Upon returning to the capital, Karl was immediately bombarded with a pile of work. Not only did he have to handle the duties of the Imperial Investigation Service, but he also had to act as a stand-in for various positions left vacant due to the sudden death of the Emperor.

After leaving the Count’s residence, Karl didn’t head to his quarters; instead, he went straight to Argumen Palace, where the finance and administration departments were located.

He received brief reports from the finance department officials and checked for any new issues that had arisen during his absence. Fortunately, Argumen Palace had continued to function well, even without its master.

Next, Karl had to visit the military base. One of the most significant and serious powers the Emperor held was the military authority, the power to command the empire’s army. With the Emperor deceased, this authority was temporarily Karl’s responsibility.

The Emperor’s death was still kept secret, so Karl’s role as the temporary military authority had not been disclosed. Therefore, he had to move discreetly, which made his tasks even more challenging.

However, Karl never complained of fatigue. He completed his inspections of the military posts, bases, and training grounds, yet still had a backlog of work to tackle.

As the day faded into twilight and darkness began to envelop the surroundings, Karl, who hadn’t even taken a break for a meal, was buried in paperwork. Clovis, seeing his superior’s dedication, arranged some light refreshments.

Knock knock.

There was no response. After knocking twice more as a formality, Clovis carefully opened the door and pushed in, carrying a trolley with food. He had decided against asking for assistance from other attendants, considering Karl might be reviewing confidential documents.

“Your Highness, you must eat.”

Karl, deeply engrossed in his work, didn’t shift his focus at the sound of Clovis’s soft voice.

Anticipating this, Clovis slowly pushed the trolley next to Karl’s desk in the office.

“I’ll set up the dishes next to the documents you’re reviewing.”

Finally, Karl sighed deeply and slowly looked up, his hand still on the paperwork. Clovis quickly took a glass from the trolley and poured some water.

“Please hydrate yourself first.”

Karl, so absorbed in his work that he’d forgotten even his thirst, took a refreshing gulp of water before fully setting aside the documents.

“Aren’t you overexerting yourself, Your Highness? You’ve just returned from the south.”

“If I don’t do it today, tomorrow will be even harder.”

Indeed, the workload was Karl’s responsibility. If not today, then tomorrow would only bring more strain. The weight and responsibility of power are directly proportional; the higher one rises, the more there is to uphold and achieve.

With the throne vacant, Karl was busier than ever. Clovis looked at his superior with a mix of sympathy and admiration.

“I received a message from Lord Rodrigo. He apologizes for not being able to greet Your Highness upon your return and has delegated his report to Captain Tekla instead.”

“Is there anything noteworthy about Major General Rodrigo’s actions?”

Rodrigo, commanding the imperial army, was essentially the highest-ranking officer under the Emperor in military affairs.

That Rodrigo hadn’t immediately returned upon hearing of the temporary military authority’s arrival and instead delegated his duties to a subordinate seemed somewhat suspicious.

If Rodrigo wasn’t uncomfortable with Karl’s temporary command, he should have eagerly reported directly on the state of the imperial army.
The real reason Clovis visited Karl wasn’t just to bring him a meal, but rather to report on the movements of officials aligned with Franz, including Rodrigo. While setting up the plate, fork, and knife next to Karl’s cup, Clovis spoke.

“Nothing overtly suspicious has emerged, but there are definitely some unsettling occurrences.”

“Occurrences like today’s,” Karl added.

Rodrigo didn’t openly support Franz but had a keen interest in the magic stone processing business. Originally, the rights to process and sell magic stones mined were exclusively granted to the Countess of Luizette’s family, but those in the know were aware that the real owner behind this business was the Duke of Toscur.

Countess Celeste’s entanglement with Franz was due to this very reason.

Their overlapping interests in magic stones linked Luizette’s family and Franz. Since their relationship wasn’t public knowledge, people assumed the young, unmarried Celeste and Franz were romantically involved.

Given these connections, it was fair to consider Rodrigo as effectively part of Franz’s faction, especially with his past behavior.

“What other officials need attention?”

“Major General Gregory has just returned from inspecting the eastern and western regions. He rushed back upon hearing of the severe flood damage along the Manus River, which required military intervention.”

The Emperor holds the military authority, and right beneath him are three major generals: Rodrigo overseeing the imperial army, Cassel commanding the capital’s forces, and Gregory in charge of the non-capital regional army.

While Rodrigo leaned towards opportunism, Cassel and Gregory were straightforward and rigid, leaving no cause for concern.

The direction of military power is crucial during an imperial transition.

Under the young Emperor Maximilian, who ascended the throne at 12, the military discipline had slackened, not due to his incompetence but his youth and inability to lead effectively.

With the throne now vacant, a fierce battle for succession would soon ensue. Whoever controls the military essentially controls the next throne, making Rodrigo’s brazen behavior a red flag.

Tap, tap.

Karl tapped his fingers on the table, indicating deep thought. With limited time to keep the Emperor’s death a secret, the news would soon spread throughout the empire.

Karl intended to assume the Emperor’s powers temporarily before it became public knowledge. Acting after the fact would be too late, especially with the unpredictable Franz possibly making a move.

“Um… well…”

Clovis hesitated, uncharacteristic of him. As Karl looked up at him, Clovis checked his surroundings again and whispered.

“What are your plans regarding the Countess of Luizette?”

Celeste. Karl had not forgotten her, but his mind had been preoccupied with political matters. The realization of becoming a father overnight was still sinking in.

He had suspected, but the truth that those blue eyes he thought were Franz’s actually resembled his own hit him anew. Leaning back in his chair, Karl was engulfed in complex emotions. The existence of a life resembling him and one he helped create was a surreal feeling.
And Karl also found it hard to believe that he had formed such a close relationship with someone and created life. Perhaps this disbelief was heightened by his lack of memory regarding his encounter with Celeste two years ago.

“Is this something I need to think about?”

“Excuse me?”

Clovis’s eyes rolled around, puzzled. Karl’s tone, too calm and dry, felt strangely off. Surely, he wasn’t planning to ignore the matter?

“Obviously, we’ll have to officially become a family.”

“You mean…”

Marriage!

Clovis straightened up, shocked.

“Why do you look so surprised? Wasn’t that what you were suggesting?”

“What did I say?”

“You said, ‘You should take responsibility, Your Highness.’ I remember you insisting on it with wide eyes and a raised voice.”

“Ah…”

Clovis recalled his own words. Back in Urentum, when a child with suspicious circumstances and a woman with a possible connection appeared, he half-jokingly, half-seriously advised Karl to take responsibility.

Had His Excellency taken his words as counsel? A slight smile flickered at the corners of Clovis’s mouth.