Chapter 4

Emperor.

The title of the holy ruler of the Siberia Empire.

The one and only absolute being who has no one above him but God, and who rules over millions of subjects below him.

The protector of the Eastern Church and the master of the Imperial Capital.

But unfortunately, it seemed even the emperor could not control his health as he wished.

The emperor had suddenly fallen ill and collapsed, and now he was just lying in bed, dying.

I silently watched the old man being cared for by his attendants.

The old man had no vitality at all.

Honestly, he was close to a living corpse.

I already felt the smell of a corpse wafting to my nose.

Seeing that, even I, who resented the emperor, felt a little bit of sympathy.

“Your Highness, are you alright?”

“Me? Why?”

“I was worried you might collapse from shock again.”

“I'm fine.”

Theo worried from the side, but I didn't pay him any mind.

I don't know how people misunderstood, but I didn't particularly like the emperor.

I hadn't known him for long, so there was no reason to like him.

In fact, wouldn't it be strange to suddenly feel a sense of familiarity with someone whose face I had seen for the first time?

Rather, I was very disturbed because of the dying emperor.

The emperor's death would be the starting point of the disaster to come.

In a way, the emperor was a living countdown.

A cuckoo clock announcing the end of peace.

Suddenly, I'm getting angry?

“Ha.”

I shuddered as I thought about what would happen when the emperor died.

In the game, the emperor's death was just an event needed to calculate gains and losses, but now my life was on the line.

I'm really going to die.

At times like this, it's necessary to consciously try not to be consumed by emotions.

I tried to think of good things to divert my attention.

When I played , there were often times when I was cornered.

At those times, the most important thing was judgment.

It's good to draw a big picture, but doing what needs to be done in a timely manner is the most important.

Now is such a time.

I must not lose my focus.

Fortunately, thinking about other things was effective.

After successfully composing my emotions, I took my eyes off the emperor.

Theo was keeping watch by my side from behind.

“Your Highness, would you like to rest for a moment in a separate room?”

“No. I'll stay here.”

A funeral home is originally a place where many people gather.

Of course, the emperor hadn't died yet, but it would happen soon.

As the emperor was facing death, the people who would gather to mourn would not be ordinary.

My judgment was that if I stayed here, one or two people worth recruiting would appear.

Though there would be no one like Zeta…….

When I decided to stay, Theo brought a chair from somewhere and made me sit.

He had a cheeky side to him, but at least here, he was the only one who worried about me.

“But why did you bring only one chair?”

“I, who is escorting Your Highness, cannot sit next to Your Highness, can I?”

“Then you can just sit behind me.”

“Other people will say something if they see.”

“Just say I told you to. What does it matter.”

“Then, I understand.”

We shared a conspiratorial laugh together.

***

However, contrary to Theo's consideration, I didn't have much time to sit in the chair.

Many influential figures from the capital came to visit the sick emperor to witness his final moments.

Of course, there was nothing they could do for the emperor's health.

In my view, even bringing an Elixir, the best healing potion in , would not save the emperor.

Naturally, the visitors had to leave after checking the emperor's condition, but since I, a member of the royal family, was watching from the side, they couldn't just leave and came over to offer a word of comfort.

I, too, had to get up from my seat each time to return the courtesy.

Thanks to that, I succeeded in getting acquainted with the Chairman of the Senate, the generals of the central army, and people from the merchant guilds.

Theo, who glared like a crouching bear from behind whenever someone approached, detested this situation.

“No, Your Highness. How do you remember all those people's names?”

“Are you kidding? Of course, I can't remember them all. I'm not a genius.”

“Ah, is that so? Well, it's true Your Highness wasn't very good at studying.”

This bastard, really.

I was about to smack Theo on the back, but I gave up on the premonition that my hand would break into two pieces.

Theo's trained body was too hard.

When I glared at him, Theo seemed to realize he had made a mistake and quickly continued.

“Instead, Your Highness was good at using your head. So that's what matters.”

“Don't you usually call that cunning in these situations? Anyway, it's not that amazing.”

“Then?”

“I'm just getting to know their faces. So that I can at least pretend to know them later. That's how people are.”

It's hesitant to talk to a stranger, but it's easier to talk to someone you know.

Of course, it would be better if I remembered their names too.

When I was working at a company, there was a good tool called a business card, but it's a pity there's nothing like that in this world.

“Anyway, those people seemed to know me well.”

“That's true. If there's anyone here who doesn't know Your Highness, they must have just arrived in the capital yesterday.”

“You've become very cheeky lately.”

