Chapter 148
Brillie pretended to argue with Zair and eventually left the inner castle.
Alter followed her without even a hint of resistance.
Since it was a planned action, he meant to play along appropriately.
"When do you think we should return?"
"We'll have to stay put until we hear news. If we move carelessly, it could cause problems."
Alter answered calmly as he looked at the walls of Second Outer Castle.
They were staying here for today, but as soon as the next day arrived, they would leave immediately.
It was rather troublesome, but they had to erase even the traces if they wanted to deceive the siblings.
"We might even have to go all the way to the postal station."
"That might be better. We need to make things a little more comfortable, don't we?"
"Wouldn't we be too far away, then? Maybe we should camp if we want to return quickly."
"It won't be easy to endure the cold. If smoke rises, we could be discovered right away."
"Hmm..."
Brillie looked around, lost in thought.
Of course, second Outer Castle had much poorer living conditions than the inner castle, but at least there were rundown houses to stay in.
In contrast, camping out on the snowy plain, with only a single tent for shelter, would inevitably lead to some difficulties.
"First, let me apologize. I think I've caused you a great deal of trouble."
"It's nothing. Still, if it's a request from father-in-law, I have to help. And... I understand a little. He must be worried."
Brillie was able to faintly sense Zair's feelings.
He was probably tense because of the rebellion that occurred in the imperial palace.
There was no guarantee a similar situation wouldn't break out in the northern territory.
"To my siblings, the grand duke's title seems a source of overwhelming power. And haven't I led the soldiers in battle all this time? Since I've sacrificed for the house, they'll think I'm qualified to be Northern Grand Duke."
"That's not entirely wrong... but that could become an excuse to start a rebellion, right?"
"Yes. Since I've been named heir, it's only natural that there would be dissatisfaction."
"If it really comes to that, won't they try to get rid of you first, Alter? The next head has already been chosen."
"Killing just me won't end it. They'd have to subdue Father... and, isn't Brillie by my side?"
"Hmm... If they end up fighting me, they'll be threatening Duke Illenat's house. That's certainly difficult."
"And both I and Brillie are called the powerful. Bringing soldiers along doesn't guarantee victory."
Alter calmly reasoned, trying to deduce his siblings' psychological state.
If they didn't follow their father's decision and decided to start a rebellion, the first step would be to seize the inner castle.
At the same time, they'd have to win over the closest knights and advisors and subjugate even the residents.
They probably couldn't eliminate him so easily, so they'd end up negotiating with the Duke of Illenat to smooth things over.
"So that's why we need to leave the castle?"
"We might become a hindrance because of us. They won't dare touch us, so it'll be harder to start a rebellion."
"And even if you later complain, they'll try to ignore you, right?"
"At that point, I'll be alone. Even if I ask the imperial household for help, they'll try to sweep it under the rug. If the grand duke's house and its forces are suppressed under the pretense of weighing right and wrong, wouldn't the front lines become unstable?"
"That's true. The imperial household would want to end things as easily as possible."
Brillie knew that in the face of power, righteousness became meaningless.
You could get by without righteousness, but the moment you lost power, you'd be cast aside instantly.
That was why people sought only their own gain, secretly committing misdeeds.
"My older brother and eldest sister each command their own forces. They even receive some support from their personal knights and advisors. So, if they start a rebellion now, they probably have a chance."
"That's why father-in-law used trickery, right?"
"Yes. He's testing whether the title of Northern Grand Duke can truly be entrusted to someone."
"Then... what happens if no rebellion occurs?"
"Then he'll decide by other means. Of course, I have no idea whom he'll choose."
Alter, as a member of the grand duke's house, was simply cooperating with his father's plan.
He couldn't know every detail, nor did he show his opinions about his children.
In some ways, he was giving everyone a fair chance and making a flexible judgment.
"We agreed to make it seem like this matter has nothing to do with us, right?"
"On the surface, that's best. We don't want to cause unnecessary misunderstanding. Conveniently, father wants that, too."
His father had no intention of harming either him or Brillie. Thus, they were being used merely as pawns to put his ruse into action.
Since they would continue interacting with the next head of the grand duke's house, he wanted to establish a harmonious relationship in advance.
'If nothing happens, it'll be a relief... but if anyone tries something, they'll be severely punished.'
* * *
Marchen reluctantly made a decision and moved her forces.
The more time passed, the more stable the heir's position would become.
Thus, she had to move quickly into the inner castle and establish herself.
'Even if Alter's wife steps up... it can't be changed so easily.'
Marchen took a practical approach, excluding Duke Illenat's house from her calculations.
Alter's wife—her own sister-in-law—resented having to give up her title.
If the rebellion succeeded, she might be able to come to a compromise and find some satisfaction.
'With those two finally out of the castle, I have a chance.'
For Marchen, facing the next great mage and Sword Flower would have been difficult.
