357 - Regressor of the Fallen Family

Chapter 357 “Failure, failure... Seems like I've been hearing that word more often these days.” At the low, rumbling voice, the ones prostrated on the floor froze in place. “Yes, it’s natural to fail occasionally while working. But repeated failures don’t suit our empire. Surely, I can't be the only one thinking this way?” The ones on the floor bowed their heads even further. “First Max, and then Greet... Moreover, in Greet's case... hmm...” A subtle rage was detectable in the emperor's usually calm tone. Faced with the rare anger of the emperor, the three prostrated individuals couldn’t even dare to stir. Tap. Tap. The emperor's fingers tapping on the armrest of the grand throne were the only sounds echoing in the expansive hall. After a significant pause, the emperor spoke again. “...What do you think they’re planning?” The earlier anger seemed to have been a lie, as his voice resounded calmly once more in the grand hall. Yet, none present misunderstood it as anything less than another face of his anger. In the tense atmosphere that necessitated caution, the individual in the middle cautiously lifted his head. “Your Majesty, if I may speak.” An emaciated, wrinkle-laden face testified to the considerable years this stern-looking elder had seen. “You may.” “I've heard that the Black Snake faction expressed a desire to submit through the second prince. Yet, not long after...” “Keep it brief.” “...I feel that Gillett might have judged whatever item he obtained from the ruins to be of sufficient value to betray Your Majesty’s trust.” “Enough to stake the fate of their organization, you say, Chancellor?” “...If not for that, I cannot fathom any other reason for such a drastic move.” “Yes, indeed.” Luctus Gospel’s words, as Chancellor of the empire, held weight. Yet, as if unsatisfied, the emperor’s gaze shifted to the left of the Chancellor. “You're the only one who has met their leader. Galen, what do you think?” The young-looking sorcerer, with his striking half-gray, half-golden hair, cautiously raised his head. Despite his usual arrogance and pride, he appeared uncharacteristically careful. “His unassuming exterior belies a snake-like cunning. His character matched the records of the Royal Tower about the snake that swallows truth. He didn’t seem the impulsive type.” “...I see.” “If they took such a risky gambit, they must have their reasons.” As Galen Dicade finished speaking and bowed his head again, the emperor seemed far from satisfied. “So, does no one have any ideas about what those reasons might be? Let’s skip the obvious.” The disappointment and anger in the emperor's voice were palpable. The oppressive atmosphere dominated the silent hall, causing the three on the floor to shiver. In the 20-plus years since taking the throne, the emperor had rarely shown his emotions so plainly. When none of the three responded, the emperor's gaze narrowed toward the last individual. “Tris.” “...Yes, Your Majesty.” The elderly knight, renowned as the strongest on the continent despite his age, slowly raised his head. “Do you know what angers me most right now?” “Just command me, and I’ll cut down anything in your path as your sword.” Instead of answering the question, the old knight offered his resolution to the emperor’s blazing gaze. The boldness seemed to appease the emperor slightly. With a grim smile, he continued in a chilling voice. “It’s just a matter of time before we expose them and can deal with them accordingly. For bastards who always leave a seed behind, at the very least, we can ensure they don’t rise again for another three hundred years by cutting them off.” To these words, dripping with a sense of impending bloodshed, the three raised their heads unanimously. “But it’s a matter of timing. The empire's great ambition—to hold the world entirely in our hands—remains. We haven’t yet received the last prize they promised us.” “!?” Doubt flashed simultaneously across the faces of the empire's leading knight, administrator, and sorcerer. “But Your Majesty, will the traitors honor their promise?” “You are showing undeserved mercy to them.” “Rumors are already spreading from the Minor Kingdoms Alliance. The empire's dignity is being tarnished. You cannot hold back, Your Majesty.” Not only the lowly administrator, Chancellor Luctus Gospel, but even the continent's greatest swordsman and the stormy sorcerer were mere mayflies whose heads could roll at a word from the emperor. And this emperor was one who would mercilessly cut down even his kin if necessary. This brutal disposition was also the driving force that had stabilized and advanced the empire during his reign. Despite this, they spoke their minds. And for the first time today, a small smile appeared on the emperor’s face. This was precisely why he kept them close. “You are correct. But if restraining my rage momentarily can help achieve the goal, then it is the right course of action.” While advising is a virtue of loyal ministers, obeying the emperor’s command is also the duty of all subjects. Having said all they wished, the three bowed their heads again, resolved to follow the command. Their wise ruler had never once disappointed them since his ascension to the throne. To meet their expectations, the emperor, after a brief moment of thought, spoke steadily. “If we’re not aware of the enemy’s objective, there’s no need to wait. We have no choice but to force them to move according to our intentions.” What could that mean? As the three puzzled over his words, unhesitant orders followed. “Tris, Galen.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” “Yes, Your Majesty!” “You will have a chance to redeem your previous failures. Mobilize the elite of your noble families. I'll also assign you half of the Royal Knights and the Special Inspection Unit's elite. Head to the fortress of Noviens.” “We will follow your orders!” ‘War,’ they both thought simultaneously, a deadly gleam in their eyes. But there was something peculiar in his subsequent words. "However, the pretext for your mission will be to protect Baros. With Max gone, your entry into the capital will be justified as taking his place." “But Your Majesty, such a pretense might not convince the Holy Kingdom to allow that significant a force within their borders.” Chancellor Luctus raised the obvious concern on behalf of the two formidable ones. “Of course, we need to create more pretexts. Tris, reach out to Jerome.” “...Not Baros, but Jerome, Your Majesty?” At Tris’s puzzled question, the emperor gave a chilling