Scratch, scratch.
There was no hesitation in the movement of the quill. If the mind envisions the big picture, the details can be resolved almost instinctively. The target is the empire’s stability and a smooth succession of power.
Iriyd observed the world from atop a pile of documents.
In the end, power is about controlling the flow of interests from the very top. Even disasters can be used to guide people depending on how they are handled.
The trick is to gather all the bad things into one basket, collect scattered beliefs, and attach wandering hearts to someone else. It was something that could be done because the imperial descendants were all in on it together.
Publicly, (even if it felt unfair) Iriyd’s mistakes were blamed, and the discontent was redirected toward Princess Elaine, the first princess, thus minimizing losses.
There was one thing to keep in mind during this process.
"Erase the presence of the ‘Mad Mage.’"
His traces had to be removed as much as possible.
"...It’s difficult. Until now, we’ve been able to suppress his reputation, but the disturbance happened right in the capital, Your Highness. If we act hastily, it may backfire..."
But C, the aide, showed reluctance.
If it becomes obvious that you’re trying to hide a treasure, it only strengthens the belief in its existence. If it’s perceived that the Second Prince is trying to conceal something, it could draw even more attention.
Despite this, Iriyd spoke confidently.
"It will feel as though the heavens are helping us."
"...Pardon?"
"It’s difficult to reveal, but it will be easy to conceal. Proceed without worrying about the backlash."
"..."
Though the order was somewhat hard to grasp, C followed it. Iriyd’s brilliance hadn’t dimmed, and given that he’d finished his daily sugar intake, there was probably some unexplainable logic behind it.
Naturally, curiosity arose. But he suppressed it. Half of the world’s strange tales belong to wizards, but the other half belongs to the imperial family.
Being curious about the secrets of the imperial family was as good as suicide.
The empire, a nation occupying the fertile lands of this vast continent and expanding its influence daily, had never faltered—strangely so.
The imperial descendants are always astute. Disasters are subdued. Wars are won.
When public sentiment overflows, it settles. When manpower is lacking, it emerges from somewhere. And heroes who can restore order always appear.
The current greatest swordsman of the empire, the "young knight," was one such case. After the previous ‘Imperial Sword’ passed away, less than a year later, the young knight emerged.
It’s as if the state itself is favored and protected by the goddess.
"...As you wish."
Thus, C bowed his head in reverence. The decisions of the imperial family are always correct, and the empire’s history proves it.
While taking a brief rest, staring at a vase of roses with an inscrutable gaze, Iriyd added something significant.
"And, there’s been a summons from His Majesty the Emperor. We’ll meet him in a week."
"...!!"
"Sister will be there, and Seredo will likely come to the capital as well. She’s been wielding her sword for the empire far from home, and Seredo has been honing his skills at the academy, so it’s only right that I prepare a place for them. Make the arrangements."
"Yes. I’ll look for two guest houses far from the palace."
No.
Iriyd tapped the parchment with his quill and gave the order.
"There was an unfortunate incident at Crown Hall, where citizens suffered great damage. It wouldn’t be wise to be wasteful during such times, so prepare just one residence. I will also stay there. They will understand... That’s the premise."
"I’m concerned that people might interpret it as a sign that the imperial family has weakened, unable to prepare even three buildings."
"More likely, they’ll see it as me making amends for my mistakes... trying to regain the favor of the common people. Besides, I have my reasons for needing a private meeting under this pretext."
The summons from the Emperor.
In that meeting with the aged Emperor, there was something Iriyd needed to ask him.
For a long time, Iriyd had been carefully gathering information. The closer he got to the center of power, the clearer the picture became, and yet, the more disturbing the inconsistencies grew. The incident with the ‘Fake Mad Mage’ had been the final clue.
There was something.
And the clue to that something lay within the imperial family.
That’s why the imperial descendants needed to discuss this. They needed to gather the fragmented pieces and draw a blueprint. The terrible event at the Huaihua Palace from their childhood, the abnormal and inhuman upbringing, the shadow cast deeply over the imperial family.
And... the matter of the forgotten First Prince ▒▒▒.
It happened after the death of the First Prince.
The First Princess killed the First Prince. The warm and kind sister poisoned and killed her elder brother, who had been her emotional pillar. Iriyd had been shattered, as if his world had collapsed.
He had believed that even if they turned the entire world into their enemy, at least their 'family' could remain harmonious...
Immediately after, a group arrived at Huaihua Palace. They were agents of the imperial defense bureau, directly under the aged Emperor. They turned the palace upside down, carrying out the 'erasure of records.'
"Who are you? Who are you people!"
They did not respond and continued their work in silence.
They brought foul-smelling paint and splashed it over the First Prince’s portrait, erasing his name from all records. Books were burned, memories were erased. It was as if they were sterilizing contaminated materials.
They did not stop there.
"Erasing memories... Whose authority...!"
