Gentle wind and warm sunshine blew and illuminated the entire Imperial Palace.

Autumn on this continent was known as the season of prosperity. Still, the festive season’s mood was difficult to feel in the Imperial family all this time.

But this year was different, the Palace was full of excitement. From the story of the Empress’s return, the Emperor who always spent a long time in her Palace, and the adorable young Prince, delighted many people.

The atmosphere of the celebration was so apparent with the arrival of the Vatican delegation. Those who didn’t know the real story might have believed that the Pope had come to bless the Emperor’s family.

“David, how long do you want me to wait?” The Pope asked while looking out the window.

David turned his head and stared at him.

Since their arrival at the Imperial Palace, the Vatican’s entourage had remained silent and didn’t make a move. They even postponed their meeting with the Emperor. And it’s all David’s decision.

“We have to make decisions carefully on this matter. Because this problem is associated with Empire’s successor who is directly related to the future of this continent.”

“Yes, that’s why we have come here, which to deliver the word of God.” The pope said with pleasure, rubbing his white beard.

After a long fight with the Imperial family, the Vatican eventually established its authority, which was very satisfying.

“Ah but, the little Prince has been appointed as his successor. In imperial history, whoever his real mother is, as long as he’s recognized by his father, he could be the successor. Looking at the Emperor’s arrogant attitude, it could be ascertained that the little Prince had been declared as the Crown Prince.”

“Your Holiness, will you bless the new Crown Prince?”

“Blessings …… Well if they show enough devotion to restore Saint Iretta’s drought and barren land, then I will.”

The Pope was aware of his position. He was the head priest and had a city-state. Therefore he must have thoughts like a monarch who must consider everything.

“Given the Emperor’s disposition, he must have run out of patience. But if he lowers his head first and shows his sincerity to me, then I will grant his wish.”

“Then, what about the Duke Metis?”

“No matter how strong he is, he can’t be compared to the Emperor.” The Pope laughed loudly as if it were a matter, of course. If the Metis family, who had served the Vatican for decades, had heard those words just now, they would feel betrayed.

“They will surely protest strongly. However, after losing the battle of successor, the Duke is just an ordinary noble. If he wants to regain power, then he must be even more loyal to the Vatican. That’s the principle.”

The Vatican had always survived this way. This was because someone must be defeated in the power struggle, and those who had lost power would need the Vatican’s support again.

“Your Holiness is really wise.”

“Don’t you know all this?” The pope, who still had clear eyes, looked at David.

No matter how old he was, he could compete with the emperor as head of the Vatican.

“No… I know everything.” David didn’t avoid the Pope’s gaze, “Whether I know it or not……at one point you only made the conclusion, not the decision.”

David sometimes eroded the Pope’s consciousness. The Pope always believed it was his decision, but it was just his illusion. Though, there was no hostility in the Pope’s eyes now.

“David, who are you? Sorry I can’t remember the day I met you.” The Pope asked him.

They had been together for a long time, but when the Pope tried to remember about David in detail, only the memories of that part seemed foggy.

“I’m nobody.”

“Really? I see…….”

The Pope didn’t ask further, because, from the beginning, David didn’t have evil energy.

A human being had a habit of understanding strange things and unknown by somehow fitting it into their own way of thought.

“You’re the chosen Pope. That’s why God sent me to you to prove your glory.” said David.

The Pope also had the same understanding. When it came to God’s prophecy, there’s nothing to worry about David’s identity.

Because he believed that, David, whom he secretly considered him as his own child, wouldn’t hurt or betray him. Still, The Pope was also an ordinary human who had a weak heart.

“Right? Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

The Pope felt at ease as David smiled faintly.

David recalled that his life was short. So, this conversation would soon be erased from the Pope’s memory.

“Your Holiness, just take a rest here. I will proceed according to God’s will.”

The Pope nodded and began to doze off.

David walked out of the empty hallway and came to a halt for a moment. Over the wall and ceiling, he could feel someone’s presence holding his breath.

If David were an ordinary human being, he wouldn’t notice it. However, it made no difference even if they passed on the conversation between him and the Pope to the Emperor.

“……It’s useless.”

David was heading out on his way. Even if the Emperor knew it, fate couldn’t be stopped.

The same was true of David.

***

Many of Fabian’s elite knights spied and watched over the Pope’s residence in the Inner Palace.

While he didn’t think David would ever know his scouting, Fabian could not accept the contents of their conversation that had been revealed to him.

“Even though he’s a God’s messenger, how dare he against the Emperor!” His voice rang coldly.

“Do you want to kill him now?” Serus made a careful statement.

“I wish I could….But some demons, when we kill them, they will spray poison which makes their opponents die too.”

