Chapter 455


    In the central part of the empire. Not far from the imperial capital is the medium-sized city of Rix. In it stood a gigantic mansion.


    Obviouslyrger than a lord''s mansion, it was the property of the oldest noble family in the empire, the Altenburg duchy. Eric was in one of its rooms.


    However, it wasn''t Eric''s room.


    The room, devoid of any unnecessary items, was remarkably in for a noble''s quarters.


    There were hardly any decorations, with the only thing embellishing the room being some adorned flowers.


    However, that was enough. The owner of the room had a sensibility to appreciate it.


    The room''s owner was a woman. Her hair and eyes were both of a clear, water-blue color. She was a gentle woman with a calm atmosphere.


    "You are busy with state affairs. You don''t have toe here, Eric."


    "I can''t say that. As a husband, I must at least show my face to my wife."


    With these words, Eric offered a calm smile, sliced some fruit, and offered it to the woman lying on the bed.


    There were only two of them in the room.


    The usual caretakers had been asked to leave.


    This was Eric''s intention.


    The woman''s name was Leah Lakes Adler.


    As the wife of the second prince, she should have been in the castle under normal circumstances. Leah is the same age as Eric, a daughter of the Altenburg family, and Eric''s childhood friend. She used to be an energetic woman who would lead the shy Eric around, but now she was bedridden due to illness, undergoing treatment here.


    "Hey, Eric. I feel good today. May I go out and feel the wind?"


    "If that''s what you wish."


    With these words, Eric offered Leah his hand and took her to the balcony. His face distorted at the touch of her frail hand. Leah''s disease was unknown. Even the best doctors on the continent could not find a cure for her strange illness. Leah, who once held a sword and dreamed of bing an adventurer, was growing weaker. The image of Leah pulling Eric along when they were young was nowhere to be seen now.


    "Cough...cough..."


    "Let''s return to the room..."


    "Just a bit longer...let me feel the wind..."


    "I see..."


    In an attempt tofort her, Eric hugged Leah.


    Knowing full well that it wouldn''t help much, he couldn''t stand doing nothing.


    "Hey... Eric"


    "What is it?"


    "I heard...Arnold ising back..."


    "Yes, he is."


    "...Does he still intend to fight for the throne with Leonard?"


    Eric did not answer Leah''s question.


    Silently affirming, Leah muttered quietly.


    "Wilhelm, Gordon, Zandra... They''re all gone... Traugott went to the vassal state, Lize went to the border... our family is being torn apart... And still, you want to continue?"


    "The throne is for the strong. That''s the rule."


    "Is that really all? Are you opposing your brothers just for that rule? I don''t think so."


    "I will be the emperor. I''ve decided."


    "...If it''s for me..."


    "No. If it''s for you...I won''t do anything that would make you sad. This is for me. I decided to be emperor and took the first step. I can''t stop now."


    Leah did not look at Eric''s face.


    She knew what his face looked like without looking.


    "I will build a good empire. A peaceful one... where everyone can live quietly with their loved ones."


    "..."


    Leah said nothing.


    She couldn''t imagine that such a world awaited beyond Eric''s pained expression. After returning from the balcony to the bed, Leahy down.


    Eric''s visit had overexcited her a little. Fatigue made her body feel heavy, and sleep was approaching.


    "Eric... please..."


    "What is it?"


    "...Don''t push yourself too hard..."


    With these words, Leah fell asleep.


    Listening to her regr breathing, Eric stood up. There were many things he had to do, as he had forced himself to find the time. After onest nce at his wife''s face, offering her a gentle smile, Eric donned a mask called ruthlessness. It was a convenient mask that hid Eric''s weakness.


    "I''m going back to the imperial capital. When Arnold returns, Leonard will make his move but I''ll make the first move."


    He gave instructions to his adjutants and headed for the carriage.


    Someone else was already inside that carriage.


    "Your Highness."


    "Dy Arnold''s party. Use that time to make necessary preparations."


    Inside the carriage was an assassin dressed as a maid, Xiaomei.


    She silently nodded in response to Erik''s instructions.


    "Understood. I won''t ask you to resort to extreme measures. Just make sure to dy their departure."


    "As you wish."


    "The momentum for a rematch with the Kingdom is growing. We can''t allow Leonard to head towards a decisive battle with the Kingdom. Make sure to convey that to Mother as well."


    "As youmand."


    Saying that, Xiaomei disappeared.


    Alone again, Erik let out a deep sigh. Until now, he had been waiting, not making any moves. But now that the opponents had narrowed down, he couldn''t afford to wait.


    "Give up, Leonard, Arnold... I won''t step back."


    Sending an unheard advice, Erik gazed into the distance.


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