Some time later, Dekain received Kisantra’s summons and headed to the Empress Dowager’s palace.

Right now, he was filled with tension. He had a strong feeling that this time, Kisantra had summoned him to finally decide his fate.

Currently, Emperor Lazent, Petro, was gravely ill.

Everyone kept it quiet, but soon a new emperor would ascend the throne.

Dekain had spent his entire life waiting and longing for such an opportunity.

Now, it felt as though his goal was just one step away.

But to become emperor, there was one person he absolutely needed on his side—none other than the Empress Dowager, Kisantra.

The Lazent Empire was a nation that placed great importance on noble lineage.

Yet Dekain was the emperor’s illegitimate son. In the future, many would surely exploit his commoner birth mother as a weakness and challenge his legitimacy.

Therefore, to compete for the imperial throne, he needed above all else legitimacy—and the only person who could grant him that was Kisantra.

As the late emperor’s wife, she symbolized the imperial family’s rightful authority.

Dekain wasn’t asking for her help without offering something in return.

By becoming the adopted son of the concubine from the Beana Dukedom, he was essentially pledging to live his entire life as Kisantra’s loyal servant.

In exchange, Kisantra and the Beana Dukedom would support his ascension to emperor.

It was a deal beneficial to both parties.

Since the results of his lifelong efforts were about to be revealed, his heart pounded harder than ever before.

It was at that moment—he arrived before Kisantra’s quarters.

The head maid, seeing him, announced in a solemn voice,

“Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Master Merchant Dekain has arrived.”

“Let him enter.”

At Kisantra’s permission, the head maid bowed and guided Dekain into the chamber.

Suppressing his trembling nerves, Dekain strode forward with deliberate steps.

There, seated languidly upon an ornate long chair, Kisantra awaited him. Though an elderly woman crowned with white hair, she radiated an aura of untouchable dignity.

“It feels as though I’ve only just summoned you, yet you’ve arrived early.”

At Kisantra’s words, Dekain bowed respectfully and smiled gently.

“How could I possibly keep Your Majesty waiting? I came running the moment I received your message.”

“I appreciate your attentiveness now, but I worry whether your loyalty might waver with time.”

“That would never happen. How could I ever forget the grace you’ve shown to someone as humble as myself?”

Kisantra smiled faintly, seemingly pleased with his answer. She gestured to the head maid and said,

“I don’t disbelieve my merchant’s words, but as I grow older, I prefer certainty in all things. I’ve prepared something—please take a look.”

The head maid promptly brought forth a document densely filled with writing.

Dekain, puzzled, slowly read through it.

At first, he didn’t understand its contents—but it was a list of conditions he must abide by going forward.

2. As a member of the Beana Dukedom, you shall always prioritize the dukedom’s affairs above all else.

3. To maintain dignity, you shall resign from your position as Master Merchant of Kain Trading.

4. Should any future issues arise concerning the imperial authority, you shall bear full responsibility.

5. If you become emperor…]

Unconsciously, Dekain’s brow furrowed.

In short, it was a contract.

It outlined the price he must pay in exchange for Kisantra’s assistance.

Judging purely by his current mood, it felt eerily similar to reading a slave contract.

Perhaps sensing his emotions, Kisantra spoke soothingly,

“It may seem excessive, but I felt these terms needed to be settled in advance. If you disagree, you’re free to refuse—though from this point forward, you must not expect my support.”

Dekain concealed his true feelings. As always, he donned his mask-like smile and gazed at Kisantra.

“Then, may I take your words to mean that if I agree to these terms, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager will stand firmly on my side from now on?”

Instead of answering, Kisantra gave a resolute nod.

Dekain’s smile deepened. The future costs were steep, but without Kisantra’s aid, success was impossible.

From her perspective, deciding to support him hadn’t been easy either. He had no choice but to accept these constraints.

Silently, Dekain extended his hand. The perceptive head maid immediately understood and hurriedly handed him a pen.

Without hesitation, Dekain signed his name at the very bottom of the document.

“Are you reassured now?”

Kisantra was surprised by Dekain’s decisive action—and secretly satisfied with his boldness.

