Chapter 77: Please

‘Why is that woman here?’

After the emperor revealed himself in front of the courtiers.

My eyes widened as I saw Hene following behind him.

No. I distinctly remember her returning to the church headquarters.

When did she come to the imperial palace?

‘I should check.’

While the emperor was slowly ascending the steps to the dais.

I immediately sent a telepathic message to Hene, who had moved away from him and was standing beside the courtiers.

‘Hey.’

‘!’

‘Don’t look at me, just listen. Did you come here to treat the emperor? If so, blink twice quickly.’

‘…’

Hene momentarily tried to turn her head but stopped.

Then, calmly, she blinked twice.

I see.

So she came to treat the emperor.

There were a few more things I wanted to ask, so I sent her another telepathic message.

‘But if it’s for the emperor’s treatment, a considerable number of priests should have been sent. I don’t see any others. Are you the only priest sent to the imperial palace?’

‘…’

‘Just you alone? That’s strange. The pope must have sent you, right?’

‘…’

‘Hmm. Did you receive any other orders besides treating the emperor?’

‘…’

‘Alright.’

I sent another telepathic message to Hene, who was blinking her eyes busily.

This— no matter how I thought about it, it was strange.

The emperor’s health was deteriorating upon the return of the 1st Prince.

The atmosphere in the imperial palace, not particularly sorrowful despite the emperor’s critical condition.

And the pope was sending only one priest for treatment.

All these circumstances were leading toward a certain conclusion.

‘Don’t tell me…’

Is the 1st Prince trying to kill the emperor?

Because I’m rising in the competition for the throne?

I hurriedly looked toward where Maximilian was, but his gaze was fixed on Aragod.

Just staring coldly at him as he sat on the throne.

‘Sigh. Who knows what that bastard is up to.’

Although that didn’t happen in the original work, I thought it was best to be cautious.

After all, I’d already witnessed how events in this world could unfold differently from the original.

So rather than blindly trusting the original, it was wiser to prepare thoroughly.

“Listen well, my subjects.”

While I was lost in thought, the Emperor spoke.

Just moments ago, when he had entered the hall, he had seemed on the verge of collapse, but now his voice carried strength, as though he were forcing out his words with sheer will.

From his demeanor, it was clear— he had something critical to say, something that couldn’t wait.

“Today, I shall personally announce the successor to the imperial throne. From this moment onward, engrave my words in your hearts and welcome the one who will become the new ruler of the Empire.”

“The new ruler of the Empire…!”

“To think His Majesty would announce the successor here and now.”

“Given His Majesty’s deteriorating health, it seems he has made this decision in haste.”

“Hmm. At last, we shall see who ascends to the throne.”

The nobles behind me whispered among themselves.

Soon, a faint stir spread through the hall.

As the murmurs grew slightly prolonged, Friedrich, standing beside the Emperor, spoke in a voice as cold as frost.

“Silence.”

“…”

The moment Friedrich spoke, every noble in the hall fell quiet.

And so, they waited—for the Emperor to speak again.

Whose name would leave the Emperor’s lips?

The First Prince, Maximilian— a man of legitimacy, martial prowess, and political influence, standing closest to the throne.

Or Justia, who had withdrawn from the succession race only to surge back with terrifying momentum.

Amidst the breathless anticipation of everyone in the hall, Emperor Aragoth spoke in a voice like the creaking of an ancient tree.

“I hereby name the First Prince, Maximilian, as Crown Prince.”

“!”

“The coronation ceremony shall take place two days from now, and the First Prince’s ascension as the next Emperor of the Empire shall be proclaimed once more before its people.”

“Waaaaaah!”

The nobles aligned with the First Prince erupted into cheers.

This is insane.

No fucking way.

Maximilian is being named Crown Prince?

Has the Emperor lost his damn mind?

‘In the original, Aragoth was bedridden and couldn’t properly announce a successor…’

So, in the end, we had to engage in battle with Maximilian, and with Endless’s support and the efforts of my comrades, we managed to defeat him.

I had expected a little more when I heard the Emperor himself would make an announcement.

Losing to Maximilian in the succession competition…

Honestly, it was hard to hide my disappointment.

But at least I prepared for the worst.

And then, pushing through the excited crowd of nobles, Endless stepped forward toward the Emperor.

“Wait a moment. I have something to say.”

“Lady Endless. What is it you wish to say?”

“According to the contract with Emperor Gaius, the rightful ascension to the imperial throne requires my approval. Is that correct?”

“It is.”

“Then let me make this clear here and now. I oppose the appointment of the First Prince, Maximilian, as Crown Prince.”

Endless spoke in a firm voice.

Good. She stepped in right on time.

