It wasn’t over just because Ascan and I had escaped from the Calua Empire.

After arriving in the Lazent Empire, I heard from Ascan about the second-generation children and realized how serious the situation was.

‘If things continue like this, won’t Arwen Empire be invaded just like in the original story?’

Until now, I thought I had successfully twisted the original plot enough to prevent war.

Not only had the time for war—according to the novel—already passed, but Ascan also seemed to have abandoned his intention to bring about world destruction.

But I was wrong.

‘This feels ominous. It’s as if, no matter how the process changes, the outcome flows the same.’

Second-generation children—who never appeared in the original novel—had emerged. Worse, if they were under hypnosis and lacked self-awareness, their power was formidable.

This was a headache. Individually, none of them might be stronger than Ascan, but their sheer numbers made them dangerously effective.

‘What should I do?’

At this rate, the Calua Empire—having stockpiled strength—was highly likely to initiate war. I needed to prepare thoroughly before that happened.

So far, through Zen, I’d gathered information about the Arwen Imperial family. I already knew Emperor Lucellion was naturally timid, but in such a critical period, this weakness was severely hindering progress.

‘Even with Arwen Empire’s current military strength, defeating Calua Empire is impossible—but what if the Emperor doesn’t even consider launching an attack?’

Geographically, according to the map, Arwen Empire lay sandwiched between the powerful Calua Empire and Lazent Empire.

Though disadvantaged by location, if the worst-case scenario arrived, Arwen Empire would have to accept war and respond firmly.

It would be ideal to resolve things diplomatically, but one cannot keep retreating indefinitely against an opponent unwilling to negotiate.

‘Father, Noxia.’

Suddenly, the faces of Orland and Noxia flashed through my mind.

Like it or not, House Brellof was a noble family under Arwen Empire. If the nation fell, my family would not remain safe.

I couldn’t just stand by and watch.

It was while I was lost in deep thought that Ascan, seated across from me, spoke in a low voice.

“I think I know what you’re worrying about. I’ve been thinking the same thing lately.”

“If time passes like this, the likelihood of Calua Empire starting a war grows. We need to prepare countermeasures somehow—but do you have any good ideas?”

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of sitting idle either.”

Ascan, too, seemed determined to prevent Calua Empire from initiating war.

Helsion had resumed human weapon experiments, and Bill was falling down a wrong path. He clearly had no intention of ignoring it.

That Ascan and I shared the same goal was excellent news. There was no ally in the world more reliable than him.

Ascan said,

“I have one idea in mind—would you like to hear it?”

Surprised by his unexpected suggestion, I quickly nodded.

Ascan gazed at me with an affectionate look, then continued seriously.

“The Emperor of Arwen Empire is too timid to muster the courage to wage war alone, and the nation’s overall power is incomparable to Calua Empire’s. Thus, we have only one viable path.”

As I listened to Ascan’s explanation, a sudden thought occurred to me.

I stared at him, startled, and said,

“Are you suggesting we form an alliance?”

“Yes, exactly. Arwen Empire and Lazent Empire must form an alliance. The most promising way to stop Calua Empire is for the two empires to combine their strength.”

The more I thought about it, the better the idea seemed.

Arwen Empire alone couldn’t overcome the current crisis, but with Lazent Empire’s support, the situation would change drastically.

I sprang up from my seat and paced restlessly around the table, deep in thought.

Soon, a concern surfaced, and I turned to Ascan and asked,

“An alliance would be ideal for Arwen Empire—but will Lazent Empire willingly agree?”

Most people knew relations between Calua Empire and Lazent Empire were poor. To an uninformed observer, Lazent Empire would seem to have no reason to refuse an alliance with Arwen Empire.

But from what I’d recently learned about the Arwen Imperial family, relations with Lazent Empire weren’t good at all.

Lazent Empire, by nature, was an extremely arrogant nation.

Ten years ago, after the incident where they secretly tried to kidnap me, Arwen Empire confronted the Lazent Imperial family.

Had the Lazent Imperial family admitted their wrongdoing then, there would have been no problem—but they refused to acknowledge past events or accept demands for apology.

Their shameless attitude might be why I still held a poor impression of Lazent Empire.

