Chapter 173

Chapter 173

"Lost your memory?"

The Emperors deep and dark, bottomless-like gaze scanned me.

For some reason, I felt as though I was being scanned by an advanced machine, and my body shuddered involuntarily.

"...Hmm. Well, thats fine. Memory is something you can find gradually."

Fortunately, the Emperor did not probe deeply.

Was it that he trusted Ash so much, or was it something not even worth his concern? I couldnt tell which.

"As a guardian, I must at least explain this much to the son in charge of the southern front."

Sunk into his throne, the Emperor began to explain slowly.

"Do you remember what color this tree originally was?"

What the Emperor pointed to was a white ice thorn tree that enveloped the throne and covered the real world. I shook my head.

"I dont know."

"It was black."

A bitter smile formed at the corners of the Emperors mouth.

"This tree is the national tree of our Everblack Empire and our guardian tree. Always a black thorn tree Everblack."

I swallowed dryly.

Was the name of this nation derived from this tree?

"The first Emperor brought it from the spirit world and planted it as a magical lighthouse that lights the way of the Empire."

The Emperor stroked the frozen branches of the tree.

"But 7 years ago, suddenly this tree froze like this. Our alarmed guardians immediately rushed to find the cause."

The Emperors eyes closed tightly as he recalled that day.

"The tree was frozen but still functioning. As the magic lighthouse showed the future, I realized that the tree had only 10 years left, and that the fate of the Empire would also end then."

"You mean...?"

"Yes."

The Emperor opened his eyes again.

"That was 7 years ago. In three more years, the Empire will be destroyed."UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

3 years.

A familiar number. I frowned.

"The tree revealed four destinies that would lead the Empire to ruin."

The Emperor looked down at the chessboard beside him.

"The first ruin comes from the west. Our allies who bear dragon blood, the Bringar Duchy, invade and destroy the Empire."

The western front, the Dragon-blood Front.

"The second ruin comes from the center. Unknown shadows lurking within the Imperial Capital. They destroy the Empire from within."

Central, Shadow Front.

"The third ruin comes from the north. Alien races that we have conquered. The foreign gods they worship come down from the spirit world to free their children. They destroy the Empire to set their children free."

Northern, Foreign God Front.

"The fourth ruin comes from the south. Nightmarish monsters rise from the depths of the destroyed Lake Kingdom... and destroy the whole world."

Southern, Monster Front.

"Thus, four destinies of ruin were tightening around the Empire... To stop those destinies, I summoned all the remaining guardians in the Empire."

I asked cautiously.

"What is a guardian?"

"Those who have the right to connect to this tree. They see the future as the magic lighthouse, protecting the Empire. They are the ones who carry on the bloodline of our Everblack Imperial Family."

The Emperor looked at his three sons in turn and smiled.

"Now, there are only the four of us."

Lark and Fernandez were kneeling to one side, listening quietly to their fathers tale.

"We identified these four destinies of ruin that day, and we resolved together. No matter what happens, we must stop these destinies of ruin. Whatever the sacrifice, we must protect the Empire."

No matter what happens.

Whatever the sacrifice...

"For hundreds of years, the loyal and devoted Bringar Duchy, my distant brothers... We decided to kill them before they attack us first. We have been preparing to attack the Bringar Duchy for seven years, and now Lark has gone to do it himself."

Lark bowed his head even deeper.

"As for the shadows hiding in the Imperial Capital, Aegis Special Forces Team 8 has tripled in size, and the central reserve army has grown fivefold. Anyone even slightly suspicious is being arrested to uncover whats behind them. Fernandez has been working hard on this for years."

Fernandez, too, bowed his head even deeper.

"Coming down from the northern spirit realm, these gods... Im blocking them myself. Through this tree, I connect to the spirit realm and face them with swords and magic every day."

The Emperor looked at his hands with a bitter smile.

"Its not something a person with the title of Emperor should be doing at my age. But what can I do? Among our guardians, I am the most experienced in this matter."

