episode_0239

Episode 239 Task (2)

There were various reasons why Arden was able to rise to its current status.

The first is the unchanging ability of the head of the family, even as time passes.

Usually, a family that has grown through a specific person gradually declines or eventually collapses. This is because the descendants lack the ability to maintain the power built by their predecessors. In the end, the method for the group to maintain its power depends on the strength of its leader.

However, Arden was different. Just as the imperial family awakens special abilities, Arden’s bloodline was born with the talent of martial arts. Arden seated outstanding children as heads of the family based on this power, and thanks to this, unlike other families, the center was not shaken and continued to be maintained.

My ancestor said that the reason for this was that the blood of Cailon Arden, the first head of the family, was special. However, unlike the imperial family who put the power of the system in their blood, it was just the pure power that Cailon possessed.

A powerful talent that is not restricted by time. It was clear that this power would bring chaos to the continent someday, and I discussed it with my friend to prevent the indiscriminate spread of talent. Just like only the emperor can inherit the ability.

The second is Arden’s unique background.

The fact that he was the only founding contributor to the Empire and a friend of the first emperor, who was the only 10-circle mage on the continent, brought many benefits to the family.

Arden gathered not only fertile land that supplies 1/3 of the continent’s food, but also vested interests that could have a huge impact on the Empire and the continent. The fact that he was a friend of the imperial family was powerful in itself.

Of course, this was possible because the imperial family acquiesced. Arden was left to a certain extent because there was a belief that they would never betray. The people of the continent knew this, so they had no choice but to bow down to some extent when dealing with Arden.

The last third is the stable state of the family.

The larger the family, the more internal and external incidents occur. This was an inevitable problem as it was inevitably intertwined with various relationships inside and outside the family. Even a count becomes noisy, involved in various rumors and incidents.

However, the Arden family had almost none of that. In the 400-year history since the birth of the Empire, only 9 incidents surprised the continent. There were 183 minor or ambiguous incidents.

An unusual and groundbreaking occurrence in itself. It is a level that cannot be compared to any other old family. No, even if you search through the history of the continent, there was no such family.

Perhaps they were just good at hiding secrets, but as far as Ariel knew, that was not the case. The head of the family reported on family matters directly to the emperor once a year. Just as the imperial family trusted Arden, Arden also trusted the imperial family. I realized this after becoming emperor.

However, after seeing Kyle’s memories, Ariel could not accept the latter. As emperor, this had to be thoroughly investigated.

That is why Ariel faced Decal Arden, the head of Arden, as her first task.

“Welcome, Decal Arden.”

“I greet Your Majesty the Emperor.”

Ariel felt uncomfortable at his bowing figure. Of course, I know I shouldn’t do this. It was not at all rational to criticize him and his family without having found out anything yet.

But after seeing their ugly side, Ariel couldn’t do that. The whole family ostracizing a child as if they were in cahoots. The only thing that came out was that they were all crazy.

Moreover, I even saw the head of the family saying such things….

‘Hoo…’

Ariel calmed her anger. Yes, it’s too early to get angry yet. There was no need to expend energy on such things in advance. First, Ariel calmly began to talk to the person sitting across from her.

“Thank you for coming. It must have been difficult with the coronation ceremony.”

“Not at all, Your Majesty the Emperor.”

True to his taciturn personality, his answer is short and simple. I knew he had this personality. I had seen him several times when I was young, and my father told me that he had such a personality.

“I heard that the territory is still in turmoil. Is it okay?”

“Although the black magicians are troublesome, the territory is stable. We will find their base and wipe them out soon.”

That was fortunate. Arden’s territory had been busy since last year because of the black magicians. That was the reason why they could not provide support during the monster season and Reian’s rebellion.

Then Decal spoke, opening his mouth.

“To think that the young child would grow up like this and become emperor. It is amazing and, on the other hand, touching.”

It’s a natural reaction. Ariel was the youngest of the imperial family and was not even of age yet. Moreover, he ascended the throne, beating the first prince, who was said to be the closest to the emperor, so it was even more so.

“I was just lucky….”

“Luck…. The first emperor said that luck is also a skill. The reason Ariel was able to ascend the throne is because she had that much power. I don’t know how long I will be able to face Your Majesty, but I hope you get along well with the next head of Arden.”

The emotion I had barely suppressed wavered at those words. Ariel knew that Kyle had been stripped of his successor status. That was still in effect.

In the end, the person who will become the head of the family is Vale Arden. Arden’s only remaining successor, said to possess talent comparable to the first head of the family.

Of course, Vale is suitable for the position of head of the family. Ariel knew well how talented Kyle’s younger brother was. That ability was also recognized by the first head of the family, whom I saw in the afterlife.

But I felt twisted inside that he was saying those words in front of me. Ariel organized her inner emotions and opened her mouth.

“Decal Arden. The reason I called you here is because I have something I want to ask.”

“If you have anything to say, I will answer with all my heart.”

“It’s about Kyle.”

“……”

Decal closed his mouth with a blank face. And then he asked after a long time.

“What wrong has he done, Your Majesty the Emperor?”

How absurd. His answer, his tone, his attitude, his inner thoughts, everything was annoying.

“Don’t you even call him by his name or son anymore?”

Calling his own flesh and blood ‘him’. No parent called their child like that. Even the former emperor, my father, called the deceased second prince by his name at least.

Ariel calmed her excited heart again and said.

“A few months ago, on the day Reian rebelled, I saw the memories of a young child. The memories of a really kind and gentle child who was only 10 years old.”

“……”

Decal Arden is silent. Ariel glared at the head of Arden and continued.

