Eye of the Typhoon (4)
“Hoo……”
Crown Prince Arnold of the Messiah Empire let out a long sigh. In two days, the succession ceremony would take place. That meant he could finally wear the emperor's crown he'd dreamed of.
The process hadn't been too difficult. His potential rivals—his brothers—had each found their own paths.
“Soon enough, it'll be 'Your Majesty' instead of 'brother,' huh.”
In the midst of his lingering excitement, someone approached Arnold. He turned at the familiar voice.
Unlike Arnold, who had the look of a typical scholar, this man sported a thick beard. He was also much bulkier, resembling a general more than a noble. Yet, aside from the beard, the two looked strikingly similar.
It was Arnold's own younger brother, currently serving as the Minister of Culture.
“……Paulo.”
“Don't go dumping work on your little bro just 'cause you're emperor now.”
Paulo plopped down next to Arnold with a cheeky grin. Since they were alone and not at any formal event, they could relax as brothers.
Arnold eyed Paulo, who was enjoying his wild (read: unemployed) lifestyle, before speaking.
“So, how's your favorite team doing?”
“Eh, not bad. Got a good coach, so we're winning.”
“Divert imperial funds, and you'll be executed on the spot.”
“I'd get beaten to death by the fans first.”
Arnold chuckled. The guy was always so laid-back, no matter when they met. He had zero interest in power, focusing solely on his hobbies. And even those “hobbies” were far from debauchery—they were sports. Sure, he blew cash on gambling now and then, but it was nothing major.
“Anyway, congrats on becoming emperor. Got any policies in mind?”
“Plenty of ideas. But the pile of problems to solve first is mountainous.”
“Speaking of, didn't the Iris Kingdom's mage tower shoot up into the sky?”
“That's just the start. From Alvenheim to the Holy Kingdom, headaches everywhere.”
“Father picked one hell of a time to hand over the throne.”
Arnold gave a wry smile. He couldn't really argue with Paulo's point. But Robert was already frail—that's why they'd rushed the succession. No backing out now.
“Oh yeah, what're Father's plans after this?”
“Said he's building a villa in the mountains. Wants to live alone somewhere with fresh air.”
“A villa in the mountains? Where?”
“No idea. Wouldn't give details.”
Robert, soon to be Emperor Emeritus, was secretly preparing all sorts of things behind Arnold's back. It was suspicious enough to border on bizarre, so Arnold had looked into it. Imagine his shock when he heard Robert had ordered wooden planks ideal for building a house.
He couldn't fathom the intent, but it was clear Robert had zero interest in the throne anymore.
“By the way, brother. Heard anything about Leva?”
Leva was the youngest of the three brothers, a devout paladin. With El Dorado in chaos, news of him demanded attention.
“Yeah, I've heard. Fortunately, nothing's happened yet.”
“Even though he was originally on the purge list, and the Holy Kingdom pulled him back because of our empire?”
Paulo said it casually, but the topic was weighty. Arnold nodded with a stiff expression.
“I heard it all. Ludwig van Errolt, right? Supposedly he was aligned with that faction.”
“And that Ludwig entered the Four Seasons Forest. Word is he's still alive, from what I hear.”
“From the Holy Kingdom's perspective, dead is a problem, alive is a problem.”
To El Dorado, Ludwig was a ticking time bomb. Normally, entering the Four Seasons Forest would let them write him off as missing—socially dead. But now, someone in the forest could contact the outside world.
“If Ludwig meets that guy and spills the secrets……”
“The Holy Kingdom plunges straight into civil war.”
Paulo spoke with conviction. Arnold didn't disagree. Even as Minister of Culture, Paulo's political instincts were sharp. They'd hashed out predictions like this whenever they had time.
“Civil war might be a stretch. No hero, after all.”
“True. But if it does break out, they can't check Alvenheim anymore.”
That was the real issue. Losing the Holy Kingdom's ability to restrain the elves' land. El Dorado had historically sandwiched Alvenheim and Mephisto from above and below. That's how they'd kept Mephisto in check back in the day.
But now, Mephisto was peaceful, Alvenheim was stirring, and El Dorado needed to step up. Civil war would make that impossible.
If that happens, Alvenheim might turn its eyes toward our empire.
The Messiah Empire bordered the Four Seasons Forest—and thus Alvenheim—directly. Plus, they neighbored the Iris Kingdom. They could get pinched from both sides, so vigilance was key.
Of course, Alvenheim might hit El Dorado first. Their faith was as fervent as ever. They could interfere under the pretext of a corrupt pope.
That would be a headache too—no justification for Messiah to intervene. They'd just have to sit on their hands. Painful all around.
“It's all fine in theory, but not knowing Alvenheim's true goal is the problem……”
“The queen says it's about planting trees……”
“You don't take a madwoman's words at face value. The elves are all collectively insane because of her.”
