CHAPTER 451: IMPORTANT DISCUSSION

On June 17th, 1733 the Human Universal Calendar, a light mist enveloped the entire imperial capital City this morning, following yesterday’s rain.

Unlike the common morning fog during autumn and winter, such a hazy white mist appearing in the peak of summer was extremely rare. Yet most nobles within the capital hadn’t chosen to leisurely sip tea inside their mansions. Instead, assisted by maids, they finished breakfast early, dressed neatly, and boarded carriages bound for the imperial palace.

The reason was simple. The emperor himself, through his personal guard Trin, had conveyed a message throughout the capital’s noble circles, something momentous was about to be announced.

Alistair had been demoted to commoner status by Hibbort, and Crown Prince Lucas’s whereabouts remained unknown. With so many variables compressed into just half a month, a new wave of change was inevitable.

Today marks the moment the curtain will rise.

Tristian Velmont, son of Duke Cedric, one of the Empire’s Four Great Dukes, and heir to the Velmont family, naturally received Trin’s invitation as well.

The man looked at the morning mist outside the window, already thinning under the sunlight, then nodded toward his father seated across the table, signaling it was time.

"It’s time to go, Father."

Upon hearing this, Duke Cedric gave a slight nod, ceasing his fingers’ idle caress of the dark-green crystal ball. He followed the servants toward the carriage waiting at the mansion’s entrance.

Even if he had already been delayed in the capital for several days due to official duties, there was no reason for him to miss such a historic day.

After stepping into the carriage, the soundproofing barrier activated. Tristian looked at the middle-aged man dressed in luxurious robes on the opposite seat and spoke slowly.

"Father... I feel like something is off."

In this entire royal conflict dominated by the two princes, although Alistair had clearly lost, Emperor Hibbort’s attitude toward Lucas, the other apparent victor, remained unusually ambiguous.

According to the complete intelligence his father provided, Alistair had indeed attempted to assassinate Lucas. Although the Crown Prince’s current whereabouts were unknown, one fact remained absolute: Lucas himself had at most been injured during that assassination attempt, with his life never in danger.

The problem lies in the fact that it has already been half a month since Lucas’s injury. During this period, except for a few royal family members, no one had been permitted to approach the palace where Lucas supposedly resided.

The emperor’s official explanation was that Lucas’s health was poor, making him unable to receive visitors, so his younger sister, Third Princess Astrid, would represent him instead.

From the perspective of the assassination, Hibbort’s actions were understood, ensuring that the Crown Prince wouldn’t face similar dangers again, allowing for a smooth transition of power.

Yet Tristian’s keen political instincts kept warning him that he might have overlooked something.

Duke Cedric raised his head slightly upon hearing this, looking at Tristian with a gentle voice.

"What do you think is the problem?"

Tristian paused for a few seconds, his gaze falling on the sunlight beside the seat cushion before speaking.

"The emperor’s attitude toward the Crown Prince feels... strange."

"If the future Emperor of the Empire cannot even guarantee his own safety, require the previous emperor to protect him like a child under his wings..."

People teach, but lessons never stick. Events teach, once is enough. After this experience, Lucas should naturally become doubly cautious when facing similar situations.

Why would he need such extreme protection?

"...Isn’t this a bit too distorted?"

It didn’t seem like something Iron-blooded Emperor Hibbort would ever do.

Hearing Tristian’s words, a faint glimmer of approval flashed in Duke Cedric’s eyes. Yet he didn’t respond directly to Tristian’s concern, instead shifting the topic elsewhere.

"Have you met Astrid recently?"

"We’ve met briefly, discuss cooperation for next quarter."

At the mention of Astrid, Tristian’s frown deepened further.

"We discussed the crystal supply issues for frontline magical devices. She, representing the royal family, demanded our family consolidate all scattered types of magic crystals circulating in the market."

Although they’d reached numerous business agreements before, this time Tristian clearly sensed Astrid’s reach had extended much farther than before. The terms and scope she could negotiate had expanded significantly.

It was as if the emperor had officially designated her as the royal representative to negotiate with him directly.

"Astrid’s behavior has also surprised me, not her abilities, but her authority."

Combined with the fact that Astrid Calliste had recently handled negotiations to appease Lucas’s faction and various other collaborations, Tristian even had an odd feeling, perhaps Hibbort wasn’t planning to appoint Lucas Valeria as the new emperor, but rather that peerless Imperial Jewel, the princess of exceptional beauty and talent.

