Episode 91. Things to Confirm
Denying bloodline wasn't easy.
Clear evidence was needed.
It wouldn't dissuade the temple or any nobles.
Convincing the people was also difficult.
Hientri had long been a royal family within the empire.
The Emperor, who had never had an heir, saw a Prince, even if his mother's origins were humble.
The people of the empire were understandably agitated.
They believed the empire's future was finally secure.
The Prince born to Canary would be the sole legitimate heir and inherit the empire.
Of course, some argued that since Laxus's fertility had been confirmed, he should borrow a noble birthmark to bear a new child.
Many hoped that "noble birthmark" would be Renisha.
Laxus was a marriage breaker with many flaws: his personality, his insanity, and Renisha and Canary.
No sane parent would want to send their daughter into that situation.
Moreover, they couldn't find a legitimate successor in a government with a husband.
Consequently, most of the hardened old nobles hoped Renisha would remain in the palace and bear children.
Everyone's desires were gathered in this place.
Renisha glanced over the table.
"As always."
They were a selfish bunch.
They put themselves before others, or they insisted on their own standards without regard for others' disadvantages.
Renisha snickered.
This was the system.
It truly felt like she had returned to the system.
The foreign envoys seemed to have some sense of the mysterious atmosphere surrounding this table.
Of course, the sane ones couldn't help but be confused.
The Emperor is sitting next to the deposed Empress, not the Empress, and the Empress is sitting on the pedestal below them.
Some watched Canary, trembling with fear, like a caged monkey.
"This is truly a sight."
Renisha had wanted this seat, but...
Marquis Danvers used cunning words to sow discord between Canary and the Emperor to give this position to Renisha.
Canary had incited Duke Cloud to protect her...
Marquis Danvers had played a major role in making her think that way.
Cute Barbara might think it was all her own scheme, but it was all connected by a tightly woven web.
Renisha was the one holding the end.
Renisha smiled crookedly.
“Thank you all for coming such a long way. I’m also glad that the entire continent has gathered here to celebrate the Three Serpent Festival.”
It was the first time in a while that she spoke in a normal tone.
Laxus’s mood was high.
No, in fact, he was calmly submerged in the storm.
When Renisha said something like that, she definitely had some basis in belief.
Since it had some credibility, it would have stirred Laxus, and soon, it would materialize and strike him down.
Even Laxus had been somewhat aware of Renisha.
It was true that Hientri was the home of the three serpent gods.
The three serpent gods were born from Hientri and created the world.
Therefore, many scholars considered Hientri the center of the world.
This festival was being led directly by Hientri.
Surely Renisha would be here?
Even if so, he didn't want her sitting next to Kassius in front of everyone.
"Hientri, as the motherland that conceived and gave birth to the three serpent gods, will once again fulfill its weighty role. Enjoy yourselves. We have an honored guest from the Duchy of Pentacity!"
"Thank you for welcoming us, Your Majesty."
Denying bloodline wasn't easy.
Clear evidence was needed.
It wouldn't dissuade the temple or any nobles.
Convincing the people was also difficult.
Hientri had long been a royal family within the empire.
The Emperor, who had never had an heir, saw a Prince, even if his mother's origins were humble.
The people of the empire were understandably agitated.
They believed the empire's future was finally secure.
The Prince born to Canary would be the sole legitimate heir and inherit the empire.
Of course, some argued that since Laxus's fertility had been confirmed, he should borrow a noble birthmark to bear a new child.
Many hoped that "noble birthmark" would be Renisha.
Laxus was a marriage breaker with many flaws: his personality, his insanity, and Renisha and Canary.
No sane parent would want to send their daughter into that situation.
Moreover, they couldn't find a legitimate successor in a government with a husband.
Consequently, most of the hardened old nobles hoped Renisha would remain in the palace and bear children.
Everyone's desires were gathered in this place.
Renisha glanced over the table.
"As always."
They were a selfish bunch.
They put themselves before others, or they insisted on their own standards without regard for others' disadvantages.
Renisha snickered.
This was the system.
It truly felt like she had returned to the system.
The foreign envoys seemed to have some sense of the mysterious atmosphere surrounding this table.
Of course, the sane ones couldn't help but be confused.
The Emperor is sitting next to the deposed Empress, not the Empress, and the Empress is sitting on the pedestal below them.
Some watched Canary, trembling with fear, like a caged monkey.
"This is truly a sight."
Renisha had wanted this seat, but...
