Regressor Of The Fallen Family [EN]: Chapter 357

“Failure, failure…” The Emperor’s voice was quiet, but it filled the enormous audience chamber. “Is that all I hear these days?”

The three men kneeling on the cold stone floor froze. His voice wasn’t loud, but it was strong, and it made the air itself seem to vibrate.

“Yes, everyone makes mistakes when they try to do something. But so many mistakes? It’s not good for our Empire. I am not the only one who thinks this, am I?” He paused, waiting, but no one dared to speak.

The men lowered their heads even further, staring at the floor.

“First Max failed. And now Greet… Greet’s failure is even worse…” The Emperor’s voice stayed calm, but a dangerous edge crept into it. He tapped his fingers slowly on the arm of his dark, iron throne.

The three men kneeling before the Emperor, whose anger was a rare sight, dared not even twitch.

Tap. Tap.

Within the vast audience chamber, only the Emperor’s fingers drumming against the armrest of his throne created any sound.

After a long while, the Emperor spoke again.

“…What do you suppose they are thinking?”

The voice that echoed through the audience chamber was calm once more, as if the fury from moments ago had been a mere illusion. But none present were unaware that this was even more dangerous than when he shouted.

In this situation, where caution was paramount, the man in the middle of the three kneeling figures cautiously raised his head.

“I don’t want to speak, but I will say something.”

He was an old man with a thin face and deep wrinkles. He looked serious and old.

“You have my leave.”

“I heard that the Black Serpents said they would give up through the Second Prince. And yet, not long after….”

“Be brief.”

“…I think Gaille thought the thing he got from the ruins was worth more than betraying you.”

“So, he risked everything for this, Chancellor?”

“…If that is not the case, I see no other way to explain such an unreasonable act.”

“Indeed. There is that.”

The words of Lector Gusfeldt, the current Imperial Chancellor, held a certain logic.

But seemingly finding it insufficient, the Emperor’s gaze shifted to the Chancellor’s left.

“You alone have met their leader. Galen, what are your thoughts?”

At this, a mage with half-white blond hair and a face too youthful for his age raised his head. It was Galen Dicaide, the Frostwind Magician, wearing an uncharacteristically cautious expression, quite unlike his usual arrogant and self-assured demeanor.

“He seemed like a snake hiding under normal skin. He reminded me of the stories from the Magic Tower about snakes that hide the truth. He did not strike me as one to act impulsively.”

“…Is that so?”

“If they have taken an unreasonable course, I believe they must have their own reasons.”

Galen Dicaide lowered his head once more after speaking, but the Emperor did not appear satisfied.

“So, no one has any idea what those reasons might be? Beyond the obvious, that is.”

You could clearly hear the Emperor’s disappointment and anger.

The three kneeling men trembled slightly, the heavy atmosphere consuming the silent audience chamber. It had been over twenty years since the Emperor ascended the throne, and they had rarely witnessed him expressing his emotions so directly.

As the three remained unresponsive, the Emperor frowned slightly and turned his gaze to the last man.

“Tris.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

The old knight, yet still regarded as the strongest on the continent, quietly raised his head.

“Do you know what angers me the most right now?”

“Command me as you will. As Your Majesty’s sword, I shall cut down all who stand in your way.”

Before the Emperor’s furious gaze, the old knight offered his resolve instead of answering the question.

Perhaps that boldness pleased him somewhat.

The Emperor gave a wry smile and continued in a chilling voice.

“It is only a matter of time before we can deal with those who have already been exposed. They are hard to get rid of, like weeds that keep coming back. But we will stop them completely for a very long time.”

The three kneeling men simultaneously raised their heads at those words, which reeked of bloodlust.

“But the timing is the issue. The Empire still wants what it has always wanted: to rule the whole world. We have yet to receive the final fruit that those fellows promised to deliver.”

“!?”

Doubt flickered across the faces of the leading figures who commanded the Empire’s knights, officials, and mages.

“But Your Majesty, would those who have already betrayed us keep their promise?”

“You are being too kind to them.”

