Ch.80Lost Blood (1)

The third emperor, Asar Euglinas, was a great emperor.

His achievements in sealing the Founding Nobles and suppressing the ducal houses firmly established the imperial authority. At critical turning points of fate, Asar’s decisions brought only remarkable results.

Later generations offer conflicting assessments of his life.

One portrays him as a wise emperor who could foresee the future.

Another depicts him as an unprecedented lucky man who had fortune on his side at every crossroads of destiny.

However, there was one evaluation universally acknowledged without dispute: that the third emperor was the greatest libertine in imperial history.

Even dignified and venerable historians are known to have lost their composure when referring to him, with unofficial records famously calling him “the disaster’s dickhead.”

Asar spread his seed indiscriminately regardless of social status, betraying his predecessors’ will to prevent the dispersal of imperial bloodlines.

Perhaps as punishment for his betrayal, he died prematurely from an illness contracted through his dissolute lifestyle at the young age of 40.

His successor, the fourth emperor Karulla Euglinas, was an emperor of purges. His first imperial decree immediately after ascending the throne heralded the beginning of a bloody storm.

“Capture and kill all women who received the third emperor’s affection and their children.”

The impact of this single sentence was tremendous, capable of turning the empire’s heaven and earth upside down.

The concubines and prostitutes residing in the imperial palace became mere flesh beneath cold blades. Commoners and noble ladies suspected of receiving the emperor’s affection, and even noble ladies, were reduced to pools of blood.

Accordingly, those who had been the third emperor’s people were appropriately culled. He showed almost obsessive tendencies in erasing his predecessor’s traces.

But even the tightest net occasionally lets small fish escape.

For the few targets who completely concealed themselves, scattering like fish into the vast ocean, physical solutions were inadequate.

Eventually, even the hardline fourth emperor abandoned his intentions and focused on governing.

Those who survived carrying the emperor’s blood were called the “Lost Blood,” and they became targets of extermination for generations to come.

◇

“It seems that Charle’s biological father was one of the Lost Blood. Charle, inheriting her father’s blood, must also be part of the Lost Blood.”

“If that’s the case, it clearly explains why Charle has imperial blood.”

“Hmm.”

The emperor nodded silently in agreement. After finishing his explanation, he glanced at me nervously. He seemed uncomfortable because of the elderly man inside who held a position akin to a great elder of the imperial family.

The Lost Blood are subject to execution regardless of generation. Even if Charle is the empress’s offspring, she is no exception.

“I understand your concerns. Just do as Your Majesty wishes. Isn’t the inability to continue the bloodline already a heavy misfortune?”

“That’s true… Sigh!”

Even if Charle escapes execution, the proliferation of Lost Blood cannot be overlooked. According to the strict imperial laws, she will be rendered unable to bear children.

“To clear my head, let’s change the subject. Is the Marquess alright now?”

“What do you mean, Your Majesty?”

“I’m talking about yesterday when the Marquess abruptly left the conference room. It seems he forgot what I can see.”

“Ah…”

The emperor’s character is truly virtuous. To witness such rudeness from his supreme position yet show no particular anger!

That day, I felt nauseated every time I made eye contact with the emperor. I found his vermilion eyes, identical to Asar’s, so detestable that I even had the urge to destroy them. These emotions stemmed from my past life merged with Netionpis.

From contempt to murderous intent. The emperor, who can distinguish emotions, has the right to question me. The fact that he let me go in such a situation demonstrates his magnanimous character.

“I learned the general circumstances from the Founding Noble’s story. Do I really resemble the third emperor that much?”

“Not at all. If anything, you’re closer to the first emperor. Above all, Your Majesty has red hair. Please accept that day’s incident as a simple mistake.”

“If the Marquess is fine with it, I won’t inquire further.”

“I appreciate your consideration.”

Now it was my turn to be nervous. Irefi, sitting modestly beside me and listening attentively, has a mind like a time bomb.

In the future, Irefi and the emperor were mortal enemies. For her, who alone retains vivid memories of that time, the emperor must be uncomfortable. And the emperor would clearly see through Irefi’s negative emotions.

‘The emperor must have it tough… If it were me, I’d rather not have such eyes.’

Whether it’s the emperor’s eyes or the old man’s immortality, beneath the convenience and romance lies the sprout of misfortune.

I understood why the emperor had previously said it was fortunate he couldn’t read minds.

“There’s much to worry about. Too much… I wonder why Feita is searching for the Lost Blood now.”

“Indeed.”

“Could it be the same case as Charle?”

I found it difficult to agree with Irefi’s opinion. Charle’s kidnapping incident was largely aimed at agitating Irefi. It was a plan orchestrated by Zikharun, who knows the future.

