Chapter 167
Alter visited the imperial palace with Brillie on the anniversary as planned. Since the Emperor was holding a wedding, it was impossible not to attend. Of course, the number of invited guests was limited, and in fact, they were treated as some of the few distinguished guests.
'I'm still quite late. Originally, she should have gotten married before her coronation...'
As Alter recalled the current Emperor's past, his expression twisted. She had wanted to marry someone of her own choosing, but in the end, she failed. To seize the throne, she undermined the Emperor, instigated a rebellion, and ultimately assassinated her. Because she was always moving forward toward her goal, she naturally neglected marriage.
'She can't have only one child.'
The more direct royal members there are, the stronger they can defend the throne. In order to select someone capable and intelligent, they must be constantly compared and made to compete. However, there is an aftereffect, so it shouldn't be done excessively.
'If power's dispersed, that would be troublesome in its own way... Each of them might raise an army, vying to become Emperor.'
The current Emperor was clearly demonstrating that fact. Of course, the previous Emperor tried to prevent rebellion, but after her sudden death, the succession was forced. In such circumstances, controversy over the successor provided just the excuse needed for a coup. All the conditions aligned fiendishly, and that's how the current Emperor ascended the throne.
'Even if she has many children, she'll probably try to stop at two or three.'
If the current Emperor were a man, he could secure an heir by taking concubines. But since she was a woman, she had to bear both pregnancy and childbirth herself. As the ruler of this country, she had no choice but to avoid anything that would subject her to too much strain.
'She'll probably need to take another husband to keep the state in check.'
There is a precedent for this, so it shouldn't become a major controversy. Of course, it's a privilege allowed only to the Emperor, and among royals and nobles, it has long been considered taboo. No matter how much tradition is invoked, the authority and legitimacy of the Emperor cannot be undermined.
'I wonder if the Emperor can endure that much...'
"It must be urgent, right? It seems the wedding was arranged rather quickly."
"She probably couldn't delay any longer. Even marriage has its proper timing, does it not?"
"That's true. Even for me, people say my marriage was late, don't they?"
Brillie glanced around and whispered carefully. The imperial palace was the Emperor's residence, and the eyes and ears of countless people gathered here. Any slip of the tongue could cause misunderstandings and all sorts of trouble.
"You can't have children forever. I've heard it becomes harder for women to get pregnant as they age."
"It doesn't matter if the man is a bit older, but it's not the same for women. That's why when nobles marry, the woman is often quite young, right?"
"You always have to look after state affairs, so the throne can't be left empty. That's why it's best to take care of it while the country is stable."
"She can't just have one child... That'll take even more time, won't it?"
"She'll do her best. After all, she'll need to pass the throne to a direct royal heir."
"If it can't be helped, couldn't she pass it to a collateral royal?"
"That's possible, but it would cause controversy. There could be another rebellion."
Alter mentioned the word nonchalantly, even as he was conscious of those around him. The current Emperor had purged all those who attempted rebellion and asserted overwhelming authority. But the moment the owner of the throne changes, the ambitions of unsavory people will come to light. If the heir were chosen from the collateral lines, things would become even more tumultuous.
"It's not an easy thing."
"Of course. It's the position of ruling a nation, so it cannot be easy. Haven't you experienced it yourself?"
"It wasn't something I wanted to go through... but there was no other way."
"That's why direct royal heirs are needed—to prevent such disasters. Simply by virtue of being direct royal, they have a rightful claim."
"Hmm..."
Brillie pondered deeply, then turned to look at Alter. One day, she herself would have to bear Alter's children. Of course, that still made her feel burdened, but now that they were married, it was an ordeal she had to face. That's why she felt the need to check on Alter's feelings, even if just a little.
"Um... Alter. You know... We'll have to have children too, right? What do you think about that?"
"I'm still cautious about it. At the very least, I want to avoid anything that could harm you, Brillie."
"I probably won't get hurt. I'm tougher than I look, right?"
"I know that... but you never know. Didn't my mother die after having me?"
"..."
Brillie was momentarily lost for words, taken aback. Of course, Alter's mother had died due to an incident involving the Frost Witch. But for the person involved, the cause was irrelevant—only the outcome mattered.
"I know you're healthy, Brillie. You've trained your body as a swordsman, so I can relax a little. But as your husband, I can't help but worry."
"I understand what you mean, and I don't blame you for your feelings. But you can trust me, can't you?"
"Of course I trust you. It's just that the past weighs on me. When the time comes, I'll accept you, Brillie."
Brillie didn't say anything more about it. She had also lost her mother early and, even before that, always empathized with Alter's feelings. That's why she felt she should support him, even if just a little, as his wife.
