“This rascal…!”

The knight’s menacing hand lunged towards my throat, and my body was lifted involuntarily.

Impressive strength.

“I simply cannot turn a blind eye. No matter how much the Emperor favors you, I cannot tolerate someone laying a hand on the Emperor’s body with ill intent.”

I chuckled softly as I watched the sword being drawn from their scabbard.

“Emperor? He’s not an Emperor anymore, is he?”
“He is the one who inherited the bloodline of Lionheart!”

Before the sword could swing down, I quickly drew out my dagger to block it.
Iron clashed with iron, sending sparks flying.

Immediately after, I spun around and kicked their chest, escaping from their grip.
I swiftly reached for my waist and drew out my sword.

“You were the first to resort to violence.”
“You speak as if you can win. A cunning businessman, indeed.”

The sword soared high into the sky.
As I prepared to parry, bending my legs and adjusting my stance, the wind cutting through the air accompanied the sword rushing towards me.

But at the same time, Eldrigan, with his swollen right cheek, quickly intervened between us and shouted.

“Stop!”

Their sword changed trajectory instantly and plunged into the ground, and the knight, abandoning their sword, rushed towards Eldrigan and embraced him.

“Your Majesty!”

They stood by Eldrigan’s side, shielding him from me.

“I will eliminate this impure individual! Please do not interfere!”
“Do not make things worse!”
“But…”

What a performance they’re putting on.

“See? Even your lord acknowledges it.”

I spoke with a sneer, but Eldrigan stood silently, gazing at me.

“Edward.”
“Do you feel it’s unfair?”

As I asked, Eldrigan lowered his head.

“Not at all. If anything, I owe you gratitude.”
“I’m feeling quite upset.”
“Well, I wanted to talk to you.”
“What a coincidence. I also have something to say.”
“But before we talk… there’s something I must do.”

‘Something I must do.’
I didn’t know what it was, but it was probably another futile gesture…

Just as I thought that I couldn’t help but blink my eyes.

“Your Majesty!”
“How… to such a lowly individual!”

The astonished advisors and knights screamed, and I silently looked down at Eldrigan.

“It’s all my fault. I apologize.”

He was kneeling on the ground.
Gradually, his head bowed down, and then he pressed his forehead against the floor.

“I know what I’ve done to you is unforgivable. I know it’s too late.”
“Get up.”

I grabbed Eldrigan’s body and lifted him.

Seeing the guys standing still as if they’d forgotten how to move, it seemed they would stay in that position for the rest of their lives if I didn’t intervene.

“Let’s go inside and talk.”

I supported him and opened the door to the study.

I could only see the side of Eldrigan’s face, but I could tell it was stained with tears.
Eldrigan had revealed his incompetence to the world… but he was certainly not such a weak person.

He had his own foresight and a strong ego.
What could have caused a man like him to be so broken?

I resented him for almost bringing ruin to our family through his actions.
But I knew it wasn’t entirely his fault.

If you were to ask about the origin of the sin, it was Johann.

I knew it well.

I could understand it in my head, but breaking the promise to protect my family no matter what was unforgivable enough for me to hate him.

Because of that, I thought I had drifted away from Ania.

But looking back, nothing came out of malice.
I was blinded to the truth by anger.

***

“The royal family has been abolished?”
“Yes, that’s correct, Miss Ania.”

The news of the abolition of the royal family reached Ania’s ears.
It was the day after the event.

“So…is there more?”
“Nobles will be granted political rights. Nothing else is clearly determined, so I will inform you as soon as I hear any news.”
“Thank you.”

As the secretary bowed and left, Ania let out a small sigh.

Granting power to the nobles…
It wasn’t a bad idea.

Since nobles were initially supposed to be proficient in politics, abruptly involving ordinary Imperial citizens in politics might not have been as effective.

But Ania knew something:
The nobles of this country were quite rotten.