Their martial prowess was unusual, and their accomplishments and fame couldn't be ignored.
More importantly, both were connected to the major families in the capital, making even exerting pressure risky.
'Don't touch those two. From that moment, the disadvantage falls to me.'
Standing at the front, Marchen led her soldiers.
She had already won over some of the guards on watch.
Inside the inner castle, several knights and advisers would cooperate with her.
Once she subdued her father and ambushed the eldest son, things would probably be wrapped up easily.
'Father... You're wrong. Why did you choose Alter?'
If he'd just chosen the eldest son as heir, she might have accepted it.
But making the youngest, her little brother, the next head—she couldn't let it go.
This was the only chance she'd ever have.
'I worked harder than anyone. I sacrificed so much for the house! Despite all my achievements, why...'
She was suddenly reminded that her little brother was the legitimate son.
Her father, the Northern Grand Duke, truly cherished and loved his official wife.
Of course, that meant he would have lingering affection for the official wife's son.
'His feelings got in the way. That shouldn't happen, right?'
She didn't want to look down on her father, but she couldn't accept something just because it was wrong.
Bearing the title of grand duke and commanding the northern army required ruthless objectivity.
Allowing nostalgia to ruin the house's history was unacceptable.
'He should have given it to me from the start. I'm not stupid enough to be sold off in a political marriage!'
Though she felt pity for both her younger sister and youngest brother, she considered them naïve.
Without giving her all, she couldn't seize the grand duke's house.
Anyone who couldn't rule the house would merely end up being used by others.
Thus, she had to claim the position of head by any means and make it hers.
'There's nothing to be gained by idling in the capital. I need the title of Northern Grand Duke.'
Both the younger sister and the youngest brother had established relatively stable lives through political marriages.
The younger sister became the wife of a prestigious family, while the youngest was recognized as the next great mage.
But, compared to the title of Northern Grand Duke, even that seemed empty.
'Even if I'm called a parricide... Even if I become a disgrace to the family! I must become the Northern Grand Duke.'
Marchen joined her allies and entered the inner castle.
Compared to the imperial throne, the title of Northern Grand Duke was not even that exalted.
She only coveted a lower position than the current Emperor, so must she have such a grand justification?
'As long as I become Northern Grand Duke, any controversy... I can endure it.'
"Disappointing. I had hoped nothing would happen..."
With a familiar voice, soldiers surged in from all directions.
Marchen was instantly surrounded and looked for the owner of the voice.
The Northern Grand Duke stood with a frigid gaze radiating overwhelming power.
"Father..."
"I never had any intention of passing the title to Alter. That's why I ended up fighting with my daughter-in-law, but it was an inevitable result."
Zair disguised his lie as the truth and resolutely made his declaration.
He had to make it seem that he alone masterminded this situation.
Otherwise, Alter would be blamed by his siblings forever.
Alter had merely acted according to his plan.
"You... were testing me."
"Rozandion was in the same position. But he didn't bring his troops, unlike you. Instead, he disbanded his own forces."
"......"
"What do you think that means? Rozandion obeyed my orders. Even if he hadn't! He discarded his means to attempt a rebellion."
"......"
"You coveted the Northern Grand Duke's position so much? With honor and authority comes danger and a heavy burden. How could you be so shortsighted and hope to achieve anything?"
"The child you don't choose is sent to another castle. Or used as a pawn for a political marriage, isn't that right? How can you scold me for being shortsighted when you know this!?"
Marchen involuntarily responded with defiance.
If she wasn't chosen as the next head, there was nothing left for her.
All her efforts would be for nothing, and she'd remain the silent loser forever.
Did she really have to give the title to another sibling?
"You're just making pitiful excuses. Do you think your actions are acceptable?"
"If I succeed, they'll be accepted. If I fail, I'll be called a traitor. And I can't believe you were suspicious enough to test me... I never thought you'd be so distrustful."
"Because of you, I learned my suspicions weren't wrong. Because of you, the house was nearly destroyed! Do you want to see it ruined because of one person?"
"How can you be so sure? How do you know I wouldn't lead this house well?"
"Are you so shameless? To hold that seat, you'd have to abandon the dignity of the grand duke's house. It wouldn't be enough to squander its wealth; you'd have to bring disgrace to its honor. That's why I said you'd bring the house to ruin!"
"If you didn't want that, you should've given it to me! Why make things difficult when you could've chosen the simple way, father!"
"Which is all the more reason I cannot give it to you! If you put your own desires above your responsibilities, how could you hope to become master of this house?"
As Marchen tried to argue back, she suddenly found herself in despair.
She had succumbed to her own desires, and her rebellion had ended in failure.
Now, what punishment awaited her—what miserable end would she face?
'Ah... I thought I could make history with my own hands, but instead, I'll be erased from history itself.'