CHAPTER 12: CHAPTER12-WOOD’S SUSPICION

Throughout the heated debate in the Parliament, Troy had remained silent. He had not added his voice to the quarrel, nor shown any interest in the verbal sparring between Jacoff, Heimerdinger, and the others. He simply watched Aurek’s departing back, his eyes narrowing slightly, until at last his brows furrowed in visible concern.

The Emperor seemed... different.

Something in his manner, in the way he dismissed arguments so quickly, struck Troy as unfamiliar. It was as though Aurek had changed into a man no longer bound by the hesitation or uncertainty that once defined him.

While Troy pondered this, the Minister of War, Nock, quietly approached. He leaned in close, his voice lowered so that only Troy could hear.

"Lord Troy," he whispered, "before today’s session began, His Majesty lost his temper."

Troy’s eyes sharpened, his brows tightening further.

"Oh? What exactly happened?"

Nock chuckled softly, as if amused that the matter could cause alarm.

"In truth, it was nothing of importance—at least on the surface. Yesterday afternoon, there was an incident. The Royal Guard’s officer Wood apparently clashed with Angie. It even went so far that blades were drawn."

Troy’s expression hardened.

"And what was the outcome?"

Nock smirked, clearly relishing the story.

"This morning, His Majesty was enraged over the matter. He wanted Wood executed. Fortunately, I arrived in time to intervene. Had I not stepped in, Wood would likely be a corpse by now."

For a moment Troy said nothing. Silence hung between them. Only after a pause did he murmur,

"And did His Majesty say anything further?"

Nock gave a mocking little laugh, his tone laced with sarcasm.

"Nothing at all. My guess? He must be wary of your stance, my lord. Otherwise, such a minor incident would never have ended so quietly. His anger burned itself out, and the matter has been dropped."

Troy gave a small nod, the corners of his lips curling into a faint, almost unreadable smile. He understood well enough. In politics, many things did not need to be spoken aloud. A simple understanding was sufficient.

"Very well," Troy said at last. "Let us leave this matter behind. There is something more important I must entrust to you."

He straightened slightly, lowering his voice.

"Send men at once. Work with the city constabulary and investigate every rumor, every trace connected to this so-called ’ghost.’ I want its nature revealed. We cannot afford to let such uncertainty fester."

As he spoke, his hand rose almost unconsciously to rub at his brow. The tension that had been gathering there seemed to weigh upon him more heavily with each passing day.

The Blackfish Gang had roamed so brazenly through the capital itself, their influence spreading like rot. For them to have acted so openly, support from powerful patrons was inevitable. Without such backing, their survival would have been impossible.

And yet—despite this invisible support—an entire gang had been wiped out overnight. Not merely defeated, but annihilated in a fashion so brutal, so merciless, that the very sight of their corpses had silenced the city with terror. Who possessed such power? And what purpose lay behind such cruelty?

The mystery gnawed at Troy, leaving him restless.

Nock, unaware of the depth of his superior’s thoughts, merely inclined his head in obedience.

"I will see to it immediately."

...

In Valoria Palace, the corridors gleamed with polished marble, and the high arches carried the echoes of approaching footsteps.

Angie, ever composed and graceful, stood waiting. When she caught sight of William and Heimerdinger, she dipped into a courteous bow.

"My lords, His Majesty awaits you."

Her words startled them both. Surprise flickered across their faces. Neither had expected a direct summons so soon after the Parliament’s conclusion.

They exchanged a quick glance, silent agreement passing between them. Without speaking further, they quickened their pace, following Angie’s direction toward the Emperor’s chamber where matters of state were handled.

They entered and bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty!"

"Rise. There is no need for such formality."

William straightened, worry etched across his face. He stepped forward quickly, unable to restrain his concern.

"Your Majesty, there is something we must urgently—"

But Aurek lifted his hand, cutting him off before he could continue.

"I know what troubles you," Aurek said calmly. "But you need not worry. For now, remain as observers. Trust me—before long, you will see things unfold in ways you have never imagined."

William and Heimerdinger glanced at each other again, bewilderment clear in their eyes. The Emperor’s words made little sense.

