Chapter 166

Chapter 166: Sacrifice for the Greater Good

Sacrifice for the Greater Good
Chapter 166. Sacrifice for the Greater Good

— In what way?
Ferda asked her.
— That human probably never had any intention of dispatching Regent Ferda in the first place. The Emperor’s son bowed his head and begged for his life, so he had no choice but to pretend to comply.
— But did it seem like he tried to dispatch me when the word “black mage” came up?
— That is closer to an unexpected situation. But if we put aside that unexpected event, then what?
— Then the targets were…
While conversing like this, Ferda managed to grasp a clue.
— Alexander and Duke Urey, the two of them.
Olivia nodded.
— From the moment that fat oppa lost his legion, there was never a plan to forgive him. Since he could not behead him anyway, he probably manipulated him to agitate unsightly until he only showed his ugly side. My throat is parched. Could I have a cup of tea?
— Yes.
Ferda handed her a cup of tea.
She drank the tea, brewed not too hot, but pleasantly warm, and continued speaking.
— In any case, Alexander has to temporarily step down from power as discipline. But she did not let him fall completely into the abyss; she left him room. Making him compete with the second prince, but would that really happen?
— It would not happen.
— Exactly. The transfer of power becomes uncertain for a year, and his supporters will seek stability and leave.
If Alexander is shaken, those clinging to him detach.
What absorbs that exodus is an unshakeable and powerful force.
The only one that came to mind as the representative of that powerful force was singular.
Valdemar Golt.
— What do you mean by targeting Duke Urey?
— He probably had in mind controlling the side of the Kingdom of Heinkel. He knew that Regent Ferda killed the Urey heir, but had no intention of using that to bind the Regent.
— But I heard that by recruiting William, they tried to have him give testimony unfavorable to me.
— Sir William’s betrayal was probably calculated as well.
— Why would Alexander’s person do that?
Alexander wanted to shift the responsibility to Ferda somehow.
Olivia elegantly raised her tea cup and chuckled.
— Alexander’s person? Isn’t that funny?
— …
— What would be the reason for someone capable enough to recruit Sir William to join someone who is already confirmed to be heading into the abyss?
An undercover spy.
If so, it was valid to view it as Valdemar’s goal.
— In the end, Duke Urey ended up in an inescapable situation. Now Sir Oldin Rooster, having found the pretext, will pressure the Kingdom of Heinkel and attempt to force it to submit under the Empire. Putting a leash on that fat oppa and kicking his swollen cheek once more to humiliate him was just a bonus. If it had ended there, I would have thought they simply gave and took…
Olivia let out a choked groan/sigh and said:
— A massive demon worshiper incident broke out.
— That is correct.
This part was something no one could have predicted.
— That turned into a windfall for Valdemar.
— A windfall?
— Because the demon worshiper turned out to be that damn imposter.
The word “damn imposter” grated on him.
— You speak as if you knew from the beginning that Joseph Faust was not himself.
— I know. Joseph Faust was never the type of person to stare at my chest. I thought someone was imitating Joseph.
Olivia added, as if worried there might be a misunderstanding.
— But I did not know he was a demon. If I had known, I would not have left it as a bystander like this.
Ferda decided to believe those words.
For Ferda too, the existence called Doppler was encountered for the first time in the Grand Council, and it had been a hidden secret until now.
— Anyway… because of that, the integrity and credibility of the Alte Order are now in question. The ones who will take the hit are the new nobility factions.
The nobility was divided into new and traditional factions, maintaining a sort of balance.
For traditional nobles, it was relatively easy to gain recognition as long as they proved worthy of their family’s reputation.
But the new nobles had different circumstances.
They were those who rose to noble positions through great merits for the Empire, and the closer they got to the rulers, the stricter the conditions they had to pass.
— Among those is the Symbol of Faith granted by the Alte Order.
It was a procedure to swear an obvious commitment to resist demonic temptation and follow the light.
