Chapter 26

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 8, 2025

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“Good morning, greetings are in order. Your Highness.”

“Yeah, Alesius. Come closer, won’t you?”

When the empress gave a subtle nod with her dark eyes, the maids silently exited the bedroom.

After a while, Empress Melinos asked:

“Are you feeling well?”

“Yes. There’s nothing unusual.”

“Were you in much pain?”

“….”

“What did His Majesty say about it?”

At her question, Alesius chose silence, struggling to find words.

“He may lack cunning, but his concern for you and El is genuine.”

“Of course, I am well aware of that.”

“He’s anxious.”

Anxious?

“It’s us. Weren’t we wandering all over the continent searching for the Sacred Sword and dealing with the league issues?”

“Yes. I know that well.”

“At that time, do you know what our biggest obstacle was?”

“…I’m not sure.”

“Those who became family heads or clan leaders without proper preparation.”

…Huh?

“History doesn’t lack examples where talented ancestors were followed by unworthy descendants who ruined their legacies.”

But.

“The more chaotic the times, whether as rulers or leaders, the stronger their positions should have been. But in our era, that didn’t happen.”

And so, many nations fell, countless noble families collapsed.

“Our empire wasn’t an exception either.”

“Is that true?”

“And most of those people ended up betraying us.”

Trapping us in traps.

Trying to use us for their own gain.

“Thanks to that, we faced countless crises.”

If it weren’t for my prophetic dreams, we might’ve met a violent end somewhere without even finding the Sacred Sword.

Without Hermine, dozens, maybe hundreds of times, we could’ve lost our lives.

“He wishes that even if he were gone, you two would carry on properly. And that you wouldn’t be weighed down by his legacy and achievements.”

That’s why.

“When you volunteered to marry Esdina’s second princess, he didn’t scold you harshly.”

In fact, he found it commendable.

“Thinking for yourself, finding your own path… He admired that.”

“…Did Father really?”

“Even his reluctance to praise is because he worries you might become arrogant. When you’re with me, both you and El receive equal praise.”

“….”

Father would?

“I heard Carriel treated you quite harshly.”

“That’s… because I wasn’t good enough….”

“Weren’t you scared?”

“….”

Were you scared?

Just for a moment, yes.

But.

“I wasn’t scared.”

“Why not?”

“…Compared to when Father disciplined me, this felt like child’s play.”

Get used to pain.

If you don’t conquer pain, it will eventually break you.

“….”

Though it wasn’t torture, the training sessions that bordered on such experiences left deep trauma within Alesius.

…But.

Because of that, compared to others his age, he grew unusually dignified and courageous.

The results were especially evident when he mingled with peers.

‘See? It wasn’t anything big, was it?’

As if Father himself had gone through something similar back then.

He would pat our heads gently, saying such things, and those gestures remain vividly etched in Alesius’ memory.

“Carriel is an extraordinary child but has disliked fighting since young, preferring socializing and befriending people. He always tried to understand others deeply and resolve their worries.”

“….”

“I know you resented him for thinking of El.”

“Your Highness….”

“But that was wrong. If he hadn’t interfered, I wanted to tell you long ago not to do that.”

Children’s problems should be solved by children themselves.

If adults intervene, the resentment lingers forever.

“Grudges last forever. That must be how he feels after experiencing it himself.”

By standing against his brothers, overcoming absurd trials, and winning even in unfavorable battles.

He became the Hero Emperor we know today.

“Most importantly, unlike your father back then, you didn’t have to worry about being poisoned or politically sidelined. So, what made you so hasty?”

Maybe.

“Did you covet the throne?”

“T-That’s ridiculous! I… I’ve never, not even in my wildest dreams, thought of such things!”

“That’s a lie.”

The empress smiled faintly and said:

“El might not have wanted to be emperor at all.”

“…Older Sister says that?”

There’s no way.

No way… right?

“That child simply wanted to protect.”

Such a kind child.

“…But as smart as she is, she also knew no one could replace her in doing so.”

When she was young.

Faint memories linger, but Ermyina stood before everyone, declaring she’d save Carriel and rebuild the empire into a strong nation free from fear.

She made that vow.

From then on, she threw herself into studies, martial arts, magic—anything she could master.

“Yet, that small child… Carriel achieved peace, albeit temporary, that we had longed for. To this day, I’m deeply grateful for what he accomplished. His Majesty feels the same, perhaps even more so, harboring immense gratitude towards Carriel.”

It’s unbelievable.

How?

But.

It’s undeniable.

“….”

Carriel.

Right.

At least.

Until the time he returned to the empire.

We.

Were ready to welcome you as a hero.

Even though you were the son of a warrior, reluctant to wield a sword, weak in duels.

Regardless of status, treating everyone equally—we saw that as broad-minded and righteous.

…But.

Why did you betray us?

Why….

Why did you turn away from Older Sister and give your heart to that girl?

Why….

Without taking any responsibility, you chose to leave the empire.

Why.

For what reason?

“….”

Alesius couldn’t bring himself to reveal his innermost thoughts.

This too, exposing his narrow-mindedness.

Now, saying you feel ashamed or were immature back then.

None of it matters.

In a world where results are everything.

