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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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Ronald Philios. The Empire’s Emperor was poisoned and lost his life. Normally, there should have been no confusion, but the sudden death of the Emperor without appointing a successor was the biggest reason for the turmoil.
There was time from the moment he was poisoned until his life ended, but regrettably, the old Emperor was not mentally sound enough to decide on a successor.
He himself knew this well, which is why he hesitated to decide on a successor.
‘The Emperor knew that one of the princes was behind the poisoning.’
The Emperor was old and ill, but his reason was sharp. Even in a state of mental instability from the poisoning, he tried his best to make rational judgments and ultimately postponed the succession.
“Just what in the world is happening…”
Raymond, who was taking a walk in the Fifth Prince’s palace garden, let out a sigh mixed with frustration.
Based on the setting book and the narrative in the novel, the Blood Funeral was clearly a major turning point.
However, because the novel progressed from the perspective of the protagonist, Richard, there was no detailed description of the story before he entered the completely ruined and fragmented Philios Empire, meaning there was no detailed description of the Blood Funeral.
Even the setting only vaguely mentioned that something like this happened, and there was no explanation of this fierce struggle.
“My lord, something is strange.”
The air was unusually eerie. Gestain sensed the unusual flow and put his hand on his sword hilt. His eyes quickly scanned the dark garden.
“Not a single one of the elite guards is visible.”
As if reading Gestain’s thoughts, Raymond muttered in a low voice. Before he knew it, white energy had gathered in his right hand, taking the shape of a sword.
“They haven’t come with hostility, so please sheath your sword.”
Splitting the darkness, a middle-aged man with a mustache, dressed in a red uniform, emerged from a crack in space.
It was a face he had seen at the court meeting. If his memory was correct, he must be Count Pottas, famous as the rogue of the south.
“Count Pottas?”
“You remembered my name. It is an honor, Your Highness the Fifth Prince.”
“Should I call you by another name?”
Since he had seen the setting book, he also knew his secret identity.
“How did you know?”
The corner of Count Pottas’ mouth twitched slightly.
“It’s just a guess, so don’t worry too much. Your position as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency hasn’t been exposed.”
“You’ve caught one of my weaknesses from the start.”
“I don’t think it needs to be called a weakness.”
Raymond chuckled. By the way, he was curious why Count Pottas had come so late at night.
Seeing him deactivate his stealth right before his eyes, it was safe to assume that he had intended to reveal his position as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from the beginning.
“I have come to convey the Emperor’s decree.”
The Emperor’s decree.
The throne was currently empty. That meant it must be an order left by the late Emperor, Ronald, before his death.
“Speak.”
Raymond said, nodding his head. At that moment, Count Pottas’ gaze briefly rested on Gestain.
“He is my direct elite guards commander. Refrain from unnecessary suspicion.”
“In that case, I will deliver this.”
Count Pottas took something out from his pocket and handed it over. It was an envelope decorated with a splendid golden pattern. It was sealed with red wax, and not only a physical presence but also the presence of magic was felt.
As if he had noticed that gaze, Count Pottas opened his mouth with a calm expression.
“Only Your Highness the Fifth Prince can open it. I also do not know what is written inside.”
Raymond’s eyes sparkled as he took the envelope. He broke the red wax seal and took out the contents. The moment a small object fell into Raymond’s palm, Count Pottas’ eyes widened, recognizing it.
It couldn’t be helped. The item was the ‘Silent Absolute’, which symbolized the Emperor of the Philios Empire and contained all of the Emperor’s power.
The ‘Silent Absolute’, which was also the only legendary magic tool remaining in the Philios Empire, had several functions, but one special one among them was.
‘Succession designation.’
It could designate the next owner.
He felt the gazes of Gestain and Count Pottas on him.
From the moment the Emperor left this to him, the development had already begun to change.
However, a confirmation process was needed.
Raymond injected mana into the ‘Silent Absolute’, and at that moment, the ring reacted and flowed with golden mana.
The two colors of mana danced in the air and were soon absorbed by the ring. When he lowered his gaze, which had been mesmerized by the dance of mana, the ring was already on his right middle finger.
And at that moment!
“We greet the new Emperor of the Philios Empire!”
