Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Yuno's Coming-of-Age Ceremony (4)
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As the sun rose, news spread like wildfire through the entire imperial palace that the annex where Yuno was undergoing Body Change had been struck by a magical attack.
In the First Annex, where Crown Prince Franz resided, an outburst of fury erupted from him.
"What did you just say? Yuno's annex was attacked with magic? And it's presumed to be the highest-tier spell, Hellfire?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Spier Viscount has mobilized the Imperial Guard Knights for a search, but the culprit had already taken their own life, and it appears the magic was cast using a scroll."
"Forget that—what happened to Yuno? Hellfire's impact would have been immense. Is he alright while in the middle of Body Change?"
"According to Spier Viscount's report, Third Prince Yuno is unharmed. While Master Aragon and Spier Viscount were weakening the spell, His Highness awoke and obliterated the Hellfire with an Aura Blade of tremendous power. And to prepare for any contingencies, Master Aragon has begun examining the Third Prince's body."
Only upon hearing that Yuno was safe did the Crown Prince finally heave a sigh of relief, stroking his chest.
"Phew... That's a relief... We nearly lost the empire's rising star for nothing... Does His Majesty the Emperor know about this?"
"Yes, Your Highness! His Majesty is furious beyond measure and has ordered a thorough investigation to uncover the culprit. Per his command, the Imperial Magic Division has been fully mobilized and is investigating, so the mastermind will soon be revealed."
"Good... It must be uncovered. To dare infiltrate the imperial palace and target imperial blood? And with such a cowardly sneak attack!! I will never forgive this!!"
A terrifying rage exploded from the Crown Prince's frail body—rage so intense it was unimaginable from him. It spilled over into reprimands for his subordinates.
The Crown Prince was usually so mild-tempered that outbursts were rare, but when his anger did erupt, he seemed like a completely different person, utterly fearsome. His subordinates bowed their heads deeply and swiftly took his orders before rushing out of the annex.
'Heinrich... I pray you're not involved in this... I've long suspected you of rebellion, but as your brother, I've turned a blind eye out of mercy. But if you've tried to harm our little brother too, then I won't consider you family anymore.'
Franz thought of his estranged younger brother, whom he rarely saw these days, and sincerely prayed he wasn't behind this incident.
With the enraged Emperor's command compounded by the Crown Prince's orders, the whole of Adria Castle, capital of the Valkan Empire, trembled in fear. The wills of the empire's top two in the power hierarchy merged, leading to a grueling investigation over several days. Every servant and maid in the palace was scrutinized.
All nobles were confined to their residences and subjected to searches by the Imperial Guard Knights and Imperial Magic Division, while city gates saw ironclad inspections of every passerby.
Yet days passed with no evidence found anywhere of who controlled the assassin, and the Emperor's fury continued to pierce the heavens.
"What? You found the attacker's family, and they're in the Theseito Kingdom?"
The Emperor's booming voice filled the throne room, causing Intelligence Chief Legasota Baron, who was reporting, to bow his head even lower.
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty. They left for the Theseito Kingdom a year ago... They may have been hiding as spies all this time..."
"What has the Intelligence Chief been doing all this time? Hasn't a Theseito agent been freely roaming the palace for a whole year?"
"I have no excuse, Your Majesty!"
After briefly berating the Intelligence Chief, the Emperor ordered him back to his seat. Once the report ended, the throne room filled with the clamor of various nobles.
"See? The Theseito bastards sent the assassin—no doubt about it! We must declare war and punish them at once!"
"What are you talking about? There's no evidence—no evidence!!"
"What more evidence do we need? Evidence? The fact that those vile Theseito scum are still breathing is proof enough!!"
"Ha! So what grounds do we declare war on? No one's dead, just some damage to an annex, and the culprit's family happens to be somewhere in Theseito? You lost your mind?"
"What? You son of a—!!"
"What? 'Son of a'? You done talking?"
As always, the throne room devolved into chaos in an instant. But unlike usual, the hawk faction's voices were a bit louder this time, marking a clear shift in atmosphere.
Charles III, his rage seemingly vanished, eyed the nobles with a sharp gaze and struck the floor once with his staff.
The sharp crack of the Emperor's staff hitting the floor silenced the nobles, who instantly straightened up from their bickering and awaited his command.
"Very well! I shall use this opportunity to punish Theseito! They need to have etched into their minds what it means to bare their fangs at this empire! Foreign Minister! Prepare the declaration of war!"
"As you command, Your Majesty."
The nobles bowed before the Emperor's solemn decree, but only the Crown Prince kept his head raised and remonstrated.
"Your Majesty!! Please wait a moment! The culprit hasn't been fully identified yet! The investigation is ongoing, so at least hold off on declaring war..."
But the Emperor ignored the remonstration from his usually favored Crown Prince and withdrew into the inner chamber. The Crown Prince followed even there, blocking the Emperor's path.
"Your Majesty! Hear me out!! War is too hasty a judgment..."
Slap!!
The Crown Prince was stunned, cheek stinging from the slap—not from pain inflicted by the octogenarian Emperor, but because it was the first time in his life he'd been struck.
"You fool!! Can't even a Crown Prince read the currents like this? Fine... It probably wasn't Theseito's doing. The assassin's family isn't even in Theseito. That was fabricated intel I had the Intelligence Chief report."
The Emperor sighed and gazed at the dazed Crown Prince before speaking again.
"This empire has suppressed its power for far too long. The war with Leon Kingdom nearly ten years ago was the last. You saw it earlier too—the young, hot-blooded nobles raring for war."
"B-But war brings suffering to the people..."
The Crown Prince, regaining his wits, protested weakly, but the Emperor ignored him and led him to the balcony.
"Franz. To rule the empire, you must see far ahead. War is merely a means, not the end. It's an extension of politics, nothing more. My time is short now. And you'll inherit this throne. As heir, you know the easiest way to legitimize your claim, don't you?"
"..."
The Crown Prince said nothing, but the Emperor nodded and continued.
"When I was Crown Prince, leading the Xenon Plains battle to victory secured my power even after sixty years. And in this war, you'll climb the same steps as I did."
"Then... all that fury Your Majesty showed over Yuno's assassination attempt—was it all an act? Your Majesty... no, Father, do you see us merely as pieces on the board of statecraft?"
The Emperor smiled faintly at the Crown Prince's protest.
"Not entirely an act... but exaggerated, yes. Of course I'd have been angry if Yuno was hurt... but he's fine, isn't he? Even reached Fist Master safely, from what I hear. Figuring out how to leverage that is also the Emperor's duty, Franz."
"Even so... I can't just overlook an attempt on my brother's life. I'll uncover the culprit somehow."
"Of course. But! That comes after you triumph over Theseito. Secretary! Prepare a banquet tonight for Yuno's coming-of-age ceremony. Make it grand to celebrate the birth of a new Master, and invite every noble in the capital."
"Yes, Your Majesty! I shall see it done."
As Secretary Marquis Garcia bowed and departed, the Emperor looked at Franz once more.
"Tonight, at Yuno's coming-of-age ceremony, I will declare war on Theseito. The commander and vice-commander of the Theseito punitive force will be the Crown Prince and Third Prince, so steel yourselves."
As the Emperor left, Franz stared after him, lost in thought.
'His Majesty already knows who's behind the culprit. But his gaze is fixed on Theseito... He has a point, but the order is wrong. We should secure the internals first—then the campaign. It wouldn't be too late...'
But there was nothing Franz could do now. He turned toward his own palace.