episode_0039

Of course, it wasn’t something I said lightly, as it was purely because of the promise of a board game.

I know very well how much the 3rd prince still regrets the competition for the throne and the position of emperor, but there is no way he would say something like this carelessly.

I honestly thought this was the best way.

‘In the end, my goal is to spread the board game trend from the imperial family to the aristocratic society.’

Unlike commoners, nobles who are sensitive to respect and fashion are likely to consider other factors rather than fun when playing the Amman board game Churai Churai. It looks frivolous or un-noble.

Abracadabra was possible because the 3rd prince and the duke took the initiative. Kyle Gali was able to spread as a trend itself rather than a game, as the rules were changed to a slow game, symbolizing that it was recommended by the Archmage himself.

Isn’t that why he accepted the 3rd prince’s offer and came to the imperial castle? Because it was the quickest way to spread board games in aristocratic society.

In that respect, the best option for me was for the 3rd prince to become emperor.

If the 3rd prince, who is fond of board games, becomes emperor, board games will become popular.

There.

“Kyle! What on earth are you saying… … !!”

“His Royal Highness the Prince. This is an opportunity.”

“What… … ?”

“You still have lingering feelings about the competition for the throne, right?”

“You know that well and you say that… … ? Are you saying that even the comfort you gave me was a deception!!”

Yes, it’s natural to be angry. At least to the 3rd prince, what I just said must have sounded like I was joking.

Moreover, if it comes right after comforting you, even that comfort will feel like a lie.

However, I did not look away even in the face of the third prince’s anger.

We just looked at each other quietly.

The third prince’s anger was gradually turning into curiosity at the unexpected attitude.

“You… … ?”

“Your Royal Highness, what if you were to have a friend who could not be defeated by anyone?”

“Well, what.”

“Isn’t there a person right in front of us who can be that supporter?”

“… … … !!”

At that moment, the 3rd prince looked shocked and even scared. He truly did not understand what I was saying, and now he was actually taking a step back.

Making the 3rd prince the emperor is, of course, not just for the 3rd prince.

This was also said to the Grand Wizard of Hwangseong.

[…] … … … … .]

“What do you think? Grand Wizard.”

[…] … That’s how I felt, but you really look like Justinia. It’s amazing.]

“Is that so?”

[Extremely arrogant, but still keeping his head down. I guess you thought it was a suggestion worth trying?]

“Yes.”

[her.]

This is only possible if the Archmage, who is supposed to be the backbone, accepts it. And I decided that there was a small possibility that the Archmage would accept this, but it was enough.

‘Lucius, I heard you heard about the third prince from the current emperor.’

It’s obvious what the topic was. Considering what the emperor recently said to the 3rd prince, it was natural that it was related to returning to competition for the throne.

Why did the emperor tell this story to the archmage?

Unless you’re complaining, I think it’s consistent with the suggestion I just made.

‘Becoming the 3rd prince’s successor.’

You have to be the protector of the Severus royal family and the archmage that only previous emperors can meet in order to become a protege of the 3rd prince, who currently doesn’t even have a small amount of power.

Even if it cannot become a force in itself, wouldn’t it be able to protect against physical threats from other princes?

There was also something I noticed.

‘My excuse earlier was a bit weak.’

The Grand Wizard introduced himself in front of the Third Prince and said that the reason was because he was bored and that he would erase his memory.

But I saw another archmage. Orphin was a man of the caliber of an archmage, and he would never have done something like that, even as a joke.

How much more so does a person who, in his own words, call himself the guardian of the royal family, show such a light attitude in front of the royal family?

At first, I was convinced, thinking of Kyle Galli from Archmages, but that was just too much immersion, and wasn’t this a joke?

The 3rd prince didn’t seem to notice because he was nervous about his sudden meeting with the archmage, but as I observed from the side, I was able to think about it again and realize the awkward part.

I am confident that I have gained insight through playing various board games. That is an intentional action. Isn’t it because he introduces himself, tells him who he is, and then sees his reaction when he says he is belatedly erasing his memory?

… … Or is that guy really that kind of person?

‘Well, anyway.’

There was final confirmation.

