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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Ruby
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After assuring that a spell preventing sound from leaking out of the carriage was in place, Princess Brigitte continued her explanation.
“Four princes and three princesses. Among them, only my brother Schwarze and I are in line for the imperial succession. Our father decided this two years ago, saying only we two have the leadership befitting a monarch.”
First Prince Schwarze had gained great trust from the counts, while First Princess Brigitte had strong support from the barons and viscounts.
Emperor Agares didn’t view his children’s early garnering of support unfavorably.
Rather, he praised it as befitting their great bloodline.
First Princess Brigitte explained the current situation of imperial power, and Yuma listened attentively.
The carriage they were riding in was moving towards the First Princess’s Palace within the imperial castle.
As he listened to Brigitte’s words, Yuma brought up points he found questionable.
“Why did Prince Schwarze try to secure Cloney?”
“Because of the prophecy. The prophecy from the Astes Temple. God Inclinew bestowed a prophecy.”
The prophecies of God Inclinew from the Astes Temple hold great significance for the imperial family.
Countless crises in continental history.
When other countries fell, only the empire could stand firm, thanks to the prophecies given each new year.
About 80 years ago, there was a time when the great forest suddenly became the ‘Forest of Magical Beasts’ due to the sudden birth of magical beasts.
At that time, there were two countries adjacent to the great forest: the Kingdom of Keowin and the Astes Empire.
While the Kingdom of Keowin fell, the Astes Empire was able to avoid fatal damage.
This was because they followed God Inclinew’s prophecy from a few years before, which told them to build a huge wall.
Of course, the Astes Empire also lost many troops fighting against the magical beasts, but in the end, their damage was much less compared to the Kingdom of Keowin, which fell due to the magical beast invasion.
From the magical forest incident onward, the Astes imperial family’s belief in God Inclinew’s prophecies could only become very firm.
“Half a year ago, a week after father fell into a coma. In January of the new year, a prophecy came down to the temple.”
After taking a breath, Brigitte continued.
“When the daughter of the witch who fell into the black plague hell meets the blue-haired sword saint, the white-haired female ruler will save the world.”
“…Does the white-haired female ruler refer to you, Princess Brigitte?”
When Yuma spoke as if he had heard something absurd, Brigitte heaved a deep sigh.
“Yes, I was quite shocked when I first heard it too. The bigger problem is that the new year’s prophecy wasn’t heard alone.”
Brigitte explained about the new year’s prophecy.
The number of people gathering at the temple was four in total, excluding Saint Ermel who receives the prophecy from the god.
The First Prince, First Princess, a marquis representing the nobles, and lastly a duke.
“My brother must have been quite surprised. Since father had fallen into a coma, he firmly believed that he, as the prince, would ascend to the throne according to the empire’s customs until now.”
Brigitte paused briefly before continuing.
“He must have been flustered when such a prophecy suddenly came down. He even yelled at the saint, pointing a sword at her, asking if she had interpreted the prophecy correctly.”
Yuma recalled the content of the prophecy.
“The daughter of the witch who fell into the black plague hell… That’s Cloney, so he tried to deal with her.”
Yuma stared at Cloney, who was sitting next to him with her head bowed deeply.
The daughter of the witch who terrified the continent with black flames.
Brigitte slowly nodded.
“He probably intended to either sever Cloney’s magic circuits, making her unable to function as a mage, or kill her. It’s the easiest way to nullify the prophecy.”
Brigitte stroked the head of Cloney, who was trembling.
“It’s okay now. We’ve met like this.”
Cloney wiped her teary eyes with the handkerchief Brigitte handed her and spoke.
“…I’m fine. But I’m not sure if I can really be of help to you, Your Highness. Just me…”
“You’ve only awakened your mana two years ago, without a properly established environment. Yet you’ve already achieved 3rd circle. You just need to believe in yourself.”
Yuma stared at Cloney, who was deeply troubled and dejected.
