Its been an hour since the tournant started.
As she looked at the arena, Orihi noticed that the spectators were acting strangely.
Mu?
The spectators in the arena look like they are getting sick.
And it is not just one or two people.
Seeing peoples complexion turned pale one after another, Orihi frowned.
Your Majesty.
What is it? Celestial Princess-dono?
Do you feel sothing strange?
Hou? What a coincidence. So Celestial Princess-dono also feels that sothing is off too huh.
At best it is only a feeling that sothing is off.
Since the event is being held at midday, it is normal for a few people to get sick.
That is a normal thought process.
Even so, both Orihi and Johannes noticed that there is sothing strange going on.
Bring all the VIPs here. If sothing happens I will protect them all with my barrier.
I am grateful. Franz, do you agree with this plan?
There is no problem. I will imdiately arrange it.
It would be rude if we just call them here. Empress, go invite them.
As you wish.
Saying so, Franz and Brunhild leave the room.
When she saw Johannes ask for approval from the Pri Minister, the expression of suspicion floated on Orihis face.
After all, it is strange for an emperor to ask permission from his subordinate.
Why does Your Majesty need approval from the Pri Minister?
I cant afford to interfere with the Pri Ministers plan you see. I have left almost everything to the Pri Minister this ti after all.
..so even if there is a rebellion Your Majesty will not move?
Johanness eyes slightly widen at Orihis words. He then showed her a bitter smile.
Did you hear that rumor from Arnold?
That is no rumor. I know it will happen. Theres a bad sll lingering in this city. Sothing will definitely happen, you know?
It is not a certainty yet.
So you will not move without a confirmation huh? I thought that Your Majesty is better than this but was that only my misunderstanding?
Johannes let out a small sigh at Orihis words.
He then turned to look directly at Orihi.
I do not mind how you think of . I will never doubt my son without proof. My son is not so foolish to cause such great damage to the Empire.
People will lose their lives because you are being emotional you know?
I am not being emotional. There simply is no proof. What if I make a mistake? If the Emperor apprehends one of the candidates for the throne without proper evidence during the succession war, the succession war itself will go to waste. Gordon has much control over the military. They will surely take decisive action to clear his na. If that is the case, we will end up with a civil war.
If he moves, there will definitely be a civil war. That is Johanness position.
It doesnt matter if Gordon is actually plotting a rebellion or not.
If Gordon is punished, those under him will not sit still without proper evidence. They might take action even without Gordon and perhaps so will hold the Emperor forever in contempt.
The succession war is there to decide the next emperor. If the current emperor were to forcefully interfere, he will have to deal with the rebellion from all sides.
Its not so simple to just end the matter with Gordons head.
Then what are you planning to do?
Nothing. Personally at least.
That was Johanness answer.
If the Emperor couldnt move, all he had to do was just let his subordinates handle it.
Thats why Johannes left everything to the Pri Minister.
There should be a limit to what the Pri Minister can do. Since it is difficult for Your Majesty to intervene personally, the Pri Minister shouldnt be able to take direct action either. The only thing he can do would be to prepare for whats coming.
Exactly. All we can do is prepare ourselves. If he can break through everything and take the Empire into his hands then thats fine. That is one way to win after all.
There were indeed a small number of candidates who tried to take control of the succession war through brute force before.
However, none of them succeeded.
You need the Emperors permission to mobilize the army. It would be considered treason if you do so without permission. Not to ntion that not only the other candidates but you will also be turning the present emperor into your enemy as well.
Thats why the succession war mostly consisted of secret maneuvers and working behind the scenes.
After all, all the candidates are well aware that it is foolish to turn the Emperor into their enemy head-on.
So causing a rebellion to win the throne is also a way to win?
The essence of the succession war is to give birth to a strong emperor. If a strong emperor is born from the result, the process can be ignored.
Saying so, Johannes leaned back on his chair.
To Orihi, his face looked terribly aged.
