episode_0052

“However, there are still several mountains to cross.”

Claudia placed her hands on her hips and spoke.

With the video played in the middle of the trial, Claudia’s charges were completely cleared.

But they only managed to avert the worst-case scenario.

Nevertheless, the fact remains that Vessus directly invaded the palace or disregarded the established procedures of the trial.

In addition, with the fallen Crown Prince’s unpredictable actions looming.

“Even though I managed to negotiate with Abamama to get through that situation, it’s just a temporary solution. Due to his clumsy nature, he might not hesitate to mobilize the empire’s resources to eliminate you. No, it wouldn’t be surprising if he sent assassins right now.”

Listening to Claudia’s story, Vessus recalled the conversation he had with Sylph in his inner world.

“Sylph… Right?”

“Haha. Hard to believe, isn’t it?”

“But you’ve changed so much.”

“In truth, this was my original form. Generally, all spirits evolve from lesser to intermediate, then advanced, until they reach the Spirit King. However, even if one becomes a Spirit King, without a partner to share that existence, they cannot sustain it and will lose all memories, reverting to a lesser spirit. Very few spirits actually reach the Spirit King within that cycle. I, too, lost all memories and became a lesser spirit according to the laws of nature.”

Just as spirits constantly circulate following the laws of nature, all spirits, even those who become Spirit Kings, eventually return to their primordial forms, losing all memories.

“Generally, spirit masters who evolve their spirits are not merely evolving them but rather summoning their past forms. Thanks to you, I could recall all memories and retrieve my past form.”

“Sylph’s past form…? But I don’t remember anything…”

“The unwavering will of a spirit master and innate affinity with nature. It’s because of your abilities that I could become like this. In human terms… yes. It’s appropriate to say ‘past life.’ The most powerful form I took in my previous existence.”

“I…?”

“Heh. You can stand taller, you know? While other spirit masters may spend their whole lives trying to evoke a form equivalent to intermediate or advanced, you managed to summon the pinnacle of all spirits, the Spirit King.”

After finishing his reminiscence, Vessus returned to the moment of conversing with Claudia.

“Sylph has become the Spirit King.”

The Spirit King, not properly mentioned even in historical records.

While stories about advanced spirits are occasionally mentioned, the being known as the Spirit King remains only a legend, existing solely in vague records dating back to mythical times.

His recent display in the courtroom, overwhelming the palace knights and mages, was truly a godlike figure straight out of legends.

If such Sylph is by my side! Then I can be of help to the Princess!

“So, here’s the thing.”

The Princess looked into Vessus’s eyes.

“There’s something I want you to do.”

“Just tell me! I’ll get it done!”

Between the Crown Prince and the Emperor, despite the Princess’s competence and Sylph’s presence, there are still many walls to overcome.

It may not be easy to resolve them in the short term.

Nevertheless, I will do whatever difficult task it takes for the Princess!

With a firm resolution, Vessus decided.

“Long live the Emperor!”

“You’re so beautiful!”

“Wow!”

“Long live the Emperor! May the Empire endure forever!”

“…Huh?”

After the trial case at the royal court, about six months passed.

Secretarys watched from behind as Cladia ascended to the balcony and waved to the empire’s citizens.

‘Isn’t this… too fast?’

Cladia swiftly captured other nobles using the facts revealed in the trial and Secretarys’ presence.

Pressuring the crown prince with the power she had built, she marginalized him. Even though she was out of the emperor’s favor, no one dared challenge the spirit master who controlled the spirit beasts. Those who had witnessed the spirit master overpowering the imperial knights were even more intimidated.

As the authority of the imperial court crumbled, so did the emperor’s power, allowing Cladia to successfully tarnish his image of incompetence.

Eventually, the emperor, whose influence wavered not only in the provinces but also within the palace, confided boldly with Cladia alone.

In exchange for her thorough protection, he transferred power to her.

‘I never imagined the princess would be so capable. I didn’t think things would resolve so smoothly.’

Although Cladia possessed exceptional abilities, she was not known for pushing matters forward so aggressively.

All of this was due to Cladia taking calculated risks to swiftly ascend to power to protect Secretarys.

After waving to the empire’s citizens for a while, Cladia turned around.

“Well then, let’s head back.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty!”

Secretarys stood behind Cladia as she walked briskly.

“Your Majesty…”

Cladia noticed the change in Secretarys’ address.

“Can’t you still call me ‘princess’ like before?”

“Oh, no!”

Secretarys exclaimed sharply.

“You are now the sovereign of the empire. As someone who serves you, I cannot do anything that may disrupt the imperial order!”

I am now in a position to serve Empress Cladia. My every mistake could have a devastating impact on her.

One must tread carefully.

The situation has changed from before!

“…Fool.”

“Yes? What did you say?”

Not hearing Cladia’s soft muttering, Secretarys asked her.

“Never mind. You don’t need to worry. It was just a meaningless remark.”

Cladia quickened her pace, indicating her displeasure.

And Secretarys, who always stood closest to her, could sense her mood was not good.

A grand hall built for the majesty of the emperor.

At the highest point of the throne, Cladia sat.

Countless courtiers lined up in front of the throne.

“We humbly acknowledge your ascent to the throne.”

“Long live the empress, may there be peace throughout the land!”

“May you enjoy everlasting prosperity, Your Majesty!”

While listening to the congratulations of her courtiers, Cladia whispered to Secretarys standing beside her.

“I mentioned that we cannot do anything that may disrupt the imperial order from the position of serving the princess, didn’t I?”

“…Yes?”

Without understanding the implication, Secretarys momentarily frowned as Cladia looked down at her courtiers and declared,

“I hereby appoint my most trusted knight, Secretarys Grankeinell, as the empire’s Prime Minister.”

Prime Minister!

The highest position within the empire after the emperor, surpassing all others.

It was a position where, leveraging the emperor’s prestige, one could become the absolute ruler of the empire.

“…Yes?”

Though it was the first time Secretarys heard this story, she appeared stunned.

“Well… indeed.”

“Then, as expected…”

The courtiers all wore expressions of certainty.

In a manner befitting a figure that could appear in mythologies about the Spirit King, Cladia played a pivotal role in ascending to power.

—

“Huh?”

“Hehe.”

Cladia softly chuckled as she observed the bewildered expression on Verces’s face.

—

Still of an age to attend the academy, Verces had unexpectedly become the Empire’s second-in-command. However, he quickly adapted to his new position.

Instead, he demonstrated remarkable competence almost as if proving his qualification as the Spirit King’s Shaman.

When Verces, bearing the authority of the Sylph who controlled the forces of nature, joined forces with Cladia, the iron-blooded princess, the Empire swiftly grew in strength.

The land became fertile in no time, and the Empire’s systems and infrastructure were rapidly revitalized.

—

Not long after Cladia ascended to the throne,

“Long live the Emperor!”

“Hail to the Prime Minister acting on behalf of the Spirit Lord!”

Even children playing in the streets praised them, and the Empire entered an era of peace and prosperity.

Furthermore, the Empire was experiencing its greatest period of prosperity in history, to the extent that it succeeded in toppling even its most powerful rival, the Republic.

—

“Hmph!”

Until a divine being interfered in Cladia’s mind, preventing the happy ending awaited by the representative of ‘good.’