King's Tomb

“Originally, there were two plans.”

The Hegemon Emperor listened to Chris’s calm words.

“One was for Vans to seize the throne. If that proved impossible, stir up those related to the most likely royal candidate.”

“You executed both.”

“Though Vans died, I successfully accomplished the other.”

“Didn’t half the 13 Lords disappear in the process?”

“Yes. To prepare for the unification war, we had to weed out the weak.”

The Hegemon Emperor’s laughter flowed quietly.

“Thanks to that, didn’t you earn the resentment of every nation?”

“We have to break them all anyway once the unification war begins. If it’s something that must be started sooner or later, what mattered was bringing along the best possible justification.”

“Justification?”

“Your Majesty, do you think Rakis started this war?”

“Didn’t you actively step forward, Duke?”

“No. It was ‘Vans’ and Illumina who let Rakis pass through.”

“Mm?”

“We dispatched the empire’s nobles to help Vans, and all the places we stirred up were related to Illumina’s royals. It was ultimately ‘Illumina’ who incited us.”

“Hahahahaha! I see. So that’s how it was!”

The Hegemon Emperor seemed to grasp it and laughed heartily.

“All the sin of bringing in Rakis died with Vans, and what remains is only the fact that imperial nobles died.”

“Yes. Wasn’t Pernok’s justification focused on that very point? He stated that Vans’s crime of bringing in Rakis was close to treason. Vans shouldered all the disgrace, and thanks to that, Rakis can carry out revenge against all nations under the justification of losing nobles.”

“But why did he stirs up Tyr? Wasn’t Yuliana not even worth consideration?”

“I thought if Vans died, Pernok would become king. And Pernok’s hatred toward royals is exceptional. I expected he’d kill Yuliana.”

“All the more puzzling. Why deliberately provoke one doomed to die and invite disaster?”

“Because after Yuliana dies, the last member of the 13 Lords will move.”

“…?”

“Do you know Tyr’s next king?”

At that, amber eyes flashed from within the darkness.

“The mage who eats Magus.”

“Precisely. At the border, he witnessed the 13 Lords’ majesty. What will he choose to avenge his dead lover?”

“You mean even the Tyr king can’t stop Jan?”

“In my humble opinion, Jan’s rage will swallow Suira and turn toward Pernok. However, Jan is no fool. He’ll think Tyr alone can’t take revenge on Pernok.”

“So, you’ll bring Jan as the last of the 13 Lords?”

“Now that Pernok’s alliances have been clarified through the 13 Lords’ deaths, who Jan will choose is obvious. All the more so right after directly witnessing our power.”

“It seems difficult for relationships to flip over revenge alone.”

“Relations between nations can flip as lightly as a palm. I’ll personally meet Jan and persuade him.”

“Are you confident?”

“I apologize for saying this, Your Majesty.”

Chris reported with an expressionless face.

“Only if I fan Jan’s flames will he kill his father and seize the throne. Then Tyr will naturally become our forward base. This isn’t a matter of confidence. It’s the natural course of events.”

“I see…”

“Therefore, please stop testing me, Your Majesty, and tell me what you’ve planned.”

At that moment, the air surrounding the throne shifted.

The voice that had been pleasant and sly now carried weighty power.

“Testing? Absurd. I was merely curious since you who are cautious in all things went out for a stroll. Fortunately, you’ve brought the results I wanted, so I should move before I grow too old.”

From the darkness descended a small-framed old man with white hair tied to one side.

One might think him an ordinary person you’d see anywhere, but Chris knew.

The moment amber light flickered in those plain brown eyes, he became the world’s most cruel and destructive war god.

With a gentle smile, the Hegemon Emperor Raphael spoke.

“Prepare a gathering as soon as the 13 Lords are assembled. In my generation, I will make Rakis a unified nation.”

“All that you desire shall be accomplished according to Your Majesty’s will.”

After Chris paid his respects, he left the great hall.

Eight of the 13 Lords had been secured, including the count who returned from Tyr, Breia who survived Rezhen, and the newly accepted Owen.

