Chapter 93
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------
Chapter 93
Grandma slowly turned her gaze from the wall toward the Woman. There remained a composure about her—the woman who had shattered the warehouse with a single gesture. As if she had yet to reveal everything.
The man under Grandma's command was also a Master. Yet he could never have displayed such destructive power. Not through magic, but through sword energy, and moreover, gathered mana in bare hands rather than a blade—such a feat was possible only for... The old woman finally became certain she was facing a true monster.
This monster even possessed information about the Wedge. There must be some backing behind her. One careless word and the history of the Wedge would end in her generation. Even her grandson, whom few within the Wedge knew of, might be endangered. Her spine drenched in cold sweat, Grandma swallowed hard and answered.
"Remember, Hama, Aga."
"Good. Then let's discuss the commission."
Echinacea Loaz righted a chair that had miraculously survived the chaos and sat.
Before sunset that day, she completed her commission with the Wedge—an investigation into the movements and forces of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. After finishing the commission, she left the Wedge, discarding the blood-soaked robe and leather garments. She returned to her perfect appearance as a noble lady from her departure and boarded the train.
Echinacea Loaz returned to Agenka on June 5th, a day later.
* * *
Yurien de Harden Kirie visited the Imperial Capital alone and in silence. The meeting between Crown Prince Cruien, who had responded to the covertly delivered message, and Yurien took place in a secret room of a restaurant in the Capital.
"It's been a while, Yurien."
The Crown Prince, who had arrived first, raised his wine glass toward Yurien as he entered. Crimson wine swirled within the glass. As the Crown Prince took a sip, Yurien sat across from him. Between them lay an array of luxurious dishes, yet neither paid them any attention.
"What brings you to seek me out like this? Is it about the betrothal? I thought Rosalind was clever and beautiful—she would suit you well. If the Diasant Princess doesn't appeal to you, shall I introduce you to another?"
The Crown Prince spoke lightly, as if making casual conversation. Within those few words, political intent wove naturally as breathing. Yurien did not parry but went straight to the point.
"Your Highness."
"Hmm? Why so stiff? Call me brother."
"Do you believe I have no interest in the throne?"
The Crown Prince's blue eyes regarded Yurien coolly, as if discerning his intent. Yurien met that gaze steadily. After a long silence, the Crown Prince replied slowly.
"About half."
"If I enable you to ascend the throne within a year, would you trust me?"
"...What is this?"
The Crown Prince slowly set down his glass. He gazed at the wine within for a moment, then lifted his eyes to Yurien.
"I never expected to hear such words from you. You don't seem mad, so what nonsense is this?"
"I am proposing a transaction, Your Highness."
"A transaction?"
"I will provide you with justification to depose the Emperor and the Second Prince, and lend you the military might of the Changtian Knights."
The Crown Prince's expression hardened. He had never imagined such a proposal coming from Yurien's lips. The Third Prince Yurien he knew was one who had never learned to deviate from propriety. When he heard that Yurien had become a Giosa Owner, he had immediately asked if it was Rangiosa. As expected, the Giosa Yurien obtained was Rangiosa. A half-brother as boringly predictable as they came.
But now, what? That Yurien was proposing to strike down his father and elder brother?
"...Setting aside how you intend to accomplish this, you say it's a transaction. What do you want in return?"
"Freedom."
"What?"
The Crown Prince raised his eyebrows as if bewildered. Yurien continued expressionlessly.
"I am the Commander of the Changtian Knights and the Lord of Agenka—nothing more. I am no longer of the Imperial Family. I have no intention of involving myself in imperial affairs, nor of being involved."
"..."
"But circumstances would not leave me be. So I have resolved to change the circumstances themselves."
"Placing me on the throne is how you change circumstances?"
"You are the only one I can support. You know this."
The Crown Prince well understood how the Emperor regarded the Third Prince, and the nature of the relationship between Second Prince Kareem and Yurien. Though the Second Prince and Emperor were blood, they were not blood to Yurien. He knew that even if Yurien were to yield to them, they would not accept him. It would have been better had he been male.
In that regard, the Crown Prince was no different. The only distinction was whether what passed between them was hatred or indifference. To the Crown Prince, the Emperor and Second Prince were merely political rivals. How could he regard them as blood when he had never given affection, nor received it even once?
Still, indifference was preferable to hatred. So I had reasoned that if Yurien were to support anyone, he would have no choice but to support me. But I never expected him to come forward like this. Toppling the Emperor and placing me on the throne within a year? It was an idea the Crown Prince I knew could never conceive.
He had changed. The Crown Prince realized with certainty that Yurien de Harden Kirie had transformed. He studied his half-brother as though observing something unfamiliar, then answered quietly.