If Princess Brigitte’s words were true, Cloney was literally a genius.
And the result of his Search Eye proved it.
‘She’ll be of great help.’
Blatantly calling her a magic genius.
It was information that proudly declared, ‘I am a future great mage’.
Brigitte continued speaking.
“For me to ascend to the throne, I need to either find the blue-haired sword saint mentioned in the prophecy, or make father directly name me as the next in line for the throne.”
The current prophecy alone isn’t enough to push out First Prince Schwarze, who is closest to the throne.
Schwarze was certainly not the type to give up his ambitions in the face of a prophecy.
“My brother is claiming that the saint must have misinterpreted the prophecy. He’s been persuading the nobles too. It’s true that there has never been a precedent for a prophecy stating who will become the next emperor.”
Schwarze seemed to have no intention of yielding to the prophecy.
“The time given to me is at most two years. According to the high priest, within two years, father will either wake up from his current coma or die.”
“Long yet short.”
“Even being able to secure these two years properly was thanks to Duke Balzac.”
Balzac, who had heard the new year’s prophecy together from the saint’s mouth, declared on the spot:
First, if the Emperor wakes up, he will unconditionally follow the Emperor’s choice.
Second, if the Emperor ultimately fails to wake up, he will support the First Princess as the next emperor if she proves the validity of the prophecy within two years.
Duke Balzac’s influence in the empire was second only to the Emperor.
Duke Balzac’s domain was large enough to be considered a small kingdom, and Balzac’s military power was at the empire’s peak. Guardian of the Empire. That was Balzac’s title.
“He’s as strong as you, Yuma.”
Yuma was astounded that a single display of force could be blown up so greatly.
So he turned the conversation topic back.
“After two years pass. If the Emperor passes away as is. When Duke Balzac’s mediation completely ends, what do you plan to do then?”
Brigitte raised the corner of her mouth at that question.
“I’ll have to face my brother head-on.”
“Aren’t you at a disadvantage in terms of power?”
“What more can I do but die?”
With the First Princess Brigitte’s bold words, the carriage stopped.
“I’ll tell you the main point while serving dinner.”
“Alright.”
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Yuma, who had come out after washing and put on something like a bathrobe, checked the folded clothes.
It wasn’t the 5-cent clothes he had bought, but rather more noble, high-quality black clothes.
Yuma put on those clothes and headed to the dining room whose location he had been told in advance.
“Welcome, Yuma.”
“Lord Yuma!”
Brigitte spoke nobly, and Cloney waved her hand with a bright smile.
“Come, eat. It’s the finest steak.”
Yuma cut the meat with its tempting juices flowing with a knife.
Indeed, it had an ecstatic taste worthy of being called the finest by a member of the imperial family.
Of course, he didn’t show it on his face.
“It’s delicious.”
“Would you like a glass of wine?”
It was red wine.
“Sure.”
The 20-year-old Princess Brigitte didn’t offer alcohol to Cloney, who was only fifteen years old.
Drip drip…
A servant approached and skillfully poured wine into the glasses.
Yuma and Brigitte each took a full glass.
A light flush rose to Brigitte’s face.
“I’m really glad I met you, Yuma. Thanks to you, Cloney came to my side safely.”
Brigitte’s lips curved into a smile.
“I don’t want to blindly believe in the prophecy. Even if it’s a prophecy given by a god… if one acts based solely on that without their own will, they’ll deeply regret it if the results turn out wrong.”
Brigitte continued slowly.
All her words were sincere.
It was true that relying only on the prophecy was dangerous.
“But right now, this prophecy is the strongest card I have, as I’m relatively weak among the throne candidates.”
There was clearly anxiety.
Entrusting to others what one should judge and act on themselves was what Brigitte hated most.
But now, the prophecy was the only card she had.
Brigitte thought it was time to get to the main point.
“Two years. I need someone who can protect Cloney for two years while finding the blue-haired sword saint. My brother will keep sending Imperial Ten Seats like Keingal or other assassins, like today. Towards Cloney.”