Fabian was angry, but he didn’t lose his temper as he didn’t know what would have happened if he killed David recklessly.

“He must be killed. But I have to do it myself.”

“But isn’t that too dangerous?” asked Serus.

“If I can’t do it, no one in the world can.”

Fabian had planned everything well because no one was able to defeat the Emperor on this continent.

It felt like he had the protection of the continent, as well as God’s will. So it was Fabian who had to face David in person.

“He’s not a God’s messenger. Is there a messenger of God who tries to kill a child? As long as he’s not God, then I can kill him.” Fabian said in a stern voice as if he already had made all the decisions.

“Duke Metis……will Your Majesty destroy him?” Serus looked at him in silence.

“Has he dismiss his army?”

“Yes, we’ve warned him a few times, but he still keeping his army on the excuses. But even if he attacks with his current army, Duke Akshire’s military will be able to stop them.”

Fabian’s eyebrows frowned. It was better than throwing the Empire into chaos with treason or war. But still, it was a terrible situation.

“Don’t worry Your Majesty, Duke Metis has eyes and ears, so he won’t move his army carelessly.”

“It’s more fierce. He showed his arrogant attitude, as if he were protesting against me.”

Even though Sagan was an overly ambitious person, he wasn’t someone who dared to ignite a rebellion.

But Fabian’s rage was obviously boiling when he found out that his uncle was openly gathering soldiers so that Fabian had to use Liam’s army to watch over them.

“If he’s determined to carry out a coup d’etat, I will destroy him with my own hands.”

Fabian didn’t mess with his words even though Metis was the family of his own mother. His stance reflected the Imperial principle that the Emperor was the Empire’ son and not the son of anyone.

“The King and Queen Felice will be here in a few days. After that, their warship will arrive…….”

“No, no matter if it’s Evelyn’s homeland, we can’t allow foreign powers to interfere.”

The Empire had a vast region and a massive population. It was a miracle that they were all able to follow and be governed by a single Emperor.

“If I can’t even protect my family, King Felice won’t be willing to give his daughter to me.”

“If Your Majesty can’t protect them, it’s not strange that later they will insist on bringing their daughter and grandson to leave this place immediately.”

“That’s what I’m saying.”

Fabian gathered his nuanced thoughts together with a sigh.

If he had to give up something in this conflict, it’s probably his pride as an Emperor.

“Soon, I ‘ll have an emergency congress meeting.”

Fabian was a little burdened because King Felice was Evelyn’s father rather than his status as the King of another country.

Arthur would definitely be overjoyed if he found out that the Emperor of this continent was reluctant at him.

Fabian had no choice but to give an order, “I’ll summon all the nobles, including Duke Metis, Akshire, and the Elders.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Also….” Fabian crumpled his face as if he were really hesitant to do it. “I’ll ask the Pope as well to be present to give their wisdom …..”

At the same time, he said this, his pride was slightly crushed. However, sometimes he had to step back to gain something.

“Duke Metis will definitely try to get the Pope on his side. I can assume that the they’re already on the same side. Whatever the Pope’s will ….. that arrogant fellow will surely overestimate his power. “

“What if he does?”

“It’s a trap….Nothing will change even if Duke Metis makes a fuss in Congress.” Fabian spat out a cold response as he expected the scenario that would happen.

“The game will begin after congress is over.”

After everyone gathered, someone had to announce the start of the game, and Fabian was willing to take the lead first.

“And within 15 days, all the problems will be settled.”

“Maybe … yes, I hope.”

But, Fabian’s expression wasn’t that great. It wasn’t like him who had always been confident because he had never been defeated.

“Your Majesty will win anyway.” Serus said so, but there was something he had not yet known.

“I’ve never thought I’d lose.”

Fabian hesitated and delayed the war because he had a fear that he had never felt before.

“But, I don’t want to win this time.”

“…What?”

Fabian got up from his chair at the same time with Serus’s surprised voice.

“I don’t care whether I win or lose, because this battle is to protect the people who are precious to me.”

Now Fabian had found a meaning in his life that couldn’t be compared to the Emperor’s duties.

His life, which had been in black and white, was now painted in brilliant colours. Now, he had cherished his heart more than his life, so he didn’t want to lose his conscience.

“Remember that…As long as you keep that in mind, winning or losing doesn’t matter anymore.” said Fabian. His words sounded as if he were telling himself.

“This is the first time I’ve been in a fight like this. I’m not sure if I can help.”

Fabian laughed briefly, listening to Serus’ honest words. “The same goes for me.”

Fabian always wielded his power to dominate and make others obey him. But what he had to do now was the opposite. Perhaps this was the most difficult form of war for him.

“So never, I won’t back down.”

It was his pledge, as a man, not as an Emperor.