"Well, there's also the option of ascending to the throne yourself."
"Agenka is not a domain I will protect."
"How am I supposed to believe that? No matter how much you claim to be the master of the Holy Sword...."
"You need not believe me, Your Highness. Even if you do not trust me, I will place you upon the throne."
"How exactly? And before that—what guarantee do I have that once I ascend, you won't abandon me?"
"Your Highness is a rational man. I know you prefer persuasion and negotiation to war. Yet if you were to choose the path of opposing me and Agenka, then I...."
Yurien smiled faintly. There was something desolate in that smile.
"I will abandon the Holy Sword."
If you break your promise, then I too will resort to unjust means to stand against you. Understanding the weight of those words, the Crown Prince's expression hardened like stone. He had never once imagined Yurien de Harden Kirie as anything other than the master of the Holy Sword.
The Crown Prince had permitted Yurien a private audience and come alone to this secret room, had believed him halfway, had accepted his words of treason in exchange for nothing but freedom—all because he was the master of the Holy Sword. He was a being incapable of committing evil.
The Yurien the Crown Prince had known, even before becoming the master of the Holy Sword, had lived only with unwavering righteousness and ascetic discipline bordering on inhumanity. That such a man would speak of abandoning the Holy Sword—what manner of human would Yurien de Harden Kirie become if he cast it away of his own accord? A chill ran through him. The Crown Prince licked his parched lips.
"You have changed, Yurien. To think you've learned to threaten."
"I merely wished to inform you of a factor to consider when Your Highness calculates profit and loss."
"...Well, it was merely a test. I have no interest in Agenka. What I desire is the Empire. So do not worry on that account."
"I believed you would say so. I trust you, Your Highness."
Yurien could never truly abandon the Holy Sword. He must maintain his memories.
But the Crown Prince, ignorant of this truth, had no choice but to calculate the possibility that he might. The Crown Prince did not wish for such a thing to occur. He must avoid the situation where someone he had regarded with caution, believing they could never become a true enemy, became an uncontrollable variable. He exhaled softly and asked again.
"So how exactly do you intend to make me Emperor within a year?"
Yurien fell silent for a moment, then produced a sealed document and placed it on the table.
"Within this lies the full account of the incident orchestrated by the Emperor and the Second Prince. Also included is where the evidence can be found."
"An incident?"
"One that, when revealed, will turn both the imperial citizens and nobility away from the Emperor, and will provide the Changtian Knights with justification to mobilize."
"Such a conveniently perfect incident exists?"
As the Crown Prince reached for the document, Yurien blocked him. Those bright cerulean eyes fixed upon Crown Prince Cruien.
"Before I give this to you, I ask that you make a promise."
"What, Agenka's independence and your freedom? If that incident is truly as you describe and I ascend to the throne, surely I can grant you that much."
The Crown Prince shrugged, then pulled toward himself the parchment and quill pen prepared at one side of the table, writing rapidly in elegant script. The document affirmed that the Empire would recognize Agenka's sovereignty and refrain from violating it, and declared that Yurien de Harden Kirie would no longer be of the Imperial Family. It was a handwritten document that would take effect upon his ascension to Emperor.
After signing, the Crown Prince hesitated briefly, then erased the family name following Yurien's given name. Tapping the erasure mark with the tip of his quill pen, the Crown Prince spoke.
"When that time comes, you can create a new surname for yourself. Or would you like me to grant you one?"
"Thank you. I will decide that when the time comes."
"Is that all?"
"There are two other things I desire."
"Speak."
"First, please annul the betrothal."
"The betrothal? But you said you would support me."
"That support need not necessarily take the form of betrothal."
"Is it not the cleanest and easiest means?"
The Crown Prince asked in genuine bewilderment. Marriage was proof of alliance, a tool of political strategy. It was an obvious truth to him. Yurien shook his head slowly.
"I don't wish to do so."
"Is the Diasant Princess not to your liking? We have many noble daughters on our side—perhaps another girl would...."
"There is someone I wish to marry. If it is not that person, I have no intention of taking a wife."
"What?"
The Crown Prince's eyes widened in astonishment. His expression went blank as he scrutinized Yurien de Harden Kirie, then scratched his chin.
"You've truly managed to surprise me several times today. Regardless of who this person is, why can't you simply take them as a concubine or lover? The Diasant Princess hardly seems the type to concern herself with such matters."
"I find that distasteful."
"No, that is... Ahem."
The Crown Prince caught himself mid-sentence with a dry cough. Even as he spoke the words, he could not fathom Yurien de Harden Kirie maintaining a marriage while keeping another lover—the very notion was unimaginable. He pressed his palm to his forehead and released a groan.
"What sort of woman is she?"
---------------
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
---------------