Chapter 84

Alter observed the situation for a while before belatedly opening his mouth.

Yuria, though puzzled, couldn't help but ask in return.

"Lord Alter, you're saying you'll do it? Do you have a way?"

"I'll lend the weight of Third Princess's authority to my own circumstances."

"...... That's not a bad idea. I'll allow it."

Yuria glanced at Alter with considerable interest.

Alter spoke briefly with Brillie and then stepped forward.

At this, the Imperial Knights became all the more vigilant and began to glare at Alter.

"Do you know who I am? I am Alter Radiant, the youngest son of the Grand Duke of the North. Then, you must also know why I came here."

"......."

"I won't discuss what happened before the Emperor's ascension. What matters to me now is that the Emperor tried to steal my fiancé!"

"......."

The Imperial Knights still held their stance but were wavering just a bit.

Anyone looking at the situation would conclude that the Emperor had acted wrongly.

Now, with the person involved mentioning it himself, they simply couldn't bring themselves to side against him.

"An Emperor should always value benevolence and look after all people. Yet, he can't control his own desires and tries to take my partner?"

"......."

"Let me ask you this. If the Emperor tried to take your partner, would you simply hand them over? Could you suppress your anger?"

"......."

The shields lifted by the Imperial Knights were now trembling slightly.

Their swords had lost their purpose, and the tips of their spears were already pointed at the floor.

Alter, subconsciously filled with resentment, continued to speak.

"Are you intending to fight for a wicked Emperor? Are your lives so worthless? You are knights sworn to serve and protect the noble Emperor and Imperial Family—can you say that what you are protecting is noble?"

"......."

"Her Highness the Third Princess has justice and legitimacy on her side. That is why so many people follow her. I'll give you a chance. If you surrender, you can safely return to duty without anyone getting hurt. But if you insist on fighting to the end, you'll have to pay for that choice."

"......."

"Right here and now, I ask Her Highness the Third Princess: would you accept their surrender?"

At Alter's statement, the Imperial Knights inadvertently shifted their gaze to Yuria.

Yuria, confident in the outcome, answered at a leisurely pace.

"I promise here and now. Out of consideration for Lord Alter's sincerity, I'll spare their lives."

The Imperial Knights were already fracturing from within, plagued by doubts and a sense of responsibility.

Driven off even their own grounds of legitimacy, they hesitated endlessly.

Why risk their lives for this cause?

"Don't forget the honor of the Imperial Knights! Sacrifice your life for the Emperor and the Imperial Family!"

"......."

The captain of the 1st Division shouted vehemently, but no one answered.

Only resentment toward the Emperor and a bitter sense of futility spread among them.

Wouldn't there be more glory in serving a new Emperor?

"What are we even doing......."

"Haaa... Better to live than die needlessly."

"I can't do this anymore."

Several members began to drop their weapons and shields, walking away slowly.

The 1st Division captain tried to stop them, but their numbers kept growing.

Deeply disillusioned by the Emperor's immorality and immersed in self-reproach for Alter's unfair circumstances, their resolve broke.

"You only need to restrain them as they are. Please be careful not to let anyone get hurt."

"Yes. We'll see to it."

Satisfied with the result, Yuria looked at Alter.

Normally, there would have been a battle and many casualties as a result.

In particular, the Imperial Knights were tailored for her protection, and recruiting knights of that caliber would not have been easy.

But since they had been persuaded by words alone, Yuria regarded this as effectively preventing a tremendous loss.

'I was worried he might sweep them all away with magic power... but he won their hearts first.'

Even if you defeat your opponent by force, it's often hard to break their will.

But if you shake their will with a few words, you don't need to rely on force.

You simply get what you want without anyone getting hurt.

'He's quite competent, isn't he? Guess it's just that he couldn't do anything because of his frail health.'

Yuria inadvertently found herself reassessing Alter's potential.

The bloodline of the grand duke's family, exceptional talent as a mage, bold and accurate judgment, and achievements attained in a short period of time.

Had he not been cursed, wouldn't his name have been renowned long ago?

'I can't help but be greedy. Such beauty, and top-notch ability too...'

Yuria was briefly overcome by a powerful emotion, but she didn't show it.

As a direct member of the Imperial family destined for the throne, she couldn't reveal her true feelings.

She had to remain coolheaded at all times, in order to bask fully in the throne's authority.

'I can't do it, no. I mustn't end up like my brother, can I?'

By instinct, Yuria first worried about her own safety.

She had once tried to get permission from the former Emperor to marry Alter Radiant.

In the end, she was forbidden by imperial decree, and she had to hold back her frustration for a long time.

Looking at the situation now, it had at least been resolved more smoothly than with the current Emperor.

'I'm different from my brother. My qualifications for the throne will not be doubted.'

Of course, even if she became Emperor, she would have to shoulder her duties with difficulty.

Since the bureaucrats and nobles had supported her ascension, their conduct would only become more arrogant.

