Chapter 229

To you who survived (4)

you who survived

The end of that long journey, where you risk your life every moment, may be very different from what you thought it would be.

What doesn’t change, though, is that you have run through a long journey with difficulty, and in the end, you were able to stand proudly at the end.

Were you happy to survive?

Or are you afraid to go on living a life of pain and anguish?

Have you found a reason for life?

Was it a life worth living?

What did you gain and what did you lose?

What has been successful and what has failed?

How did the joy when you were happy and the despair when you were disappointed made you?

Why in the world do we continue to live our lives so obsessed with this life that will all become futile when it ends?

What is the reason for trying to change the journey in vain in a life that has a fixed end?

Why, then, do we struggle in vain to survive?

This book is a record of anguish about the answer.

– 『The Seal of the Sage, Introduction』, Sylvania Robester

*“There is an event that will end the festival soon.”

The chief aide entered the audience room, bowed his head, and spoke.

It was a temporary audience room in the residence of the royal family, but in terms of its luxury, it was comparable enough to the Imperial Castle.

The imperial dormitory where Princess Penia was staying had many users who were already familiar with the royal etiquette, so it didn’t take long to find a place to live in accordance with the law.

The audience room was also prepared on a scale commensurate with the authority of Emperor Chloel.

Emperor Chloël, who was sitting in the seat of the audience, looking towards the terrace, swept down the beard that was coming down solemnly, and then looked at the Academy’s steeple with his wise eyes.

“The level of education in Sylvania has also improved a lot more than I expected. Compared to when Jim came to Sylvania for the first time, we can see that the progress has been made so much that we don’t even think it’s the same place.”

“Soin was also very surprised. The level of students is also developing day by day, and it is said that there are students who use swordsmanship in the combat department, and even the highest level magic users in the magic department... Indeed, I think it is an institution that is worth the investment.”

“Penia has become more reliable, and even though it was a long distance, I think it was good to visit in person.”

Emperor Chloel gave such a satisfying smile once, and then a dark shadow fell on his face again.

Selah, Persica, Penia.

After Lindon abdicated the throne, Emperor Chloel was already well aware that the conflict between the three princesses had intensified.

It is completely different from the old days when Lindon was fine, but still managed to build a stable family in her own way.

Now, all these conflicts will come to an end when Emperor Chloel himself must make sure who will be the next heir to the throne.

However, even as Emperor Chloel, who is said to be a rare saint, it was very difficult to judge the superiority among his children.

As a father, Emperor Chloel knew the strengths and weaknesses of the three princesses very well.

Princess Selaha has the leadership and charisma that befits a monarch. There is no hesitation in making decisions, he moves quickly no matter what he does, and he is not shaken because he is confident in his thoughts and choices. It was a must-have quality for a monarch.

However, he is arrogant, bound by his status and authority, has a strong self-righteousness that does not admit he is wrong, and does not respect his subordinates.

Princess Persica loves knowledge and has deep wisdom in her studies and research. A knowledgable, conciliatory politician, skilled in power and tactics, and available to all that is available. Therefore, he is also a businessman who always thinks realistically and never catches a cloud.

However, an overly compromised attitude is highly likely to lead to corruption. If you seize power, you are more likely to take care of your own self-interest rather than thinking of the people. As a girl who has no objection to dark battles and scheming, the atmosphere of the imperial family seemed to be getting darker and more sinister.

Princess Fenia is kind, always trying to take good care of her subordinates, and knows how to admit and repent of her mistakes. It is the image of an ideal monarch who always keeps his ears open, thinks of the people, and is neither bound by authority nor swayed by self-interest.

However, there is a high possibility that they will not be able to maintain their authority and position because they too understand and empathize with the positions of those below them. He has a temperament obsessed with idealism, so he will not be able to compromise with real politics, and he may become a puppet king while agonizing between the grievances of practitioners and idealism.

A strong conviction and perseverance as a monarch, a wise and cunning ability to understand understanding, a heart that genuinely cares for the people and is not swayed by authority.