Marquis Danvers used cunning words to sow discord between Canary and the Emperor to give this position to Renisha.
Canary had incited Duke Cloud to protect her...
Marquis Danvers had played a major role in making her think that way.
Cute Barbara might think it was all her own scheme, but it was all connected by a tightly woven web.
Renisha was the one holding the end.
Renisha smiled crookedly.
“Thank you all for coming such a long way. I’m also glad that the entire continent has gathered here to celebrate the Three Serpent Festival.”
It was the first time in a while that she spoke in a normal tone.
Laxus’s mood was high.
No, in fact, he was calmly submerged in the storm.
When Renisha said something like that, she definitely had some basis in belief.
Since it had some credibility, it would have stirred Laxus, and soon, it would materialize and strike him down.
Even Laxus had been somewhat aware of Renisha.
It was true that Hientri was the home of the three serpent gods.
The three serpent gods were born from Hientri and created the world.
Therefore, many scholars considered Hientri the center of the world.
This festival was being led directly by Hientri.
Surely Renisha would be here?
Even if so, he didn't want her sitting next to Kassius in front of everyone.
"Hientri, as the motherland that conceived and gave birth to the three serpent gods, will once again fulfill its weighty role. Enjoy yourselves. We have an honored guest from the Duchy of Pentacity!"
"Thank you for welcoming us, Your Majesty."
She was one of the few female representatives.
She was the Princess of the Duchy of Pentacity.
While she held the right to the throne, she had several older brothers, making her position practically useless.
The Princess smiled.
"I'm thrilled to finally see the Emperor's majesty, something I've only heard of in stories. You seem like a young girl in puberty."
Renisha snorted.
Canary glared at the woman, who was laughing so easily, her face uneasy.
Canary finally understood.
No matter how crazy Laxus was, and even though Hientri was fading away, it was still one of only two empires in the world.
Even if the empire were to fall, would it fall this time?
Laxus would remain Emperor until his death.
Furthermore, Hientri was considered the motherland of the three serpent gods, and thus tended to be viewed with a higher regard than other nations.
In other words, Hientri possessed a certain status as a sacred nation.
Many women had their eyes on Laxus.
The succession hadn't yet been decided, and he was handsome.
While he was known for his eccentricities, he was a tempting prey to the monarchs of other nations. It was a far cry from what he had actually experienced.
To the monarchs of other nations, Laxus's story was nothing more than pleasant gossip.
They hadn't yet grasped the misfortune their daughters would face.
"Your Majesty, please call me when you have time. I have many questions about Hientri."
Still, she hadn't expected her to act so cheaply.
Renisha clicked her tongue.
The Duchy of Pentacity had amassed wealth through arms sales.
That meant they had money.
A Princess so proactive meant there could be internal problems.
For example, a succession war.
"The Prince of Pentacity was already nearing her death."
Even Renisha knew the story of the old man, with his white hair, pursuing a young woman right up until his death.
With five sons older than the Princess, it was impossible to predict what kind of bloodshed might rage between them.
Did Canary know all these vested interests?
"Renisha would be better than me. Princess Donata, after all, Renisha knows the palace better than I do. Plus, she's easier to talk to than me."
Princess Donata's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
To her, Renisha was nothing more than a rival.
Princess Donata had volunteered for this position. She'd heard that a foot-washing maid had become Empress, so she wanted to try her hand at becoming Princess Donata herself. If even a lowly person could become Empress, why couldn't Donata?
And yet, there was even a deposed Empress in the palace.
Crazy Hientri.
Still, that didn't mean she didn't covet the position.
The Third Prince, whom Donata had supported, had been completely deposed.
All that was left for Donata was the wrath of the Second Prince, who now held real power.
This is where we need to put the bone in.
Donata, her temper rising, spoke to Laxus again.
“But, I like Your Majesty better.”
“Haha.”
Laxus closed his eyes and laughed.
Another crazy person here.
“Why? Haven’t you heard my rumors? Renisha would be much easier to deal with.”
“I’ve heard of Your Majesty’s majesty. And I want to see for myself whether it’s true. Is he really the one they say he is?”
Quite a brave Princess.
And it was a welcome development for Renisha as well.
“Since it’s what the Princess wants, I think it would be good for Your Majesty to take the time.”
Renisha grinned, scratching at Laxus’s heart.
In this mad place, only one thing truly captured Renisha’s attention and heart.
Kassius.
Her knight, his gaze fixed on Renisha.
