To remain forever by her side.

Eldrigan Lionheart’s declaration to abolish the monarchy occurred three days after I had my memories read at the Southeastern Tower.

At that time, I was conducting routine inspections at the Edward Company’s Southern factory and pointing out the outpost commander’s lax personnel management.

Personnel management requires the use of precise carrots and sticks.
Rewarding the capable and punishing the incapable is essential for improving task efficiency and effectiveness.

However, the southern outpost commander, intoxicated by his power, was giving rewards to those who flattered him and punishments to those who opposed him.

Just as I was about to dismiss him and head to the western branch, Lorendel suddenly approached me with a stern expression.

“What’s going on?”

Although her demeanor was somewhat haughty, I knew she wasn’t a woman to wear such an expression easily, so I asked.

Lorendel looked at me without a word and grabbed my arm, pulling me outside the southern factory.

“My Lord.”
“Speak. Quickly.”
“Promise me one thing: That you won’t get angry and won’t resort to violence.”
“Speak.”

After hesitating for a moment, Lorendel opened her mouth.

“His Majesty Eldrigan has declared the abolition of the monarchy.”
“…What?”
“Furthermore, he stated that he would grant voting rights to each noble family, allowing them to intervene in state affairs. Therefore… as of today, the Empire will no longer be a monarchy, but an aristocracy.”

Upon hearing those words, my mind went blank.

Aristocracy…

I only know of one event brought about by that political system.

The French Revolution.

A massive slaughter caused by the revolt against the privileged nobility left no nobles.
Kings were executed, and countless nobles turned into ashes.

Currently, the nobles of the Empire are arrogant and haughty.
If they are allowed to participate in politics… it is inevitable that many Imperial citizens will suffer.

If that discontent erupts, the end will surely be a revolution.

“Go to the capital immediately.”
“My Lord!”
“I won’t resort to violence.”

The abolition of the monarchy had to be stopped immediately.
Eldrigan’s intentions are unclear, but if his choice leads to a catastrophe that brings suffering to Ania, it will be even worse.

So I got in the car and headed straight for the capital.

Reaching the capital took about two hours, but we couldn’t enter.
Guards blocked our way.

Lorendel leaned out of the car window.

“Make way. This is Lord Radner’s vehicle.”
“We are aware, but unfortunately, we cannot let you pass now.”

I got out of the car and approached him directly.

“Why? Is Eldrigan trying to stop me?”
“That’s not the reason! The current situation in the capital…”

I glanced slowly over his shoulder.
In the distance, I could hear the sounds of commotion.

***

“I cannot accept this!”
“Freedom for the Empire!”

“Where do these insignificant ones without titles come from?”
“Do not rebel against the Emperor’s decision!”

Eldrigan looked at the crowd gathered below the palace, then slowly opened the balcony door and returned to his office.

The aide was looking bewildered, head bowed.

“Your Majesty. The opposition is strong.”
“…….”

Eldrigan sat silently in his seat.

Then he sighed softly.

He knew he had already made his decision.
Yet, he had not anticipated such an intense backlash.

Even the opposing factions, blaming the Emperor’s incompetence, had thought they would change their minds if given authority.

The families who initially followed the royal family were naturally expected to do so.

But unexpectedly, an unexpected party opposed significantly.

The emerging entrepreneurs.

Accumulating wealth as urban merchants, they possessed much but lacked titles.
However, titles had long become a mere facade.

To them, who had amassed wealth akin to nobility, nobles were ignorant nobodies.
Therefore, they did not cling to titles.
To them, money moved the world, and with money, they could live lives no less enviable than nobles.

However, with the declaration of nobility, everything changed.
The terrifying power of suffrage was thrust upon the nobles who had rights but should not participate in governance.
They despised the emerging entrepreneurs, so they devised laws to kill them off individually.
Only the remaining few entrepreneurs with exceptional intellects could survive.

The declaration of aristocracy meant their deaths!

“Once again, I’ve made a foolish mistake.”

An Emperor ignorant of the ways of the world.
A fool destroying the Empire in his delusions.

Eldrigan couldn’t even refute the insults spat at him by the opposition.

“If you withdraw now….”
“The noble families won’t stay silent.”

‘It’s easy to give but hard to take.’
Why did his father’s words, which he had repeated incessantly, come to mind only now?

“Strengthen security at the palace. Let no one in.”

All Eldrigan could do was fortify his defenses.

In the end, he had to flee again.
He couldn’t bear his own patheticness.

***

“That’s what happened.”

He nodded as he listened to the guard’s report.

“My Lord, perhaps it would be best to return for now.”

Silently standing guard at the capital, I might have been concerned about the unrest unfolding there, but getting involved would only tire me out.

Emerging entrepreneurs and nobles.
I was a figure caught amid their sharp conflict.

Having lived like an emerging entrepreneur despite my noble status, I couldn’t take either side.

Moreover, considering my status and wealth, I didn’t know what they would use to pull me into their respective camps.

“Fine.”
“Yes. Let’s return.”
“What are you talking about? I’m going to the palace.”
“Yes…?”

Lorendel exclaimed with a bewildered sigh.

“Stupid Eldrigan needs to fix his mess.”
“Do we really need to do that…?”
“Yes.”

As I walked past, the guards couldn’t stop me.
As I strolled down the central street of the capital, all eyes turned towards me.
When I reached the front of the palace, I saw the bustling scene of entrepreneurs and nobles engaged in heated debate.

As those who recognized me approached, they fell silent in surprise as I brushed past them toward the palace entrance.

“Open the gate.”
“The Emperor has ordered that no one be allowed in.”
“The Emperor? He’s not the Emperor anymore. He abolished the monarchy.”

With those words, I drew my sword from my waist.

“If you want to stop me, try. There’s probably no way you could, anyway.”

There wouldn’t be much to say. After all, Eldrigan abolished the imperial laws himself.

Finally stepping into the palace, I made my way to Eldrigan’s study.

I was curious to see how shamelessly he would carry himself after causing such chaos.

Familiar faces passed by, stopping me in my tracks.

“Edward?”
“Lord Radner…!”

They hesitated with bewildered expressions, unsure whether they should stop me. Without paying them any mind, I continued walking.

And soon enough, Eldrigan’s study came into view.

“Lord Radner.”

One of Eldrigan’s knights, who always accompanied him, looked down at me.

“How dare you intrude.”
“Intrude? He’s not the Emperor anymore.”

“Even so, his noble lineage remains unchanged, unlike inferior nobles like you, Lord Radner.”

His hand moved towards my collar, and I grabbed his wrist before he could.

“Let go.”
“Open the door.”

After a tense standoff, the door suddenly creaked open.

And there, revealed behind it, was Eldrigan himself.

“…Edward.”

I had expected to see a foolish expression on his face, but seeing him with a somewhat resigned expression was not amusing but pitiful.
He realized how significant his incompetence had become.

He slowly knelt and grasped my hand.

“Edward, what should I do?”

His words sparked anger within me.

“Get up, Eldrigan.”

I lifted him to his feet.

There was a deep sense of remorse in his gaze.
He seemed weighed down by a sense of responsibility.

“I’ll tell you what to do.”
“…Please, tell me…”

I looked down at the face of the man before me and slowly raised my right hand.
For someone who couldn’t handle the mess they had created, there was nothing better than this.

“Eat this.”

My fist flew through the air and hit Eldrigan in the chin.
The blood that had sprung up beautifully fell on the floor.

The aides who were watching us around let out silent screams.
The knight opened his eyes and started glaring at me.