We’ve…

…crossed a river we can’t return from.

Just like that guy told me earlier.

So, I poured out my resentment too.

Through actions, not words.

As a result.

Though Father never outright said it, he favored you, often reminiscing about you whenever he felt nostalgic.

Older Sister accepted it willingly, but I couldn’t.

…If this is my fault and weakness.

There’s nothing I can do about it.

I.

Since the moment you betrayed Older Sister,

Resolved never to forgive you.

“It’s probably my inadequacy, isn’t it?”

“Al…”

Perhaps, unknowingly, I’ve fallen into the trap of wielding power carelessly, believing it’s justified, pushing and pressuring despite knowing the outcome.

“If the union between the two houses is Older Sister’s wish, I will gladly follow it.”

If he hates or rejects me.

…I’ll endure it, as he said.

Though I never intended to let go.

But there’s one thing nagging at me.

‘Because we’re fated to live under different skies.’

His words keep echoing in my ears.

At that moment.

“Your Majesty! Urgent news demands your attention!”

A breathless voice called from outside the door.

====

The sun has died.

The moon hides behind clouds.

Here, enveloped in darkness and stillness.

Standing by the window in my room, I gaze down at the courtyard in front of the residence.

Nothing.

I feel nothing.

Once upon a time, didn’t someone play here?

Once, didn’t I too…

Proclaim I’d become a hero?

Holding a branch like it was the Sacred Sword.

Didn’t I shout that once?

Nothing remains.

“Is this a reason to stop training?”

-I mean, continuing further makes no sense. Your body and mind are out of sync. Unless you align them, it could harm you instead.

“….”

When striving for growth isn’t enough.

Being told to do nothing?

What else would I have left?

-Hmm.

Worse than expected.

Letting pride take over, I left you unchecked.

Still, you endured for eight years.

Only because she forcibly stopped you; otherwise, who knows when you’d quit.

Eight years.

The time you dedicated to mastering swordsmanship.

Though only a day in real time.

You were trapped in dreams for eight whole years.

And before we even started formal training in sword techniques.

You died countless times—hundreds, at least.

‘Your potential exceeds imagination, but tragically warped.’

Like a plant growing wildly in every direction due to lack of space.

Human adaptability might see this as part of the process, but…

Even if madness leads to strength, how is that different from illness?

True strength requires madness, but not necessarily mental or physical illness.

Otherwise, it inevitably becomes a fatal flaw during crucial moments.

Besides.

The Fool’s Blade technique, born of madness, isn’t some amateur effort anyone could refine into ultimate mastery.

‘Persistently doing the opposite of your nature somehow worked against you.’

Exactly.

Completely!

‘Lost its flavor.’

Despite drowning in sweet vengeance.

Not even the smallest satisfaction.

Even when battling that knight or using your body recklessly back then.

Though traces of madness existed, the humanity hasn’t vanished completely until now.

-Whether you break or not isn’t my concern, but if you keep this up, you’ll die soon.

“….”

-Do you think it doesn’t matter now? Since you’re already unhappy, even if the contract fails, you believe there’s nothing worse coming, right?

“….”

Correct.

Indeed.

…Everything feels meaningless.

Otherwise.

Without hesitation.

I wouldn’t have beaten the prince so thoroughly.

Going against my natural disposition, achieving the impossible effortlessly.

Doesn’t that prove I’m broken?

-That’s what you want to believe, huh?

Not entirely wrong, but not entirely right either.

However, if you have the will.

As long as you’re alive, you can achieve anything.

Sometimes it even calls miracles into existence.

-Anyway, it’s time, isn’t it?

“…Yes.”

Sitting quietly in my room amid all this feels somewhat absurd.

Ideally, it shouldn’t be this way.

Today.

Beyond the shocking news I caused, another rumor spread across the system.

Namely.

-Younger brother? Or sister? Which do you think?

“It doesn’t matter.”

Carriel’s mother is about to give birth.

The church must be in an uproar right now.

If signs appeared near the estate, chaos would’ve erupted around here too.

Apparently, crowds gather around the Great Church praying for a safe delivery.

Guided by Father, Carriel arrived here and also heard about the prince.

[Prince Alesius advises not to blame you for his oversight.]

Alesius, you’re still quick-witted in these matters, aren’t you?

[I truly cannot believe it. My son… How could you commit such monstrous acts?]

Sigh.

A heavy sigh mixed with exasperation.

Forced to face each other inside the carriage.

Especially Ruelde, unable to reprimand yet holding his lips tightly shut, unsure whether to ask about the circumstances or comfort him, or start lecturing without considering anything.

At least going home to have an honest conversation or thrashing him to determine right from wrong—surely he resolved to do something.

However.

Word came about Hermine.

Had that not happened, Carriel would’ve faced Ruelde in some form by now.

“Was it a guitar?”

-Huh?

“Instruments. Guitar. Did you say magical guitar? I might struggle, but… would a regular one suffice?”

-If the settlers here made guitars, you might manage to use one. Until then, pluck away at your lyre. I’ll teach you to play it better anyway.

The Demon King chuckled softly.

Yeah, this is a great solution.

Didn’t you unconsciously seek solace in music?

Instinctively finding ways to survive.