Now that the factor causing Irefi’s corruption is gone, there should be a difference from the kidnapping incident…

‘Is there… no difference?’

Suddenly, memories after losing Zikharun in the Great Cavern flashed through my mind.

Charle sleeping peacefully on the altar. The remnants of the Chainlich Phenomenon resembling black powder. A scene reminiscent of magical conspiracy.

‘There might have been another target besides Irefi.’

Zikharun had clearly declared:

[That’s why we’re trying to counter with numbers. Normally, it would have been impossible even after a thousand years… but I must thank Asar Euglinas for this. He gave us an excellent chance.]

He thanks Asar Euglinas. This should be understood as sarcasm for producing the Lost Blood.

If so, the Lost Blood are a means to balance the tilted power. They are preparations for plotting magical conspiracies, like when we discovered Charle.

‘If they’ve already secured the Lost Blood, we’re running out of time. If the ritual progresses while we delay, it will be too late!’

If Irefi could be utilized as a force, the situation would be different. But with her sidelined due to Malice, there’s no time to deliberate at a desk.

I elaborated on my inferences in detail. Though there was no concrete evidence, the circumstances aligned, and the emperor showed signs of deep concern.

However, with no other alternatives, he quickly made a decision.

“From now on, our course of action will be based on the Marquess’s inference. Now, where and how to find Feita’s forces… that’s the headache.”

“Your Majesty, how about this?”

“Hmm?”

Honestly, I hesitated greatly before proposing this plan. It was also a betrayal of the old man for whom I had developed a grudging affection, and intuitively, it was morally reprehensible.

Indeed, both the emperor and Irefi gave me reproachful glances. What else could I do in a national crisis?!

“Marquess Alteon. I didn’t see you this way, but you’re excessively bold.”

“I didn’t know Nepy had such a devious side.”

“Ugh, I’m just pretending! We have no other options. If I were smarter, I would have chosen a more decent path. I’m sorry to the old man, but…”

The stern gazes from the emperor and Irefi were painful. Soon, the emperor, having sorted out his position, asked skeptically.

“While I admit it’s a radical method… in a way, it’s trivial. Would they reveal themselves for something like this? There’s a high chance we’ll only end up losing our honor.”

“I believe it’s a fifty-fifty chance. Remember Troph Feita’s reaction when we transported him earlier.”

“He was almost like a fanatic.”

Irefi nodded, resting her chin on her hand. Judging by his expression, the emperor also seemed half-convinced.

With no suitable alternatives, the emperor’s approval was inevitable.

“I permit it. Let’s try to fish out the fanatic in the aquarium.”

“Excellent! Let’s proceed.”

“Nepy, you’re such a bad person.”

Irefi’s condemnation pierced my heart like a dagger. As the planner of the operation, I could only swallow my tears and endure.

“Sigh… I’m sorry, old man.”

◇

Meanwhile, the man was lying comfortably on a long sofa, staring at the ceiling. He kept reaching for grapes. The sweet taste of these grapes provided a small relief from his boredom.

He had no need to directly involve himself in anything; he just made decisions, and human worker ants achieved what he wanted.

It was a life without fulfillment, only constraints. His only wish was to escape from this detestable yoke of hatred, even for a moment.

Ah, if only someone could alleviate this boredom.

Perhaps it was a sin to have such arrogant thoughts without realizing it. His subordinate, devoid of emotions, visited the family head’s room with earth-shattering news.

“I report, Master. There’s a situation happening openly in what used to be Feita’s territory…”

Troph Feita. He felt like his eyes would pop out at his emotionless subordinate’s report.

“What the fuck did you say?”

“To report again, the imperial family…”

“No, forget it.”

“…”

He never imagined the imperial family would act so boldly. Unless the current emperor had gone mad!

“Is it because they caught onto our search for the Lost Blood? No, that’s not it. How would the stupid imperial family, who don’t even know the value of blood, know anything…”

Feita’s shadow agents are spread throughout the empire. Even if Troph’s orders were issued now, it would take time for them to be delivered.

The delay in order transmission is more than enough time for them to achieve their purpose.

“Shit, we’re fucked.”

He admitted it. The fact that they’d been outplayed.

Brilliantly cunning bastards.

Whoever planned this, he would tear them apart.

“… Call him.”

“Please specify the target.”

“That damn Zikharun, call him. Don’t dawdle, right now!!!”

“As you command.”

Left alone after his vassal departed, Troph trembled all over. Steam seemed to rise above his head, which was red-hot like a volcano about to erupt.

Finally unable to contain his anger, Troph shouted:

“Aaaaaaaargh!!!”

His anguished cry was absorbed by the plush carpet. His rough breathing and heated body temperature created the illusion of raising the room’s temperature.

“Bastards worse than beasts who know no honor…”

Only bitter lamentations echoed in the empty room.