CHAPTER 154
The Little Giant.
That was the moniker given to the 1st Princess, Perasis Gladion.
Her accomplishments were so numerous that a single book wouldn't be enough to list them all.
For instance, the Gladion Empire’s recent success in restoring amicable relations with other nations was thanks to Perasis identifying and resolving the issues between them.
Because of her efforts, the deteriorating Astrape Federation had been solidified once more.
That alone was proof of her skill and capability.
Her self-confidence must have stemmed from such achievements.
There was a reason she was being discussed as the first potential Empress.
“Your Highness Perasis.”
Just then, a man appeared from behind her.
A man whose entire body was covered in weapons.
It was a strange sight, that a man dressed like that could walk around the Imperial Palace.
The Armament Lord.
Beltemon.
He was Perasis’s trusted confidant and bodyguard.
“Even if they are guests of the Imperial Family, the times are what they are. I would ask you to refrain from running ahead.”
“Hmm, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Perasis replied curtly to his polite request.
Then, she strode confidently to the head of the table and sat down.
“Well then, shall we get to the point before my little brother arrives?”
How direct.
She was fully aware of my connection to the 2nd Prince, yet her attitude was brazen.
Were all royals this shameless?
But shamelessness looks different when backed by such confidence.
It comes across as faith in oneself.
“The Imperial Family is currently fighting over the throne, with His Majesty the Emperor’s passing imminent.”
“Your Highness Perasis.”
Even when Beltemon shot her a warning glance, Perasis just grinned.
“What’s the point in hiding it now? It’s a fact that everyone who needs to know already knows. Trying to cover the sky with the palm of your hand is a fool’s errand.”
As Perasis said, we all knew the Emperor’s final day was not far off.
“Your Highness, I should tell you in advance, but Resurrection magic cannot revive one whose natural lifespan has ended.”
I said, just in case, but Perasis only laughed heartily.
“What of it? His Majesty has lived a full life. What can be done if he passes away at an age befitting him? There is no reason to defy the will of the heavens.”
Her words bordered on sacrilege, but she clearly had no lingering attachment to the Emperor’s life.
It was just…
“The problem is the final words His Majesty will leave behind.”
“His final words, you say?”
“His Majesty has grown frail. Is it not possible that he might misspeak?”
Beside her, Beltemon let out a sigh.
It was only natural, as those were not words one would expect to hear from a princess.
And it was even more so when I considered her motives for saying such things in front of me.
“Are you implying that His Majesty might say something he shouldn’t?”
When I asked if I had heard her correctly, a slow smile spread across Perasis’s lips.
The moment I saw that smile, I wondered if this woman was sane.
“...In case you’ve forgotten, I’m an outsider.”
“Hmm, that you are. But you have already heard the story.”
This woman, saying whatever she pleased.
She must have already investigated Aigis, Aranseol, and Ririran as well.
The people in this room were the ones leading this era.
“So, you are no longer outsiders, are you?”
She had deliberately and forcibly dragged us into this situation.
And this was also a threat directed at me.
It was a question: The people by your side are now involved. Are you just going to stand by with your arms crossed?
“Ha.”
A dumbfounded sigh escaped my lips.
Right, she may look young, but she was a cunning old snake who had survived in the Imperial Palace.
The moment she brought us here, she had laid a trap.
Of course, I could just cover my ears and ignore it.
But this was merely a check from Perasis.
She wouldn't have played all her cards just yet.
At this point, a complicated war of words was pointless.
“What do you want from me?”
I was busy enough as it was.
It was better to get to the conclusion quickly.
At my response, Perasis’s lips curled into a smirk.
“I like you.”
“I haven’t lived my life trying to please the 1st Princess.”
“Including that part. There are very few who can speak to me like that.”
As proof, Beltemon was glaring at me with a murderous look in his eyes.
I had already been backstabbed, so I had no intention of being polite to the Princess.
If she was going to be like that, I saw no reason to show her any courtesy.
Besides, I was a Transferee with no citizenship in this world.
A Transferee should act like a Transferee.

“The reason I told you this story is simple. In the past, His Majesty the Emperor was a magnificent warrior on the battlefield.”
“The battlefield? Are you talking about the war 60 years ago?”
“Correct.”

