Retanda, whose plan had been exposed, was inwardly flustered but showed no outward sign of it.

“How dare you slander me!”

He shouted loudly instead. But Tanashia didn’t even blink, as if she had expected exactly this.

Shortly afterward, the subordinate who had entered the forest under Retanda’s orders was dragged out by someone else.

Those forcibly dragging the subordinate wore black armor of unknown affiliation.

Retanda immediately realized who they were—he already knew that those who had been slowly eroding the duchy’s military forces wore black armor.

‘Are those mercenaries from Snen?’

He had just learned that Snen had intervened.

The fact that he’d been caught immediately after ordering Shusain’s elimination could not possibly be mere coincidence.

Retanda’s expression darkened.

‘…It’s a trap.’

He didn’t know whose idea this scheme was, but someone had deliberately placed Shusain atop the city wall to corner Retanda.

They had accurately predicted that once the situation turned unfavorable, he would attempt to eliminate Shusain.

Retanda realized he had been dancing on someone else’s palm.

Just as he gritted his teeth—

Tanashia, as if ensuring everyone could hear, pointed toward the subordinate captured from the forest and declared:

“Look. Your subordinate shot an arrow at His Highness. Will you still deny it?”

Murmurs—

The soldiers present began whispering louder among themselves.

The situation had already been chaotic from Shusain’s testimony alone, and now they had witnessed Retanda’s direct attempt at assassination.

Seizing the momentum, Tanashia pressed forward aggressively.

“You mobilized troops under the pretense of protecting His Highness—but in truth, wasn’t it you who sought to seize imperial authority and manipulate the Lazent Empire?”

Retanda shouted in fury.

“Shut up!”

No matter what happened, he could never admit he had intended to kill Shusain. The moment that was revealed, he would have no room left for excuses.

Retanda stared directly at the captured subordinate and declared:

“This is a trap orchestrated by someone to slander me. I never gave any order to assassinate the Crown Prince.”

The subordinate looked aggrieved but dared not speak—his lingering loyalty to Retanda still held him back.

To present evidence, Tanashia picked up the arrow lying on the ground.

Though Ascan had split the arrow mid-flight to block it, the fletching’s shape was clearly identifiable.

“The arrow aimed at His Highness matches those in that man’s quiver. With such clear evidence pointing to your subordinate’s attempted assassination, will you still deny it?”

Retanda’s expression remained utterly unchanged as he retorted:

“Perhaps someone bribed my subordinate. Who are you, anyway? You don’t seem to be a noble of the Lazent Empire—you’re astonishingly insolent.”

“I am Tanashia, eldest daughter of House Brellof of the Arwen Empire. Currently, I am protecting His Highness the Crown Prince under the command of Prince Dekain.”

“Prince Dekain?”

Only then did Retanda comprehend who stood behind all this.

He had scorned Dekain as born from lowly origins, yet unexpectedly, Dekain proved a far stronger adversary than Second Prince Seiji.

‘I knew Lady Brellof sided with Prince Dekain, but her revealing herself so openly suggests she no longer fears repercussions.’

Retanda’s gaze, coldly assessing the situation, grew dark.

His justification had collapsed. Moreover, news of today’s events would swiftly spread among the people.

Once that happened, installing a five-year-old as the next emperor would become impossible.

‘No. I cannot let my dream—and my brother’s—collapse like this.’

Retanda could not surrender the throne to another faction.

He had to remain. Only then could he transform the Lazent Empire into the strongest empire on the continent.

But the current situation was dire. Not only had pirate activity severed sea routes, but Retanda’s position had become untenable—retreating seemed the wisest course.

Yet if he turned back now, he would have to abandon the dream he had cherished for so long.

Retanda could not accept that.

Then only one option remained.

Even if it meant death—he must advance.

Retanda roared resoundingly:

“How dare you threaten the Crown Prince and ensnare me in such a trap! Soldiers, do not be deceived by the serpent’s tongue! Trust me, and purge these traitors!”

It was his final resort.

Seize the capital by force, and place his chosen candidate on the throne.

The soldiers, momentarily hesitant after witnessing the sequence of events, could not disobey their commander Retanda’s orders.

Many who had been spectating below the city wall now formed battle lines. Archers immediately fired arrows, and infantry advanced toward the city gates.

Full-scale battle had begun to capture the capital.

The mercenary group Snen, who had captured the subordinate who fired arrows from the forest, swiftly withdrew.

Ascan also quickly shielded Tanashia and Shusain. The three hurriedly descended from the city wall to evade the rain of arrows.

