25 episodes
9 The Dream of the Stars (1)
Succession manipulation and a conspiracy to assassinate the immediate royal family that took place at the palace of qualifications.
It spread all over the imperial castle in an instant.
People were more interested in the rigged succession rather than the assassination plot.
After all, the attempted assassination between the heirs who are not the emperor, that is, the imperial family, happened like a meal in the imperial castle.
However, it was the first time that the succession-style manipulation, which was the minimum qualification test for becoming an emperor, and a long tradition, had occurred.
So it could surprise people.
And with him, there was one more thing that surprised the people in the imperial castle.
That is, Prince Zion Agnes survived such a succession ceremony and passed first place.
Even if they were targeted.
Who could have predicted that the prince who was imprisoned in Chimseonggung and called the pinnacle of incompetence would pass the succession ceremony, which was manipulated and boasted the highest level of difficulty.
It was an event that would change people’s perceptions of Prince Zion even a little.
which.
Kwajik!
The same was true of the man with dark gray hair, nervously crumpling the report in front of him.
“ I am not asking you to believe what is written here right now.”
“… … .”
A wizard who can’t answer the man’s words and bows his head.
Even to him, the contents of the report were full of things that were hard to believe.
“ You didn’t even pass the test floor by yourself, so you went to the hidden control room and slaughtered all the supervisors?”
It was completely nonsensical.
It was Zion Agnes.
That Zion Agnes called the shame of the imperial family.
Rather, it was more believable to say that some of the overseers betrayed each other and ended up fighting each other.
In addition, among the supervisors, there was even Rambard, one of the commanders of the Imperial Guard, who ranks among the armed groups in the Imperial Castle.
“ I’m sorry. But all the traces left there belonged to one person… … .”
“ A witness?”
“ Two of the collaborators saw Prince Zion in the control room, but it was said that the situation was over because he came too late.”
“ So, does that mean that no one has actually seen Shion fight? … .”
The man who muttered and tapped the handle of the chair with his finger for a moment opened his mouth again.
“ It is highly likely that a third party intervened. Find out.”
“ I see. And there is one more peculiar thing.”
“ What?”
“ It is said that while Prince Zion was holding the succession ceremony, a subtle magic energy was detected in the Palace of Qualification.”
“… … In addition?”
At those words, the man’s eyes began to glow strangely.
* * *
The succession ceremony went well.
At least, Zion thought so.
By Sion’s standards, it passed without any problems, and the fact that he killed the demons didn’t spread to the public either.
The tacit deal that Zion himself proposed to pass the succession ceremony if he shuts his mouth seems to have worked.
After Renette and Bale arrived at the Palace of Qualification, Iveline Agnes and the knights did not talk about demons at all.
They simply said that the supervisors fabricated the succession ceremony to kill Prince Zion and that Prince Zion directly punished him.
‘ Most of them didn’t seem to believe it.’
It’s not that they don’t believe that the supervisors fabricated the succession ceremony, it’s that Zion himself took all their lives.
That’s why I asked Renette and Bale if there was something more, but they couldn’t say anything.
Because it was true in the first place.
‘ Well, it doesn’t matter if you believe it or not.’
You’ll find out soon anyway.
Shion gathered her thoughts like that and looked at the scenery outside the window that passed quickly.
The place where Zion is now was inside the horsepower car, the main means of moving around the Imperial Castle.
It moved on the same principle as the magic train, but it was a much more luxurious and private means of transportation.
The reason why Shion is now riding the horsepower car was simple.
‘ I think I’ll be here soon.’
People’s Palace.
The palace at the center of Agnes Imperial Castle, the center of the empire.
core of power.
The place where the emperor, who presides over the fortunes of the empire and is the master of this world, resides.
Zion was heading to such a people’s palace now.
‘ Not bad.’
Shion thought while looking at the black robe that was on her body.
This black robe, embroidered with fine gold thread on a luxurious black cloth, was tailored by Fredo to commemorate Shion’s entrance into the people’s palace.
– To see His Majesty entering the people’s palace! This Fredo… … Even if I die now, there is no time to spare.
It was a little burdensome to see the old knight crying while saying that.
In addition, the antique silver bracelet on Zion’s wrist was a gift from Priscilla, who came to Chimseonggung as an excuse to congratulate him on passing the succession ceremony.
– Congratulations on your succession ceremony. This is a bracelet with protective magic. Still, it’s before the breakup, so it’s right to take care of this.
Then, Sion immediately kicked her out, who was secretly trying to stay in Chimseonggung again.
over there
‘ I didn’t have to come.’
Shion turned and looked at this body’s half-sister, Iveline Agnes, who was sitting opposite her.
How did she know that she was going to the palace today, Ibelin had brought her horse-drawn carriage to the front of Chimseonggung to pick up Zion.
at that time.
“… … The people’s palace is hell.”
Evelyn met Shion’s eyes and slowly opened her mouth.
“ Hell opened to royalty. It’s full of demons who try to step on others and rise to the top of power. The brothers try to kill each other, the princes weigh among themselves, and if it is profitable, they sell everything except their own lives. Assassination attempts are also breath-taking. Zion… … Will you be able to survive in such a people’s palace?”
There was little concern in Evelyn’s eyes as she said that to Zion.
Of course, although Shion has a power she doesn’t know and is justified by passing the succession ceremony.
