Chapter 282
Chapter 282. The Empire's Most Unfilial Child Contest (2)
Slowly, Eulsis emerged from the darkness. Seeing him, Kaldrach's face twisted in anger.
"Why are you here...?"
Several emotions flickered across Kaldrach's face.
There was a blazing intensity that couldn't just be dismissed as simple rage, and it was clear that he was facing a mortal enemy.
Yet, those emotions soon vanished. After clearing his throat, Kaldrach turned his fierce gaze towards me.
'What do you intend to do?'
His eyes conveyed a sense of urgency.
'I want to ask you the same thing.'
What did you want to achieve?
Wasn't it revenge against Eulsis and setting the empire right?
You spoke as if you had no interest in power.
'But it seems you've been consumed by greed in the capital.'
Well, it is natural to develop a lust for power when the vast lands of the capital could be yours with a simple reach.
"Are you so blinded by power that you're willing to forsake justice?"
Why are you saying what I should be saying?
Ignoring Kaldrach's rising voice, Eulsis stepped inside. As he entered, Kaldrach's emotions became more apparent.
The detached demeanor he had when speaking to me was nowhere to be seen.
"By whose authority did you enter here?"
"By the authority of Sir Yulian."
Saying this, Eulsis glanced at me. Kaldrach shot me a sharp glare, but I merely shrugged.
Behind Eulsis, Abigail followed him in.
"So, the nanny came along."
With a sharp gaze, Kaldrach looked at Abigail, but she merely lifted the hem of her garment in a imperial display of respect.
"Were you so yearning for maternal affection? Though just a stand-in, you chose a pitiful one."
"Elder brother Kaldrach."
This time, Eulsis's eyes grew sharp.
"I've told you before, your words are foul."
"I believe I mentioned before not to call me brother."
"Enough."
To mediate the increasingly hostile atmosphere, I raised my hand to stop them.
Even though confronting the imperial family's conversation could be deemed a crime worthy of execution, I wasn't particularly afraid this time.
The two imperial members adhered to my words, even though they came from a mere 'Blind Eyes' team member.
Their gazes fell on me.
'Hmm.'
The situation was ridiculous.
One was clinging to his father's life, wishing for the capital's collapse.
The other sought legitimacy through his father's life as well.
'Come to think of it.'
I felt similar. I had nearly destroyed my family and recently slammed my father, Oben, to the ground.
'The place to decide the empire's greatest ungrateful child.'
This must be the venue for the empire's greatest ungrateful competition.
***
Once all the invited guests had gathered, an uncomfortable silence filled the lounge.
It wasn't simply an awkward air due to poor relations. A killing intent hovered, as if ready to pounce at any moment.
"Now we have the two people together who could overturn the empire."
I tried to lighten the mood with a jest. Kaldrach merely scoffed at the joke.
"Does the one playing puppeteer want to devour the empire, instead of overturning it?"
"I would never harbor such impure intentions, Your Highness Kaldrach."
"Then, none of this should have ever happened."
Kaldrach's gaze still wasn't kind as it lingered on Eulsis.
"The coward was bold enough to come here."
"I didn't want to come either."
Eulsis turned his gaze towards me. I nodded, acknowledging his look.
"Don't worry. I will return Isaac's Mirror to you."
"... Isaac's Mirror? The holy relic of the Holy Kingdom?"
Kaldrach glanced at me before turning back to Eulsis.
"Did you perhaps borrow the holy relic of the Holy Kingdom?"
Eulsis merely crossed his arms without answering.
Bam──!
Kaldrach furiously slammed the table and stood up.
The atmosphere was violent enough to suggest he might draw his sword at any moment, prompting Abigail to step forward in front of Eulsis.
"If you borrowed the artifact, surely you promised something of equal worth to the Holy Kingdom. What did you promise?"
"Am I obliged to answer?"
As Abigail answered in his place, Kaldrach bit his lip hard.
"Well, that's a matter for later."
The atmosphere was inevitably tense. Seeing the situation, I decided to address the main issue.
"This is a matter for later?"
"Returning Isaac's Mirror and resolving the situation are separate stories. It has no direct relation to why I gathered you here."
That point is unrelated to me. Although 'Isaac's Mirror' left me with a bitter taste.
"I prefer peace."
I honestly shared my sentiment. The peace I spoke of wasn't some grandiose concept of avoiding war.
It's simply about my safety. That's all.
"I am not concerned about who stands above as long as peace is maintained."
In the past, 'Yulian' might not have made such statements, but now I understand.
He probably would have phrased it like this:
"If Your Highness Eulsis prevails, the capital will be destroyed. Likewise, should Your Highness Kaldrach prevail, my safety would be at risk."
One who outright wants to destroy the 'capital.'
Another willing to sell out comrades for the throne.
