Chapter 306
The Appearance of a New Prince!!
The Karn Empire's imperial court was thrown into an uproar, as if a bomb had been dropped. Because the Hero who had recently stirred up the Alliance was revealed to be a prince.
And he wasn't just any illegitimate child, either. He was of the bloodline of House Radia, the most prestigious family in the Karn Empire.
“What? Marquis Radia had a child with His Majesty the Emperor?”
“In the past, the relationship between the two was certainly unusual, but...”
The elders of the imperial court recalled the past and nodded their heads.
It was an open secret in the high society of the time that the current emperor, in his youth, had a secret affair with Marquis Radia, with whom he shared a deep connection.
Chris had known this fact, which is why he had orchestrated this scheme.
“The political situation is already chaotic, and now another new prince appears.”
“And not only is he the Hero, but he's also of House Radia's bloodline.”
Even without this, the Karn Empire's imperial court was already a crucible of chaos.
This was because after the current emperor collapsed and fell into a coma, the three princes had been engaged in a fierce struggle.
There would have been no problem if the Crown Prince had been able to take charge, but unfortunately, he was in the weakest position of the three.
The second prince was backed by the central nobles.
The third prince, backed by the regional nobles, was fighting fiercely.
The third prince, in particular, had gone so far as to bring in a renowned swordsmanship family and the White Tiger Brigade, some of the most prominent military groups in the Alliance.
“Still, it shouldn't be a big deal, right? No matter if he's the Hero, he can't just jump into the struggle for the throne now.”
“Right, and the fame of House Radia is a thing of the past.”
However, there was someone who raised a counterargument. It was the Chamberlain of the imperial court. The one most knowledgeable about the affairs of the imperial family.
“It's not something to be taken so lightly. It hasn't been publicly announced yet, but there was an uproar at the Imperial Soul Identification Ceremony.”
“What do you mean?”
It was a ceremony to verify the imperial bloodline. Besides simply confirming if one was born with an Imperial Soul, it had another important meaning.
“Do you know what the new prince's succession grade is?”
“He is a direct descendant of His Majesty and the Hero, so wouldn't it be Grade 1? But since the other princes are also Grade 1, isn't it meaningless?”
In the Karn Empire, the succession grade is determined by the potency of one's Imperial Soul. Direct descendants are usually born with Grade 1, so the competition is normally between those who possess Grade 1.
“...It was immeasurable.”
“What?”
“The ceremony was unable to measure the rank of his Imperial Soul.”
Thud.
The sound of someone dropping what they were holding in shock was heard.
“D-don't tell me, you mean...?”
“Yes, that's right. It's the 'Absolute' Grade, which only appears in legends. The same one that the Founding Ancestor who established the Karn Empire possessed.”
Everyone who heard the story swallowed hard.
The meaning of that story was singular.
It meant that the newly appeared Hero-Prince was first in the line of succession to the throne.
* * *
‘I didn't expect the 'Absolute' Grade to appear. Was it influenced by the rise in my soul's rank?’ Chris thought to himself. ‘Well, this is good. I need to cause the biggest uproar possible.’
Just as the ministers had worried, the storm stirred up by the new Hero-Prince only grew stronger.
For starters, the reaction from the common people was extraordinary.
“Waaaah!!! Long live the Hero-Prince!!”
“The heavens have not abandoned our Karn Empire! Long live the Hero!!”
A Hero is, by nature, an object of the people's admiration. Above all, Chris was a master of incitement who knew how to exploit the psychology of a crowd better than anyone.
Paaaat!
A brilliant light poured down upon a beggar sitting on the street.
“Aaaah! I'm better. It doesn't hurt anymore. Thank you.”
Chris smiled and took the beggar's hand.
“I'm glad to hear you've recovered.”
“*Sob*, how can I ever repay this kindness?”
“I am the Hero, an agent of heaven's will. My purpose in life is for all of you to be happy, so please do not worry about repayment.”
...They were truly insincere words, but it was a performance that anyone would be forced to believe.
“Aah. Sir Hero!!”
Chris didn't stop there; he went all around the imperial capital, showing off a 'Hero-like' appearance. The common people, naturally, reacted with wild enthusiasm.
Ruina, who had joined him at some point and was now following beside him, wore an expression like she was about to vomit.
“Isn't this pretense a bit much? There's a limit to how much you can act nice.”
“Lady Ruina, the reason Christian is going through such hardship is all for the sake of the Karn Empire and the world. He is different from someone like you.”
“No, Sir Evan! Do you know that you're even more detestable than this devil?!”
“That is because your heart is not righteous. Instead of only looking at money, try to focus a little on cultivating your mind. You will see the world differently.”
“Uwaaaaah!!”
It was Ruina, who felt like ten years had been shaved off her life because of Evan. Just then, Chris brought up the reason he had called for Ruina.
“I trust the preparations I spoke of are finished?”
Ruina pouted as if she was displeased.
“…Yes, they're done.”
“You didn't do a half-hearted job, I hope?”
“After how much I spent on this, how can you say that!!! My merchant group is about to go bankrupt!”
“There's no way it would falter over this. You're exaggerating.”
From the side, Evan chimed in.
“Christian, you should be the bigger person and understand.”
“You, shut up!”
Chris nodded and then declared the true arrival of the storm.
“Then, let us begin.”
That day.
A letter was sent to every influential family in the empire.
It was an invitation sent in the name of Ruina's Deer Merchant Group.
-We wish to hold a banquet to express our gratitude to the Hero, who is a benefactor of our merchant group.
It was a letter that once again turned the empire's political circles upside down.
Ruina's Deer Merchant Group was no ordinary merchant group.