A monarch’s timber that has all these things is not easy to come by.

“Lindon... ”

After chanting his son’s name, which is now stuck in the spire for a moment, Emperor Chloel shook his head. The situation won’t get better if you cling to what you’ve lost.

Whoever it is, Emperor Chloel has a duty to choose a successor and raise him to become an ideal monarch.

This is absolutely necessary in order to pass down this peaceful dynasty that our ancestors worked so hard to pass down to the next generation.

──As a result, Emperor Chloel was thinking of appointing Princess Selaha as his successor.

I just had time to finalize my conclusions. It has not yet been fully concluded, but it is safe to say that this is a tentative conclusion.

Selaha’s arrogant symbolism tends to heal itself after a few experiences of injuring a large nose due to a wrong decision.

The attitude of being tied to authority or being too condescending to subordinates was also ready to be corrected after Emperor Chloel rolled up his arms himself.

In the end, the most important thing is the sense of being able to control the crowd as an emperor.

Morality and understanding can be taught through acquired education. However, the nobility and state of being able to reign supremely as an emperor is not the realm of education. To some extent, it has to be innate.

The elegance of Princess Selaha, which is alluring and difficult to touch, is something that Persica and Fenia do not have. It is an aura that makes you gather your eyes wherever you go, and makes you feel like you can’t even touch your lowly status.

There is still a long way to go, but Princess Selaha seems to be the most appropriate for the emperor’s timber.

The problem is that Selah has not yet been perfected as a monarch.

As a father, I don’t know if it’s okay to think like this, but first, I needed to break the bridge of Selaha’s soaring nose, unaware of how high it was in the sky.

Selah’s arrogant character is likely to one day become a catastrophe for the Empire. In order to prevent it in advance, he needed a human who could properly educate Selah once.

But, where in the world is there any human in this empire who can take control of Selah?

Selaha Einir Chloel is the first princess of the Chloël Imperial Family, a girl who learned from an early age how to press people down with authority and control the crowds.

At least for Emperor Chloel, he bows his head and bows his pride, but that is only because Emperor Chloel has the authority to decide the next emperor.

There is no way that Emperor Chloel would be unaware of her ambition and her desire for power. To make that girl a good monarch, she had to press down on her sky-piercing pride and make her surrender once.

If Emperor Chloel did it himself, there was no point. In the first place, it was natural to submit to the emperor of the empire.

If so, is there any other human that Selaha can cling to?

It was the car that Emperor Chloel was thinking about.

“And, I don’t have any intelligence to report separately... I think I should tell you about Princess Selaha’s recent moves.”

“The movement of Selah?”

“Yes. Recently, we have been visiting together in line with His Majesty’s movement, but it is said that they are constantly communicating with the outside at night.”

“I didn’t have any other words, but are you talking about keeping it a secret even from me and communicating with people in Sylvania?”

“Yes. It seems that we are on the continuation line of the competition for imperial power... You can investigate further. What can I do?”

Emperor Chloël glanced at his chin for a moment and pondered.

I knew only about the fact that there was a conflict between the three daughters, but when I came to Aken Island where Penia was, it seemed necessary to pay attention to the subtle movements.

Continuing a healthy competition to succeed the emperor is not particularly bad for Emperor Chloel.

However, what is worrying is the possibility of crossing the ‘line’ in Selah’s character.

Like plotting an assassination or causing serious injury... Even if it is not such an extreme number, there may be movements that harm each other or leave a big wound.

This is not very pleasing to Emperor Chloel, who loves all three daughters.

“Let’s find out.”

And, the contents of Selaha’s letter, which he found out by spying on Des, the butler... Even Emperor Chloel could not help but be shocked.

*“Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, brother. Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh

When they reached the entrance to the royal residence, Tanya, who was also called by the emperor, was shaking and shaking.

“Tanya, what is it? Have you been called too?”

“Yes, yes... Suddenly, a call fell from the royal residence... I was just rolling around on the sofa after finishing all my work and feeling so liberated... I guess now... ”

“... Why are you trembling like this?”

