Chapter 65. The Empire's Future
"Elfenbein?"
The pretext for their assault on the imperial palace had been the fact that the imperial princesses were colluding with Elfenbein. They were imperialists to the bone. They were anti-magicists who despised magic.
But now the situation had changed.
"As you all know, the cities located east of Hohenberg are remote hinterlands beyond the capital's influence. Now they have become dead cities, abandoned even by their inhabitants due to the swarming monsters."
"That is exactly my point! Moreover, would those mages even care about the Empire's affairs!"
"That is why."
"That is precisely why the mages' cooperation is desperately needed. Fortunately, the Second Princess has formed a bond with Elfenbein, making this the best possible position from which to build a friendly relationship with the Magic Tower going forward."
This was precisely the alternative Rike had presented. The lords east of Hohenberg needed Elfenbein's cooperation far more than they needed the Imperial capital's. In the end, the traitors found themselves in a situation where they had to cooperate with Elfenbein, whether they liked it or not, simply to survive. It was a masterstroke that delivered fitting punishment without shedding a drop of blood.
"All assets you originally held will be confiscated by the palace. New lords will be enfeoffed in your place. This is the best punishment I, as Regent, can pass down upon you."
The traitors were all lost for words. They all knew, too. That they should be grateful simply to have kept their heads. Now they would depart for the eastern reaches of the Empire and begin everything anew from scratch.
"Did we do the right thing?"
"You have handled this wisely."
Once the disposition of the traitors was complete.
The prisoners who had filled the underground dungeons were all released.
For now, one major problem had been resolved.
"Your Grace the Duke, how long do you intend to remain in Essen?"
"I would like to stay longer, but that is difficult. Affairs in my territory are not favorable."
"May I ask what is the matter?"
He showed a surprisingly hesitant demeanor. The Duchy of Dux was renowned among the Empire's territories for being particularly stable in both public order and the livelihood of its people...
"It is because of monsters."
"Pardon? Monsters?"
Rike was the first to react to the word "monsters." Silvia and Binaeril also pricked up their ears at his words.
"Is not the Duke's army formidable? I have heard people say the Duchy of Dux is the safest territory in the Empire."
"Correct. That was the case. But the ones that appeared this time were somewhat different."
"How were they different?"
It was Binaeril who took up the question. As a mage himself, he naturally felt curious about talk of monsters.
"Had they been mere monsters, the ducal army would not have struggled. I am an outstanding lord, but also an outstanding soldier. I fear no living creature."
"You mean..."
"They are not 'living' enemies."
What those words meant was clear.
'Undead.'
It was a term for beings that had returned from death, regardless of whether they had been human, beast, or monster. It was more accurate to view the undead as an entirely independent new species rather than a type of monster. That is, if such beings could be classified as living at all. If the enemy was undead, it was understandable that the ducal army was struggling. Undead could not be killed by simple physical force. Unlike ordinary monsters, beings called undead moved even when their hearts were torn out or their heads severed.
"Remarkable."
"Remarkable?"
"I have heard they hardly ever appear under normal circumstances. That they are born only under very special situations, such as a black mage's experiments..."
"Then this is truly remarkable news."
"What do you mean?"
"Several hundred undead are currently appearing in the Duchy of Dux."
The three mages from Elfenbein felt chills run down their spines simultaneously.
"Your Grace the Duke, is that true? Never once have I heard of such a thing even in Elfenbein."
"Regrettably, it is true. I have sealed off the areas where the undead began appearing and evacuated the people. I am controlling the situation so the outbreak does not spread further... but honestly, the situation is beyond my strength."
"You must return quickly."
"Yes. That is why I was thinking that if relations between the Empire and Elfenbein improve, perhaps the Duchy could receive support from mages as well."
"I will take that into consideration as well and send word to Elfenbein," Friederike answered.
"Then will you be returning to the duchy immediately?"
"I intend to attend the coronation before returning."
"Given your circumstances, we should hold the coronation as soon as possible."
"Soon you shall no longer be Her Excellency Regent Charlotte, but Her Imperial Majesty Emperor Charlotte."
At the Duke of Dux's passing remark, the Regent fell silent for a moment.
"Come to think of it."
She looked at Rike and spoke.
"We haven't yet decided who will inherit the throne."
"Forgive my presumption, but of course Princess Charlotte should ascend the throne."
"Why?"
"Because the one who has practically led the Empire all this time is none other than the First Princess."
The first to voice his opinion was Court Count Hans Brandt. Having served at the Regent's side and watched from the nearest vantage point, he knew better than anyone what efforts Charlotte had exerted to lead the Empire.
"I think so too, Sister."
"I, too, had naturally assumed the First Princess would ascend."
Rike and Duke Dux added their voices.
But the opinion of the person in question differed.
"Just because I have served as Regent means I should become Emperor? I don't think so. Who does the Empire need most right now? Someone who can maintain friendly relations with Elfenbein. For that, Rike, you are more suitable than me."
Her argument held merit as well.
"But if the Second Princess ascends, other nobles might object. You have not shown yourself much in public until now."