Count Pottas and Gestain knelt on one knee and bowed their heads. Even though the imprinting process was complete, Raymond felt bewildered.
‘I can’t believe the Emperor would designate me as the successor.’
Originally, Raymond should have died most painfully in the ‘Blood Funeral’. The small change that began with his possession of his body and taking away the protagonist’s opportunities one by one became a butterfly effect, ultimately making Raymond the Emperor.
“I will immediately summon the Royal Guard. And I will also hurry with the preparations for the coronation!”
“Wait!”
Raymond stopped Count Pottas, who was moving like a person possessed. Now is not the time to announce the appearance of the new Emperor. If Raymond attended the funeral in his state as the new Emperor, he would become a good target for the enemies carrying out the Blood Funeral.
“It is not the time yet, Count Pottas.”
“Understood.”
Count Pottas, who was the head of the Central Intelligence Agency, was intelligent.
He interpreted Raymond’s words that it was not the time yet in another way and nodded.
“Count Pottas, before the coronation, there is a problem that needs to be dealt with first.”
“Are you asking to find the traitors?”
“Exactly. You understand very well.”
Given that he did not designate the First Prince, Second Prince, or Third Prince as the successor, it is possible to infer that the Emperor and the Central Intelligence Agency had at least some information.
Of course, how much that is cannot be known from Raymond’s current perspective, but that is something that can be done by receiving a report.
“Tell me everything the Central Intelligence Agency knows.”
“The story will be long.”
“Let’s go into the reception room. Gestain will secure the surroundings well.”
“The vigilance of a high-ranking knight is reliable. I will do so.”
Upon arriving at the reception room, Count Pottas reported everything he knew to Raymond.
It was something he couldn’t have imagined just 30 minutes ago, but now Raymond was the Emperor who had legitimately succeeded to the throne of the Philios Empire.
His command was the Emperor’s decree, and to Count Pottas, who had sworn loyalty to the Philios Empire, he was an absolute existence.
“Regarding His Highness the First Prince, there was minimal circumstantial evidence to suspect him, but significant connections were found for His Highness the Third Prince with the Edryger Kingdom.”
“What about Brother Deneb?”
“His Highness the Second Prince was also suspicious, but it was only suspicion. We did not find material evidence.”
The connection with the Edryger Kingdom is mainly with the Second Prince. However, the fact that the Central Intelligence Agency could not find material evidence shows how careful a person the Second Prince, Deneb, is.
If there hadn’t even been suspicion, the Second Prince would have inherited the throne.
In the case of the First Prince, he himself had no connection with other countries, but it seems one of the nobles under him did.
Otherwise, under normal circumstances, the throne would have been passed to the First Prince.
Count Pottas’ explanation continued, and Raymond nodded and listened attentively.
The entire report was finished in an hour, but Raymond showed no surprise at all. This was because thanks to seeing the setting book, more than half of it was already known information.
“The Central Intelligence Agency of the Philios Empire awaits His Majesty the Emperor’s command.”
At Count Pottas’ words, Raymond’s eyes narrowed.
He had wondered, ‘How can I avoid the Blood Funeral?’, but he couldn’t find an answer.
He could strike at the Third Prince now, but there wasn’t enough evidence to include the Second Prince in the plan.
‘If I only take out the Third Prince, the Second Prince will hide deeper in the darkness.’
That is not what he wants.
‘What should I do?’
His thoughts deepened. Complex problems were intertwined.
“Count Pottas.”
“Yes, Your Majesty the Emperor. I and the Central Intelligence Agency are ready to carry out the Emperor’s decree.”
Seeing the attitude of the head of the Central Intelligence Agency, which moved only for the Emperor, he really felt like he had become the Emperor, even if it was currently unofficial.
“Maintain surveillance and report to me, but do not intervene.”
The late Emperor’s funeral cannot be avoided. If he couldn’t stop things from happening there, it seemed best to monitor the Second Prince and Third Prince to grasp their movements in advance.
As the Fifth Prince, it would have been difficult to monitor their movements.
But now, although it has declined, the Central Intelligence Agency, which is in charge of intelligence for the Philios Empire, is following the Emperor’s command. Therefore, it should be possible to secure enough information to be prepared in advance.
