Chapter 76: Why Are You There?

After sending a warning to the enemies.

I stood in midair, stepping on the void, and looked down at the assembly below.

“….”

In the now-silenced hall, the officials under the First Prince desperately avoided my gaze.

Some swallowed dryly and bowed their heads, while others rolled their eyes nervously.

Had they truly taken my words to heart?

I hoped so.

Because if we ever met on the battlefield, I would have to kill them.

And killing someone was never a pleasant task.

I turned to the motionless Marquis Lampercen and spoke.

“Hey, Marquis.”

“…You called?”

“Regardless of the others, you directly aimed your killing intent at me. I can’t just let you walk away unscathed.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Choose now. Swear loyalty to me, or die.”

“!”

It seemed he hadn’t expected me to go this far.

As I took a harder stance than anticipated, the pupils of Marquis Lampercen trembled violently.

I didn’t want to spill blood, but what choice did I have?

If he refused the chance I gave him, he would have to pay the price.

‘To live or to die, that is the question.’

I clasped my hands behind my back and waited for his answer.

But before he could speak, a rough voice boomed through the hall, shaking the air.

“Grand Duke!! What do you think you’re doing?!”

“I’m kindly offering him a choice. Is there a problem?”

“How dare you play word games! Not content with intimidating the officials, you now insult me?! Do you truly believe you’ll walk away from this unharmed?”

Maximilian took a step toward me as he shouted.

Golden aura rose from his body like smoke, and amidst his hair, his crimson eyes burned with fury.

I clicked my tongue lightly as I watched him.

“Tch.”

I wanted to shut him up right then and there, but this wasn’t the right moment to cross that line.

No matter how high my title as Grand Duke was, there were still boundaries one had to respect when dealing with royalty.

At least, now wasn’t the time to overstep them.

But as I remained silent, Maximilian’s nobles seemed to regain their confidence and began clamoring loudly.

“Mother, that’s correct. To show such disrespect in front of His Highness— that seems excessively arrogant.”

“No, this goes far beyond mere arrogance— it’s outright violence. Moreover, with His Majesty the Emperor’s condition being critical, shouldn’t you be more careful with your words and actions?”

“Listen here. It was Marquis Lampercen who first fired a killing intent. How can you speak to His Grace the Grand Duke like that? The order of blame seems misplaced.”

“Baron Redfield is right. His Grace only took appropriate action.”

“Nonsense! The issue is that the Grand Duke acted discourteously toward His Highness the First Prince— how can you spout such ridiculous words?”

“Have you all said enough?”

But then, midway through, the vassals under Maximilian and I began arguing among themselves.

The atmosphere grew so heated that a fight could break out at any moment.

Amidst it all, Maximilian continued to glare at me.

‘This needs to be settled.’

Justia had been watching me with a worried expression for a while now.

I felt the need to calm the situation a little.

Just as I was about to speak to the vassals—

“Stop.”

“!”

A voice both gentle and resolute rang out, and in an instant, every vassal present froze in place.

From head to toe, they stood motionless, unable to even twitch.

Among them were even those of considerable skill, yet they remained petrified like stone, powerless to resist.

‘Dragon’s Tongue…!’

I hadn’t expected to witness this technique like this.

Truly remarkable.

I turned my head toward Endless and remarked,

“So this is Dragon’s Tongue. As impressive as the rumors say.”

“It’s nothing much. I only used it because things were getting a bit too noisy.”

“Is that so? At this level, it could even affect Sword Masters or Archmages.”

“Hehe. But it wouldn’t work on you, would it, Your Grace? Your mastery has grown even greater than before.”

“Hmm. I wouldn’t know.”

“Fufu… What if we test it out, just the two of us?”

“…Suddenly?”

I asked Endless in surprise.

But she only responded with a sultry gaze, saying nothing.

Don’t tell me—

Has her heat cycle come around again?

‘This is troublesome…’

Not that I minded, whether it was her heat cycle or not.

The current atmosphere wasn’t suitable for anything indecent.

And above all else.

As I observed Yongeon, I noticed something astonishing.

I could sense an absolute power within him, similar to the authority I possessed.

