Chapter 166: Sacrifice for the Greater Good
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 166: Sacrifice for the Greater Good
“In what way?” Ferda asked her.
“He likely never intended to let you go from the start, Regent Ferda. But when the Emperor’s son bowed his head and begged for his life, he had no choice but to go through the motions.”
“He seemed quite intent on sending me away when the rumors surfaced that I was a black mage, though?”
“That was an unexpected variable. But if we set that aside, what do you see?”
As the conversation progressed, Ferda began to pick up on the clues. “Then his targets were…”
Olivia nodded. “Alexander and Duke Yurei. Both of them.”
“From the moment my bloated brother lost his legion, the Emperor had no intention of forgiving him,” she continued. “Since he couldn't exactly take his head, he manipulated him into a pointless struggle, only to force him to expose his own ugliness. My throat is parched. May I have a cup of tea?”
“Of course.” Ferda handed her a cup.
After taking a sip of the tea—brewed to a perfect warmth—she continued.
“Anyway, Alexander has to step down from power for a while as punishment. Yet, he wasn't cast into the abyss entirely; he was given a sliver of hope. He’s being forced to compete with the second prince, but do you think that’s what will actually happen?”
“Likely not.”
“Exactly. The shift of power will remain ambiguous for a year, and his supporters, who crave stability, will begin to defect.”
If Alexander was shaken, those clinging to him would fall off. And the one poised to absorb those defectors was a steadfast, powerful faction. Only one name came to mind as the representative of such a force: Waldemar Golt.
“And what about targeting Duke Yurei?”
“He likely had the containment of the Heinkel Kingdom in mind. He knew you had killed the young Lord Yurei, but he had no intention of using that to bind you.”
“That seems unlikely,” Ferda countered, “considering I heard he tried to get William to testify against me when he recruited him.”
“Sir William’s betrayal was probably part of the calculation as well.”
“Why would Alexander’s man do such a thing?” Ferda asked. Alexander had been desperate to shift the blame onto Ferda by any means necessary.
Olivia picked up her teacup with elegance and let out a short laugh. “‘His man’? Isn't that hilarious?”
“…”
“Why would someone competent enough to be recruited by Sir William side with a man whose downfall is already guaranteed?”
A planted spy. If that were the case, it was safe to assume Waldemar was the one pulling the strings.
“In the end, Duke Yurei was backed into a corner with no way out. Now, Sir Oldin Rooster will use this pretext to pressure the Heinkel Kingdom and force them into submission under the Empire. Putting a leash on my fat brother and making him dance one last time just to humiliate him was a bonus. If it had ended there, I would have thought it was just a fair trade, but…” Olivia let out a low groan. “The massive incident involving the Demon Followers broke out.”
“Indeed.” This was a variable no one could have predicted.
“For Waldemar, it turned into an unexpected windfall.”
“A windfall?”
“Because the Demon Follower happened to be that damn fake.”
The term 'damn fake' caught Ferda's attention. “You speak as if you knew Joseph Faust wasn't himself from the beginning.”
“I knew. Joseph Faust was never the type of person to steal glances at my chest. I suspected someone was impersonating him.” Olivia added, sensing a potential misunderstanding, “But I didn't know it was a demon. If I had, I wouldn't have just stood by and watched.”
Ferda decided to believe her. After all, the existence of Dopplers was something even he had only learned about during the Grand Council, and it was a secret he had kept hidden until now.
“Anyway… because of that, the integrity and credibility of the Alte Order are now being questioned. The ones who will take the hit are the new nobility.”
The nobility was divided into the new faction and the traditional faction, maintaining a delicate balance. For the traditional faction, it was relatively easy to gain recognition as long as they proved themselves worthy of their family's reputation. However, it was different for the new faction. They were those who had risen to nobility through great service to the Empire, and as they drew closer to the ranks of the ruling class, they had to pass increasingly rigorous requirements.
“Among those requirements is the Token of Faith granted by the Alte Order.”
