323 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 323 - The Coronation of the New Pope, Austin Pluit I. To the common folk, the news of a new leader taking over the religious sect evoked little more than a passing interest—merely a change in leadership. Only those well-versed in the sect's affairs hoped this might bring some purification to the once-corrupt temple. However, the pope’s enthronement speech, which included a declaration of cooperation with the Empire, sent shockwaves through the echelons of power around the globe. In the capital of the central continent, Aserian, the emperor summoned the second prince, Baros, who had been virtually exiled from court. “You summoned me, Your Majesty,” he said. Baros, his face gaunt from recent distress, struggled to lift his head. The stress made it even more difficult to endure the emperor's overbearing presence. Fortunately, as he had anticipated, the call seemed to be of a beneficial nature. “They've already shown results. The Holy Kingdom is adopting an unprecedented stance,” the emperor remarked calmly, causing a wave of relief to wash over Baros. “…I have heard so,” Baros replied. “Indeed. As I promised, from today, your reinstatement will be granted.” “I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty.” Thud. Fearing a change of heart from the emperor, Baros immediately prostrated himself, expressing his gratitude. Yet it wasn’t entirely a moment of pure joy. “A promise is a promise, but it has brought about a concerning issue. Do you understand what it is?” The emperor's voice, calm and unwavering, hinted at something ominous. Having just been pulled from the darkness into the light, Baros knew he must avoid hastily speaking and risking everything again. Despite wracking his brain, he couldn’t fathom what the concern might be. Thus, he admitted, “I cannot imagine what it is, Your Majesty. I apologize.” Gritting his teeth, Baros calmly confessed. It was wiser to admit ignorance than to pretend knowledge before the emperor, for he had no pride to maintain. Luckily, his judgment seemed sound. “The new pope, who claimed to live by strict principles, has changed one of the sect’s core tenets. Even now, can’t you see the error?” The emperor’s words left Baros with widened eyes as he finally grasped their implication. “Such…” The emperor looked at him, inviting further explanation. “They’ve found a way to bypass divine power and brainwash, haven’t they?” A spine-chilling realization caused Baros to tremble. And then, a heavier voice fell over his bowed head. “Correct. How do you propose to control such individuals?” The chamber was enveloped in a heavy silence. It was then Baros realized the real purpose behind his summons. 'This is a test.' If there truly were no countermeasures against their magic, the emperor wouldn’t have reinstated him. He would have been punished, and plans to hunt them down would be underway. This meant the emperor’s words were only meant to gauge him. In other words, ‘An opportunity to prove my abilities.’ Clenching his fist, Baros took a deep breath, summoning his courage. And then, like a flash of lightning, the perfect answer struck him. “It is unnecessary to control them.” “Unnecessary?” “Yes. If they uphold their promise, it benefits the Empire. If not, we can expose their ruse and topple the sect’s status. Either way, the Holy Kingdom, our sole obstacle, will crumble.” Baros lifted his head confidently, exerting strength in his neck to meet the emperor’s gaze directly. The emperor, with a questioning expression, asked again, “Would you just leave such potential threats unchecked?” “When the Holy Kingdom collapses, we can reveal their machinations and turn them into the villains. Those affected by their magic will undoubtedly leave traces, and with the royal house's backing, it would be plausible.” Seeing the corners of the emperor’s lips curve slightly, Baros instinctively knew he’d answered correctly. “It seems you haven’t lost your intellect.” It was also a verification that the emperor was checking if Baros was under any form of mind control. “Good. From this moment, the succession race for the throne resumes. But remember, by the end of next year's harvest season, a successor will be determined. You must show everything you have by then.” With this, an unexpected deadline was imposed. ’Why?’ It was perplexing. The succession race's official end date, known to the archivists and princes, had been moved forward by over a year. ‘Does he see the Holy Kingdom as already defeated?’ This was not exactly welcomed news. Baros had recently lost considerable favor due to his missteps. Additionally, the emperor did not count the same merit twice, meaning once his restoration was confirmed, any further credit for dealing with the Holy Kingdom would not translate into points. The emperor’s following words confirmed Baros’s suspicions. “You'll need to put in more effort to surpass your brother.” Grinding his teeth, Baros had no choice but to turn and leave. * * * “How is the project in Macline progressing?” [Heh heh. Why the rush, Prince? There’s still ample time, isn’t there?] Despite Baros’s urgency, the elderly voice on the other end of the communication orb merely chuckled slyly. Ordinarily, Baros wouldn’t have shunned a psychological battle, but now was not the time for leisurely mind games. Bang! “Half a year! Results must be achieved within that time!” By the end of this winter, everything would be decided come next year's harvest season. Since then, he