Chapter 75: Twilight of a Hero
Platinum City, within the Imperial Palace.
In a lavish, expansive chamber, the Emperor of the Orlan Empire, Leopold Holovin, lay with eyes closed in a large bath. The liquid within wasn't water but resembled mist filled with drifting fireflies. Attending him were not alluring maids, but two warlocks with solemn expressions. This was a special ritual, designed by the imperial warlock-scholars specifically for Emperor Leopold, intended to improve his physical condition and alleviate his suffering.
Anyone looking closely would notice the skin below Leopold's neck was pale and wrinkled, like the flesh of a corpse that had been soaked and then dried out. This was the result of the Church's precious miracle for extending life – the June Molt.
Yet, despite the combined support of ritual and miracle, Emperor Leopold could still feel his life rapidly slipping away.
Thirty years ago, during the war, Leopold was wounded by a warlock from the Banshee faction of the Edessa Empire. The Banshee faction was a secret transcendental school belonging to the Edessa Empire's elite death-squad forces. This faction possessed a unique life-for-a-life ability: through a method involving blood marking, a warlock could lock onto a target. Then, when the warlock died, the target would perish alongside them.
The Banshee warlock who had marked Leopold was likely long dead. Leopold had survived thanks to the many miracles in the imperial collection and various life-extending rituals. However, the Edessa Empire truly lived up to its reputation as the Orlan Empire's nemesis for centuries; their elite forces ultimately had their ways. Even though he survived, Leopold was tormented daily by illness, his health deteriorating steadily. Eventually, even his penis gradually festered and fell away. He had tried nearly every method suggested by scholars and physicians, yet none could eradicate the root cause of his affliction.
Honestly, Leopold had long lost the will to live.
However, he knew full well that the moment he died, this vast empire would immediately descend into chaos. Thus, he forced himself to endure, to hold on.
The Wolfheart Count, Gilmore Butler—tall, thin, with a grim face, dressed in a black formal suit embroidered with gold thread—strode quickly into the room, approaching Emperor Leopold's side.
Hearing the footsteps, Emperor Leopold opened his eyes.
"Your Majesty, we've received a report from the Duke of Green Plains' side," Gilmore Butler stated.
"What was the Duke's reaction?" Emperor Leopold inquired.
"The Duke of Green Plains had no reaction," Gilmore Butler replied.
"No reaction?" Even Emperor Leopold, usually adept at masking his emotions, couldn't help but show surprise.
"Before the Duke even returned to his manor, his children clashed with the soldiers of the City Guard. His daughter and son whipped the officers and soldiers of the City Guard and drove them away..."
Gilmore Butler recounted the events that had transpired at the Philip Manor, not even omitting Charlotte's sharp remark: "Let Marco Lyman come himself. With his title as Count, he should be qualified enough to guard the gate for the Mellerfield family."
Leopold wasn't particularly surprised by the strange temperaments of noble offspring; such things were common.
He didn't have strong impressions of either Andre or Charlotte; after all, the Green Plains Duchy was quite distant from Platinum City. The matter of Charlotte's enfeoffment years ago had primarily been handled by the Queen and the Privy Council. Leopold had merely made an appearance. In truth, if the recipient hadn't been the daughter of the Duke of Green Plains, Emperor Leopold might not have even bothered showing up. For a mere Viscountess, a simple imperial decree would have sufficed.
After hearing the Wolfheart Count's report, Emperor Leopold merely sighed, "Ah, my old friend... Thirty years, and his personality still hasn't changed..."
Resourceful, yet indecisive. That was the impression Leopold had formed of Jose Mellerfield when they fought side-by-side thirty years ago. Now, after so many years, Leopold found that not only had Jose Mellerfield failed to overcome this flaw, but it seemed to have become even more deeply ingrained.
"No matter the issue, Duke Mellerfield likes to consider every single aspect before making the 'best' choice."
Just like this time. Leopold could understand Jose Mellerfield's hesitation. The Green Plains Duchy bordered the Gato Kingdom. Whether the Duke decided to align with the Imperial family or side with the Gato Kingdom, the Green Plains Duchy could very well become the first battlefield, suffering devastating losses.
