Chapter 151

“If I am to be honest with you, the situation in the imperial palace is not good.”

Casval began to speak with a calm face, as if he had never mentioned the word treason before.

It gave the impression that, now that things had reached this point, he intended to pretend that the mistake he had made simply did not exist.

“As you well know, Duke, the First Prince is the legitimate heir to the throne. The previous emperor personally proclaimed him, and no one can object to his legitimacy.”

“And yet there are disrespectful movements?”

“The Second Prince has decided to abide by the will of the previous emperor and serve the First Prince as the next sovereign. However, the opportunists swarming around him continue to postpone the coronation ceremony and are inciting him.”

It was a strange way to put it.

Basically, it meant that other courtiers were trying to place on the throne a Second Prince who supposedly had no ambitions of his own.

Looking at history, it was not uncommon to see a puppet emperor at the forefront while the true powers ruled from the shadows.

But turning the Second Prince into a puppet? Someone who had proven himself far superior to the First Prince and enjoyed enormous support?

‘How ridiculous.’

If the Second Prince truly had not desired the throne, he would have stepped forward long ago to calm the situation.

He was not so incompetent as to be dragged along by public opinion he did not want.

The fact that the atmosphere had not settled meant only one thing the Second Prince himself did not entirely dislike the current situation.

“It is truly regrettable. If it were possible, I would like to rush to the imperial palace to offer my help immediately, but from this remote north to the capital the distance is simply too great.”

“I understand. The First Prince always praises the Duke’s loyalty and has said on several occasions that, if distance were not an obstacle, he would certainly have come at once to offer assistance.”

Casval bowed his head, speaking as if he were sincerely regretful.

Faced with such nonsense, Lucian almost burst out laughing, but managed to restrain himself.

What? The First Prince speaking well of Lucian in private and expressing his trust?

‘If that First Prince were capable of saying something so sensible, he would have ascended the throne long ago.’

The First Prince Lucian knew was the type who would have shouted that, if there was loyalty, distance did not matter and one should present oneself immediately.

Casval must have known this perfectly well, and yet he lied without the slightest shame.

‘He may be one of the most brazen people in the entire empire.’

Unaware—or pretending to be unaware—of what was going through Lucian’s mind, Casval continued speaking without blinking.

“However, unlike the trust the First Prince places in you, there is a faction that is slandering the Duke.”

“Slandering me?”

“Yes. The noble faction led by Marquis Bernhardt. They are pressuring the First Prince, claiming that it is suspicious that the Duke brought in barbarians from beyond the frozen wasteland.”

“I see.”

A truly ambiguous tone.

They suspected treason, yet at the same time presented it as someone else’s accusation, shifting the responsibility.

And even so, they did not utter a single word in Lucian’s defense, merely wavering.

“Are you saying that I must prove my loyalty to avoid political attacks from others?”

“I am very sorry.”

“Be specific. What exactly do you expect me to do?”

At Lucian’s words, Casval, as if he had been waiting for that question, went straight to the point.

“First, allow us to meet with the barbarians who came from beyond the wasteland. If they swear loyalty to the Empire and to the First Prince, there will be no problem.”

It was an ambiguous condition.

It might make sense if they were knights or nobles, but demanding an oath of loyalty from barbarians who were little different from ordinary commoners unless they were integrated into the nobility would amount to nothing more than an empty ceremony.

‘They are not seeking real loyalty.’

Lucian immediately understood Casval’s true objective.

They intended to explain to them in detail what the Empire was, how vast it was, and make them understand that they had options other than Lucian.

From the perspective of those who did not know what had happened in the wasteland, Lucian would appear to have attracted the barbarians with land and goods.

Their plan was clear tell them that beyond this inhospitable north there were great, prosperous cities, and disperse them far away from Lucian.

After all, anyone would prefer warm, abundant regions over this hostile north.

Of course, they would only speak of that abundance; they had no intention of actually giving them anything.

‘What a way to be mistaken. It’s true that I promised them a prosperous life, but that isn’t everything.’

Lucian formed a faint smile and nodded, giving them free rein. There was no need to correct the other side’s misunderstanding.

“If it’s just a meeting, I can arrange it whenever you like. If you wish, I can even gather them all in one place. That said, you can handle the oath of loyalty yourself. I see no reason why I should personally help explain the greatness of the Empire.”

“Of course. I appreciate your cooperation, Duke.”

With Lucian’s permission, Casval bowed his head immediately.

If he had truly been seeking a sincere oath, he would have criticized Lucian’s distant attitude.

However, Casval seemed rather pleased that Lucian would remain uninvolved.

Just as expected, his intention was to disparage Asagrim and exaggerate the abundance of other territories.

“Anything else? You said ‘first,’ so it seems there is another request.”

“It is simple.”

Though his tone was light, Casval’s face was clearly tense.

“We ask that you attend the coronation ceremony of the First Prince, which will be held in one month.”

***

Faced with Casval’s demand, Lucian formed a bitter smile.

For a high-ranking noble, holding the title of count or above, attending the enthronement ceremony of the next emperor was almost an obligation.

