The Story Of The Second Son Of The Baron Family [EN]: Chapter 75

“Are you Renil Dragnil?”

“That is correct, Your Highness.”

“Let me get straight to the point. Would you be willing to help me usher in a new era?”

To usher in a new era—indeed, it was a fitting opening remark for a young leader newly ascended to the highest position. Whatever the noun ‘new era’ might signify, it was by no means a trivial matter, coming from the mouth of one about to stand above all others.

“I am always doing my best for the peace and prosperity of the Empire.”

*What exactly does this new era mean?* When nothing is certain, the wisest course of action is to lie low and observe.

At least until something becomes clear. One might argue, why bother being cautious when the Third Prince has already gained dominance? But a small decision made at the top could bring about significant changes below. As someone deeply engrossed in serious contemplation, it was a natural choice for me, though it seemed not to be a satisfactory answer for the Third Prince.

“That is not the answer I was looking for.”

“My apologies, Your Highness, for my foolishness in failing to grasp your intent.”

“Haha. A curious jest. If the youngest mage to earn the title of ‘Mado’ [a high-ranking mage] is foolish, then who in this world could dare call themselves an intellectual!”

It seemed the Third Prince had no intention of letting me off easily, erecting a dam in front of my attempt to flow along smoothly. His attitude made it clear he intended to get an answer no matter what, so I would have to prod him. I had no desire to become a fish in his pond.

“Could Your Highness enlighten me about this ‘new era’ you envision?”

“Insolence! How dare you question His Majesty’s command!”

*Already His Majesty?* With justification, power, and control over the capital, the heart of the Empire, it would be no exaggeration to say that unless a meteor fell from the sky and devastated the capital, the future was already set.

Therefore, while I understood their actions, I couldn’t say I was pleased. Even a mongrel has its place in its own yard, but if a dog barks while you’re conversing with the owner, anyone would be annoyed.

“That’s enough. I did not ask you to speak.”

“…My apologies.”

“Your second answer is also not the one I desire.”

“No merchant pays for goods without seeing them first.”

“At the same time, I acknowledge that you are entitled to say such things, entitled to hear my goals. The new era I envision, as the Emperor of the Empire, has only one goal: Unifying the continent!”

From the Third Prince’s declaration of a grand undertaking that no one had ever carried out before, without a hint of hesitation, I could sense that it was not merely ambition to enhance his reputation. This young, ambitious new emperor genuinely intended to wage war across the entire continent.

Continental unification.

Although the Empire’s territory was nearly half of the continent and boasted the strongest national power, that was only as a single nation. The current peace existed in the delicate balance between the Empire and the remaining kingdoms.

If the Empire openly revealed its desire for continental unification, they would not simply sit idly by and be defeated. Moreover, the Empire had the Land of Monsters, a resource-devouring behemoth, at its rear.

If the Terra Barrier [a magical barrier protecting the Empire] were breached during a war for continental unification, the northern part of the Empire would be devastated. Therefore, even the Empire could not guarantee who the ultimate victor would be. And the Third Prince was surely aware of this.

“It is not an easy task. If it were, it would not have fallen to me. But if the entire Empire unites as one, nothing is impossible.”

“In that case, it would be better to meet with my teacher than with me. I am merely a mage affiliated with the Magic Tower and do not have the power to control the Empire’s mages.”

“Of course, your teacher, the Magic Tower Master, is an excellent mage. However, he is also a figure of the old generation. He is not suitable as the protagonist to usher in a new era.”

Through this conversation, I could clearly understand what the Third Prince wanted from me. However, it was not just that.

“And I have heard an interesting story about you. Something called the Titan Project?”

“…Where did you hear about that?”

“When one is in a high position, all sorts of stories come to one’s ears. Armin, was it? The name of your disciple.”

“I haven’t exactly taken him on as a disciple.”

If I weren’t in front of the Third Prince, I would have frowned and cursed. I had instructed him to keep it quiet, but I didn’t expect it to remain a secret forever. However, I never imagined that the Third Prince would take an interest and watch over it before it even started.

“Devote yourself to the Empire, and the Empire will provide for you.”

The hidden meaning was to spare no support and ensure the success of the Titan Project. He clearly knew at least the rough details of its content. However, I couldn’t rashly agree. Even if it was the word of the new emperor. The reason I was developing Titan was to save humanity from monsters, not to incite war among humans.

“May I ask one question?”

“You may.”

“Does the continent Your Highness speaks of include the Land of Monsters as well?”

Even the confident Third Prince hesitated to answer this question readily.

Whether it was the Titan Project or something else, the Third Prince asked me to do my best for the goal of continental unification, and I asked if that goal included the Land of Monsters. That implied that I could not join hands unless the Land of Monsters was dealt with.