It was a standard procedure where one swore to resist the temptations of evil and follow the light. But what would happen if it became known that the bishop granting this token was a Demon Follower more wicked than a devil? The face of the Order had destroyed its own authority. At the same time, it provided a pretext to doubt everyone beneath him.
“Now, the Order's token won't be enough to prove anything. A new system will be established.”
“In what way?”
“From the looks of it, things are moving toward the traditional nobles certifying the status of the new nobles.”
The established nobility certifying the new nobility… To get that certification, one would have to flatter them, and the higher the authority, the greater the power. And the most powerful man in this Empire was Waldemar Golt.
Everything is flowing toward Waldemar Golt.
To put it bluntly, it might reach a point where anyone, whether new or traditional, would need his recognition to survive in politics. He was called a Grand Duke, but his actions were no different from a king holding absolute power.
Patriot, my foot.
“…And my own status has become an issue as well,” Olivia said, struggling to suppress the tremor in her voice. Regrettably, she too was heavily dependent on the Alte Order. “The Alte Order will now have to walk on eggshells around Waldemar, and they’ll likely try to return me, a mere apprentice Saintess, to my position as a princess.”
“…”
“Those people won't be as steadfast as you, Regent. They are the type who know that giving up on me is the easier path.”
Her greatest weakness was her instability. She had the potential to grow into a tree as sturdy as the World Tree, but for now, she was nothing more than a fragile sprout.
“Regent Ferda.” Olivia set down her cup and took Ferda’s hand. Her fair hand was damp with cold sweat. “As I told you before, hand me over to Grand Duke Golt quickly. Before I completely lose my value as a bargaining chip.”
She spoke with a gentle smile. “I will live for years, maybe decades, as Olivia Arken Golt. If I do that, your work will proceed smoothly. Once the Second Capital you’re building is complete…” She offered a benevolent smile. It was similar to the one she had shown the young Lord Ruthenia, yet the feeling behind it was different. “I am willing to endure any sacrifice.”
* * *
After Olivia left, Ferda sat in his seat, lost in thought. Only one phrase echoed in his mind.
Grand Duchess Olivia Arken Golt…
Considering her ambition, it was a magnificent name. If Princess Olivia’s influence merged with Grand Duke Golt’s power, and they promised to support the Far East, the matter of the Second Capital she mentioned would be easily resolved. There was no reason to hesitate. It wasn't as if Ferda was treating Olivia like an object; it was a choice she had made herself. Twice, even.
And yet…
This lingering discomfort showed no sign of fading. Why?
Olivia was like me.
When the Ferda of the distant future—the one who no longer existed—first entered the Imperial Palace, he knew the moment he saw Olivia’s face. He knew that she hated her family just as much as he did. Because he recognized her, he feared she might recognize him too, so he had kept his distance.
Ferda carefully retraced Olivia’s past actions. She had never married any man and had grown older as a solitary, noble flower. Until she became the femme fatale who brought the nation to its knees, she had never seduced a man and had maintained her chastity.
Such a person is trying to marry her sworn enemy.
Waldemar Golt was likely someone she hated as much as her own family. Ferda wouldn't be able to stand being in the same space as an enemy for a few months, let alone years—not even a few days. The same went for Olivia.
Then why did she make such a drastic decision? Was it truly because she cared for the people of the Empire? Because she believed she could save everyone by sacrificing herself? Ferda couldn't tell what the truth was.
“Didn't everything work out well?”
His complicated thoughts were shattered. It was Jed, who had rudely barged in without knocking.
Ferda suppressed his annoyance and spoke. “It did work out well. Thanks to you.”
“It was thanks to me. But you look like something is still bothering you?”
“It’s not something to discuss with you. Why did you barge in here?”
Ferda had intended to scold him if he had come for no reason, but that didn't seem to be the case. In his hand, Jed held a notebook that looked out of place.
“Do you know what I did while I was infiltrating the Archbishop’s room?”
“I heard you found a corpse in his private quarters.”
“There wasn't just a corpse there.”
Originally, it wasn't a place to hide bodies, but a storage for secret documents that only the Bishop could access. Jed handed over the notebook he had taken from there.
