Chapter 151

Chapter 151
Chapter 151
“To be candid, the conditions at the Imperial Palace are quite dire.”

Casval began his explanation with a steady expression, looking as if the mention of high treason had never crossed his lips just moments before.

It was evident he intended to proceed as though his previous lapse in judgment simply hadn’t occurred.

“As Your Grace is well aware, the First Prince stands as the legitimate successor to the Imperial Throne. The Late Emperor himself declared it so, and his right to rule is beyond any dispute.”

“And yet, you say there are disruptive elements at work?”

“The Second Prince wished to honor the Late Emperor’s decrees and serve the First Prince as the new sovereign. However, the conspirators surrounding him are constantly stalling the coronation and inciting the Second Prince to take action.”

It was a strange way to frame the narrative.

He was asserting that various high-ranking officials were attempting to force the Second Prince—who supposedly lacked any desire for power—onto the throne against his own wishes.

To be sure, the chronicles of history were full of instances where ambitious ministers installed a figurehead emperor to exercise true power from the shadows.

But to suggest that the Second Prince, of all people, was being turned into a puppet?

This was the very individual who had garnered immense public favor specifically because his talents far outshone those of the First Prince.

‘What a farce.’

If the Second Prince truly harbored no cravings for the crown, he would have stepped out long ago to silence the rumors. He was far from being a man so weak that he would be led astray by a political plot he didn’t support.

The fact that the public outcry had not been suppressed was the only evidence needed that the Second Prince found the current chaos quite beneficial to his interests.

“That is a great shame. If it were within my power, I would fly to the Imperial Palace this very moment to provide my support, but the gap between this distant North and the capital is far too vast.”

“I recognize the difficulty. The First Prince frequently speaks highly of Your Grace’s devotion, often remarking that were the miles not so many, you would have arrived at his side instantly.”

Casval bowed low, appearing genuinely touched by the sentiment.

Lucian had to fight to keep a cynical laugh from escaping at the sheer ridiculousness of the claim.

What? The First Prince was singing Lucian’s praises and voicing his confidence in him behind closed doors?

‘If the First Prince were the sort of man to entertain such noble views, he would have secured the throne long ago.’

The First Prince that Lucian remembered was the sort of person who would scream that if a subject were truly loyal, distance would be irrelevant and they should have been there yesterday.

Casval surely understood this reality as well, yet he maintained the blatant fabrication without so much as a tremor in his voice.

‘He truly might be the most shameless man in the whole Empire.’

Whether he sensed Lucian’s skepticism or not, Casval pressed on without pause.

“Nevertheless, despite the confidence the First Prince has in you, there are certain cliques intent on tarnishing Your Grace’s reputation.”

“Cliques intent on tarnishing me?”

“Indeed. It is the Noble Faction, under the leadership of Marquis Bernhardt. They are putting pressure on the First Prince, arguing that it is highly irregular for Your Grace to have brought in outsiders from across the snowfields.”

“I see.”

The way he spoke was purposefully obscure.

He was dropping hints about allegations of rebellion while pivoting the fault elsewhere, claiming these were the views of “other treacherous men” rather than his own. Simultaneously, he was careful never to explicitly state that he had stood up for Lucian.

“So, what you are suggesting is that I must demonstrate my fidelity to escape the political maneuvering of others?”

“I regret to say that is the case, yes.”

“Give me the details. What exactly do you require of me?”

At Lucian’s request for clarity, Casval finally reached his primary objective as if he had been waiting for the perfect cue.

“To start, please grant me an audience with the outsiders who arrived from across the snowfields. If they simply pledge their service to the Empire and the First Prince, the matter will be settled.”

It was a highly suspicious requirement.

A pledge of service from outsiders who were little more than commoners? If it were high-ranking knights or lords, such a gesture might carry weight, but for them, it was nothing but a meaningless ceremony since they had no path to being accepted into the nobility.

‘No, he doesn’t actually care about their service. He wants to lecture them on the Imperial Family to demonstrate the Empire’s scale—to make them see there are paths other than following me.’

Lucian immediately grasped Casval’s actual intent.

To those unaware of the events in the snowfields, it would appear that Lucian had bought the loyalty of these people with gold and property. Casval likely planned to entice them away by speaking of the magnificent cities that lay beyond the frozen North.

As humans, they would naturally long for a warm and wealthy land over this brutal northern environment.

Of course, he only meant to inform them that such places existed; he had no real plan to provide them with anything.

‘He has completely misjudged the situation. I did pledge them a comfortable life, but that isn’t the sole reason they stand by me.’

Lucian offered a slight, knowing smile and gave his consent, telling the man to proceed. There was no point in correcting his flawed assumptions.

“I can set up a meeting at your convenience. I will even assemble them all in a single location if that is your wish. However, you must obtain the pledge of service yourself. I see no reason for me to intervene and help you explain the brilliance of the Imperial Family.”

“Certainly. I am very thankful for Your Grace’s help.”

Casval bowed immediately upon receiving Lucian’s go-ahead.

If he were truly seeking a heartfelt pledge of service, he would have complained about Lucian’s refusal to participate. Instead, Casval seemed secretly pleased that Lucian would not be present to witness the discussion.

Just as suspected, he likely intended to belittle Asagrim while painting a grand picture of the wealth in other provinces.

“And what else? Since you used the word ‘first,’ I take it there is another request.”

“It is a simple matter.”

