Chapter 30
‘The Third Prince is gathering all his forces to engage in battle!’
The entire Imperial Palace was thrown into chaos by the Third Prince’s aggressive movements.
This was nothing like the covert power struggles that had been quietly waged until now.
The Third Prince was openly summoning his full military strength into the Third Prince’s Palace, as though preparing for an all-out war.
The other princes, seeing such a reckless move, could not simply stand by.
In haste, they too called their respective forces into their own palaces.
“These damned fools! Do they even realize what they’re doing? Do they think His Majesty’s leniency means he won’t act? Ah—! These idiots are really going to cause a disaster.”
Even maintaining the status quo would have been enough, yet things suddenly began to spiral out of control. It had started with the youngest, and now the third.
Cracks were forming in the grand design the Crown Prince had so carefully drawn.
The Crown Prince, whose default expression was one of composure and a gentle smile, now found himself frowning more often than not.
“What are you all waiting for! Prepare the defensive formation immediately!”
Even if it meant incurring the Emperor’s wrath, sitting idly by was not an option.
With great reluctance, the Crown Prince called his forces into the Crown Prince’s Palace to oppose the Third Prince.
At the same time, the situation in the Second Prince’s Palace was not much different.
“What the hell is wrong with this bastard? What? I stabbed him in the back? Ha! What kind of bullshit is that? That idiot only knows how to whine about his dead subordinates. Hey, enough talk—call all our men here.”
The Third Prince might not have realized it, but when the Second Prince had previously moved to check Yuwon, he hadn’t only used the Third Prince’s people.
Even if blood was to be shed, it should be one’s own.
The Second Prince was not the kind of cowardly man who would blow his nose using someone else’s hand.
In fact, several of the Second Prince’s men who had been investigating Yuwon’s activities had gone missing, and even those sent to track them down had all lost contact as well.
The Second Prince had been bleeding in his own way—yet the Third Prince, without a single proper conversation, had jumped to conclusions and was now acting on his own. It was enough to drive the Second Prince mad.
“This so-called ‘Genius of Magic,’ my ass! Stupid blockhead! Why the hell would I stab him in the back? So that’s how he’s been seeing me all this time, huh? That bastard!”
It would have been nice if venting his anger could solve things, but nothing was that simple.
“That damned Third Prince. If he’s that worked up, he might strike the moment he sees an opening. Prepare the minimum defense line first. We can talk after that. They say magicians are all know-it-alls, but ‘Genius of Magic’? Hah! What a joke. He’s nothing but a clueless idiot who doesn’t even understand what’s happening around him.”
The chaos that began in the Third Prince’s Palace soon engulfed the entire Imperial Palace, and even the Fourth Prince could not avoid being dragged into it.
“What did you say? Third Brother even called in the Mage Corps? This… this is getting out of hand. The situation looks grim. We must request aid from the elders of the Church.”
The Fourth Prince could not simply stay still either. Though he had thus far kept a passive stance, overshadowed by his brothers’ ambition, even he had his own lifeline to rely on.
Across the Empire, the greatest religious order on the continent—the Church of Lehl.
Under the name of the Saint of the Imperial Family, the paladins who worshipped the one true god, Lehl, began gathering in the Imperial Palace.
And finally, the Fifth Prince’s Palace.
“Marcellus… is that all you have to say?”
“Eh…? Y-Your Highness, if you ask whether that’s all, then yes… but it’s not a matter to be taken lightly…”
Yuwon had been on his way to the library when Chief Attendant Marcellus stopped him, frantically insisting they needed to mobilize troops. Yuwon cut him off.
“Marcellus, do not act rashly. Nothing will happen.”
“However… Your Highness! This turmoil cannot be avoided by merely crouching in fear! Forgive my words, but in the worst case, even your exalted life could be in danger!”
Today, even Marcellus was unusually persistent. Of course, that meant nothing before Yuwon.
“This is my palace, and you are my servant. Yet today, that word ‘Chief’ in your title seems to weigh too heavily on you.”
Despite Yuwon’s clear statement of intent, the Chief Attendant dared to object. This was Yuwon’s polite way of warning him.
“…Yes, Your Highness. In my concern for your safety, this lowly one has overstepped his bounds.”
Marcellus bowed his head in submission. But Yuwon wasn’t satisfied until he made his stance perfectly clear.
“I will make the decision. The Fifth Prince’s Palace will take no action in response to this matter.”
“Ah…”
Marcellus let out a despairing sigh, as though his heart had collapsed.
“Oh, and one more thing. Even if I were to rally forces—who exactly would fight for me? At best, perhaps my late mother’s family might offer to help, but you know what became of them.”
“That is…”
Even the talkative Marcellus was at a loss for words. Yuwon’s question had struck precisely at the truth.
Once, Yuwon’s maternal family had been granted a dukedom in recognition of their contributions to the founding of the Empire.
However, that glorious past was long gone.
They had long since fallen into ruin, losing even their ducal title, reduced now to a hollow marquisate.
“So even if I were to count all of my so-called forces, they amount to barely twenty knights who would arrive late even if assassins attacked me, and a hundred soldiers who wouldn’t know if an enemy entered my bedchamber. Gathering them all would be pointless. Am I wrong?”
“….”
Marcellus was rendered speechless. All he could do was stand there, motionless, as if waiting to be punished.
“Unless, of course, I were to gather that pitiful force myself, and you, Marcellus, would volunteer to lead them into battle.”
“Forgive me, Your Highness. I lack the skill for such a task. Please, spare me.”
“If that’s what you think, then so be it. But if you ever change your mind, do let me know.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I understand your will clearly. I am only sorry for wasting your precious time with my foolishness.”
“That’s enough. Then, I’ll be on my way.”