“The Central Intelligence Agency obeys the solemn Emperor’s decree.”
It was a command that could have raised questions. However, for Count Pottas, who had sworn loyalty to the Philios Empire and the Imperial family, it did not seem to be a problem. He did not harbor any doubts and merely bowed his head, showing his will to obey the Emperor’s command.
“And now, immediately summon Marquess Blizzard, who is currently the head of the Royal Guard.”
Becoming Emperor before the Blood Funeral was a positive variable. The range of countermeasures he could take immediately had become much wider.
“The Royal Guard will gladly answer His Majesty the Emperor’s summons.”
“Summon him as quickly as possible.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
He disappeared into the darkness. And less than five minutes later, he reappeared. By his side was Marquess Blizzard of the Royal Guard, who exuded a cold atmosphere like a frosty blade.
Wearing the golden mask and gold uniform that symbolized the Royal Guard, he took trembling steps towards Raymond.
“Dare I presume to ask for a moment of your time? Could you please show me the ‘Silent Absolute’?”
Count Pottas’ eyes narrowed into slits, sending a sharp gaze towards Marquess Blizzard.
If the other party had not been a Marquess of the Royal Guard, it would have been a look that would have severely criticized him for disloyalty, but Raymond understood Marquess Blizzard’s feelings.
As the head of the Royal Guard, who served the Emperor closely, there was ample reason to be thorough with confirmation.
“I will show you clearly.”
He injected mana into the ‘Silent Absolute’ and raised his hand. The golden energy gathered and became a banner. It was the Emperor’s banner, the symbol and proof of the absolute ruler of the Philios Empire. There would be no more certain confirmation than this.
“Your Majesty!”
Marquess Blizzard knelt down.
“Please forgive this incompetent subject’s disloyalty in daring to doubt the truthfulness of Your Majesty the Emperor!”
He dismissed the Emperor’s banner and helped Marquess Blizzard stand up.
Raymond didn’t feel it was to the extent of disloyalty, but Marquess Blizzard, who offered blind loyalty to the Emperor beyond the Empire, seemed to think differently.
He could not easily lift his head.
“That is not important now, Marquess Blizzard.”
When he spoke in a serious voice, Marquess Blizzard slowly raised his head. Through the eyeholes of the mask, his eyes showed fanatical loyalty. Meeting him as an enemy would have been truly terrifying.
“Count Pottas, does Marquess Blizzard know the current situation of the Empire?”
“He knows. A member of the Imperial family is colluding with foreign powers and attempting to shake the Empire. This is something that would enrage the previous Emperors.”
Marquess Blizzard wailed. His voice was filled with heartfelt regret.
“I won’t be long. Do you know about the Empire Reconstruction Plan?”
“I know that it is a contingency left behind by the previous Emperors in preparation for when the Empire declined, fell, and lost its power.”
“And you also know that those records were lost after the ancient era?”
“Of course, Your Majesty the Emperor. The previous Emperors also tried to restore the records of the Empire Reconstruction Plan but were regretful that there was not much progress.”
The Empire Reconstruction Plan. A contingency left by the Emperors of the ancient era when the Philios Empire shone most brilliantly. Since the beginning of decline and fall until now, the reason the Empire Reconstruction Plan has not been activated is not that they didn’t want to, but because the records were lost, preventing them from breaking the seal.
He had seen in the setting book that the records were lost, but he hadn’t thought all the records were forgotten.
Okay, so how should he begin the introduction? A brief period of thought followed, but it concluded with a single decision: a frontal assault.
“I know of the traces of the Empire Reconstruction Plan.”
“Really?”
Count Pottas reacted first. As expected, he did not ask the reason. Marquess Blizzard’s eyes also shone, sending a gaze towards him.
“And the first legacy is sleeping here, beneath the Imperial palace.”
“You mean the first legacy?”
Marquess Blizzard asked. It was as if he was asking about its existence. Raymond nodded and opened his mouth.
“Guardians who defended the Empire in the darkness, abandoning their honor when the Empire shone most brilliantly.”
The most outstanding and brutal assassination group in the history of the Philios Empire.
“They are sleeping beneath the Imperial palace.”
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