Chapter 180

Serpina looked up at Algord with a determined tone.

“Big brother. I want to have a talk right now.”

“…I don’t want to hear any more of the same story from last time.”

Algord openly showed his disgruntled expression. He could see through why Serpina had come to him.

“However, big brother. If we don’t resolve things through dialogue with Brother Sidemid soon, the empire might really split apart.”

“…”

“Orlando Brance has already raised his rebellion. Big brother Sidemid needs to be talked to immediately. If we keep going like this, other vassals will raise their banners in confusion, and the centuries-old empire might collapse!”

“So you’re suggesting I hand over the imperial throne to Sidemid through proper channels?”

“That’s not what I mean! I’ll try to persuade Brother Sidemid -”

“You? What makes you think you can persuade that power-mad fool without any leverage?”

“That’s…”

“Serpina, let me be blunt. Why don’t you just join my side? There are three on his side, but two here would be enough for battle. Besides, I’m the firstborn. No one can argue I lack legitimacy compared to Sidemid. Think about it – an emperor without proper claim can never build a stable empire, right? And isn’t it obvious that soldiers following Sidemid now will eventually follow me?”

Algord’s words made Serpina respond with a slightly sad expression.

“But… if even I take sides… when that happens, there really won’t be any stopping the empire’s division…”

“It’s only a matter of time. Stop your futile efforts, Serpina… It’s all because of Sidemid’s greed.”

“But-”

Algord rudely cut off Serpina’s words.

“That’s enough. Stop talking. I don’t want to hear anymore. Please leave quietly today.”

“Big brother…”

Algord sighed softly and got up while muttering under his breath.

“It’s not that I want to draw swords against my own brothers… ME too…!!”

BANG!

As Serpina watched Algord leave without closing the door behind him…

All she could do was look silently at the closed door with a regretful expression.

* * *

Walking out of the mansion into the quiet night streets, Serpina sighed deeply while looking up at the sky.

What’s so great about the emperor’s seat that brothers who grew up together under the same flag since childhood are now drawing swords against each other?

Can’t we still talk this out and find a good solution?

Am I really just too naive to think that?

Even Serpina, the youngest, could see the legitimacy leaning toward Algord’s side.

He’d essentially been designated as crown prince, and those who followed him still addressed him as “Your Highness.”

But somehow, Sidemid, who seemed uninterested in the throne before, had changed after receiving full support from the nobles.

He was clearly gunning for the emperor’s position now, spreading rumors that he, not Algord, had been chosen as crown prince.

Somehow he’d even won over Shudatel and Lililrose. Was there something about Algord I don’t know about?

“What can I possibly do…?”

The feeling of helplessness washed over Serpina in her current powerless situation.

Though it was true, as Algord said, that she couldn’t do much…

“…No. I won’t give up. There must still be a chance.”

Sidemid hasn’t fully revealed his fangs against Algord yet.

So there’s still hope.

Finding a way to convince Sidemid through legitimacy and keeping the empire united…

The only one who can bridge this gap is herself, who hasn’t taken sides yet.

‘Should I go see Brother Sidemid right away?’

But considering Algord’s relatively calm reaction earlier…

Sidemid would be even more resistant to dialogue.

He blew up last time she visited just days ago.

‘…Yeah. I should wait a few days before visiting again. News of my meeting with Brother Algord today will reach him anyway…’

Rumors always spread throughout the royal palace eventually.

With that thought, Serpina carefully continued walking.

At that moment…

“Huh…?”

A familiar feminine figure was approaching from ahead.

It was Aria, practically Algord’s consort.

“A pleasure to see you, Princess Serpina.”

“Aria, hello.”

Aria, who surely provided the only support for Algord who currently had no allies…

Serpina knew well how much Aria kept Algord from falling apart.

She greeted Aria with gratitude.

“I leave Brother to your care.”

“The words should be mine, Your Highness. Please do your best to prevent continental chaos.”