"I spent almost all my time in Elfenbein. I don't even know the state of our own country as well as you do."
In short, this was the situation.
First Princess Charlotte had governed as Regent in the Emperor's stead. She was the one who understood the state of the Empire better than anyone. Second Princess Friederike was the figure most needed by the Empire at this moment, the core of diplomacy. From the beginning, the very reason the Regent had sent her to Elfenbein had been to lay the groundwork for improving relations with the Magic Tower.
They were in a situation where each was yielding the throne to the other.
'Then isn't it simple?'
In Binaeril's eyes, the answer was obvious.
"Why don't the two of you rule together?"
At the unexpected answer, everyone's eyes turned to Binaeril.
"What do you mean?"
"The First Princess understands the domestic situation, and the Second Princess is suited to fostering the Empire's diplomatic relations. Simply put, couldn't you take both of your strengths?"
"A joint coronation... you mean?"
Court Count Brandt echoed.
"In the Empire's history—no, thinking back on every kingdom I can recall—there has never been such a precedent."
"There is no precedent, but that doesn't make it impossible. The two princesses are not hostile to each other. What reason is there that it cannot be done?"
"Hmm..."
Those who had initially shown reluctance were gradually coming around to Binaeril's logic.
"Either way, whichever becomes Emperor, the Empire will see the birth of an unprecedented Empress. What the two of you value is not tradition or precedent, but the future of the Empire, is it not?"
The two imperial princesses faced each other.
An unshakeable trust between the two sisters that no one could come between.
'What is important is not tradition or precedent, but the Empire's future.'
"Lord Dalheim is right."
"I think so as well."
The two golden-haired princesses smiled at each other.
It was the moment the new Emperors of the Empire were decided.
That night, someone came to the Second Princess's bedchamber. Charlotte and Friederike, the two princesses, were sitting in the same bedchamber talking.
A visitor at such a late hour?
"Who is it at this hour?"
"Could it be a secret lover coming to visit?"
"Stop teasing me!"
The visitor was Binaeril Dalheim.
Charlotte made a strange expression and looked at her younger sister.
"So this schemer was real after all..."
"No!"
Binaeril waited, without understanding the situation, for the imperial sisters' squabbling to end.
"So, Binaeril, what brings you?"
"I have come to make a request."
"A request? You could have spoken during the day. Why at this hour, Lord Dalheim?"
There was a reason Binaeril had been unable to bring this up during the day. Because except at late hours, Court Count Brandt or Silvia was always attached to their sides. And because the request he was about to make was something that would make them clutch the backs of their necks and oppose with all their might if they heard. He had come at this late hour thinking that at least Rike would understand, but with the First Princess here as well... well, it didn't matter. She would have learned of it eventually anyway.
"There is something I wish to receive as compensation for aiding the Second Princess."
In that instant, Regent Charlotte felt a powerful premonition. Her mind raced fiercely.
'In exchange for saving the Second Princess's life, give her to me!' or, 'If the Second Princess becomes Empress, then I as the Imperial Consort...' and so on.
'A proposal this sudden?'
The dead of night, a bedchamber that should have been for two, the tender emotion between them.
The First Princess realized she was an unwanted guest.
"Ahem, ahem!"
Before Binaeril could open his mouth, she sprang up and quietly retreated to a corner of the room. Since she had become an intruder anyway, shouldn't she at least witness this historic scene before slipping away?
"Continue."
"...? Well, it is nothing the Regent cannot hear. I wish for you to give me the Emperor's crown."
"I permit it. Lord Binaeril's merits are more than befitting a consort to the Empre... huh?"
"The Emperor's crown?"
The crown was the symbol of the Emperor and the treasure of the Empire. It was the symbol of Albrecht, decorated with gold, ivory, and jewels. Though the crown itself was a priceless treasure, desiring it as compensation was an incomprehensible demand. If Binaeril wished it, far more riches could be given. Why the crown, of all things, a symbolic object?
The two princesses asked simultaneously.
What possible reason could Binaeril—who was neither of imperial blood nor even an imperial subject—have for needing the Empire's crown?
He could not tell them that the object's true identity was a scale. Instead, Binaeril faltered through the excuse he had prepared.
"I wish to keep a memento of the bond I have formed with the Empire by aiding Princess Friederike."
It was an excuse so crude that even he found it pathetic.
But Regent Charlotte's thoughts were different. Watching the trembling, stammering Binaeril, the girlish imagination within her took flight.
"What do you mean... Binaeril, this isn't like you. It's not as if I would forget you, so why a memento? And the imperial crown, of all things?"
"No, no! Take it. What meaning does an imperial symbol hold? Lord Dalheim and our sister are the future of the Empire. Very well, if necessary, I shall give you something even greater."
Regent Charlotte accepted Binaeril's request with theatrical fuss.
-Didn't I tell you this would work?
'This is going to work?'
In fact, this line had been him reciting Veritas's instructions verbatim.
"But what do you mean by the future of the Empire..."
-Hey, hey! You don't need to know. Just say thank you and take the crown.