Chapter 74: Return

“His Majesty is critically ill? When did you hear this news?”

“Just a moment ago. As soon as I received the message through the communication magic crystal, I came straight to you, Your Grace.”

“I see.”

“Will you be departing for the capital immediately?”

“I must. I’ll finish preparations within the hour and meet you at the main gate.”

“Understood.”

Justia answered with a stiff, hardened expression.

Her face looked troubled, her mind clearly weighed down by complicated thoughts.

As both a daughter to her father and an imperial princess,

The current situation must have been a heavy burden for Justia.

‘Maybe I should say something to comfort her.’

She needed to ease her tension, even if just a little.

Gently placing a hand on her shoulder, I spoke kindly.

“Don’t worry too much. Everything will be alright.”

“Thank you. I feel reassured having you by my side, Your Grace.”

“Think nothing of it. Didn’t I promise you on the day of the entrance ceremony? That I would be your strength.”

“Truly… You’ve always been my support whenever I was in trouble, Your Grace.”

Justia murmured with affectionate eyes.

Hmm. I could just pull her into my arms and bury my face in her chest right now.

But—

‘This isn’t the time for that.’

Right now, we needed to reach the imperial palace as soon as possible.

Suppressing my reluctance, I sent Justia back to her quarters first.

Then, I stepped out of the training grounds with Elaine.

“Lord Beherit, what should I do?”

As we walked toward the dormitory, Elaine hurriedly followed and asked.

Good question.

Only a very limited number of people would be allowed inside the imperial palace.

Of course, Justia would accompany me to the palace,

But what about Elaine and the other women?

‘For now, I should take them all to the capital…’

As this incident unfolds, the empire will only grow more chaotic.

In that case, I can’t just leave them behind.

After a brief moment of contemplation, I finally made a decision.

“First, let’s all head to the capital together. Given the gravity of the situation, we’ll stay at the Develion residence.”

“Understood. Should I also inform Professor Elda?”

“Hmm… For now, yes.”

“Alright. Then I’ll stop by the professor’s place and meet you at the main gate by the scheduled time.”

“Good.”

I waved lightly at Elaine as she walked away.

Then, on my way back to the dormitory alone, I paused for a moment to gaze in the direction of the capital, lost in thought.

‘It’s finally coming…’

The moment the sun of the Empire was about to set had arrived at last.

Emperor Aragod would now have to make a decision regarding the imperial succession—something he had postponed until now.

Would he truly appoint Justia as the Crown Princess?

‘…No.’

As much as I wished for Justia to become the successor, realistically, the chances were slim.

Maximilian was, in name and reality, the Empire’s First Prince.

That fact alone made him the strongest candidate, and with his formidable martial prowess and deep-rooted influence, the Emperor would naturally see him as the rightful heir.

“Then there’s no choice but to resort to that method.”

The only way to oppose the appointment of the Crown Prince was—

“The Guardian Dragon, Endless.”

She, who had made a pact with the Great Emperor Gaius, could be the key to resolving this situation.

Lately, she’d been absent for days again— who knows where she went this time.

I should at least leave her a letter, just in case.

Though I’m not sure if I’ll make it in time.

‘Well, if it comes to it, I’ll just have to use the last resort.’

Having steeled my thoughts, I steadied my resolve for the inevitable clash with Maximilian and continued walking.

***

A Few Days Later.

The Central Hall, located within the Imperial Palace.

Hundreds of court officials stood in orderly rows along both sides of the long, stretched-out red carpet.

Despite the large gathering, the space was eerily silent, with only the occasional sound of a stifled cough breaking the stillness.

The atmosphere was solemn, weighed down by the Emperor’s deteriorating health.

The officials glanced furtively toward the entrance, as if anticipating someone’s arrival.

Then, the doors swung open, and a booming voice echoed through the hall.

“His Royal Highness Maximilian Della Rucia of Achmenes makes his entrance!”

As the soldier’s announcement resounded, the grand doors of the Central Hall parted.

Light spilled through the gap, and against its glow, a golden-haired man with crimson eyes leisurely revealed himself.

Clack—

The faint metallic sound of his gleaming armored boots stepping onto the red carpet resonated through the hall.

It was as if he were walking a path of blood.

Behind him, elite knights clad in scarlet capes followed in disciplined formation.

As the entire hall held its breath, the golden-haired, crimson-eyed man spoke.

“The Imperial Palace remains as it always has. The faces of the courtiers are as stiff as ever. To return from the frontlines only to be met with such a sight— I can hardly contain my disappointment.”

Maximilian, the Empire’s First Prince, furrowed his brow with feigned sorrow.

Yet, despite his expression, his voice carried not a trace of regret.

Many of the officials swallowed their discontent at his casual remarks, knowing full well the Emperor lay gravely ill— but none dared speak out.

In this palace, real power now rested solely in his hands.

All they could do was avoid provoking the likely successor to the throne.

As everyone remained silent, a man standing beside the Emperor’s throne spoke on behalf of the court.

“We sincerely welcome your return in triumph, Your Highness Maximilian.”

