Ch.165165. The Imperial Succession War

Gilbert’s choice was, naturally, Seraphina. While there were many plausible reasons, the most significant one was undoubtedly because of the sub-scenario.

<Sub-Scenario – Seekers of Twisted Possession>

Type: Sub

Clear Condition: Guide the seekers to the right path.

Seekers: Seraphina, Briana, ???

Reward: Reward grade determined by progress (F~S)

– ???

Progress: 20%

Information:

– The seekers have lost their way due to their twisted hearts.

1. Seraphina – Distortion Index 60%

– Princess Seraphina’s possessiveness has grown too large and become twisted.

– Her once brilliant eyes have now become eyes of insatiable desire, unable to stop until she obtains what she wants.

– The first crossroads has been selected.

You refused to become the object of her possession. (Distortion Index increased by 30%)

– The second crossroads has been selected.

You offered to serve Seraphina if she becomes Emperor.

– The third crossroads has been selected.

You chose Seraphina’s faction in the imperial succession battle. (Distortion Index decreased by 10%)

* You must guide her to the right path so she doesn’t stray from the proper way.

* When the Distortion Index reaches 100%, the Destruction Ending begins.

When Gilbert responded to Seraphina’s call, the sub-scenario updated. Simultaneously, along with the notification that the third crossroads had been selected, the distortion index decreased.

Considering that a Destruction Ending would begin if the distortion index reached 100%, he essentially had no choice.

He had already offered to serve Seraphina if she became Emperor at the second crossroads. In the midst of this, the imperial succession battle had begun, and choosing Prince Richard’s faction would likely cause the distortion index to immediately reach 100%.

While he couldn’t know exactly what the “Destruction Ending” entailed, it was clear from the wording alone that it wouldn’t lead to a good outcome.

Of course, maintaining neutrality could have been an option, but the problem was that there were too many variables. The imperial succession battle had occurred faster than he had anticipated, so he couldn’t rule out the possibility of unknown variables interfering.

To respond to such variables, he needed to be deeply involved in the succession battle, but maintaining neutrality would create a dilemma that prevented him from doing so.

While it would be difficult to block all variables, for Gilbert, who wanted to take an active approach, choosing Seraphina was the most appropriate decision.

“Disciple. So you’ve finally decided to take my side? You did say you would serve me when I ascend to the throne.”

Seraphina smiled with visible satisfaction, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. She seemed pleased at the thought of having obtained Gilbert, whom she had wanted so much.

“Circumstances always change. With Demeia Academy suffering near-catastrophic damage, I couldn’t just stand by.”

“True words. That they dared to attack the academy where I am present again shows their clear intentions.”

Seraphina’s eyes, which had been filled with pleasure, changed to those of a cold-blooded ruler. As someone who loved the empire and prioritized it above all else, she seemed deeply displeased by the existence of those who threatened the empire’s security.

“There’s one thing I’d like to ask. I’m curious about why the imperial succession battle suddenly began.”

“Since you seem to have some idea, I’ll speak directly. His Majesty the Emperor wishes to restore the fallen prestige of the empire. The catalyst is to root out those villains so they never dare to harbor such thoughts again. And he has entrusted this task entirely to the imperial succession candidates, promising to name as heir the successor who accomplishes this task.”

So that’s the reason.

Gilbert realized what the Emperor was aiming for. He had wondered why the succession battle had started so quickly, but it seemed this was another butterfly effect caused by the emergence of the New Resistance and their actions.

Certainly, this attack incident was unlike previous ones, significantly impacting the empire’s prestige. The academy, a symbol of the empire, had been half-destroyed or worse, and it would be a blow to the empire’s pride to simply bury this incident.

The empire, which prided itself as the greatest on the continent, couldn’t tolerate this, and as a countermeasure, they aimed to eradicate the New Resistance while simultaneously appointing a successor.

It was Gilbert’s thought that they intended to divert people’s attention by creating a bigger issue to cover up the current one.

“I understand.”

“Now I shall ask you. What do you think should be done first in this imperial succession battle?”

Seraphina asked for Gilbert’s thoughts, perhaps intending to assign him an advisory role. Although Gilbert wasn’t particularly skilled at devising strategies, he could at least articulate what needed to be done now.

While eradicating the New Resistance was undoubtedly important, there was something else that needed to be done first.

However, before speaking, Gilbert fell into brief contemplation. He questioned whether it was appropriate to bring up this matter.

He hadn’t mentioned it until now because there was only circumstantial evidence without concrete proof.

But after receiving the notification that the enemy within the main scenario had begun, his suspicions had been confirmed as fact. However, this was information only Gilbert knew, and the lack of concrete evidence remained unchanged.