It was already one of the wealthiest merchant groups in the Alliance, but in recent years, it had been powerfully expanding its influence across the entire continent.
It had extended its influence to the Gold Cross, the renowned Healer Family of the Round Table, and recently, even to the Holy Emperor's Palace in the Holy Empire.
At this rate, it was said that it was only a matter of time before Ruina's merchant group became the greatest on the continent.
This banquet meant that such a powerful entity, the Deer Merchant Group, was backing the Hero-Prince.
That wasn't all.
The invitation listed the following names. It was a list of those sponsoring the banquet, which was effectively a statement of support for the Hero-Prince.
-The Holy Empire, Holy Emperor Istanya.
-The Gold Cross, Law King Olivia.
Along with the Emperor of the Karn Empire, the two most supreme individuals in the Alliance had thrown their support behind the Hero-Prince.
* * *
On the day of the banquet.
As it was the Hero-Prince's official debut into the political world, numerous people had gathered. Most of them did not look pleased. Because a stone thrown out of nowhere was causing major waves. The expressions of those from the second and third princes' factions were particularly sour.
‘The second and third princes did not come.’
‘They must be ignoring this on purpose.’
However, it wasn't a complete dismissal. Key figures from both the second prince's faction and the third prince's faction had come.
-Marquis Valmond, Commander of the Imperial Guard.
-Heinz, the Vice-Commander of the White Tiger Brigade.
They were powerful individuals representing the second and third princes' factions, respectively.
‘The atmosphere around both of them is tense.’
‘I don't know what kind of trouble is about to break out.’
Recently in the imperial capital, violent incidents had been occurring almost daily due to the conflict between the factions of the second and third princes. At the forefront of this were the Imperial Guard, controlled by the second prince, and the third prince's White Tiger Brigade. As such, it was highly likely they hadn't come simply to offer greetings.
Meanwhile, there were some people who looked at least a little brighter. It was the Crown Prince's faction, a small minority.
“You must make the Hero my ally today. Understood, Asran?”
The Crown Prince was a scrawny man with a weak impression. He seemed to be pinning his hopes on the suddenly appeared Hero.
“…I will do my best.”
Asran, the Sword of Light, nodded with an awkward expression.
“Why that kind of answer? You absolutely must make the Hero my ally! That's the only way I can become emperor!”
“…Understood.”
The reason for Asran's lukewarm response was the conversation she had previously had with the Hero. In the Holy Empire, she had approached the Hero and asked for his help for the Crown Prince, but she received a completely unexpected answer
-Are you loyal to the Karn Empire, or are you loyal to the Crown Prince?
Naturally, she was loyal to the Karn Empire. Her loyalty to the Crown Prince was also for the sake of the Karn Empire.
And yet.
-If it were for the sake of the Karn Empire, could you betray the Crown Prince?
It was a story she couldn't understand. The Crown Prince was, at least, the best among the three princes. Though he was weak and lacked ability, he was better than the second and third princes, who only sought their own greed.
-...Why are you asking such a thing?
-Because I want to know your true loyalty.
‘Just what is the Hero thinking? Does he really desire the throne?’
It was as she was sighing in confusion.
“His Highness, Prince Radia!”
It was the Hero's entrance.
Everyone who saw Chris drew in a breath. A powerful grace and an overwhelming pressure flowed from his entire body. Every single step was like that of a sovereign, and his expression was full of composure.
‘Wasn't he raised in hiding? Then how does he possess such grace?’
‘The look of a natural-born ruler.’
The appearance of the one following beside him like a guard knight was also extraordinary.
‘Isn't that young man Sir Evan, the former young master of the renowned swordsmanship family? He's following the Hero?’
This, too, was a matter of great significance. Although he was the former young master, there were not a few in the swordsmanship family who insisted that Evan should be reinstated.
‘The new young master of the swordsmanship family is already in the imperial capital. I wonder what will happen.’
For reference, the new young master of the swordsmanship family supported the third prince. It was a situation where a clash was inevitable.
Just then, the Hero, who had ascended the platform, looked around at everyone.
“You have all taken the trouble to come. My thanks to you all.”
A natural, informal way of speaking.
But then, right from the start, the Hero dropped an unexpected bomb.
“However, it seems there are some who are spoiling the mood. I can see those who are hiding their hideous inner thoughts.”
“!!”
“Is that not so? Marquis Valmond, Sir Heinz?”
They were the Commander of the Imperial Guard and the Vice-Commander of the White Tiger Brigade, respectively. As the Hero suddenly singled out the representative powerhouses of the second and third princes' factions, the air in the hall turned ice-cold.
“…I do not know what you mean by that.”
Marquis Valmond stepped forward and said.
“Baseless slander is…”
“How rude.”
“…What did you say?”
“Who do you think I am right now? Where has your etiquette toward a member of the imperial family gone?”
“!!”
Chris looked down on him with an arrogant expression.
“Let me tell you what crime you have just committed. Daring to step before a member of the imperial family, you did not show the proper etiquette, you spoke without receiving my permission, and even while speaking, you dared to hold your head high with an insolent attitude.”
“!!”
“This is a grave crime, equivalent to insulting the imperial family. Chamberlain, speak. What punishment should be given in such a case?”
“Th-that is…”
The Chamberlain stammered, glancing at Marquis Valmond. He looked as if he didn't want to say anything that would go against Marquis Valmond, one of the most powerful men in the court, but Chris pressed him again.
“It seems you wish to be punished for the crime of insubordination as well.”
“I-I will speak! The punishment is to have one's tongue and wrists cut off!”
Everyone in the hall held their breath.