The war against the Transferees.
The current Emperor, back when he was a prince, was vigorous enough to fight on the front lines himself.
“It’s a shameful past, but we underestimated the Transferees’ strength, and Gladion fell.”
Perasis leaned back in her chair, slowly swinging her long legs, which seemed disproportionate to her body.
“And the current Emperor was taken as a prisoner of war.”
My eyes widened at her next words.
I had understood her implication in an instant.
“Don’t tell me.”
“The Black Dawn of the past.”
Perasis tapped a finger on the armrest of her chair.
“The Sin of Wrath, Asheria Eve, was also there.”
Goddammit.
Asheria Eve.
Knowing her brainwashing abilities, my face instantly hardened.
Asheria Eve could stir a person’s brain as she pleased.
Naturally, implanting new perceptions was something she could do with ease.
“Of course, it’s possible she didn’t implant any particular brainwashing into His Majesty.”
This was all just a hypothesis.
The Emperor was a man who received the best treatment in the world.
He naturally had dedicated holy mages and priests, and his health was always carefully monitored.
“Any brainwashing could have been dispelled long ago.”
About 60 years.
If you include the war period, it was a much longer time than that.
“His Majesty the Emperor is already old. In fact, he’s at an age where it wouldn’t be strange for him to spout nonsense at any time.”
It would be difficult for the Emperor, who had lived through so much, to possess the same sharpness of mind as before. Many brilliant commanders in history became senile in their old age.
So, the Emperor could very well be speaking nonsense of his own volition, not because of brainwashing.
“However.”
Perasis slowly rested her chin on her hand and tilted her head.
“After His Majesty names a legitimate heir and passes away, do you think the imperial candidates who know this fact will simply stand by?”
Hearing her next words, I understood what she was trying to say.
She listed the possibilities in a slightly playful voice.
“‘The former Emperor was brainwashed by the Sin of Wrath! The heir is not legitimate; they are a traitor!’”
Perasis’s statement was purely hypothetical.
But the moment someone uttered those words, it was obvious what would happen to the country.
The fact that the Emperor had been played by the Sin of Wrath was already a problem, but now the succession itself would become uncertain.
Each faction would clash with all their might, championing different arguments.
“This generation of imperial candidates is one of the most outstanding in history.”
The 1st Prince, the 2nd Prince, and the 1st Princess.
Three individuals, each brilliant enough to maintain their own powerful faction, had emerged.
And that created the worst possible hand.
“Furthermore, all three are individuals who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.”
For three people whose sole objective was the throne, becoming Emperor was everything. If they couldn't have it, they truly wouldn't hesitate to use any means necessary.
Even if it meant tearing the country into three pieces, they would fight to the bitter end.
“It would be fine if His Majesty made no pronouncement, but if he does, the Empire will surely collapse.”
A fierce political battle between the princes and the princess.
The one to be shattered by that fight would be the Empire itself.
“That is the future of this country.”
I remained silent after hearing Perasis’s words.
I knew there would be problems concerning the throne.
I knew Black Dawn would exploit the Imperial Family’s issues.
But the situation was far more dire than I had imagined.
“...What do you think are the chances that His Majesty was actually brainwashed by Asheria Eve?”
“Quite high. Though, in the end, only that woman and His Majesty would know for sure.”
Damn it all.
This world just couldn't seem to function properly.
The hypothesis alone was a headache.
Conversely, even if I considered a different hypothesis, there was no way out.
“What on earth do you expect from me, telling me all this?”
Frankly, this was a story that should never be revealed to an outsider.
What’s more, I had three companions with me.
We had been forcibly dragged into this.
“I am aware that you have been fighting against Black Dawn until now. I, too, hold that fact in very high regard.”
I had already experienced the reach of the Imperial Family's intelligence network with the 2nd Prince.
I knew from the start that she would have thoroughly investigated me.
“You must also know that Black Dawn wishes for the Imperial Family to be torn apart.”

As she said, I had already anticipated it.
Black Dawn would surely cause an incident at that very moment.
“There is only one way to save the Empire.”
Perasis declared with an utterly serious expression.
Is there really a way?
She was a woman who had built up enough achievements to be considered the first Empress.
Perhaps she really did have a solution.
“What is it?”
At my earnest question, Perasis promptly rose from her seat with vigor.
Then, she struck her own chest with a thump.
“It is for me to become the Emperor!”
For fuck's sake.
Seeing my soured expression, Perasis’s lips curled into a wide grin.
“Why? Do you not find me reliable?”
“It’s not a matter of reliability. Didn’t you say it yourself? That the two princes would never stand by and do nothing.”
“True. But that’s only if His Majesty speaks nonsense due to being brainwashed.”

I was just saying that that was the problem, so what was she talking about?
As I stared at her with a dumbfounded expression, Perasis smiled as if to give me a hint.
“Why do you think I am telling you this story? You possess a unique advantage, do you not?”
An advantage I possessed.
Resurrection magic.
“I have heard of the effects of Resurrection magic. It is said that it can even restore those whose minds have been broken.”
“Well, yes, but.”
It had not yet been confirmed whether it could cure brainwashing.
Then, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
The target who might currently be under brainwashing.
An individual for whom it was enough to simply claim the brainwashing was cured through Resurrection magic, without it needing to be true.
“...Don’t tell me.”
I finally understood what this person was talking about.

A chilling smile formed on Perasis’s face.
Seeing that smile, a shiver ran down my spine.
I realized just how insane this woman was.
“His Majesty will meet his end a little sooner than his natural lifespan would dictate.”
The possibility that the Emperor had been brainwashed.
To eliminate that possibility, she intended to use Resurrection magic.