Ch.164164. The Imperial Succession War

Gilbert closed the main scenario start notification with calm eyes.

Perhaps due to having experienced deviations in the main story several times already, he showed no emotional agitation.

After achieving every achievement in the game and being forced to accept an extremely difficult sub-scenario he had never attempted before, it wasn’t surprising that the story had deviated a bit.

The situation regarding the Resistance had already diverged significantly from the original scenario. A New Resistance had emerged and had grown enough to inflict near-devastating damage to the Academy.

Since this had never happened in the Tactical Combat game he had played, it was correct to say that the twisting of the main scenario had begun long ago. This latest main scenario start seemed to be a continuation of those events.

The Imperial Succession War main scenario was also playable in Tactical Combat. However, as main scenarios unfold according to specific narratives, the Imperial Succession War wasn’t supposed to happen at this time.

In the original narrative—that is, in the game—the Emperor’s health deteriorates and he hovers near death before naming a successor, which serves as the catalyst.

Naturally, all princes and princesses with succession rights aim for the emperor’s throne, initiating the Imperial Succession War and drawing in supporting factions, which leads to civil war.

This was the inside story of the Imperial Succession War that Gilbert knew, and with the Emperor’s health showing no issues, the start of the succession war was extremely premature timing-wise.

Gilbert also couldn’t understand why the Imperial Succession War was suddenly starting. The Emperor, a war lord and conquest hero of the Empire, wanted a perfect successor to continue his legacy, which is why he hadn’t selected a crown prince or princess until now, instead creating situations where his children could compete.

As a result, the First Prince Richard and First Princess Seraphina had shown remarkable distinction. Both demonstrated dazzling achievements in their respective fields and possessed outstanding talents worthy of being discussed as the next emperor.

However, the Emperor had the ambition to choose the more excellent of the two as his successor, which is why he hadn’t appointed a successor to this day.

He would likely postpone it until the moment when, as in the game’s narrative, his health deteriorated, he became bedridden, and began hovering near death.

But if the main scenario has started, that means the Imperial Succession War is about to begin.

Gilbert stroked his chin. He couldn’t figure out what wind had blown to make that rigid Emperor start the succession war.

No matter how much freedom Tactical Combat offered as a game, it wasn’t without predetermined scenarios. There was clearly a larger framework, and separate narratives were prepared for each character.

In the Emperor’s case, he was supposed to postpone naming a successor until the end and die, leaving the Empire in chaos—but that narrative had changed. Even considering that this was reality and not a game, it was clearly too sudden.

Or did the recent devastation of Demeia Academy influence this?

Looking back at recent events, there seemed to be no other plausible reason.

Demeia Academy had long been established as a symbol of the Infractus Empire. In other words, attacking Demeia Academy was equivalent to attacking a symbol of the Empire.

With the Academy suffering great damage from this recent attack, the Empire’s prestige and pride had clearly been deeply wounded.

Moreover, the incident occurred after an imperial inspection team had visited the Academy, albeit nominally, which surely made the Empire perceive the situation as even more serious.

Especially that proud Emperor wouldn’t stand by and watch such an act that threw down a challenge to the Imperial Family. The old Emperor, who had postponed naming a successor in hopes that even his descendants would be perfect, would certainly want this situation perfectly resolved.

If so, what methods were there to resolve such a large-scale incident?

There was the method commonly used in modern times: concealing issues through the media. Covering up issues with sensational articles was a simple yet efficient method.

Perhaps the Empire—and the Emperor—wanted to divert the continent’s attention through the succession war, Gilbert thought.

The political landscape of the continent could change dramatically depending on who became the Empire’s successor. Although this was just a possibility, he would soon learn the exact reason.

Gilbert laid out the two notes he had received earlier side by side.

[I want to meet you.]

[Come find your master.]

Gilbert, who had maintained neutrality until now, realized that the moment of choice had arrived.

***

Ian burned the note he received from Prince Richard so that no one could see it, then exhaled a strong breath through his nose. The note contained only a very concise sentence.

[The time has come.]

It meant that the First Prince’s faction, which had been quietly lying low until now, was about to begin full-scale activities. In other words, it meant they were moving to secure the right of succession to the throne.

For Ian, who wanted to make a clear mark on the world, this was something to welcome with open arms. After Gilbert’s name was mentioned again as the main figure in the recent Resistance incident, Ian realized that symbiosis with Prince Richard was his most certain card.

Gilbert had the First Princess and the Sword Saint as his solid backing. In contrast, Ian concluded that the difference was that he had no one who could be considered solid backing.

While it was true that the Linebarel family was a wealthy count’s family with high political influence, the Hart count’s family was also a prestigious family that had served as margraves for generations.

Since neither could be considered superior in that respect, it was natural to examine other connections, but Ian had no connections that could provide him with significant power.

He had originally decided to join Princess Seraphina’s faction, but it was obvious he wouldn’t shine much if he was in the same faction as Gilbert. After all, Gilbert was the Sword Saint’s disciple, and Seraphina was his master.

