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The Emperor of Ilnord silently stared at the mural covering the wall of his chamber.
More precisely, he was glaring intensely at the dragon within the mural.
"So you're seriously going to side with Promian?"
The dragon's power had been sealed.
To reclaim it, the dragon needed to return to its contractor, him.
But ever since the dragon had gone to Promian, there had been no word, no sign.
There were two figures who had always triggered a deep sense of inferiority in him since his youth.
One was the Archmage Sherina.
The other was the dragon who was supposed to protect him.
The dragon had clearly looked down on him.
There was no mistaking that look in its eyes.
That's why, instead of shrinking away, he had been determined to one day break that gaze, to dominate it.
"Why does the dragon ignore the contract?"
He too wanted to disregard it, but he couldn't.
He ground his teeth in frustration, barely containing his disgust.
He needed the dragon.
That's why he had gone so far as to trap the dragon, successfully sealing Luciel's power!
And yet, even then, the dragon refused to yield.
At this rate, there was no chance of changing the dragon's heart.
Eventually, the only option left would be to forcibly enforce the contract.
To do that, he'd have to use the red eyes, the symbol of Ilnord's unshakable legitimacy, to subjugate the dragon.
The problem was… that method was still far out of reach.
His own eyes lacked the deep red hue.
That meant the coercive power of the contract was weakening.
He needed a way to strengthen the contract with the dragon.
Staring into the mirror for a long time, the emperor finally couldn't hold back and spoke.
"Have you still not found a way to make my eyes turn red again?"
He addressed the chamberlain standing quietly behind him.
That chamberlain, in truth, had been entrusted with a highly secretive mission.
To protect a secret that could never be leaked, he'd disguised himself all this time as the emperor's loyal servant.
In reality, his true role was to develop a magic that would strengthen the emperor's legitimacy using counterfeit magic stones.
He had been searching for a way for a long time.
Of course, simply turning the emperor's eyes red was meaningless.
The red eyes had to react to the blood of the Ilnord royal family, manifesting true and powerful legitimacy.
"Didn't you say you were experimenting with a method using counterfeit magic stones?"
"...Yes, Your Majesty. The experiment I previously mentioned... it did produce the result you desired."
"Truly?! Then why haven't you told me until now?!"
The emperor's eyes widened with greedy excitement.
"I could not speak carelessly, Your Majesty. While we did achieve a result… the cost is something I'm not sure you could bear."
What he meant was that strengthening the emperor's legitimacy came at a significant price.
The emperor looked at the chamberlain and spoke calmly.
"You speak nonsense. I don't care what the cost is."
"Are you saying you'll accept any price?"
"Yes. As long as it lets me place an unbreakable shackle on the dragon."
"Then I shall tell you."
At the emperor's firm response, the chamberlain finally opened his mouth, as if resolute.
Already, the emperor's face was glowing with anticipation he could no longer hide.
"If the legitimacy fades… you simply need to add more of it."
"I'm asking you how it's done."
The Emperor pressed impatiently.
"When you add one and one, doesn't it become two?"
The answer was simple and direct.
"What are you suddenly going on about?"
"It's the same principle. If a single bloodline isn't enough to solidify legitimacy, then you add another."
"…"
The emperor blinked slowly.
He finally began to grasp what the chamberlain was implying.
"Your Majesty needs someone who can supplement Ilnord's royal legitimacy."
The chamberlain hadn't said it outright, but it was more than enough.
Add one to one. Legitimacy. A person.
Put all those pieces together, and there was only one possible conclusion.
Take the blood of someone who carries the royal lineage of Ilnord.
The implication was clear…
"You said you'd be willing to pay any price, Your Majesty… but it's only natural you'd hesitate at this."
"…"
"If you ever make up your mind… then call for me again…"
He was about to say that, but the emperor's decision came first.
"Understood."
"...Pardon?"
"If that level of sacrifice will strengthen the contract with the dragon, then so be it."
"Are you saying…?"
"Prepare it. I'll bring the necessary offering myself."
"As you command."
The chamberlain withdrew.
Left alone, the emperor sank into thought.
"The blood of the royal family of Ilnord…"
The moment he heard those words, one face immediately came to mind.
There was no hesitation.
If it meant regaining the red in his eyes, it was worth the cost.
"Though… bringing in the offering may be a bit troublesome."
