‘If it comes to it, I’ll kill him myself. Yurion won’t like it, but better that than letting that slippery rat pull another trick and escape.’

Bernid’s eyes gleamed sharply as he steeled himself for a confrontation.

After a short moment of thought, he stood up.

‘…Yes. Tonight, I’ll kill him with my own hands.’

Bernid’s mana surged in response to his murderous will.

His heart thundered, filling his body with mana.

Step, step—

Bernid left the laboratory and headed toward the reception room.

His steps were heavy with resolve, and his gaze was filled with killing intent.

And then—clack—

The door of the reception room opened at last.

“Ah, Your Highness! What an honor it is to meet you again. Have you been well?”

A bald head, an ever-bulky body, and a detestable face—Marcellus greeted Bernid with an exaggerated fuss.

“…It has been a while, Marcellus.”

Bernid and Marcellus faced each other once again.

And at that same moment—

Someone watched them silently from beyond the window, hidden in the darkness.

‘As expected… the Third Prince was plotting something.’

It was none other than Hastings.

‘I must report this to His Highness at once.’

The raven hiding in the shadows gleamed its eyes.

Hastings immediately went to Yuwon and relayed everything he had seen.

Yuwon quietly listened to his report in full.

“…As expected, the Third Prince was up to something. How will you proceed? If you give the order, this humble one will rush over and cut down both men and deliver their heads to Your Highness.”

Yuwon quietly called Hastings’ name.

“Hastings.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I understand your intention to protect me. But… from now on, cease digging into the affairs of our companions.”

“…Excuse me? Companions, Your Highness?”

Hastings doubted his ears.

In this situation, referring to the Third Prince as a companion!

“Yes, I said companion.”

“That detestable Marcellus—Your Highness, I saw him with my own eyes meeting with the Third Prince! Neither of those two should ever be near you.”

Hastings tried desperately to change Yuwon’s mind, but Yuwon’s trust was unwavering.

“No. I believe in Bernid.”

“How… how could Your Highness say that?”

“Bernid is the only one among the brothers I acknowledge as a true brother. He would never betray me. Ah, speaking of which, Arencar came to me himself begging for help, yet it seems he’s already joined hands with someone else.”

Yuwon’s casual tone only heightened Hastings’ frustration.

“Your Highness… how could…”

“Hastings, give Bernid at least one chance.”

At Yuwon’s words, Hastings lowered his head.

“…Yes. Since Your Highness commands it, I shall trust the Third Prince once.”

He answered reluctantly.

Seeing this, Yuwon smiled faintly.

He understood perfectly what Hastings’ answer truly meant.

‘Whether he likes it or not, if Hastings answered like that before me, it means Bernid has received a chance. What he does with that chance is up to you, Bernid.’

If there was a stick, there must also be a carrot.

Hastings had acted out of loyalty, yet his warning had been dismissed—surely leaving him disheartened.

So Yuwon did not send him away immediately.

“Well then, that matter is settled for now. Since you’re here, have some tea with me. Ah, considering the hour… would you prefer wine?”

The dispirited Hastings instantly lifted his head, eyes lighting up.

“Ah… yes, that would be wonderful. It is an honor, Your Highness.”

Thereafter, Yuwon and Hastings sat together quietly and shared drinks, exchanging conversations they hadn’t finished last time.

Bernid and Marcellus’ meeting.

Though Yuwon knew about it, he remained calm and stayed in place.

Yuwon believed in Bernid.

Bernid and Marcellus, and Yuwon and Hastings.

In the deep night when everyone else slept, the Third Prince’s Palace and the Fifth Prince’s Palace kept their lights burning.

Holding a wine cup, Yuwon briefly turned his gaze toward the direction of the Third Prince’s Palace.

His reflection appeared faintly in the window.

The eyes reflected in the glass were cold as ice.

‘Bernid… I pray I never have to kill you with my own hands.’

The night grew deeper.

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