I hadn’t intended it, but emotions accumulated since then had driven a wedge between the two empires. Ironically, though Lazent Empire was at fault, they reportedly despised anything related to Arwen Empire.

‘I never expected the kidnapping attempt to lead to this outcome.’

Clearly, I wasn’t the one at fault—Lazent Imperial family was. Because of that incident, I had to live separated from Ascan for ten years.

Yet, ironically, to protect Arwen Empire, I now needed Lazent Empire’s strength.

They say there are no eternal enemies or eternal friends—and that phrase fit the current situation perfectly.

“…Haa.”

It was as I unknowingly let out a deep sigh that Ascan, who had been watching me silently, spoke in an even more solemn tone.

“It’s not entirely impossible to make Lazent Empire accept the alliance.”

“Do you have a good plan?”

“If the current Emperor dislikes Arwen Empire, then we must improve relations with the next Emperor.”

“The next Emperor….”

Supporting someone in a succession struggle to gain advantage was a common tactic.

I didn’t know much about Lazent Empire’s political situation, but I’d heard the Emperor’s health was seriously deteriorating.

Perhaps a new Emperor would ascend the throne soon.

“Ascan, that’s a great idea. First, we need to examine the Lazent Imperial family tree.”

The moment I finished speaking, Ascan—as if prepared—pulled out the Lazent Imperial family tree from his robes.

I couldn’t help but be startled—it felt as if he’d read my mind. When I stared at him wide-eyed, he chuckled softly and replied,

“I thought you’d want to see it.”

“What? You predicted I’d say something like this?”

I knew Ascan was clever, but honestly, this was astonishing.

Not only had he accurately predicted my actions, but he also seemed to have meticulously calculated a way to stop Calua Empire.

He was the ultimate villain in the novel. I already knew he manipulated people from behind the scenes, but witnessing it firsthand made it feel even more impressive.

“I just prepared it to save time.”

Ascan spread the Lazent Imperial family tree on the table as if it were nothing.

Since we didn’t need to trace back to the first Emperor, the chart began from the late Emperor at the current point.

The Empress Dowager, the late Emperor’s principal consort, had no sons—so she passed the throne to a bastard son.

That bastard was none other than Petro, the current Emperor of Lazent Empire.

And Petro had only two sons—which meant only two individuals were currently eligible to inherit the throne.

Until now, I’d paid no attention to Lazent Empire’s political situation, so this was the first time I examined it so closely.

“The Lazent Imperial family has surprisingly few imperial grandchildren.”

“Yes. Rumor has it the Empress is greedy and eliminates children not born of her before they’re even born.”

“R, really?”

If Ascan’s words were true, it was horrifying. As expected of someone who once prepared for world destruction—he clearly knew the inner workings of many nations.

“The Crown Prince, born of the current Empress, has the major flaw of being very frail. Thus, many nobles support the Second Prince as the next Emperor.”

It felt ironically fated that the current Lazent Emperor himself was not born of the principal consort—and now, the throne might again pass to a bastard.

I quietly studied the Lazent Imperial family tree and said,

“So you mean we should back the Second Prince and secure an alliance with Arwen Empire?”

“No. The Second Prince’s birth mother, the Secondary Consort, intensely dislikes Arwen Empire. I heard her father died suddenly in Arwen Empire from an unknown illness.”

“Oh dear….”

Right now, it was merely the Secondary Consort’s personal grudge—but if she became the Emperor’s mother, it couldn’t be ignored.

If the Second Prince ascended as Lazent Emperor, an alliance with Arwen Empire would be difficult to achieve.

“Then what do you want? The Crown Prince will follow the Emperor’s will—so he’s out. The Second Prince is influenced by the Secondary Consort—so he’s out too. Is there even a reason for us to intervene in the succession struggle?”

“Did you forget? There’s one more alternative.”

At those words, one person’s face instantly came to mind.

It was Dekain—whose beauty was undeniable, with crimson eyes as if soaked in blood.

‘Right, Dekain is currently striving to be officially recognized as a prince.’

Unlike the Crown Prince or Second Prince, Dekain held no ill will toward Arwen Empire. In fact, he’d suffered hardship—being expelled from the Igteon Trading Company—precisely because he helped me.

Above all, his support base was weak, so if we helped him ascend to Emperor, he would surely repay us.