Even now, the archmage was looking at the third prince closely.

[…] … … hmm.]

“… … … … … .”

[Lou Gehrig.]

“Yes, yes!”

[Do you have any intention of becoming emperor?]

“… … … !!”

How could the 3rd prince not know what the great wizard meant when he asked that question?

The third prince, whose eyes suddenly widened, calmed his now heavy breathing and looked at me and the archmage in turn.

“… … I.”

I grit my teeth. Clench your fist. I shiver.

Words that the 3rd prince had never been allowed to say until now. Words that could only be said internally and never said out loud.

Words that I always held back, suppressed my feelings of inferiority, and tried to survive.

But the words I always had in my mind.

Those words that I held back, saying that one day the opportunity would come.

“The emperor… … I want to be… … !!”

[…] … … … .]

“Must, must… … !!”

Exhale.

It seems as if he wants to relieve his anger of the past years here and now. I knew this was the opportunity I had been waiting for so desperately, so I grabbed it desperately.

In response, the Archmage moved his half face made of bricks.

[Then ask me one.]

“I will answer anything.”

[The current reign of the empire is becoming more stable day by day. After Justinian, the emperors of the empire have been running the empire peacefully without any major problems. What is the most necessary thing for the royal family now?]

“It is the enemy.”

[…] … Ohh.]

An answer without any hesitation. The answer was as if someone wanted to ask this question.

When the archmage gestured as if to say more, the 3rd prince continued.

“What the current Severus royal family needs most is the presence of an enemy threatening the empire.”

[Why is that so? The empire is peaceful. The emperors must have been working hard for peace.]

“Because that was an action for the empire, not for the imperial family.”

[Keep talking.]

“Peaceful reign. It may be a good era for the people and nobles of the empire, but it also means that the imperial authority is gradually weakening. People do not praise and worship the imperial family for no reason. The reason why Justinia the Great is revered as the greatest emperor is because he strengthened the empire against foreign enemies and at the same time raised the imperial authority to a high level.”

[But is it different now?]

“That’s right. The Severan family is still revered as the imperial family, but its imperial power gradually weakened after the 15th emperor Justinia the Great. The 17th emperor Gortius withdrew due to opposition from nobles due to the issue of a commoner empress, and the 18th emperor Certia spoke of expanding the imperial castle, but was frustrated after opposition from the finance office. By the time the 19th Emperor Betellas arrived, the imperial authority had fallen so much that he had to give up one of the central imperial territories to Duke Grandel.”

[hmm.]

“And now, during the time of His Majesty Lucius Severus, the 21st Emperor, there was once a plot of treason. Fortunately, he was able to cover it up quietly because he noticed it in advance, but if the rumor that there was a treason had spread, the imperial authority would have fallen to the point where he could not control it.”

[Is that why we need enemies?]

“Yes. An enemy is needed to keep the empire in one place, to prevent other thoughts, and to make the Severus imperial family the focal point of the entire empire.”

[But the continent is peaceful. Where is the enemy?]

“You just have to create it. The monsters in the northern mountains are good, and the distant archipelago that has not yet been conquered is also good.”

[No matter what enemy it is, the people of the empire will die. Because death can only be a threat. And they will be innocent people.]

“… … … That is.”

The 3rd prince looked at me with shaking eyes for a moment.

Soon, I bit my teeth so hard that my gums bled.

Unlike before, when he never hesitated to speak, he pondered and hesitated even while his blood was dripping.

Finally, I answered.

“Necessary… … necessary! It’s a sacrifice.”

[…] … … … .]

Bleeding not only from the mouth, but also from the fists that were clenched to the point of crushing.

“Empire, not.”

“… … … … .”

“Severus Imperial Family… … For.”

Although it was painful, he looked like he had made up his mind.

The 3rd prince answered like that.

*

An endless white space.

The two visitors also returned to the castle, and the white space was as quiet as it had always been over the past few hundred years.

In the center, the archmage sitting on a brick chair slowly opened his mouth.

[This incident was unpleasant. Lucius.]

“I feel sorry for the guardian of the royal family.”