“Hup! I will keep my mouth shut.”

Anyway, I came to realize how much of a hooligan the previous Leon Akardi was.

Among the people who approached me, there were far more who had looks of fear, disgust, and contempt than favor or concern.

There were even people who were surprised that I was in a place like this.

What on earth did Leon Akardi do?

It wouldn't be easy to get only these kinds of reactions.

But thinking about it, it was all karma that I had created.

「Lacking Education: F

You dozed off in class rather than focusing.

Still, someone likes that side of you more.」

If I hadn't changed the traits, Leon Akardi would have lived the life of a diligent model student.

I shouldn't have done that.

As I was shedding tears of blood inwardly and greeting visitors for a long time.

An impressive visitor entered the sickroom.

He was a young man with a dignified appearance and a serious, dark impression.

The man leaned on a staff decorated with gold and jewels, and was dressed in a neat yet dignified, but splendid manner.

The moment I saw him, I froze.

It wasn't that I was overwhelmed by his presence or scared.

It was simply because I recognized who he was.

“That person is……”

“Shh. Theo, be quiet.”

“……”

I made Theo, who was trying to warn me, step back.

But even I was slightly nervous.

In the meantime, the young man walked leisurely into the sickroom, then spotted me and smiled.

It was a refreshing smile, even for a man to see.

“Leon, isn't that my distant cousin. Have you been well?”

I felt very strange.

Because I had received a friendly greeting from the person who would kill me in the future.

But a model member of society should first accept the greeting so as not to embarrass the other person.

I lightly bowed my head and called out the other person's title.

“Hello, Your Grace Isak.”

“No, why are you using formal language? What happened?”

“……”

Leon Akardi, just how have you lived your life?

***

Duke Isak.

A high nobleman from a prestigious family of the Siberia Empire and a 'selectable character' in .

If the player doesn't choose him, he usually appears as the final boss in the latter half of the game.

And at the same time, he was the person who started a rebellion as soon as the emperor died, setting the capital ablaze and opening the prelude to the Imperial Civil War, and he was also the ambitious man strongly suspected of murdering the original Leon Akardi.

Meeting such a dangerous person, my mood couldn't help but be twisted.

Especially since I had played as Isak a few times before, my feelings were even more mixed.

I didn't know he was such a bastard back then, but experiencing it firsthand, he looked completely different.

And a cousin, at that.

I had no idea Leon was related to Isak.

So Isak was a cold-blooded bastard who would kill even his relatives for power.

Wow, that's really amazing!

I managed to hold back my desire to be sarcastic.

Meanwhile, Isak, though momentarily surprised by my use of formal language, didn't bother to act friendly with me and instead sought out the royal physician first.

“I-I am in the presence of a noble person.”

The royal physician had rushed over upon hearing that a noble person had visited.

That man, he didn't even come to see me when I arrived, and now he's openly discriminating against people.

Is he saying a duke is better than a royal whose connections are about to be cut?

The cause is probably this.

「Deficient Bloodline: F

You possess a more superior bloodline than anyone, but there is no need to watch your back.

You are not a threat to other competitors.」

“Ah, save the pleasantries. Let's talk about something important. Will His Majesty be able to rise again?”

“I am sorry, but that does not seem likely.”

“Is that so? That too cannot be helped. It is the work of God. You have worked hard.”

“Not at all. Don't mention it.”

“You may leave.”

Isak finished his business with absurd speed.

Then the physician immediately scurried away.

Afterward, Isak, whose eyes met mine, shrugged his shoulders.

It was an attitude as if to say he had taken care of everything he needed to.

“My business is done.”

“I didn't say anything.”

“Sometimes silence speaks volumes. I was just answering that.”

“……”

It seemed Isak came up to the capital to confirm the emperor's condition with his own two eyes.

If he had raised an army first and the emperor got up from his sickbed, his situation would have become very difficult.

Isak spoke to me in a strangely sarcastic tone.

“So what brings you to a place like this? Don't tell me you've suddenly become greedy for the emperor's throne? No matter how much you are the last remaining person in the Akardi family, His Majesty would not nominate a notorious troublemaker. Your notoriety is so high that people are unlikely to support you.”

Saying this in front of people was clearly a check.

Faced with a clearly suspicious attitude, I quickly waved my hands.

“Of course not. I haven't even thought about such a thing.”

By now, everyone has probably noticed, but just in case, I'll say it: the motif for the Siberia Empire is the Eastern Roman Empire.

That's right, the country that is said to have civil wars over sports.