To restore the throne to an absolute pinnacle, she would have to strengthen her foundations quietly.

'I'd better make as many allies as I can. After that... maybe I can do as I please, don't you think?'

* * *

Karaf stood guard with determination at the entrance to the Emperor's bedchamber.

He regretted having divided the forces, but there was no turning back now.

He had to buy time, somehow, until the grand commander's reinforcements arrived.

'If we didn't at least do this, we wouldn't stand a chance. If we huddled all together, we'd be at a disadvantage.'

Just by the report alone, the rebels' strength was formidable and threatening.

The Palace Guard had surrounded the audience hall and bedchamber, and some attendants had already fled outside.

With the officials inside the palace cooperating with the rebels, the defenses had fallen almost instantly.

'The ring-leader of the rebellion is... probably the Third Princess. She's coveted the throne since childhood.'

Both he, and the previous Emperor, had always seen through the Third Princess's intentions.

While understanding her feelings, they had tried—albeit gently—to restrain her.

But after the previous Emperor's sudden death, a gap had formed, and the Third Princess eventually gathered her forces to march.

'The chancellor might have joined as well. Among the nobles, the Duke of Illenat is definitely involved.'

The chancellor had voiced concerns even before the crown prince inherited the throne.

The Imperial House's maintenance expenses weren't small, and recently there had been scandals over corruption as well.

After his coronation, the Emperor hurt the Duke of Illenat's pride, so that whole faction inevitably joined in.

'If the Duke of Illenat is involved, the Sword Flower will naturally follow.'

Karaf was highly conscious of the Sword Flower's presence.

He had witnessed his skill directly at the founding anniversary banquet.

With such a swift and precise blade, even Karaf could be reached.

'Naturally, the Sword Flower's fiancé would also...'

For a brief moment, Karaf felt fear, but he quickly shook it off.

At first, he thought of him simply as a scion of the grand duke's family, but now, as the Great Mage's apprentice, he was showing his true worth.

It was said he'd made tremendous contributions in the war of the northern region, so Karaf felt extra caution.

'Can I handle those two on my own?'

Even while foreseeing defeat, Karaf did not intend to yield.

As the leader of the Imperial Knights, he had to protect the Emperor and uphold the security of the Imperial Family.

No matter how strong the rebels, he could not back down.

'I just need to fulfill my duty. Even if I die here, at least my honor will remain intact.'

Karaf recognized his own role and coolly recalled the former Emperor's last words.

The successor is lacking in many ways, but I hope you will serve well.

No matter how great his crimes may be, the Emperor was someone Karaf was sworn to serve.

'Your Majesty, I shall atone for failing your will with loyalty. Please forgive my lack of ability.'

* * *

At last, Yuria entered the bedchamber with her soldiers.

No one could stop her; even the imperial attendants trembled in fear.

Once the last of the Imperial Knights was subdued, she would face the Emperor.

"...... Your Highness. For what reason have you brought an army?"

"Are you asking me about something everyone already knows?"

"If you withdraw now, his Majesty will forgive your crime."

"Forgive me? Who is supposed to be forgiving whom? Isn't there a difference in who has the right to forgive?"

"......."

Karaf met the gazes of the two and sighed deeply.

As expected, the formidable powers were supporting the Third Princess.

And with the rebel forces being so massive, there was no chance of victory.

"Did you know? Lord Alter swayed the Imperial Knights with words. My soldiers reached here without bloodshed. What does this mean?"

"......."

"The Emperor has lost the people's trust. He's threatened nobles, stood only on his supposed authority with officials. I'm sure it's connected to past corruption scandals, don't you think?"

"......."

"Right now, there's no way Lord Alter can persuade you. You're the one standing in our way."

"......."

"Captain of the Imperial Knights, this is your last chance. If you join me, your honor and office will remain. But if you insist on fighting to the end... you'll have to bear the consequences."

Without any hesitation, Karaf gripped the hilt of his sword.

He raised the tip towards Yuria.

Seeing this, Yuria showed an openly displeased expression.

"I am the Emperor's knight and his loyal subject. I shall strike down any who threaten His Majesty with this sword!"

"...... Take care of him."

At Yuria's command, several knights came forward.

At the same time, Alter and Brillie moved, and Karaf was instantly surrounded.

Alter, quite tense, did not take his eyes off Karaf.

"Are you really not going to surrender?"

"Even if I must fight you, my conviction will not change. The same goes for your fiancé."

"You must be speaking so because your conscience weighs on you, correct?"

Only then did Alter unleash his magic power, filled now with a distinct murderous intent.

Karaf, too, was aware that the Emperor's actions were wrong.

But as captain of the Imperial Knights, unable to neglect his duty, he had drawn his sword.

"So I too will not hesitate. My fiancé, also, will do the same."

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Blind loyalty... Tsk...

I would understand if you are loyal to a righteous person, but being loyal to a corrupt and foolish emperor?

You gotta go...

You won't be missed...