But what happens when it is revealed that the bishop granting this was a demon worshiper more vicious than demons themselves?
The face of the Order destroyed the authority of the Order,
And simultaneously created a pretext to suspect those under it.
— Now they will not be able to prove themselves with the symbol of the Alte Order or anything similar. And they will establish a new system.
— In what way?
— Judging by the situation, it seems traditional nobles will move to verify the status of new nobles.
The existing nobles certifying the new nobles…
To be certified, one must flatter them, and the greater their authority, the stronger the power.
And in this Empire, the one who held the strongest power of that kind was Valdemar Golt.
“Everything flows toward Valdemar Golt.”
In extreme terms, whether new or traditional, they could create a situation where one cannot continue in political circles without his recognition.
He may be called Archduke, but his trajectory was no different from a king exercising absolute power.
Patriot, my foot.
— …And my position also became a problem.
Olivia said, desperately suppressing her trembling voice.
Regrettably, she also had a high dependence on the Alte Order.
— The Alte Order now has to watch Valdemar’s mood, and they will try to make me, an apprentice saint taking lessons, return to being an imperial princess.
— …
— Those people are not as steadfast as the Regent. They know it is easier to simply give up on me.
Her greatest weakness was instability.
She had the potential to become a sturdy tree like the World Tree if she grew, but for now she was merely a sprout with tender young leaves.
— Regent Ferda.
Olivia set down her cup and took Ferda’s hand.
Her beautiful hand was moist with cold sweat.
— As I told you last time, please hand me over quickly to Archduke Golt. Before I completely lose all bargaining value.
She said with a warm smile.
— I will live as Olivia Arken Golt for a few years, no, perhaps decades. If I just do that, the Regent’s work will proceed smoothly. If only the Second Capital the Regent is building could be completed…
She showed a benevolent smile.
It was similar to the smile she gave Young Master Lutetia, yet the feeling was different.
— I will endure any sacrifice.
Olivia left, and Ferda sat there, contemplating.
Only one word surfaced in his mind.
“Olivia Arken Archduchess Golt…”
Just looking at the ambition she harbored, it was a truly magnificent name.
If Princess Olivia’s and Archduke Golt’s forces merged, and they simply promised to become the military force of the Far East, the Second Capital she spoke of would be easily established.
So there was no need to agonize separately.
It was not that Ferda treated Olivia as an object; Olivia herself chose it directly.
And not just once, but twice.
“However…”
That unpleasant feeling showed no signs of resolving.
Why?
“Olivia resembled me.”
When the Ferda of the distant future, who no longer exists, first entered the Imperial Palace,
Ferda knew the moment he saw Olivia’s face.
That she too was someone who hated her family not a little.
Fearing she might recognize him just as he recognized her, Ferda kept his distance from her.
Ferda carefully tracked Olivia’s footsteps.
She never married any man, growing old like a noble flower.
Until she became the vixen that toppled the nation, she did not seduce men and maintained her chastity.
“Such a person is trying to marry her sworn enemy.”
Valdemar Golt would be someone she hates as much as her family.
Ferda would not be able to remain in the same space as his enemy for a few years, let alone a few months, no, not even a few days.
Olivia was the same.
Then why did she make such a bold decision?
Because she truly cares for the people of the Empire?
Because she believes she can save everyone by sacrificing herself?
Ferda could not know what the truth was.
— Isn’t everything going well?
The complex thoughts shattered.
The one who barged in rudely without even knocking was Jed.
Ferda suppressed his displeasure and spoke.
— It is going well. Thanks to you.
— Thanks to me. And yet something seems to displease you?
— It is not something to discuss with you. Why did you barge in here?
I thought if he entered uselessly I would give him a scolding, but that does not seem to be the case.
In his hand was a notebook that did not suit him at all.
— Do you know what I did in the Archbishop’s room?
— I heard you found a corpse in a private space.
— There was not just a corpse there.
Originally it was not a place to confine corpses, but a place where secret letters that only the bishop could read were kept.
Jed handed over a notebook he brought from there.
