episode_0180

Serpina looked up at Algot and spoke in a confident tone.

“Brother. I would like to talk to you for a moment now.”

“… … If it’s the same story as last time, I don’t want to hear it anymore.”

Algot showed an openly dissatisfied expression.

The reason she came to see him was clearly visible to Algot.

“But, brother. If we don’t find a solution through dialogue with Brother Sidmeade as soon as possible, the empire may truly be divided.”

“… … .”

“I heard that Orlando Brans rebelled. Please quickly talk to Brother Sidmeade right now. If things continue like this, other feudal lords will take advantage of the confusion and rise up with their flags here and there, like fish in water. The empire… … An empire that has existed for hundreds of years may fall!”

“So, do you want to tell me to hand over the throne to Sidmid in a legal way through conversation?”

“That’s not what you’re saying! For that part, I somehow persuaded Brother Sidmead-”

“You? How on earth can you persuade this guy who has gone crazy over the throne when you have no foundation whatsoever?”

“That’s… … .”

“Serpina. At this point, I will just be honest and say this. Wouldn’t you rather come under me? There are three people on that side, but two on this side is enough to fight. Besides, I am the eldest son of the empire. No matter who sees it, he will never be defeated by Sid Mead in terms of cause. Think about it carefully. Don’t you know very well that a stable empire can never be built if someone who lacks justification sits on the throne? Isn’t it a self-evident fact that the soldiers who follow Sidmid now will also follow this body over time?”

Serpina spoke with a slightly sad expression at Algot’s words.

“But… … Brother, if I end up taking someone’s side… … At that time, it really becomes impossible to prevent the empire from splitting up… … .”

“It’s just a matter of time. Stop trying in vain, Serpina. … … It’s all because of Sidmead’s greed.”

“But-”

Algot roughly cut off Serpina’s words.

“Stop. Don’t talk. I don’t want to hear any more… … I’m sorry, but I hope you can quietly leave today.”

“Brother… … .”

Algot sighed softly and stood up, muttering quietly as if he was lamenting.

“Just because it’s me… … I don’t want to point a knife at my brothers. Just because it’s me… … !!”

bang!

Serpina couldn’t bear to catch Algoth as he closed the door and left… …

I just looked at the closed door in silence with a sad expression.

* * *

Serpina, leaving the mansion and walking down the quiet night street, let out a long sigh and looked up at the sky.

What on earth is that guy’s position as emperor?

Did the brothers, who inherited the same blood and grew up together under the imperial flag since childhood, point their swords at each other’s throats?

If we just talk to each other right now, wouldn’t we be able to resolve the issue amicably?

Is it because I am really young and naive that I think this way?

Even in the eyes of Serpina, the youngest, the cause was leaning towards Algoth.

In the first place, he was selected as the de facto crown prince, and even now, those who follow him call Algoth ‘low prince’.

However, for some reason, Sidmid, who was thought not to be very obsessed with the throne, began to change at some point with the full support of the nobles.

He was aiming for the position of emperor. The story was being spread around him that he, not Algot, had been selected as the crown prince.

I don’t know what he did, but Stadel and Lilyrose also took his side early on. It’s not like Brother Algot is that unpopular, but maybe there was something else that I don’t know about?

‘What I can do is…’ … Is it really not there?’

A feeling of helplessness in a situation without any foundation struck Serpina.

As Algot said, there was nothing Serpina could do-

‘… … no. Let’s not give up. There’s definitely still a chance.’

Sidmid is baring his teeth, but he has not shown them at Algoth yet.

So there was still hope.

The task is to somehow persuade Sidmid with justification and ensure that it continues as a unified empire… …

The only person who can be that bridge now is yourself, who has not yet taken anyone’s side.

‘Should I go see Brother Sidmead right now?’

However, it is safe to say that Algot’s reaction just now was moderate-

Sidmeade had an even greater aversion to telling stories.

He was so angry when I visited him just a few days ago.

‘… … okay. It would be better to leave it for a few days and visit. The news that I came here today and met Brother Argot will also spread there… … .’

Like it or not, rumors of King Seong’s reputation were bound to spread to everyone.

Serpina thought so and walked carefully.

at that time.

‘uh… … ?’

In front of me, a female figure was walking.

It was a face Serpina knew well.

It was Aria, a woman who was like Algot’s mistress.

“Hello, Princess Serpina.”

“Hello, Aria.”

If it’s Aria, she will definitely be the only support for Brother Argot, who currently has no one on his side.

