Princess Brigitte reassured them that the carriage was enchanted to prevent any noise from escaping, then continued her explanation.
“There are four princes and three princesses. Among them, only Schwarze and I are in the line of succession. My father decided this two years ago. Only the two of us possess the governance fit for a ruler.”
First Prince Schwarze has garnered great trust from the counts, while First Princess Brigitte has gained strong support from the barons and viscounts.
Emperor Agares did not view it unfavorably that his two children were already amassing supporters. In fact, he praised it as a fitting act for a great bloodline.
As First Princess Brigitte explained the current situation of the imperial authority, Duke Yuma listened attentively.
The carriage they were riding in was moving toward the royal palace, specifically to the First Princess’s palace within it.
Listening to Brigitte, Yuma brought up his questions that were troubling him.
“Why was First Prince Schwarze trying to secure Cloney?”
“Because of the prophecy. The prophecy from the Astes Temple. God Incrinew delivered the prophecy.”
The prophecies from God Incrinew that descend upon the Astes Temple hold great significance for the royal family.
Countless adversities in the continent’s history: while other nations crumbled, the empire remained steadfast, thanks to the prophecies given every New Year.
More than eighty years ago, the Great Forest suddenly became the ‘Forest of Monsters’ due to the awakening of monsters.
At that time, there were two countries neighboring the Great Forest: the Kingdom of Keowin and the Astes Empire.
While the Kingdom of Keowin fell into ruin, the Astes Empire managed to avoid catastrophic damage.
It was because they followed the prophecy received a few years prior to erect a massive wall.
Of course, the Astes Empire also lost many troops fighting against the monsters, but ultimately, the extent of their losses was far less than the Kingdom of Keowin, which succumbed to destruction following the monster invasion.
From the incident at the Forest of Monsters, the belief in God Incrinew’s prophecies became incredibly solidified within the Astes Imperial Family.
“Half a year ago, a week after my father fell into a comatose state, a prophecy was delivered to the temple during the New Year.”
After taking a brief breath, Brigitte continued.
“When the daughter of the witch who fell into the Black Flame Abyss meets the swordsman with blue hair, the white-haired lady lord shall save the world.”
“…The white-haired lady lord refers to you, Princess Brigitte, doesn’t it?”
As Yuma commented as if he had heard the most bizarre tale, Brigitte let out a deep sigh.
“Yeah, I was quite taken aback when I first heard it too. But a bigger problem is that the New Year prophecy wasn’t just heard by me alone.”
Brigitte explained about the New Year prophecy. There were a total of four individuals gathered at the temple, excluding Holy Maiden Ermel, who received the prophecy from the deity.
First Prince, First Princess, a marquis representing the nobility, and lastly, a duke.
“Your brother must have been quite surprised. Given that your father is in a comatose state, he was likely convinced that, according to the empire’s customs, he would ascend to the throne.”
Brigitte paused for a moment before continuing.
After stopping, they continued again.
“You must have been shocked when this sudden prophecy dropped on you. Back then, I even pointed a knife at the Holy Maiden, shouting if she had interpreted the prophecy correctly.”
Yuma recalled the contents of the prophecy.
“The daughter of the witch who fell into the hell of black flames… so that was Cloney they were trying to deal with.”
Yuma stared at Cloney, who was sitting next to him with her head drooped low.
Black flames. The daughter of the witch who had instilled fear in the continent.
Brigitte slowly nodded her head.
“They likely intended to sever Cloney’s magical circuit, rendering her unable to function as a mage. Killing her would be the easiest way to nullify the prophecy.”
Brigitte gently patted Cloney’s trembling head.
“It’s okay now, we’ve met like this.”
Cloney wiped her tear-filled eyes with the handkerchief Brigitte handed her and replied, “…I’m okay. But I’m not sure if I can really be of help to you, Your Highness. It’s just that I….”
“You’ve only awakened your mana for about two years, right? Without a proper environment. And yet, you’re already at the 3rd circle. You just need to believe in yourself.”
Yuma looked at Cloney, who was deep in thought and still feeling down.
If Brigitte’s words were true, Cloney was a genuine genius.
And the results from the Search Eye confirmed it.
‘This will be a huge help.’
[Lv.38] Cloney
Race: Human
Alignment: Good
Class: Mage
Level: 3rd Circle
Innate Trait: Magical Genius – An existence endowed with infinite talent for magic.
A bold declaration of being a magical genius. The information seemed to proudly shout, “I, the future archmage.”
Brigitte continued speaking.
“In order to ascend to the imperial throne, I have to find the blue-haired sword master mentioned in the prophecy, or I need to make it so my father officially names me the next empress.”
With just the current prophecy, it wouldn’t be enough to push out the First Prince, Schwarze.
Schwarze was definitely not someone who would fold his ambitions in front of the prophecy.
“My brother is insisting that the Holy Maiden misinterpreted the prophecy. The nobles have been convinced of that too. It’s true that there has never been a precedent for a prophecy about who the next emperor will be.”
Schwarze didn’t seem to have any intention of bending to the prophecy.
“I only have two years at most. According to the regent, it’s said that within this time frame, my father will either awaken from his coma or pass away. That crossroads will be determined within two years.”
“Long yet short.”
“I owe this two-year window to Duke Balzac.”
Duke Balzac, who was present when the Holy Maiden delivered her New Year’s prophecy, made the announcement on the spot.
First: Should His Majesty awaken, he will unconditionally follow the Emperor’s choice.