smile. “Yes.” With that definitive answer, the expressions of those present stiffened slightly. The emperor had essentially declared that Prince Baros's claim to the throne was nullified. Ignoring their expressions, the emperor’s calm voice continued. “Send the final ultimatum to the Black Snakes through Jerome.” Final ultimatum. The weight of those words further tensed the faces of the three. “Demand a public declaration from the Holy Kingdom that they will serve the empire as a suzerain. This will substitute for their betrayal. Alternatively, suggesting they transfer the papal authority to the emperor could suffice.” At the emperor’s following statement, the three widened their eyes to twice their size. "!?" “Your Majesty, surely... are you serious...?” “Is that even possible!?” It was a shocking proposal. Even if they could control the Pope's mind, subjugating the Holy Kingdom was a completely different matter. The elected Pope did not possess the authority to decide the Holy Kingdom’s fate. The emperor, undoubtedly aware of this, retained his composed demeanor. “Even if it's impossible, make it possible. You have one month, until you’ve prepared and reached Noviens. At that time, you will become the envoy sent to celebrate the Holy Kingdom's subjugation.” “...What if they refuse, or even if they accept and don't announce it?” “Then Max’s death becomes their doing.” The chilling words were understood by the three, and their eyes widened with realization once more. “...If Jerome and the Inspection Division still haven’t figured out the cause, it’s highly probable it really was them,” nodded Galen Dicade, referring to his great-nephew. “The pretense of eradicating the empire’s hidden enemies or serving as congratulatory envoys. Either would suffice as a reason to enter the capital,” Tris added, nodding too. However, Chancellor Luctus cautiously pointed out a fact seemingly forgotten by everyone. “...There's no guarantee that the leader of those snakes, the grand mage, is in the Holy Kingdom.” His remark was valid, but the emperor’s audacious statement continued unabated. “Whether he’s there or not, it doesn’t matter.” “...?” “The first thing you must do upon entering the capital is to deal with Cardinal Tracy, who supposedly always remains by the Pope’s side.” “What!?” Galen shouted in surprise, forgetting his place, while Tris and Luctus’s eyes widened to their limits. “She appears to be the main force behind the Pope's brainwashing. Kill her and secure the Pope. Whether he regains his senses is irrelevant. Either way, it will enable us to involve ourselves with the Holy Kingdom.” No one doubted the source of the emperor’s information. Thus, it must be fact. “Whether they accept the proposal or not, we will gain something regardless. Although if they uphold their deal, won’t that leave no task for the Sword Master and Storm?” Perhaps due to his nature, Luctus expressed admiration while pointing out a minor flaw in the plan. It was Galen, not the emperor, who addressed this. “Why would we be left with nothing to do? If they honor their promises, we’ll enter as celebratory envoys and simply cut off her head.” His words came with a deadly laughter. By staying silent, the emperor revealed his agreement. Yet, even acknowledging this with his gaze, the chancellor further pressed a point. “But if the leader of the snakes is indeed there, it becomes problematic. Considering Storm suffered major losses previously, I feel a bit anxious.” Hearing this, Galen the Storm Mage's expression contorted. “Hah, with the Blade present, what could pose a problem? No matter how formidable a grand mage he is...” “There will be additional support for that matter.” “What?” An overconfident Galen turned to the emperor, wide-eyed, then quickly bowed upon sensing the cold atmosphere around him. None present were ignorant of what the emperor’s mention of support implied. “In that case, I am reassured.” The usually obstinate Chancellor Luctus finally smiled and nodded. An admirable demonstration of addressing every detail, yet remaining endlessly cautious before the emperor. Witnessing this, Galen collapsed into laughter, finding himself caught between admiration and frustration, contrasting his usual arrogance against the humility he showed before the emperor. Observing it all, the emperor’s vague smile appeared. “With none of my children meeting my expectations, continuing the succession struggle seems meaningless.” The emperor then unveiled another shocking statement, drawing everyone's undivided attention. “Subdue the Holy Kingdom and organize the Black Snakes to consolidate our foundation. Immediately after, we shall execute the ‘Grand Plan.’” The concept of a ‘Grand Plan’ was well-understood by all present, causing the smiles that had adorned their faces to slightly fade. However soon enough. “Finally...” “The day is coming?” “Hahaha.” The smiles that returned to the emperor’s face spread to all three. Seeing this, the emperor gestured lightly with his hand. “Continue your thorough preparations in accordance.” “Yes, Your Majesty!” “Yes!” As the emperor’s attendants left with a relieved air, an unwavering voice halted them. “Ah, Sir Tris, stay behind for a further discussion.” “...Yes.” Curious but obedient, the continent’s strongest knight turned back. The grand door closed, leaving just the two behind. “Is Jerome presently working alongside Baros?” In a tense atmosphere, the unexpected question took Tris by surprise, but his response was immediate. “Yes, that’s correct.” Why was he asking something he surely already knew? Was it just a simple chat about their shared past? Having grown accustomed to the emperor’s occasional shifts as they aged together, Tris felt his tension ease slightly. But then the emperor said something unexpected. “Not everything may go as we’ve planned.” A negative comment, unlike what he had expressed earlier with everyone around. Tris’s expression tightened a bit. “The enemy or the Holy Kingdom might not relent or open a path, even under the pretexts we've discussed. In such a case, we'll need an alternative strategy—perhaps a justification they cannot possibly ignore.” ‘Why not mention this earlier?’ Tris wondered, though instead of voicing his question, he said what he knew the emperor wanted to hear. “What must I do?” It was the right choice; the emperor’s satisfied smile confirmed it. “Tell Jerome to kill.” Unsure of the intended subject, Tris cautiously inquired further. “…Pardon? Kill whom?” “Baros.” The emperor’s face was calm as he spoke of killing his own son.