Despite his casual tone, Casval’s features were taut with stress.

“Please be present for the First Prince’s coronation, which is scheduled to take place in one month.”

Lucian wore a cynical grin at Casval’s invitation.

For a noble of high standing, such as a Count or above, being present for the crowning of the next Emperor was essentially a requirement. In one sense, it was an entirely standard request.

‘If the Empire were functioning as it should, that is.’

The capital at this moment was nothing more than a pit of snakes. Since the passing of the Emperor, all outside communication had been severed, and everything was being managed behind closed doors.

Essentially, there was no way to confirm if the group currently in control was an ally to Lucian or a foe.

‘If my rivals have taken the reins, I would be stepping straight into an ambush. Yet, to challenge such a routine invitation would be viewed as an act of defiance in itself. He has played this well.’

It was a plot so calculated that it forced one to walk into the snare despite being aware of its existence.

However, there was a single oversight in this strategy. A detail that only Lucian, out of everyone in the Empire, was privy to.

“There is no need to even ask. As a nobleman of this realm, how could I possibly miss the crowning ceremony? I will most certainly be there.”

“Your Grace is truly a devoted servant of the Empire! Then…!”

“However, the state of the roads has been poor lately. Traveling without caution might alarm neighboring territories. Therefore, I would ask the First Prince to open the gate for my passage.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Casval responded, appearing completely lost. He looked as though he had no concept of the “gate” Lucian was referring to.

“The gate. The specific one the Late Emperor would activate on occasion. Perhaps you would recognize the term Dimensional Gate?”

“Ah…!”

“I am pleased you recognize it. Please pass along my request.”

“W-Wait just a second!”

As the meeting seemed to be concluding, Casval scrambled to stop Lucian. He was clearly rattled by the entirely unforeseen demand.

After a moment of uncertainty, Casval’s expression shifted as if a thought had struck him.

“I apologize, but the First Prince is unable to activate a Dimensional Gate at this moment.”

“What? For what reason? The Late Emperor operated them with such ease.”

“That is because only the true ruler of the Empire can command the magical artifacts. Since the First Prince has not yet celebrated his coronation…”

Listening to Casval’s justification, Lucian fought the urge to let a smirk show on his face.

Of course, he had to invent some sort of reasoning for why it “wasn’t functional right now.” Most lords would believe any explanation since they lacked knowledge of how the relics actually worked.

But such a lie held no weight with Lucian. He had already learned the truth of the artifact’s mechanics from the Late Emperor personally.

Lucian locked eyes with Casval, maintaining a mask of total bewilderment.

“What in the world are you saying? Can’t any direct member of the Imperial bloodline command the magical artifacts? The Late Emperor told me that himself.”

“…!?”

“Could you be mistaken? Just to be certain, please inform the First Prince. Tell him he ought to be able to use it at any time, so he should attempt it himself.”

Casval began to perspire heavily, likely having never dreamed that Lucian had been briefed directly by the Late Emperor.

If he misspoke at this juncture, he wouldn’t just be viewed with suspicion; he could be accused of being a fraud who misrepresented the Emperor’s instructions.

Finding no way to manipulate the conversation further, Casval had no option but to give a nod.

“I… I understand. I shall convey this to the First Prince.”

‘The capital appears to be entirely dominated by the Second Prince’s allies. Is the First Prince merely a figurehead whose reputation is being exploited by his sibling?’

Watching Casval stumble away, Lucian was sure of one thing.

If the First Prince were truly steering the political ship as the heir apparent, Casval would not have been so shaken. Regardless of Lucian’s claims, the First Prince, as the rightful heir, could have simply asserted that he had no knowledge of such matters.

But Casval had remained silent, terrified of a clash between his words and Lucian’s information. It was the smoking gun that he had no defense if that specific point were challenged.

‘Let’s verify this once more, just to be sure.’

After dismissing Casval, Lucian immediately called for the administrators and staff within the fortress. These were the individuals the Late Emperor had sent under the pretense of providing help, but who were also intended to act as informants.

Once the group had gathered, Lucian addressed the hidden informants among them.

“You have likely all heard the report that an auditor has been sent from the Imperial Palace. I am informed that while there was some initial disorder, the First Prince is now in command of the government.”

“……”

“It is a great relief. I have heard the coronation is set for a month from now, so I intend to travel to Tivron personally to be present.”

The administrators and staff gazed at Lucian with looks of mixed anxiety and confusion. They seemed unable to grasp why he was sharing such high-level information with mere household workers.

However, a few of them, while trying to blend in, were noticeably more guarded.

“The reason I am sharing this with you is that I intend to bring several of you along to the capital. However, it may be a trip from which we do not return, so I will only take those who offer their service freely.”

“A-A trip from which we do not return? What do you mean by that, Your Grace?”

“The First Prince’s rise to power is certainly a time for celebration, but this could all be a ruse. My rivals might be attempting to draw me out through deception.”

“…!”

“But regardless of where the truth lies, now that the formal request has been made, it would be an insult to decline the offer. Therefore, only those among you who are prepared to gamble your lives…”

It was at that moment.

“It is a falsehood.”

One of the younger administrators moved forward, his face set in a grim mask.

Interrupting a Duke was a serious offense for a simple administrator, yet he showed no sign of fearing the consequences. Only a fierce resolve to prevent Lucian from reaching the capital shone in his eyes.

“It is all a falsehood. It is a snare, and you must not go.”