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-Ha, ha, hahahaha! Hahahahahahahahaha!
Ivan’s laughter spread.
-Since the days of the ancient nations of the old Earth… …rule was the will of heaven and belonged to the emperor. Heaven was not simply the atmosphere, but the universe beyond heaven and earth. We have known this since the time when human wisdom could not go beyond the earth. That rulers are born through the selection of a transcendent will. That was the heaven of the past, and now it is called the universe.
Ivan’s mechanical voice coming from the terminal had low resolution. However, the colors of the emotions expressed were vivid, like highly saturated primary colors.
‘joy.’
Ivan went down to the bottom and then rose to the top of the empire. The gap was as wide as the earth and the sky.
-Even if we make a thorough plan, it is a mere human calculation. How can we, who are but a moment in the universe, fully understand its meaning and cause and effect? Rise, knights.
At Ivan’s words, the shadows rose. They stood like a wall and surrounded Ivan. They had come here to protect Ivan, the next emperor.
-If it weren’t for the mandate of heaven, I would never be able to explain the current situation. That’s why the Emperor is sacred. Just as the planets that were once in disarray sometimes align neatly, the order that emerged from chaos sits on my shoulders. Just as the great first Kratzia was chosen by fate.
This was an unexpected result.
‘Ivan Kratsya becomes the emperor.’
The result that was excluded has become reality. Ivan called it a destiny. But from my perspective, it is a trick of the universe.
-Look at me now, spears and swords of the empire. Everyone tried to destroy me, but the will of heaven within me led me to become the emperor. Yes, you may not understand the situation now. But you will soon understand. The new emperor will lead the empire to eternal prosperity.
Most people in this place were unaware of Ivan’s existence, and the actual Crown Prince was Francis.
But Ivan spoke with a conviction bordering on madness, and Francis failed to deny it in time. Because of this, people had no doubt that Ivan was a member of the royal family.
– My father made a mistake. At that moment, he lost his right to rule. I will not make the same mistake. All who hear my voice, stop fighting. The unity of iron is the strength of the empire. Tonight, no one was disloyal or rebellious. I will follow the advice of my brother Francis and mend the rift in the empire.
Ivan’s voice was quiet because of the terminal’s speaker.
Woof woof, woof woof.
However, the shadows spread Ivan’s words widely through the voice output organ of the armored body. The overlapping voices spread out as if they were buried in a low tone. The low resonance was so loud that it caused vibrations.
-The previous emperors sat on the throne for too long. Even the soldiers forgot that they were the imperial subjects they were supposed to protect. Guards, listen up, you don’t have to lose your dignity as a human being for the sake of your mission. I will do my best to help those who are by my side now regain their selves.
The civil war in the Guard had long since ceased. They were looking this way.
-I swear that the events of the past few days will not be recorded in any record and that there will be no retaliation because of it.
… … The weakening of the empire due to civil war did not actually happen.
‘The Emperor is dead. Whether it was suicide or assassination.’
The person who caused this situation is dead, and Ivan has promised peaceful negotiations rather than a hard-line response.
The reason to fight was disappearing.
‘What remains is Francesque’s choice.’
Francis was still powerful. Many believed Francis was the legitimate successor.
‘If Francis rejects Ivan’s offer and declares that he will take the throne, chaos and fighting will ensue.’
I will somehow sneak Francek away and take him to the guards at the Arc de Triomphe. The guards, united as one, will follow Francek for now. They will not readily believe that a royal family member who appears from nowhere is calling himself emperor.
‘If Ivan is to be recognized as Emperor now, he must have Francis’ consent.’
Even though Ivan is registered in the computer and system as the next emperor, the people in reality believe that Francis is the next emperor.
If either the system or the public sentiment is absent, one cannot become an emperor.
‘But Francesque’s choice is obvious.’
I know.
Francis is not suited to this struggle and is at his limit. He will accept Ivan’s sweet offer of peace.
Thud, thud.
Francesque walked on, and shadows opened up the path to the left and right.
“I will gladly help you rule from your side, my brother. No, your Majesty. With this, the empire will be united once again.”
The conflict and tension that had been escalating sharply ended with those words.
At first, most of the things seemed inconsistent. People would not understand why a strange royal family member would replace Francis as emperor.
But since Francis had acknowledged it, people were accepting Ivan’s existence. Everyone was tired of fighting and strife, and they were looking for a suitable excuse to stop.
The reason for the conflicting succession to the throne can be made up later. That’s the imperial way.
“Lou, Kaus, Cousteau, Leah. Go to His Majesty and see.”
One of the shadow armored figures spoke to me. I walked through the shadows, feeling the empty gaze, and approached Ivan.
Ivan turned his head with difficulty as he listened to the shadow. The shadow must have reported to Ivan the major events that had occurred in Akbaran.
Creak, creak.
Ivan was looking at me with his neck still fixed. Even the slightest movement seemed difficult due to his broken limbs. My chin is my work.
-You’re going to lose your mind soon. You’re either going to become incapacitated or die.
“Probably so.”
I spoke honestly. There was no point in hiding it now.
-I don’t hold any grudges against you because it worked out well in the end. More than anything, your choices and actions must have contributed to the current outcome. Before you become hopeless, I have something to ask you.
“There are conditions… … .”
-I promise you your safety and the survival of House Custoria. You will no longer be a threat anyway.
I opened my eyes wide, unable to see. Then, understanding everything, I bit my lower lip.
‘The Custoria family is not a threat.’
