At that moment, Atha did her best not to twitch the corners of her mouth.
Even swallowing her saliva was dangerous.
Not only should she be exposed, but she should not appear suspicious in any way.
She shook her head slowly while maintaining her innocent expression: “I don’t know yet...
Why do you ask?”
Fortunately, Alisto didn't seem to sense any suspicion.
“The temple announced that it will reveal the revelation in a week.
Since I know that the temple usually contacts the saint before announcing the revelation to the public, I wondered if you had received any news.”
'Yes?'
'They will reveal the revelation?'
Atha tried hard to hold on to the threads of her consciousness that were almost broken.
“Does, does revealing the revelation mean… declaring one’s sainthood to all—something like that?”
He nodded and continued: “Yes.
If you receive any news, can you tell me first?”
Atha hid her mind, which was beginning to empty of ideas, and nodded her head, pretending to be calm: “I will do that.
Although...
I will see a future that cannot be shared, just like my mother.”
When Alisto saw that woman who seemed to be lacking in confidence for some reason, he smiled gently: “It seems that you have misunderstood my reason for asking to tell me first.
I am not curious about Saint’s ability, rather I want to know anything about Miss Atha, before anyone else.”
“Ah... yes?”
“Even if it is not news from the temple, I will be very happy if the day comes when you come to me and talk about the most trivial details of your day and what you went through.”
They were really sweet words.
But Atha was not in a state of mind that allowed her to taste this sweetness.
She smiled gently, and the door to Almond's suite quickly closed.
Atha couldn't stop thinking until the moment she fell asleep.
'Is this why I didn't live long?'
'Because after the revelation was announced, I was killed by the hand of someone who wished to turn back time?'
***
Before dawn, in an underground crypt—
The place, with old exposed brick, smelled of mold and dampness.
In the middle of that narrow space, a large round table was placed covered with a tablecloth embroidered with the eagle emblem, a symbol of imperial authority.
Sitting around the table were five members of the Emperor Faction, and they all had somber expressions on their faces.
And how could it not be?
The current emperor was the type of person who was easily seduced by pleasures.
As soon as they pushed him a little, he would take the path of addiction himself.
Thanks to that, throughout that period, the Emperor's faction was able to control him and make a lot of illegal money.
But Alisto was not interested in those matters at all.
He was acting indifferently, as if he had no interest in human pleasures.
Just imagining Alisto becoming Emperor was terrifying to them.
Just look at the situation now.
Although he is still the crown prince, he enforces discipline so strictly that their income is no longer what it used to be.
Even the businessmen and merchants who used to pay bribes to win imperial bids turned their backs, and the visits of the nouveau riche who came bearing gifts in the hope of a simple title of nobility were interrupted.
Even now their sources of money are drying up, so what if Alisto becomes emperor?
Certainly, he will not only confiscate their money on charges of bribery, corruption, and late taxes, but...
He will squeeze them until the last drop of blood and then they will end up on the execution scaffold.
Someone opened up with a heavy voice: “Before the Crown Prince allys himself with Dalbert and succeeds in sea trade, we must register Baron Art Oakley as an official prince.”
Then the person sitting next to him agreed.
From his voice, he seemed to be younger than the first person.
“That is correct.
I have here arranged the necessary administrative procedures and points that must be completed, as well as the personnel required to register Baron Oakley as Prince.”
He distributed the files to the other four, and they fixed their eyes on them for a moment.
In any case, the Emperor Faction's goal was clear.
In place of Alisto, whom they cannot control or even touch, they will seek to install Baron Art Oakley, whom they can move at will, as Emperor.
To achieve this, they first had to register him as an official prince.
But unfortunately, they didn't have much time.
Crown Prince Alisto has already tied the Emperor's hands and feet, and has become the one who actually manages most of the state's affairs.
Fortunately, he was still unable to act on behalf of the Emperor in the final signatures that required his handwriting…
But the problem is that even this seems imminent.
Currently, the Imperial Senate was invoking public opinion to prevent the transition of the throne by every means possible.
Of course, the public opinion of the people of the empire was not important in and of itself.
How could public opinion dare to influence the inauguration of the emperor?
Honestly, the people of the empire didn't care much about who sat on the throne.
Their lives will not change if the Emperor changes.
However, the Senate’s invocation of “public opinion” to postpone the transition of the throne...
It was due to doubts about whether Alisto was the biological son of the Emperor or not.
According to investigations, the Crown Prince's side is planning to pour all the huge money it will make from maritime trade into welfare policies.
As the Senate continues to postpone ratification based on doubts and invoking public opinion, it appears to intend to curry favor with the people.
Insisting on marrying a saint goes in the same direction.
By embracing the temple that had long separated from the imperial court, it would be a symbol of inclusion for even believers who felt embittered by neglect.
In other words, once the Crown Prince completely controlled public opinion, the Imperial Senate would no longer be able to prevent him from assuming the throne.
Because there will be no argument.
For them, the last remnants of the Emperor Faction, the crisis was knocking on their doors.
Baron Gilbert Weigel sighed deeply as he looked at the papers: “Even if Baron Oakley completes the papers, do you think he will be able to pass the peerage meeting, which is the last step in the registration procedure as a prince?”
Then Count Hans Rudi Dirk’s eyes sparkled: “If there is a proof of lineage issued by the temple and ratified by His Majesty the Emperor, the meeting of the nobles can be replaced with a meeting of the Imperial Council of Notables.”
“…Is there a legal basis for this replacement?”
“There is a precedent.
Although it is a bit old, the Senate President himself has advised me, so there will be no obstacle in implementation.
I will also prepare for the Senate meeting for sure, so don’t worry.”
Thanks to Count Dirk's confidence, the atmosphere in the crypt became more optimistic.
"Ha ha, that's great.
Thanks to the Count, we feel safe!
Yes, let's try.
After all, if the Crown Prince takes the throne, we'll all be dead."
“That's right!
Before we get swept away, we should show them that even a worm turns over when stepped on.”
“It seems that the main focus will be the proof of lineage certificate issued by the temple.
I will go to the temple.”
“As for me, I intend to go to the academy.
I would like to personally protect Baron Art Oakley until the formalities are over.”
To realize the dream of the Emperor Faction, Baron Art Oakley's life was the most important.
He has to stay alive so they can try anything.
“If Sir Wiggle, who was the commander of the Imperial Knights, took over the personal protection mission, we would be greatly relieved!”
When the plot was about to end, Baron Daniel Obermann laughed in embarrassment: “Everyone has rolled up their sleeves, and there is no role left for me to play.
So, I—I will search on the saint’s side, perhaps I will find a weakness that can be exploited.”
Count Dirk encouraged the timid Baron Obermann, saying, "Oh!
This is a really wonderful idea.
If we can distract the Crown Prince even for a moment while the Senate meeting is in session, it will be of great help."
In truth, Count Dirk did not believe that Baron Obermann would be able to catch a weakness against the Crown Prince.
He appreciated his willingness to do anything just for the sake of the group.
Anyway, the remnants of the Emperor Faction determined the tasks assigned to each of them, agreed on the date of the next meeting, and then left the place one by one.