CH 45

The Styx Kingdom Royal Castle had numerous gardens. The Arche of Apeiron and the plants illuminated by the sunlight grew well, and some were even lent to the Royal Agricultural Research Institute. The technology for increasing the harvest of wheat and rice, making them resistant to cold and diseases, and shortening the time for breeding was far superior to that of other countries.

In one of the greenhouse gardens, close to the top floor with a white terrace, there was a young man.

With silver hair and red eyes, he couldn’t leave this place. He wore a specially made veil and spent his time in a special glass that blocked harmful wavelengths of light. He had been here since birth, and his rare delicate beauty was never known to the public, and he was destined to spend his life here.

But that was about to end soon.

Thanasios arrived at his terrace, holding documents in his hand.

Thanasios stopped in front of the armchair and bowed.

“Good morning, elder brother. I have come to ask you to look at some documents today.”

At Thanasios’ call, the young man, called Helios Perennus, his elder brother, looked at him with displeasure. He raised his head from the armchair and lazily opened his mouth.

“If you say it’s okay, then it’s okay. Or are you going to put some responsibility on me?”

“I have no intention of doing such a thing.”

“You must think that you have taken over everything in this country, standing in for our sick father, the king.”

Thanasios didn’t even raise an eyebrow at Helios’ sarcasm. It was nothing new, and he knew that it was Helios’ small way of distracting himself from his inability to leave due to health reasons.

However, Thanasios couldn’t ignore Helios completely. Important decisions in the Styx Kingdom require the consent of the powerful members of the royal family. Unlike the king, who is bedridden and unable to stand or stay awake, Helios, who is expected to be the next king, has enough power to intervene in such matters, even if he doesn’t usually handle administrative duties.

Of course, the reason Thanasios doesn’t disregard Helios is not because of that, but because he respects him as a close relative and a superior. However, Helios sees it as Thanasios’ arrogance and calculation. He believes that Thanasios, who is practically the highest authority in practical matters, would not fail to use Helios, who still has value to offer.

There was a well-liked younger brother who excelled in everything, and an older brother who was a shut-in and couldn’t even go out properly. If the comparison continued from childhood, the older brother would inevitably come to hate the younger one.

Thanasios knew this. That’s why he pretended not to see it.

Thanasios tells Helios about a plan he recently decided on.

“I want to share my plan with my older brother today.”

“Plan? What are you scheming?”

“To abolish the nobility system on this continent. That’s the plan.”

Upon hearing this, Helios snorts.

“What a foolish thing to do… Are you planning to make enemies with everyone on this continent?”

“No. This is the flow of the times. Styx Kingdom will survive in the next era by taking advantage of this trend. That’s why.”

“How many people will die for that?”

“Many. But we have to do it. I don’t want to increase the number of victims anymore.”

“That’s a fallacy. If you want to overturn vested interests, you have to defeat all those involved. Of course there is a way, but will it last even after your death? Otherwise, it will only be a reform for your lifetime.

Thanasios’ face remains stern. Helios doesn’t like it.

Surely, Thanasios, who is wise, has already considered Helios’ thoughts. No one can interfere with Thanasios’ decisions, and Helios knows better than anyone that his decisions are undoubtedly correct.

However, just because he knows it doesn’t mean he can accept it.

“I understand that my brother is worried. However, the success of the rebellion in the former Kailus Kingdom is the beginning of the next era. Soon, similar things will happen throughout the continent. We must control them.”

“Do you think you can do it yourself? Don’t be so conceited. How long do you plan to be trapped in childish omnipotence?”

“Brother, that’s not it. I…”

Helios raised his hand to silence Thanasios.

“Do you think I have the power to resist you?”

Thanasios fell silent.

All the issues brought up in this situation are essentially for post-approval. Things are already moving according to Thanasios’ plan, and Helios is just approving it. Neither Helios nor Thanasios tried to change their formal relationship, knowing it would be pointless. Even if Thanasios tried to give Helios power and importance, Helios would refuse it, citing health reasons. Even if it was a way of getting back at Thanasios, it was his true intention.

“Anyway, Father would say something like this: ‘For your sake, I will take responsibility and die.'”

“If he says something like that, even if he’s my father, I will strongly protest.”

Helios sneered at the serious Thanasios, twisting his mouth.

“Thanasios, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I don’t have much time left. According to the doctor’s diagnosis, I will die in about six months.”

Upon hearing those words, Thanasios clearly showed a look of shock on his face.

Helios looked satisfied, thinking that he had accomplished something. It was a petty thing, but it was the only way to resist.

“It’s an incurable disease. There’s nothing to be done. I’d rather die in agony than suffer.”

Helios closed his eyes. Just a week ago, his attending physician, who had been taking care of him since he was born, had told him the same thing.

Originally, Helios had been diagnosed with a short life expectancy. Even now, at the age of 24, he cannot have normal contact with the outside world. He cannot even go out into the sunlight. He can only live in a greenhouse, rejecting everything and spending his days in idleness until he dies. No one could save Helios. Even the best doctors in the Styx Kingdom have given up on treating him.

There is no way someone like that could become a king. However, the fact never leaked out from the royal castle. Strict information control was in place. They even attributed some of Thanasios’ achievements to Helios, deceiving both foreign countries and their citizens. If they didn’t do this, the Styx Kingdom would be divided into Helios and Thanasios factions as candidates for the next king, and they would fight each other. It was a last resort to avoid unnecessary conflict.

And when Helios dies, it won’t be necessary anymore. Helios, who has lived a life of consideration that he couldn’t refuse, secretly rejoiced at being released from the shame, pain, and inferiority complex.

But Thanasios is different. Helios doesn’t acknowledge it, but Thanasios was more concerned about Helios than anyone else. Ironically, the day when it pays off will never come, and both of them know it.

Thanasios asks in a tense voice.

“Who knows about this?”

“I thought you would ask that. Don’t worry, only the attending physician knows. I haven’t even told Father yet.”

Even if he said it, there was nothing he could do for his dying father. Helios lowered his gaze. Everything was going smoothly for Thanasios. With his older brother, who was supposed to inherit the throne, dead, the throne would inevitably fall into Thanasios’ lap. Thanasios knew that even if he told him, he wouldn’t be happy, but that didn’t clear Helios’ mind.

Thanasios insisted, “Let’s offer a sacrifice to the healing goddess Panacea and have the priests pray. If we do that…”

“You’re smart but stupid. What’s the point of relying on gods? It’s a useless struggle.”

“You won’t know until you try.”

“Shut up. You’re satisfied with this show of concern, covered up by faith. It’s the most annoying thing to me. Do your hypocrisy somewhere else.”

Helios coldly pushed Thanasios away.

He didn’t want him involved. He wanted at least minimal information sharing, but he didn’t want to be seen with sympathetic eyes or be taken into consideration. Helios just wanted to die quietly as soon as possible.

Helios knew that Thanasios wanted to help him, even though he knew that. He didn’t like it. The compassion of the strong only made Helios more miserable.

“Don’t look at me like that. Everything is moving in a way that suits you,” Helios said, trying to sound tough.

Thanasios said nothing. No matter what he said, he couldn’t improve the situation and it would only insult his brother.

Eventually, Helios took the documents and drove Thanasios away.

He no longer wanted to be involved with anyone. Helios waited for death alone in the greenhouse.