Seen that way, it could be said to be a completely natural request.

‘That would be true if the empire were still functioning normally.’

The current capital was not much different from a den of demons. After the emperor’s death, all information flowing outward had been blocked, and every matter was being handled with the utmost secrecy.

In other words, there was no way to know whether those holding power at the moment were Lucian’s allies or his enemies.

‘If my enemies have taken power, this would be me walking voluntarily into a trap. But questioning such a natural invitation would itself be disrespectful. They planned this move well.’

It was a maneuver so well constructed that one could not help but admire it, as it forced one to fall into it even while knowing it was dangerous.

However, that maneuver had a crack.

A crack that only Lucian knew about within the empire.

“It isn’t something that needs to be requested of an imperial noble. How could I be absent from the enthronement ceremony? I will attend without fail.”

“Your Excellency the Duke is truly a loyal servant of the empire! Then—”

“However, security has not been at its best lately, and moving lightly could provoke other territories. Therefore, I would like His Highness the First Prince to open the way for us.”

“Huh?”

Casval asked, bewildered. It was obvious that he did not understand what kind of way Lucian was referring to.

“The way, yes. The same one the previous emperor used to open for us from time to time. Is it clearer if I say dimensional gate?”

“Ah…!”

“I’m glad you understood. Then, please convey the message.”

“W-wait a moment, please!”

Just as the conversation seemed to be coming to an end, Casval hurriedly stopped Lucian.

The surprise at that unexpected request was evident on his face. After hesitating for quite some time, as if he had suddenly remembered something, he opened his eyes wide and spoke.

“I’m sorry, but His Highness the First Prince cannot open the dimensional gate at this time.”

“What did you say? And why not? The previous emperor opened and closed it so easily…”

“Because only the sovereign of the empire can activate the magical artifact. And since His Highness the First Prince has not yet held his enthronement ceremony—”

Upon hearing Casval’s excuse, Lucian had to suppress the smile that threatened to appear on his lips.

‘Of course. One way or another, they had to pull out the excuse that it can’t be done for now.’

Most nobles, not knowing how the artifact worked, would accept any explanation and let it slide.

But that would not work on Lucian.

Because he had heard directly from the previous emperor how that magical artifact operated.

Lucian held Casval’s gaze with an expression of sincere puzzlement.

“What does that mean? Isn’t any member of the direct imperial bloodline able to use it? The previous emperor explained it to me personally.”

“…!?”

“Aren’t you mistaken? Just in case, convey this to His Highness the First Prince. Tell him that he can activate it at any time and that he should try it himself.”

Cold sweat began to run down Casval’s face, as if he had never imagined that Lucian had received a direct explanation from the previous emperor.

If he said something incorrect at this point, it would not be mere suspicion—he could be branded a falsifier manipulating the emperor’s words.

Unable to find a way out, Casval had no choice but to nod.

“I-I understand… I will inform His Highness the First Prince.”

‘It seems the capital is completely in the hands of the Second Prince’s faction. The First is nothing more than a puppet whose name they are using.’

Watching Casval withdraw unsteadily, Lucian was able to confirm that conclusion.

If the First Prince were truly leading the political situation as the legitimate heir, he would not have been so flustered.

It would have been enough for the First Prince himself to say, “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” to settle the matter.

But Casval had been cautious, fearing that a contradiction might arise between his words and Lucian’s knowledge.

That proved that he had no way to respond if pressed on that point.

‘Just to be sure, let’s confirm it one more time.’

After seeing Casval off, Lucian immediately summoned the attendants and servants of the castle.

They were people the previous emperor had sent some time ago under the pretext of supporting the administration, but in reality as undercover agents.

Once everyone had gathered, Lucian spoke, addressing the spy whose face he still did not know.

“I suppose you’ve already heard that the imperial family has sent an inspector. Apparently there was some confusion, but His Highness the First Prince is leading the situation.”

“………”

“It’s reassuring news. They say the enthronement ceremony will be held in one month, so I plan to travel personally to Tibron to attend.”

The attendants and servants looked at Lucian with mixed expressions of fear and discomfort. They did not understand why the duke was saying such things to people of such low rank.

However, among them were some who, while imitating the expressions of the others, showed particularly evident tension.

“I’m telling you this because I want to take some of you with me to the capital. That said, there is a possibility that it will be a one-way trip, so I will accept only volunteers.”

“A o-one-way trip? What do you mean by that?”

“That although the enthronement of the First Prince should be a cause for celebration, all of this may be nothing more than a deception. It’s possible my enemies are trying to lure me out of here with a trap.”

“…!”

“But whatever the truth may be, as long as the excuse is legitimate, rejecting the invitation would be disrespectful. Therefore, only those who are willing to risk their lives—”

It was then that someone spoke.

“It’s a lie.”

A young attendant stepped forward, his face hardened.

Interrupting the duke was a grave crime, yet he showed not the slightest fear of punishment.

In his eyes burned only the determination to stop Lucian from going up to the capital.

“Everything is a lie. It’s a trap. You must not go.”