‘Endless is a being of higher status than other humans. If I can wield a power similar to hers… what does that make me?’

The question crossed my mind, but there was no time to ponder it leisurely.

Maximilian, his face twisted in fury, was stomping toward me.

“Grand Duke. So this is why you’ve been so arrogant. You’re acquainted with the Guardian Dragon. Now it makes sense. There’s no way you’d dare act so insolently toward me otherwise.”

“Not really. It has nothing to do with Endless.”

“That damn informal speech!! I am the heir to the imperial throne! Address me with respect!!”

“What if I refuse?”

Grrrrrr!!

Maximilian’s face turned red, as if he were on the verge of a fit.

Yet, he still didn’t dare draw his sword.

That was likely because there was a clear difference in our levels.

‘Well, I’ll keep the verbal sparring to this much for now.’

I decided not to provoke Maximilian any further.

As I’d said earlier, now wasn’t the time to cross the line completely.

After a brief moment passed—

Once the Dragon Speech ended, the officials of the First Prince’s faction began whispering among themselves.

“Dragon Speech… We never anticipated the Guardian Dragon’s involvement. What should we do about this?”

“Not to mention, considering they entered together earlier… it seems they already share a close bond.”

“Good heavens. Between the Grand Duke’s personal combat prowess and the Guardian Dragon’s support… the imperial succession has become unpredictable.”

The expressions of the First Prince’s faction darkened.

Was it the influence of Endless siding with me?

They must have realized that the tide of victory was gradually shifting toward me and Yustia.

Slowly but surely, the foundation of power Maximilian had built was beginning to crumble.

All that remained was whether they would heed my warning or continue their hostility.

The same went for the Marquis of Lampercen.

I hoped they would all make wise choices to avoid dying by my hand.

But as the officials chattered—

The grand doors of the hall swung open.

And an elderly man with a dignified presence entered.

Step. Step.

“It seems the news of your return was true. Hilken, the Imperial Chamberlain, greets His Highness, the First Prince.”

“Sir Hilken. How is His Majesty’s condition?”

“His Majesty has regained some strength after today’s treatment. Though he still needs rest, he plans to come here shortly.”

“Coming here, you say?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

“In his current state, that shouldn’t be possible. Is it really alright?”

Maximilian asked again, sounding as though he couldn’t understand.

I felt the same way. 

It was unexpected for a man on the brink of death from illness to come all the way here.

But Hilken responded as if he had anticipated such a question.

“His Majesty wishes to speak personally regarding the matter of imperial succession.”

“Imperial succession…!”

“Oho. Finally, he will speak!”

“His Majesty must have made the right decision!”

At the words of the Imperial Chamberlain Hilken, the nobles pricked up their ears and reacted.

Imperial succession.

I was quite curious about myself.

If the Emperor was dragging his sickly body here in person, something significant was undoubtedly about to be said today.

As everyone held their breath and waited for the Emperor, roughly ten minutes passed.

Just as people were beginning to wonder when he would arrive—

“His Imperial Majesty, the great sun of the Empire, Aragord Dellalucia of Achmenes, is entering!!”

A soldier’s booming shout erupted as the tightly shut doors swung open.

Under the escort of the Imperial First Knight Commander Friedrich, a golden-haired middle-aged man stepped inside.

‘Emperor Aragord.’

Seeing him after so long, his cheeks were sunken, making him look even more emaciated than when I had seen him during the Sword Demon Festival.

Strangely, though, he didn’t seem to have much trouble walking.

Yet, he carried an aura as if he were treading the line between life and death— it was eerily fascinating.

‘Damn. He really looks like he could go any day now.’

His condition seemed terrible.

What could he possibly want to say by coming here?

But right behind Aragord—

A priest, presumably in charge of his treatment, was following him.

‘Huh?’

The moment I saw that priest,

I couldn’t help but feel an unexpected surge of joy.

A delicate face with narrow eyes.

A massive pouch of divine energy swaying with each step.

‘…What are you doing there?’

A woman who had sworn loyalty to me and became a double agent.

Hene, the high priestess of the Pales Order, was walking behind the Emperor.