Chapter 124
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Chapter 124
The Audience Chamber had been in turmoil since morning.
The subject circulating through the Capital was a rumor concerning war.
"War again! And they're starting a war to obtain something bizarre like the Demon King's heart? How many of our brothers have fallen in wars?"
The Aristocratic Faction's nobles trembled at mere rumors that war might break out.
"Hush, mind your words. It's not even confirmed yet, is it? His Majesty will arrive shortly and clarify everything."
"Indeed. Isn't it always the case that foolish commoners fabricate baseless tales and spread them about? To be swayed by mere rumors of that caliber is beneath—"
The Imperial Faction's nobles clicked their tongues, dismissing those swayed by unconfirmed rumors.
"What did you say? My caliber is what?"
"If you say there's no basis, there's at least one thing—they're mentioning a specific location, aren't they?"
Orpen appeared just as the nobles' voices were rising higher.
"His Imperial Majesty approaches!"
The moment Orpen entered, the nobles who had been flushed with anger moments before fell silent.
"We pay our respects to His Imperial Majesty, the Sun of the Empire."
Orpen, seated upon the imperial throne, feigned an indifferent expression, yet his hand gripping the armrest trembled ever so slightly.
His mind was utterly scattered.
The rumors about the Abandoned Crown Prince's Palace and war that had finally spread, and Dain's disappearance on top of it all.
I had summoned Igraine to ask about Dain's whereabouts, but the answer I received was—
[That night, I understood he went to the Imperial Palace under Your Majesty's command. Did you not see him then?]
Naturally, she claimed ignorance.
Whether she truly didn't know or was feigning ignorance despite knowing—
But if Igraine denied it, there was no way to uncover the truth.
The moment Orpen barely caught his breath, the Imperial Faction nobles who had been raising their voices against the others moments before pressed their inquiry.
"Your Majesty, there's a most peculiar rumor circulating through the Capital. They say Your Majesty intends to wage war for some absurd reason—such outlandish talk is spreading everywhere."
"It's preposterous. You, of all people, have led the charge for peace, yet war? Those spreading such rumors must be arrested and made examples of."
Once someone broached the subject, the Imperial Faction nobles listening in nodded in agreement.
They seemed eager to resolve this crisis as quickly as possible and prove their own judgment sound.
In that moment, one person spoke quietly.
"As everyone says, we cannot ignore rumors that insult the Imperial Family."
It was Kaltz, who had been silently observing the situation.
The moment he spoke, all eyes in the Audience Chamber turned toward him.
Though he had stepped back from politics, the Aristocratic Faction's nobles still followed him, and his influence remained formidable.
And Orpen felt the same way.
Despite knowing full well that I held Lahedis hostage, Kaltz had neither knelt nor sought me out first.
In fact, he hadn't even broached that matter or shown any sign of it.
Moreover, after spreading the rumors himself, he now claimed they couldn't be ignored.
'What scheme is this...?'
As Orpen narrowed his brow and fixed his gaze upon Kaltz, Kaltz met those eyes and continued.
"However, a benevolent ruler must embrace even them."
"Then you're saying we should simply sit and listen to such nonsensical rumors?"
When an Imperial Faction nobleman questioned him, Kaltz responded with composure.
"That's impossible. They're actively disgracing the dignity of the Imperial Family."
The rumors cannot be left unchecked, yet the people must be embraced.
So what exactly is he suggesting?
As everyone stared at him with bewildered expressions, Kaltz continued.
"Your Majesty, I propose you demolish the Abandoned Crown Prince's Palace."
"...Demolish the Abandoned Crown Prince's Palace?"
"The palace has stood masterless for far too long, which is precisely why such ominous rumors circulate. By eliminating the source, we eliminate the problem."
"...."
"And those who participate in the demolition will discover the truth."
To demolish the palace, he couldn't employ Imperial knights or palace servants.
He would need to bring in external builders and laborers—those very common people spreading these rumors, whom Orpen couldn't control with his own hands.
"They will see that the Abandoned Crown Prince's Palace contains nothing of what they suspected."
Orpen, who had been listening silently, finally grasped Kaltz's true objective.
To reveal that hidden truth to the people.
* * *
"Argh!"
Upon returning to the Imperial Palace, Orpen, unable to contain his rage, swept everything from the table onto the floor.
The Chief Attendant who witnessed this froze in alarm.
"That cunning old fox is trying to strangle me after all!"
If he were innocent, there would be no reason to refuse showing the Abandoned Crown Prince's Palace, yet if he showed it, the Research Facility's true nature would be exposed.
Kaltz had proposed the demolition precisely to corner him.
In that moment, he'd made a sickening excuse about cherished memories with his brother preventing him from destroying it, claiming he needed more time to consider—and fled.
But with rumors spreading like wildfire, he couldn't suppress this indefinitely.
"...Chief Attendant."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"We must clean up the Abandoned Crown Prince's Palace. Before that cunning old fox meddles further."
Just as the Chief Attendant was about to respond, a knock sounded and an Attendant's voice came through.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince requests an audience."
Orpen's brow furrowed.
He was overwhelmed managing this crisis and had no desire to see anyone.
"...Tell him I wish to rest today. He should return another time."
His son, who was always so eager to please him, would surely accept and leave.
But Allen's voice came from beyond the door.
"Father, I have a way to resolve this crisis."
Orpen paused.
Uncertain how much Allen knew, he decided it wouldn't hurt to hear him out before deciding.
After a moment's hesitation, he allowed Allen to enter the room.
"Very well. What is this solution?"
"Before I explain, I have something I wish to ask you."
When Orpen sent a silent question, Allen asked him.
"Is the rumor circulating through the Order true?"
Orpen's gaze toward his son turned cold and sharp.
To him, his son was both a reflection of himself and a successor who threatened his position.
"...Do you also covet this throne?"
However, Allen responded as though he had anticipated such a reaction, speaking with practiced ease.
"Your Majesty is my father. Your reign is my joy—how could I possibly harbor such ambitions?"
"...."
"If it is true, please tell me plainly. Only then can I assist you."
"...."
"Before I am Crown Prince, I am your firstborn son. If not I, then who would stand by your side?"
Allen deliberately invoked the bonds of blood, emphasizing that he could never abandon his father.
So that his father would come to rely on him.
So that he would place his weakness directly into my hands....
And the setting sun leaned upon his son.
"What method did you have in mind?"
Allen opened his mouth with a smile of conviction.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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