Ch.180Chapter 180. Tyrant Serpina (2)

Serpina looked up at Algot and spoke with a determined tone.

“Brother. I’d like to have a word with you for a moment.”

“…If it’s about what we discussed last time, I don’t want to hear any more.”

Algot made no effort to hide his displeased expression.

The reason for her visit was painfully obvious to him.

“But, Brother. If you don’t quickly resolve things through dialogue with Brother Sidmid, the Empire might truly split apart.”

“…”

“I’ve heard the news that Ollando Brans has started a rebellion. Please talk with Brother Sidmid as soon as possible. If things continue like this, other lords will rise up with their banners everywhere, taking advantage of the chaos like fish in water. The Empire… the Empire that has lasted for centuries might collapse!”

“So, are you suggesting I should hand over the throne to Sidmid through legitimate means and dialogue?”

“That’s not what I’m saying! I’ll somehow convince Brother Sidmid about that part—”

“You? How could you possibly convince that throne-obsessed man when you have no foundation of power?”

“That’s…”

“Serpina. Let me be completely honest with you. Why not join my side instead? They may have three people, but two is enough for us to fight. Besides, I am the Empire’s firstborn. Anyone can see I don’t lack legitimacy compared to Sidmid. Think about it carefully. You know well that someone lacking legitimacy cannot build a stable empire even if they sit on the throne, don’t you? It’s obvious that even the soldiers who now follow Sidmid will eventually follow me as time passes.”

Serpina responded to Algot’s words with a somewhat sad expression.

“But… Brother, if I take sides too… then truly, there will be no way to prevent the Empire from splitting apart…”

“It’s only a matter of time. Stop wasting your efforts, Serpina. …It’s all because of Sidmid’s greed.”

“But—”

Algot roughly cut off Serpina’s words.

“Enough. Say no more. I don’t want to hear it. …I’m sorry, but I’d appreciate it if you would quietly leave today.”

“Brother…”

Algot let out a small sigh, then quietly muttered as if lamenting as he rose from his seat.

“I don’t… want to point my sword at my siblings either. Not me…!!”

Bang!

Serpina couldn’t stop Algot as he closed the door behind him…

She could only silently stare at the closed door with a regretful expression.

* * *

After leaving the mansion, Serpina walked through the quiet night streets, looking up at the sky with a long sigh.

What was so special about that emperor’s seat?

Why would siblings who shared the same blood and grew up together under the Empire’s flag now point swords at each other’s throats?

Couldn’t they still resolve this peacefully if they just talked it through?

Was she thinking this way because she was truly young and naive?

Even to Serpina, the youngest, the legitimacy clearly leaned toward Algot.

He had essentially been designated as the crown prince, and even now, his followers addressed him as “His Highness the Crown Prince.”

But for some reason, Sidmid, who she thought wasn’t particularly obsessed with the throne, began to change at some point, backed by the full support of the nobles.

He was clearly aiming for the emperor’s position. He was spreading rumors that he, not Algot, had been designated as crown prince.

Somehow, Shtadel and Lilyrose had taken his side early on. It wasn’t as if Brother Algot lacked popularity, so perhaps there was something else she didn’t know about.

‘Is there… truly nothing I can do?’

A sense of helplessness in a situation without any foundation overwhelmed Serpina.

As Algot said, there was nothing Serpina could do, but—

‘No. I shouldn’t give up. There must still be a chance.’

Though Sidmid was baring his teeth, he hadn’t yet directed them at Algot.

So there was still hope.

Somehow convincing Sidmid through legitimacy, ensuring the Empire continued as a unified entity…

The only one who could be that bridge now was herself, who hadn’t yet taken anyone’s side.

‘Should I go see Brother Sidmid right away?’

But, considering Algot’s reaction just now could be considered moderate—

Sidmid had an even greater aversion to the very idea of talking.

When she visited him just a few days ago, he had exploded in anger.

‘…Right. It would be better to wait a few days before visiting him. The news that I came here today to meet Brother Algot will reach him too…’

Whether one liked it or not, rumors in the royal palace inevitably spread to everyone.

Serpina thought this as she carefully moved her steps.

That’s when.

‘Huh…?’

Up ahead, a woman’s figure was walking toward her.

It was a face Serpina knew well.

Aria, the woman who was practically Algot’s concubine.

“Good evening, Princess Serpina.”

“Hello, Miss Aria.”