Consequently, the only option left was to entrust himself to Prince Richard, who along with Seraphina was a strong candidate for the next imperial succession.

[Ian. Is this the right choice?]

“What are you suddenly talking about?”

Ian, who was preparing to meet Prince Richard, asked Fresia who was suddenly saying strange things.

[I mean joining Prince Richard’s side.]

“That’s what I’m asking—what are you talking about? In the current situation, what else can I do if I don’t side with Prince Richard?”

Ian stopped what he was doing and sat in front of Fresia’s core. Perhaps because he had been hearing opposing opinions since deciding to join Prince Richard’s faction, he couldn’t let it go lightly this time.

While Fresia was clearly important to him and had been very helpful, she couldn’t be the main agent of his life. His life should flow according to the choices he made, and others’ opinions shouldn’t interfere with that.

Of course, he didn’t intend to ignore advice since he couldn’t always make the right choices, but they had already discussed this matter quite extensively. In the midst of that, bringing up the same topic again made it difficult for Ian to speak kindly.

“Fresia. I respect you and think you’re right, but this time my thinking is correct. In the current situation, there’s no other option for us besides Prince Richard’s side.”

[You should also consider remaining neutral.]

“Then I’d just remain an ordinary figure. I can’t accept that. Especially being evaluated as inferior to that Gilbert—I hate that even more.”

Fresia had to admit that persuasion was impossible in the face of Ian’s adamant words. It seemed Ian had more ambition and desire for honor than she had thought.

Fresia partly agreed with Ian’s opinion on this point. Even if he joined Seraphina’s faction, surpassing Gilbert was virtually impossible.

Even with her support, Ian’s competitor Gilbert was already close to a complete human. Despite some deficiencies, he was already nearly perfect in terms of god-machine control techniques.

But as Fresia suggested, if he remained neutral, there was a high possibility of falling behind. Declaring neutrality wasn’t all bad, but in times of power shifts like now, it wasn’t a good choice for someone seeking advancement.

By not supporting either side, one wouldn’t lose anything regardless of which side took power, but conversely, one wouldn’t gain anything either. For achieving what Ian wanted, neutrality wasn’t even worth considering.

Nevertheless, Fresia still thought neutrality was the best choice. If not that, then the second-best option was joining Seraphina’s faction.

The reason was simple. She didn’t bring it up because she thought Ian wouldn’t like hearing it, but it was clear.

Gilbert, that man, is in Princess Seraphina’s faction.

That was precisely why Fresia specifically pointed to Princess Seraphina.

Based on what Fresia had observed and judged so far, Gilbert Lion Hart was an extraordinary man. She could assert this because she had worked in sync with him. His control technique was somewhere beyond what humans could reach.

She was very surprised when she first contracted with Ian and formed a bond with the god-machine. Despite his inexperienced skills, his synchronization rate was remarkably high.

According to her calculations, Ian’s talent was in the realm of genius she had never seen before, capable of achieving the theoretically perfect match.

Fresia, who thought she would never see talent like Ian’s before or after, had vowed to make him the best god-machine knight. She felt it was her mission as the best artificial spirit.

But all those vows were shattered when she synced with Gilbert. Although considerable time had passed since she synced with him, Fresia had never forgotten that moment.

His magical power, which permeated in an instant, seized all her control at once.

Surprised by the sudden situation, she tried to regain control, but all that came back was a rough and fierce flow of magical power—blatant magical power with the obvious intention of dominating her by pressing her down.

But Fresia’s rejection of that magical power lasted only briefly. There was no time for a power struggle because the situation was urgent. Realizing she could sync with Gilbert, she immediately accepted all that rough magical power.

And the world she saw completely changed. While syncing with Ian showed the possibility of a perfect match that could theoretically be called the best, the synchronization rate with Gilbert was in a different league altogether.

It had long surpassed the perfect match rate. Beyond the perfect sense of unity, she felt as if she herself had become the god-machine. It was a sensation she couldn’t describe. It was similar to the sensation she had when she had a body before Atlantica was destroyed.

Also, Gilbert’s magical power was quite peculiar. The magical power that was violent when she resisted and refused immediately transformed like a docile lamb when she decided to accept it, flowing gently into her artificial spirit core.

However, as if to say that he would hold the initiative, it would become violent again if she tried to control it even slightly, forcing her to completely surrender control of the magical power to him. Like master, like magic—even his magical power had a thuggish quality to it.

But setting all that aside, what surprised her most was his control technique. She hadn’t thought such delicate control was possible.

Of course, the extraordinary synchronization rate that broke through the perfect match rate would help, but he was showing more than that with his control technique. If God were to pour all talent for god-machine control into just one person, it would be exactly like him.

Having finished her thoughts, Fresia looked at Ian with concern. Knowing Gilbert, whom he was targeting, better than anyone, she worried that his resolve might break.

[I understand. If that’s what you think, I’ll just follow along.]

“Fresia. Thanks for worrying, but trust me. I will definitely become the best. Because that’s how it’s meant to be.”

Fresia couldn’t bring herself to tell Ian that he could do it as he clenched his fist with determined eyes.