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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: selkie
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‘Is the number around fifty?’
There were five hundred coffins, but only about fifty responded to the call. Yet, this wasn’t simply a matter of the hibernation ritual.
“Ugh!”
His body staggered heavily. Gestain and Marquess Blizzard hurried over to support Raymond.
“Your Majesty!”
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
He lightly waved his hand, signaling Gestain and Marquess Blizzard to step back. He felt quite dizzy, but not to the point of needing support.
‘It’s not that my mana is depleted. Is it something else?’
Raymond bit his lip as he belatedly recalled that the Empire Reconstruction Plan consumed a special energy according to the setting.
Since it was vaguely described as being related to ‘dominance’, it seemed better to use the term ‘dominance capacity’.
‘Right now, is my dominance capacity enough to awaken about fifty people?’
There was no method written to increase dominance capacity. He remembered that clearly. But the author did set that spent dominance capacity would recover over time.
‘Is fifty Shades the maximum support I can get right now?’
It was fewer than he expected. He had thought it would be about a hundred, since he hadn’t considered dominance capacity.
It was disappointing. If he had a hundred Shades with him, he could have easily crushed every wicked force targeting the Philios Empire at the ‘Blood Funeral’…
Raymond bit his lip so hard that it started to bleed.
“Your Majesty…”
Desia approached cautiously and handed him a handkerchief.
“Thank you.”
After wiping the blood that was about to drip down his chin, he saw fifty black shadows. Still, having gained fifty Shades was not without results.
“Let’s go back.”
The air was heavy and stifling. As he hurried his steps, his subordinates followed. The fifty Shades also melted into the darkness like shadows.
He had gained reinforcements, but the enemies remained formidable.
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Count Pottas, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, obeyed the imperial order Raymond had issued. The fact that the throne had been succeeded was secretly conveyed only to the Royal Guard.
“The atmosphere in the Imperial Palace and the capital is tense.”
“We, the Royal Guards, must provide close protection.”
The Royal Guards all spoke in unison. But Marquess Blizzard did not accept their request.
He had explained multiple times that it was not yet time for Raymond to reveal himself as Emperor.
“Marquess Blizzard! What will you do if something happens to His Majesty? How will you take responsibility?”
A Royal Guard of count rank shot back sharply.
“Fine, I’ll select about three who can move discreetly and station them around the Fifth Prince’s Palace.”
This was the best he could do. If too many Royal Guards moved, even the Tri-Nation Alliance would notice.
It was widely known that their eyes and ears were spread throughout the Imperial Palace and the capital.
“Three aren’t enough.”
“We request additional personnel.”
“That’s not possible. It was His Majesty’s order.”
Even though the Royal Guard was the Empire’s finest, three were not enough to guarantee the Emperor’s safety.
Moreover, since the Imperial Palace had been attacked twice recently, their anxiety was understandable. Still, Marquess Blizzard responded firmly, invoking the imperial order.
While the Royal Guard and Central Intelligence Agency moved in secret, a court meeting was convened. Not only the main nobles but also military leaders and all members of the imperial family attended.
“If there are no objections, we will proceed with the funeral at the ‘Ruler’s Sanctuary’ in Count Dantzig’s territory.”
The Minister of the Interior spoke. There was no opposition, and as expected, it was decided that the funeral would be held at the historic ‘Ruler’s Sanctuary’ in Count Dantzig’s territory.
‘I knew it would turn out this way…’
In the Philios Empire, there was a tradition of holding the Emperor’s funeral at the Ruler’s Sanctuary. This had never once been broken in thousands of years.
Even when he first read the setting book, he thought it was a tradition that made it far too easy for enemies to plot assassinations.
“Brother.”
After the court meeting, as Raymond was leaving the palace, the Third Prince, Alloken, appeared with his elite guards.
“I hear the Fifth Prince’s Palace has been noisy lately. Are you still clinging to the throne?”
“Is that how it looks to you?”
Raymond replied calmly. He wasn’t worried about information leaking, as the Shades had already dealt with all the watchers around the Fifth Prince’s Palace.
“Brother, didn’t I advise you? If you want to live even a little longer, you should stay as far away from the throne as possible.”
Alloken’s eyes flashed with greed. He was showing his desire for the throne without any filter.
“Do you want the throne, brother?”
“You’ve become quite bold, little brother.”
He could feel a sticky gaze. It wasn’t from Alloken, but from the captain of his elite guard, who was focusing sharp intent on him. Before Gestain could step forward, Raymond gathered his aura and repelled the Third Prince’s captain’s pressure.
“It’s best not to make such petty provocations, brother.”
His voice was calm, but his gaze toward Alloken was as cold and lifeless as a northern frost wind.
The aura of a thousand knights that Raymond unleashed at once was so intense that even Alloken, who had reached the level of a high mage, could barely withstand it.
Alloken’s breathing grew rough and his body trembled. He wanted to curse at showing such a disgraceful sight, but even that was not allowed before the sharp force of a thousand knights.
“Your Highness, Third Prince, it’s late. You should return now.”
The captain of the Third Prince’s elite guard stepped forward to take the brunt of the pressure. Only then did Alloken regain his composure and lift his head.
Normally, he would have scolded his guard captain for interrupting, but now, since it had saved his reputation, Alloken said nothing and turned toward the Third Prince’s Palace with a series of coughs.
“You’ll regret this.”
He didn’t even use the familiar word “brother.” Even after showing such a disgraceful scene, his tone remained hostile.