“This is precisely why I cannot help but favor my merchant. If not you, then who else could become the next emperor of the Lazent Empire?”

Her words carried many layers of meaning.

Most importantly, from this moment forward, they were bound together on the same vessel.

Dekain grinned good-naturedly and addressed Kisantra,

“Then, may I start calling you ‘Grandmother’ from today?”

Until now, Dekain had always addressed Kisantra formally as “Your Majesty the Empress Dowager,” but once officially recognized as a prince, a more intimate form of address would be appropriate.

Kisantra laughed heartily and nodded. The moment she prepared the contract, she had already resolved to support Dekain.

“Of course. Prince.”

Dekain concluded his conversation with Kisantra and returned to Kain Trading in high spirits.

Though not yet officially announced, gaining Kisantra’s support was virtually equivalent to being recognized as a prince.

He had been the emperor’s son, yet lived his entire life as a commoner. He could not conceal his joy at finally reclaiming his true status.

As Dekain entered the trading house, Kevin hurried over.

“Master Merchant, did your discussion with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager go well?”

“It seems I’ll soon be recognized as a prince. There will be much I must endure going forward, but ultimately, becoming a prince means I’m one step closer to my goal.”

Dekain’s crimson eyes shimmered with ambition.

This was only the beginning. Now that he’d finally reached the starting line, mountains of tasks lay ahead if he wished to seize this opportunity.

Kevin, beaming brighter than before, said,

“Congratulations! Oh, by the way, we have a visitor here to see you.”

“A visitor? Who?”

“I’m not sure of their identity—they kept their face covered—but they claimed to be a weapons merchant from the Arwen Empire, so I let them in.”

The only weapons merchant from the Arwen Empire that Dekain knew was Tanashia Brellof.

Frowning slightly in confusion, he nodded as if to say he understood.

“I’ll meet them personally.”

“Yes. I’ve seated the guests in the reception room.”

Dekain promptly headed toward the reception room where the visitors awaited.

As he opened the door, he saw a man and woman clad in long robes concealing them from head to toe. He could only guess their genders from their silhouettes—it wasn’t certain.

Though their attire was unusual, having led the trading house, Dekain had encountered all sorts of people.

With an unperturbed expression, he looked at them and asked,

“You’ve come seeking me—what business brings you here?”

“We are representatives of Miss Tanashia Brellof. We’ve been instructed to support the endeavors you undertake going forward.”

“Tanashia?”

Dekain was first startled by the familiar name—and then astonished again at the notion that the continent’s greatest weapons merchant intended to support him.

It was hard to believe, but if true, it was an unimaginably fortunate turn of events for him.

He had requested the bombs Tanashia recently developed, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect her to declare such wholehearted support.

An irrepressible smile spread across Dekain’s lips.

“Tanashia could have come herself to speak with me—why send representatives? Is there a reason?”

At that moment—

The woman, who had kept her face covered, suddenly lowered the hood she wore. Slowly, her face was revealed.

Dekain was utterly shocked by the unexpected identity.

It was Tanashia herself.

“What—what? Tanashia?”

The person standing beside Tanashia also removed their hood. As expected from her presence, the man was none other than Ascan.

Dekain stared at the two of them, bewildered.

“What on earth is going on? Did you play a prank on me?”

“No prank. I couldn’t reveal my identity in public, so I thought I’d try pretending to be a representative. What do you think after experiencing it firsthand?”

“What do I think? I was completely fooled.”

“Good. I’m considering continuing this—wearing disguises and pretending to be a representative—so I can attend official events too.”

Normally, a “representative” referred to someone acting on Tanashia’s behalf.

But now, Tanashia herself intended to pretend to be a representative.

Dekain’s mind raced. Her words truly meant she intended to stand firmly behind him.

“Tanashia, I’m a bit confused right now—can you explain what you’re thinking?”

“First, sit down.”

Before beginning the long discussion, Tanashia took a seat. Dekain followed suit, sitting across from her.

Ascan, who had silently observed the two, wordlessly took a seat beside Tanashia.

Tanashia gazed seriously at Dekain and said,

“Dekain, I intend to do everything in my power to help you gain recognition as a prince and eventually ascend as emperor. Admit it—even someone like me stepping in will make quite a difference, won’t it?”