Serpina also knew very well that she played a big role in keeping him from collapsing.

Serpina greeted her with gratitude.

“Brother… … Thank you very much.”

“This is what I have to say, princess. Please don’t let the continent become confused… … Please do your best.”

If it were normal, I would have just said thank you and walked away, but… …

Was she tired too?

Serpina sighed briefly without realizing it.

“Thank you for your words, but… … Is there anything I can do? I am… … Because I’m a newbie with no one to support me. Although I have royal blood, I am the one furthest from power… … No matter how hard I try, I’m not sure I can stop the brothers.”

“Princess… … .”

“… … sorry. I didn’t mean to say this… … .”

“No, princess. You are doing well enough for the princess. When put in that situation, there are probably a lot of people who can’t even decide what to do. Especially if you are as young as a princess.”

“Aria… … .”

Aria looked up at the sky for a moment… …

He immediately said with an expression that he missed it.

“You know, princess. You know that I am an orphan, right?”

“… … yes. That’s what I heard.”

“Actually, that’s not necessarily true. Actually, I have a younger brother.”

“Really?”

Aria nodded and said.

“I hid it because I was afraid that people would criticize me… … Right now, I’m probably living a normal life and dreaming.”

After saying that, he smiled warmly.

“The reason why I suddenly say this is because the princess reminds me of my younger sister. My younger brother is around the same age as the princess. He is a childish younger brother who still has many shortcomings… … Maybe that’s why I have feelings for the princess. Oh, of course, it’s not that the princess is immature or anything… … !”

Serpina smiled as she watched Aria quickly wave her hand.

Was she trying to comfort me?

At times like this, I felt like I knew why Brother Argot loved her.

“Thank you, Aria.”

“No. Cheer up. Mr. Algot, I will try my best to persuade you… … !”

After breaking up with Aria.

‘good.’

okay. Take a breather, eat well, and courageously try to persuade him again.

There will definitely be a path to dialogue. Although it is said to be on the verge of division, it is not divided in reverse, so there is no possibility of safely completing the succession to the throne and continuing the glory of the empire again.

‘I have to go see Brother Sidmead again soon.’

So, I take my steps again with the bright full moon.

In hindsight, it was the calm before the storm.

* * *

Starting with Orlando Brans raising an army at Annel Castle, the continent was quickly falling into chaos as if the reins had been loosened.

One by one, the imperial public servants began to display their own flags rather than those of the empire.

Walnut County in the west and O’Hara County in the south were at the forefront of the mushrooming feudal lords.

The royal castle of Eingart Castle.

Algot, sitting on the throne, was reporting the situation with a very serious expression.

“Are you saying that General Roland is also likely to raise an army?”

“Yes… … .”

The longer the imperial throne is vacant, the longer-

The continent began to literally tear itself apart.

‘We need to come up with a solution quickly for this… … .’

really… …

As Serpina said, is there really nothing but conversation?

‘Aria also said there was room to talk at least once… … There’s no need to be too stubborn. but… … .”

Sidmead’s intentions were firm.

ascending to the throne of emperor.

He had no intention of accepting any conditions other than that.

Of course, Algot had no intention of handing over the throne as emperor.

A third party might think he was a bit arrogant – but isn’t he clearly ahead of Sidmid in all aspects of ability, justification, and legitimacy?

If his father had not hesitated in choosing the position of crown prince in the first place, he would have been crowned long ago.

Even now, as he does not wear a crown and only nominally acts as regent as crown prince, he looks after his brothers a lot. My pride did not allow me to make any more concessions here.

‘But at least once… … ‘We have to meet.’

If it had dragged on any longer, the empire could have truly fallen.

Also, if his generation were to perish due to division, he would not be able to face his deceased ancestors.

‘Try to talk one last time, and if you feel like the conversation isn’t working… … then… … !’

Algot adjusted the sword on his belt.

okay. It would be okay if you give me just one chance. In any case, the cause was the eldest son himself.

The death of two or three brothers would not be anything special in history books.

but.

Is it too late?

“Your Majesty the Crown Prince!”

A soldier rushed towards me with a desperate look on his face.

… … why?

As soon as Algot faced the soldier running towards him, his body instinctively trembled slightly.

I have a feeling that something that can never be undone has happened… …

“The imperial army massacred… … !!”

“What… … ?”

“There are circumstances in which soldiers presumed to be imperial soldiers massacred all the cadets and professors of Piviola Academy without distinction as to whether they were allies or not… … !!”

… … Unfortunately, Algot’s uneasy premonition was correct.