episode_0113

“If that happens, Eric will finally make his debut in high society.”

“This time, it’ll be a true debut. Until now, Oppa either ignored everyone or was ignored by them.”

“In that case, I should prepare in my own way as well. Aside from the connections you two know, I have acquaintances of my own. If we seek their cooperation, it might not be just a dream for Eric to debut safely.”

As I forcibly calmed the three who had started rambling on their own, I spoke.

“I don’t know why this conversation is happening, but I have no intention of being dragged around like a clown. The family will go to Chris anyway.”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean, ‘huh’? I’m already busy just thinking about how to raise all of you. It’s not just my own life anymore.”

“You don’t need to take it so seriously. If high society is fragile enough to collapse just by someone showing their face briefly, then nothing you do could change that anyway. Besides, there’s another reason.”

“Another reason?”

“Rumors spread quickly. Especially if they’re meant to provoke interest. To put an end to those rumors, you must appear in public.”

“You mean that stupid scandal? Because of just that?”

“It’s not just that. You’ve lived completely detached from this world, but you need to understand—things have already progressed beyond your control.”

“But if it’s just whispers among people, can’t we suppress them moderately?”

“Suppress them? And how would you do that?”

“How? Well, obviously by showing that Cecilia and I are distant… Oh.”

“Exactly. A single whisper—’Eric Grave might not be insane’—would be enough to shake the Empire. If you were just a commoner or some middling noble’s child, it might not matter. But you’re not.”

“Explain in detail.”

I kicked off the blanket and leaned slightly toward Elia. Seemingly pleased by my posture, she gave a faint smile.

“As you know, this Empire is embroiled in a power struggle over succession. Fortunately, there are no fools foolish enough to forget that the people are the Empire’s foundation—and among those fools, I’m the finest, so the throne is all but mine.”

“How confident of you.”

“And most of my supporters are commoners or lesser nobles.”

“Of course they are.”

Even if noble houses are subordinate to the Emperor, it’s impossible to fully suppress them. The people beneath them are likewise well aware of the scramble for dominance.

So now, the battle for succession is effectively a contest over who can win the greatest favor of the masses.

Like an oversized class president election. Though the chosen Emperor wields absolute power, the road to that seat is grueling.

The selection is meticulous, the process tedious. Yet once crowned, absolute loyalty is sworn to them.

Such was the Empire.

“People call it the Emperor’s Empire, the rule of the great—but in truth, they are the ones forcing the selection of an heir. My grandfather did it, and so did my great-grandfather.”

“In that sense, the current Emperor is truly remarkable. He stayed on the throne until old age, personally choosing his successor without stepping down. No wonder he’s called a saintly ruler.”

“Hmph. Rather than living like that, abdicating early and enjoying life would’ve been far wiser. Yet he went around sowing scandal while claiming he’d produce a successor worthy of the throne.”

The current Emperor, Elia’s father, never formally named a legal wife. He has no Empress—only countless concubines.

For someone who spread such flagrant debauchery everywhere, his approval rating still soars sky-high. In many ways, he’s certainly an impressive figure.

“To formally name someone as empress is for after the heir is decided… Though she’s my sibling’s family, what a cold-blooded household.”

“My, I don’t think the Grave Duchy is in a position to say that? Just look at you and your parents—”

“Gah!”

Apparently realizing she’d dug her own grave, Chris flailed her arms to cut off the conversation.

But I pressed on. Otherwise, I’d be branded an unfilial child.

“I don’t care. The fact that they even acknowledged someone like me—a troublemaker—as their son is more than I could ever repay.”

The Duke and Duchess of Grave are neither villains nor heartless. If anything, they’re the ones who spent years quietly apologizing to those I wronged, insisting I was their son despite everything.

They couldn’t be villains even if they tried.

“Chris, you know what kind of people Father and Mother are, don’t you?”

She’d spent far more time with them than I had, being mostly left to my own devices.

So she’d know them much better than I.

“Uh… Yeah. But I never thought you’d say that. Even so, objectively criticizing your own parents?”

“Watching Lucirella taught me something. Those who wield swords always have a screw loose somewhere.”

Thinking of their notoriously stoic expressions, I shook my head slightly.

Good people, but not cut out for parenting. Just recently, they took on a top-secret mission abroad.

In their minds, they still had Chris—and they wanted to preempt offers directed at themselves, the Empire’s second most powerful figures. But even so, their neglect was excessive.

And in my first life, still gripped by the sensation of being transported to another world, I never resolved that misunderstanding before parting from them.

Such thoughts are pointless now. Even if I return someday, the time lost won’t disappear.

And if by chance I fail and die, I’ll die as a person of this world. So I must adapt to who I am here.

“Speaking of which, Chris—when are Mother and Father coming back? I should meet them soon.”

“Huh? Well… Probably not for another year. Even if the mission ends early, I doubt they’ll return until the heir is clearly decided…”

“Hmm…”

A year is too tight. My plan requires all four heroes—especially Lucirella—to be sufficiently strong by graduation two years later.

And much of that hinges on my parents’ assistance. But if they won’t return until the succession is settled, the plan hits a snag.

“Elia. This might sound absurd, but—is there any way to secure the succession faster? My parents must return to the Empire—as soon as possible.”

“Why?”

“There’s Lucirella’s matter… And since we’re on the topic, I want to speak with them properly.”

“Eric, surely you’re not thinking of telling them about the prophecy?”

“I have just the excuse ready. Conveniently, it ties into what I was initially discussing.”

“The high society thing?”

I scratched my head roughly. Somehow, my workload keeps growing.

I thought the four who knew my secret would handle everything.

“Yeah, that.”

“Go on. What does being from House Grave have to do with it?”

“It’s about the fastest way to secure the throne.”

“The succession method here is fundamentally different from average noble inheritance.”

Finish if you must.

“If the heirs of both House Grave and House Lustahl publicly declare support for me.”

“…What?”

“Meaningless, you think?”

“I could pledge support anytime, but… I’m not sure Father would stay quiet. Most major houses—especially Bright—are keeping silent for neutrality’s sake.”

“To ensure minimal fairness.”

If powerful noble houses back a specific candidate, lesser nobles and commoners would easily follow.

A universal truth.

“Even if you, Chris, or Cecilia support me, opposition from current heads would render it pointless. If Bright remains silent, stepping forward first would only invite ridicule.”

“No. Precisely because of that, we need proof of your sanity.”

“But…”

“Average backing would be dismissed. But if a madman suddenly regains reason and endorses me? That’s controversy enough.”

“So… my words have weight?”

“Even if officially ineffective, it doesn’t matter. Gossip will do the rest. That would force Grave and Lustahl to show sincerity.”

“You…!”

Finally, I understood Elia’s meaning.

If the heirs of Grave and Lustahl both voice support, chaos would follow.

A man believed insane for years suddenly recovers—and backs a candidate amid succession turmoil?

Even I’d suspect conspiracy.

It wouldn’t matter if baseless.

This exception alone would suffice.

“The longstanding neutrality of nobles—just shaking faith in that is a bargain.”