[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 186
At the end of summer, the nobles of the Empire received shocking news.
“My task for the Empire is complete, and I wish to step down.”
Abdication.
The act of voluntarily relinquishing the throne, even while the ruler is still alive.
It was not entirely unprecedented in the Empire’s history. There were at least five recorded instances.
So why were the nobles so flustered?
One only needed to look at the circumstances surrounding the abdications to understand.
Until now, abdications had only occurred when something major happened to the country.
Droughts, floods, or plagues. When a major national problem arose, the emperor would take responsibility and abdicate to avoid burdening the heir.
But not this time. There was no major problem in the Empire.
On the contrary, under the current emperor, the Empire had won two wars, produced outstanding officials, and recently, even someone who received a miracle.
There was no need to abdicate to avoid burdening the heir with political pressure.
Instead, his power had become even more absolute. He had become an undisputed and revered ruler.
Therefore, it was natural for them to be confused when the topic of abdication came up.
Ordinary nobles could simply bow their heads and accept the outcome.
But the great nobles, deeply involved in politics, had to show their loyalty.
“What the hell is going on?”
“Hey, Karl. Do you know anything about this?”
And today, my four friends, who had suddenly rushed in, were among those who had to show their loyalty.
“Of all times, an abdication right when we’re about to inherit our titles!”
“This is driving me crazy. What are we supposed to do now?”
Two marquisates and two counties. All deeply involved in the Empire’s political scene.
For those who would soon take over these positions, the announcement of abdication was quite a shock.
“Karl. Answer me. This isn’t, like, one of those things, is it?”
“What kind of thing?”
“What else? Like a loyalty test, or maybe the Crown Prince is trying to gauge the reactions of his subjects before he ascends the throne.”
Should I tell them, or not?
I hesitated for a moment.
They’re my friends, and they’re also at the core of the political scene. They’ll find out soon enough anyway.
But I decided not to. The Crown Prince was honest with me because it was me.
It wouldn’t be easy to tell other officials that the Emperor’s health is failing.
It’s enough to say that the Emperor is abdicating to rest.
“I don’t know exactly either. The Crown Prince only gave me a hint.”
“What the hell is going on? I don’t think I’ve ever seen an abdication like this.”
“It’s not like it’s never happened before. It’s usually done when something major happens to the Empire, but there have been cases where emperors have abdicated willingly after fulfilling their duties.”
“But those are extremely rare.”
The guys who were talking suddenly turned their gaze to me.
What? Why?
“Could it be because of you, Karl?”
“What?”
“You’ve grown too big lately.”
“Not just a little big.”
“Right, right.”
What nonsense are you guys talking about?
What does me growing big have to do with the Emperor abdicating?
“So what we’re saying is, maybe the Emperor is abdicating to pass on all the potential achievements of his reign to the Crown Prince, thanks to you, Karl.”
“I don’t know what kind of nonsense you’re spouting. Why don’t you keep yapping, boys?”
I drew my greatsword and smiled, ‘Haha!’, and they all shut up.
It’s just that His Majesty’s health is failing, so he’s abdicating. There’s no other reason!
“Anyway. This is a big deal.”
“Is it really that much of a problem? I don’t get it.”
“What crazy official would keep their mouth shut when the Emperor is abdicating? And we’re all the heirs to marquisates and imperial counties.”
“I can already see us being summoned by our fathers to let us take over starting next week…”
Just be grateful it’s not worse, guys. The Emperor isn’t doing this to test your loyalty.
If that were the case, he would have just let you beg until you were hoarse.
I vaguely remember something similar happening in my past life.
Thankfully, this isn’t a country where unwavering loyalty to the throne is the absolute norm, so they’ll grumble for a bit and then eventually move on.
“The atmosphere at the academy must be chaotic too. Are you okay, Karl? With the Empire’s ruler changing, the second semester won’t feel like a second semester at all.”
“What can I do? It’s not like this happens every year, and the timing just happened to overlap, so I have to endure it.”
