chapter_0152

151 – The Die Has Been Cast

151 – The Die Has Been Cast

When the late Emperor Bertham passed away, the Imperial City held an orderly state funeral.

As countless citizens lined the streets to pay their respects, the procession carrying the coffin proceeded, led by Selvia, the Emperor of the Empire.

This was not solely intended to mourn her father’s death.

By participating in the funeral procession, she aimed to demonstrate the legitimacy of her rule over the Empire and emphasize her rightful succession.

It was Selvia’s own effort to gain even a little support from the feuding nobles.

The noble alliance, outwardly expressing respect for Selvia, suggested the declaration of martial law.

Their rationale was that order needed to be maintained while Emperor Selvia was away from the Imperial City for the funeral.

Selvia, also wishing to prevent any private incidents or accidents during the state funeral, accepted the nobles’ proposal.

With the declaration of martial law and Selvia’s absence, the Defense Command quickly took action.

Deploying military forces to seize control of the Imperial City, they first occupied the power institutions (the Parliament, the Security Agency, and the National Propaganda Department) with the help of the Intelligence Agency, and then paralyzed the communication facilities.

Next, they isolated those known as loyal subjects of the current Emperor Selvia in their homes or detained them under the pretext of martial law.

Several days later, Selvia, belatedly informed of these events, hastily returned to the Imperial City and issued an emergency summons.

This was to punish those who had instigated a near-treasonous rebellion, but unfortunately, no one responded to the summons.

Or rather, they couldn’t respond.

The Imperial City had already fallen into the hands of Duke Belvar.

“Your Imperial Majesty.”

Belvar, entering the vast conference hall, gazed at Selvia, who sat alone on the distant head seat.

The tables, which should have been filled with officials gathered to report to Selvia, were empty.

A smile flickered across Belvar’s lips as he confirmed that no one had responded to the emergency summons.

“What is the reason for this emergency summons?”

Selvia, quietly exhaling, raised her head and looked at Belvar.

Her blue eyes, resembling the clear sea, held more bewilderment than anger.

“…Duke Belvar. Why have you done this? You were a close aide to my father. And you were also the mentor who taught me about the world when I was young.”

“I remember. Your Imperial Majesty possessed a brilliant mind, grasping three things from just one. I had no doubt that you would become a great person in the future.”

“Then why!”

Selvia shouted in a fit of anger.

“Why on earth did you commit such an act!? What is the reason for trying to isolate me, even exploiting my father’s death!”

She was asking why he wasn’t loyal to her.

Belvar, feeling a trace of pity for Selvia, opened his mouth.

“Your Majesty. Consider the bigger picture. We are not trying to be disloyal to Your Imperial Majesty. We are merely concerned that you ascended to the throne at a young age and wish to help you govern properly.”

“…Are you saying that sincerely?”

“Yes. Look at the current situation. Your Majesty is currently being manipulated by a man named Daniel Steiner, causing chaos within the country. Even if he, an orphan, intimidates the nobles, he should be severely punished, yet you are not only defending and protecting him but even granting him auditing authority?”

Belvar frowned.

“It is none other than Your Imperial Majesty who has incited division.”

Selvia, speechless, blinked blankly.

She couldn’t understand Belvar’s one-sided claims at all.

“But I know that this is only a momentary mistake. The wise Your Imperial Majesty will realize your errors in time. So, until then, I, Belvar, have decided to take over the administration of state affairs on behalf of Your Imperial Majesty.”

Selvia’s expression twisted as she listened to Belvar’s explanation.

“…How vile.”

Belvar frowned at the sudden criticism, but Selvia didn’t stop.

“Truly vile. You exploited my father’s death to plunge the Empire into chaos in your pursuit of power, and the justification you offer is merely Daniel Steiner?”

“Your Majesty. Watch your words. Daniel Steiner is a treacherous subject of the highest order.”

“How can you denounce as treacherous someone who is active on the battlefield for the sake of the Empire? In my eyes, you are the treacherous ones. No! You are closer to being traitors hiding your vile intentions!”

Belvar gritted his teeth.

At the same time, Selvia abruptly stood up.

“What are you doing! Captain of the Imperial Guard! Immediately arrest that traitor!”

Selvia’s voice echoed loudly in the conference hall, but no one moved upon hearing her command.

The silence that settled in the hall brought an eerie sense of unease.

Swallowing hard, Selvia turned to Johannes with disbelieving eyes.

“…Captain of the Imperial Guard?”

Johannes, deliberately avoiding Selvia’s gaze, gripped his scabbard tightly.