I stared at Ascan with the most astonished expression I’d ever worn.

“You mean… you had Dekain in mind from the very beginning?”

“Yes. I don’t hold favorable personal feelings toward him, but objectively speaking, it was the most suitable method.”

Indeed, if Dekain became Emperor, there seemed to be many advantages.

Since I’d read the original novel, I knew well Dekain’s ambitions.

I’d quietly rooted for him internally, but I never dreamed I’d personally step forward to make him Emperor.

‘I never imagined the way to stop Calua Empire would be to crown Dekain as Emperor.’

I fell into silent contemplation. But no matter how much I thought, I couldn’t find a better solution.

“Alright. I need to meet Dekain and speak with him directly.”

Once the plan solidified, I’d need to inform Orland as well. Since we might need to influence the Arwen Imperial family to secure the alliance, I intended to seek his support.

While pondering how to make Dekain Emperor, a troubling thought suddenly surfaced.

“Ascan, but wait.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“If I’m going to support Dekain, I’ll need to reveal myself—but right now, we’re in hiding because there’s a bounty on our heads.”

That was a major problem. Our actions would inevitably be restricted.

It hadn’t been long since I’d torn through Calua Empire again to rescue Ascan.

I couldn’t help but consider what would happen if my current location were exposed.

I said with a serious expression,

“We’ll need some kind of contingency plan.”

The Empress Dowager of Lazent Empire, Kysandra, was lost in deep thought.

Though over seventy years old and a white-haired elder, she still radiated grace—and not just that, she possessed a peculiar charisma.

‘If only I’d had even one son, I wouldn’t be plagued by such worries….’

Just as Ascan and Tanashia had seen in the Imperial family tree, Petro, the current Emperor of Lazent Empire, was not Kysandra’s biological son.

The most painful regret of her entire life was failing to bear the rightful heir who would become the next Emperor.

If effort alone could have solved it, it would have been fine—but as they say, children are bestowed by heaven; no matter what she did, it was useless.

‘Because of that, I had to watch helplessly as the son of the woman I most despised inherited the throne.’

Before marriage, Kysandra was the only daughter—and sole child—of Duke Beana’s family.

The Beana Dukedom had, generation after generation, produced the most Empresses—and from birth, Kysandra was marked as the next Crown Princess.

She was satisfied with the destiny assigned to her, so she entered a political marriage with the then Crown Prince of Lazent Empire.

Back then, she hadn’t realized—

That her husband had a hidden woman.

When Kysandra belatedly discovered the existence of his mistress, she strongly objected—but her husband stubbornly brought the lowborn woman into the Imperial Palace and made her an Imperial Consort.

Her name was Davane.

For the rest of her married life, Kysandra suffered her husband’s coldness—all because of Davane.

Just remembering it made her blood boil—but worse, she had to watch with open eyes as even the throne passed to Davane’s son.

Moreover, Petro—Davane’s son and the current Emperor—hated Kysandra fiercely for having tormented his mother.

Even if Petro didn’t openly show it, he couldn’t hide his true feelings.

He refused to accept any woman recommended by Kysandra from the Beana Dukedom as Empress—instead, he took one as a mere concubine.

Even more infuriating, the woman Petro chose as Empress came from a family hostile to Kysandra.

Even now, thinking back on it made her blood run backward. Yet, by some twist of fate, Petro himself had no particularly outstanding heir.

Then, at that precise moment, Dekain appeared.

─Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, if you recognize me as a prince, I will become the adopted son of your recommended concubine.

It was a tempting proposal.

If Dekain became the adopted son of the woman Kysandra had recommended—though biologically unrelated—he would effectively become a member of the Beana Dukedom.

It was a perfect opportunity to strike back at Davane and Petro, whom she’d resented her whole life—but Kysandra remained cautious.

After all, the current Emperor of Lazent Empire was still Petro. Falling out of his favor meant she, too, would have to brace for great losses.

Did Dekain truly possess that much value?

If she helped him gain recognition as a prince, was there a real chance he could become Emperor?

Kysandra could only weigh the possibilities silently within her heart.

But as Petro’s health deteriorated day by day, time was running out.

If she wasn’t going to live the rest of her life in silence, she needed to make a decision—before it was too late.