With the shadow of the 'Dawn Society' hanging over me, they both represent dangerous leaders.
"So, I thought."
I smiled as I spoke.
"Rather, how about we maintain this stalemate?"
After I spoke, a brief silence followed.
"Ha ha... Impossible."
It was the sound close to ridicule from Kaldrach that broke the silence.
"Impossible."
Kaldrach wholly denied my suggestion.
"Perhaps if it were possible for you. If it were ever possible."
He looked at Eulsis with animosity still in his gaze.
"He's not one who can be reasoned with. I can say for sure from my repeated experiences."
"Did this 'repeat' include such events?"
Ignoring Eulsis's presence, I brought up the keyword 'repeat'. Kaldrach showed a brief sign of surprise but then spoke.
"Though it's my first time in such a situation."
"Then you'll have to brace yourself."
Strangely, I felt good. I tried to hide my growing smile, but my lips irresistibly curled upwards.
"Everything you experience going forward will be new to you, Your Highness Kaldrach."
Speaking to royalty in such a tone, I must certainly have become unhinged.
But upon reflecting on 'myself', having this level of confidence seemed natural.
"To say such things requires a considerable amount of power."
"I wasn't aware myself."
Though not as calm inside as my words suggested, I needed to say what I had to.
"I didn't realize the extent of my influence."
***
"I wondered why I'd been summoned... only to have my mood spoiled."
Kaldrach scoffed and stood up from where he was seated in the lounge. The witch Abisha, who accompanied him, followed suit.
"No matter what you say or do, you can't stop what's about to happen, Yulian."
As Kaldrach's piercing gaze landed on him, Eulsis flinched.
"The clash with the Wedge Knights and the Heavenly Reverence Guards is inevitable. Blood will surely be spilled in the capital."
"Wouldn't you consider returning to the north?"
"No."
Tsk, Kaldrach clicked his tongue once.
"A perceptive man like you is troublesome in this regard. Once this is over, I'd have made sure to pacify you."
With those words, Kaldrach stormed out of the lounge.
Given his nature, it wouldn't have been surprising for him to attempt murdering Eulsis right there.
However, the presence of the formidable 'Yulian' as a block ensured there was no such clash for now.
"Sir Yulian, you were mindful of the future, weren't you?"
Once Kaldrach left, Eulsis spoke up.
"Realizing that if I die, you'd be next in line."
The power to challenge the throne. 'Yulian' possessed it.
Not merely in terms of martial prowess, but the power surrounding him was beyond just a mere 'fragment.'
If Kaldrach were to kill Eulsis and seize power, it was inevitable that Yulian would be targeted next.
Just like the Sword Saint was.
"But this time, Kaldrach is correct. What's happening now can never be stopped."
Yulian continued to listen to Eulsis.
"I now realize that destroying the empire itself is close to impossible. That's because I couldn't protect the 'Demon God's Horn'."
Eulsis continued, "However, I will crush the capital."
Even though his words carried strong intent, Yulian responded with a chuckle.
"Please, do try, Your Highness Eulsis."
Yulian handed him a displayed box.
Inside lay 'Isaac's Mirror'.
Eulsis pondered.
A holy relic borrowed from the Holy Kingdom. He expected Yulian might use it as leverage for a request.
"This easily... you're returning it?"
"Of course, it's something to be returned to the Holy Kingdom, isn't it? The borrower must return it in person."
Surprised, Eulsis carefully tucked away the retrieved artifact, feeling the oddness of easily reclaiming such a card.
"... About the Sword Saint, I apologize."
Words he never intended to voice escaped his lips, thoughts turning into reluctant spoken phrases.
"No need to apologize."
Yulian smiled.
Lifting a scabbard, he showed it to Eulsis.
Strong souls reside within strong bodies.
It was the Sword Saint's scabbard.
"One way or another, justice will be served."
With a smile, Yulian's demeanor and chilling tone sent a shiver through Eulsis.
Appalled, Abigail flinched, clutching her ear.
"What!?"
Abigail, eyes wide with surprise, fixed her gaze on Eulsis. When he questioned her with a look, unable to speak freely with Yulian present, he halted.
"Should I leave so you can speak privately?"
Catching on, Yulian offered, but Eulsis, seemingly unbothered, pulled Abigail closer.
She whispered apprehensive words into his ear.
"All ritual sites capable of accommodating the Demon's Horn have reportedly gone silent."
All ritual sites?
Eulsis's pupils dilated in shock. Usually, he'd demand answers with a shout, but his attention first shifted to the man before him.
"Yulian..."
Despite the inquiry, he didn't respond. He simply returned a knowing smile.
Clacky's Corner:
So Yulian sent his operatives to close the ritual sites while he was keeping Kaldrach and Eulsis preoccupied.
P. S.
18 chapters left.