The Tyrant Serpina (2)
Serpina looked up at Algot and spoke with resolute conviction.
"Brother. I would like a moment of your time to talk."
"…If this is about what you said last time, I have no desire to hear more of it."
Algot made no effort to hide his displeasure. The reason she had come looking for him was plain as day.
"But, Brother — if we don't find some way to settle this with Brother Sidmid through dialogue, and soon, the empire may truly fracture."
"…"
"I've heard the news that Orlando Brans has raised a rebellion. Please speak with Brother Sidmid at once. At this rate, the other lords will seize the chaos like fish finding water and raise their banners one after another. The empire… our empire, which has endured for centuries, could fall!"
"So what you're saying is that I should hand the throne over to Sidmid through some lawful conversation?"
"That's not what I mean at all! That part I can handle — I'll persuade Brother Sidmid somehow—"
"You? You, who have no foundation of any kind — how exactly do you plan to persuade that man who's gone mad for the throne?"
"That's…"
"Serpina. Let me be blunt for once. Why not simply join me instead? They have three on their side, but two on ours is more than enough for a fight. And I am the eldest son of the empire. In terms of legitimacy, I yield nothing to Sidmid — anyone can see that. Think carefully. You know as well as I do that a man who lacks legitimacy can never build a stable empire, no matter how high he sits on the throne. The soldiers who follow Sidmid now will come to follow me in time. That much is inevitable."
At Algot's words, Serpina's expression grew faintly sorrowful.
"But… Brother, if even I take a side… then truly, there will be no way left to stop the empire from splitting apart…"
"It's only a matter of time. Stop wasting your efforts, Serpina. …All of this is because of Sidmid's greed."
"But still—"
Algot cut her off roughly.
"Enough. Say no more. I don't want to hear it. …I'm sorry, but I would prefer you leave quietly today."
"Brother…"
Algot let out a soft sigh, then rose from his seat, murmuring as if to himself in quiet lament.
"It's not as though… I want to turn my blade on my own brothers. It's not as though I…!!"
Bang!
Serpina could not bring herself to stop Algot as he shut the door behind him…
She could only stare at the closed door in silence, her face full of helpless regret.
Leaving the great manor, Serpina walked the quiet night streets and let out a long breath, gazing up at the sky.
Just what was so precious about that wretched imperial throne?
That brothers who shared the same blood — who had grown up together beneath the empire's banner since childhood — would turn their blades against one another's throats?
If they simply talked it through even now, couldn't they resolve this amicably?
Was thinking such things merely a sign of how young and naive she truly was?
Even Serpina, the youngest of them, could see that legitimacy favored Algot. He had already been all but designated the crown prince in practice, and those who followed him still addressed him as "Your Highness the Crown Prince."
And yet Sidmid — whom she had never thought particularly obsessed with the throne — had, at some point, begun to change, buoyed by the full-throated support of the nobility. He was unmistakably angling for the emperor's seat. He had even begun spreading word that he, not Algot, had been the one designated as crown prince.
By what means, she did not know — but Stadel and Lilirose had taken his side early on as well. It wasn't as though Brother Algot lacked for popularity. Was there something else she simply didn't know about?
Is there truly nothing I can do…?
A crushing sense of powerlessness settled over Serpina — the helplessness of someone with no foundation whatsoever.
Just as Algot had said, there was nothing she could do. And yet—
…No. Don't give up. There has to still be a chance.
Sidmid had bared his fangs, but he had not yet turned them fully upon Algot. So hope remained.
Somehow persuade Sidmid on the grounds of legitimacy, and keep the empire whole as a single, unified realm…
The only person who could still serve as that bridge — the only one who had yet to take either side — was herself.
Should I go see Brother Sidmid right now?
But if Algot's reaction just now could be called moderate — Sidmid was even more averse to conversation itself. When she had gone to him only a few days prior, he had exploded in rage.
…Right. Better to give it a few days before I approach him again. Word that I came here today and met with Brother Algot will reach his side soon enough…
Like it or not, rumors within the royal capital always found their way to everyone.
With that thought, Serpina carefully continued on her way.
And then—
Huh…?
Up ahead, the silhouette of a woman was approaching. It was a face Serpina knew well.
Aria — the woman who was all but Algot's mistress.
"Good evening, Princess Serpina."
"Hello, Miss Aria."
If anyone was the sole pillar propping up Brother Algot — who currently had no one else in his corner — it was Aria. Serpina knew full well how large a role she played in keeping him from collapsing.
