171 – theorem-5
the emperor is dead
The atmosphere in the empire became infinitely darker. This emperor has been stably ruling the empire for a long time.
As a habit, old men used to talk about how backward and chaotic the Empire was before he ascended to the throne.
Because of that, young people had no choice but to mourn the dead emperor with fear of change.
And, that wasn’t necessarily a joke.
The imperial faction was scattered. Even if they were slightly behind the aristocrats, they might have been able to calm the confusion if they united.
However, infighting also broke out among them. The Imperial faction inevitably had a lot of ties to Eleanor, and there were many who were loyal to the Emperor and the Empire as well as to herself.
Opinions were also divided among them. There were those who insisted that the Emperor’s will be kept at all costs, and that someone else should be placed in the position of Emperor in place of Eleanor.
Conversely, there were those who argued that no matter how loyal they were to the emperor and the empire, they could not follow that will.
In their eyes, Eleanor was the only one worthy of becoming the next emperor. Although they respected and loved the dead emperor, they were concerned about the future of the empire.
However, their limitations were also evident. The influence of the deceased emperor’s will could not be ignored, but more importantly, she herself was not greedy for the position of emperor.
They were divided, but ironically, thanks to that, there was no immediate bloodshed.
The faction of the aristocracy was divided even more than the faction of emperors was divided. Each of them played a trick to make the person they supported emperor, and in the process tried to attract the divided imperial faction.
Powerful forces and political influence are scattered all over the place. Despite her many weaknesses, Eleanor was the daughter of the emperor and the best swordsman in the empire.
Right now, she was secluded without doing anything, but if she uselessly stimulated her to rally the imperial faction, the composition could be distorted.
A semblance of peace followed, full of tension.
/////
“I never thought we’d see each other again.”
“…okay.”
I had only seen him once, but I couldn’t forget his face.
The old man sitting in front of him seemed correct enough to draw his sword and fight right away.
Despite his frail body, not many people in the Empire could fight a duel with him and survive.
Reinhardt. An Imperial knight was in front of me.
“First… I have to apologize for my rudeness back then. It can’t be an excuse, but… I didn’t know.”
“I understand.”
He was the one who, though it was difficult, put his sword against me, who gained the strength of a warrior and ran amok.
Looking at his face in a calm atmosphere, there was a sense of intimidation befitting the numerous scars.
“…”
He stared blankly at my face without saying anything.
“I’m sorry, but what happened…”
“No. It’s just that the hero was like this. If I actually see the hero, he’s like this… I just thought.”
As if back to being a boy, he was observing me with a face full of curiosity.
“I’m sorry. As a knight of the Empire, I sincerely apologize for the damage and contempt you have suffered.”
“No. That’s… done.”
I’ve received enough apologies. Personally, I had no ill feelings towards him.
“Rather than that, it seems that you called me because of succession issues.”
My value, which was not small before, has now risen without knowing how high it is in the sky.
First of all, the emperor’s will designated me as the next emperor.
I didn’t have a separate power, so few people seriously thought I could become emperor.
However, if there is someone I support, he can make the emperor’s faction, who is trying to keep the emperor’s will, on the same side.
To the point where I felt that the Altdore family lobby was gentle and gentle, they tried to attract me in a radical and rough way.
Holding me on the street, bowing to me, and then attaching a naked woman to me was a bit of aegyo.
“I think there will be a lot of confusion. This time, as a member of the Empire… I sincerely apologize. Those who attacked the warrior will be severely punished.”
Some tried to entice me with sweet words and gifts, but when I didn’t respond, there were those who changed their faces and drew their swords, saying, ‘If you won’t cooperate, you’ll have to die here.’
“…Come to think of it, what were they thinking?”
Reinhardt let out a laugh.
“I got information, but I don’t think I got the right information.”
“What do you mean?”
“It seemed like I got information from a person who survived the area attacked by the demon king’s army. At that time, the treatment of the hero was very different from now.”
I understand now. Why did they run to the warrior?
Those who know only one special knowledge that others may not know, are bound to blindly believe in it.
I knew that the person being treated as a hero right now was Enerel, but I didn’t know detailed information such as when I regained the power of a hero.
They believed that Eleanor’s achievements were all stolen from Enerel, who was a real hero, but in fact, they found out that even the ‘real hero’ was a lie.
“It’s difficult.”
“That’s funny. If you have the manpower to do that, it would be nice if you could come here and sign the papers once.”
The imperial palace was in a semi-paralyzed state. The power to hold the power floating in the air did not come out.
Only a few of the Emperor’s most loyal and old subjects are advancing the policies he had previously planned.
In the provisional government system, the old knight’s influence did not seem small.
He had a strong influence on the imperial faction, and he was in power right away, and he was a popular person among the people.
“Back to the heir. Why the hell not Eleanor?”
It was a very frustrating situation for me to see.
Although I may have developed some weaknesses now, it is a weakness that is difficult to take issue with until eventually other members of the royal family or aristocrats persuade me.
In the first place, in a country where being the empress was not impossible, not handing the next throne to the direct descendant of the emperor was an act that was too easy to increase the problem.
“I have a guess, but…”
“okay?”
“Because I know a lot. About the Emperor and about his daughter, Her Highness, Princess Eleanor. Looking back now, I think I may have covered my eyes…”
His voice trembled. I waited until he could regain his cool.
“However, it is the last command of His Majesty the Emperor. I am not in a position to speak even if I know it.”
“If chaos lasts like this, civil war will eventually break out.”
“Is that so…”
He smiled bitterly.
“It seems that Sir Reinhardt knows better than I do. The atmosphere is unusual. Right now, they are laughing hahahahaha and securing their side and strengthening their forces, but in a few months…”
After countless members of the imperial family build their own powers, there will come a moment when they cannot pull each other’s powers with their lust for gold, women, and power.
“Because an external enemy will appear.”
“yes?”
“The royals, to say the least, have no decent ones. But the aristocratic ones behind them are skilled, if not selfish and despicable.”
As if it was not a big deal, Reinhardt’s words in a calm voice made him feel uncomfortable.
“They don’t care how many people die besides themselves, but if everyone else is in danger of dying, they’ll open their eyes and join forces.”
“…yes?”
“At that time, no matter who they are, it’s just a matter of giving strength to the one they choose. Of course, if the hero wants to ascend to the emperor’s seat, it’s the best situation for my greed and loyalty to the emperor.”
“What’s going on?”
He looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
“I’m sorry. The warrior is so wise, why did you treat him like a noble who lived here for a long time?”
“…”
“The protection of the imperial family has disappeared. The Emperor has passed away, and since we cannot start a new coronation ceremony, chaos will ensue. The demons will show their faces again, and we will find a place to fight again.”
He raised his sword with hostile eyes.
“Now that I am free from my obligations, I will be able to find a place to die.”
Before he knew it, Reinhardt had the eyes of a warrior thirsty for struggle.
“Is there any way to stop it?”
“The hero becomes emperor… I can’t think of anything else other than that. Even if I choose one of the goofballs and make him emperor, everyone except him will unite.”
“Then why am I?”
“Doesn’t it have the power to kill everyone so united?”
I didn’t say anything, just blankly closed my eyes and thought.
It’s a choice I don’t want to choose either one, but if I had to pick one…
“no.”
I heard the cold and relentless voice of the female knight, so familiar to the point of nostalgia.
Eleanor came in.