The faces of Maximilian’s faction, who had been confident of victory, twisted in bewilderment at her unexpectedly resolute opposition.

Maximilian himself, who had been grinning triumphantly, froze in place, his expression stiffening.

On the other hand, the nobles who had sworn loyalty to Justia clenched their fists tightly, as if regaining hope.

But after hearing Endless’s words, the Emperor calmly continued the conversation.

“It is unexpected to see you, who has always followed the natural order, intervene so directly.”

“Gaius asked me to raise my voice when the fate of the empire was at stake.”

“A request… Though it was a thousand years ago. You haven’t forgotten.”

“No. Of course not.”

“Then let me ask you this— who do you support?”

“That is…”

When the Emperor cut straight to the point, Endless hesitated and glanced in my direction.

Huh?

Why me all of a sudden?

But the Emperor, noticing the direction of her gaze, murmured softly.

“I see.”

A short utterance that sounded as if he had come to some realization.

Then he called out to me.

“Grand Duke.”

“Yes.”

“There is something I must say to you directly.”

“Something to say… to me?”

“Yes. Everyone else, leave us.”

The emperor issued a toast to the assembled guests.

Hmm. What exactly is he trying to say?

But as the ministers hesitated, shuffling their feet as if preparing to leave, Maximilian stepped forward before the dais.

“Your Majesty. I have something to say.”

“Speak.”

“The Grand Duke has insulted me. That is to say, the Grand Duke has dared to belittle the imperial heir— a grave offense. Rather than engaging in discourse with such a scoundrel, his wrongdoing must be addressed.”

“That is not the matter at hand right now. You, too, should withdraw from this place.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Sir Friedrich. That includes you. Step outside and wait.”

“Understood. Let us leave, Your Highness Maximilian.”

Friedrich, the First Imperial Knight Commander, spoke.

Finally, even Friedrich intervened, and Maximilian reluctantly turned on his heel as if conceding.

Before exiting the hall, he glanced in my direction and said:

“Grand Duke. No matter what you do, the outcome will not change.”

“…”

“The new ruler of the empire will be me. Go ahead—struggle with all your might. And then despair.”

Hmph—

Maximilian hurled a torrent of venomous words before storming out of the hall.

Crazy bastard. Just says his piece and leaves.

But the moment after he left, Justia approached me with a worried expression.

“I’m sorry… You helped me, Grand Duke, but… because of my shortcomings, I’ve lost the succession race.”

“No. This isn’t your fault. And it’s not over yet. We don’t yet know what His Majesty the Emperor will say.”

“But…”

“Endris is also on our side now, so it’s too early to give up. Trust me and wait. I’ll find the answer to this situation.”

I gently stroked Justia’s head as I spoke.

She seemed reassured by the familiar gesture.

After a moment, her expression softened, and she stepped outside.

Finally, even Endris gave me a nod before leaving, and soon, no one else remained in the hall.

Only Emperor Aragod and I.

Just the two of us.

“…”

In the silence, I faced the emperor and studied him.

His face was like a gnarled, withered tree, but up close, his eyes still held a sharp intensity.

Come to think of it, he’s Justia’s father—which would make him my father-in-law.

So… should I explain my relationship with Justia now?

No, this doesn’t seem like the right situation to bring that up.

Either I should argue about the Crown Prince’s appointment…

Or maybe it’d be better to inform him that there’s suspicion Maximilian is plotting to kill the Emperor…

Sigh. I’m not sure how to bring it up.

But as I stood there silently,

Emperor Aragod spoke first.

“Grand Duke.”

“Yes.”

“It’s quite curious.”

“What is, Your Majesty?”

“You.”

“…Me?”

“How did a man who sought to destroy the Empire come to change his mind?”

The Emperor spoke slowly, his tone laced with doubt as he directed the question at me.

His voice carried the weight of someone who already knew everything.

Damn.

He just dropped that out of nowhere.

“Sought to destroy the Empire”—he must be talking about Behlrit’s actions before I possessed him.

I wondered why he’d bring this up now of all times.

I forced a calm expression and replied,

“There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I never had such intentions.”

“There’s no need to deny it. I already know everything.”

“Know what, exactly…?”

“You. You were pushing for the establishment of a Grand Duke, weren’t you?”

“…What?”

“I have one request for you.”

Aragod’s gaze locked onto mine.

His eyes burned like the last flicker of a dying flame.

He’s making a request now?

Even though he knows I was planning to create a Grand Duke, he still has a favor to ask?

What could he possibly be trying to say?

I focused every ounce of my attention on the Emperor’s next words.

And in the silent hall,

staring straight into my eyes, he spoke.

“Kill me.”