"It is by order of His Majesty the Emperor."
"Let go! Let go of me...!!"
Everyone who had worked at Huaihua Palace underwent memory cleansing, and even the imperial descendants were not spared. Soon, the name of the First Prince ▒▒▒ could be found nowhere.
But looking back now, when I reflect on that sad page of memory...
Even before all this had occurred, during peaceful times—
It seems I had already sensed something strange.
A fragment of memory surfaces. A young Iriyd asks the First Prince, who was seated in a rocking chair, a question. The First Prince, who had become unusually mature at some point, responded in a rather grown-up manner.
"Brother, your name is strange. It’s so unique compared to everyone else’s. Is it because you’re going to become the Emperor?"
"An interesting thought, Iriyd. But no... I think you’ve got the order reversed."
That was the conversation.
In other words—
Even young Iriyd had noticed something odd about his brother’s name.
So perhaps... it’s the reverse. His name wasn’t originally different.
It had been 『overwritten』 by something.
It’s a nonsensical statement. Even on this continent, where all kinds of magic and powers clash, such a phenomenon is so peculiar that it feels out of place. Iriyd had learned about this strange occurrence—this ability—from the young knight.
"What is your name, Sir?"
"I no longer have one. It was a sullied name, so I cut it away."
"If you don’t want to say, just say that."
"Haha... When you ascend the throne, you’ll understand that I was not lying."
The young knight had said that with a bitter smile.
Isn’t it strange? That the name of the greatest swordsman of the empire, the strongest man on the entire continent, is not known at all, and he is only referred to as ‘the young knight’?
Now, I believe him.
Iriyd gave a name to this strange phenomenon, or ability.
『Name Devourer.』
(1) ‘Something’ corrupts a person’s name and replaces it with its own.
"Iriyd!"
"Ugh!"
The royal centrifuge spun once more today. After being twirled thirty times in Elaine’s embrace, Iriyd finally managed to plant his feet on the ground.
Seeing this, Seredo shivered, wondering if the battle for the throne had begun and whether he should call for reinforcements.
Iriyd, looking as disheveled as a man who’d been through a washing machine, collapsed onto a sofa with a groan.
"...You haven’t changed, sister. I’ve told you many times that I’m all grown up."
"I’m just happy to see you. Didn’t you miss me too, Iriyd?"
"That’s different. Besides, why don’t you give Seredo a taste of it?"
"Oh, no, no! I’m fine... really."
Seredo clutched the book he was holding close to his chest, adopting a very defensive posture. Elaine, who had been considering spinning him as well, redirected her attention.
"What’s that book?"
"Oh, this... It’s nothing."
Seredo hurriedly tried to cover the book’s cover with his clothes, but Iriyd’s sharp eyes immediately recognized it.
"It’s a book about the 'Blue Rose' operating in the capital, written by some gossipmonger. Did you buy it to understand the political climate of the capital? That book is heavily biased, though. If you want to know more, I can provide you with a proper report."
"Oh, uh, thank you, brother..."
In truth, it was that bias that had appealed to him.
The book was a speculative romance novel about the mysterious blue woman who roamed Crown Hall and the long-lost Heart. Seredo had been utterly captivated by it.
But he wasn’t about to say, "Brother, I bought it because I like yuri and I’m not actually interested in politics," nor did he need to. Sometimes, silence was the best answer.
Iriyd turned to Elaine.
"How are things on the eastern front?"
"Busy. We have to fill the gap left by Sissel, but recently, the demons’ movements have been strangely aggressive. I barely managed to plug the hole and make it here. Once I meet His Majesty, I’ll have to return right away."
"If you need additional troops or supplies, I’ll arrange for it."
"Weren’t you about to execute your own aide? I appreciate the concern, but you should take care of your own issues first."
What was I supposed to do when a clone of the Mad Mage barges in and starts firing mind-control beams? Iriyd grumbled internally.
If I said that out loud, she’d probably respond with something like, "Can’t you just use Metamorphosis to grow stronger and beat them up? Or do you still lack adequate guards? Should I assign you a knight?" so I kept it to myself.
He then shifted to the main topic.
"Do you remember what happened at Huaihua Palace?"
"......"
"...How could I forget?"
"I’ve been investigating the events of that day. And... I’ve come to believe there’s a reason behind all the misfortunes we’ve endured."
Iriyd calmly laid out his reasoning.
Huaihua Palace, where the young imperial descendants were raised, was abnormal. The palace staff were replaced on a regular basis. Anyone who showed signs of becoming close to the imperial children was removed.
As a result, the imperial descendants were raised in complete isolation, with no human interaction to speak of.
Even the Emperor never showed his face to his children.
In the past, Iriyd had thought this was just a strict form of training to foster steel-like hearts, but what if that wasn’t the case? What if it was a form of... quarantine?
"From what?"