Me, who was expected to be incapable of recovery, and Jupe, who was somewhat incompetent. These two could not have been threats. Even though the Custoria family was a great military family, they could not exert their power without a center.
… … But in Custoria, there was Heilas, who was the center of the military beyond the family. Heilas’s presence was an existential threat.
After finishing my reasoning, I ground my teeth. At this moment, I hated myself for being like this.
“My father, Heilas, is dead.”
I opened my mouth with difficulty. One of my key goals had failed.
I wish my brain function had been so poor that I ignored the hints of bad news… …. Then I would have fallen into a state of blissful hopelessness, or death, believing that I had succeeded.
It’s a deep sleep that I don’t want to wake from just thinking about it.
– Heilas’ body is in the central communications tower. You did something reckless to restore communications. If you want, I’ll let you get your revenge. After all, if it’s my order, he’d give you his own life.
… … It seems that the shadows have finally killed Heilas. The Emperor must have deployed a large number of shadows to eliminate Heilas first.
“What’s the point of breaking a sword without a will?”
I couldn’t believe that Heilas was dead. They said that the invincible soldier was dead. It seemed as if at any moment it would all turn out to be a lie.
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‘Heilas wasn’t a transcendent being, but a human like me. Even though I knew that, I relied on Heilas until the end. I vaguely believed that Heilas would do something. It was as if he was being childish… ‘
Although he was a human being with struggles, conflicts, and limitations, Heilas acted as if he knew everything and could do anything.
So everyone feared Heilas, and even the Emperor felt threatened by Heilas.
‘If only Haylas and I had known each other a little sooner… … .’
It was a regret I had felt many times. We kept ourselves in secrets, but because of that we were dangerously isolated.
‘Even if we were afraid of betrayal, we had to stand back to back and protect each other.’
The missed choice loomed large.
-Akis Domini, Lucas Custoria.
Ivan spoke as if to break my thoughts.
– In the end, you really became my watcher. Your countless impulsive actions made me the emperor. Whether it was your will or coincidence, it doesn’t matter. I consider you my watcher. I respect your efforts. This is not a flattery, but sincere.
You have called me because you need my judgment and you are putting gold on my face.
-So I’ll listen to your thoughts and judgment. Why do you think Yuri Krachia is dead?
This was also a matter of importance to Ivan. He did not know why the Emperor had died. The shadows were only aware of the Emperor’s death.
I blurted out my thoughts. Reporting is one of my specialties.
“First, His Majesty Yuri Kratia faked his death in order to avoid a civil war. He waited for the chaos to subside and for the Empire to return to normal.”
-That is not possible. The Emperor of the Empire would not use such an ugly deception in public.
“I think so too. The second is suicide to prevent the rift in the Empire. Let me ask you one thing here, Your Majesty. And Your Highness Frances. Is your father a man who would give up his life for the Empire?”
I waited for their answer.
“I don’t know, Luca. I thought I knew a lot about my father. But it was just a facade.”
Francis’s words trembled. His eyes were always turned to Ivan.
‘There is a seed of discord between Francis and Ivan.’
The feud between the brothers seems to have died down now, but the embers will not be easily extinguished and will be waiting for new firewood.
-… … The third possibility? This isn’t the end, is it? You know better. I promised the Custoria family safety. If you become incapacitated, I will not spare medical support. I hope you have not betrayed my expectations.
There is a monster living in the empire. The monster is not at the top. It is hiding in the shadows of the spire and watching the empire.
Perhaps, the thought that came to my mind was right. I was also certain of it in a corner of my heart. The other possibilities were slim.
Let’s borrow a bit from Heilas’s character here. He was a man with such great insight that he was able to stand on equal footing with other forces even with limited information.
‘Kinuan is not a person who will benefit the Empire. If the higher-ups are preparing plans through Kinuan, then they are being deceived by Kinuan.’
Heilas evaluated Kinuan as follows: This insight may be close to the truth.
“Kinuan assassinated Yuri Kratia.”
This is the only conclusion I have come to. And this was Kinuan’s goal. The real purpose that was kept under wraps and never revealed to anyone.
Akies Victima uses variables and chaos as weapons. The more chaos I created, the more Kinuan would laugh.
I don’t know what happened in the palace.
‘But the variable I created was a golden opportunity for Kinuan.’
There were several scenarios to consider. The shadows guarding the Emperor had left, or the Emperor had moved alone to use the ‘Arcane Legacy’.
Whatever. My actions have put the Emperor in a corner and forced him to make a choice. This is a golden opportunity for Kinuan.
I’ll know the full story once the internal investigation is over, but by then I’ll either be out of my mind or dead.
‘Kinuan, kinuan, kinuan… … .’
The more I thought about Kinuan, the more I felt like going crazy. Even after burning myself, I still couldn’t understand him.
Groan, grumble.
The shadows around me seemed to be distorted. Their images reflected in my auditory vision seemed to be twisted and distorted, and they looked like Kinuan.
“That’s true… … .”
Francesca was also in the form of Kinouan.
‘Do you think that’s true?’
The aftermath sounded like this: This is a delusion.
-Okay, you… … .
Ivan is Kinuan. I covered my head. Even the moon in the night sky, which I could not see with my hearing, looked like Kinuan’s face.
Dalgrak.
Even the stones that were hit by his unsteady feet had Kinuan’s face. The sound of them rolling around sounded like his laughter.
… … The whole world and all things are Kinuan.
“If you have any compassion for me, I would like you to call Ilay Kartika one last time.”
Before I go any crazier… … I called a friend I could trust.