Arnold didn't deny it. Reality and the Gallery both painted a grim picture of the elves. Old-generation ones were mostly sane, but the new gen? Hypnotized or something—most swore blind loyalty to the queen. A far cry from their peaceful image.
“No choice but to handle it. We might figure out what Alvenheim wants soon enough.”
“Worst case, recall Lady Menesil?”
“Lady Menesil……”
Arnold murmured softly at the mention of Lady Menesil—Ash. Robert had hinted to call on her if trouble arose. She could surely rein in Alvenheim.
But in a world where might made right, putting her front and center—and relying on her—came with risks. A mere countess title wouldn't cut it. Power concentration had to be considered.
“We'll think on that slowly. Too much dependence isn't good. Her own wishes matter most, right?”
“Fair. So, anyone in mind? You should set up a key figure like Father did.”
Sharp observation. Arnold groaned. The reason Robert earned his “indoor emperor” moniker? Discovering talents like Ash. He promoted based on merit, ignoring birth.
Ash stood out, but Robert's proteges thrived across the empire.
“I'll scout someone from the academy. Or……”
“Or?”
“……”
Arnold trailed off. For some reason, one person came to mind. Someone probably pulling every trick in the book to survive in the Four Seasons Forest right now. He couldn't meet them directly, let alone pressure them with power.
Part of him wanted to wash his hands of YasaengGrill. But the rewards from their trades were too tempting. No walking away.
Usually, I'd leave it to Count Gorgon……
Count Gorgon had scored big: adult mandrakes from Grill. That revived Robert and enabled the succession.
And lately, sky whales plus golden dragon lily incense.
Mythical sky whales and priceless dragon lily incense. Close pals Olfather and SunForever shared without demanding payback—items worth the entire palace budget!
Dragon lily alone was insane; who knew what came next?
Go all-in on sponsorship, or pretend he doesn't exist?
The fruit was too sweet, but the harvest difficulty matched. Plus, support had to stay anonymous. No way he wanted his nickname exposed.
“Brother?”
“……We'll mull that over slowly. Not like we desperately need someone.”
“Hm. True enough.”
Worst case, push Count Gorgon forward. Trade through him. The ambitious count would jump at it.
The more he shines, the stronger my power base. Not bad at all?
The deeper he thought, the better it seemed. Even if Grill deals flopped, opportunities abounded.
“So, brother. When's the wedding?”
“Huh? What?”
“Wedding. Empress. Gotta have one.”
“Empress……”
An emperor's top duty: heirs. Not optional. Normally, he'd have a consort by now, but circumstances delayed it.
“Gotta start looking soon. So much on my plate.”
“Weren't you engaged to Lady Mercedes originally?”
“Yeah. But you know—Lady Selena's got that incurable disease, living day to day.”
Selena Mercedes, eldest daughter of the ducal house, was infamous for it. At first, they thought weak constitution, but soon confirmed incurable.
Why? She firmly broke the imperial engagement. Even dukes couldn't slight the crown like that. Investigation revealed the illness—technically chronic, but the family kept it secret.
“Heard lately she's been going out for walks a lot.”
“Cured?”
“Maybe. No idea how.”
Selena had vanished from public view a year ago, spawning rumors like worsening condition. Break an engagement over illness, then suddenly recover?
Someone big helped her. If she shows at the succession, time to talk.
Find out who. Anyone curing incurables wasn't ordinary. One suspect popped up, but no—Selena famously despised the Gallery. Plus, could adult mandrakes even fix diseases? Elixirs handled wounds and poison, not illnesses.
“Even if cured, publicly it's soured. Hard to rekindle. Anywhere suitable?”
“Your job to find.”
“Hoo. Why so much to do?”
Becoming emperor sounded great, but the workload exploded. Hell, he was almost jealous of Robert dumping it all and leaving.
Arnold pondered, then turned to Paulo.
“No.”
“Didn't even ask?”
“Said it myself—gonna play and eat forever.”
“Pissing me off now. Wanna keep that minister seat? Help me out then.”
“How? Call Leva instead.”
“That blockhead doesn't work. And I hate teaming with zealots.”
The brothers fretted sincerely over their chaotic empire.
“Ahem~ This fishing rod should do. Perfect.”
Soon-to-be Emperor Emeritus Robert, having dumped everything on his sons, looked forward to leisurely days. Site secured, materials ready—succession was all that remained.
After handover, straight to the nearby mountains for his villa.
Wonder what that guy's up to now?
What was he up to? Thriving in the Four Seasons Forest.
“Whoa, they're really going at it.”
Two kangaroos were locked in fierce combat before his eyes, surrounded by others like a makeshift arena.
“Post to the Gallery? Bet on the winner.”
An unexpected “fight pit” had sprung up in the Four Seasons Forest.