Chapter 46
The air in the palace was bitterly cold, a chill that seemed to seep into one's bones.
Caron gazed up at the imperial throne, perched at the highest point in the grand hall. It was the very seat where his former master had once sat. It was the most revered throne in the empire, carved from the empire's rarest materials, positioned at its highest peak. However, the one who had summoned them here today, the emperor himself, was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, a young man standing below the throne greeted them. "Welcome to the Imperial Palace, Leo Leston and Caron Leston."
His features were sharp, his black hair neatly cut to shoulder-length; most striking of all were his golden eyes, which gleamed faintly in the dim light. Those eyes alone were enough for Caron to guess who he was. There was only one man in the empire who could greet guests in place of the emperor while being in his early thirties.
Caron kneeled on one knee, showing his respect, and Leo followed his example.
"We are honored to be in your presence, Crown Prince," Caron said.
This was Iorn Karien, the crown prince of the empire and eldest son of the emperor, and the one destined to inherit the throne. He approached them slowly as his steps echoed through the hall.
"The emperor is unwell and resting in his chambers," Iorn said; his voice rang with authority and grace, filling the hall with a palpable weight. "He wishes to convey his apologies for not welcoming you in person. He has sent me, the Crown Prince, in his place, so I trust you bear no ill will."
There was an undeniable difference between Iorn and his younger brother, Revelio. While Revelio exuded a wild, uncontrollable freedom, Iorn was the embodiment of elegance and formality, traits befitting a crown prince. It was as if he had been born to wear that title.
"I've heard of your victory in subduing the outlaws in Baron Belrus's territory," Iorn continued. "I commend your achievement and look forward to the future that will be shaped by such young heroes."
"We merely did what we had to do," Caron replied with a respectful tone.
"That's a fitting response from the grandson of Duke Halo. Raise your head," Iorn said.
At Iorn's command, Caron slowly lifted his gaze. Then, in that instant, he tightened his fists before he could even realize it. The moment he met Iorn's gaze, the fury he had forced down while climbing the stairs came roaring back. Iorn just looked too much like him.
The crown prince bore an eerie resemblance to the man who had ruined his life, the cursed emperor who had sold his soul to the devil. However, Caron quickly suppressed the rage bubbling within him. After all, Iorn was the emperor's grandson. It wasn't strange for a grandson to resemble his grandfather.
"Caron Leston," Iorn said. "I've heard a little about you from Revelio. I must thank you for becoming friends with our youngest royal."
The prince's words were polite, but they carried a sharp edge.
"Revelio is a lonely child. No one in the imperial family truly looks after him. As his brother, I'm grateful that the grandson of Duke Halo has been kind enough to befriend him," Iorn continued.
It was a warning, thinly veiled in courteous language. Revelio was already an outcast within the royal family. Besides that, by associating with him, Caron had drawn the crown prince's attention.
This is why I can't stand these royal people, Caron thought to himself.
It would have been so much simpler if people just spoke plainly. However, everything had to be wrapped in layers of politeness and hidden meaning.
Looking at Leo's face, he seemed completely unfamiliar with this kind of speech. The crown prince said he was grateful, so now Leo was smiling like a child, completely oblivious.
On the other hand, Caron had to suppress the urge to tell Iorn to mind his own business. After all, this was no place for blunt words, since they were standing right before the imperial throne. Plus, he had promised Duke Halo to avoid making any trouble, so rudeness was out of the question.
Instead, Caron responded with a formal tone, mimicking the royal style. "Your Highness, it is an honor to hear your kind words. I will continue to cultivate a strong relationship with the Sixth Prince and contribute to the bond between the royal family and the Leston family."
Caron's reply was full of subtle hints. He wanted Iorn to understand that he could choose to support Revelio if he wished.
The crown prince smiled, as if amused by Caron's response, and said, "Caron Leston, you're just as the rumors said."
Caron returned the smile and answered, "May I ask what kinds of rumors you are talking about?"
"I heard that you 'taught' something to Count Kian's son, Drogol, yesterday. When I heard the story, I thought you sounded like an interesting young man. Now that I've met you in person, I can see I was right. I look forward to seeing more of you," the Crown Prince replied.
"It is my honor that His Highness thinks so highly of me," Caron said.
"I will make sure to convey your saying so to His Majesty the emperor," Iorn responded. His golden eyes briefly scanned Caron, assessing him.