“Your Majesty. I cannot say that all of Duke Belvar’s words are correct. However, if we do not stop Daniel Steiner’s rampage now, the dignity of the Imperial Family will be greatly shaken in the future.”

Johannes, the Captain of the Imperial Guard, remembered the late Emperor Bertham’s words to prevent Daniel Steiner from taking control of the Empire.

It was Johannes’ loyalty to protect that.

For Belvar, that was like Johannes’ weakness.

The old fox had used that point a few days ago to persuade Johannes to cooperate, and he ended up joining hands, believing the promise that all power would be returned to the Emperor after Daniel Steiner was eliminated.

“How could you…”

A hollow voice escaped Selvia’s lips.

Selvia, looking at Johannes as if she couldn’t believe it, soon let out a hollow laugh.

She should have realized it from the fact that Duke Belvar, the instigator of the rebellion, was able to enter the deepest part of the Imperial Palace without any restrictions.

Ironically, there were no allies of the Emperor in this Imperial Palace now.

All the efforts she had made to promote harmony with the nobles had been nothing more than a waste.

As Selvia was lamenting, Belvar cleared his throat.

“Captain of the Imperial Guard. It seems that Your Imperial Majesty needs some rest. How about helping her to the Golden Resting Place so that she can rest well?”

It was a command to imprison Selvia on the top floor of the Imperial Palace.

Johannes, who had been gripping his scabbard while groaning, nodded after much deliberation.

Johannes, taking a deep breath, approached Selvia.

“Your Majesty. I will guide you. There is nothing good to be here, so please…”

The light disappeared from Selvia’s eyes as she turned her head and looked at Johannes.

Slowly closing and opening her eyes, Selvia shook off Johannes’ hand and glared at Belvar.

“…You will surely pay the price for that sin, Duke Belvar.”

Selvia, delivering her last threat, turned and left the conference hall.

The Captain of the Imperial Guard slowly followed behind her.

After confirming that the Captain of the Imperial Guard and Selvia had left, a man slowly approached Belvar from behind.

It was Pelliston, the Deputy Director of the Imperial Intelligence Agency.

“Congratulations, Duke. I am pleased to see that you have succeeded in seizing control of the Imperial City and making the Emperor a puppet. All of the Emperor’s close aides have also been isolated, so they will not dare to resist.”

That wasn’t wrong.

But one variable existed.

‘Daniel Steiner.’

As long as Daniel Steiner, who was serving as the Chief of Staff of the division, was alive, he couldn’t rest assured.

‘Count Caledra failed to kill Daniel Steiner.’

He had recently heard the news that the encirclement operation using Etherium had been thwarted by Daniel Steiner.

Also, that the 7th Armored Division had won the battle against the Allied Nations thanks to Daniel Steiner’s efforts.

‘So, the best move I can make now is…’

To use false information to push Daniel Steiner into a corner once again.

Even if friendly forces were to die like dogs.

‘Sacrifice is inevitable for the greater good.’

Now that the situation was irreversible, it was right to eliminate Daniel Steiner by any means possible.

“Deputy Director.”

“Yes, Duke Belvar.”

“From now on, I will thoroughly conceal the situation in the Imperial City and transmit orders to the 7th Armored Division. It is the Emperor’s order to capture the forward defense base where the Allied Nations’ 12th Armored Division is stationed.”

Ordering the expansion of the front in a victorious battlefield was a perfectly natural order.

Even Daniel Steiner wouldn’t doubt this.

“Next, I need the help of the Intelligence Agency. Have them report that the analysis of aerial reconnaissance received from the Air Force shows no signs of the enemy conducting deceptive tactics.”

“…You mean to make them drop their guard and induce them to advance. Have you discussed this with Count Caledra in advance?”

“Yes. The Allied Nations’ 12th Armored Division, having received Count Caledra’s orders, will be waiting with a trap prepared. Daniel Steiner will be caught in that trap and will not be able to escape.”

He was saying it calmly, but in the end, he was going to join hands with the leader of the Allied Nations and drive friendly forces to their deaths in order to capture Daniel Steiner.

Pelliston was terrified by Belvar’s ambition to monopolize power, but as they were in the same boat, he had no choice but to nod without complaint.

“Yes. I will follow your orders.”

He felt guilty towards the soldiers who would face death alongside Daniel Steiner, but he had to endure it.

‘If we fail to kill Daniel Steiner this time, in the worst case…’

The noble alliance, including Belvar, would have no choice but to meet their end as traitors.