They didn’t need to verify wars or achievements. Because the empire’s greatest Magus, Chris, had personally confirmed them.

“Count Owen.”

“Yes, Duke.”

Having heard the news from Illumina, Owen tensely paid his respects to Chris.

Because Rakis was where he would live from now on.

“We must select the remaining 13 Lords.”

“Are you perhaps referring to that underground facility in Rakis?”

Rakis’s 13 Lords selection was known to be obtained when a Magus who passed through the underground training ground challenged current title holders.

Half right, half wrong.

Rakis had a secret that wasn’t yet known.

“We’re going to receive the previous generation 13 Lords.”

“Previous generation? Don’t tell me… the 13 Lords who served the previous Emperor are still alive?”

When Chris nodded, Owen’s eyes widened in shock.

The previous generation 13 Lords were also Magus who commanded the world.

No one had doubted they were dead since the generational change had already occurred.

“Then, which individuals are still alive?”

“The dukes.”

“…!”

“Even the Holy Kingdom doesn’t know about the Garden’s existence. Even among the 13 Lords themselves, few know.”

He felt the stern warning that if he betrayed this secret, he would certainly be killed.

Owen swallowed dryly.

“Let’s go. To prepare for our war.”

Chris led the current 13 Lords toward the Garden where the previous generation dukes resided.

Jan cried out before the great hall, leading his wounded body.

“How could you abandon Yuliana!”

“Now, Jan. This is a place to discuss the nation’s major and minor affairs. Being bound by personal emotions…”

“Your Majesty! Marquis Morfo!”

Those who met Jan’s gaze flinched.

Because sharp, blue energy flickered in those eyes.

“Yuliana didn’t hesitate even from all sorts of dirty work for our nation! Above all, she was my fiancée! At the very least, you should have brought her safely to the kingdom!”

“I’ll arrange a better marriage for you.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Jan!”

Suira frowned and scolded harshly.

“You are a prince of this nation. You’re the successor who will inherit the throne after me! How can you obsess over a tree and refuse to see the forest!”

“She was the person I loved!”

“A king must not ruin great causes with petty emotions. What was Tyr’s wish? Wasn’t it to depart from the sea, establish ourselves inland, and build a solid dynasty? To achieve that, we absolutely had to secure a frontline base! But Yuliana was insufficient!”

“She did everything!”

“If effort alone solved all problems, I wouldn’t have sent you to the frontline in the first place.”

Jan gritted his teeth while pressing his hand to his wound.

“Are you confident Tyr can withstand the next invasion when it struggles against just one 13 Lord?”

“……”

“Face reality. You can’t protect Tyr with emotion and impulse alone.”

“But not Pernok.”

“I’ve already promised to receive much support from him. He’s young, ambitious, and wise. I’ll convey your story well, so I hope you become good friends.”

“Your Majesty!”

“I’m also considering King Pernok’s marriage, so don’t mention Yuliana anymore. If Yuliana’s name crosses your lips one more time, I’ll consider it you abandoning the throne.”

Jan shot up from his seat.

As mana surging from excitement tried to envelop the great hall, Suira clapped his hands together.

Zzzzing……

In an instant, Jan’s mind went blank.

It was because of the control device implanted in his head since childhood to restrain Jan’s excessive impulses.

Jan slumped as if he’d fainted.

“Confine Jan to the tower and quickly prepare a banquet with King Pernok.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

He had already promised to exchange much with Illumina.

Suira too had nowhere left to retreat.

Two weeks were sufficient to stabilize the nation after Yuliana’s invasion.

Pernok ordered the restoration of destroyed castles and looked after the people’s welfare with resources delivered by Rio.

After appropriately mixing the border garrison and royal army to consolidate command authority, he ordered Garta.

“Though the coronation ceremony hasn’t been held yet, making it difficult to announce definite appointments, I will appoint you as military rank one as promised.”

“Your grace is boundless!”

Garta had luckily not died in the battle with Chris.