As she left, Tanashia glanced back once more at Retanda and murmured:

“I hoped you’d retreat peacefully, but if you insist on fighting to the end, I suppose there’s no helping it.”

Tanashia herself had orchestrated all of this.

Initially, she had anticipated prolonged warfare against Retanda’s forces, but the tide turned when Shusain voluntarily relinquished the crown prince position.

She had deliberately shattered Retanda’s justification and cornered him before everyone’s eyes, expecting he would then retreat.

She had granted Retanda one final chance.

Yet he refused to yield, instead responding aggressively.

She had avoided direct confrontation to minimize damage to the Lazent Empire—but now, no other choice remained.

‘I must suppress the duchy’s forces as swiftly as possible.’

With Shusain having stepped down as crown prince, the goddess of victory already favored Dekain.

Since Retanda had chosen his final desperate struggle, it was now Tanashia’s turn to draw the blade she had prepared.

Dekain, having received reports of events atop the city wall, arranged a meeting with Second Prince Seiji.

Tanashia had already fully prepared for how to respond if Retanda refused to retreat. One such preparation was precisely to draw in Seiji.

Seiji was the Second Prince, backed by the nobles. If Dekain could absorb his strength, suppressing Retanda would be effortless.

Of course, that wouldn’t be easy.

Seiji arrived at the appointed meeting place with a displeased expression. He glanced briefly at Dekain and spoke:

“What brings you to summon me?”

Instantly, Dekain’s eyebrows twitched—Seiji’s tone was impolite.

Though Seiji was the Second Prince, by age, Dekain was his elder.

He had only been demoted in succession because the imperial bloodline refused to acknowledge him; originally, Seiji should have addressed him as “elder brother.”

The old Dekain would have concealed his true feelings and smoothly navigated this situation with a smile. But he no longer wore false smiles.

Having reclaimed his status as prince, he owed no one a pretense of courtesy.

Dekain spoke to Seiji with an icy, impassive expression:

“You’re being brief.”

Seiji’s eyes widened at Dekain’s words—he hadn’t expected such a blunt response.

“Ha, didn’t you call me here because you want something? Treat me like this, and you’ll gain nothing.”

Seiji couldn’t possibly be unaware that Shusain had stepped down as crown prince and Retanda was now attempting to seize the capital by force.

Given this situation, Dekain’s request for a meeting naturally led Seiji to expect a humble approach.

Yet Dekain’s overbearing attitude surprised him.

Dekain smirked.

“A favor? Hardly. I’m here to offer you an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?”

“Yes. You know the former crown prince voluntarily relinquished his position. Who do you think made that happen?”

“…”

Seiji was momentarily speechless.

He had long competed with Shusain for the throne. He knew better than anyone how formidable an opponent Shusain had been.

All his efforts had failed to achieve what Dekain, standing right before him, had now accomplished.

That was an undeniable fact.

Unconsciously, he bit his lip—openly admitting it rankled too much.

“But what of it? How does the crown prince stepping down concern me?”

“If the Grand Duke attacks the capital, whom do you think he’ll kill first?”

“Obviously, you.”

“Correct. And next—you. To install a five-year-old as emperor, both of us must be eliminated from this world. Don’t you agree?”

Dekain was right.

Retanda supported installing a five-year-old as next emperor. He would never spare Seiji, who stood as an obstacle to that plan.

Seiji knew this well—that was precisely why he had come to this meeting. In truth, they both faced the same enemy.

Seiji spoke with an irritated expression:

“Stop beating around the bush. Say what you want from me.”

“I already told you—I’m offering you an opportunity.”

“Then what kind of opportunity exactly—?!”

“The Grand Duke’s title—I’ll give it to you.”

The unexpected proposal made Seiji flinch.

In truth, Retanda had already crossed the point of no return. His advance toward the capital meant no peaceful resolution remained.

Thus, if Retanda were eliminated, the Grand Duke’s seat would become vacant.

Dekain was now offering that very title to Seiji.

“You want me to become Grand Duke? Then you’ll become emperor? Are you joking?”

It wasn’t a bad offer, but he couldn’t accept it so readily—Dekain seemed to gain far more from it than he did.

Seiji continued with an incredulous expression:

“If you want to negotiate with me, prepare more. However lofty the Grand Duke’s title, it cannot compare to emperor.”

Despite Seiji’s reaction, Dekain’s expression remained unchanged.

“I’ll say it again—I’m offering you an opportunity. If you dislike it, feel free to refuse. But think carefully—there won’t be a second chance.”

