CHAPTER 125
"We haven't even figured out how the experiment succeeded... and now we've lost both of the beasts...!"
The Crown Prince of Kubul fumed, throwing a tantrum like a child.
He couldn’t even shout loudly, fearful that his voice might carry beyond the walls.
The manual for creating the beasts had been handed over to the Kubul royal family by King Bergen of Laicanoor as a symbol of their alliance.
In return, Kubul had provided Laicanoor with the designs for the new weapon and cannon production, which had been stolen from Helterde.
It was a symbol of the two kingdoms being in the same boat.
Not just on the continent but even extending into the seas, the five island kingdoms had formed a secret alliance against Helterde, which was expanding its territories.
To Laicanoor and Kubul, the other three kingdoms were merely tools for territorial expansion.
After taking control of Helterde’s southwestern region, those three kingdoms were destined to be absorbed by Laicanoor and Kubul.
In the end, Laicanoor and Kubul would be left to face each other, but that was a matter for later.
What was crucial now was to break down the dam connecting the island nations, causing chaos in Helterde’s southwestern region.
When I seize control of Laicanoor, I'll make sure to wipe that smug face off the earth.
The Crown Prince of Kubul harbored his hostility toward Bergen, hiding it behind a mask of civility.
Even among island kingdoms, Kubul was in a different league. It boasted a long history that could rival the powerful nations of the continent.
It was unbearable to have to ally with Laicanoor, a kingdom with no real pedigree. Until the reign of the previous king, Laicanoor had been nothing more than an insignificant island nation.
They claimed that their ancestors came from one of the three kingdoms that had ruled the continent a thousand years ago. But what did that matter? It was nothing more than a fallen kingdom lost to history.
The biggest reason why the Crown Prince resented the rise of Laicanoor as a new powerful nation...
Tsk, if you had half the competence of Laicanoor’s young king, I wouldn’t have had to forge an alliance with your kingdoms.
His father, seated on the throne, had looked down on him with a sneer.
When you go to Helterde, your job is to assist King Bergen. Don’t meddle unnecessarily and follow his instructions!
This was the plan Bergen had devised.
Using the new cannons, they would simultaneously destroy the dam built between the islands.
The allied nations, strong in naval warfare, would attack the flooded territories all at once.
While the Emperor focused on the southwestern region, the allied forces would push toward the capital from the east.
The route from the eastern territories to the capital was much shorter and easier.
None of the allies harbored the delusion that they could take the capital, designed by Emperor Maxwell himself.
However, simultaneous attacks would spread the Empire’s forces thin. In the end, the Emperor would choose to defend the capital, leaving the southwestern territories to fall into the hands of the allies.
For this plan to succeed, the Kingdom of Semper, which bordered part of the Empire’s eastern region, was crucial.
Crossing Semper’s border to invade the Empire was the most certain approach.
We need to drive a wedge between the Empire and Semper.
This was what Bergen had told the King of Kubul.
Semper might have a negligible military, but it was a kingdom recognized across the continent for its contributions to academia, culture, and the arts.
Moreover, under the Empire’s protection, Semper had enjoyed peace, free from invasions by other powerful nations.
Taking control of Semper would secure the eastern route to the Empire’s capital.
This was one of the strategic reasons why the Imperial family protected Semper.
Semper currently needs labor to undertake the renovation of its palace and capital.
Bergen’s words had made the King of Kubul nod in understanding.
Soon after, Semper and Kubul signed an economic treaty.
Semper provided Kubul with new farming machinery, and Kubul supplied labor to Semper.
Three hundred young men from Kubul entered Semper with labor permits.
However, contrary to what King Ator of Semper had been told, these men were not farmers or fishermen.
They were special forces, selected from the five allied nations. Disguised as laborers, they carried stones for the palace reconstruction, awaiting orders.
The two men who had successfully been turned into beasts were also among Kubul’s special forces.
They had bribed the deputy director of Semper’s national performing arts troupe to insert the two into the troupe.
No, Father. We can’t send both beasts to Helterde. We haven’t yet deciphered the ancient code in the manual!
The Crown Prince had objected to his father’s decision, which had been swayed by Bergen.
The manual Bergen had handed over was filled with codes written in ancient language.
They had sacrificed over a hundred young men, but only two had successfully been turned into beasts.
And even then, they had no idea how they had succeeded.
It was likely that they had accidentally mixed the chemical components in the wrong proportions during the experiment.
The problem was that they hadn’t yet figured out the exact ratios used in the accidentally made drug.
But now, they were planning to send both beasts to the Emperor’s wedding.
When the Crown Prince had voiced his objections, his father had erupted in anger.
That’s why you’re not fit for this. To achieve great things, one must be willing to take risks! You’ll never understand the mind of a bold warrior because you’ve never fought in a war!
Just a lot of talk and no thought, you old fool.
The Crown Prince imagined his father, who had humiliated him in front of the ministers, and his eyes twitched with shame.
He swore he would one day drag his father from the throne with his own hands.
Bergen, observing the Crown Prince’s shifting expressions, laughed inwardly.
The fool couldn’t even manage his emotions and wore his thoughts on his sleeve.
Both the father and son were ideal for manipulation, as long as they were handled with care.
The Crown Prince glared at Bergen with eyes full of resentment.
"Didn’t you assure me? Even if we couldn’t kill the Emperor, you said we could at least wound him severely! But now we’ve lost both beasts!"
He had been told that if the two beasts attacked from the shadows without warning, not even the Emperor would be able to survive.
But now...
Everything had failed.
Suddenly, the blood drained from the Crown Prince’s face.