But she lacked royal blood and had no formal right to succession. There was no possibility of her inheriting the throne.

Watching Tristian’s tightly knitted brow, Duke Cedric fell into thought. After half a minute, he spoke.

"You’ve come quite far to think this deeply."

After all, most nobles remain in the dark, firmly believing Lucas was the sole candidate capable of inheriting Hibbort’s position.

Tristian paused, then slowly asked.

"Father’s meaning is..."

Before he could finish, Cedric shook his head, replying softly.

"I’m only speculating. Maybe I’m overthinking it."

"In any case, there will definitely be a result today. As observers, we need only wait and see."

He recalled a royal secret buried by Hibbort over a decade ago. At that time, Tristian had still been training in the family’s domain and naturally knew nothing about it. Moreover, that scandal itself had never spread widely. Only a few great nobles had known, and with Hibbort deliberately downplaying it, even fewer discussed it today. It was normal not to base judgment on that point.

The emperor’s descendants possessing direct royal blood weren’t limited to just the two apparent heirs. There was another, whose life or death remains unknown, a rumored illegitimate daughter imprisoned deep within the palace by Hibbort himself.

Amalia Valeria.

She existed beyond the information cocoons of many nobles. And in the face of the current bizarre situation, she was a variable Cedric could no longer ignore.

The carriage approached the palace gates. As the driver gradually slowed, the silent father and son stepped out and entered the palace, escorted by imperial guards.

In the Council Chamber, officials of various ranks sat on benches waiting for Hibbort to take his seat. It was 8:40 AM, twenty minutes before the weekly meeting officially began.

"The emperor’s summons today is probably about the heir situation..."

"Right. The Crown Prince’s succession is likely already set in stone."

"But if Prince Lucas ascends the throne soon, I wonder how it’ll affect the border situation?"

"I heard the Church’s Knight Order has already joined the war. With such high-tier combat strength, even the most fortified bastions will face immense pressure."

Below, small groups whisper among themselves. Many officials cast their gazes toward the noble throne, a seat that should have been elevated by a flight of marble steps.

Today, that throne did not appear within everyone’s sight. Instead, it was covered by a thick curtain, concealing whatever lay behind.

This was an unseen sight in the Valeria Empire for decades, and its significance was self-evident.

A minority of nobles who had received promises from Lucas secretly rejoiced, inwardly sighing that this day had finally come.

Hibbort was a mighty ruler, skilled enough to manage relations between the nobility and the royal family. But the next emperor might not be.

Concerning power transitions and throne successions, they could all catch a little bit of sand leaking through the cracks of authority.

As for exactly how much, that depends on their own capabilities.

At this moment, Tristian and Cedric entered the hall, taking seats closest to the four council ministers.

As the two highest-ranking figures in the room, second only to the emperor, every person’s gaze briefly lingered on them.

"Even Duke Cedric has come..."

"If time allowed, Duke Cassian would probably have rushed here too."

After all, he was a strong supporter of the Crown Prince faction. How could he miss such a crucial moment?

The murmurs below lasted only a few minutes before quickly subsiding. The reason was simple: the day’s co-protagonist had already arrived.

"Your Majesty."

Leading Minister Edmund bowed first, followed by the other three ministers who sequentially paid their respects to the emperor.

Dressed in a dark-golden robe, Hibbort gave a calm, indifferent acknowledgment. Gripping the Imperial Scepter, he sat at the seat he once occupied as a prince, listening to the teachings of the previous emperor.

Today, Hibbort showed no signs of weariness. His golden hair was loose like wheat stalks, his stubble neatly trimmed. His emerald-green eyes remained calm and imposing, and the aura surrounding him was still as conspicuous as a lion.

With the emperor’s entrance, everyone fell silent simultaneously.

No matter how bizarre the rumors outside were, facing this man who once bore the empire as its supreme ruler, not a single noble dared idle voice commentary before him.

Tristian slightly turned his head toward the Emperor. Hibbort sat upright, hands folded over the scepter, his sharply defined profile bearing the traces of years.

At the same time, the old fox Cedric didn’t look at Hibbort. Instead, leaning back in his seat, he listened as a servant who had scanned the hall whispered into his ear.