Just as the emperor muttered under his breath.
"Your Majesty."
A knock came from the door, followed by the voice of the crown prince.
"Enter."
The emperor scowled at the crown prince, making no effort to hide his displeasure.
Their relationship had soured due to a recent incident.
"What is it? If you're here to whine again-"
"No, Your Majesty. I came because I've reflected on my mistakes."
"Reflected?"
"I acted rashly last time. It was a moment of fear and weakness. Please punish me as you see fit."
The crown prince bowed deeply, both hands clasped in front of him, his head lowered.
Unlike his usual demeanor, he seemed humble and sincere.
The emperor, raising one corner of his mouth, finally spoke.
"Looks like you've actually done some thinking for once."
"I regret not being of more help to Your Majesty."
"Enough."
The emperor raised his arm, about to dismiss him.
But then.
"I know what it is Your Majesty needs right now."
A flicker crossed the emperor's eyes.
It was a glint mixed with desire and killing intent.
"What I need, is it…"
The air around the emperor crackled with menace, as if he might lunge and wring the crown prince's neck at any moment.
Sensing this, the crown prince bowed deeply, pressing his body low to the floor in submission.
"If what Your Majesty desires is my life, then I offer it in atonement."
"...Are you serious?"
The emperor's pressure eased slightly, though suspicion still lingered in his narrow gaze.
"Yes."
The crown prince answered without a hint of wavering.
The emperor's eyes narrowed further, and a cold smirk tugged at his lips.
"So… what's your next line? That's the real thing you came here to say, isn't it?"
The emperor had seen through him.
But the crown prince didn't falter, he had expected this.
"I truly mean it when I say I'll offer my life. But… there is a better option. That's why I speak."
"You mean Serdin?"
"Yes. If what you need is royal blood to restore legitimacy, Serdin is a more suitable choice."
The emperor knew what the crown prince was suggesting.
Serdin's red eyes.
But that was in the past, from when he was a child.
"That brat's eyes have long since changed. Not a trace of red left."
Now his eyes were so dark, no hint of the red remained.
So, it couldn't be said that Serdin's blood was purer than the emperor's or crown prince's.
The crown prince slowly raised his head, carefully speaking.
"But… the reason that child's eyes were red…"
He didn't finish his sentence. He must not finish it.
Yet the emperor's face had already twisted into a savage expression.
"How insolent."
"…"
"As much as I want to punish your impertinence… you're right. If royal blood is needed, then Serdin it is."
At that, the crown prince dropped to his knees before the emperor and declared.
"I will offer Serdin to Your Majesty!"
***
After his private audience with the emperor, the crown prince returned to his chambers.
"You're back."
The empress was waiting for him.
"I'll lead the charge in the coming war. I'll carry out the plan as agreed."
He spoke with solemn resolve, as if swearing an oath.
"You've made up your mind, then?"
"Yes. This time… I truly understand what must be done."
"Good."
The two exchanged a meaningful glance, their conversation laden with deeper intentions.
***
Serdin stepped into the small garden in front of his room in Promian.
It was the place where, as a child, he used to wait for secret letters from Ilnord.
About a year after arriving in Promian, the magic circle had been destroyed, leaving no trace.
Since then, he had purposely avoided even looking in that direction.
But now, he had come here.
- "Hugo, we have to go, now."
"Your Highness, I won't be going with you."
"What?"
"There will come a time when I'll be of more help by staying here. Please don't worry about me."
"What are you talking about? It's too dangerous! I won't be able to contact you at all!"
"Actually… I found a way to contact you."
"...How?"
"Do you remember the old magic circle that used to send you secret messages from Ilnord? The one that got destroyed?"
"Yeah… but?"
"It turns out, Ilnord still kept their side of the circle intact. They probably planned to restore it when it suited them."
"No way… You're using that?"
"Yes. I'll use that magic circle to keep you updated on Ilnord's situation."
With that, Hugo left him.
Serdin had felt uneasy ever since they couldn't leave together, but recently Hugo had indeed succeeded in restoring the destroyed magic circle.
Serdin had secretly sent a letter to Hugo.
And as he waited for a reply, light emerged from the magic circle, a letter had arrived from Hugo.
Hugo had truly sent back the exact information Serdin needed.
Thank you.
Thanks to you, I finally know exactly what I need to do in this war.
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