She greeted her with genuine gratitude.
"Please… look after my brother."
"I should be the one saying that, Your Highness. Please do everything you can… so that the continent does not fall into chaos."
Ordinarily she would have simply said thank you and gone on her way… but perhaps she was simply too exhausted. Without meaning to, Serpina let out a short sigh.
"I'm grateful for the words, but… is there truly anything I can do? I'm… nothing more than a novice with not a single person supporting me. I may carry the blood of the royal house, but I stand farther from power than anyone. No matter how hard I try, I don't know if I can stop my brothers."
"Your Highness…"
"…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say all that…"
"No, Your Highness. You are doing more than enough. Far more people, placed in your position, wouldn't even know where to begin. And at your age, all the more so."
"Miss Aria…"
Aria glanced up at the sky for a moment… then spoke with a look of distant fondness.
"You know, Your Highness — you're aware that I'm an orphan with no family, aren't you?"
"…Yes. I've heard as much."
"Well, that isn't entirely true. I actually have a younger sister."
"Is that so?"
Aria nodded.
"I kept it hidden for fear she'd be pointed at because of me… but by now she's probably living an ordinary life, chasing her own dreams."
She smiled, warm and gentle.
"The reason I bring this up so suddenly is simply that… looking at you reminds me of my sister. She's about your age. Still a foolish, incomplete little thing… and perhaps that's why I find myself drawn to you. Ah — of course, I don't mean that Your Highness is foolish or anything of the sort…!"
Serpina smiled as Aria hastily waved her hands in denial. Had she said all that just to comfort her?
Moments like this made it easy to understand why Brother Algot doted on her so.
"Thank you, Miss Aria."
"Not at all. Keep your spirits up. As for Lord Algot — I'll do everything I can to persuade him…!"
After parting ways with Aria—
All right.
Yes. Get a good night's sleep, eat a proper meal, and then go back to persuading them with her head held high.
Surely there was a path through dialogue. They stood on the brink of division, but they had not yet divided — so it was not impossible that the succession could be completed peacefully, and the empire's glory carried forward once more.
I'll have to go see Brother Sidmid again soon.
And so, beneath the bright full moon, she set her feet in motion once more.
Looking back on it later, that was the calm before the storm.
From the moment Orlando Brans raised his army at Anel Castle, the continent plunged into chaos as though the reins had been cut free.
One by one, the empire's meritorious lords began raising banners of their own rather than the empire's. The Walnut Army of the west and the Ohara Army of the south stood at the vanguard of the swelling ranks of independent lords.
Within the royal palace of Aingart Castle, Algot sat upon the throne, his expression grim as he received the reports.
"You say General Roland is likely to raise an army as well?"
"That is correct…"
The longer the imperial throne remained vacant, the more the continent was torn to shreds in the most literal sense.
I need to devise a countermeasure, and quickly…
Truly… was dialogue the only option left, just as Serpina had said?
Aria said there might still be room for conversation, too… There's no need to be so stubborn. But…
Sidmid's will was absolute. He would ascend the throne himself. Beyond that, he would accept no condition of any kind.
Of course, Algot had no intention of surrendering the emperor's seat either. A third party might call him arrogant for it — but in every measure of ability, legitimacy, and rightful claim, did he not stand clearly ahead of Sidmid?
Had their father not delayed so long in designating a crown prince, the crown would already have been his. Even now, by serving as regent under the nominal title of crown prince without yet wearing the crown, he was already showing his brothers considerable leniency. His pride would not permit him to yield any further.
Even so… I should meet with him at least once.
If he dragged this out any longer, the empire might truly fall. And if it fell to division in his own generation, he would have no face left with which to meet his departed ancestors.
I'll talk to him one last time. And if conversation proves impossible… then…!
Algot rested a hand on the sword at his hip.
Yes. Giving him one chance would be fine. After all, legitimacy rested with him as the eldest son. The deaths of two or three brothers were hardly remarkable, as far as the history books were concerned.
But—
Had it already been too late?
"Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
A soldier came sprinting toward him, his face twisted with despair.
…Why?
The moment Algot saw the man racing toward him, his body gave an instinctive shudder — as though some irreversible catastrophe had already come to pass…
"The Imperial Army has… committed a massacre…!!"
"What…?"
"Soldiers believed to be of the Imperial Army have slaughtered every last student and professor of Piviola Academy — friend and foe alike, without distinction…!!"
…Regrettably, Algot's dreadful premonition had been correct.