Therefore, Jose Mellerfield was trying to find a path as perfect as possible, one that would minimize the Duchy's losses, maximize its gains, and allow it to navigate the empire's turbulent period safely.
"But... how can there be so many perfect solutions in this world? Sometimes, the more you think, the more you end up losing..."
Emperor Leopold murmured softly, sounding as if he were commenting on the Duke of Green Plains to Gilmore Butler, yet also as if he were simply talking to himself.
Gilmore Butler stood silently nearby, hands clasped, not responding to the Emperor's words. He knew Leopold didn't require a reply. Lately, His Majesty often drifted off into these states, seemingly lost in thought, murmuring to himself.
After roughly the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Emperor Leopold seemed to return to himself. He asked Gilmore Butler, "Has Lucheni arrived?"
"Count Sugis and Count Redpine have arrived. They are currently awaiting your summons in the reception room," Gilmore Butler answered.
Count Sugis was the title of Lucheni Holovin, father of Henry Holovin and Emperor Leopold's younger brother.
Count Redpine was, naturally, the Privy Councilor, Marco Lyman.
"Very well, I shall see them then."
Emperor Leopold rose and stepped out of the bath. The deathly pallor of his skin and the faint odor of decay were visually and olfactorily repulsive. Yet, Gilmore Butler showed no sign of aversion. The esteemed Count behaved like a valet, respectfully helping Leopold dress, spraying perfume to mask the scent.
Lucheni and Marco Lyman were summoned to Leopold's private study, where he usually handled official matters. Upon entering, both men knelt on one knee to apologize to Emperor Leopold.
Emperor Leopold didn't respond immediately. Instead, he paced the study several times, hands clasped behind his back, before finally speaking. "I know what you're thinking..."
Lucheni Holovin and Marco Lyman were bewildered by the Emperor's opening words, but Leopold's next sentence made it clear his words were directed solely at Lucheni Holovin.
"You're thinking, if Henry becomes Emperor, it's the same as you becoming Emperor, aren't you? So you've become impatient. You want to flaunt your power as if you were the Emperor yourself, unable even to wait until I'm dead."
Emperor Leopold's low voice reached Lucheni's ears. Terrified, Lucheni Holovin went from kneeling on one knee to both.
"No, Your Majesty, I never thought such a thing..." Lucheni hastily stammered.
Emperor Leopold waved a hand dismissively, indicating he had no interest in hearing Lucheni's excuses. "I don't care what you were thinking. I just need you to remember: the one inheriting the throne is Henry, not you! Remember that firmly!"
Originally, if Emperor Leopold were to pass away, the most suitable successor should have been his younger brother, Lucheni Holovin. Lucheni was close in age to Leopold, and with the elder brother having no heirs, the younger brother inheriting the throne posed no legal problem.
However, thirty years ago, when the Edessa Empire's army surged south, Lucheni, then on the front lines, had cowardly surrendered to the Edessans due to fear of battle. It was only after Leopold ascended the throne that he paid a ransom to bring his younger brother back.
During that war, even Ethel, who traditionally detested the imperial family, had sent reinforcements to Platinum City. Yet Lucheni, the direct son of the reigning Emperor Josef Holovin at the time, had surrendered to the enemy. The impact of this could not be understated.
Furthermore, many nobles still believed Lucheni's surrender directly led to the collapse of the Orlan Empire's border defenses, resulting in the disastrous consequence of Edessan forces reaching the gates of Platinum City.
Therefore, Lucheni had absolutely no chance of inheriting the throne, unless Leopold wished to infuriate every noble who had fought bravely, or lost family members to Edessan swords, during that war. If it came to that, not only would a smooth succession be impossible, but whether the Emperor of the Orlan Empire could even continue to bear the Holovin name might become questionable.
Thus, Leopold could only pass the throne to Lucheni's son, Henry Holovin.
But Leopold knew his brother. He knew Lucheni was not one to remain quiet. While Leopold lived, Lucheni might exercise some restraint. But if Leopold died, this brother would likely become an untamed horse bolting free.
If his nephew Henry were young, it might not be a major issue. But Henry was already an adult, soon to be married. How could a young, adult emperor tolerate someone constantly dictating his actions?
To minimize the potential for future patricidal conflict, Leopold had to take preventative measures beforehand.