Aria was certainly the only support for Brother Algot, who currently had no allies.

Serpina knew well that his ability to stay strong was largely due to her role.

Serpina greeted her with gratitude in her heart.

“Please… take care of my brother.”

“I should be the one saying that, Princess. Please… do your best to keep the continent from falling into chaos.”

Normally, she would have just said thank you and moved on…

Was she tired too?

Serpina unconsciously let out a short sigh.

“I appreciate your words, but… what can I do? I’m… just a novice without a single supporter. Though royal blood flows through me, I’m the farthest from power… no matter how hard I try, I don’t know if I can stop my brothers.”

“Princess…”

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say such things…”

“No, Princess. You’re doing well enough. Many people wouldn’t even be able to decide what to do in such a situation. Especially at such a young age like yours.”

“Miss Aria…”

Aria looked up at the sky for a moment…

Then, with a nostalgic expression, she said:

“You know, Princess. You know that I’m an orphan without any ties, right?”

“…Yes. That’s what I heard.”

“Actually, that’s not entirely true. I actually have a younger sibling.”

“Really?”

Aria nodded and said:

“I hid it for fear they might be pointed at because of me… but now they’re probably living normally, nurturing their dreams.”

She said this with a warm smile.

“The reason I’m suddenly telling you this is because when I see you, I’m reminded of my sibling. They’re around your age. Still an immature child with many shortcomings… That’s why I find myself caring for you. Oh, but I don’t mean to say you’re immature or anything…!”

Serpina smiled as she watched Aria quickly wave her hands in denial.

Was she trying to comfort me?

At times like this, she could understand why Brother Algot favored her so much.

“Thank you, Miss Aria.”

“Not at all. Stay strong. I’ll try my best to persuade Algot…”

After parting with Aria.

‘Alright.’

Yes. Get a good night’s sleep, eat well, and bravely try to persuade them again.

There must be a path through dialogue. Though they’re on the brink of division, they haven’t actually split yet, so there’s still a possibility of completing the imperial succession and continuing the glory of the Empire.

‘I should meet with Brother Sidmid again soon.’

With that, she moved her steps again under the bright full moon.

Looking back later, it was the calm before the storm.

* * *

Since Ollando Brans raised his army at Anel Castle, the continent was rapidly falling into chaos, as if the reins had been loosened.

One by one, the Empire’s meritorious subjects began to raise their own banners instead of the Empire’s.

The Walnut Army in the west and the Ohara Army in the south were at the forefront of the proliferating lords.

In the royal palace of Einhart Castle.

Algot, seated on the throne, was receiving reports of the situation with an extremely serious expression.

“You’re saying General Rolland is also likely to raise an army?”

“Yes…”

The longer the imperial throne remained empty—

The continent was literally beginning to tear apart.

‘I need to come up with a solution quickly…’

Really…

As Serpina said, was dialogue truly the only option?

‘Aria also said there might be room for dialogue… I shouldn’t be too stubborn. But…’

Sidmid’s resolve was firm.

He wanted to ascend to the emperor’s throne.

He seemed determined not to accept any other condition.

Of course, Algot had no intention of giving up the emperor’s position either.

A third party might think it a bit arrogant, but in terms of ability, legitimacy, and orthodoxy, he was clearly ahead of Sidmid.

If only their father hadn’t delayed in selecting the crown prince, he would have been crowned long ago.

Even now, he was being generous to his siblings by acting as regent as crown prince in name only, without wearing the crown.

His pride wouldn’t allow him to concede any further.

‘Still, I should meet him at least once…’

If they dragged this out any longer, the Empire might truly collapse.

And if it collapsed due to division during his generation, he wouldn’t be able to face his ancestors.

‘I’ll talk to him one last time, and if dialogue doesn’t work… then…!’

Algot touched the sword at his waist.

Yes. It would be fine to give him one chance. After all, the legitimacy was with him, the firstborn.

The death of two or three siblings wouldn’t be anything special in the history books.

But.

Was it too late?

“Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

A soldier ran up with a desperate expression.

…Why?

As soon as Algot faced the approaching soldier, he instinctively trembled slightly.

A premonition that something irreversible had happened…

“The Imperial Army has massacred…!!”

“What…?”

“There’s evidence that soldiers presumed to be from the Imperial Army have massacred all the students and professors at Fiviola Academy, without distinguishing friend from foe…!!”

…Unfortunately, Algot’s uneasy premonition was right on target.