Chapter 292

A dark, secret chamber.

Figures clad in black robes gathered, their faces grim, their atmosphere as heavy as the secrets they kept.

No one dared to speak, the silence thick with tension.

*Knock, knock.*

A knock on the door broke the silence.

“What is it?”

“A messenger from Red Rain has arrived.”

“Let them in.”

The door opened, and a figure entered.

A man with a faint presence, like a ghost.

It was the Messenger.

Without any greetings, he said bluntly, “I heard you lost everything you had built in Holy City.”

His words,

They undoubtedly referred to the incident where the Dark God Cultists in Holy City had been wiped out.

The figures in black robes, the executives of the Dark God Cult, frowned.

His words were a blatant insult.

“Are you here to mock us?”

“Of course not. Cheonju is also deeply saddened by this incident.”

“You came all this way just to tell us that…”

“An opportunity.”

The Messenger interrupted, a strange smile on his lips.

The executives’ expressions changed.

“An opportunity?”

“Yes, an opportunity. Cheonju said that a rare opportunity will soon arise, and he wants you to seize it.”

“What kind of opportunity are you talking about?”

“You’ll find out soon enough. I personally believe it’s pointless to work with those who can’t even figure that out.”

“Insolent!”

“How dare you speak to us like that!”

The executives were furious.

They were about to explode.

“Enough!”

An old man sitting at the head of the table spoke up, his voice commanding.

He seemed to be the leader of this group.

The executives reluctantly closed their mouths.

But their faces were still flushed with anger.

The old man turned to the Messenger.

“Let it be known that our strength won’t be shaken by such a trivial matter.”

“Haha, you’re overestimating yourselves.”

The Messenger chuckled.

“You bastard!”

“Don’t cross the line!”

The executives jumped to their feet.

“I said enough!”

The old man roared, and the situation calmed down.

The Messenger smiled, his tone exaggerated.

“I was just kidding. Of course I know. I know very well. That’s why our two sides are working together. I look forward to our continued cooperation.”

The Messenger turned and left.

He disappeared without even saying goodbye.

The executives exploded.

“Prophet! We can’t let this insult slide!”

“That’s right, Prophet! We have to reprimand him!”

“Why are we even working with those people…”

“Enough!”

The old man, who was called the Prophet, raised his voice again.

His voice was filled with authority.

“Emotions cloud judgment. We must make decisions with a clear mind.”

“…”

“The Church might be weaker than before, but they’re still a force to be reckoned with. And that old monster is still alive.”

The old man, who looked to be in his eighties, called her an “old monster.”

Everyone present knew that he was referring to Saint Lepheria.

They knew about her existence.

“The enemy of our enemy is our friend. And since one of our main goals aligns, we have to work with them. It’s the logical choice, and it will minimize the bloodshed among our brothers.”

“…Understood.”

The executives nodded, accepting the Prophet’s words.

His words carried that much weight.

“Good. Then keep a close eye on the situation and prepare to mobilize at any moment.”

“To that extent…”

“An opportunity.”

“Huh?”

“Do you think it’s a lie?”

The Prophet’s judgment was firm.

The Dark God Cultists began preparing to emerge from the shadows.

* * *

As spring turned into early summer,

A rumor spread through the academy.

That Princess Oscar had suddenly left for the Imperial Capital the previous night.

It was a shocking piece of news.

Because the princess was known for being a model student, dedicated to her studies.

For her to suddenly leave the academy in the middle of the semester and return to the Imperial Capital?

It was unthinkable.

Unless there was a special reason.

Rumors spread like wildfire about the reason for her sudden departure.

“I heard the Emperor ordered her to come back.”

“Why?”

“He’s worried about the unrest in Holy City. She’s his most beloved daughter.”

“What? I heard he’s a strict father, not the type to coddle his children.”

“No, it’s because of her marriage. He’s ending her studies to prepare for her marriage. It’s no longer necessary.”

“What nonsense! The princess doesn’t have a boyfriend. If she did, we would have heard about it.”

“You idiot! Marriages for people of their status are arranged.”

“Do you think the princess would agree to an arranged marriage?”

“What are you all talking about? Isn’t the princess in a special relationship with Max, a fourth-year senior?”

At that moment,

The atmosphere turned cold.

And,

“Ugh, you’re so annoying!”

“How dare you say such a horrible thing!”

The last speaker was bombarded with criticism.

I was truly the enemy of men.

Was this the fate of a popular guy…?

Anyway,

Despite the awkward ending, the news about the princess was the hottest topic in the academy.

But no one knew the real reason.

Except for me.

‘The Emperor has collapsed.’

The Emperor wasn’t old enough to be considered elderly.

And he had always been in good health.

So for him to suddenly suffer a serious health issue, it meant that someone had intervened.

I didn’t know the culprit’s identity for sure.

I had initially thought it was the First Prince’s faction.