Normally Serpina would have just said thank you and left, but…

Was Aria tired too?

Serpina unconsciously sighed.

“Thank you for your kind words… but is there anything I can actually do? I’m just a novice with no supporters. Though I have royal blood, I’m the farthest from power. Even if I try hard, I doubt I can stop the brothers…”

“Princess…”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that…”

“No, Princess. You’re doing plenty well. Many people wouldn’t even be able to decide what to do in such situations. Especially someone as young as you.”

“Aria…”

Aria looked up at the sky briefly…

Then wore an expression of longing and spoke.

“You know, Princess, I’m technically not an orphan, right?”

“Ah… yes, I’ve heard.”

“It’s not entirely true. I actually have a younger brother.”

“Really?”

Aria nodded and continued.

“I hid him because I was worried he’d be shunned due to my circumstances… But he’s probably living a normal life pursuing his dreams now.”

After saying that, she smiled warmly.

“The reason I bring this up is because seeing you reminds me of my brother. He’s around your age. Even though he’s still immature… For some reason, I feel drawn to you. Of course, I don’t mean you’re immature!”

Serpina smiled at Aria’s hurried clarification.

Is she trying to comfort me?

I understand now why Algord favors her so much.

“Thank you, Aria.”

“Not at all. Stay strong. I’ll try to reason with Lord Algord…”

After parting ways with Aria…

“Alright.”

Let me sleep on it, eat well, and approach the persuasion again with renewed spirit.

There must be a way through dialogue. Though we’re on the brink of division, we haven’t split yet. There’s still a possibility to complete the imperial succession peacefully and restore the empire’s glory.

“I need to visit Brother Sidemid again soon.”

With that thought, she walked on under the bright full moon.

Looking back later, it was the calm before the storm.

* * *

When Orlando Brance raised his banner at Anel Castle, the continent quickly descended into chaos.

One by one, the empire’s loyalists began raising their own banners instead of the imperial one.

The western Walnut Army and southern Ohara Army were leading the charge among the proliferating vassals.

In the Royal Palace of Einhardt Castle…

Crown Prince Algord sat on the throne, receiving reports with a very serious expression.

“General Roland is also planning to rebel?”

“That’s correct…”

The longer the imperial throne remained vacant…

The continent was literally being torn apart piece by piece.

‘I really need to come up with a plan soon…’

Could it really be true…

That there’s no other option but dialogue, as Serpina said?

Aria did mention there might be room for conversation…

No need to be too stubborn. But…

Sidemid’s determination was firm.

To ascend the throne.

He wouldn’t accept any other conditions.

Of course, Algord had no intention of giving up the throne either.

While he might seem arrogant to outsiders – wasn’t he clearly superior to Sidemid in every aspect: ability, legitimacy, and propriety?

If only father hadn’t delayed designating the crown prince, he would have been wearing the crown long ago.

Even now, serving as regent in name only while not wearing the crown could be seen as showing considerable restraint toward his brothers. His pride wouldn’t allow further compromise.

‘But I should meet him one more time…’

If we drag this out any longer, the empire might really fall apart.

And if it collapses due to division during his reign, how could he face the ancestors?

‘Let me have one last talk, and if dialogue fails…’

Algord adjusted the sword at his waist.

Fine, giving him one more chance wouldn’t hurt. After all, as the firstborn, the legitimacy was on his side.

The deaths of a couple brothers wouldn’t even be particularly noteworthy in historical records.

But…

Was it already too late?

“Your Highness!”

A soldier came running with a desperate look.

Why?

As soon as Algord saw the soldier rushing toward him, he instinctively shuddered.

It felt like something irrevocable was about to happen…

“The imperial army… massacre…”

“What did you say…?”

“It appears soldiers presumed to be from the imperial army massacred all students and faculty at Fiaviola Academy without discrimination…”

Unfortunately, Algord’s uneasy premonition proved correct.