Second: If His Majesty ultimately cannot awaken, and if the First Princess proves the prophecy’s validity within two years, he will support her as the next empress.
I’ll support you.
Duke Balzac’s influence was second only to the Emperor in the Empire.
The Duke’s territory was so vast it could be considered a small kingdom, and he had the greatest military power in the Empire. The protector of the Empire—that was Balzac’s title.
“Yuma, you’re just as strong.”
Yuma was dumbfounded that a single show of force could be blown up to this extent. So, he changed the subject.
“After two years, if the Emperor passes away and Duke Balzac’s mediation is completely over, what are you planning to do then?”
Brigitte smirked at the question.
“I’ll have to face my brother head on.”
“Isn’t that a bit risky?”
“What else am I supposed to do? Just die?”
With the audacious words of the First Princess Brigitte, the carriage came to a stop.
“I’ll tell you the main point while treating you to dinner.”
“Got it.”
*
“….”
After a bath and donning what looked like a bathrobe, Yuma checked his clothes.
It wasn’t the five-cent outfit he bought but a much more aristocratic and luxurious black attire.
Wearing the outfit, Yuma headed to the restaurant he had already scouted out.
“Welcome, Yuma.”
“Lord Yuma!”
Brigitte said elegantly, while Cloney smiled brightly and waved.
“Come on, eat up. It’s the finest steak.”
Yuma sliced into the succulent meat, juices flowing perfectly. Indeed, it was so delicious that even a royal would call it exquisite.
Of course, he didn’t show it on his face.
“It’s good.”
“Care for a glass of wine?”
It was red wine.
“Sure.”
Princess Brigitte, who was twenty years old, didn’t offer alcohol to Cloney, who was only fifteen.
Swish…
A servant approached and expertly poured wine into their glasses.
Yuma and Brigitte downed their glasses.
A light blush appeared on Brigitte’s face.
“I’m really glad to have met you, Yuma. Thanks to you, Cloney is safely by my side.”
Brigitte’s lips formed a gentle smile.
“I don’t want to blindly believe in the prophecy. No matter how much it’s said to be a divine revelation… If you act solely based on that without your own will, you’ll deeply regret it when things go wrong.”
Brigitte continued her words slowly.
Every word was sincere. It was indeed dangerous to rely on just the prophecy alone.
“But right now, my strongest card, being relatively weak among the candidates for the throne, is this prophecy.”
There was certainly anxiety.
To entrust her own judgment and actions to someone else was the thing Brigitte despised the most.
But now, her only card was the prophecy.
Brigitte thought it was time to get to the main point.
“In two years, while protecting Cloney, I need someone to find the blue-haired swordsman. My brother will keep sending knights of the Empire, like Keingal, or other assassins, after Cloney.”
Yuma had had two glasses of wine and felt perfectly sober, able to think clearly.
Since he hadn’t drunk enough to get tipsy, he was able to think clearly.
Brigitte, with her slightly flushed face, didn’t seem that drunk either.
Yuma slowly opened his mouth.
“Do we have any clues to find the blue-haired swordsman?”
“Resonance. The Holy Maiden said that when Cloney and the blue-haired swordsman get close, there’s a high possibility of resonance occurring. It means they’ll recognize each other’s presence.”
“If we’re relying on such resonance and wandering across the continent, two years won’t be nearly enough.”
Brigitte added an extra clue.
“To the south of the continent. According to the oracle of the priestess, they are somewhere in the south.”
Yuma savored his red wine, contemplating Brigitte’s proposal.
‘Am I being entrusted with such a significant task just for killing one of the Empire’s Ten Great Lords?’
For Brigitte, this was a matter of fate.
Yuma gazed at Cloney.
‘The line between good and evil is pretty clear.’
Brigitte’s side is the good one.
As Brigitte said, Schwarze would try to eliminate Cloney by any means necessary.
And from the player’s perspective, this very moment is the “main story.”
The First Princess from David’s side is challenging the First Prince from Goliath’s side.
It was exactly that kind of setup.
Yuma slowly opened his mouth.
“Brigitte von Astes, First Princess. What will I gain for helping you?”
Brigitte grinned.
“If you succeed, I’ll become the Emperor. At that time, I can give you everything.”
Yuma decided to finish his deliberation.
“Alright, I accept.”
“I’m glad. Very glad. I’ll love you even more when I die! Hahahahaha!”
Brigitte laughed heartily.
‘I have no intention of dying whatsoever.’
Yuma gently patted Cloney’s dozing head.
“Go inside and sleep comfortably.”
Cloney’s eyes widened.
“Yes, Yuma-sama… Hehe.”
*
Morning arrived.
Brigitte presented something to Yuma.
It was a golden badge with three swords standing tall.
“This is all I have to give you. Oh, I can provide financial support as much as you need; just put it in your spatial pocket.”
“What is this?”
Yuma stared at the splendid badge.
Brigitte grinned again.
“This badge is engraved with the mark of mana stating I am the agent of First Princess Brigitte. When the nobles of the Empire see this badge, they’ll treat you with the same respect as me.”
Yuma accepted the badge with a shrug.
“Better than nothing, I suppose.”
“Exactly! I believe you’ll enhance the value of this badge, Yuma.”
Yuma pocketed the badge.
“I’ve marked our first destination on the map. It’s Count Rubelt’s territory, located at the very top of the southern part of the Empire.”
The first destination for the journey to find the blue-haired swordsman had been set.