"What if... what if the Emperor suspects our Kubul kingdom...?"
The beasts that had died tonight were from Kubul, even though they were part of Semper’s national performing arts troupe.
If an investigation were conducted, their origins would surely be revealed.
A cold sweat broke out along the Crown Prince’s spine.
Bergen spoke in a gentle tone as if soothing a younger sibling.
It was repulsive, but he had to endure it because the Crown Prince was still useful.
"Even if it’s discovered that they were from Kubul, nothing will change. After all, they were part of Semper’s troupe. Can’t you see? The Emperor’s focus is on Semper, especially since he’s just imprisoned King Ator, a close friend of his."
"Do you really... think so?"
The Crown Prince asked, his face brightening with hope.
He was ridiculously simple-minded.
Bergen nodded while inwardly sneering.
"We may have failed to kill the Emperor, but we’ve succeeded in driving a wedge between King Ator and the Emperor. For someone as proud as King Ator, the mere fact of being investigated is a deep humiliation. He will not forgive the Emperor."
"Indeed. The Emperor must be furious with King Ator as well, especially since this happened in the garden he gifted to his wife. After all, it was Semper who brought the two beasts."
"While King Ator is detained, we must focus on taking control of Semper's military. We’ve already placed our man as the Supreme Commander, so the Semper royal family will easily fall into our hands."
The Crown Prince’s face lit up. He now had an excuse to give his father as he returned to his quarters.
Bergen watched the copper door close behind the departing Crown Prince, and the smile vanished from his face.
His eyes narrowed in disgust as if looking at a repulsive insect.
From the start, he had never expected the two beasts to succeed in killing the Emperor.
Though, of course, he would have been thrilled if they had.
But he had guessed that it wouldn't be so easy to cut the life short of an Emperor known as the "God of War."
He had anticipated some level of injury, at least.
Bergen recalled the Emperor standing over the dead beasts, not even out of breath, and a bitter taste filled his mouth.
Still, half the plan had succeeded.
The real reason he had placed the two beasts in Semper’s performing arts troupe was...
"To make the Emperor suspicious of Kubul."
Bergen muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
The time was approaching to deal with Kubul.
He had tolerated the King and Crown Prince of Kubul flaunting their old glory, but soon, he would no longer have to endure their pathetic displays.
The special forces infiltrated Semper were operating under the command of Laicanoor.
Thanks to the blueprints Kubul had stolen from the Empire, they had been able to produce new weapons and cannons.
They had also acquired secret maps of the southwestern fortresses' interiors.
The Emperor would surely eliminate Kubul and Semper for ruining his wife's garden.
Even a man in love will eventually lose his judgment, as the Emperor had just done.
He imprisoned King Ator and his family, who had long been trusted allies. This alone shows that the Emperor’s sanity has cracked.
Bergen recalled the fierce glares exchanged between Maxwell and King Ator.
Suddenly, he sensed a slight movement behind him.
Without turning, Bergen gave a cold order.
"Meet with Arabelle as planned. And don’t forget—if you even think of doing anything foolish, I’ll hand you over to the witch immediately."
Midnight had passed, so the wedding was now just a day away.
The bitterness in his mouth faded as he imagined a wedding without a bride.
His yellow eyes, glowing with excitement, envisioned Lumen Savior standing beside him instead of the Emperor.
"If you help me keep Arabelle by my side..."
Tristini’s voice, which had been trembling, grew steadier.
"Please allow me to stay in Helterde."
Bergen turned his head at Tristini’s unexpected request.
He silently stared into her dark brown eyes before lifting one corner of his mouth into a smirk.
"Are you trying to take your cousin’s place beside the Emperor?"
"Yes."
Bergen was slightly surprised by her unwavering response.
Then, regaining his composure, he openly mocked her.
"Are you excited because the Emperor asked if you could be Arabelle’s lady-in-waiting? Do you think he has any interest in you? The Emperor was a man who couldn’t take his eyes off the Empress throughout the entire puppet show. Give up on such foolish hopes."
"I don’t have any hopes. I can sense just how much the Emperor cherishes and loves Arabelle."
"Then why?"
"I don't want to return to Laicanoor, where Arabelle and His Majesty will live together."
Perhaps, after losing Arabelle, the Emperor might, over time, turn his gaze toward me.
Even if it’s a delusion, I am still Arabelle’s cousin, the one who carries the light of Lumen Savior.
Maybe, just maybe, he’ll open his heart to me more than to other women.
It’s called ‘hope,’ but I know it’s really ‘desire.’
Not wanting to reveal the stench of her true feelings, Tristini bit her lower lip.
If Arabelle went to Laicanoor, she would undoubtedly bask in Bergen’s love.
She knew just how sweet and intoxicating that love was.
At first, she might grieve, but with time, she would find happiness by Bergen’s side.
Tristini justified the terrible things she was about to do to Arabelle.
I’m not taking away Arabelle’s happiness. I’m just reclaiming my destiny. I’m setting our tangled paths straight.
Tristini’s dark brown eyes drifted to her left wrist.
There was a long, thin scar across her slender wrist.
It was the mark left by the witch’s nails, sharp as a dagger’s blade.
If Tristini failed and the witch caught Arabelle to deliver her to Bergen...
I will give you Tristini as you desire.
It was the proof of the promise Bergen had made to the witch.
As long as the witch’s dark magic was etched into her wrist, Tristini couldn’t escape.
The moment she tried to run, her entire body would be consumed by flames.
As if resolved, Tristini pulled the hood of her long velvet robe over her head.
Like Arabelle... I deserve to be happy too.
Tristini quietly exited Bergen’s chamber.
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