Chapter 21.2

The empire had been leeching off the North ever since.

The relationship between the Empire and the North, long stagnant, had undergone a dramatic shift due to the emergence of magitech pioneered by the Golden Tower.

While still an utmost secret, hidden from the world, the imperial high command unanimously felt it in their bones: a new era was approaching, one where magic stones of all grades would be used at an unprecedented scale.

“We must hurry and make the North fully ours…”

For this reason, the Empire’s core leadership instinctively realized that complete annexation of the North was no longer optional but imperative.

I should have arranged Arina’s marriage proposal with Julian, not myself.

Crown Prince Canbraman entertained this thought momentarily, considering other royal family members, such as the crown prince’s nephew Julian, before shaking his head.

No, that wouldn’t work. He’s too timid and would end up dominated by his wife. If they were to have a child in such a situation, the Northerners might use that child to manipulate the Empire or even the royal family itself someday.

He simply could not trust anyone else with the task.

Not to mention that ominous superstition surrounding the Renslet Ducal House. That’s probably why they wouldn’t agree to the marriage in the first place.

That unsettling myth, always lingering at the back of his mind during negotiations for a marriage alliance with the North, also played a part in his decision.

While Canbraman personally dismissed such superstitions, weaker-willed sons or unreliable relatives might not. Forcing the matter could very well backfire.

In any case, this recent assassination attempt has completely dashed any chance of a marriage alliance with the North. Or perhaps it was doomed from the moment the previous Grand Duke Baikal died?

Even the Empire’s future ruler found himself preoccupied with the conundrum of the North these days.

“Your Highness, the North currently has one of its legions away on a monster subjugation campaign. This is our chance. I propose we launch a northern expedition with three legions. That should be sufficient.”

As the crown prince pondered, a minister abruptly suggested a course of action.

“Prime Minister, the North’s military strength is far greater than it appears. They are not to be underestimated simply because one legion is absent.”

“Even so, the Empire vastly outnumbers them.”

“Our Empire has many enemies. The Mongar Orcs are already stirring in the East, where the Great Wall lies in ruins. And what of the Kingdom Alliance?”

“But we cannot abandon the North. Between its magic stones and now Arad Salt, pacifying the North is essential to completing the thousand-year empire.”

“I know that, Prime Minister Karaso. Better than anyone. However!”

The Imperial Prime Minister Karaso and Sigma’s chief, Astra, held their breath as they listened intently to the crown prince’s response.

“As I said before, the Empire has numerous enemies, both internal and external. If we lose too many soldiers and knights in the process of annexing the North, we will lose far greater territory and subjects than the North. In the worst-case scenario, the Empire itself could collapse.”

“If soldiers and knights are a concern, we can hire a large number of mercenaries.”

At their rebuttal, Canbraman shook his head and continued.

“Consider the Northern mercenaries currently active within the Empire. If we declared all-out war on the North, how do you think they would respond?”

“There are other capable mercenaries besides Northerners. For the northern campaign, we can simply employ non-Northern mercenaries.”

“Carpe, the so-called Mercenary Queen—isn’t she also a Northerner?”

“…”

“An all-out war is a last resort. We must exhaust every other option before considering it. Only when everything else fails… only then does war become a viable means.”

“Your Highness’s compassion for even the lowest soldiers and commoners is a blessing for the Empire.”

“For the thousand-year Empire! Glory to the Golden Throne!”

Feigning realization, Astra and Karaso praised the crown prince with enthusiastic cries.

He’s clearly wary of raising an army, Karaso thought.

His Highness’s paranoia borders on excessive, Astra mused.

If he personally leads the army, the palace will be empty. If he stays, there’s no trustworthy commander to lead the legions.

The trusted Duke Doom and Marchioness Havana are currently tied up with other affairs.

And Viscount Ricard, the court steward, cannot leave the palace while guarding the imperial center.

Though their true sentiments didn’t align with the crown prince’s words, they masked their thoughts behind expressions of admiration for the next ruler of the Empire.

“So, what is Renslet’s response? Surely they suspect that we orchestrated this trap.”

“Surprisingly, they remain silent. As if nothing happened.”

“Is that so?”

Could it be that the North also wishes to avoid a full-scale war?

Considering the situation in the North, Canbraman made his judgment.

If they had made a fuss, I would have sent Astra’s head to placate their anger and buy time.

Nodding, the crown prince asked another question.

“What of the Northern Grand Duchess?”

“According to an informant in the High Tower, the golden carriage entered the fortress two days ago.”

“The Grand Duchess must be inside that carriage. Do we have news regarding her condition?”

“It seems her condition is far from normal. She hasn’t left her quarters for two days.”

“More details?”

“As soon as the golden carriage arrived at the High Tower, a large-scale purge began. Many of our informants were forced to take their own lives overnight.”

“Tsk…”

The loss of the informants painstakingly embedded in the High Tower left the prince with a bitter taste.

“Is there a possibility that the Grand Duchess has suffered severe injuries?”

Unaware of Doyle’s stab to Arina’s abdomen, the Empire cautiously speculated about her injuries.

“We have accounted for such a scenario as well.”

“Let’s hope they were fatal.”

The crown prince recalled Arina Rune Renslet, who had visited the imperial capital five years ago.

At the time, she had merely been a noblewoman from the backwoods of the North.

Yet Canbraman had sensed it immediately—she was no ordinary figure.

“Just before falling ill, His Majesty dealt with the late Grand Duke Baikal and passed the task of handling his successor to me. This time, I must deal with the current Grand Duchess—whether by taking her as my fourth wife or killing her.”

He turned toward the Sun Palace, the heart of the imperial residence.

“What is His Majesty’s current condition?”

Thinking of the Emperor, lying in the Sun Palace, he inquired.

Although he had visited his father earlier that morning, he sought the perspective of others, perhaps for reassurance.

“He is gravely ill. Both the royal physician and the high priest have stated he has until early summer at most.”

“A tragedy for the Empire.”

The crown prince sighed at Karaso’s words.

But Karaso and Astra had clearly seen it.

The prince’s narrowed eyes betrayed a smirk.

The faint lines etched into his face, proof of his long tenure as the Empire’s second-in-command, seemed especially pronounced today.

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