had to solidify his advantage. [Half a year? It seems the emperor has decided everything will be resolved by next year?] The enigmatic inquiry warped Baros’s expression. “Didn't you promise to secure me the throne? If that’s not possible, you must seek favor with another prince with a claim!” [It seems our dear prince is getting impatient. But since the groundwork is already laid, all that's left is to wait. There's no need to worry.] The patronizing tone, as if speaking to a child, finally snapped Baros's patience. "If I don't become crown prince, do you think I’ll be the only one facing doom? You won't be spared either!" His growling voice lacked its usual composure, consumed by the fear that these people might have already allied with his half-brother, Cleed von Ares. But. [Hmm. I’ve told you not to get worked up. You'll get everything you desire. Haven’t you seen how things went with the Holy Kingdom?] "Which is precisely why I doubt you. Are you saying Macline is harder to handle than the Holy Kingdom? Why is it taking so long!?" [Every task has its order and time. Prince Baros, you’re letting your emotions get the better of you.] Baros knew his counterpart wasn’t wrong. And that knowledge twisted his expression further, as a sudden, uneasy suspicion about a red-haired youth once blocking his path loomed over him. "Then show me any results! What’s catching my nerves about Logan Macline!?" His exasperated shout surprisingly yielded an unexpected answer. [Ah… ha ha, right. I promised you that, didn’t I? Fortunately, I can grant you that at least.] "…What?" [Logan Macline walks the path of defiance against fate. It naturally unsettles those at the top of the world.] "What kind of nonsense is that?" A tantalizing, yet utterly baffling answer. [It means that those whose fates would be most disrupted by him can’t help but find him aggravating.] The explanation hardly put Baros at ease, only increasing his frustration. Bang! “Enough with the ridiculous talk and give me a proper reason!” [If you feel a deep anxiety towards him, it means you stand at his opposition. Do you understand now? In a rightful destiny, you should have risen to the world’s pinnacle.] Although the elaborate speech didn’t fully register with him, it soothed Baros’s turmoil a little. Rise to the world’s pinnacle? “…Does this mean I’m destined to become Emperor?” [You could say that.] “…Then what of him? If he’s meant to obstruct that destiny, shouldn’t he be dealt with first?” [Ha ha. If you kill him now, your own fate, already entwined deeply with his, would only become more tangled. We’ll ensure the proper course of events, so there’s no need for concern, Prince.] “I don’t have time anymore!” [Half a year, is it? I shall keep that in mind. Expect a favorable outcome.] Though the cryptic promises and baseless assurancess vexed him, Baros had nothing more to say. Step by step. Baros's footsteps along the palace corridors echoed his irritation. Where he usually moved with a gracious smile, acknowledging attendants and officials, he ignored their greetings entirely, walking briskly towards his destination. "Luisa has gone to Macline’s royal court, hasn't she?" “Yes, Your Highness.” “Do you suspect any schemes they might be plotting?” “…Officially, it’s known to be discussions regarding exports and marriage alliances.” “I know that much.” The prince’s voice simmered with exasperation as if losing his usual composure. In response, Leos, a handsome man with blue hair, sighed softly before continuing. “If it leads to a betrothal with the Macline prince, they may try to directly influence Macline’s governance through her. For the Macline King, gaining ties with an empire's border king is an opportunity hard to refuse or simply dismiss.” “Is that all?” Leos bit his lip slightly at the prince’s words. 'The information is too scant.' Moreover, ever since the second prince's sudden return, there were even more secrets kept from him. They hadn’t revealed who exactly the “individuals” infiltrating the kingdom were, so how was he to piece it together? Though it felt as if his mouth was burning, Leos offered the best response he could muster. “To cause chaos in Macline, this is insufficient. It would also take considerable time. Which suggests ‘those people’ might be conducting other activities besides the publicly known one involving the princess, but I lack sufficient information about that. Even a little more insight could…” So, he subtly hinted at the need for more information. But Baros merely shook his head once more. “I can't share details about those people. The fewer who know, the better.” In case things went awry, the ability to sever ties needed to be intact. Any connection with the Empire’s dark elements would be a critical vulnerability in an emergency. However, he couldn't just sit idly by. "We can't wait any longer. What can we do immediately?" “Pardon?” “I can’t just rely on them to wrap things up neatly. We must take action ourselves.” Leos’s face immediately clouded over at the prince’s words, haunted by the overlapping traces of past failures visible in his urgency. Yet he couldn't refuse the directive. “There’s only one way to disrupt Macline in the current situation. But if we fail, the repercussions would be significant.” “What is it? Tell me.” There was no time to be picky. “Princess Luisa is currently in Macline’s royal palace, isn’t she? If something were to go awry with her while there…” Leos’s voice trailed off, and with it, Baros’s eyes took on a sinister gleam.