“But Frederick, the place you switched to after abandoning Dom Sangdan is a bit smaller.”

“…!”

The smile instantly vanished from Frederick’s face. His crimson eyes shook violently. No way. Cold sweat ran down his spine at the ominous premonition that came over him.

Until he used Dom Sangdan, Frederick had chosen to indirectly gather weapons through Duke Grant and Duke Vandermir.

But after switching to Habitz Sangdan, there was a shift in power, and recently he used the Owl Legion and Duke Lester to purchase weapons.

The problem was that the Owl Legion, which was originally supposed to be raised by Duke Vandermir, came directly under Frederick’s command as their relationship soured.

If this was revealed…

Frederick’s heart beat unsteadily. He desperately hoped that at least that much would not be discovered. Thinking there was no way Lucas could have found out that much.

“There is a merchant group called Habitz that was newly established early this year. Its identity seemed a bit suspicious, so when I investigated, it turned out to be a place specializing in illegal weapons trade and smuggling.”

But Lucas was not such a careless and easy person.

“I detected circumstances where Duke Lester and an unidentified private military group called Owl purchased large quantities of magic tools and weapons from that merchant group. Moreover, when I traced the Owl’s funds, it turned out they were sponsored by businesses operated by Frederick.”

“Ah, no…”

Duke Lester’s face turned pale, and Frederick’s tightly clenched fist trembled. There was a slight stir among the nobles on the Crown Prince’s side.

“Duke Lester’s house is very close to Frederick, unlike Duke Vandermir’s. Look, aren’t they sitting together even now?”

Lucas smiled brightly and annoyingly as he pointed with his chin at Frederick and Duke Lester sitting close together.

The closer one sat to the Crown Prince, the more it meant they were his closest aides. Moreover, their recent friendship was well-known, so no one could deny his words.

Lucas tapped the table leisurely and opened his mouth again.

“Is it really a coincidence that every family close to the Crown Prince has repeatedly purchased weapons…?”

After throwing out this question with obvious intent, he curled up the corners of his mouth and leaned back in his chair.

Replacing Lucas, who had momentarily stepped back, the nobles on the Crown Prince’s side competed to raise their voices.

“Historically, secretly starting to buy and collect weapons has been a sign of treason! How can this be a coincidence?”

“Even coincidences become inevitable when they occur continuously. With this much overlap, even if it were a coincidence, Your Highness the Crown Prince should properly prove your innocence!”

“Moreover, doesn’t the fact that there are unidentified private soldiers following Your Highness the Crown Prince, despite the existence of the Imperial Knights, mean that you have recruited rebel forces?”

The nobles on the Crown Prince’s side could not respond properly and were in disarray. They had never dreamed that the other side would have such clear evidence.

To drive the final nail in, Lucas leaned forward again.

“Moreover, the Duke Lester’s side boldly sponsored a black magician a few years ago and secretly conducted a business selling black magic tools.”

“…!”

Too surprised, Duke Lester unknowingly sprang up from his seat. Frederick shot a fierce glance at him for failing to manage his expression.

Belatedly, the Duke cleared his throat and sat back down as if nothing had happened, but when Lucas presented the contract with the black magician, he soon became dazed.

“Following Duke Grant’s house, now that Duke Lester’s house is also involved with black magic, it’s hard to believe that Frederick, who was close to them, knew nothing. If he knew and covered it up, that’s also a crime.”

Lucas’s voice gained strength. He intended to firmly tie Frederick to treason, murder, and now black magic.

Frederick couldn’t swallow the rising sigh and let it out. Far from clearing up the suspicions, more charges were being added, and he felt like everything was going dark.

But it was times like these when he needed to stay sharp. He pulled himself together as his mind was about to blur. Frederick looked disapprovingly at the half-dazed nobles on the Crown Prince’s side and said brazenly.

“I didn’t know, brother.”

“What didn’t you know?”

“I didn’t know that Duke Lester’s house was using black magic, nor that they were buying weapons.”

Driven to the defensive, he now put forward a strategy of denial. But only for himself.

In any case, everyone was just a chess piece to Frederick, to be used when needed and discarded when useless. Even at the cost of pushing them all away, he had to get himself out of this crisis.

“Rather, at this moment, I’m even afraid. What intention Duke Lester had in approaching me.”

“Your Highness, how…!”

Duke Lester, instantly cut off, could not hide his bewilderment. But the Crown Prince’s blood-red eyes sent a vivid warning that stopped him in his tracks.

Remember, if I fall, everyone dies.

Without needing to convey the threat in words, Frederick crossed his arms and shrugged his shoulders confidently, showing his intent through his gaze.

“I don’t know what Owl is either. I know nothing, so if you want to charge someone with a crime, do it to Duke Vandermir’s family and Duke Lester’s house.”