The prestigious families that had contributed to the founding wars of the Empire were nothing but empty shells.
Now, there were only pigs filling their selfish desires and relying on the glory of their ancestors.

If the nobles started getting involved in politics, the country would surely fall into ruins.

“…I wonder what is Edward doing?”

The situation was so chaotic.

She hoped to return to the territory as soon as possible.
Not knowing where he was, she could not even make a phone call.

Still, the thought occurred…
Perhaps Edward might be in the Capital.

Edward is a clever and brave man.

In this tumultuous situation, he was the type to choose confrontation rather than run away.

“Allensia. Prepare a carriage heading to the Capital immediately.”
“Miss, that’s not possible. There are rumors of riots happening in the Capital right now!”
“I need to go to Edward.”
“Is the Viscount… in the capital?”
“I’m not sure, but he must be. So, I have to go.”

***

The protest in front of the palace continued deep into the night.

The Capital was filled with the voices of nobles who wanted to gain more power by catching the Emperor’s attention and emerging entrepreneurs who opposed the incompetent Emperor’s decisions.

In the meantime, ignorant citizens trembled in fear while merchants took advantage of the chaos to sell their goods.

“It’s chaotic.”
“It’s not good for us, is it?”

And there were those who chuckled softly amid the chaos.

They were Viscount Woodbury, a noble aiming for the Emperor’s seat, and Viscount Flambeau, who had secretly infiltrated from the Northern Kingdom.

“Are you ready?”
“Of course. I’ve been training soldiers for this day. I’ve been waiting for a good opportunity to arise.”
“Excellent.”
“More importantly, Viscount, are your preparations going well?”
“Yes. We have spies infiltrated into the palace right now. They will be the ones to take the Emperor’s head first.”
“And then you’ll declare war on the kingdom.”
“That’s right. Your Lordship can occupy the key cities and gradually take control of the smaller territories.”
“Then we’ll talk later.”

***

Eldrigan couldn’t lift his head for a while and sobbed silently.

Without bothering to ask him, I looked out the window.

As I observed the intricate web of interests involving countless people, I couldn’t help but sigh.
Soon, everything would change.

“…Edward.”

Eldrigan, whose sobbing had ceased, called out to me.

“I’m truly sorry.”
“Tell me what happened until now.”

He slowly recounted what had happened during that time.

In summary, it went like this:

Since ascending the throne after the death of the previous Emperor, he failed to solidify his faction.
He couldn’t assert his intentions properly, hindered by the opposition of the anti-emperor faction nobles and internal power struggles within the palace.

Caught up in politics and alliances, he made wrong decisions and was entangled in complications.
Even the nobles of the anti-emperor faction, in their eagerness for power, flattered the inexperienced Emperor.
When their favor turned to betrayal, he lost the ability to make sound judgments…

Hearing this, the man I had despised so much felt pitiful.

I knew well the feelings of betrayal from someone you trusted.

“It’s shameful, but I wish you had helped me…”
“I’ll make sure to do so from now on.”
“…Really?”
“Not for the Empire or for you, Eldrigan. If the Empire fell into peril, Ania would be in danger. This is all for her.”
“Still, I’m grateful.”

It was a fleeting moment when Eldrigan smiled faintly and stood up.

I rushed to him and covered his mouth with my hand.

“What’s wrong, Edward…?”
“Quiet.”

I could hear something.

A faint sound, as if someone was walking along the castle wall.

I immediately grabbed Eldrigan and threw the both of us behind the desk.

At the same time, small throwing knives flew to where we were originally standing,

And the floor where the knives landed began to emit smoke and melt away.

“Enemies…!”
“Assassins. Hide yourself!”

It was immediately clear who the instigators of the commotion were.
The anti-emperor faction nobles.

The newly emerging entrepreneurs were not the ones who took the most advantage of abolishing the royal family.

Amidst this chaotic situation, some sought to eliminate the Emperor.
And they’re seizing their opportunity.

Before long, with the sound of windows shattering, masked figures clad in black barged into the study.