“And I saw it. What the child’s family did to him.”

“……”

“Decal Arden. Did you think you could hide the family’s secrets forever? Did you think that the family’s shame would not be known to the world if you borrowed the power of God? Was your untalented son… that embarrassing!”

Bang, Ariel’s fist slammed the desk. The desk, which was split in half, showed how angry she was.

“He was a child. He was a child who should have been loved and raised by his parents! But how, how….”

I can’t even say it. I couldn’t speak as I recalled the emotions he had experienced at the time. And I expressed my frustration at the head of the family, who was still silent.

“Say something, Decal Arden!”

“I….”

Decal finally opened his lips and answered.

“I may have blamed Kyle for his misbehavior, but I have never blamed him for his talent.”

Yes, that could have been the case. In the memories Ariel saw, Decal did not discriminate against his son based on talent like his wife. The only thing he said was not to hold a sword.

But.

“That doesn’t mean you’re not guilty. As the head of the family, you didn’t take care of your son, but you ignored him as if you didn’t see him.”

The head of the family was the owner of the family and had a duty to take care of his family. However, he only took care of his family members and territory, and did not care about his son, Kyle.

Even though Kyle became a rascal after that day, the head of the family should have accepted even that and taken care of him. He was someone who should have been given attention.

“Ha, to think I’ve been protecting this kind of family for so long….”

To think he had endured that pain and lived until now. I wanted to tell him right away. The family you loved was not worth it.

“I’ll get to the point. From today, some of the vested interests given to Arden will be revoked and restricted, and people from the imperial family will be sent to the Arden family to investigate. This is an order given by me, Ariel Tianis, the emperor.”

“…Your Majesty the Emperor, you are excited.”

“That’s right. I am excited right now. But so what? I’m going to move to protect the man I love.”

Kyle was still suffering because of his family. If I don’t do this, there is a possibility that he will collapse someday. I had to prevent at least that.

Of course, it may be excessive interference. Even if the imperial family and Arden are close, there is a line that must be kept. But this was necessary. The Arden family’s fault was clear. As emperor, I had to punish them.

“Please leave now.”

Ariel issued an order to leave. Decal, who was quietly looking at her, stood up. Ariel looked at his back and warned softly.

“I’ll make it clear. Don’t even think about touching Kyle. If you do….”

I deliberately didn’t say the rest. The head of the family would have understood enough.

Even if that wasn’t the case, there was no one who could touch Kyle now. He was the saint of the Eustia Holy Kingdom, which was on par with the Empire. No matter how much the Arden family was, they could not treat him carelessly.

After that, Decal Arden left the emperor’s office. Ariel leaned back in her chair and let out a long sigh.

“Haa… This should be enough….”

Yes, this will be enough.

***

The day dawned. I put on my clothes and headed straight to the imperial palace. No matter how close I am to Ariel, I couldn’t just wear anything. She was the emperor.

When I arrived at the entrance, imperial knights were guarding the entrance. They could have asked me what business I had at the imperial palace, but they saw my face and let me in right away. Maybe Ariel had told them in advance.

The hallway of the imperial palace, which I have visited several times recently. I am now familiar with it.

I could roughly guess where Ariel would be now, in the morning. As she has become emperor, she will be working as emperor. I moved my steps to the office.

That way to the office. As I approached, I ran into someone. My father, Decal Arden.

Why is that human here? Looking at the direction, it seems like he came out of the office.

“……”

“……”

We just looked at each other, but there were no other words. There was nothing I wanted to say. I hated him even more after seeing the memories.

Then my father’s lips parted. I immediately moved my body as if I didn’t see him. Unfortunately, neither I nor Kyle had any intention of talking to him.

Thud, thud.

Only my footsteps can be heard in the silent hallway. Soon, other footsteps were heard. My father was leaving.

After walking down the long hallway, I arrived at the office. Knights were guarding in front of it as well. Judging from the sensation being transmitted, bodyguards are also hiding in various places. I stood in front of the door and waited for the words to be heard from the other side.

-Come in.

Ariel’s voice. The knights opened the door, and I stepped inside. Ariel was sitting in her chair and doing her work. She smiled as soon as she saw me.

“Thank you for coming, Kyle.”

“Because I promised to come.”

I approached her. And then I asked one thing.

“I just saw my father. What happened?”

“No, nothing happened.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Ariel nodded as if nothing was wrong, but unfortunately, all her inner thoughts were visible. But I didn’t say anything else. The reason why she doesn’t say it is because she wants to hide it that much.

I went to her side and took the paper Ariel was looking at.

“Working from the first day?”

“Because I’m the emperor. So please give it back, Kyle.”

“It’s a bit much to work alone when you’ve called people.”

“I’ll play with you when I’m done.”

I don’t know why I laughed at those words.

“Don’t forget what you just said. When it’s all over, you’re playing with me.”

I took half of the documents on the desk to my side. And then I picked up a pen and started organizing them one by one. I had done this hundreds of times, so it wasn’t difficult. Politics is all the same in the end.

Ariel stared at me as I did that.

“Kyle. Have you always been like this? Are you like this to Lana too?”

“Well? If you’re curious, ask Lana.”

“Kyle….”

Ariel pouted and looked at me with dissatisfied eyes. I ignored her and silently concentrated. Of course, I was laughing inside. When I didn’t say anything, Ariel also concentrated on her work.

Rustle, rustle.

The sound of the pen scratching spreads throughout the space. I thought as I watched the scene.

‘This is not bad either.’

I didn’t like working from the first day, but I liked doing this with someone I liked quite a bit.

That’s how we spent the morning.