Chapter 45

“It's time to escape the Empire.”

I had declared that I would destroy the Empire, but that was a story for after I had escaped safely.

If I were to be caught midway, everything would be for naught.

I stood with the rising sun at my back.

Beyond the layered mountains, perhaps even further than the clouds, was the home of my heart.

“The destination is the West.”

The Drako Great Mountain Range, the western border of the Empire.

The land beyond was in the era of 11 countries.

Countries like Maesh and Erta were there.

Before my regression, in that place, Zionis had become Shion.

“It won't be… an easy path.”

The Great Empire of Cordis lived up to its name.

Meaning it was ridiculously vast.

The plain where the Grand Convergence was held was far away.

But that was just barely outside the capital.

To break free from the name of Cordis was still a long, long way off.

There were three gates that crossed the great mountain range.

They were renowned for being strictly controlled.

Especially so after the Great Emperor Continua ascended the throne 46 years ago.

The path to the gates was also very rough and long.

I, in the body of an eleven-year-old child, had to escape the Empire while hiding my identity.

It couldn't be easy.

But I had to do it.

I had a plan, I had the ability, and I also had a destiny.

“I'll follow the Sobel mountain range… and go down at Sortia. I'll need to sort out all my plans there.”

Sortia, the hometown of the First Mage Sen Sorti.

A city that magicians loved more than even Lutilium.

It was no exaggeration to say that most prominent magicians, such as Dean Cornelius, were born and raised in this city.

Just as the Imperial Academy of Magic maintained neutrality in the Succession War, Sortia was also free from political strife.

Moreover, since there were all sorts of eccentrics, I would be free from prying eyes even if I wandered around alone in the body of an eleven-year-old child.

Of course, it wouldn't be without its dangers, but it was several times better than Viscount Levio's territory.

“Ten days until the Succession War is completely over. I have to arrive before then.”

I clicked my tongue, tsk.

“That Ferbias bastard will win… I suppose. That won't change.”

The First Prince, Ferbias Caseptus, had the support of the majority of the capital's nobles.

He lacked nothing in legitimacy or individual ability.

If not for the rule of the Succession War, neither Leniar nor Secundus would have dared to even challenge him.

“I knew it, but it still puts me in a bad mood.”

The thought of Ferbias celebrating his victory was intensely unpleasant.

He was a man as thorough as he was impatient.

Before my regression, as soon as he became the victor of the Succession War, he had immediately toured the major cities near the capital to solidify his victory.

Sortia was one of them.

I had to avoid crossing paths with the parading Ferbias at all costs.

Ferbias was one thing, but his confidant, the jade-eyed Amethus, was the most dangerous.

‘With that fortuneteller bastard's intuition, it wouldn't be strange if he sensed my presence as soon as I set foot in Sortia.’

No, really!

Before my regression, I had encountered Amethus in such a way.

Do you know how bewildered I was?

At that time, Amethus was already seated among the Ten Great Generals, so his intuition was even better than now, but still!

“Still, I've taken some measures.”

I snickered.

“Victory won't be entirely sweet, will it, Ferbias?”

***

Horse hooves trampled and burst corpses.

A troop of cavalry, with spears gripped, shouted and charged.

A war chariot suddenly pushed into their flank.

Expensive steeds got tangled and fell, and the cavalrymen were a matter of course.

The war chariot, surrounded by a magical barrier, advanced, easily crushing horses and men.

One of the advancing war chariots was crushed.

It was the work of a giant-form magi-soldier.

As the giant swept the ground, the war chariots were thrown about.

The magi-soldier roared.

The battlefield froze, and the humans trembled.

However, there were those who did not tremble.

Ha, haha, ha-!

Wolves with human voices leaped towards the giant and tore at its neck.

The giant sat down, raising a cloud of dust.

The wolves that had brought down the giant laughed cheerfully.

Even without Yosef Haider, they were Haider warriors.

Rene Haider returned to his human form and raised his axe, and then he lost consciousness and collapsed.

The one who had brought him down was a jade-eyed man with a double-edged sword.

Amethus glared at the battlefield.

The wolves were startled and fled, carrying their leader.

It was not only the enemy who retreated.

Even his allies faltered and stepped back before his jade-green eyes.

Who would want to face the man who had defeated Marina Debius on the battlefield?

A path opened on the battlefield.

The double-edged sword and the jade-green eyes had done it.

A brilliant golden war chariot appeared amidst the smell of blood.

His hair and pupils were also golden.

The First Prince, Ferbias Caseptus.

“It took longer than I thought. I didn't know you two would form a complete alliance.”

The prince with blonde hair and golden eyes was triumphant.

There was no reason not to be.

“Wasn't it a long fight, my dear siblings?”

There was a clock in the sky.

It had been summoned by Hermai Merhes.

It was announced that there were only a few minutes left until the next emperor was decided.

The Succession War, the Grand Convergence.

Ferbias, Leniar and Secundus' three factions had done their best to obtain the Imperial Throne.

The result was just around the corner.

“But as you expected, in the end, it is my, this Ferbias', victory.”

The ten-day war was coming to an end.

Ferbias surveyed his belongings.

A helmet, a banner, a celestial sphere, a ring and a fan, making five.

Leniar and Secundus had a tongue root, a long spear, a belt, and a flag.

A total of four.

Five and four.

Needless to say which side had won.

Leniar's face was cold and Secundus' face was hardened like a rock.

Ferbias did not doubt that it was because of the certainty of defeat.

“The story might be different if you defeat Amethus and take his Treasure in these few minutes, but it would be difficult even if you brought back Yosef Haider.”

“……”

“Say something. Even if you two are usually quiet, you're excessively silent today. At this rate, it looks like I'm bullying you.”

