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Evergrant was left alone at the top of Orbis’s Tower after Kaisen left.
“Going back to work is fun.” The magic curtain in the corner morphed and spat out a human. He shared the same unmistakable golden eyes and hair as the more vulgar Kaisen: Kaiser von Britten, fourth prince of the Empire of Avalon and Joshua’s murderer.
“Are you certain your brother will act as you predicted?”
Kaiser nodded. “I can’t be one hundred percent certain… but as long as he believes that you mean well, he won’t think there’s anything to lose. Why wouldn’t he do it?” A smile danced on the fourth prince’s lips. “Of us brothers, Kaisen is the most attentive.”
“But Brutus was the one who spread slander, not Cairo.”
The predecessor of the Avalon Empire was known as the Allied Powers of Arcadia. Its first king was Brutus. He claimed the throne through a menagerie of tricks, but his children used the same tricks to seize the throne from him when he grew old. On the other hand, King Cairo was one of the best kings in history; his rule saw Arcadia in control of nearly half the continent.
“There is a certain phrase that often comes up in books when they discuss monarchy.”
“Oh?”
“‘The success or failure of a leader’s policies depends on how well he can control his own desires.’ Kaisen goes one step further—he wields the desires of others to his advantage.”
Evergrant found it rather surprising that Kaiser would evaluate his brother so highly.
“If Duke Tremblin is not an ally of Kiser, then this should be a pretty easy fight.”
The wizard found himself surprised once again. Duke Tremblin was as powerful as Duke Agnus, but Trembling was clearly aligned with the first prince. That wouldn’t be a big problem, except that Duke Tremblin had some powerful backers as well.
“Of course, we were in a much better place.”
“Have you considered the future at all?”
“Focus on the big picture, not the details. If you face multiple foes, the best plan is to work with the weaker enemy to take out the stronger one first. In this case, that means helping Kaisen gain the momentum he needs—but, as you can tell, I’m too weak for that.”
There was another player in this game, but that was old news at this point. Everything that was happening right now was just a test for Prince Kaiser.
“It’s impossible to achieve with a ahead-on approach, but we may be able to sway them in a more roundabout method… Let’s make his heart pound a little, for example. The more competition there is, the more chances I will have. I will need your help for that, Sir Evergrant.”
“I will give it my all.”
“It’s time to set the stage.” Kaiser smiled. “This is my chance to knock down Kaisen and earn Kiser’s trust.”
“Yes, I’ll make sure the preparations go smoothly. However… the Imperial palace has been quite noisy these days. I’m afraid that if he comes back, our plans will be disrupted.”
The prince’s smile stiffened. Only one man got that much attention in Arcadia.
“…Joshua Sanders.”
“His Majesty personally summoned him—and it doesn’t seem to be for punishment. You should be careful around him. I first met Joshua Sanders when he was quite a bit younger,” Evergrant mused. “I’ve never felt anything else quite like it. If we can’t control him… then it’s better to destroy him,” the wizard advised1.
“Yes… Indeed.”
Evergrant sighed regretfully. Joshua Sanders was a one-of-a-kind talent, the kind that blew away all expectations, but he’d grown too big. Trying to control him now would be like trying to break a wild horse.
“So we don’t need him on our side after all…” Kaiser seemed genuinely saddened. “A man with no blood on his hands. I’m sure the nobles hated his guts, given how he threatened their interests.”
“As you say.”
“Can you explain to Joshua Sanders what Kaisen wants to do?”
After a moment of thought, Evergrant’s eyes lit up. “If he makes it to the Imperial palace in time, yes.”
“I apologize for saddling you with so much work.”
“It’s nothing. And… in the meantime, I will have to take care of the matter concerning the Magic Tower.”
“Ah… Isn’t it too early?”
“I have a feeling I may be too late. I need to move forward so that you, my prince, can move in the shadows more easily.”
“You will support Kaisen in the open?”
“Yes. It’s better to do it that way so those clever old men will have fewer doubts. Also, if the second prince loses, an assistant would probably be spared.”
“Hmm…”
“Do not fret,” Evergrant reassured him. “On that day, I, Evergrant von Aswald, will stand at the side of Your Majesty as Master of the Magic Tower.2”
“I’m not worried. I trust you, Lord Evergrant, more than anyone else.”
Evergrant bowed his head gently.
“I’ve been in your way for too long. Rest.” Kaiser stood up.
“I hadn’t thought about it before,” Evergrant interrupted, “But, Your Majesty, do you think Brutus or Cairo was the better king?”
“I’m not sure if this answers your question, but… If I had to choose one as a role model…” The prince grinned. “Heimdal. I want to be like him.”
The northern winds gusted over the cliff.
Ash pointed to a white flower dangling precariously on the edge. “The flower of oblivion, Sanders.”
The elf took Joshua’s silence for fear and gave him a triumphant look.
“You can still back out. Why not turn back? Surely you don’t think you’re as strong as I am, do you? Just let me wear the obsidian earring. Come on.” He waved his little fists around. “Anti-magic field, dragon’s fear—how do you know these things? Am I just supposed to give you the medicine and trust you to not ruin things?”
Joshua ignored his contradictory statements and held his finger up to his lips. “Shh. Do you want to be punished by heaven, noisy child?”
Ash visibly trembled.
Is he really a god?
Joshua chuckled and turned his attention back to the cliff’s edge.
Sanders… The flower of oblivion and the last component of Sersiarin’s elixir. Tripia was the only place it grew.
“Just in case, you do know what Sanders’ side effects are, right? Even if the cure works, the side effects can’t be countered.”
“I know.”
“Then…” Ash saw the somber look in Joshua’s eyes and trailed off. “…Oh. I’m sorry.” He ducked his head.
The baron smiled bitterly. He didn’t need Ash to tell him; he was already well aware of Sanders’s side effects.
Anyone who touched the flower would lose their memories. This was why wizards were so afraid of the faintly magical flower. No one could tell how much memory would be lost; long ago, superstition held that even smelling it would wipe away all memories of your family.
So Sersiarin would lose her memories along with the curse.
“Everything has a price. That’s equivalent exchange.”
It was ironic, though. Sersiarin once told him, in his past life, that in the language of flowers, Sanders meant—
The rumbling growl of an animal demanded Joshua’s attention.
“C-C-Creva—” Ash clapped his hands over his mouth.
Joshua slowly turned around and was greeted by a mass of tan. It didn’t take him long to figure out that it was the eye of the strongest being in the world.
He quietly reached for mana.
TL/N: I think the same premise when Joshua is killed in TL1… It’s because he’s accomplished much more than Kaiser so that little beta bitch decided to yeet Joshua into oblivion ↩️
ED/N: And do you, Kaiser, take Evergrant to be your husband? Do you promise to be faithful to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and honor him all the days of your life? ↩️