It was almost pitiable to see him acting out, not knowing his fate was sealed.
Raymond shook his head as he watched Alloken’s retreating figure, then returned to the Fifth Prince’s Palace and summoned Sylvia.
“I heard you were looking for me, Your Majesty.”
“There’s something I need you to do.”
“If you command it, I will obey.”
Sylvia bowed her head respectfully.
“Go to the Count Dantzig right now and deliver my letter to the lord there.”
He took a gold envelope from his pocket and placed it in Sylvia’s hand.
“I am to go personally?”
“Yes. If you show this ‘letter,’ Count Dantzig will take care of everything. Go and prepare for the coming disaster.”
“I will obey your command.”
“I’ll assign ten Shades to escort you.”
Given Sylvia’s abilities, she might not need an escort, but with hostile forces active throughout the Empire, it was better to be cautious.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
As Sylvia left the drawing room, ten Shades emerged from the darkness to follow her.
“His Majesty has ordered us to ensure your safety.”
“To uphold the solemn imperial command, we will lay down our lives.”
“Even if hundreds of soldiers block your path, you will be safe. Rest assured.”
They became shadows and melted into the darkness. Though invisible, Sylvia sensed through the wind spirit that they were still nearby.
“I’m faster than you think, so keep up.”
There was no reply, but Sylvia also sensed the unusual aura of the Shades and didn’t doubt they could match her speed.
She used the wind’s blessing to quickly leave the Fifth Prince’s Palace, and the Shades followed.
Not long after Sylvia left, Desia entered the palace. She went straight to the drawing room, having been summoned by Raymond.
“He’s waiting for you.”
The elite guard standing by the drawing room door stepped aside. Desia nodded and pushed the door open.
Raymond was sitting on the terrace, sipping a drink. Desia hurried toward him.
“Did you call for me?”
“You have the communication crystal, right?”
“Of course.”
“Let’s go to the secret room. There’s someone I need to contact urgently.”
Once inside the secret room, Desia placed the communication crystal on the table as Raymond sat down.
“Who should I connect to?”
“Marquess Crayer.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At Raymond’s command, Desia infused mana into the communication crystal. Soon, the top mage of Crayer’s castle appeared in the crystal.
“Greetings, Your Highness, Fifth Prince.”
He was a familiar mage. He bowed lightly, showing respect to the imperial family of Philios.
Since Raymond’s ascension wasn’t public, he was still addressed as “Fifth Prince.”
“Where is Marquess Crayer?”
“He just returned from a border patrol. I’ve sent word, so he’ll be here soon.”
The wait wasn’t long. Marquess Crayer soon appeared in the crystal. His face was shadowed, likely from the news of the Emperor’s death.
“Greetings, Your Highness, Fifth Prince.”
His voice lacked strength. He was not just a loyal subject of the late Emperor Ronald, but also a close friend from the front lines, so the recent tragedy hit him hard.
“How is the border these days?”
“The border is quiet, but the Black Mountains are a problem. Perhaps because rumors of His Majesty’s passing have spread, the Tri-Nation Alliance’s provocations have become more frequent.”
The Philios Empire was a vast machine revolving around the powerful core of the Emperor.
With the most important part missing, others saw it as an opportunity.
“There will be a funeral soon in Dantzig.”
“As expected, Dantzig. I thought so.”
Marquess Crayer nodded. Since imperial funerals were always held at the Ruler’s Sanctuary in Dantzig, he wasn’t surprised.
“Will you be able to attend?”
“Though the border is unsettled, I must attend and fulfill my duty as a vassal.”
Determination shone in Marquess Crayer’s eyes.
“Marquess Crayer, I’ll be direct.”
“Please speak.”
“Do not attend the funeral.”
“How could I…”
Marquess Crayer’s expression was one of disbelief. It was only natural. If not for Raymond’s past help, his reaction might have been even colder.
Raymond silently took a ring from his pocket and put it on his finger as he watched Crayer’s confused face.
“T-That’s…”
Marquess Crayer immediately recognized the ring on Raymond’s right middle finger. No noble of the Philios Empire would fail to know it.
It was the symbol of the Emperor, the Silent Absolute.
“This is an imperial order. Do not attend the funeral.”
“I-I will obey!”
“And prepare your forces.”
“You mean the domain army?”
“There are many wicked forces targeting the Empire. They will surely use the confusion of the late Emperor’s funeral to plot evil. Prepare accordingly. Can you secretly hide about a thousand cavalry near Count Dantzig’s forest?”
Any more than that would make secrecy difficult.
“With about a thousand, I can mobilize them under the pretext of monster subjugation or domain patrol.”
“Make sure they are the best. I want as many knights as possible assigned.”
“There will be no negligence in these preparations.”
Raymond nodded in satisfaction at Marquess Crayer’s serious tone. There was no need for lengthy explanations.
“I’ll try to eliminate as many watchers as possible, but you must move as discreetly as you can.”
“I will do my utmost.”
“If anything happens at the Ruler’s Sanctuary, I’ll signal you. Be ready to respond immediately.”
“I will obey!”
After a brief explanation, the call ended. While Desia put away the communication crystal, Raymond gazed into the deep shadows of the secret room and spoke.
“Shade.”
“From the deepest darkness of the Empire, I await your command.”
A Shade appeared.
“Take fifteen Shades and go to Marquess Crayer’s domain. You can block all the watchers’ eyes, right?”
“All is as Your Majesty wishes.”
The Shade vanished again.
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