Chapter 25

If you lack power, borrow someone else’s.

It’s a simple story.

Whether becoming a tool, part of the surroundings, or even the situation itself.

Exploit the target’s reason, emotions, and even their mistakes.

====

“What’s all this commotion?!”

“D-Damn it, I can’t stop now!”

By the time Sylas arrived at the library, things had gotten much worse.

“Eek?!”

Even the teachers trying to physically restrain Carriel were thrown aside without understanding what was happening.

With one hand clutching a fistful of Alesius’ red hair while straddling his back on the floor, Carriel swung punches at his face. But whenever someone tried to intervene…

…they’d naturally grab an outstretched arm or hand.

Or even legs and ankles. Like magic, the opponents would lose balance, skid, or get dragged down.

Like a toddler taking first steps, they’d stumble and sit down awkwardly.

“Your Highness!”

The reinforcements trying to stop Carriel met no better fate. Some cast spells at him…

“Are you insane?! What if Your Highness gets hurt?!”

“Well, uh…”

“You can control it, right?!”

“If that lunatic uses His Highness as a shield, what’ll you do then?”

“A-Are you serious? Even if… would he really go THAT far?”

Sylas appeared amidst the chaos.

“S-Sylas!”

Looking at those who watched her like baby birds or fawns who lost their mother made her feel nauseous inside.

“…”

Pressing her forehead, Sylas briefly contemplated and regretted not stopping Alesius earlier.

‘That’s not important right now.’

Don’t dwell on useless emotions or past events; it won’t help you live long in this world.

At that point, Sylas leaned against a windowpane and began observing the situation.

“Hey! You need to stop this! What are you doing just standing there?!”

“What’re you so calm about over there?!”

These guys aren’t dumb individually; they’re all talented when separated…

But when they become a crowd, they turn this ignorant.

Is this why Alesius always says crowds need controlling and managing?

Though she felt disappointment and resignation every time, the sense of failure grew deeper in emergencies.

“It’s already out of our hands.”

Even with teachers stepping in and failing to stop it, what could they possibly do?

Not that they couldn’t act if they wanted to…

‘It’s too late anyway.’

Even if they managed to stop it, it wouldn’t count as saving the prince since it’s way too late.

Most importantly, once Carriel reaches this state, no one knows where things will go.

‘Letting the situation escalate like this means hiding intentions isn’t a priority.’

Rather, spreading rumors might already be the goal. This isn’t some sudden arrogance from the engagement with the princess.

Something’s definitely off here.

And forcing him to stop might trigger another explosion of anger.

‘I don’t want to get caught in the fallout.’

Then would Alesius forgive Sylas for half-watching this unfold?

‘Doesn’t matter.’

Blaming others for your own incompetence ends any partnership.

They might bow their heads for now, but accumulated resentment weakens loyalty and duty over time.

Sylas didn’t hang around with Alesius because she lacked other options; quite the opposite.

She knew him well and had a long-standing relationship with him.

So what about Carriel?

“…”

Here, having a mouth gives you nothing to say.

Because whatever Era could’ve done to fix things happened long before.

Even then, she chose Era, her younger sister, over Carriel in the end.

Blood is thicker than water.

…To her materialistic self, there was no choice.

“Haaah!”

Suddenly, the scent of burning mana spread, and red ropes descended from the sky, instantly binding Carriel’s right arm.

“…”

Only then did Carriel turn his head away from the battered Alesius and calmly glance at whoever stopped him.

His nonchalant indifference sent shivers down everyone’s spines.

“…This has gotten completely out of hand while I was gone.”

The librarian, also an Academy magic instructor, finally arrived. With wrinkled skin, silver hair, and a white goatee, he stared speechless at the disaster zone: broken furniture everywhere, toppled bookshelves scattering books across the library floor.

Fortunately, it only remained a physical fight, limiting collateral damage—though calling that fortunate made him feel even worse.

Clearing his throat, he raised his voice to restore order.

“Unbelievable! What’s going on here?! Quickly clean up this mess! All culprits…”

Crack!

“…?”

When did he undo it? The magical ropes vanished, and Carriel resumed swinging punches effortlessly.

The startled librarian gasped.

“C-Carriel, you brat! Stop this violence right NOW!!”

The stern elderly teacher hastily cast another spell, shocked by the ongoing chaos.

And about that time…

Carriel stopped resisting and closed his eyes.

====

Of course, news of this incident spread quickly.

As twilight approached, Alesius, whose condition improved after treatment, entered the Emperor’s office freshly dressed.

Upon reaching the office door and announcing his presence, permission to enter immediately followed.

“Did you come?”

A uniquely tall rectangular desk formed a ‘ㄷ’ shape, stacked high with countless documents.

Standing, the Emperor reviewed each document methodically, stamping them one by one.

“I heard you got quite injured. Are you alright?”

“…My apologies.”

“It’s fine that you realized it eventually.”

The Emperor asked calmly.

“I’ve long known you’d break someday like this.”

“…”

“Carriel endured and tolerated endlessly due to his patience, but even that has its limits.”

Still…

“To have held back until now surprises me somewhat. As the Emperor, I thought adults would overlook this as mere children’s squabbles.”

“…”

Mentioning exactly what Carriel told Alesius earlier…

‘He knew all along…’

“So, crossing the river too far implies something significant, doesn’t it?”

Answer me.

“Do you have any idea what feelings that child harbors toward you?”

“…”

“Answer. I won’t ask twice.”

“Hatred… He must harbor hatred, right?”

“Then who provided the justification for that hatred?”

“…It’s me.”

“Why does he pick on you now?”

“That’s…”

While Alesius hesitated, the Emperor continued leisurely stamping documents.

Clang!

“Don’t you know?”

Clang!

“Not even one step ahead?”