“Rumors are already spreading, starting from the United Kingdoms. The Empire is losing respect. You must not endure this, Your Majesty.”

The Chancellor, Lector Gusfeldt, was just a normal official. Even the best swordsman and the Frostwind Magician were like insects to the Emperor. He could kill them with just a word.

And the Emperor before them possessed a ruthless nature, capable of cutting off even his own flesh and blood if necessary. This was the driving force that had stabilized and developed the Empire throughout his reign.

Even though they thought this, they still said what they believed.

And at that sight, a small smile appeared on the Emperor’s face for the first time today. This is exactly why he kept them around him.

“You are right. But if we can achieve our goal by enduring a moment of anger, then that is the right thing to do.”

Loyal people should give advice, but they must also obey the Emperor’s orders.

Having said all they wished to say, the three lowered their heads once more, as if to indicate that they would now follow his commands. For their wise ruler had never disappointed them since ascending the throne.

The Emperor seemed to understand what they expected. He thought for a moment, then spoke calmly.

“If we don’t know what the enemy is planning, we can’t wait. No matter what they are trying to do, we have to make them do what *we* want.”

What could he mean?

As the three men looked bewildered, the Emperor issued his instructions without hesitation.

“Tris, Galen.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“I shall grant you an opportunity to make up for your previous failure. Mobilize all the elite forces of the families you have fostered. I shall also attach half of the Imperial Knights and the elite members of the Special Oversight Department. Go to the Holy City of Novien.”

“We shall obey your command!”

‘It’s war.’

A murderous glint flashed in the eyes of the two transcendent beings, who had both come to the same conclusion.

But the words that followed were somewhat strange.

“But we will say we are going to protect Baros. We will enter the Holy City pretending to replace Max, who is dead.”

“But Your Majesty, if we just say that, the Holy Nation won’t let so many soldiers into their country.”

Chancellor Lector Gusfeldt raised an obvious question on behalf of the two transcendent beings.

“Of course, we need another reason. Tris, contact Jerome.”

“…Not Prince Baros, but Jerome, Your Majesty?”

At Tris’s puzzled question, the Emperor gave a chilling smile.

“Indeed.”

At that resolute answer, the expressions of all those listening stiffened slightly. For with this, the Emperor had all but declared that Prince Baros’s right to succeed to the throne had been completely extinguished.

Regardless of their expressions, the Emperor’s calm voice continued.

“Send a final warning to the Black Serpents through Jerome.”

The faces of the three men grew even more rigid at the weight of that word: ultimatum.

“Tell them to announce publicly that the Holy Nation will obey the Empire as their ruler. Tell them that this will make up for their betrayal. Or perhaps, transferring the position of Pope to the Emperor of the Empire would also be acceptable.”

The three men stared at the Emperor, eyes wide with shock.

One man gasped, barely a sound.

“Your Majesty,” another stammered, “surely not *that*?”

The third man shook his head, “Is such a thing even *possible*?”

The Emperor’s words were unbelievable. Even if these *Serpent* people could control the Pope’s mind, taking over the entire Holy State was different. The Pope, even though he was chosen, couldn’t decide what happened to the whole Holy State on his own.

The Emperor knew all this, but he spoke calmly.

“Make it happen,” he ordered. “One month. Be ready to travel to Noviens by then. You will go as my envoys, sent to celebrate the Holy State being under our control.”

“…But what if they say no? Or even if they agree, what if they don’t tell everyone it’s true?”

“Then Max will die because of them.”

The Emperor’s voice was cold. The three men’s eyes widened again, finally understanding.

“…If Jerome and the Inspection Department haven’t found the reason yet – and they were sent to do just that – then it’s very likely true.”

Galen Dicaid nodded, thinking of his nephew, Jerome.

“We can say we’re going to stop enemies of the Empire hiding in the Holy City, or that we’re envoys to celebrate. Either way, it’s a reason to get inside.”

Tris nodded, agreeing. But then, Chancellor Loctos spoke up, carefully reminding them of something important.

“…We don’t know for sure if the Serpent leader, the Archmage, will even be in the Holy State.”