But it's not a bad feeling.

Ferbias Caseptus laughed cheerfully.

Leniar and Secundus watched him quietly and coldly.

“Don't feel too defeated. I had a hard time too. It would be a lie to say I wasn't worried I might lose. Though I didn't say it, I've been pushing myself in various ways!”

The First Prince burst out laughing cheerfully once more.

At his chattering, Leniar's brow furrowed.

The most frustrating part was that she had nothing to say.

Secundus must have felt the same, as he only let out a groan, hmm.

Looking at his half-siblings' faces, Ferbias suddenly realized that they were not children.

Though it was an obvious fact, it felt unfamiliar.

He habitually stroked his chin.

His always-awkward beard was no longer short.

‘Ah, yes, so much time has passed……’

Victory was just around the corner.

The effort was not small.

Even now.

Outside, two thousand soldiers were watching their fight.

Brainwashing Dean Cornelius was also a considerable gamble.

Looking back, it was so close that he wondered what he had been thinking.

If he had been defeated in the ten-day war, it wouldn't have been strange if his position had been completely shaken.

‘But, in the end, I have won.’

A deep smile, like the privilege of a victor, was etched on his face.

Two thousand soldiers, and the nobles of the capital who led them, were watching the fight.

Even if victory was certain, he had to be composed until the very end.

He couldn't tarnish the reputation of the next emperor.

“I ask you again, my dear siblings.”

Lowering his voice, his gaze was serious.

Though he lacked the dignity of the Great Emperor Continua, which made one bow one's head naturally, since his features were similar, he looked plausible.

“Do you really have no intention of trusting and following me?”

“……”

“……”

Leniar covered her mouth as if she had heard something she shouldn't have, and Secundus spat out a bloody phlegm.

Ferbias' anger flared up, but he forced it down.

Weren't the gazes of the nobles on him?

He cleared his throat to make his voice even more benevolent.

“I am disappointed. Why on earth do you two dislike me so much?”

“…Older brother. We are the ones who are puzzled. Are you really asking because you don't know?”

“I can't think of anything.”

The First Princess, Leniar de Volmark, swept back her silver hair as if frustrated.

He was such a consistent man.

Consistently outstanding, meticulous, and terrible.

And therefore, foolish.

“…I will ask you. Why do you want the Imperial Throne?”

“Because there is no one more worthy than me!”

Ferbias was confident.

“Do not think that I have not agonized. Do not think that I take the Imperial Throne lightly! I have agonized over it countless times!”

The First Prince also had his boyhood.

He had also doubted or despaired over the destiny given to him.

The Imperial Throne, whether he wanted it or not, wasn't it suffocatingly heavy?

Beyond that suffocation, Ferbias Caseptus was here.

“I may be wrong. There may be someone more worthy than me. But, at least, until now! I have not yet met anyone better than me.”

If so, it was clear what he had to do.

He would not run away from his bloodline, his duty, or his destiny.

That was all.

Even that would be terribly heavy, but he would not run away.

“That is my resolve. I am just keeping my resolve.”

“That is precisely the point.”

Leniar recited quietly.

“Who forced such a resolve on you, older brother? It would not be too late to do so after you become emperor.”

“……”

“Older brother, sometimes you seem to be deceived by yourself.”

The silver-haired princess' words were like a stab.

Ferbias' gaze sharpened, and even Secundus wore a bewildered expression.

He sympathized with her words, but what was the point of digging into the weakness of the man who was now likely to become the emperor?

But Leniar continued without wavering.

“It is the same now. You are trying to show that you have the magnanimity to embrace even your opposing siblings, but we both already know that you do not have such magnanimity. How unfortunate……”

“……!”

It was as if sparks were flying from Ferbias' eyes.

If he had been close, he would have slapped her.

But they were not close, and Leniar, knowing this, wore a smile.

“Was that a sufficient answer, older brother?”

“…Hmph, still a sharp tongue, Leniar!”

The First Prince snorted.

It would be a lie to say he wasn't angry.

But it soon subsided.

Look at the dependable confidant standing by his side.

Look at the five Treasures he was protecting.

It was clear whose side the heavens were on.

“You are saying that I do not have the capacity to carry out my intentions. But what can you do, to whom does victory belong?”

“…Huhu.”

Leniar gave a bitter smile.

It was because their words were at cross-purposes.

Ferbias also smiled triumphantly again.

It was because he thought that her bitter smile stemmed from a sense of defeat.

He felt the need to solidify his victory.

“I didn't want to talk about this, but there was an urgent report yesterday.”

He took a small piece of paper from his pocket.

Then he lowered his voice and said,

So that the two thousand soldiers watching them from over there could not hear.

So that only the three of them could know.

“They said they found two corpses in the Sobel mountain range. One was fat, and one was a child. It seems they fled from something but were eventually caught by a magical beast.”

“Zionis……”

The muscular prince, Secundus, closed his eyes and let out a groan.

The end of the two he had sent to escape was unfortunate.

He was angry at Ferbias, who was chattering on as if it were something to be proud of, and he was upset at his own powerlessness.

The two who had died and the one who had killed them, how could they all be brothers who shared the same blood, with the powerless Secundus in between.

“Unfortunately, my will continues to be carried out.”

“……”

“……”

Now, there was even contempt in the two siblings' eyes.

Ferbias no longer cared.

Weren't they the siblings who had refused him even after he had extended his hand several times?

“Look, Hermai Merhes is coming.”

The clock in the sky rang loudly.

Dark clouds gathered, and lightning struck.

There was no one who would not put away their weapons under that majesty.

“Yes, I must proclaim it. The victory of Ferbias Caseptus.”

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