Even so, there’s no other way.

Gilbert steeled himself, focusing his gaze.

Having decided to join a faction, he absolutely needed Seraphina to claim the position of Crown Princess. Without knowing how the upcoming main scenario would unfold, it was better for him to have Seraphina, an ally, in a position of power.

“The first thing to do is… to identify and root out the traitor believed to be within Demeia Academy.”

“A traitor? Lord Gilbert. Do you understand the weight of your words when you speak to me?”

At the mention of a traitor, Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, and her form of address for Gilbert changed. It indicated her intention to address him not as a fellow disciple of the same master, but as a subject to a princess.

“I do.”

“Then explain to me in detail the basis for such a claim.”

“Your Highness must be well aware of Demeia Academy’s security system. The security network established at the academy is not so flimsy as to be easily breached, and given that an inspection team recently conducted an audit, it’s hard to believe there were any vulnerabilities.”

“Could it not be due to lax vigilance?”

“Even if that were the case, problems remain. Even assuming the guards on duty were negligent, the New Resistance breached the barrier too easily. This would be impossible unless someone intentionally neutralized the defense system.”

Initially, one might attribute it to laxity and complacency, but this time, it was right to view it as a different problem.

Considering the scale of the forces that attacked the academy and the fact that the security system had been inspected not long ago, it made no sense that an intrusion was allowed so effortlessly and without any warning signs.

Gilbert intended to make Seraphina aware that this could be circumstantial evidence.

“Continue.”

“But they’ve already infiltrated and caused significant damage to the academy. If it doesn’t make sense for them to infiltrate like this, we must consider what could have made such a situation possible. The only suspicion here is one: there’s an insider within the academy who is in collusion with the New Resistance. That’s the conclusion I’ve reached.”

“…”

Seraphina fell into contemplation after hearing Gilbert’s confident statement. Perhaps deep in thought, she closed her eyes and slightly furrowed her brow.

After some time, Seraphina’s firmly closed lips opened.

“This isn’t the first time the possibility of an insider within the academy has been raised. I too didn’t think the academy’s defenses could be breached so easily. But if even my disciple tells me this, there’s no room for doubt.”

Her previously closed eyes snapped open. Her red irises were filled with anger. Gilbert could tell that, though not intense, it was burning fiercely enough to consume everything.

“That’s why I can’t help but be angry. I thought until the end that there was no traitor, but it turns out the enemy was lurking within.”

“Master…”

Seeing Seraphina, who had reverted from ruler to master, Gilbert couldn’t hide his sympathy. He had wondered why someone as intelligent as her had never considered the possibility of an insider, but it seemed she had wanted to believe until the very end.

But at the end of that belief lay numerous casualties and the empire’s honor in tatters, so her devastation and sense of powerlessness must be beyond words.

Soon composing herself, Seraphina looked at Gilbert with eyes even more intelligent and cold than before.

“Lord Gilbert. I shall issue you a command.”

“I await your orders.”

“Find and eliminate the traitor within the academy. This is the first order I give to you as my subject. Ensure you carry it out.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“Also, you shall lead the vanguard in eradicating the group of rebels known as the New Resistance. Fulfill the mission entrusted to you.”

“I shall obey your command.”

“And there’s something I didn’t get to tell you due to the urgency.”

Gilbert slightly raised his head at Seraphina’s mention of having something to tell him. Seraphina, who had been sitting before him with a dignified posture, filled her face with an incredibly charming smile and slightly opened her arms.

“Welcome to my faction, disciple.”

“…Thank you.”

It might have seemed like an anticlimactic greeting, but Gilbert thought it was very characteristic of Seraphina.

***

While Demeia Academy underwent restoration work, the empire announced a complete eradication operation against the Resistance. The reason given was that they could no longer stand by and watch the indiscriminate acts of terror perpetrated by them.

Simultaneously, they declared that this Resistance eradication operation would be entirely entrusted to the imperial succession candidates, and the successor who resolved the current situation would be named heir.

The imperial citizens held their breath at the sudden move by the Infractus Imperial Family. This was true for both nobles and commoners.

However, nobles who maintained neutrality and commoners uninterested in advancement simply hoped for the situation to pass quietly.

But nobles closely tied to power sensed an opportunity for their factions and provided military and intelligence support, while capable commoners saw this as a chance for advancement.

It was a moment when a new wind was blowing through the previously calm empire.

Meanwhile, Gilbert, who had received orders from Seraphina, first contacted the Hart Marquis family.

What he requested from the Hart Marquis family was just one thing:

The dispatch of Leila, the commander of the Hart Marquis family’s Ranger unit.