“Did you not hear the news? It’s said that Emperor Chloel himself summoned him. The fact that I even called my brother-in-law seems to have something to do with the Roth Taylor family... I was nervous because I was told that I had to have an audience right in front of that rare holy army, Emperor Chloel... ”

I’m sure there’s a temperament that puts you in useless tension on a topic in a position where you have to speak in front of a huge crowd whenever you have time.

The princess’s fiancee. It is also the fiance of the first princess Selah, who is said to be the closest to the throne of the emperor.

It was truly a road to success, one of the most powerful in the empire.

Usually, this is the time to shed tears of emotion or express gratitude.

It’s a dream everyone’s dream of, because it’s actually an opportunity to join the ranks of the most powerful people in the imperial family.

This is probably the position most bureaucrats have been salivating for.

Not only that, but it could also help straighten out the slant Ros Taylor family.

Tanya’s plan, which was gathering the power of a noble family to bring down Princess Selaha, can also be stopped for now. Then, the work on the family side will be greatly reduced, so even in the swamp of hellish work, you will be able to escape to some extent.

It is an offer that cannot be refused in all respects. That devastating offer to make you a member of the imperial family has the power to overturn all interests in the world.

– Bang!

At that moment, Princess Selaha came in with the audience room open.

“Abama!”

I just heard the news and ran out of my room.

It was nice to see him running with the hem of the dress slightly raised. The state of being out of breath makes it feel as if I was sprinting out of the room right away.

“Abama, how could you do this without saying anything to me... !”

The moment she entered the audience room with those words, Princess Sellaha met Ed Roth Taylor’s eyes.

The fact that he is here means that he has already heard all the stories. Princess Selaha was conscious of Ed’s gaze for a moment, and then spoke to Emperor Chloel with her mouth shut.

“Abama! If you allowed the royal blood to such a person... !”

“Thanks for the suggestion, but I’m fine.”

Just before Princess Sellaha’s words continued, Ed Rothtailer spoke with his head down.

At those words, the air in the audience froze.

Emperor Chloe’s proposal. The proposal, which was practically an order, was rejected by Ed Roth Taylor.

“It would be a disaster for someone like me to step into the sacred blood of the imperial family.”

A word of humility to humble oneself. However, that is only to find a justification for refusal.

Finding the reason for refusal in her lowly status is a more perfect justification for rejecting Princess Selaha, who is tied to her status. Even if it’s lowly, it’s the best duke family on the continent.

“And, to be engaged to Princess Selaha here is a betrayal of Princess Fenia to whom I have been loyal.”

“... ”

“Sincere loyalty is the most basic quality that a servant must possess. Even if you betray someone you are loyal to right now and fall into the arms of Princess Selaha, can you say that it is an honor? I think it’s just a bat that moves with the flow of power.”

Ed Roth-Taylor just kept talking calmly.

“The loyalty once engraved in my heart is to be cherished until the day I die. I think that is the duty of a servant. So, the engagement to Princess Selaha... It cannot be raised.”

At those words, it was Princess Selaha herself who opened her eyes the most.

If it was the emperor’s order, even Selahara could not resist. Emperor Chloël will not listen to anyone once he has a strong heart.

So, for Ed Roth Taylor, it must have been a unique opportunity to step into the imperial family.

Even Selah, who controls everything in the world at will, even in this situation where nothing can be done...

Ed Roth Taylor... He refused Selah, even violating the descent. That would be impossible unless it came from the heart.

“you... ”

Selah looked at Ed in disbelief.

“You kicked me?”

Selah’s life is what she has always looked up to with reverence since she was a child.

A person who was in a position to kick people. It was a life that never had to be kicked by someone.

“no. Princess Sellaha. My humble status is infinitely insufficient to become a member of the imperial family.”

Ed Rothtailer, who lowers himself like that and escapes. But it is also just an excuse.

Ed Roth Taylor is not engaged to Selaha. It was just sacrificing the rest to carry out that will.