“Thank you. Though I heard His Majesty is in critical condition. Is he still alive?”

“Yes, he is.”

“For the rightful heir of the Empire to return and yet not see his father… It pains my heart to see him so unwell.”

“Indeed. Had His Majesty and all of us been able to welcome Your Highness’ return, it would have been a joyous occasion. It is unfortunate that we could not.”

The man standing beside the throne— silver-haired, with a well-groomed mustache— was Grand Chancellor Silvester Marcus.

Originally, today was meant to be both a welcoming ceremony for the First Prince and a celebration of his victorious campaign.

However, due to the Emperor’s sudden decline, the festivities had been canceled.

As they conversed, the Chancellor’s sharp gaze fixed on Maximilian.

“You have further solidified your realm of mastery, I see.”

“You noticed?”

“Yes. You have now reached a level where even the First Imperial Knight Commander, Sir Friedrich, would find no shortcomings in you.”

Hahaha—

The Chancellor stroked his neatly trimmed mustache and let out a hearty laugh.

Even before His Highness had departed for the eastern campaign, he had already attained the rank of Swordmaster.

Having matured even further there, he has now returned.

At this level, he should be more than capable of standing toe-to-toe with that monstrous Grand Duke.

With his own martial prowess to back him up, along with legitimacy and influence, what remains is simply his formal appointment as Crown Prince, is it not?

Once Maximilian becomes emperor, he himself will be the empire’s second-in-command— the thought brought a faint smile to the Prime Minister’s lips.

‘Ah, come to think of it…’

Not long ago, he had received a report from Sir Leslie concerning the Grand Duke.

Had he said something about never making an enemy of him?

‘What nonsense.’

How dare anyone say such a thing to him?

The memory of immediately shouting Sir Leslie down and driving him out resurfaced.

‘Tsk. For a man who once served as the Imperial First Vice-Commander of the Knights to be cowed like that…’

Shaking off the unpleasant memory, the Prime Minister spoke to Maximilian.

“Though you must be weary from your journey, would you prefer to rest first?”

“No. How could I rest when His Majesty is unwell? As the ‘Crown Prince,’ I will pay him a visit at once.”

“My apologies, I misspoke. Seeing His Majesty should naturally come first.”

“I understand. You were only speaking out of concern for me, weren’t you?”

Maximilian spread his arms theatrically as he spoke.

Just as he turned to head toward the emperor’s chambers—

An elderly nobleman, one of the few present with immense mana, approached Maximilian.

“It seems your prowess has grown even greater since we last met, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Marquis Lamperthsen. But you don’t look well.”

“…There have been reasons for that.”

“I, too, grieve for your brother’s passing. And I hear your family’s enterprises have since suffered significant losses?”

“Yes…”

“Still, you made the right choice. By swearing loyalty to me, the Lamperthsen name will soon regain its former glory— no, I promise it will rise even higher.”

“Thank you. But what I desire most is something else.”

“Ah, of course. I know well what that is.”

Maximilian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he answered.

And from those crimson eyes flickered a sinister light.

Inside, he slowly approached Marquis Lamperchen.

He whispered very softly into his ear.

“About taking revenge on the Grand Duke.”

“Yes. I will surely eliminate the one who drove my grandson to his death.”

“Good. Fortunately, our intentions align. I, too, intend to deal with the Grand Duke, so let us join forces.”

“Understood.”

Marquis Lamperchen nodded slowly.

After Maximilian lightly patted his shoulder,

He was about to leave with his knights when the door opened, and a soldier’s shout echoed through the central hall.

“Her Highness Justia della Lucia of Achmenes has arrived at the imperial palace!”

“Ohh.”

“Finally…!”

The appearance of the long-awaited princess brought smiles to the faces of the officials under her command.

It had been several days since news of the Emperor had reached their ears, so it was about time for her to arrive.

While they were immersed in the expectation that she might turn the situation around,

Maximilian spoke up.

“But where is the Grand Duke? Surely, she didn’t return to the imperial palace alone?”

“I thought things had eased since they joined hands, but it seems there’s still lingering resentment toward the imperial family.”

“No. There’s no way the Grand Duke of the Empire wouldn’t show up when His Majesty is critically ill. He will surely appear.”

Maximilian said firmly to the chancellor.

He had heard that the Grand Duke had been staying at the academy until recently.

If so, he should have been with his sister.

It was puzzling why they were arriving separately, but he would undoubtedly come here.

‘I’ll make sure that half-blood feels the difference in our lineage to his bones.’

With a gaze tinged with deep-seated inferiority, Maximilian glared at the door.

Years ago, he had orchestrated ‘that incident’ to teach the Develion family, who dared to covet imperial power, a lesson.

If they still hadn’t learned their lesson, he would have to remind them again.

Who the true master of the Empire was.

And shortly after,

As everyone held their breath,

The door opened, and an even louder shout than before rang out.

“His Excellency Beherit Develion, the Grand Duke… and the Guardian Dragon Endless, have arrived at the imperial palace!”