"..."

"And lastly, the southern monster front."

The Emperor looked at me.

"My youngest son, and the most naive and foolish one, Ash. You left to stop the monster invasion with the remaining scraps of forces this year, as the invasion intensified."

"..."

"Surprisingly, youve held them off well so far."

But- could I accept their conclusion?

As the youngest imperial prince, a commander of the southern front, could I, who had resolved to protect people, accept this?

However, Ash, dont be too gloomy.

The Emperor chuckled and gestured to Fernandez.

In fact, when I woke up from my nap earlier, I already talked with Fernandez. I heard about the rough situation. Dont worry; Ill send reinforcements to the south.

...!

I wanted you, young and foolish, to grow by fighting with life and death at stake. And it has happened. To have held off the monsters invasion to this extent, splendid.

The Emperor gave me a warm smile.

Its unfortunate that you lost your memory, but honestly, Im pleased to see youve become a much more valuable Guardian.

...

Ill send ample reinforcements. In exchange, you should listen well to your father and brothers in the future, alright?

I couldnt respond and just hung my head silently. The Emperor reached out to us.

Im a little tired today. I believe youve managed the frontlines well, so Ill return to the spiritual realm.

With a cracking of his neck, the worn Emperor sank back into his throne.

Well have a victory celebration soon. I must show everyone that I am still in good health.

...

Ill rest my eyes until then. See you soon, my sons.

Lark and Fernandez spoke in unison.

Sweet dreams, Father.

Oh, yes.

A white frost began to cover the chuckling Emperors body.

There are only dark nightmares here, though...

Soon, the Emperor and his throne froze solid, becoming indistinguishable along with the ice tree.

Lark, Fernandez, and I, the three brothers, stepped back from the surreal scene.

***

Your marriage partner has been decided.

Outside the surreal room, in the corridor.

Fernandez handed me a sheet of paper.

This time, its a lady of genuine noble blood, the princess of the Ariane Kingdom. As you know, the Ariane Kingdom is the largest among our northern allies...

I took the document and blankly read the words written there.

Fernandezs detailed explanation continued in my ears.

Talks of marriage were arranged to strengthen the alliance between the northern fronts Ariane Kingdom and the Everblack Empire, and since my engagement with my previous fiance was due to be broken, they decided to proceed with this.

What if I say no?

I asked quietly.

What if I refuse this marriage and insist on keeping my engagement with the Silver Winter family?

Fernandez didnt hesitate.

Thats obviously not an option. The princess of the Ariane Kingdom is already on her way to the Imperial Capital to attend the victory celebration.

...

This time, youll just meet and then the wedding will proceed within this year. You can have the ceremony on the southern front.

Fernandez murmured in a low voice to me, who kept my lips tightly shut.

You remember what Father said, right? You must obey from now on.

...

Please, Ash. Dont resist anymore. If you feel a sense of duty as an Everblack Imperial Prince, as a Guardian, dont hesitate over something like a political marriage.

...

If you accept this marriage proposal, you can return with enough elite troops to protect Crossroad.

A large hand grabbed my silent shoulder. Looking up, it was Lark.

I know its hard, but this too is the duty of a prince, Ash.

...

"You lost your memory in the midst of battle and suffered many casualties? Weve come this far, paying such sacrifices; we cant stop here."

Lark grinned, grabbing Fernandezs shoulder with his opposite hand.

"Now, my beloved brothers! How about a hug to rally our spirits!"

And then Larks muscular arms reached out and forcibly embraced Fernandez...

"Ugh!"

"Gah!"

Thus, they were forcefully imbued with brotherly love.

After the embrace ended, I let out a sigh and said,

"Alright, alright. Ill do it that way."

Lark and Fernandez laughed brightly. I gritted my teeth and nodded.

"Ill break off with Silver Winter Merchant Guild. And then, Ill meet with the princess of the Ariane Kingdom."