As the leader escaped alone, the nobles on the Crown Prince’s side fell into confusion. They were like a ship that had lost its captain, unable to move in any direction.

Only Frederick calmly feigned ignorance, maintaining the attitude that he knew nothing and had done nothing wrong.

As the Crown Prince acted this way, even the Crown Prince’s faction hesitated, pondering how to respond.

“With both sides’ claims so at odds, it’s really difficult to discern the truth.”

Arasila, who had been quietly observing until now, finally opened her mouth. Her clear voice instantly captured everyone’s attention.

“That’s why I’ve prepared something.”

“…?”

Undaunted by the pouring gazes, Arasila clapped her hands once and smiled brightly. The nobles looked puzzled as they watched her take out a bag from under the table.

Only Lucas and Demian watched calmly as Arasila rummaged through the bag.

Finally, Arasila took out a glass bottle filled with a strange liquid mixing pink and blue colors from the bag and smiled brightly.

“This is a truth serum that our magic tower has researched and developed for a year.”

Splash, splash.

The potion rippled as she shook the bottle up and down. While people’s gazes were momentarily captivated by its mysterious color, she said confidently.

“If you drink this, we’ll be able to tell who’s lying and who’s telling the truth right now.”

Thud. As she put the bottle down on the table with a sound, people came to their senses. The entire conference room was in an uproar over the existence of a truth serum that had appeared after several decades.

Frederick stared at the truth serum, frozen like a stone statue. For someone who had already told too many lies, this potion was obviously unwelcome.

If I drink that, I’m finished.

It was even more unsettling that the person who brought the truth serum was none other than Arasila, the next head of the magic tower. There was no doubt about her skills.

‘Arasila… You’re finally driving me to my death.’

Frederick looked at Arasila resentfully. He had inwardly intended to pin the charge of treason on Duke Vandermir’s family and save only her, so he felt betrayed.

While he was dejected, Lucas brought the truth serum in front of the Emperor and respectfully suggested.

“Your Majesty, how about using this truth serum to discern the truth?”

Hearing those words, Frederick suddenly raised his head, stood up abruptly, and strongly objected.

“How can we trust and drink that? The truth serum’s production was discontinued long ago because the main ingredient became extinct!”

“The magic tower officially acknowledged that they revived the main ingredient, the Dilai flower. It seems you’ve been too busy to even read the newspaper, Frederick.”

Lucas refuted with a gentle smile. In fact, Frederick had been too preoccupied with court meetings to check recent newspapers.

But losing here meant the end, so Frederick slammed the table roughly and retorted.

“Still, I can’t believe it! How can we drink it recklessly without knowing what side effects there might be?”

“Then I’ll drink it first. After confirming there are no side effects, you drink it, Frederick. Alright?”

“What…!?”

Before anyone could stop him, Lucas opened the lid and drank the truth serum. Frederick watched the scene in bewilderment.

Having emptied the truth serum without leaving a single drop, Lucas turned towards the Emperor and politely requested.

“Your Majesty, please question me directly.”

“Hmm, very well.”

The Emperor, who had been watching his son’s actions with an interesting expression, readily agreed. If the development of the truth serum had truly succeeded, it would clearly be very useful to him as well.

The Emperor slowly opened his mouth towards his eldest son, who looked no different than before drinking the truth serum.

“What is your name?”

“I am Fre—”

Lucas’s lips, which were deliberately trying to answer with a lie, trembled and stopped. His handsome brow furrowed at the feeling of his tongue escaping control.

“I am Lucas.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-three… ugh, twenty-four.”

Every time he tried to tell a lie, Lucas’s lips moved again to spit out the truth. The Emperor, who had been carefully watching him, said.

“Prince, from now on answer only with the truth.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Since when did you know about the Crown Prince’s treason?”

“Since last year.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Even to this sharp question that came rushing in, Lucas answered without wavering.

“Because if I reported with insufficient evidence, there was a high possibility that I would be counterattacked. Shouldn’t you catch the nape of the neck when you’re certain to succeed in hunting?”

The Emperor chuckled at this quite spirited answer. It was nothing short of a rediscovery of the 1st Prince, who had seemed unambitious and carefree.

By now, the curiosity on the Emperor’s face had changed to belief in the truth serum.

“The truth serum seems quite effective.”

“Your Majesty, then will you allow the use of the truth serum?”

“Very well.”

As soon as the Emperor’s permission fell, Arasila took out another truth serum from her bag. The entire Crown Prince’s faction stiffened at the sight of the bottles coming out one after another.

Realizing this would be disastrous if left alone, they actively opposed the truth serum.

“Your Majesty, this must not be! How can we drink it without knowing what side effects it might have!”

“Look at Prince Lucas. Isn’t he fine?”

“Only the one brother drank might be fine. The others might be defective or tampered with!”