However, such a profit-seeking person couldn’t be kept close forever.

“But rumors are circulating.”

“What kind…?”

“My limbs, including Duke Flemyr, suspect you.”

“Don’t tell me it’s because of that absurd rumor that I sided with Prince Vans?”

“Though I don’t doubt your loyalty, I can’t forcefully silence others’ opinions. As you know, the military must be supported by loyalty. Therefore, I’d like you to give my subjects justification to persuade them.”

“Command me anything, Your Majesty.”

Pernok spoke with a hardened expression.

“I don’t know when Chris will come down with an army. Therefore, I’d like you to guard the border adjacent to Rakis.”

“…!”

“I’m not saying stay there for life. Only until you prove your loyalty to my subordinates. If you show the dignity of military commander for about a year, that should suffice.”

After deep contemplation, Garta nodded.

There was concern that leading the royal army to join Pernok looked too calculated.

Because Pernok’s royal authority severely punished traitors, he needed to show his subordinates a dignified appearance.

‘He means to dedicate even the border garrison’s hearts to His Majesty within one year.’

After Yuliana’s death, the military was worried about becoming a sacrifice for Pernok’s royal authority strengthening.

Having already decided to be in the same boat, he needed to show Pernok the powerful image of commanding the military.

‘I must make them unable to treat me carelessly.’

This period of national unrest was perfect for capturing the military.

Recalling the saying that crisis is opportunity, Garta shouted with a resolute expression.

“I will obey Your Majesty’s command and certainly prove my worth so not a single complaint emerges from the military.”

“Worth? Absurd. One year will do. If you step forward for the unpleasant work, everyone will acknowledge you.”

“Don’t worry. I’m different from General McDonnell. I’ll prepare beyond what Your Majesty hopes for.”

“I’ll look forward to it. Ah, I’ll send several subordinates who show favorable attitudes toward you as adjutants.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Garta, who seemed to be thoroughly misunderstanding something, bowed deeply and left the office.

And Rio, who had been active in foreign nations for a long time, entered wearing formal attire.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well, Your Majesty?”

“Thanks to you, things are going very smoothly. So, how are external developments?”

After a light bow, Rio reported.

“Rezhen has completely suppressed the rebels. Duke Flemyr said he’ll return after finishing up. And the Holy Kingdom said they’ll add strength to Rakis’s border.”

“There’s no benefit in provoking Chris, is there?”

“It seems they’ll apply moderate pressure to buy time until Illumina stabilizes.”

“Excessive kindness.”

“It appears they’re eager about establishing temples.”

“Tell them again to discuss that agenda after the coronation ceremony.”

“Yes.”

“Tyr?”

“Jan has been imprisoned.”

Pernok chuckled.

“That fellow will explode.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to deal with him?”

“Leave him be. If he even becomes king, that’s good for us.”

“Don’t tell me… you’ve thought that far ahead?”

“Yuliana was like a stabilizer for Jan. With the stabilizer gone, Jan will cause a major incident. And if he becomes king, he’ll raise a blade against Illumina.”

Pernok spread a map on the table.

Illumina’s reality of being blocked on all sides by powerful nations remained unchanged.

No matter how many allied nations there were, it was difficult to guarantee they’d continue the relationship for thousands of years.

He had to break through, and one place was already marked.

It was Tyr.

“If Jan becomes king and attacks us, we’ll use that as an excuse to destroy Tyr. And…”

Pernok abandoned the frontline on the map. The land route already had the good foundation of Illumina. Therefore, he pointed to the vast resources Illumina didn’t possess.

“…We make the sea that Tyr possesses ours.”

As one place opened up, the distribution and strategic value starting from there shook Rio’s mind.

If they utilized even the other races and floating castle, they could boast overwhelming power at sea.

“Sea, land, and sky.”

Drawing a route riding the seas that could even covet Rakis, Pernok smiled wickedly.

“We will dominate them all.”

Pernok was hoping for it.

For Jan to point a blade at him at any time.