— Those bastard bishops seem to be recording the confessions of high nobles.
— Did you take it?
— I was just curious to know what dirty tricks those bastard nobles were doing. I thought I would just watch it like a low-quality drama… but I found information worth the extra charge.
Jed opened the book with unusually serious eyes.
— There was this content.
Ferda read the content.
The moment Ferda read it, he felt shaken.
Words would not come out.
It felt as if someone struck the back of his neck hard.
— Ah…
His mind went blank, to the point where going crazy at that moment would not be an exaggeration.
Pushed to that limit, shoved off the cliff,
Ferda regained his composure.
— Jed.
Two syllables sank deeply into the abyss.
Jed tensed at the reaction chillier than expected.
— Yes.
— Bring Garnet. And you get ready as well.
— Get ready, as in…?
The balance of power within the Empire is trying to break because of me.
Ferda rose from his seat and said:
— I am going to fix that balance.
He only said that, but Jed could intuit it.
Before the night ends, a wind of blood will blow somewhere.
The Mansion of Acad Debelung.
As a city that housed an astonishing 30 million residents, the noble mansions in the capital of the Arken Empire were narrower than those of other nobles.
Living in a large mansion with a landscaped garden in such a place was no easy task.
Especially with the title of Marquis, it was impossible.
Acad Debelung lived in such a place.
That was the price of loyalty to the Empire’s greatest holder of power.
— Yes, Your Highness the Archduke. I have prepared what you mentioned. We can begin immediately tomorrow.
What they had prepared was a proclamation regarding this massive incident.
Content claiming that demons had invaded the Empire and that they must recognize the gravity of the situation.
The problem was that it had not emerged from the lower classes, like demon worshipers, but from the ruling class.
Valdemar was quick at cost-benefit calculations.
He intended to use this chaos to strengthen his power another notch.
He always said that half of the Golden Congress needed to be purged for it to be purified.
That moment had arrived.
— Yes, surely the utopia Your Grace desires will be completed.
If this work is done properly, Valdemar’s actual power will strengthen, becoming a colossal force that no one can touch.
— Understood. I will hang up now. Have a comfortable night.
Acad cut off the telepathic communication and exhaled as if in ecstasy.
“With this… everything falls into the hands of Valdemar-nim.”
An absolute ruler no one can touch.
As the right hand of that power, he can now purge without hesitation all those who kept him in check without knowing their place.
Acad liked that more than the honor or money he would receive.
— For tomorrow, I should also sleep soon.
Since he would be busy from the moment he opened his eyes tomorrow, he tried to finish tidying up and head to his bedroom.
It was then that.
The butler knocked and entered, delivering unexpected news.
— Head of the Family-nim. A guest has arrived.
— At such a late hour?
Acad frowned.
Arriving suddenly without an appointment was bad manners, and Acad particularly disliked those who did not follow such rules.
— Who is it?
— A person calling himself Ferda Valdrova.
Hearing that name, he felt as if his blind spot had been struck, and even his displeasure vanished.
— Do you mean the fiancé of Archduke Valdrova?
— That is correct.
Strange.
That man would have absolutely no reason to seek him out?
— Since it is night, shall I relay a message for him to come tomorrow morning?
Acad, who had become lost in thought, shook his head.
— No. Show him in. Have the remaining servants turn on the lights throughout the entire house.
— Understood.
Regent Ferda might be young, but through this incident everyone knew he was not an easy opponent.
“Besides, Archduke Golt-nim is also watching him.”
Although unspoken, just looking at his gaze toward Ferda was enough to know.
Such a man visited suddenly late at night.
“And he came to see me, of all people.”
Wasting time would not be bad.
Acad walked toward the door, and the butler opened it to usher the guest inside.
A man in a black suit, ash-gray hair, and blue eyes entered expressionlessly.
No murderous intent could be felt.
Acad greeted first.
— I pay my respects to the Regent. I am Marquis Acad Debelung.