Even though he said that, his true feelings must be different. So Orihi thought.
if my firstborn is still alive, I wouldnt have to be worried like this though.
The deceased Crown Prince huh. I heard that you didnt allow the succession war at first but why did you only do that for the Crown Prince
Because everyone acknowledged him. It was obvious that he would win and there was no one who wanted to compete with him either, thats why there was no need for the succession war. Everyone was looking forward to seeing their ideal emperor. He was to be the one who ended this long history of the succession war. That was how it was supposed to be
If everyone is satisfied, there is no need for conflict.
If everyone recognizes that he will beco a strong emperor from the start, there is no need to compete.
Thats why the Crown Prince was supposed to be the first emperor to take the throne without going through the succession war.
It was supposed to be the end of the tradition.
No one doubted that he would accomplish many great things in his reign.
Johannes was sure that he could co up with an alternate thod to choose his successor.
My ideal successor is no more. Thats why this succession war was brought back. I tolerated it because I thought that for anyone beside him, the struggle of the succession war would be necessary. But, sotis I still wonder if that was indeed a correct decision.
You seem timid, Your Majesty. Is that how the Emperor of the Empire is like.
An emperor also has monts where he can be timid. I had expectations for my children. I thought that using this succession war, my children could grow stronger. However.even since the succession war began I cant see them grow at all. On the contrary, I can see them growing more foolish. Even so, I want to believe that none of my children would be so foolish to shake the Empire for their own gain.
It was sothing like a wish.
However, that wish does not co true.
When the Empress and the Pri Minister returned with the VIPs.
Orihi felt a swirl of huge magic power.
That swirl of magic ca from underneath the arena.
What!?
Its a curse.
Orihi promptly erected a barrier that covered the entire room and identified the magic that was activated under the arena.
A huge barrier of hex magic.
It was prepared underneath the arena and is now spewing curse into it.
The sick people they saw were the ones who were affected by its effect before its activation.
Inside the arena, people started to cough.
Not only the spectators but also the contestants, soldiers, and knights who were participating in the tournant as well.
It is not a curse that will instantly kill you but it can easily render you to a state where you cant fight.
To think they would be able to activate sothing like this on such a scale.they must have prepared it for a long ti huh?
Muttering so, Orihi turned her eyes to Johannes.
It is a weakening curse. They must have covered the entire arena with it. You will be fine as long as you are within my barrier but if thats the case then we cant put up a proper fight.
That seems to be the case.
Saying so, Johannes turned toward the Pri Minister.
If the curse is only affecting people in the arena then all they have to do is get outside but if the opponent planned to utilize such a thing, they shouldnt make it easy for them to escape.
I see. I was wondering what Grimoire was doing underground but it seems that they were preparing this.
Its too late to reflect on it now. You do have an appropriate counterasure right?
Of course, Your Majesty. However, allow to apologize first. I have completely overstepped my authority, please forgive .
While getting a bad feeling from his Pri Minister who lowered his head to him, Johannes gives him a nod.
Since he has left everything to him, he has no intention to complain no matter what he did.
Then, accepting the Pri Ministers proposal, Orihi and the Emperor along with the VIPs tried to leave the arena.
However
I have been waiting. Father.
At the exit, Gordon was waiting for them, fully equipped.
Behind him are soldiers ard to the teeth.
They have surrounded the arena from all sides.
Seeing that, Orihi whispered in a small voice.
So there really is a fool here.
It seems so. I never thought that my son would be so deplorable.
It is your fault, Father. You should have made the Crown Prince from the start.
It is your own fault for not showing the caliber that would suit such a position, Gordon.
Saying so, Johannes slowly pulled out the sword that he had hanging from his waist.
My foolish son. At least take this as a rcy from your father. Give your head now. If you do that, I will at least bury you as a prince.
You must have gone senile, Father. Do you not understand your current situation? I have many generals supporting ! The army is now under my control! Right now, there is an overwhelming difference between our power! You have no chance of winning!!
Saying so, Gordon pulled out his sword and raised it high.
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