Frederick also desperately refused to take the truth serum. In reality, he couldn’t trust the truth serum. There was no way to know what might have been put in it.

“Brother has been eyeing the throne for a long time. Even now, he’s trying to trap me to take the Crown Prince position!”

Frederick pointed at Lucas with bloodshot eyes, making his last struggle of self-defense.

“What reason would I have to plot treason? I’ve already ascended to the Crown Prince position, and all I need to do is maintain the status quo!”

“…”

“All of this is brother Lucas’s scheme! Please don’t be fooled and the truth…”

“Frederick, do you really think you have no reason to plot treason?”

Lucas cut off Frederick’s words decisively, throwing a cold gaze and snorting.

“You’re the Crown Prince, not the Emperor. If you’re greedy for the throne right now, you can certainly prepare for treason.”

“I’ve never had such greed—!”

“Above all, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be in the Crown Prince position forever.”

An obvious sneer appeared on Lucas’s lips. Frederick stood still, unable to move, looking at him as if he had been doused with cold water.

“Because it’s not a position you gained with your own power. You just got it because you’re the Empress’s child. So you were anxious and afraid that I might take it away.”

“…Don’t talk nonsense. Why would I fear someone like you, brother?”

Contrary to his words, Frederick’s body trembled slightly. He bit his lip so hard that the tangy smell of blood filled his mouth.

Lucas brought two bottles of truth serum and spoke to his brother, who was glaring at him as if to kill.

“If you’re so worried about what might have been done to the truth serum, let’s drink it together. Then if something happens, it will happen to both of us, and if nothing happens, we’ll both be safe.”

“…I still don’t want to.”

The Emperor frowned at the sight of him rejecting even this extremely reasonable proposal. He opened his mouth with a displeased expression.

“Frederick, drink it with Lucas.”

“Your Majesty!”

Frederick looked at the Emperor imploringly, startled, but he was cold.

“It’s an imperial order. Drink it.”

“…”

Refusing here would be tantamount to treason. Frederick received the truth serum that Lucas had drunk half of and held out to him with trembling hands.

While he swallowed with an expression as if drinking poison, Lucas drank half of the other bottle and passed it to his brother.

When the two bottles of truth serum were emptied and preparations were complete, the Emperor asked questions directly again.

“What is your name?”

“I am Lucas.”

“…I am Frederick.”

Even though he had only asked for their names, Frederick’s face was already gloomy.

“How old are you?”

“I am twenty-four.”

“I am twenty-three.”

As the innocuous questions about personal information ended, the Emperor’s eyes flashed sharply. He asked in an authoritative voice.

“Have you lied before me today?”

“No, I have not.”

“…Kugh!”

Unlike Lucas who answered immediately, Frederick could not open his mouth easily. He tried his best to stop his tongue from moving against his will.

But his body, controlled by the truth serum, refused its owner’s intentions. Frederick’s mouth opened as if someone had forcibly pried it open.

“Y… es… I… have.”

Though it came out in broken syllables, the clear pronunciation made the Emperor’s face turn cold. At the same time, the nobles on the Crown Prince’s side turned pale enough that it wouldn’t be strange if they fainted right away.

“Frederick, did you truly prepare for treason?”

“…Yes, I did.”

“Together with those sitting beside you?”

“That’s correct.”

Once he started speaking, the subsequent answers came out smoothly. Frederick hung his head low with a face of despair.

“There’s nothing more to ask.”

The Emperor stood up with an enraged face at the betrayal of the son he had trusted. In his old age, he shouted in a dignified and resonant voice.

“Immediately depose Frederick from the Crown Prince position and imprison him! Take away all those involved with the deposed prince as well!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The knights who received the Emperor’s order entered the conference room and bound the Crown Prince’s faction. Only then did they kneel on the floor and start begging.

“Your Majesty! No! We absolutely did not prepare for treason!”

“This is unjust! It’s truly not so!”

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please forgive us!”

But the Emperor did not lend an ear to their words at all. Rather, he merely gestured to the knights to take them away quickly, as if they were noisy.

While the nobles were causing a commotion beside him, Frederick sat with a blank face. Even when the knights approached, he complied without any resistance. He seemed too shocked to even think of resisting.

As the nobles who kept begging disgracefully to the end and Frederick were dragged away, the conference room became quiet.

“Arrest their entire families, and capture the Duke Grant’s house as well.”

“We will obey your command, Your Majesty.”

“And as for Duke Vandermir’s house—”

The Duke and Duchess, who had been standing at one side of the conference room laughing with satisfaction, flinched. The Emperor stared at them silently for a moment before speaking.

“They changed their minds and gave crucial testimony, and lost their son to the Crown Prince, so their punishment shall be lighter…”

As the Emperor showed mercy, the faces of the Duke and Duchess gradually brightened.

“Your Majesty, I have something to say.”