Successor (1)
If I cured her, she would uphold the contract. That was Asella's declaration to me.
"The Geas oath, right?"
"Exactly. The wish that you, Young Master, absolutely wanted to achieve."
"Hmm."
The most anticipated outcome of curing Asella's curse was, above all, the elimination of the remaining bad endings she triggered. The curse was the price of her magical talent. In this world, there was no reward without a price. Most of the bad endings caused by her magic—like summoning a dragon legion with high-hierarchy spatial magic—would physically become impossible.
'And maybe Asella won't turn into that mad villainess.'
It was too early to say for sure, but the current Asella, venomous as she was, didn't seem like the completely insane tyrant emperor I knew. Probably?
Hugo had said the curse's medium—the soul of the great witch—had its humanity severed for spreading black magic, and fusing with Asella would destabilize it. Maybe that was why future Asella ended up like that. During the mana rampage incident, she fused with the great witch's soul and lost her mind.
Plus the shock of killing her birth mother... that must have been tough.
To add a bit of humor, the emperor was Asella's true nature, and her soul was so overwhelmingly strong that it devoured the great witch instead. That seemed more plausible to me.
Anyway.
My business with Asella was done. Though as a physician, there was still career work in the imperial family.
'Not efficient.'
I'd spread the seeds of medicine across the empire, so I figured I'd made my key contributions at the Imperial Medical Office. I'd built a pharmaceutical factory in the marquisate and secured independent military rights from the emperor. Returning to the territory and working from the family base might be more comfortable for building achievements.
In the Imperial Medical Office, factions were always splitting, so I couldn't become a clear leader—and even if I topped it, I'd still be under imperial blood. It was like a university hospital doctor building a new mega-hospital; not ideal.
'Time to worry about other bad endings.'
Of the 101 bad endings, Asella triggered exactly 52. I'd erased a few others—like the Four Dragons or Hugo—and over forty remained.
The war with the Demon King's army was still far off, but the earlier the prep, the better. I didn't want to jump into the hero party myself—they wouldn't need my help anyway. Better to prepare the perfect party for the hero.
Hmm, the hero.
She had her own issues to resolve.
So, all things considered, it seemed like a good time to fulfill my contract with Asella.
"I'm delighted you're concerned for me, Princess."
"Heh, of course. Where else would you find a liege like me?"
"In heaven and on earth, only one—Princess Asella."
As usual, Asella smiled happily at my flattery.
"In return, swear your loyalty to me."
Suddenly, Asella spoke with the dignity of a grand overlord.
"I, Asella von Württemberg, princess of the empire, demand your talents and devotion."
Even low on energy lately, she exuded such pressure. Truly a born emperor.
Of course, I'd pledge loyalty. As long as I drew a salary as her personal physician at Moonlight Palace.
As I opened my mouth to reply, she furrowed her brow.
"Young Master, you're bleeding."
"Pardon? Oh."
Before I knew it, my nose was bleeding. A debuff symptom.
My stats didn't show a huge stamina drop. The candy and brooch covered it fine. But these occasional bleeding effects were a nuisance.
"Young Master, how many hours did you sleep last night?"
Asella grabbed my arm roughly.
"It's nothing. It'll stop soon."
"How many hours?"
"Hmm, three? Been a bit busy lately."
Pharma work, paperwork, patient reports, and lately verifying Asella's condition—I'd barely slept.
Asella pulled out a blue vial with a click.
"Take this and sleep."
"Huh? That's not for that. Overusing it could be dangerous."
"You'll just wake up and wander around like always. Or should I tie you up like before?"
"Hey, you weren't even good at that."
I chuckled, and Asella blushed, pinching my side hard.
"Okay, okay. Ow."
In the end, that day I was force-fed the sleeping pill I'd made and put to bed. Asella gave up her bed, bragging endlessly.
Though she planned to use it as her attachment doll anyway.
Lying down, the warm, fluffy bed brought sleep crashing over me instantly.
Hmm, come to think of it, I'd never clinically tested the sleeping pill. Didn't need it myself.
"Young Master, sleepy?"
"Yeah. Feels like I'll fall asleep any... "
Not just my eyelids—my lips felt heavy too. Way more potent than expected. My eyes fluttered shut, shoulders pleasantly hot. Felt amazing.
"Ras? Already asleep?"
Rustle. The blankets shifted, and a familiar weight settled on my left side. Asella cuddling up, but I was too drowsy to register clearly.