* * *
As autumn approached, the Empire was in an uproar.
The reason, of course, was the Emperor’s somewhat sudden announcement of abdication.
“Please reconsider your decision!”
“Reconsider, Your Majesty!!”
They’re truly dedicated. It seems like every government official who isn’t swamped with urgent work is out here. I could even vaguely see marquesses and imperial counts gathered together.
Whether the Emperor’s will is already firm or not, whether the matter has already been decided internally or not.
They have to do what they have to do. As subjects, they had to show that they can’t just let the abdication pass by.
“Father, what’s he doing?”
“He went to the Imperial Palace this morning. I think he’ll probably ask the Crown Prince to reconsider, along with the other nobles.”
Selena, who was eating a cake, asked a question.
“It’s probably already decided, right? His Majesty wouldn’t do something like this without a reason.”
“Probably. There’s no reason for him to go to such lengths to strengthen his power.”
“Then at the next New Year’s celebration…”
By then, the new Emperor of the Empire will probably be welcoming the new year.
Since my sister is the Crown Princess, I can’t help but hear the news.
They say that the people managing the internal affairs of the imperial family have already started replacing my sister’s people.
I’ve also heard that those who served Her Majesty the Empress will be retiring.
They may be asking for reconsideration outside, but everything has already been decided inside.
All that’s left is for the Emperor to hand everything over to the Crown Prince.
‘The imperial family probably wants to end this situation quickly too. Even the academy professors and students are all distracted and unable to focus because of the abdication news.’
This isn’t some former president getting replaced. This is a monumental event that will determine the fate of the Empire for at least the next few decades.
The radiant sun that all the nobles and people of the Empire trusted and followed as their parent was about to set. Naturally, everyone was paying attention.
By the way, my father also went to the Imperial Palace.
As a mere count, he wouldn’t need to, but he had to because he’s the Crown Prince’s father-in-law.
I’m so glad I’m not in the capital at a time like this.
If I were a director or a minister, I would be doing the same thing, wouldn’t I?
Ugh. I hate that kind of thing. I’d rather go cut off some more Kanfra heads.
* * *
“Your Majesty! We beseech you! We implore you to reconsider!”
“We implore you to reconsider!”
Some might see this as a mere political show.
I won’t argue against it.
In a situation where the will of the Emperor has already been decided, even if I and the ministers beg him to retract his decision, it’s not an order that will be rescinded.
Perhaps today or tomorrow, His Majesty will come out personally to address the situation.
However, despite that. Even if everything has already been decided, there are still duties to be fulfilled. Ministers must act as ministers. The successor must act as a successor. And the sovereign must act as the sovereign.
Only by maintaining one’s proper conduct until the very end can one earn the proper respect from everyone else.
‘Rather…’
Rather, it’s terrifying.
As time goes by, an inexplicable weight presses down on my chest.
I have lived as the Crown Prince until now. I have spent my time as the son of the Emperor and the heir to the throne.
I have done many things, but ultimately all responsibility rested with the Emperor.
Even if I made mistakes, there was someone behind me who supported me.
But not anymore.
Soon, I will be sitting in that place.
Sitting in the highest seat, becoming the most noble person. I must become the guardian of the Empire, who loves and cares for even the lowest and most humble subjects.
“Your Highness.”
Vee believes I can do it. Because my father believes in me too, he willingly passed this heavy burden to his unworthy son.
“The Emperor is coming.”
At the chamberlain’s words, everyone bows their heads. I also intended to do so.
“Emperor.”
However, the Emperor—No. My father stopped me.
“How do you feel?”
A question from a father to his son.
A question from one who has been the Emperor to one who will be the Emperor.
I instinctively answered.
“It’s heavy.”
“And.”
“It’s frightening.”
The Emperor. My father smiled at my answer.
“Never forget that. Never forget what to fear. Ponder the weight of it for your entire life.”
* * *
Imperial Year 224.
A new sun has dawned upon us.
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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