Yuma could think clearly as he didn’t get drunk even after two glasses of wine.
And Brigitte didn’t seem too drunk either, despite her slightly flushed face.
Yuma slowly opened his mouth.
“Is there any clue to find the blue-haired sword saint?”
“Resonance. The saint said that when Cloney and the blue-haired sword saint get close, there’s a high chance of resonance occurring. It means the two will become aware of each other’s existence.”
“If we have to travel the entire continent believing in such resonance, two years wouldn’t be nearly enough.”
Brigitte added a clue.
“The southern part of the continent. According to the divination of the prophecy’s priestess, it’s somewhere in the south.”
Yuma savored the red wine while thinking about Brigitte’s proposal.
‘Is she entrusting such a crucial task just because I killed one of the Imperial Ten Seats?’
For Brigitte, it was a matter of her fate.
Yuma stared at Cloney.
‘The good and evil are somewhat clear.’
Brigitte’s side is good.
As Brigitte said, Schwarze will try to eliminate Cloney by any means.
And from a game player’s perspective, this very moment is the ‘main story’.
The First Princess on David’s side challenging the First Prince on Goliath’s side.
It was exactly that structure.
Yuma slowly opened his mouth.
“First Princess Brigitte von Astes. What’s my reward for helping you?”
Brigitte grinned.
“If you succeed, I’ll become the Emperor. Then I can give you anything.”
Yuma decided to end his deliberation.
“Alright, I accept.”
“I’m glad. So very glad. What more can I do but die! Hahahahaha!”
Brigitte laughed very joyfully.
‘I have no intention of dying though.’
Yuma stroked the head of Cloney, who was nodding off.
“Go inside and sleep comfortably.”
Cloney opened her eyes wide.
“Yes, Lord Yuma… hehe.”
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Morning came.
Brigitte handed something to Yuma.
It was a golden proof badge with three swords standing tall.
“This is all I can give you for now. Ah, financial support is possible as much as needed. I’ll have it put in a spatial pouch.”
“What’s this?”
Yuma stared at the splendid proof badge.
Brigitte grinned.
“It’s a proof badge engraved with mana indicating that you’re my, First Princess Brigitte’s, representative. I’ll inform all the nobles of the empire to treat you as my equal when they face this badge.”
Yuma received the badge indifferently.
“Better than nothing, I guess.”
“That’s right, I believe you’ll build up the reputation of this badge, Yuma.”
Yuma received and pocketed the badge.
“I’ve marked the first destination on the map. It’s the Rubelt Count’s territory, located at the topmost part of the empire’s south.”
The first destination in the journey to find the blue-haired sword saint was set.
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Hmm, it does kinda suck, like a lot.
“What can you give me”
“I can give you anything after I become an emperor”
“Ok 👍”
🔥✍️
The cold-Blooded perk made him the most indiffrent man on the planet 🙏😭
i’m sure he doesn’t even need anything. He’s like a parrying kenpachi at this point, looking for heads to collect
Brigitte: you won’t ask anything or suspicious of it?
MC: why Should i? This is how the plot goes.
Brigitte: Fair enough.
There is quite literally zero nuance in this authors writing. It’s like so close to being good, and then this happens.
If you’re gonna make a prophecy atleast make it somewhat mysterious. Don’t just say, when blue haired guy white haired ruler and witch daughter get together white haired save world. That’s bad writing.
And we all know that the mc is doing all the work. So white haired ruler is just stealing credit. Smh
“In the shadows of despair where darkness once dwelled, the daughter of the witch, cursed by the black plague, shall rise. When her path intertwines with the blue-haired sword saint, a bond forged in fate shall awaken. From the depths of chaos, the white-haired ruler will emerge, her strength a beacon of hope. Together, they will defy the shadows, and through their unity, the world shall be reborn, free from the chains of torment, ushering in an age of light and harmony.”