For a thirteen-year-old, this level of mental sparring was impressive. Iorn had already gathered information on Caron and Leo through the imperial intelligence network before their arrival. There wasn't much of note about Leo, on one hand. Other than his close friendship with Caron, he was rather ordinary.
However, Caron was another story. The youngest grandson of Duke Halo had been an unremarkable child. Then, after three years in Azureocean Castle, he had perfectly executed his first mission. He was only thirteen years old, and yet everywhere he set foot, change followed.
The barren land of Baron Belrus had begun developing its mines in cooperation with the Leston Duchy. The same was happening in the Thebe Autonomous Territory. In fact, the latest reports indicated that the knights from the Leston Duchy were expanding their influence in Thebe as well.
It was no coincidence. The empire's sleeping giant, which had remained dormant for fifty years, was moving again. And it was following the steps of this young boy.
This is dangerous, Iorn thought.
Even Caron's friendship with the Sixth Prince could have been part of a calculated plan. Perhaps this was why Duke Halo had never officially named a successor. Perhaps he'd been waiting for Caron.
Iorn smiled gently as he looked at Caron, then said, "There will be a banquet tonight in your honor. I hope the young heroes of Leston Duchy will enjoy it to their heart's content."
He had learned enough for now. If someone like Caron had emerged from any other territories, Iorn would have been tempted to recruit them. But he knew better. The royal family and Leston Duchy were like oil and water. They would never mix.
Knights from the Leston Duchy had once been the rebel force that stormed the imperial palace. To the people in the empire, they were a second sun. But there couldn't be two suns in the same sky.
"We will attend the banquet with gratitude," Caron said, bowing slightly as he matched Iorn's polite smile.
However, behind that smile, Caron could feel a subtle hostility from the crown prince.
Iorn's maternal family... They're from House Diaz, aren't they? Caron thought.
It was becoming clearer. Despite the passage of time, the tension between the imperial family and the Leston Duchy hadn't faded. There was no space for his family within the palace walls. Perhaps the royal family still considered the Leston Duchy their enemy.
However, that didn't bother Caron much. After all, he hated the imperial family just as much as they hated him.
...No, calling them enemies feels a bit too much, he thought.
Still, they were the descendants of the man who had taken everything from him. Of course, it wouldn't be fair to hold them accountable for the sins of the Malevolent Emperor. However, the thought of just letting it slide didn't sit right with Caron either.
"I thank His Imperial Majesty for his boundless grace," Caron said with a smile as he looked directly at Iorn.
I can't just let it go that easily, can I? Caron thought.
The comrades who'd died defending the Malevolent Emperor had to be expecting him to take some kind of revenge. Now that he had been given a second chance at life, perhaps he owed it to their spirits to deliver that blow.
Brace yourselves, you imperial bastards.
It wasn't because Iorn looked so much like the Malevolent Emperor. It really wasn't.
***
After the meeting with the crown prince, Caron and Leo made their way to the palace the imperial family had provided for them to rest until the evening banquet. It was far grander and larger than their grandfather's estate.
Caron wandered around the palace, clutching Guillotine. He asked, "Guillotine, do you see any signs of eavesdropping magic?"
"It's clean. But it's unpleasant how you're using me as a detector," Guillotine replied, sounding annoyed.
"Better that than being used as a cursed sword, isn't it?" Caron retorted.
"Well, I suppose that's true," Guillotine admitted.
"Take a rest," Caron told Guillotine.
After confirming the palace was free of any surveillance magic, he casually tossed Guillotine onto the floor and collapsed onto a plush sofa, closing his eyes. He said, "I'm exhausted, Leo."
Leo, who had been munching on some of the sweets laid out on the table, spoke up. "I've been wondering about something."
"What is it?" Caron asked.
"Well, didn't Grandfather dethrone the Malevolent Emperor?" Leo asked.
"Yeah, that's right," Caron confirmed.
"But the emperor who's in place right now is the Malevolent Emperor's son, isn't he?" Leo asked.
"Correct," Caron said.
"Usually, when a coup succeeds..." Leo trailed off.
"Talking like that in the palace? You've really grown up, huh? But you should watch your words, especially here. That tongue of yours could get you into serious trouble," Caron answered.
"...You're not really one to talk," Leo muttered.
Caron snatched a cookie from Leo and continued, "Compared to most kingdoms, it does seem a bit unnatural. Normally, a dethroned king's direct bloodline would be wiped out as well. But things are different when a crown prince is involved in the coup."
He began recalling the memories of his previous life.
