“The success or failure of this operation will hinge on this fact.”

“You mean… the fact that you don’t carry imperial blood?”

“Yes,” I replied, gazing again at the relic on the table.

The incomplete gear.

Its form likely held more significance than just symbolizing a “component.” In games like this, an object shaped like a gear would undoubtedly serve as a part of something larger.

And whatever that “completed object” was, it would likely wield the power of the goddess—or something comparable. That was what the Emperor was after.

In the original story, the Emperor claimed he wanted to …