Chapter 151
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 151
“To be honest, the situation at the Imperial Palace is not good.”
Casval began to speak with a composed face, as if he had never brought up the topic of treason in the first place.
It seemed he intended to act as if his previous blunder had never happened.
“As Your Grace is well aware, the First Prince is the rightful heir to the Imperial Throne. The Late Emperor proclaimed it himself, and his legitimacy is beyond question.”
“And yet, there are subversive movements afoot?”
“The Second Prince intended to follow the Late Emperor’s will and serve the First Prince as the next master of the throne. However, the schemers swarming around him are repeatedly delaying the coronation and egging the Second Prince on.”
It was a peculiar way of putting it.
He was claiming that other powerful officials were trying to force the Second Prince—who supposedly had no ambition—onto the throne against his will.
Indeed, history was full of cases where power-hungry ministers placed a puppet emperor on the throne to wield the real authority themselves.
But to try and turn the Second Prince, of all people, into a puppet?
The very man who had received overwhelming support because he was so much more capable than the First Prince?
‘What a joke.’
If the Second Prince truly had no desire for the throne, he would have stepped forward long ago to quell public opinion. He was not a man so incompetent that he would be swayed by a narrative he didn't want.
The fact that the fervor had not died down was proof that the Second Prince himself found the current situation quite favorable.
“That is truly unfortunate. If I could, I would fly to the Imperial Palace this instant to offer my assistance, but the distance from this remote North to the capital is simply too great.”
“I understand. The First Prince always praises Your Grace’s loyalty, saying many times that if only the distance were shorter, you would have rushed to his aid immediately.”
Casval bowed his head as if he were truly moved.
Lucian barely suppressed a hollow laugh at the sheer absurdity of it.
What? The First Prince praised Lucian and expressed his trust in private?
‘If the First Prince were the kind of man to voice such noble thoughts, he would have ascended the throne long ago.’
The First Prince Lucian knew was the type of man who would scream that if one truly had loyalty, distance shouldn't matter and they should have arrived yesterday.
Casval surely knew this as well, yet he told such a blatant lie without even blinking.
‘He might be the most thick-skinned man in the entire Empire.’
Whether he noticed Lucian’s thoughts or not, Casval continued without missing a beat.
“However, despite the trust the First Prince places in you, there are factions seeking to slander Your Grace.”
“Factions slandering me?”
“Yes. It is the Noble Faction, led by Marquis Bernhardt. They are pressuring the First Prince, claiming it is suspicious that Your Grace has brought in barbarians from beyond the snowfields.”
“I see.”
His phrasing was incredibly vague.
He was hinting at suspicions of treason while shifting the blame, claiming it was the argument of "other wicked people" rather than his own. At the same time, he hesitated, never once mentioning that he had actually defended Lucian.
“So, you’re saying I must prove my loyalty to avoid the political attacks of others?”
“I am sorry to say so, yes.”
“Be specific. What is it you want me to do?”
At Lucian’s prompt, Casval finally got to the point as if he had been waiting for the opening.
“First, please allow me to meet the barbarians who came from beyond the snowfields. If they simply swear an oath of loyalty to the Empire and the First Prince, there will be no problem.”
It was a dubious condition.
An oath of loyalty from barbarians who were essentially commoners? If it were knights or nobles, it might mean something, but for them, it was nothing more than a hollow formality since they had no chance of being integrated into noble society.
‘No, he’s not actually looking for loyalty. He intends to explain the Imperial Family in detail to show them how vast the Empire is—to make them realize there are other options besides me.’
Lucian quickly saw through Casval’s true objective.
To those who didn't know what had happened in the snowfields, it would seem Lucian had won the barbarians over with wealth and land. Casval likely intended to lure them away by telling them of great cities beyond the barren North.
As humans, they would naturally crave a warm and prosperous region over this harsh northern climate.
Of course, he only intended to tell them such places existed; he had no intention of actually giving them anything.
‘He’s barked up the wrong tree entirely. I did promise them a prosperous life, but that’s not the only reason they follow me.’
Lucian gave a small smirk and nodded, telling him to do as he pleased. There was no need to correct the man’s misunderstanding.
“I can arrange a meeting whenever you like. I’ll even gather them all in one place if you wish. However, you must secure the oath of loyalty yourself. There’s no need for me to step in and help you explain the greatness of the Imperial Family.”
“Of course. I am grateful for Your Grace’s cooperation.”
Casval bowed promptly at Lucian’s permission.
If he truly wanted a sincere oath of loyalty, he would have criticized Lucian’s hands-off approach. Instead, Casval seemed inwardly delighted that Lucian wouldn't be listening in on the conversation.
As expected, he likely planned to disparage Asagrim while exaggerating the wealth of other territories.
“And what else? Since you said ‘first,’ I assume there is something else you want.”
“It is simple.”
Despite his light tone, Casval’s face was tight with tension.
“Please attend the First Prince’s coronation, which will be held in one month.”