“Of course. If people knew the continent’s greatest weapons merchant was on my side, they’d be shocked.”

Tanashia’s influence was immense. Once it became known she supported Dekain, even his enemies would have to reconsider their stance.

Watching Dekain inwardly thrill at the mere thought, Tanashia spoke calmly,

“But there’s a condition.”

“A condition?”

Dekain had just returned from signing a contract with Kisantra. Now Tanashia was imposing conditions too—his head spun momentarily.

He continued in a subdued tone,

“Tell me what it is.”

“When you become emperor, forge an alliance with the Arwen Empire. Lately, the movements of the Karua Empire have been suspicious. If war breaks out, I want both empires to join forces to stop them.”

“Isn’t that something the Arwen imperial family should handle—not you?”

“You’re technically right. But as a noble of the Arwen Empire, I can’t simply stand by and do nothing.”

Dekain nodded, understanding her meaning.

If the Arwen Empire fell, the Brellof family would be annihilated too. Though Tanashia had countless reasons to prevent war, this alone was reason enough for him to understand.

As Tanashia said, if the Karua Empire toppled the Arwen Empire, the Lazent Empire would likely be next.

Anyone could foresee that. But the Lazent Empire would sooner seek alliances with other empires than ally with Arwen.

That was precisely the difference between Dekain and the other princes.

Dekain made his decision easily. He had just accepted Kisantra’s contract laden with countless clauses.

Tanashia’s condition was not disadvantageous to him—in fact, as a merchant, he saw greater profit than loss.

“Fine. When I become emperor, I’ll ally with the Arwen Empire and jointly contain the Karua Empire. I promise.”

Tanashia nodded brightly.

“I’ll convey your intentions to my father in the Arwen Empire and seek his support too. You requested bombs from me last time—but from now on, every weapon I create will support you.”

Dekain couldn’t contain his joy. Truthfully, he felt as though he’d stumbled upon unexpected fortune.

“This is truly reassuring. Thank you.”

Shortly afterward, Ascan quietly left the reception room, watching Dekain and Tanashia passionately discuss future plans.

“Cough, cough.”

Covering his mouth, he coughed lightly—and blood stained his palm.

Ever since vomiting blood while fighting the second-generation children in the Karua Empire, his condition had deteriorated.

Considering that all children subjected to the human weapon experiments had coughed up blood and died shortly afterward, Ascan’s state was clearly ominous.

‘I must find a solution before it’s too late.’

He assumed it was a side effect of the memory-restoring drug—but perhaps it was simply his vitality waning.

After all, among the first-generation children raised as human weapons, Ascan had wielded the undying flame longer than anyone else.

‘Well, even if it’s the price of regaining my memories, I don’t mind.’

Whatever the cause, he had no regrets. Even if time rewound, Ascan knew he’d make the same choice.

Recalling his lost memories, Ascan once again realized what he currently possessed.

The moments he could spend with Tanashia were precious—deeply, profoundly precious.

At that moment, Kevin approached the reception room carrying a tray of refreshments—and spotted Ascan standing by the door.

At first, since Ascan wore a long robe and kept his face covered, Kevin—who had never seen his true appearance—was startled.

“Uh—why are you standing here?”

“It’s nothing.”

Ascan naturally concealed his bloodstained palm behind his back.

Letting anyone else see it risked Tanashia finding out—and he absolutely didn’t want that. He knew she’d inevitably worry.

After being separated for so long, they had only recently reunited. He didn’t want to burden her with needless anxiety.

Kevin stared at Ascan with a puzzled expression, then grasped the door handle and said,

“Then, please come in slowly.”

“Very well.”

With a brief reply, Ascan turned to wash his bloodied hand.

Kevin watched Ascan’s retreating back with momentary curiosity.

But he couldn’t linger—the Dekain inside the reception room had noticed Kevin and urged him,

“What are you standing there for?”

“Ah! I’m coming in. I brought some refreshments.”

Though Kevin felt something was suspicious, he soon entered the reception room bearing the tray, where Dekain and Tanashia awaited.