"That’s what I’ve gathered us here to figure out. Sister, you were the closest to our brother... the First Prince. You must have thought about it a lot. Do you remember when... he started to 'change'?"
"If you’re asking when he first revealed his malicious side, it was about a year after meeting His Majesty."
"No, I’m not asking about when he revealed his true colors. I’m asking about when his name started to feel strange, and when he suddenly became so much more mature, as though he’d skipped over childhood."
Elaine’s face stiffened as she thought, then she recalled.
"It was after he received the ‘Baptism’ from the Dragon Heart."
There is a rite that all imperial descendants must undergo. They are blessed by the Dragon Heart, which the empire has safeguarded, and they awaken at least one exceptional talent.
Iriyd’s administrative abilities, Elaine’s combat sense, and...
The First Prince’s 'maturity' also appeared after the 『Baptism.』
In other words—
(2) 'Something' ensures the continuation of the imperial family.
The time had come.
The large doors swung open, revealing the imperial audience chamber.
As the three imperial descendants cautiously stepped forward and lifted their heads.
Sitting upon the ornate golden throne was an elderly man.
His back was hunched, his complexion pale, and his body was thin and frail, with sunken eyes devoid of vitality. His hands trembled constantly, as if suffering from extreme anxiety, and he flinched at the slightest breeze. It was as though he feared the entire world.
Furthermore, the toll of time had visibly worn him down. Anyone could see that the Emperor’s death was near.
The grand hall, adorned with red silk leading to the golden throne, was empty except for the Emperor.
His hollow gaze fell upon the imperial descendants. Elaine stepped forward to offer her greeting.
"Before the Emperor of the Empire, I—"
"Enough... You have questions, it seems."
The Emperor waved his hand, cutting her off.
His murky blue eyes seemed to peer beyond the heart. The old Emperor could feel Iriyd’s resolve. His son had grown and now brushed against the secrets of the empire.
Was this fortune or misfortune? It was misfortune. A wave of pity washed over the Emperor’s eyes. There are truths better left unknown.
But with his end approaching, and one of these individuals set to take the throne, there was no longer any reason to hold back.
Seredo, trembling slightly, voiced the question they had discussed.
"...Your Majesty, what consumed the First Prince, our elder brother?"
"A god."
Elaine followed up with her question.
"Your Majesty, what have you feared so greatly all this time?"
"A god."
Iriyd stood tall, looking the old Emperor straight in the eyes, and asked his question.
"Your Majesty, what governs the empire?"
"A god."
There are two gods. Hidden in the shadow of the goddess, a massive black dragon silently watches.
He has been with the empire since its birth, and so the ancestors called themselves the "Black Dragon Emperor." Whether the ancestor was him, or merely created by him, is unknown.
He possesses divine power.
He guides people’s hearts, orchestrates incomprehensible events, and turns lives into mere plays for his amusement. Many of the heroes recorded in history were his creations.
Do you know why the protagonists of heroic tales suffered so much and faced such misfortune? It was because the great will desired it. And that will... favors the empire.
The empire is his stage, his playground. As long as his interest remains, the empire will endure.
That’s why there are no incompetent imperial descendants, why the necessary heroes always appear during disasters, and why the empire can speak of immortality, unlike any other nation—because it is favored by a god.
But the god is wicked.
His malice crushes and breaks the human spirit. Since humans cannot oppose a god, we can only accept that we were born into this cruel world.
"Are you saying you didn’t resist!"
Even if you resist, you’ll eventually surrender.
The imperial family’s tragedy repeats with every generation. Just as it did for you, it happened to me. The god takes away a person’s name, replaces it with his own, and then controls them.
"...Even you, Your Majesty, like the First Prince."
Distrust those around you. He slips in unnoticed and directs your downfall. I had to kill my wife and sister with my own hands.
For the past ten years, things have been peaceful. Whether out of mercy or caprice, there have been no further tragedies. But perhaps this, too, is part of a grand play.
"If it’s been quiet for ten years, perhaps, like all things, it has aged and withered. Maybe it’s dead."
Is it possible for a god to die?
He is hiding somewhere. I think of it as a cruel game of hide-and-seek. He could be hiding among you. I’ve always believed that.
So, imperial descendants.
I’ll change the task. My life is nearing its end. The task of deciding the next Emperor will not be to fight and shed blood, but to find him.
Find him, bow your head, and beg for mercy. The one who brings back proof of his favor will be made Emperor.
There are countless reasons to submit to a god who controls and toys with lives. But for the Emperor, there is one more reason above all others.
He promised a puppet show to only one Emperor.
When you ascend to the throne, you will no longer be entangled in these fabricated tragedies.
Your wife will not strangle you in your sleep every night. You won’t have to face the reality that your trusted loyalist was actually his puppet. You’ll be free from the unease of knowing your life is just a script manipulated by someone else...
Ascend to the throne. And then—
You will finally break free from the strings and become a dignified human being.