Perhaps because of that, the method of imperial succession in the Siberia Empire is not the typical primogeniture succession where bloodline is prioritized.

According to the lore of , the emperor chooses a successor from among the candidates recognized as having the qualifications to succeed to the throne, that is, the children of the empire's noble families.

The name of the successor designated by the emperor is recorded in his will and is made public by the Senate after the emperor's death.

The will becomes effective as soon as it is made public.

Of course, there is no guarantee that the will will be followed.

Factions that oppose the emperor's decision will gladly support another candidate for emperor.

That's why the civil war in the main story of breaks out later.

And the possibility of me becoming the successor in this situation?

Not a chance.

Considering the people who treated me like a monster earlier, it should be considered almost impossible.

The emperor lying in his sickbed would think the same.

Just try nominating me, a notorious troublemaker, as the successor.

A rebellion would break out immediately and the empire would be torn apart.

A wise person wouldn't even think of passing it on to me from the beginning.

“Is that so? A wise thought. If you just act like that, you will be able to live with a decent amount of respect in the future.”

“Haha.”

“Hmph.”

Anyway, Isak, having achieved his purpose for visiting the capital, was about to leave.

“I came a long way last night, so I'm tired. I should go and rest first.”

“Please do. Why don't you stay at the Grand Palace?”

That way, it would be easier to keep an eye on him.

But Isak playfully laughed and acted disgusted.

“I appreciate the offer, but I'll decline. The palace etiquette is too stifling. Besides, my entourage should have unpacked my luggage at my mansion in the capital by now.”

“I see.”

“Then I will be on my way……”

“……Isn't that Your Grace Isak?”

If Zeta hadn't appeared in the sickroom at that moment, Isak would have successfully retreated.

Zeta saw Isak in the sickroom and her eyes widened.

She looked as if she hadn't known he was here.

“Your Grace Isak, when did you arrive in the capital? I did not receive any message.”

Isak's face was smiling, but his eyes were not smiling at all.

“It's been a while, Your Grace Zeta? But I don't have to get anyone's permission to come to the capital, do I?”

In the unusual atmosphere, I got nervous and gulped.

It turned out that battling as soon as you meet wasn't something that only happened in the Pokémon world.

The two, who instantly excluded me from the conversation, swung invisible swords and engaged in a war of words.

“You arrived quickly, even though it hasn't been long since the news was sent. Your Grace Isak's territory should be quite far from the capital, no?”

“I came up in a hurry on a high-speed ship last night. His Majesty is gravely ill, so isn't it the natural duty of a subject?”

“I see. I wish the other lords would follow Your Grace Isak's example. But there is nothing to worry about. The Royal Guard is protecting the capital.”

Isak's lips twisted.

“But who knows? What if someone plays a prank through the Senate?”

“The Senate is the decision-making body of the central government, not a private organization. No one would do such a thing, nor could they.”

“Hmm, we shall have to wait and see about that.”

As Zeta stuck to the orthodox argument, Isak gave up first and backed down.

Instead, Isak showed interest in me.

“My cousin looks very tired too, so don't overdo it and go get some rest.”

“I was about to do just that. Thank you for your concern.”

“This is what's good about family. Or how about we go to my house and have a meal together? You must be hungry after being here all day. The chef I brought with me is a good cook.”

“No matter how good, it won't be as good as the imperial palace. I'd rather eat at the imperial palace.”

“Then, so be it.”

Isak left, throwing a check at me until the very end, without any sign of embarrassment or anger.

Anyway, he was not an easy person.

But he probably didn't notice what I was really trying to do, right?

“Excuse me, Your Highness Leon. I have been a nuisance for a moment.”

“Not at all.”

“Then I, too, shall be on my way.”

Zeta also gave me a slight bow and left.

Only after the two of them had left did Theo whisper cautiously from behind.

“……What just happened?”

“I don't know either.”

I recalled the scene I had just witnessed.

It felt like I had secretly witnessed the higher-ups at a company fighting.

No.

A verbal battle between the Grand Captain of the Royal Guard and a Duke, so is it a fight between the strongest in this world?

Anyway, compared to those two, a collateral royal like me was not in the same league.

“But, it's better to continue not knowing.”

“I agree.”

The war of words just now was a preview of the tragic events to come.

Zeta and Isak were not on good terms with each other.

So much so that they would fight in front of the emperor who was lying ill.

Even though he looked like he was about to depart for the Lord's side at any moment, he was still the emperor.

It was absurd for his subjects to bicker in front of him.

There was definitely an inside story I didn't know.

And maybe, if I used that, I might be able to survive.

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