[You introduce yourself like that, make the excuse that you’re bored, and even try to erase your memories… … The price for acting like a clown is high.]

“I know very well. But in the end, didn’t the Guardian accept it?”

[…] … … … .]

“This is also for the Severus royal family.”

[Hwangga, D.]

The guardian and archmage looked at the hand made of bricks and the hand covered with skin for a moment.

I stood up and faced Lucius Severus.

The current emperor of the empire and Lou Gehrig’s father.

“How was Lou Gehrig?”

[I didn’t understand when I just heard it from you, but I understood after hearing the answer.]

“This child is too precious to be left to rot like this. Especially in times like today.”

[It’s the era.]

Maybe I heard something similar? The Archmage closed his eyes for a moment as if recalling something.

Meanwhile, Lucius continued speaking with his head politely bowed.

“The first is a genius, and the second is a genius. They are both great children, so if they become emperor, they will most likely not become dark princes.”

[…] … … … .]

“However, you can never become a famous prince. Not from the empire, but from the perspective of the imperial family.”

[Myeonggun.]

“He will probably manage the empire with ease and pass the throne to the next generation. It shouldn’t be like that. So, as has been the case since Justinian the Great, the imperial power is only slowly dying. There is no guarantee that something like that treason will not happen again.”

[…] … … .]

“But Lou Gehrig is different. Because he has lived his life miserable and with a sense of inferiority, he has something that the other two do not have.”

He’s not a genius, but it’s a little short of being called a genius. But it doesn’t matter.

In the first place, the position of emperor is not restricted by such things.

What if the 3rd prince, Lou Gehrig, overcomes all checks and adversities and becomes emperor?

“That very time will be the second coming of the era of Justinian the Great.”

[It’s absolutely ideal.]

According to the same assessment made by one prince, Emperor Lucius was an idealist in many senses.

I know what you’re trying to say. You know.

[Even if I were to become his ally, the chances of Lou Gehrig becoming emperor would be extremely low.]

“I know very well. Since I can’t publicly push you, you’ll have to compete purely on your own strength. Even if you have the guardian’s protection, you could still die.”

[What if I really die?]

“At that time, one of the eldest or second sons only needs to succeed to the throne. Neither of them are the ones to ruin the empire and the imperial family, so we can only hope that a new opportunity will come in the next generation before the imperial power becomes weaker.”

[Is that so?]

“In the end, the guardian decided to become the child’s back. Isn’t that because you saw similar potential as me?”

[…] … okay. Actually, there was someone like Justinia.]

“Ah, you mean Viscount Byron’s third son.”

Certainly, its existence was unexpected even to Emperor Lucius. Originally, I was going to make Lou Gehrig and the Grand Wizard contact by pretending it was a coincidence, but I never thought I would end up getting caught up in it before that.

Kyle Byron, the third son of Viscount Byron. A board game producer who was appointed as an honorary elder by Arche Maptop.

Even though it was something that I originally didn’t even care about.

“What did the guardian see in that person?”

[…] … … … .]

“Guardian?”

[Lucius. You must be busy paying the price for this incident, so is it okay for you to be interested in such a matter?]

“… … I was rude. Guardian of the royal family.”

Even though it pierces the opponent’s intentions, it quickly retreats in a servile manner.

That was the way of life of an emperor named Lucius. At the same time, it was a way for him to have a long conversation with the imperial archmage.

It was an appearance that did not suit the position of emperor.

Rather, that may be why this incident could have been planned.

[…] … … … .]

The archmage closed his eyes in front of Lucius, who bowed his head.

Although it was the 3rd prince who did not miss the given opportunity and came up with an answer only for the imperial family, not for the empire.

‘The soul.’

More than that, what the Archmage was looking at was a board game maker with an outsider’s soul.

To be precise, the problem was the ‘relationships’ that were intertwined with that person.

[Next time we meet… … .]

“… … … … .”

[Maybe I won’t live to see it.]

Thinking back to the thread of our relationship that was stained with blood.

The Archmage quietly smiled with a face made of brick.

In the end, the curiosity I had for Kyle Byron was real.

I hope that someday, that curiosity will be completely satisfied.