Chapter 153
Chapter 153
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 153
Chapter Title: Breakwater
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An unexpected response came from the Emperor.
He wanted to speak with me alone, without even a single guard. He hadn't explained the reason to the vassals, but not a single one dared to object.
Kuwoong.
The door closed.
As the surroundings fell quiet, the Emperor behind the partition spoke from behind a rough breath.
"Hoo- You must be Berddin, the new family head of the Strange Family?"
His voice sounded strangely tense. Even if he was a fake, there was no need to treat me this way.
No matter that I bore the Strange name, he knew full well I couldn't do a thing here.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The figure silhouetted behind the partition looked uneasy. He kept turning his head left and right as if searching for something, or alternately bringing his hands to his head and mouth, unable to stay still even for a moment.
"Do you know why I wanted to speak with you alone?"
"I don't know."
"Of course. It couldn't be any other way."
At this rate, facing me would be the hard part for him.
"Your Majesty, may I ask why you've arranged this audience?"
I was inquiring why he'd dismissed the other vassals.
"Because right now, it feels like if this moment passes, I'll never see you again."
"You won't be able to meet me?"
"That's right. You're the only one who knows the truth, the one bearing the Strange name."
"What do you mean by..."
Sruruk.
The Emperor swept aside the curtain cloth.
Behind it stood a man with golden hair cascading to his waist, about my age, with a face as beautiful as any woman's.
'What is this?'
The Emperor was already over fifty, and the voice conversing with me belonged to someone of that age too.
What was this appearance supposed to be?
If Rothschild was using a body double, they'd at least procure a man of similar age.
This was beyond all expectation.
"Do you know who I am?"
I weighed his question carefully before answering.
"You are His Imperial Majesty the Emperor."
"No, I'm asking who you think I am. Not the one others call Emperor. My true identity."
Was he really about to reveal himself? This was my first direct audience with the Emperor.
In this life, I didn't know the Emperor's face. It wasn't just what everyone thought; it was fact.
I could only guess from his age and looks. Deceiving me like this would be utter folly.
I met his gaze and answered cautiously.
"I don't know. Frankly, your appearance is far too distant from the Emperor I know."
The fake Emperor gave a small smile.
"Correct. I'm not the Emperor."
"?!"
He hadn't deceived me.
He revealed his identity plainly.
"Though one day I will take that seat, it's not now."
"...Then who might you be, standing before me? I know that throne isn't for just anyone."
"True. Only those with imperial blood can sit there."
Teobuk, teobuk, teobuk.
The fake Emperor approached me.
I waited until he drew near, then bowed my head low. Even knowing he was fake, an overwhelming dignity emanated from him.
"But I am one who can sit there. The Emperor you know has passed."
"......"
"You knew that too. I've been guarding the throne to avert continental chaos."
"Guarding the throne?"
"Yes, at this moment when the waves crash in. If word spreads that the Emperor is dead, catastrophe is certain."
"May I know what catastrophe Your Majesty speaks of?"
"......Apocalypse."
"Apocalypse?"
"Yes, apocalypse. If I don't hold this seat now, the world ends."
I kept my eyes on the floor, listening. Who exactly was this man?
And what terrified him so? Even now, his emotions quaked, his body trembled visibly.
Gulp.
The fake Emperor swallowed dryly.
"Curious who I am?"
"Yes."
"Loki de Rockefeller. The one who'll claim that throne in the royal succession war to come. This continent's future lord."
I couldn't hide my shock at Loki's name. I knew who he was. But how he guarded the throne, his ties to Rothschild—total unknowns.
'Not him.'
Loki couldn't become Emperor. That seat went to the second prince, who with Strange aid in the succession war slew his brothers.
Vilayst.
'No way.'
Had I altered this world's causality, changing the future?
'Yes.'
In the original succession war, brother Gunter shone brightly.
Without him now, the second prince lacked our support, no strength to counter his siblings.
I slowly raised my head to meet his eyes. As if awaiting this, he gripped my shoulders and beamed.
"Lord Berddin, one reason I summoned you here."
"What is it?"