“Who are you... do you reject me At best, the eldest son of a dying duke, in front of me, Selah Einir Chloel... ! I’m in a position where it won’t be enough to hold my ankle and ask you to look at me just once. !”

Selah rolled her eyes and strode over to Ed, poking her face. He pulled up Ed Roth Taylor’s collar and looked into his eyes, but Ed’s expression didn’t change.

“Why do you have such calm eyes? Why do you always have such eyes that everything in the world is okay... ! Why don’t you put your head down on the floor in embarrassment! this person... A humble guy... ! On a subject with no authority or dignity... !”

“... Princess Selaha.”

“I clenched my teeth like that and wrote a letter, but I didn’t even budge. At the end of every word, Penia Penia... ! Mine is much more promising... Even if you say you’ll give me everything you need... ! Why do you have eyes that don’t move at all... !”

Selah couldn’t contain her anger until the very end, and she spat out words.

“My side... It’s not like I can even look at it at least once...!”

Those words may be just an expression of Selaha’s wrath, who is united with arrogance and pride...

“Your Majesty is watching.”

“... ”

To Emperor Chloel, who was watching the scene, it sounded completely different.

It is not often that Selaha, who is full of high-spirited pride, loses her body and gets so angry.

Selaha, who had lost her reason to the point of forgetting for a moment that it was in the presence of Emperor Chloel, finally swallowed her breath and bowed her head.

“Hey, it looked ugly. Abama.”

The atmosphere in the audience was completely cold.

A man from a mere duke family is refusing to take the throne, and the first princess is losing her mind in front of the emperor... From the emperor’s point of view, he must have felt as if his authority was being challenged.

Selaha closed her eyes as she waited for the emperor’s next call.

“haha.”

However, Emperor Chloel’s reaction was completely different from what was expected.

Rather, a satisfied smile flowed out.

At the sight, everyone in the group couldn’t help but be puzzled. It was a situation where he had to get angry at the sight in front of his eyes that had despised the authority of the emperor.

However, Emperor Chloël smiled contentedly at Ed Rothtailer.

Ed Roth Taylor.

A man who is curiously obsessed with Princess Selaha, Princess Persica is strangely wary, and Princess Fenia’s favourite.

In fact, this man, who has had an influence on all three princesses, was, in a way, deeply immersed in this competition for the throne.

I’ve met all three princesses, and I’m not the only one who was evaluated in their own way. Besides, seeing Selah showing such an ugliness... Emperor Chloël saw new possibilities.

“Ed Roth Taylor. Don’t make unreasonable demands on you right now. Instead, I thought of another suggestion, would you like to give it a try?”

The rare saint, Chloel, knows very well how to use a man like Ed Roth Taylor. To wield Selah, you only need to give him very little power.

“Gwain still has a lot of shortcomings, so I am still thinking a lot about which of the three daughters to consider for the next Hwanggwon runner-up.”

“It is a big issue that determines the future of the country, so it is natural for you to be worried.”

“So, I’d like to hear some of your opinions after seeing all of my daughters. Hearing that he is a wise man, he must have thought deeply. Although Selahah was strong, it felt like he was dedicating allegiance to Fenia and was rather at odds with Persica. If it were you, I think you would be able to give your opinion without adding or subtracting.”

A person who can tell the emperor about the next runner-up of the imperial power.

Considering the tendency of Emperor Chloel to judge everything on his own, it was safe to say that there were virtually no such people in the imperial family.

“After today’s festival, would you like to play chess or a game in my room?”

“I don’t know if I, who is stupid, can join in discussing the future of the country.”

“Don’t be too fussy. I just want to share a story with you.”

So, Emperor Chloel ended the story with a satisfied look.

Cold sweat was dripping from Princess Selaha, who was bowing her head.

One who can shed a voice in the Emperor’s ears. In fact, I’m in a position to influence the selection of the emperor’s runner-up...

As a result, Ed Roth Taylor, the man with his head bowed next to him, took a completely different position.