Because Adolf, the First Prince, would directly benefit from this incident, while Princess Oscar would be put in a precarious position.

But now that I thought about it, it was unlikely that the First Prince would have acted so carelessly.

He would have used someone else.

And that someone was,

‘The Red Rain.’

I had a feeling.

They were in a symbiotic relationship.

The First Prince was aiming for the throne, and the Red Rain would benefit from the chaos that would ensue.

It would minimize the interference they would face when they carried out their plans at the academy.

The civil war would weaken the Empire and deplete its resources.

They wouldn’t have the time or energy to deal with external threats.

And this wasn’t just about the Empire.

It was also about the academy.

There were many students and staff from the Empire at the academy.

Their deaths would weaken the academy.

‘I see it. I see it clearly.’

I stood up.

I had made many preparations for this day.

It was time to play my cards.

I headed towards a certain location.

* * *

“Did you hear the news?”

“Of course.”

I was in the professor’s office.

My fiancée Regina’s office.

It was a clean and organized space, just like the student council president’s office had been.

It reflected Regina’s personality.

But,

There was a faint scent of menthol in the air.

The smell of her cigarettes.

That was also very Regina.

“Something’s about to begin, isn’t it?”

Regina asked.

“I’m certain of it.”

I replied, sipping the tea she had made for me.

Our biggest preparation had been our alliance.

A perfect alliance between the Celtrine family, with their wealth, and the Ehrenbert family, with their military might.

The union of these two families, which had been impossible in the past, would definitely change the course of the Imperial Civil War.

“What about your preparations?”

“I asked my brother to handle it personally.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

Regina’s brother was Lobel, the acting head of the Ehrenbert family.

If he was involved, there was no need to worry.

Regina nodded slightly.

“And you?”

“I asked the Count…”

“The Count?”

“Ah, my father.”

I chuckled.

I still wasn’t used to calling him “father.”

“I asked him to stockpile an excessive amount of food supplies.”

Food supplies were as valuable as gold during wartime.

They were that precious.

And their price would skyrocket.

So it was wise to stockpile them while they were still cheap.

And,

‘I have to feed a large army this time.’

The Celtrine family didn’t need a lot of food supplies.

But this time, we had to provide for the Ehrenbert family and the northern army.

Because the north was barren and had a low agricultural output.

“An army can’t fight on an empty stomach. Thank you for taking care of our biggest concern.”

Regina expressed her gratitude.

“We might have too much food, but it’s better to have too much than not enough. What we need in war are soldiers who can fight. Thanks to you, we don’t have to worry about that.”

I replied with a smile.

Regina smiled faintly.

And then she said, “But I’m sure that’s not all you’ve prepared, right?”

“That’s right, but it’s a secret.”

“A secret.”

“Don’t you think it’s better to save it for later?”

I grinned.

* * *

My trump card.

My secret weapon.

The residents, whom I had painstakingly trained for almost two years.

They had scattered after their victory against the Church.

Some of them had gone to the Celtrine Duchy, but only a small portion.

It was time to call them back.

It wasn’t difficult.

I had given each of them an expensive communication device before we parted ways.

I could contact them no matter where they were.

“Hmm, it’s too troublesome to do it myself.”

There were over two hundred of them.

And if they didn’t answer, I would have to keep trying.

It was definitely a hassle.

And I was a busy man.

But that’s what subordinates were for.

“Hey, come here.”

I called out to Dan, who happened to be nearby.

Dan immediately rushed over.

“What is it, Young Master?”

“You see these communication devices?”

“Yes, sir.”

“There are over two hundred of them, all connected to each other.”

“Yes…”

Dan’s face fell as he realized the scale of the task.

But it was no use.

He was getting paid to do his job.

“Contact each and every one of them and tell them to come to the Celtrine Duchy. Ah, and if they say no, just leave them alone.”

I had already made it clear.

I wouldn’t force them.

I only wanted those who were willing to follow me.

It would strengthen our bond.

“…Each and every one of them, sir?”

“Yes.”

“And if I can’t reach them…?”

“Keep trying until you do.”

“Ugh.”

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“N-No, sir. It’s just that it’ll be a bit overwhelming for me to do it alone…”

“No, you can do it.”

“…”

“I believe in you.”

*Pat, pat.*

I patted his shoulder and stood up.

Dan’s face was completely pale.

I chuckled and turned to leave, but then I remembered something.

“Wait.”

“Oh?”

Dan’s eyes lit up with hope, thinking I had changed my mind.

Don’t get your hopes up.

“Use this when you contact them.”

I handed him a silver brooch in the shape of a cute turtle.

It was a symbol of our eternal bond, made by Ran.

I had given one to each of the residents before we parted ways.

With this, they wouldn’t doubt Dan, even though he was just a messenger.

“…Understood.”

Dan’s face fell again.

“Cheer up.”

I patted his shoulder again and left.

And so, I summoned my secret weapon to the Celtrine Duchy.