Recently, emerging nations were on the rise, and among them were those deeply unsettled due to one rapidly increasing its influence and even declaring itself an empire.

As much as they wanted to firmly establish the rightful ruler of the continent through the coronation ceremony, this agenda was difficult to accept.

Duke Bellion remained consistent with a tranquil gaze and silence, despite their opposition.

“I agree.”

The figure who instantly reversed the tense atmosphere of the conference was Duke Berth, the actual power behind this council.

“Emperor Milos, in his wisdom, has always emphasized substance over appearance. In these unstable times, where consecutive droughts have led to poor harvests and public unrest, wouldn’t it be more beneficial in the long term to use that money for relief efforts, rather than putting on a grand banquet to impress foreign dignitaries?”

It was an accurate point, but that didn’t make it irrefutable.

“But… true as that may be, there has never been such a modest coronation ceremony in the seven-hundred-year history of the empire.”

“Do you wish for the seven-hundred-year history of the empire to end with a single grand coronation?”

Duke Berth forcefully retorted in a powerful voice.

“Recently, the rapidly rising Kingdom of Nerean held their coronation ceremony in front of just ten ministers. The arrogant Kingdom of Terendis, who declared they would become an empire, also held a modest ceremony and then garnered respect from their entire population through a long procession and food supply.”

Nerean and Terendis.

These were undoubtedly emerging powers that threatened the status of Luzencia.

The elders were intrigued.

“If such rootless nations are focusing on substance, there’s no reason we can’t. In fact, adopting a new approach may instill a sense of caution in them.”

“I also agree.”

Count Roderick added his support. Being relatively young, around forty, he was, along with Duke Berth, an emerging power in the council.

With two influential voices expressing their agreement, the others began to quietly change their minds.

There was no flaw in Duke Berth’s argument, and they didn’t wish for their families to become extinct after this generation. It seemed good to go along with the prevailing mood for the empire’s survival.

“Then we’ll decide by a majority vote.”

Duke Lemer spoke in a low, unemotional voice.

“Those in favor, please raise your hands.”
Fifteen out of twenty people. The motion was passed by an overwhelming majority.

Bang—, Bang—, Bang—.

Hearing the sound of the chairman’s wooden gavel, Duke Montaner discreetly shifted his gaze toward Duke Bert.

The two exchanged glances and smiles in mid-air.

The reason Duke Montaner could remain calm amidst the chaos was thanks to his close friend, Duke Bert.

He had performed his role exceedingly well.

That role being to stir up the crowd and help me achieve what I wanted.

Since he’d overcome a significant obstacle, the remaining matters would likely proceed more smoothly.

“Moving on to the second agenda.”

“…….”

“Advancing the coronation ceremony.”

I’d thought it would be one of three things.

Either dying in an ambush, or during a confrontation with me, or going mad without dying.

Duke Montaner was certain that one of these would definitely happen to his nephew Hersis.

But the nephew defied all expectations and stubbornly survived.

There was a time when this brought him a bit of joy. He once thought this is why people bother taking on apprentices.

Watching his nephew grow every day had brought him unexpected pride.

However,

‘A student should never surpass their master.’

The moment he was first defeated by his nephew, he realized. He needed to kill this beast before it grew any further.

“How about we hold this spear competition anonymously?”

He was confident he wouldn’t lose in spear-fighting, and death in competition bore no guilt, so he thought there could be no better opportunity.

He had been too careless.

Either a glorious victory or an honorable death. The one who claimed there was no other option for a knight had chosen to flee.

Why? Why did the one who followed him so blindly run away?

Had he realized something? If so, how?

Was there some relic of the late empress that he had failed to dispose of? Had he found a clue there?

Or had the excessively upright Duke Baldemion told him? Or perhaps, their quite unique son?

The more he thought, the more the Duke choked on his own mistake. It felt like a beast watching its prey escape right before its eyes because it had waited too cautiously.

However, thinking differently, it wasn’t such a bad situation.

Because I didn’t have to stain my hands with blood.
No matter how skilled Hera was, he would be powerless against ten well-trained assassins attacking at once. If not ten, then twenty; if not twenty, then a hundred would be sent.

It would cost some money, but,

‘Sparing money to hold your lovely head once more would be wasteful.’

However, the niece who seemed so easy to kill had been untraceable for years despite scouring the empire.

Where on earth was she hiding?

He thought she would appear once she came of age.

He thought she would return with a youthful vow to take revenge upon ascending the throne. He had even prepared a plan for that moment, yet she had not shown herself for nearly a decade since her escape.

She can’t be dead. Being his own disciple, he was certain of at least that much.

Had she given up?

Or did she have some sort of scheme?

Yes, whatever it is, fine.

Everything will be settled by the time she returns.

A satisfied smile appeared on Duke Montaner’s lips as he looked at the Council meeting that didn’t deviate a single inch from his script.

He suddenly lifted his gaze to the upper-right corner, looking at a gold plate that formed part of the wall. From left to right, the names of the successive emperors were engraved vertically along with their birth and death years.

‘I will have whatever I desire.’

Duke Montaner thought to himself as he envisioned carving his own name on the far right of that gold plate.

‘Your parents took it lightly and rushed their fates, but I hope you are different, Hera. Keep hiding well, just like you are now.’