The present emperor's name was Pellin, and Caron had once served as his bodyguard. Pellin had been the Malevolent Emperor's third son and the crown prince at the time. Caron remembered him as a rather quiet, unassuming figure, with a small frame and a soft voice. Many had considered him less imposing compared to his father.
However, there was one thing Pellin had that set him apart, which was a talent for seizing opportunities.
"The present emperor played a huge role in bringing down his own father, the Malevolent Emperor," Caron explained.
Pellin had been the first among the royal family to denounce his father and join forces with the rebels. That move had given the nobles, including the Leston Duchy, the justification they needed; and with the overwhelming support of the people, they'd managed to depose the Malevolent Emperor.
Pellin had been immensely popular among the common folk, and in return for his betrayal, he'd claimed the imperial throne. He had been on the verge of being branded a criminal alongside the Malevolent Emperor, but that one decisive choice had changed the course of his life forever.
What an opportunist... Caron thought.
That was Caron's assessment of the present emperor. In hindsight, it made sense that Pellin, who was only the third prince at the time, had become the crown prince due to his keen instincts. His sharp senses had allowed him to navigate the chaotic political landscape and restore order, as well as leading the empire for fifty years afterward.
It was Pellin, after all, who had granted Halo the title of grand duke and named him the "Great Hero."
"Does the emperor hate our family?" Leo asked, his curiosity piqued.
Caron shrugged and replied, "Well, he doesn't love us, that's for sure. We're a thorn in his side. But he doesn't antagonize us outright either. The emperor knows very well how powerful we are."
"...It might just be my imagination, but didn't the crown prince seem... hostile earlier?" Leo asked cautiously.
Caron laughed, inwardly impressed as he said, "Wow, you've really grown, Leo."
Leo seemed to be developing some intuition of his own, even though it wasn't always so apparent.
"Yeah, for a royal who's all about decorum, that warning was a clear sign of hostility," Caron continued.
"But why?" Leo asked.
"The reason's pretty simple," Caron replied casually. He reached for Guillotine, which he had previously tossed on the floor, before saying, "Humans are creatures of habit. Imagine a great warrior who hasn't drawn their sword in ages. People start thinking, 'Oh, this guy never draws his sword. He's probably not dangerous anymore.'"
Fifty years had passed since the Malevolent Emperor was dethroned. Many who remembered those times were long gone, replaced by new generations. And during those fifty years, the Leston family had kept a low profile, hunting demons and defending the North Sea from monsters.
"Eventually, some people will start thinking that it's not that they won't draw their sword, but rather that they can't," Caron said with a smirk.
As he unsheathed Guillotine, the sound of the blade sliding free whispered through the room.
"For people like that, you've got to draw your sword. It's even better if you swing it. And if you cut them down? Well, that's the best of all. Only then do those fools realize, 'Oh, I was wrong all along,'" Caron said.
He gave the sword a few swings in the air, testing its weight before sheathing it once more. Then he turned to Leo with a bright smile, asking, "You get what I'm saying?"
"...Well, mostly," Leo replied.
"This is all because Grandfather was too soft on them," Caron said as he clicked his tongue in disapproval. "If Grandfather had beaten them into submission from the start, they wouldn't have dared to crawl all over us like this. Tsk ."
However, Caron knew Halo wouldn't stay quiet anymore. Soon, they would show everyone exactly what the Leston family was capable of.
Caron threw Guillotine back on the floor and sank into the sofa again, his mind racing. The emperor... There's no way that opportunist has suddenly turned against Halo now, is there?
Perhaps the emperor's declining health had something to do with it. Considering that he was well over seventy years old, it wouldn't be surprising if illness played a role. Still, something about the situation felt off.
"I wonder what kind of banquet the crown prince has prepared for us. Don't you, Leo?" Caron asked.
Leo's face lit up at the thought of the banquet. "I saw some beautiful noble ladies earlier. I hope they attend! Oh wait, my formalwear—"
"Leo," Caron cut Leo off.
"Yeah?"
"Just kill yourself." Caron sent a minor mana pulse toward Leo's back, watching as his brother stumbled forward with a laugh. He exhaled softly, lost in thought once more.
The political landscape was shifting in ways that were difficult to predict, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"This is what the imperial palace should be like," Caron murmured to himself.
It was a nest of schemes and power plays.
"This is a perfect playground for someone like me."
The only problem Caron had now was figuring out which one to take down first.
Just like that, their brief respite passed, and the time for the evening banquet swiftly approached.