"...Really asleep? You go completely quiet, but sleep lightly—can't let my guard down."
She tapped my nose, then gently stroked it.
"...Hehe. With the medicine, you won't wake."
Her wicked chuckle was the last thing before consciousness faded.
The next day, thanks to the sleeping pill, I woke unusually refreshed. During morning rounds, Asella wore a smug, victorious expression.
What was that about?
As she gloated, a messenger bird arrived. The emperor was summoning me.
"Why would His Majesty call only you, Young Master?"
"No idea."
Leaving Moonlight Palace, I walked with Tanya. En route, we encountered a returning knight unit heading to the palace. At the vanguard, Heike rode a white steed proudly and spotted me.
"Ah, Gotberg. It's been a while."
"Oh, Princess. You look well. How was the expedition?"
Still mounted, she clapped my shoulder like a valiant warrior.
"Of course. Gave those insolent bandits a lesson. I heard, Gotberg—saving the empire's sacred body. Impressive feat."
"Haha, I've heard praise everywhere, but yours delights me most, Your Highness."
"Hmm, you have no idea how reassuring it was, holding off crisis while I was away."
"You must have enjoyed this campaign."
Heike narrowed her eyes.
"Heard about the black mage battle on the return. Took follow-up action. More black mages hidden in the empire than thought."
"Pardon? You were subjugating black mages?"
"Exactly."
[No. 088 Demon Worship 23% → 2%]
I checked my status window. No wonder No. 088 was nearly erased—Heike had been rounding up black mages like rats. Impressive ability. Just from the keyword, she hunted down those in hiding. And swiftly too. Before rumors spread in the palace, so they couldn't react. Heike truly moved for the empire, most like the emperor.
Hmm, for the empire.
For the kingdom. No, empire.
A good idea struck.
"Your Highness, could you lend a knight unit? A company for two months or so."
"Knights? Since you can't use Moonlight Palace or the Second Garrison, is this a personal request, Gotberg?"
"Spot on."
"And something Asella would hate."
"It's for the empire."
If Asella's mana rampaged, the empire would fall. True enough. No lie.
"The Wood Palace-Moonlight Palace alliance is effectively broken by Asella's succession war declaration. No obligation to her."
Heike smiled refreshingly.
"But to you? Absolutely. Tell me the purpose, and I'll lend them."
Great, almost there.
"For dealing with barbarians. Subjugation or negotiation, depending on the situation."
"Barbarians? Plotting something again."
"Just my usual."
Heike didn't hesitate long.
"Granted. Just file a report."
"Your boundless generosity humbles me."
This is why you build connections.
With troops secured, a long-term external activity permit from the palace, and I could head north tonight. Couldn't tell Asella, so only one superior here could approve: the emperor.
I arrived at Heavenly Palace and had an audience.
"Gotberg."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I judge you trustworthy."
"I am deeply honored."
The emperor sat casually on the jade throne, relaxing protocol a bit. But the burden on his shoulders remained heavy; his expression was uneasy.
After a moment's reverie, he spoke slowly.
"I have disinherited Kunter."
So it happened. Big issue in the palace. With the heir position officially vacant, the succession battle would intensify. Factions, nobles with interests—all scrambling with every trick.
'At least Georg's out of the palace now, so less chaos. But he's eager to succeed; his return could busy things up.'
"Before the empire falls into chaos, it is fitting I decide the successor."
A mere personal physician like me discussing the empire's future was overstepping. I bowed silently, and the emperor continued.
"But I lack certainty. I haven't seen all my children's possibilities."
I could tell him Asella's. In original history, maybe two or three years from now. Emperor dies, chaos era, succession war erupts. Asella slices her siblings with magic. Post-mana rampage, far stronger. War dragged years, ruining lives, allowing invasions. Asella ascends, revives the near-fallen empire swiftly.
"Gotberg, you have ties to all my children. So I ask you."
Why me?
"In your view, among Heike, Georg, Rauga, and Asella—who is most fit as next emperor?"
Unexpected question. Naturally, he wouldn't decide on my word alone—probably quizzing aides, stewards, knight captains, judges.
'Yet he called me, Asella's retainer.'
And her betrothed. Did he expect me to name anyone but her?
'If I name another, that proves my trustworthiness.'
Normal to assume I'd gain most from Asella's reign.
But I knew the future if she became emperor.
'What to do.'
After brief thought, I named one.
"...Ras?"
And in the corridor to the audience hall. For some reason, Asella was watching me.