Inwardly, Seiji was flustered. He had assumed pushing hard would make Dekain yield—but Dekain showed no weakness whatsoever.

‘What is this? What does this guy think he has that lets him treat me like this?’

Seiji grew curious about Dekain’s true intentions.

If Retanda seized the capital, both Seiji and Dekain were as good as dead. In such a life-threatening situation, Dekain alone seemed utterly at ease—which Seiji couldn’t comprehend.

“Are you just bluffing? Why not admit it plainly—you need my help to stop the Grand Duke?”

At Seiji’s blunt question, the corner of Dekain’s mouth lifted.

“I’ll return those words to you. To avoid being killed by the Grand Duke, you’re the one who needs my help. It may take a little time, but I have Empress Dowager Kisanra and Lady Brellof’s magical engineering weapons. With your assistance, we’ll suppress the Grand Duke faster—but my becoming emperor remains unchanged.”

As Dekain said, he had Kisanra and Tanashia. Moreover, according to Seiji’s intelligence, the mercenary group Snen and pirate group Theran also seemed to be mobilizing.

At this point, the full extent of Dekain’s power remained incalculable.

Though nobles supported Seiji, he couldn’t be certain they would risk their lives for him.

The nobles backed Seiji due to complex interests—they might turn their backs the moment the situation turned unfavorable.

Seiji frowned slightly and said:

“But you speak as if the emperor’s throne is already yours.”

“It is. I made the crown prince step down—do you think you’ll be different? If you dislike my proposal, so be it. But don’t blame me if you die by the Grand Duke’s hand.”

Dekain rose from his seat without hesitation. Anxiously, Seiji shouted:

“Wait! Why so impatient?”

“If you won’t accept my proposal, I see no point in wasting more time.”

“Who said I wouldn’t accept it? I’m still considering!”

Inwardly, Dekain suppressed a smile.

He had been the guildmaster who led the Cain Trading Company. Securing advantage in negotiations was what he did best.

With feigned reluctance, Dekain sat back down and said curtly:

“I’m a busy man. I won’t dedicate much time to you. Just say whether you’ll accept my proposal or not.”

Pressed by Dekain, Seiji’s dilemma deepened.

He coveted the emperor’s throne, but couldn’t be certain he could defeat Dekain.

By forcing Shusain to step down, Dekain had absorbed part of the pro-emperor faction.

He already had Kisanra and Tanashia—forces impossible to ignore—and his power had only grown since.

‘Can I defeat the Grand Duke and then also defeat this guy?’

The fate of a prince who lost the imperial succession struggle was obvious.

Either death, or a miserable existence banished forever from the capital.

Until now, his goal had been inheriting the throne—but with the secure position of Grand Duke now offered, his resolve wavered.

Rather than risking everything, accepting Dekain’s proposal and living lavishly as Grand Duke didn’t seem so bad.

Yet he still hesitated—the emperor’s throne held lingering appeal.

‘I suppose I need time to think this over…’

Noticing Seiji’s hesitation, Dekain spoke:

“I just said—I won’t dedicate much time to you.”

“This isn’t a decision I can make lightly. Let me think it over and meet again—”

“I’ll take that as rejection of my proposal.”

Dekain abruptly stood up and began walking firmly toward the exit.

“Hey, wait!”

Seiji called out, but this time Dekain didn’t stop.

Just as Dekain’s hand reached the door handle—

“I’ll do it! I accept!”

At Seiji’s voice from behind, a smile appeared on Dekain’s lips—though Seiji couldn’t see his face.

Instantly erasing the smile, Dekain turned around and said to Seiji in a casual tone:

“Verbal promises aren’t trustworthy. Let’s draft the documents immediately.”

“Tch. You should thank me.”

“You’re still insolent toward me, your future emperor.”

At Dekain’s sharp rebuke, Seiji flinched. He glanced around cautiously and spoke again:

“When you become emperor… you’ll have to thank me.”

Watching Seiji’s completely transformed attitude, Dekain’s crimson eyes narrowed slightly, amusement glinting within.

At last, the emperor’s throne—once seeming so distant—now felt within arm’s reach.

Suddenly, Tanashia’s words echoed in his mind.

─To suppress the Grand Duke, we need the Second Prince’s strength. How to persuade him is up to you. He’s no fool—he’ll understand the current situation, so it won’t be difficult.

Everything had unfolded exactly as Tanashia predicted. Without question, she was the greatest contributor to Dekain becoming emperor.

Ascan’s face also flashed through his mind. Though he disliked him, he couldn’t deny Ascan’s strength had been helpful.

It seemed the long, arduous struggle was finally nearing its end.