“It seems those Bishop types have been recording the confessions of high-ranking nobles.”
“You took that?”
“I was just a bit curious about what kind of nonsense those noble bastards were up to. I thought I’d just read it like some trashy drama… but I found information good enough to earn me a bonus.” Jed’s gaze turned serious as he opened the book. “There was this entry.”
Ferda read the contents. The moment he finished, he was visibly shaken. He couldn't find the words. It felt as if someone had struck him hard on the back of the head.
“Ah…”
His mind went blank, to the point where it wouldn't have been an exaggeration to say he was on the verge of going mad. But at that very moment, pushed to the limit and teetering on the edge of a cliff, Ferda regained his composure.
“Jed.”
Two syllables that sounded as if they had sunk to the bottom of an abyss. Jed tensed at the reaction, which was more chilling than he had expected.
“Yes.”
“Call Garnet. And you, get ready as well.”
“Ready for what…?”
“Because of me, the balance of power within the Empire is about to break.” Ferda stood up from his seat. “I’m going to balance the scales.”
He said only that, but Jed could sense it. Before this night was over, a bloodbath would erupt somewhere.
* * *
The mansion of Akad Debelung.
As a city housing a staggering thirty million people, the capital of the Arken Empire was a place where even noble estates were narrower than elsewhere. In such a place, living in a grand mansion with a courtyard garden was no easy feat. It was especially impossible for someone with the rank of a Marquis.
Yet, Akad Debelung lived in such a place. It was the price of his loyalty to the Empire’s most powerful man.
“Yes, Your Grace. I have prepared everything you mentioned. We can begin first thing tomorrow.”
What they had prepared was a public announcement regarding this major incident. It stated that demons had infiltrated the Empire and that the severity of the situation must be recognized. The problem was that this hadn't broken out among the lower classes, like typical Demon Worshippers, but within the echelons of power.
Waldemar was a man quick to calculate profit and loss. He intended to use this chaos to further consolidate his power. He always went around saying that the Golden Council would only be clean once half of it was wiped out. That time had come.
“Yes, the utopia you desire will undoubtedly be completed.”
If they handled this correctly, Waldemar’s authority would grow even stronger, and he would become a titan that no one could touch.
“Understood. I shall end the call now. Have a peaceful night.”
Akad cut off the telepathy and let out an ecstatic breath. With this… everything will fall into Lord Waldemar’s hands.
An absolute ruler whom no one could challenge. As that ruler’s right hand, he could now purge every single person who had dared to check him without knowing their place, all without having to worry about the consequences. Akad loved that even more than the honor or money that came his way.
“I should get some sleep for tomorrow.”
Since he would be busy from the moment he opened his eyes, he intended to finish tidying up and head to his bedchamber. It was then that the butler knocked and entered, delivering unexpected news.
“My Lord. You have a visitor.”
“At this late hour?” Akad frowned. Coming suddenly without an appointment was not only rude, but Akad also utterly loathed those who did not follow such rules. “Who is it?”
“A man named Ferda Valdrova.”
Hearing that name, his annoyance vanished, replaced by the feeling of being caught off guard.
“You mean the fiancé of the Archduchess of Valdrova?”
“Yes, my Lord.”
Strange. There was no reason for that man to seek him out.
“Since it is late, shall I tell him to return tomorrow morning?”
Akad, lost in thought, shook his head. “No. Let him in. Have the remaining servants light up the entire house.”
“Understood.”
Though Regent Ferda was young, everyone now knew through this incident that he was not an opponent to be taken lightly. Besides, even Grand Duke Golt has his eye on him. He hadn't said it aloud, but the look in his eyes when he watched Ferda was enough to tell.
Such a man had suddenly visited late at night. And he came to see me. It wouldn't be a waste of time.
Akad walked to the door, and the butler opened it to let the guest inside. A man in a black suit with gray hair and blue eyes entered with an expressionless face. There was no murderous intent.
Akad offered the first greeting. “Greetings, Regent. I am Marquis Akad Debelung.”