"My brothers threaten my life. Even now, as we speak, they aim for my neck somewhere."
"...I see."
"Yes. After all this, you know what I mean?"
I grasped his intent perfectly. But aura was banned in the palace; I couldn't sense his mentioned foe.
I scanned the surroundings swiftly, then replied.
"May I know who placed you on the throne?"
"Can't say. But without his protection, I wouldn't be here."
"May I ask why you think so?"
"...I'd be dead."
"Dead?"
"Yes. The instant the Emperor's death leaked, unknown forces began killing my brothers. My youngest fell this morning."
What nonsense was this?
Such killings before the succession war? Absurd, unbelievable.
Who dared? Even Rothschild wouldn't casually slay dukes and marquises.
"Unknown backing means the culprits remain at large?"
"Yes."
"...I understand."
I clasped his trembling hand and smiled.
"Issue one command as I leave?"
"Command?"
"Yes. Through Peter Bartholomew, gather those to stem the coming waves."
Loki nodded.
"Simple enough."
"Do that, and I'll handle the rest."
"Done. I'll command it at once."
I released his hand, bowed again, and continued.
"Heard the Glazer Family crumbled?"
"Yes. They say my father perished because of it."
So someone knowing the Emperor-Glazer ties lurked behind.
"I came to the capital not just for the waves, but to report Strange's victory over Glazer."
"...Understood. I'll relay to the lords via vassals."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Philip mentioned Albus and Asabragg were in the capital now. So the one puppeteering this fake Emperor had to be one of them.
'That's the issue.'
One of two.
They didn't seem aligned. Otherwise, Loki wouldn't tremble in such peril.
'Who the hell?'
The one hunting imperial bloodlines.
'Of course.'
Suspect? Rothschild tops the list. But too obvious.
Doubting even Asabragg would stoop so low.
"Guess I need to meet Albus face-to-face."
I could read Asabragg's game, but Albus's designs on the Papal Court remained murky.
Kieeeeek!
A bird of impossible size cleaved the capital skies. Vast beyond hawk or eagle.
'Rox, not yet.'
Not time to show. The true war proclaiming Strange as continental lords hadn't begun.
"Sky's so clear today."
A day evoking my father, who craved this continent's rule, and brothers Gunter, Hysteria.
Kuwoong!
Someone dropped onto the roof.
Turning from the sky, a swordsman met my eyes, glaring sharply.
"...Found you, Berddin."
Strange Castle, after Berddin's departure.
Left alone, Cynthia wandered restlessly, tracing Berddin's remnants.
Curious about something, she inspected to the castle's peak with Bess's two guard knights.
"Whose room is this?"
The escort knight, clueless, tilted his head.
"Sorry, first time for us too. No idea."
"Oh?"
"Yes."
Cynthia knew but feigned ignorance.
It matched the room from Roys de Strange's tower memories—Berddin's father's.
"Mind if I look inside?"
"Go ahead. Family Head said permit Cynthia anywhere you wish."
"Really?"
"Yes. Guard Captain Bess ordered the same. Check freely."
"Thanks."
Cynthia smiled faintly and entered.
She rummaged furniture like buried treasure, and much later at the bedside drawer, cocked her head.
'...Double lock.'
She palm-stroked the base, index-tapped, scanned about.
'Check it?'
Uncertain contents, she hesitated.
'Pull out what no one's found?' Pondering, she called to Valentine passing the hall.
"Lady Valentine, a word?"
Valentine eyed her coldly top to bottom.
"What?"
Shrinking under the aura, Cynthia played innocent.
"Browsing the end room, spotted oddity. Needs your check."
Valentine glanced at old Verdandi's room.
"Was off-limits."
"Ah? S-sorry! Knights allowed—"
"Never mind. The oddity?"
"Yes. Opened empty drawer, found double mechanism."
"Double?"
"Yes. Something inside, but shouldn't open myself. Called you."
Valentine stepped in, pried the drawer base Cynthia indicated.
Her eyes beheld the impossible.
Dalgrak.
A frame clutched in her hand.
An aged photo within.
"...Found it."