Waging war against monsters in their own territory was as difficult as waging war against other kingdoms. The knights behind the prince frowned as they grasped that meaning. Nevertheless, because of what the prince had said earlier, they only glared at me with fierce eyes, but no one moved their lips.

“…Do you believe you are entitled to ask that question?”

*Entitled, entitled.* Didn’t he say I was entitled to be the protagonist of the new era? In other words, the Third Prince’s goal of continental unification did not include the Land of Monsters.

“Certainly, I alone would be insufficient. But by the time we begin the march towards continental unification, I believe I will be sufficient.”

“Oh?”

The Third Prince’s eyes lit up at my answer. I might be insufficient now, but I would be sufficient in the future. It was not difficult to see that the Titan Project would be involved in that process.

“Are you confident?”

“Theory and practice are different, but sometimes practice is better than theory.”

“…The Land of Monsters would be a sufficient battlefield for the new weapon. How can we achieve continental unification if we cannot even subdue the monsters?”

Not a bad answer. Produce results. Depending on those results, the northern part of the Terra Barrier would also become part of the Empire. Of course, since the criteria for success were ambiguous, it was impossible to know what would happen, but if it was something I had decided to do, the increased possibility alone was enough.

“You can look forward to it.”

“Great expectations lead to great disappointments. Do not disappoint me.”

#

Numerous people flocked to the coronation of the new emperor. It was only natural. The story of a new emperor ascending to the throne meant that the existing power structure was changing, and those who had seized power did not want what their hands were clutching to slip away like sand.

Especially in a situation like now, where the emperor was decided through a political struggle between princes rather than a normal succession. As soon as today’s coronation ended, the nobles who had sided with the other princes would be dealt with. If they didn’t want to add a line to that list, they had to come to the capital today.

Perhaps that was why the capital was busier, more bustling, and more chaotic than I had ever experienced. Regardless of whether they were nobles, knights, mages, merchants, or commoners, some were happy, some were regretful, some were worried, and some were even angry.

“You came?”

“Are you hurt anywhere? I heard there was a big commotion.”

“I was just inside the Magic Tower. What madman would touch the Magic Tower?”

My brother had also come to the capital to attend the coronation in place of my father. Ah, is ‘in place of’ the right way to say it? The Baron Dragnil was now my brother, not my father. It would be more accurate to say that the person who was supposed to come had come.

“That’s a relief.”

The coronation began when the sun was at its highest point. I don’t know what they were thinking inside, but most people were outwardly expressing cheers, congratulations, and joy. Of course, there were those who did not belong to that majority. The former princes, who had finally knelt and surrendered after the new emperor’s final warning, and the nobles who followed them, were among them.

It was understandable. Unlike their lives so far, they would have to live as quietly as mice from now on. They would not be able to properly enjoy the life of a noble, let alone the privileges they had enjoyed as royalty. It was not necessary to put into words what the end would be for those who could not hide their desire for the crown placed on the emperor’s head.

When the emperor sat on the throne and looked around, I quickly knelt and bowed my head, but what good would it do? The emperor’s eyes were not just the two on his face.

#

The first thing the new emperor, Darius IV, did as soon as he finished the coronation was to send troops to his half-brothers, who had not given up their resistance until the end. Sending numbers exceeding six digits to various parts of the Empire was not an easy task, but at least this time it was easy. The nobles who wanted to make a good impression on the new emperor brought troops and supplies on their own.

The difference in supplies and troops, and the difference in morale due to the emperor’s declaration that he would not hold them accountable for their arms and legs if they brought their heads themselves. It would not take long to suppress the forced rebellion.

And I, regardless of that, was preparing for the Titan Project. A small team with only two members. I was the team leader, and Armin was the team member. Judging by what he’s been doing lately, it seems like he’ll break through the 4th Circle wall soon, but there are those who spend years in that ambiguous state of almost breaking through, so I can’t guarantee it.

Anyway, the most important thing was to refine the theory. Theory and practice are different, but if the theory is not even complete, there is no need to look at the practice. It didn’t have to be perfect. No matter how perfect the theory is, there are loopholes in practice. As long as I could show the potential, feasibility, and results that the research would bring, I could consider the first step taken.

“Damn it. Are you crazy?! If you write the formula like this, it would be lucky if it doesn’t explode!”

“Even my nephew who just started learning magic could come up with this. Did I bring you here to come up with this kind of method? Think of a more innovative method!”

“Did you just sleep here? It seems like nothing has changed since you were at the Terra Barrier.”

Of course, the fact that imperfection was acceptable to me did not mean that it was acceptable to Armin. The standards were different. He would have to work hard day and night to meet the standards I wanted, but he wouldn’t complain since it was what he wanted to do, right?