Chapter 345: Diallo
In Diallo’s father’s generation, the battle for succession saw 34 princes competing for the throne. By the end, only two remained. His father ultimately claimed victory by orchestrating the demise of eleven rivals, earning the crown through the points system.
Such ruthless competition ensured that only the strongest survived. Even in the rare instance of a “lucky winner,” the royal family’s secretive institutions were in place to either support a capable king or reduce an incompetent one to a mere figurehead.
For over a millennium, this system, bolstered by oversight and assistance from the suzerain nation, had allowed the Daqi Empire to thrive. However, with the aging king nearing the end of his reign, a new round of succession battles was imminent.
As the third prince, Diallo was well-positioned for the contest, commanding a fleet of over 2,000 warships. However, he had little interest in ruling. Becoming king would tie him to the Daqi homeworld, making it nearly impossible to roam the stars—a prospect he could not accept.
When the suzerain nation issued a mission, Diallo eagerly volunteered. It provided the perfect excuse to evade the succession war while taking his fleet on an extended adventure. If he delayed his return, he risked losing his military command and being relegated to the title of duke, but Diallo found this preferable to being bound to the throne.
Diallo’s adjutant and one of his many consorts, Aslit, accompanied him. Though Diallo had numerous consorts, only one held the position of his adjutant, and that honor belonged to Aslit.
The Daqi culture exalted the aesthetics of violence. From the brutal succession rules to the dark red patterns adorning their warships and uniforms, their appreciation for power was unmistakable. Aslit’s position had not come without fierce competition; despite her calm demeanor, she had once cut down many rivals to secure her place.
“Aslit, they’ve spotted us. What kind of grand entrance should I make?” Diallo asked, gazing at the screen before him. He ran a hand through his short dark-red hair, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Beneath Diallo’s seemingly sinister exterior lay a playful, unpredictable personality. His decision to accept the mission and travel to the Riken Star System was equivalent to forfeiting his claim to the throne, shocking many Daqi citizens and infuriating his brothers.