'Maybe I've been too focused on myself? I know married couples can't always be on the exact same page...'
"His Holiness the Holy King has arrived here, led by the radiance."
Clergy members began to enter the banquet hall. The Holy King and the holy apostles walked ahead, heading for the podium. Just as with her own wedding to Alter, the Holy King was going to personally officiate.
'Even the Emperor ultimately ended up in a political marriage. If I think about it that way... I guess Alter and I were always destined to come together anyway.'
* * *
Yuria spent her first night safely after the wedding. However, as Emperor, she couldn't leave the imperial palace, so she had to give up her honeymoon. The same routine continued, only now, with an obligatory husband added to her side.
'... Did I long for a life like this?'
Waking up at dawn, Yuria looked outside the window. The sky was dyed deep navy, and even the sun's light had yet to appear. For some reason, the scenery looked especially gloomy today.
'Since I was young, I wanted to become Emperor. Even if I failed, I wanted to marry a good person.'
Yuria rummaged through old memories, then was confronted by reality. She had succeeded in seizing the throne as she intended and now ruled over the subjects of the empire. But since the process was anything but smooth, she was now buried in a sense of emptiness.
'I killed my two older brothers with my own hands. Swept away collateral lines and nobles. Now, no one can threaten me.'
For Yuria, it was a fate she could not escape. From the moment she started her rebellion, her role was set. Depose the unworthy Emperor, eliminate anyone who stood against her, and rule the Agnes Empire perfectly and righteously. Since she'd taken the lead in every incident, she had no choice but to take the full responsibility.
'I might have been wrong. But it doesn't matter. The Emperor must always be right.'
As the ruler of the Agnes Empire, even her faults could be forgiven. No one dared to criticize her, and it was impossible for anyone to command her. They could only obey the Emperor as imperial subjects and ignorant commoners.
'I got everything I ever wanted. I'm at the summit now. Then... why do I feel so empty?'
Yuria already knew the answer to that question. She was fully aware but instinctively rejected it. To admit it would mean discarding everything she had built.
'If I had been chosen as the heir from the start, I wouldn't have had to kill my siblings. Even if I had to put down a rebellion, I could have done so justly... If only I had been allowed to marry...'
Yuria found herself recalling Alter Radiant without meaning to. From the first moment she saw his face, her heart had wavered. He was a sickly, gloomy young noble, but his pitiable and noble appearance smoothed over his shortcomings. Had she had such a gentleman by her side, she would have been somewhat satisfied.
'That man was the companion I truly desired...'
Yuria became aware of her feelings too late, but by then, everything had already been set in motion. She had used Alter Radiant and Brillie Illenat as the justification for her rebellion, which allowed her to win over officials and nobles. How could she trample the justification to which so many had rallied?
'Should I have given up the throne and held onto that man?'
Yuria gave a hollow laugh at the pointless regret. If she'd done that, the deposed Emperor would have tried desperately to eliminate her. Just as the Third Princess was suspected of plotting rebellion by using the grand duke's house's military.
'I can't be with that man... because we're both direct royals.'
Though she regretted her choice, Yuria accepted it completely. If she couldn't marry the one she wanted, at least she would seize the throne. Only the Emperor's title could truly satisfy her desire.
'If only I hadn't been direct royal... could I have married that man?'
* * *
Forbidden magic is extremely difficult to pass down to later generations. Many mages try to suppress it as a matter of order, and if anyone does learn it, they make sure to kill them. That's why only a very small number, in secret, manage to master forbidden magic and sublimate it into a single achievement.
"With this alone, I can destroy that empire..."
The dark mage looked up at a massive pile of bones and drew a dagger. The magic circle had been completed, and the mana and materials to activate it were prepared. Now, if he only offered his own life, a powerful undead would be summoned.
"Dragon... destroy the Agnes Empire! Express your rage on behalf of all of us who've been persecuted!"
As the dark mage slammed the dagger down with all his strength, its slender blade dug into his body. Blood began pouring from his heart, and the dark mage collapsed. The red blood slowly spread out, touching the magic circle, and dark currents began to surge forth.
"Kk-keke... ki-kiik..."
As the pile of bones throbbed violently, filled with the dark currents, the fragments began fitting together to create a single form. Past remnants took shape with just bones, but the dragon's power was impossible to conceal.
"Kaaa... Gyaaaaah!"
The dragon revived by dark magic, the undead dragon, let out a mighty roar. Black magic was imbued with the caster's life and will, so the undead dragon would naturally act according to the caster's wishes. Thus, as the caster had so desired, it would now march toward the Agnes Empire.
"Kiek... Gaaaah!"