In her eyes, Zion’s youthful image was reflected.
Therefore, Ivelin could not imagine how Zion would adapt to the people’s palace.
‘ Besides, it is certain that someone is aiming for Zion.’
Even if Shion survived this succession ceremony, there was no guarantee that it would happen in the future.
Of course, as rumored, if Shion had dealt with all the supervisors alone, she would have been less concerned, but she knew well that this was not the case.
Because it didn’t make sense at all.
Surely someone must have intervened.
at that time.
“ I am not going there to survive.”
Sion, who looked at Evelyn like that with calm eyes, smiled and opened her mouth.
“You ’re going to devour it.”
It didn’t matter if there were demons or demons there.
If you block in front of you, you break it, and if you want it, you just get it.
Up until now, Zion has always done so and will continue to do so.
“… … .”
The words that came out of the mouth of the imprisoned prince were so wild that it was unbelievable.
However, Evelyn felt an unknown ominous feeling from Shion’s words.
“ I can’t go with you anymore because of the screening ceremony. Take care of yourself.”
Evelyn, who had given Zion down right in front of the people’s palace, finally said those words and slowly moved away.
Shion, who was looking at Evelyn’s magic difference that was getting farther and farther away, turned her gaze to the palace in front of her.
People’s Palace.
As its name suggests, it was a white and huge palace.
No, it’s so grand that it’s more accurate to call it a castle rather than a palace.
As it is a place called the heart of the empire, there was an atmosphere that made the viewers absolutely overwhelmed.
‘ Somehow it seems familiar… … .’
Zion had a familiar feeling in such a people’s palace.
No, it was very similar to the palace where he stayed when he was an emperor if he actually painted it a little darker.
When Zion’s eyes change strangely.
“ I’ll see you. His Majesty Prince Zion. My name is Ronniere, who will serve His Majesty at the people’s palace today.”
As if waiting, a knight standing in front of the main gate of the palace approached and bowed his head.
The inside of Baekseong’s palace was very spacious, so guides were usually attached to first-time visitors.
Shion also knew that fact, so he nodded his head slightly and accepted the greeting.
“ Follow me, I will guide you right away.”
As if the destination had already been decided, Ronniere started walking with a polite step.
Shion quietly followed after such a knight.
In fact, the reason Zion visited the People’s Palace today was not just for a tour.
After the succession ceremony was successfully held, the royal family went through two procedures at the people’s palace.
One of the traditions that has been passed down for a long time.
The reason Zion came to the people’s palace was also because of such procedures.
‘ The more you look, the more you get used to it.’
Shion thought as he walked through the corridors inside the people’s palace.
Not only the external appearance that I saw a while ago, but also the structure of the palace and various parts of the interior were very similar to the palace where Zion himself lived.
Perhaps it was because the imperial castle in the chronicle of Flosimar was the motif of the real emperor.
Shion felt something that could not be explained by that alone.
at that time.
“ Sir, we have arrived. From here on, I cannot enter.”
Roniere, who was ahead, stopped walking and opened his mouth to Shion.
A huge door that rises in front of him.
A large lion symbolizing the Agnes imperial family was engraved on such a door, and on either side of the door were two imperial knights who seemed to have strong abilities standing guard.
“ I see you, His Majesty Zion.”
Chunkyung!
The knights on either side opened the door right away without asking if anything had already been said.
Zion moved through the open door like that.
The inside of the room was spacious and dark.
sassy, sassy.
Soon after, in Zion’s ear, the sound of a thin breath that seemed to be cut off at any moment was heard.
Shion turned his head toward the side where the sound of breathing was heard.
An old man came in, lying on a bed next to the window that was hidden from Zion’s eyes.
Zion knew who that old man was.
Emperor Urdios Agnes.
The ruler who holds this huge empire in his hands and the master of this world.
And the father of Zion Agnes.
The imperial family who passed the succession ceremony was obliged to meet the emperor, and that’s why Zion is here now.
sassy, sassy.
The sound of breathing as if it would stop at any moment.
The emperor’s face was full of wrinkles and age spots, and his body was so dry that his bones could be seen.
There is no longer an emperor who in the past made the whole world tremble in fear with his overwhelming force and charisma.
There was only an old man lying in bed, old and sick, waiting for the day he would die.
The dark aura of death that descended all around.
‘ Isn’t there two months left?’
Sion inwardly estimated the remaining lifespan of such an emperor.
From the beginning of the Plosimar Chronicle, the emperor was portrayed in this way.
Therefore, there was almost no direct appearance, and most of the affairs were handled by the agents.
The emperor didn’t name a successor until he died for some reason, so after the emperor’s death, a full-fledged chaos began.
“… … .”
The sick emperor looked up at Zion, who was approaching him quietly.
Sion and the emperor’s eyes meet.
The emperor’s eyes were already losing their light to such an extent that they could hardly be found.
I can’t believe it’s already a corpse.
How many times have we looked at each other without saying a word?
“ Stay out.”
A small voice came out of the sick emperor’s mouth.
It was not meant for Zion.
Sussuk-
With those words, the presence of the escorts hiding in the bedroom and secretly guarding the emperor disappeared completely.
In such a perfect space where only the two of us remain.
“ Who are you?”
The emperor looked straight into Zion’s eyes and asked.
As if the appearance of a while ago had been a lie, inside the emperor’s eyes, countless stars were illuminating before he knew it.