Lucas’s absence was expected. But Third Princess Astrid’s absence was somewhat intriguing.

The man’s gaze fell upon the curtain, as if trying to see through what, or who, sat upon the towering throne behind it.

Time passed second by second. When the great clock at the center of Imperial capital City rang, Hibbort stood up and spoke first.

"I’ve kept you all waiting. The weekly meeting begins now."

His deep, resonant voice filled the chamber. Instantly, it felt as though the entire world focused on this scepter-wielding Emperor of the Empire.

Facing the crowd below, Hibbort’s expression remained calm, just as many times before when he sat atop the noble throne, looking down upon all.

"The year 1733 the Human Universal Calendar, is an extraordinary year for the Valeria Empire."

"Our neighboring country, the Kingdom of Velys, once briefly harmonious with us, has drawn its blade against us."

"Duke Charles held the enemy at the Liya Tower fortress line, completely isolating their offensive beyond our northern border. This is the foundation allowing peace within the empire’s heartland."

"And all of this would be impossible without the magical devices in every soldier’s hands."

Hibbort’s imposing gaze swept across the hall. His firm face, illuminated by light, resembled steel at the edges.

Even conservative nobles couldn’t refute this statement. Anyone with decent intelligence knew the crucial role played by the magical devices, researched, developed, and improved by Professor Charlotte and Princess Astrid, on the battlefield.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that magical devices, combined with defensive enchantment arrays carved into the walls, had narrowed the gap in individual combat strength between the Empire and the Kingdom to an unprecedented degree.

After hearing this, Cedric already understood Hibbort’s purpose in bringing this up. The idea in his mind resurfaced once more.

Hibbort was clearly highlighting Third Princess Astrid’s achievements. Yet at such a critical moment for appointing an heir, he introduced an outsider princess first, instead of the most important Crown Prince.

This was strange.

Furthermore, it was common knowledge that Lucas, like Alistair, held opposing views toward magi-equipment, positions taken to appease the majority of conservative nobles within the country.

Could it be... someone else truly sat upon the throne today?

The seed of suspicion suspected, Cedric continued listening as Hibbort, with his powerful voice, detailing everything that happened on the battlefield and affirmed the soldiers’ bravery and sacrifice, regardless of sincerity, these words demonstrate the Emperor’s exceptional skill in managing the populace.

"...We will use iron and blood to teach these invaders the cost of provoking a lion."

Finishing, Hibbort lightly tapped his scepter, scanned the surroundings, and suddenly shifted topics.

"However, before that, there’s one more matter I intend to reveal publicly."

Was he about to announce the next emperor?

Simultaneously, similar thoughts flashed through everyone’s minds. Instinctively straightening their backs, they prepared to listen intently to the main topic of Hibbort’s speech.

"Many of you may know, Duke Charles, who guards our borders, has recently disappeared from the frontline."

Instead of addressing the heir, which everyone cares about most, Hibbort first brought up Duke Charles.

The duke’s disappearance was also a major concern for many nobles. Many speculated Charles had already arrived in the capital, preparing to serve as a second safeguard for the imperial power transition.

"The truth might differ from what you imagine," Hibbort said in a low tone, his sharp gaze sweeping across the ministers below.

"Duke Charles is not currently in the capital. Instead, he is commanding soldiers on the frontline, preparing an offensive to encircle and annihilate the fleeing Kingdom of Velys army."

"This is merely a ruse to lure out the Church Knight Order’s main force, so they can be completely wiped out by the magical-artillery at Liya Tower fortress."

"I believe the detailed battle report is already being urgently delivered to the capital. We need only wait patiently."

The man’s steady voice echoed through the Council Chamber, like a reassurance pill for everyone present.

Seeing the astonishment on their faces, Hibbort continued.

"As for the one responsible for planning this ruse, she is the future new Emperor of the Valeria Empire."

As the man finished speaking, the curtain concealing the throne slowly rose.

At this moment, everyone in the chamber held their breath.

Flight after flight of silver marble steps emerging under the sunlight, gleaming brilliantly. The majestic corner of the Imperial Throne revealed itself in the morning light.

Yet, no one saw the expected pair of nobleman’s short boots. Instead, they glimpsed a pair of night-sky-colored stiletto heels with a semi-lattice design, and a glimpse of black-stockinged calves radiating soft, elegant luster.