It was a good question. But the Emperor just kept talking, his words surprising everyone.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s there or not.”

Loctos frowned, confused.

“The first thing you do when you get to the Holy City is take care of Cardinal Tracy. She’s always with the Pope.”

“What?!” Galen blurted out, forgetting to be respectful. Tris and Loctos stared, shocked.

“She’s the one controlling the Pope’s mind, it seems. Kill her and get the Pope. It doesn’t matter if the Pope becomes normal again or not. After that, we can control what happens in the Holy State.”

None of them questioned where the Emperor got his information. If the Emperor said it, it had to be true.

“Whether the Serpent people agree or not, we still win,” Loctos said. He admired the plan, but he also saw a problem.

“But if they *do* keep their promise, won’t Sword Soul and Sapsung be left out?”

Galen answered for the Emperor.

“Why would they be left out? If the Serpent people keep their word, we just go in as envoys to celebrate and cut off that woman’s head.”

A cold smile touched Galen’s lips. The Emperor stayed silent, showing he agreed completely.

Even though the Emperor’s silence showed his agreement, the Chancellor spoke again.

“But the real problem is if the Serpent leader *is* there. Sapsung lost many people before, so I’m worried.”

When he heard this, Galen, the mage from Sapsung, scowled.

“Ha! With Sword Soul going with us, what’s the problem? No Archmage can stand against us…”

“You will have help with that too,” the Emperor added.

“Yes?” Galen, who had been so sure of himself, looked at the Emperor, surprised. He quickly lowered his head, feeling the sudden coldness in the room. Everyone there knew what kind of “help” the Emperor meant.

“Then I feel better,” Chancellor Loctos said, finally smiling and nodding, relieved.

Galen couldn’t believe Loctos. He himself was arrogant to everyone else, but in front of the Emperor, he became small and quiet. The Emperor watched them all, a small, knowing smile on his face.

“My children are all useless,” the Emperor said. “None of them are good enough. So, the fight to be my heir is over.”

He had everyone’s full attention now. Then he said something even more shocking.

“Take over the Holy State. Get rid of those Black Serpent people. Make sure everything is strong and stable here at home. And right after that, I will start the ‘Great Plan’.”

The Great Plan. Everyone in the room knew what that meant. The small smiles they had faded, replaced by serious looks. But then…

“Finally…” one of them breathed.

“Is today the day?” another whispered.

“Haha!” The Emperor’s smile widened, and soon, the other three were smiling too, though their smiles were different now.

The Emperor waved his hand, a quick gesture.

“Remember everything and prepare well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

“Yes!” The three men turned to leave, feeling lighter now, when the Emperor’s voice, flat and emotionless, stopped them.

“Ah, Lord Tris, stay. I want to talk to you a bit longer.”

“…Yes,” Tris replied. The Continent’s Greatest Swordsman, now alone with the Emperor, turned back, a confused look on his face.

*Creak.* The heavy doors of the audience hall closed, leaving just the two of them alone.

“Is Jerome working with Baros right now?” The question seemed strange, especially when Tris was already so tense. But Tris answered right away.

“Yes, that’s right.”

*You know that, so why ask?* Tris wondered. *Is he just trying to talk like we used to, when we were younger?* Tris felt a little calmer, remembering those times. But then the Emperor spoke again, and his words were not what Tris expected.

“Things might not go as planned.”

His voice was different now, not like when the others were here – now it was full of doubt. Tris’s face tightened.

“The Serpent people or the Holy State might not agree to our reasons. They might not give in. If that happens, we need another plan. A reason they can’t argue with.”

*Why didn’t you say this before?* The question flashed in Tris’s mind, but he didn’t say it out loud. Instead, he asked what the Emperor wanted to hear.

“What should I do?” The Emperor smiled, a satisfied smile. Right or wrong, Tris had said the right thing.

“Tell Jerome to kill him.”

Tris didn’t understand at first. He asked carefully, “…Kill who?”

“Baros,” the Emperor said. His face showed no emotion at all as he ordered his own son killed.