“Yes, please take care, Your Highness.”
Yuwon ended the conversation, and Marcellus bowed deeply as Yuwon departed.
Resuming his steps, Yuwon continued toward his destination—the library.
‘The princes’ rivalry has already reached the edge of what His Majesty will tolerate. They want to flaunt their power, but there’s no way the Emperor will simply stand by.’
Yuwon was certain that a full-scale battle would never break out.
The Emperor, Yulaios Aphahiel, whom Yuwon knew, was not a man to be taken lightly.
If Marcellus or the rest of the Imperial Palace’s officials’ fuss dictated how the world worked, the Empire would have collapsed long ago—its very foundations turned to dust.
‘Now, I wonder what card the Emperor will play. Will he suppress them by force, or will he offer some convincing release valve….’
A faint smile curved Yuwon’s lips.
As he mulled over his thoughts, he soon found himself standing before the library.
“You’re a bit late today, Your Highness.”
The moment Yuwon stepped inside, he was greeted by the familiar scent of books—and by Hastings.
“Ah, I was delayed by a short meeting request.”
“Well, considering how restless the palace has been lately, that makes sense. You always appear so composed, Your Highness, that I forget how turbulent things are. Ah, but today, a visitor came looking for you.”
“A visitor, for me?”
At Yuwon’s question, Viscount Bartlett smiled in a curious way.
“Yes, please go up and see them.”
‘Who could it be…? I can’t think of anyone who would come all the way here to find me.’
“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”
Renania Valaris—who had come all that way a few days ago to annul her engagement with the Fifth Prince—had not yet left the Imperial Palace. She had come once again to see Yuwon.
Inside the Emperor’s office.
“…So, the boys are amusing themselves, you say?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. They are gathering power as though they might start an all-out war any moment now.”
“And the one who began all this was the Third?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At his servant’s answer, the Emperor gave a quiet chuckle—one eerily similar to the smile Yuwon often wore.
“Then there’s nothing to worry about. The Third is craftier than he looks. He’s angry, yes, but he’ll stop there.”
Unlike the unconcerned Emperor, his servant’s expression remained dark.
“If a full-scale conflict breaks out, the unrest will begin in the palace and spread throughout the realm.”
“Do you truly think I would let that happen?”
The Emperor’s faint smile vanished from his face. From the start, he had never intended to simply watch the situation escalate.
“Please, instruct your ignorant servant, Your Majesty. I will carry out your will to the letter.”
“The princes are merely following the Third out of fear—none of them dare wage a true war.”
The Emperor’s reply was clear and firm.
“Then, does Your Majesty intend to continue observing the situation as it is?”
“No, not quite. When power gathers in one place, it must be released now and then. Otherwise, it will truly explode. Now then… when was the annual Post-Foundation Competition scheduled?”
At that question, the servant searched his memory before answering.
“Well… last year it was in mid-May, and this year it was planned for early May. Ah… Your Majesty, do you mean—?”
When the servant seemed to grasp his meaning, the Emperor nodded.
“Yes, that’s it. Announce it for ten days from now. Given the short time, they’ll need teleportation magic. Send an imperial edict to the Magic Tower in my name.”
Teleportation—the spatial-folding magic that allowed instant travel across great distances—was incredibly useful, but equally infamous for consuming vast amounts of mana.
It was a privilege only the Emperor or the highest-ranking nobles could use freely.
If the Post-Foundation Competition were suddenly moved to ten days later and portals opened for all participants, both the Magic Tower and the Mage Corps would have to pour in enormous mana reserves to ensure everything proceeded smoothly.
“Ah! I understand, Your Majesty. I will faithfully carry out your exalted will.”
“Ah, that’s not all. The First, Second, and Fourth also need something to do. If I only drain the Third’s strength, he’ll take offense—and it wouldn’t be fair.”
“Then what shall we assign to the other princes?”
“Have them take charge of security within their own palaces. And of course, reinforce the overall palace defenses so that no one uses their spare forces for foolishness. It’s a national event drawing participants from all over the Empire—no one will object to stronger security, will they?”
At that, the servant finally smiled with relief.
“Your words are most wise, Your Majesty. Everything shall be done according to your command.”
“And one more thing. Prepare a military parade. It may seem excessive, but when we do something, we do it thoroughly. That should make my intentions clear to all the princes.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall attend to it immediately.”
And that intention was a warning—to know their limits.
The Emperor permitted his sons to compete for supremacy, but turning the palace into a battlefield was a different matter entirely.
This was his way of firmly reestablishing the line that must not be crossed.
Under the Emperor’s tacit supervision, the competition for the throne had continued smoothly—but now he was tightening the reins once more.
After dismissing his servant, the Emperor sat alone in the silent hall, lost in thought.
‘The youngest is off to the library again today… That boy… he acts as if he knows everything already.’
There was a world of difference between being powerless and thus forced to stay idle, and choosing to stay still out of confidence and control.
Both resulted in inaction, but their meanings were as far apart as heaven and earth. To the Emperor, Yurion’s inaction clearly belonged to the latter.
‘Even Yulia is flustered enough to call his troops, yet the youngest remains calm… hmm.’
His eldest son, Yulia—the cunning man who could achieve anything with a smile—yet lately, the Emperor found the youngest even more inscrutable.
‘The boy… he’s grown quite a bit.’
The Emperor began to suspect that his youngest son’s entry into the struggle for the throne was not reckless bravado, but a calculated move born of deliberate planning.
‘This year’s Post-Foundation Competition will be most entertaining.’
A faint smile of anticipation spread across the Emperor’s face.
And that very afternoon, the news of the early Post-Foundation Competition spread swiftly throughout the Empire.
A premature warm breeze swept through the land.