Heimerdinger could not hold back his frustration.

"Your Majesty, I still fail to understand. Why did you agree so readily to the Grand Marshal’s proposal?"

Aurek smiled faintly, his expression unchanging.

"Does it truly matter whether I agree or not?"

He leaned back slightly, his tone light, almost dismissive.

"In the empire’s current state, even had I refused, if Jacoff wished to act, who could have stopped him?"

The blunt truth of the question struck them both silent.

Indeed, with the power Jacoff commanded, if he chose to pursue a course of action, there was no force in the empire that could realistically stand in his way.

Seeing their silence, Aurek let out a soft chuckle.

"So you see? My agreement changes little. But with my consent, Jacoff will act all the more boldly, without hesitation. That is precisely what I want. When he does, we shall have the perfect chance to observe the cracks and flaws within the Crossbridge Empire."

His voice carried quiet confidence, as though all the turmoil and danger were but pieces on a chessboard under his control.

"As for the others in Parliament," Aurek added with a derisive smile, "they are nothing but useless fools. I do not even bother to consider them."

William and Heimerdinger frowned deeply. His words left them unsettled.

For years, the two of them had struggled ceaselessly against Jacoff and Troy. Their endless schemes, their constant battles—both open and hidden—had worn the Royalist Party down to exhaustion.

And yet here was their Emperor, speaking as though none of it mattered. Speaking as though Jacoff’s ambitions and their sacrifices were beneath his notice.

Why was he so confident?

The truth was bitter. The empire still stood, teetering though it was, in large part thanks to the Royalist Party’s efforts, thanks to the resistance led by William and Heimerdinger. Without them, the Grand Marshal and Troy might have long since seized control entirely.

But Aurek seemed to look straight through all of that, as though it were irrelevant. He seemed transformed—no longer the hesitant monarch they once knew, but a man who carried himself with unfathomable certainty.

The change made them uneasy. Very uneasy.

"Your Majesty," Heimerdinger asked at last, voice low with concern, "what is it you truly intend?"

Aurek hesitated, then decided to reveal a sliver of his thoughts.

"William, Heimerdinger—you are the men I trust most. Therefore, trust me in return. Go back and wait quietly. Tomorrow, all will become clear."

His words, meant to reassure, had the opposite effect. The two men felt their unease deepen.

They bowed reluctantly, anxiety pressing down upon them like a weight. In their hearts, a terrible thought grew.

The Crossbridge Empire was already tottering on the brink. And if even their Emperor now seemed reckless, perhaps salvation was already beyond reach.

Could Aurek truly change anything? They doubted it. For this was not Aurek the Great, the first of his name, whose genius had once forged the empire. This Aurek was young, untested, and surrounded by enemies.

As they prepared to take their leave, Aurek’s voice called after them.

"Oh, William. One more thing."

William turned back.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Tell me honestly. How many troops remain loyal to the crown?"

William did not hesitate.

"The Imperial Guard remains steadfast. Roughly one hundred thousand men. In addition, part of the Royal Guard—some twenty thousand—can still be trusted. Beyond that, there are the Imperial Knights, stationed outside Eryndor. They number around eight hundred thousand cavalry. They are the last true bulwark of the empire."

Aurek’s brows knit together.

"Only eight hundred thousand?"

The number was far less than he had hoped. For an empire spanning more than three hundred provinces, housing over a thousand great cities, such a force was woefully insufficient.

He knew well that Jacoff alone commanded at least two million troops. And as for the great nobles—each with their own fiefs and private armies—none possessed less than several million well-trained soldiers.

A bitter truth.

But Aurek took a steadying breath. He had one weapon the others lacked—the Elemental Assassin.

Drawing in a long breath, he exhaled slowly, his voice calm.

"Very well. William, Heimerdinger—return now. Await my command. When the time comes, act exactly as I order."

The two ministers bowed once more, their hearts heavy with doubt, before withdrawing.

Behind them, Aurek sat in silence, his expression unreadable, his thoughts hidden behind that faint, mysterious smile that none could decipher.