Clang!

“Not two steps, not three steps.”

Clang!

“Just…”

Clang!

“One step ahead…”

Clang!

“Can’t you see it? An obvious fact right in front of you.”

Clang!

“Can’t you see it?”

“Is it because of the engagement with your older sister?”

“Wrong.”

Clang!

“It’s because you crossed a line.”

Clang!

Around that time, spotting a document requiring more thought, the Emperor paused, resting his chin on empty hands.

“So what line did you cross?”

Still maintaining a calm tone, he questioned the prince.

“Is it because I treated him poorly?”

“Hasn’t that been going on for years? Is there anything surprising about it?”

…Indeed.

There’s no way he wouldn’t know.

Yet he never gave specific orders or mentioned anything…

…because it’s just kids fighting.

Just a nerve war between kids.

Even disputes and struggles among blue-blooded individuals…

are still just kids’ fights.

Even if these kids’ fights escalate into bloody battles over time…

an adult interfering in mere kids’ fights…

Isn’t that embarrassing?

Though some may prioritize practicality and dignity despite knowing this…

Such missteps typically come from those who don’t understand the ecology of authority and prestige.

If imperial power wavers or noble prestige falters…

and it’s merely frivolous playacting by so-called power figures…

then such pragmatic decisions…

direct confrontations and displays of force…

would more easily instill fear and terror in those who inflate themselves with false bravado.

“I could’ve stopped the fight. I could’ve personally ordered you not to behave so disgracefully. But forcing you would mean…”

Would you understand?

Could you accept it?

“When my brothers gathered to harass and threaten me, and my predecessor issued commands to stop, my brothers never ceased oppressing me—not for a moment. Do you know why?”

“…No.”

“Think about it. Don’t answer so quickly. I didn’t summon you during this busy period to hear such irresponsible answers.”

Though his tone remained calm,

Alesius instinctively clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

Otherwise, his body would tremble from tension.

He feared being questioned again on the same point.

Therefore, suppressing even his breathing sound,

Alesius realized he was standing on the edge of a cliff.

“Do you need more time?”

“…No.”

“Then answer.”

“…”

“Hurry.”

1 second.

2 seconds.

3 seconds.

Taking a deep breath to buy some time, Alesius said,

“…Is it because the Empress Grandmother allowed it?”

“Why ask that? I asked for your thoughts. Is that your considered answer? I never instructed you to probe my intentions. What’s wrong?”

“That’s…”

“Answer again.”

The Emperor urged without urgency,

but Alesius felt as if a blade touched his neck, sweating cold beads.

“I…”

Tsk tsk.

The Emperor clicked his tongue.

“What’s so difficult? The conclusion is simple. You lacked sufficient fear. Your terror wasn’t appropriate.”

“…”

“Now that I’ve given you a lesson, can you answer what crossing the line means?”

No. Not at all.

I don’t know.

Am I too dull?

Alesius forcefully suppressed these rising words inside.

“Still haven’t realized?”

Tsk tsk went the Emperor.

“If it were Carriel, he’d already understand my intent without me saying a word.”

“…”

Again.

Again…

Why does he always value Carriel higher than his own son?

Overestimation?

Underestimation?

However, one thing is clear:

The Emperor knows less about Carriel than Alesius himself.

“Your narrow-minded perspective underestimates him.”

“…!!”

As if reading his inner thoughts,

the Emperor sighed exasperatedly.

“Therefore, today you experienced humiliation without putting up a proper fight.”

“…”

“The Emperor can die from a blind shot in battle or be severely wounded by a cripple’s spear from behind.”

But you…

“Why were you so complacent? So lax? Trapped in fixed notions, did you believe yourself immune to harm day after day?”

“That’s…”

“Speak clearly. Where did you learn to hedge your words?”

“Apologies…”

“I didn’t ask for an apology. Why are you apologizing to me? There’s someone else who deserves it.”

What you should fear and respect now…

“Isn’t me. What you should guard against and hate is your own narrow-mindedness and prejudice, your injustice and limited vision.”

Though we’re taught to hate evil but not people…

“Why do you do the opposite?”

“…”

“Are you mute? Why don’t you speak?”

Only then…

did the Emperor’s gaze turn toward Alesius.

“Don’t pretend to be disabled. That’s blatant deception and weakness.”

Look up.

Open your eyes.

“Did I expect competence from you?”

“No.”

“What did I expect from you?”

“To hold your position. To perform your duties. To not evade responsibility.”

“You talk well.”

“…”

“El and Carriel found their places without prompting. Why not you?”

Carriel?

Why keep bringing up Carriel…?

What exactly did that kid do to earn such praise?

Regardless of the past…

Isn’t that irrelevant now?

Just because someone was great in the past doesn’t guarantee greatness forever.

“I’ve indulged you and favored you thus far. Yet you still don’t understand any of this. Tsk tsk.”

The Emperor shook his head.

“Obtuse one. How much guidance do you need? If Carriel’s nature had been darker and crueler, you wouldn’t have survived unscathed.”

“Mother! How dare you speak such nonsense to me!”

I’m your son!

Why?!

“Both Carriel and you are sons to me. Ruelde is no different.”

“…”

“In childhood, Carriel took El’s place willingly. No one asked him to. Instead, he convinced everyone that he should take the role.”

At such a young age…

“Did I ever pressure Carriel to be like me even once? Didn’t I repeatedly tell you to follow your own path?”

“I… I…”

“At least cultivate dignity and character.”

Tsk tsk.

“I’ll hear your thoughts again tomorrow morning during the greeting.”

Dismissed.

…

Even as the office door closed,

the Emperor seemed relieved of a worry, continuing to stamp documents.

Clang!

As the door shut,

his figure disappeared beyond Alesius’ sight.

――!

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