Yes, just as Charlotte had guessed, Lucheni conspiring with Privy Councilor Marco Lyman to mobilize the City Guard had occurred with Emperor Leopold's tacit approval.
Testing the attitudes of powerful officials was only one aspect. On the other hand, Emperor Leopold also wanted to use the hands of those unruly "vassals" to deliver a sharp, memorable lesson to Lucheni.
It seemed the lesson had indeed been effective.
Ethel Holovin had unhesitatingly slaughtered all the City Guard soldiers who dared surround his residence. Those brutal methods had genuinely frightened Lucheni.
"I truly didn't think that way, I was also acting for Henry's good," Lucheni tried hard to explain. "Brother, while you are here, these high nobles are already unrestrained. If... in the future, how could they possibly respect Henry, who is so young? If their residences were guarded by the City Guard, perhaps they would at least show some restraint within Platinum City. But who knew..."
"Who knew that, apart from Duke Bonan, not a single person would give you face?" Leopold sneered. "You know yourself that those people don't even take me seriously, so what made you think they would care about the City Guard? With you acting like this, how can Henry possibly rely on your assistance in the future..."
Leopold sternly reprimanded Lucheni but did not punish his actions, instead simply dismissing him.
Only Leopold and Marco Lyman remained in the study.
The anger vanished from Emperor Leopold's face, replaced by utter calm, as if his earlier fury had been mere theatrics. He asked in a heavy voice, "Did the Queen also have a part in this?"
"Yes," Marco Lyman reported truthfully. "I initially rejected Count Lucheni's request to mobilize troops. Later, Her Majesty the Queen hinted that I should cooperate with Count Lucheni."
"Truly, not a single one of them lets me rest easy... Forget it, forget it, perhaps this is for the best... I'm going to die soon anyway..."
Leopold heaved a deep sigh, his voice thick with exhaustion and resignation.
Outside the city, at the Philip Manor.
Charlotte tasted Adela again after a long time, feeling somewhat disappointed.
It wasn't because Adela wasn't beautiful. In terms of figure, Adela was actually better shaped than her younger sister Cecilia, possessing the charm of a mature woman.
The problem was, Adela was far too obedient in bed.
Unlike Cecilia, who had a strong sense of self, Adela saw absolutely nothing wrong with being a noble's bed partner. Therefore, in bed, whatever Charlotte said, Adela would do. Not like Cecilia, who would definitely refuse to cooperate if she felt uncomfortable, and would even get angry if Charlotte tried to force her.
Charlotte wasn't the type of pervert who gets more excited the more you resist. Comparatively, she preferred experiences that were comfortable for both parties. It was just that the excessively compliant Adela gave Charlotte a feeling that "the taste had changed." She remembered that last time, although Adela had been submissive, she had offered at least some subjective feedback.
After mulling it over, Charlotte reached a conclusion – it must be because Cecilia wasn't here.
Indeed, next time, she definitely had to invite Cecilia along!
Although the bedroom games weren't entirely satisfying, the fragrant warmth of a girl's body in the winter bed was ultimately more comfortable than the biting wind outside. Thus, Charlotte ended up waking late the next day.
This was only because Renee had forcefully dragged her out of bed; otherwise, Charlotte might have lingered until noon.
"Honestly, Miss! The Duke specifically reminded you not to visit His Majesty Ethel too late, or it would seem impolite, but you just wouldn't listen," Renee grumbled as she helped Charlotte arrange her beautiful long dress.
"It doesn't matter. Even if I visit him tonight, Grandfather won't blame me," Charlotte said nonchalantly.
Shortly after saying this, however, Charlotte regretted it.
Having tidied her appearance and just about to head out, before even boarding the carriage, she saw her older brother walking over with several other young nobles.
"Charlotte, this is His Highness, Crown Prince Henry Holovin. You should know him, right? He says he's here to visit a friend, and you two are old friends..." Andre gestured towards the youth beside him—clad in a magnificent embroidered formal suit, holding a black and gold cane, chin slightly tilted—and introduced him to Charlotte with a smile.
Seeing that face—unseen for several months, yet still unforgettable and still detestable—the corner of Charlotte's mouth twitched slightly.
Indeed, sleeping in truly wasn't a good habit. She definitely should have left earlier today.