Chapter 31: Old Order
Who would have guessed that the empire would allow a growing tiger to develop in its backyard? Spade reflected on his intuition that the Empire had been relatively peaceful during his reign; he was always vigilant and didn't dare to take anything lightly, and he still made sure to strengthen his control over his throne and the Empire more than ever in these recent years.
Spade was very different from his father in that he was used to being rational and having complete control over everything. He was a steady ruler who was both compassionate and ruthless. He was not criticizing his royal father, but Spade knew that while the late emperor was a good man, a good husband, and a good father, he wasn't a good ruler.
His father was too kind and easygoing, and his hold on the throne wasn't as firm as Spade's grandfather's or Spade's. That's why, during the conversation with the Duke, he felt his father's regret. It wasn't just because he couldn't give the victims justice, but also out of resentment toward himself for failing to notice such a massive organization sprouting on the land he was ruling over.
Spade sighed and his fingers stopped tapping as he remembered his father. He could still remember his father's declining health and the deep look his father gave him before dying as he muttered an apology to him. Spade couldn't understand at the time. Now, he could. His father must have apologized at the time for entrusting him with the fight against that organization. When his father apologized to him, Spade could see the deep regret in his father's eyes.
A deep sigh was heard in the silent room, followed by a whisper. "Old Order,"
Spade's fingers began to tap again, his mind was active, and it began to wander through the information of the past.
Old Order... the Old Empire, was it possible that there were connections between the two besides their names? Did the organization's founder have anything to do with the Old Rule? Perhaps a member of the royal family? Spade was still baffled.
The Old Empire was long gone and had become history; furthermore, even the descendants of old had surely disintegrated with the passage of time by now; who else would hold on to the glory of the past... a full half a millennium since then? Was it truly possible?
It was necessary to investigate in this direction, and he would read something about it later on. However, the most important thing now was... The tapping sounds abruptly ceased.
"If our assumptions were correct that the organization was behind the plot against Arren... their plan was undoubtedly to use Arren against the Duke, that's the only motive I can think of. Or is there something else?" Spade muttered out loud his thoughts.
Thinking of Arren, Spade's expression softened a lot, but when he suddenly remembered the current condition of the omega he couldn't help and be distressed. Spade's closed eyelids moved, and he gradually opened slightly. There were traces of exhaustion in his deep solemn eyes, possibly due to exhaustion or the heavy information he received. His position was maintained while gazing at the ceiling as his mind began to revolve and calculate his next course of action.
While Spade was at the palace plotting his next move, Arren, who was staying at the hotel, awoke from his sleep. Arren's condition had obviously improved from before; he felt much better and the discomfort had vanished. His mood had also improved, and his headache had subsided.