Ferda bowed his head and greeted him politely.
“You may speak informally.”
“No, no. After all, you are the man who will become the consort of the Archduchess of Valdrova. What happened back then was simply unavoidable since I was acting as the chairman.” Akad smiled broadly. “But what brings you here at this late hour?”
“I came to express my gratitude.”
“Gratitude?”
“I heard you prepared the potion for Count Ulvera Consilus to drink. I had a backlog of work to finish by this evening, so I ended up visiting quite rudely. My apologies.”
“Oh, not at all! Come, please come inside! I shall have tea prepared!”
Ferda’s eyes scanned the long hallway. Walking through this corridor of one of the largest houses in the capital, not a single servant was in sight.
“There aren't many servants in this mansion.”
“Ah, it feels a bit empty, doesn't it? I don't use them unless there’s a major cleaning to be done.”
“Alchemy is delicate work, so that makes sense.”
“It’s not even that delicate. I just don't like things being complicated.”
They arrived at the drawing room while engaging in light small talk. Akad dismissed the butler, leaving only the two of them in the spacious room.
“I’ll prepare the tea.”
“You should have a servant do it; it must be a hassle…”
“Since it’s a rare tea, it requires delicate handling. My butler doesn't know how to do it, so I’ve always served precious guests myself.”
“Is that so? In that case…”
Akad placed the leaves in the teapot and poured delicately heated water inside. It possessed a refinement that forced one to acknowledge him as a member of an alchemical family. The hands-on work was done; now they just had to wait.
Akad stole a glance toward Ferda. He wasn't in his seat. Instead, he was peering intently at a painting hanging on the wall. One might have passed it off as a simple interest in art, but it wasn't. There were over forty paintings on that wall, yet he was looking at only one. It was an abstract piece with paint roughly splattered across the canvas.
“Do you like that painting?” Akad approached Ferda and asked.
Ferda replied with a look of surprise, like a man lost in thought. “I’m feeling a bit strange. How should I put it… I feel a certain power drawing me in.”
Akad smirked at Ferda’s assessment. Ferda was the first person to give such a satisfying answer.
“My, my… since you put it that way, I can't help but brag. Actually, I painted that myself.”
“Is that so?”
“My skills are meager, so I slipped it in among the masterpieces to make it look better than it is.”
“Not at all. If your skills were meager, would this have been the first thing to catch my eye?” Ferda looked at it with eyes full of emotion. “It’s the first time I’ve felt such burning passion from a painting.”
Akad found himself liking Ferda more and more. It wasn't just because he was hearing something pleasant. Countless people had praised his paintings. There were even those who had specifically picked out that abstract piece. But few understood the emotion one was supposed to feel from the painting as Ferda did.
Akad, whose age was nearing forty, felt his heart race. Perhaps this man was of the same kind. If so… could he understand that as well?
“Regent.”
“Yes, Marquis Debelung.”
“Since you’re flattering my meager skills, I’m starting to get a bit ahead of myself. I’d like to show you another painting…” Akad asked shyly.
Ferda nodded. “If there are other paintings, I would be the one to ask.”
“Haha, understood!” Akad beamed and pressed a gap in the drawing room wall.
A mechanical sound followed as the space between two masterpieces widened, revealing a hidden area. There was a painting in that hidden space as well. It was a piece with a similar style to the abstract painting Ferda had seen.
The name of the painting Ferda had seen was ‘Passion.’ And this one, he had titled ‘Akad Debelung’s Love.’
“What do you think?” Akad was inwardly anxious. Like a child who had studied everything on the exam and was waiting for his score, he awaited Ferda’s answer.
“This is…” Ferda gave the score. “Disgusting.”
What fell before him was a failing grade. Akad’s face stiffened. “…What did you say?”
“I don't know what you were trying to express… but it feels a bit disgusting.” Ferda’s brow furrowed, and he covered his nose as if smelling a foul odor. In that manner, he calmly trampled and violated it. “Was this an expression of the loathing you felt, Marquis?”
His love, which he had shown without reservation, was spat upon.