Lucian gave a bitter smile at Casval’s request.
For a high-ranking noble of the rank of Count or higher, attending the coronation of the next Emperor was practically an obligation. In a way, it was a perfectly natural request.
‘If the Empire were functioning normally, that is.’
The current capital was no different from a den of intrigue. Since the Emperor’s death, all information had been cut off from the outside, and everything was being conducted in total secrecy.
In other words, there was no way to know for sure if the faction currently in power was Lucian’s ally or enemy.
‘If my enemies have seized power, I’d be walking straight into a trap. But to question such a natural proposal would be an act of disrespect in itself. He’s used his head.’
It was a scheme so clever it forced one to walk into the trap despite knowing it was there.
However, there was one flaw in this plan. A flaw that only Lucian, in all the Empire, knew about.
“There is no need for you to even ask. As a noble of the Empire, how could I possibly miss the coronation? I shall certainly attend.”
“Your Grace is truly a loyal subject of the Empire! Then…!”
“However, public order has been poor lately. Moving recklessly might provoke other territories. Therefore, I would like the First Prince to open the gate for me.”
“Pardon?”
Casval asked back, looking bewildered. He looked as if he had no idea what "gate" Lucian was talking about.
“The gate. The very one the Late Emperor used to open from time to time. Would you understand if I called it a Dimensional Gate?”
“Ah…!”
“I am glad you understand. Please convey my message.”
“W-Wait just a moment!”
As the conversation seemed about to end, Casval hurriedly caught Lucian. He was visibly flustered by the completely unexpected request.
After hesitating for a long moment, Casval’s eyes widened as if he had thought of something.
“I am sorry, but the First Prince cannot open a Dimensional Gate at this time.”
“What? Why not? The Late Emperor opened and closed them so easily.”
“That is because only the master of the Empire can operate the magical artifacts. Since the First Prince has not yet held his coronation…”
Hearing Casval’s excuse, Lucian suppressed the urge to let his lips curl into a smirk.
Right, he had to make some kind of excuse that it "couldn't be used right now." Most nobles would accept any excuse since they didn't understand how the artifacts worked.
But such an excuse didn't work on Lucian. He had already heard the secret of the artifact's operation from the Late Emperor himself.
Lucian met Casval’s eyes with a look of genuine confusion.
“What on earth are you talking about? Can’t any direct bloodline of the Imperial Family use the magical artifacts? The Late Emperor told me so himself.”
“…!?”
“Could you be mistaken? Just in case, please tell the First Prince. Tell him he should be able to operate it anytime, so he should try it himself.”
Casval broke into a cold sweat, perhaps never imagining that Lucian had received a direct explanation from the Late Emperor.
If he misspoke here, he wouldn't just be under suspicion; he could be branded a deceiver who fabricated the Emperor’s words.
Unable to find a way to talk his way out of it, Casval had no choice but to nod.
“I… understand. I will speak to the First Prince.”
‘The capital seems to be completely under the control of the Second Prince’s faction. Is the First Prince just a puppet whose name is being used by his brother?’
Watching Casval stagger away, Lucian was certain of one thing.
If the First Prince were truly leading the political situation as the next heir, Casval wouldn't have been so flustered. No matter what Lucian said, the First Prince, as the legitimate successor, could simply claim he didn't know about such things.
But Casval had held his tongue, fearing a contradiction between his statements and Lucian’s knowledge. It was proof that he had no way to handle it if that point were attacked.
‘Let’s check one more time, just in case.’
After sending Casval away, Lucian immediately summoned the stewards and servants in the castle. These were the people the Late Emperor had sent under the guise of assistance, but who were also meant to serve as spies.
Once everyone was gathered, Lucian spoke to the unknown spies among them.
“You have all likely heard the news that an inspector has been dispatched from the Imperial Palace. I am told that while there was some confusion, the First Prince is now leading the state of affairs.”
“……”
“It is truly a relief. I heard the coronation will be held in a month, so I plan to travel to Tivron myself to attend.”
The stewards and servants looked at Lucian with expressions that were half fear and half bewilderment. They looked like they couldn't understand why he was saying such things to mere low-level staff like them.
However, a few of them, while acting the same as the others, were visibly more tense.
“The reason I am telling you this is because I intend to take some of you with me to the capital. However, it may be a journey from which there is no return, so I will take volunteers.”
“A-A journey from which there is no return? What do you mean by that?”
“The First Prince’s ascension is certainly a joyous occasion, but this could all be a deception. My enemies might be trying to lure me out by tricking me.”
“...!”
“But regardless of the truth, now that the justification has been established, it would be disrespectful to refuse this invitation. Therefore, only those among you who are willing to risk your lives…”
It was at that moment.
“It is a lie.”
One of the young stewards stepped forward with a grim face.
Interrupting a Duke was a grave crime for a mere steward, yet he showed no sign of fearing punishment. Only a fierce determination to stop Lucian from going to the capital burned in his eyes.
“It is all a lie. It is a trap, so you must not go.”