Ferda bowed his head along with him, greeting politely.
— You may speak to me casually.
— No. Even so, you are also the one who will become the consort of Archduke Valdrova, and you presided as Chairman at that time, so it could not be helped.
Acad smiled broadly.
— But what brings you at such a late hour?
— I came to express my gratitude.
— Gratitude?
— I heard that Count Ulbera Consillus prepared the potion you would drink. With work piled up until night, I ended up visiting rudely without prior notice. My apologies.
— Ah, not at all! Please come in! I will prepare tea!
Ferda’s eyes scanned the long hallway.
In one of the largest mansions in the imperial capital, not a single servant was visible in this hallway.
— This mansion does not have many servants.
— Ah, it feels quite empty, right? Except when there is major cleaning to be done, we do not use them.
— Alchemy is delicate work, so that makes sense.
— It is not that delicate. I simply do not like complicated things.
Engaging in light conversation, they arrived at the reception room.
Acad dismissed the butler, and the spacious reception room held only the two of them.
— I will prepare the tea.
— You could have a servant do it, it might be troublesome for you…
— It is a precious tea that requires delicate work. Our butler cannot do that, so I always serve valuable guests myself.
— Is that so? Then…
Acad placed leaves into the teapot and delicately poured hot water inside.
He possessed a delicacy that forced acknowledgment of a member of an alchemist family.
The manual work was done; now there was only waiting left.
Acad glanced sideways at Ferda.
He was not in the guest seat.
Instead, he was closely examining a painting hanging on the wall.
One might dismiss it as mere interest in painting, but it was not so.
The paintings on that wall numbered over 40.
Yet among them.
Only one.
He was looking at only one.
It was an abstract painting with paint roughly splattered.
— Do you like that painting?
Acad approached Ferda and asked.
Ferda responded with a startled look, like someone lost in thought.
— I feel a strange atmosphere. How should I put it, I feel a power that draws people in.
At Ferda’s evaluation, Acad let out a chuckle.
Ferda was the first to give such a pleasant response.
— Well, well… since you say so, I cannot help but boast. Actually, I painted that.
— Is that so?
— My skill is poor, so I placed it among masterpieces to make it look impressive.
— Not at all. If it were poor skill, there is no way that would catch the eye first, right?
Ferda looked at him with eyes full of emotion.
— This is the first time I feel such burning passion in a painting.
Acad found Ferda increasingly agreeable.
Not simply because he heard kind words.
Countless people praised the paintings around him.
There were some who specifically singled out that abstract painting.
But people who understood the emotion this painting was meant to evoke, like Ferda, were rare.
Acad’s chest, nearing 40, fluttered.
Perhaps.
“This man might be a kindred spirit.”
If so…
Perhaps he would understand that too?
— Regent-nim.
— Yes, Marquis Debelung.
— You praise my poor skill, so an empty pride swells a bit. That is why I would like to show the Regent another painting…
Acad asked timidly.
Ferda nodded.
— If there is another painting, I would be the one wishing to ask for it.
— Haha, understood!
Acad smiled brightly and pressed a crack in the wall of the reception room.
Then, with the sound of moving machinery, the space between two masterpieces widened and a hidden space was revealed.
That hidden space also had a painting.
It was a painting with a style similar to the abstract painting Ferda saw.
The name of the painting Ferda saw was ‘Passion’.
And this one he showed was titled ‘Acad Debelung’s Love’.
— What do you think?
Acad waited anxiously inside.
Like a child waiting for a grade, expecting the highest score because everything studied appeared on the test, he waited for Ferda’s answer.
— This is…
He gave the rating.
— Disgusting.
What fell before him was a failing grade.
Acad’s face hardened.
— …What did you say?
— I do not know what it expressed… but it feels a bit disgusting.
Ferda’s forehead furrowed, and he covered his nose as if smelling a stench.
He trampled and violated so calmly what was shown to him without holding anything back.
— Does this express the disgust that the Marquis-nim felt?
His love, shown without reservation.