The nobles, overcome by Kassius’s terrifying presence, cowered like mice, unable to squeak.
In fact, the mere sight of Laxus, Renisha, and Canary was already suffocating, but Kassius, who was twice the size of an average man, was another. There were more than a few who wanted to run away from here.
“Ah, it’s been a while, Princess Gallus.”
“It’s an honor to remember me, Lady Renisha.”
Gallus trailed off, perhaps because of Renisha’s ambiguous position and the difficulty in addressing her.
“Just Lady Lottera would suffice. The position I held, for whatever reason, will not change.”
“Yes, Duchess Renisha,”
Gallus emphasized.
Two people were ostracized in this place.
Canary, who had become Empress despite not being worthy of it, and Kassius, rumored to have been born a slave with a sinister demeanor.
Renisha quite liked that.
Thanks to this, no one had any interest in Kassius.
In fact, Kassius was born as the successor of Hisham, a Yi tribe.
He was born with a higher birth than some nobles without even the right to the throne.
Perhaps it was the confidence that came from that that made Kassius neither particularly offended nor interested in the gaze of others.
Renisha relished the piercing gaze Kassius gave her.
He was a man who both cried and laughed at Renisha's words.
"The Three Serpent Gods will be pleased that Princess Gallus has graced this occasion. Is His Majesty at ease?"
"Of course."
Princess Gallus's eyes lit up.
"He hasn't forgotten the Duchess he met when he was a Prince, has he? He asked me to please forget about the time he confessed to you like a foolish youth."
The incident at the time was quite famous.
Everyone in Hientri knew that Prince Camderson, Gallus's older brother and now King, had fallen in love with the Empress of Hientri and recited passionate love poems.
Camderson was only eighteen at the time. He must have been around twenty-two now.
Everyone laughed it off as a childish act, but not Laxus.
In his madness, Laxus threatened to kill Camderson, and to save him, Renisha even used her own money to arrange an escape route.
Gallus had bravely brought up this story.
Renisha saw a spark of goodwill in Princess Gallus's eyes.
If that were true, it was safe to say that King Camderson's favor was also there.
There was a reason Renisha was present.
To step on Canary?
No. To ensure the seeds she had sown were growing well. Renisha had personally hosted the envoys over the years.
They were her staunch allies, and she needed support.
For Renisha to be recognized as the Emperor of Hientri, she also needed external support.
An Emperor who doesn't treat anyone is no Emperor.
Renisha was here to confirm their sincerity, and before they left, she thought, "I have to drive the nail in."
Of course, some, like Donata, were desperate to impress Laxus, but some were clearly on Renisha's side.
Renisha slowly turned her head and looked at Laxus.
Violet eyes, resembling violets, were fixed on her.
"Renisha. You still remember that day. Do you remember that, too? How did I beat that brat up?"
This time, Laxus's gaze turned to Kassius.
A sharp, possessive desire was evident.
She was the Princess of the Duchy of Pentacity.
While she held the right to the throne, she had several older brothers, making her position practically useless.
The Princess smiled.
"I'm thrilled to finally see the Emperor's majesty, something I've only heard of in stories. You seem like a young girl in puberty."
Renisha snorted.
Canary glared at the woman, who was laughing so easily, her face uneasy.
Canary finally understood.
No matter how crazy Laxus was, and even though Hientri was fading away, it was still one of only two empires in the world.
Even if the empire were to fall, would it fall this time?
Laxus would remain Emperor until his death.
Furthermore, Hientri was considered the motherland of the three serpent gods, and thus tended to be viewed with a higher regard than other nations.
In other words, Hientri possessed a certain status as a sacred nation.
Many women had their eyes on Laxus.
The succession hadn't yet been decided, and he was handsome.
While he was known for his eccentricities, he was a tempting prey to the monarchs of other nations. It was a far cry from what he had actually experienced.
To the monarchs of other nations, Laxus's story was nothing more than pleasant gossip.
They hadn't yet grasped the misfortune their daughters would face.
"Your Majesty, please call me when you have time. I have many questions about Hientri."
Still, she hadn't expected her to act so cheaply.
Renisha clicked her tongue.
The Duchy of Pentacity had amassed wealth through arms sales.
That meant they had money.
A Princess so proactive meant there could be internal problems.
For example, a succession war.
"The Prince of Pentacity was already nearing her death."
Even Renisha knew the story of the old man, with his white hair, pursuing a young woman right up until his death.
With five sons older than the Princess, it was impossible to predict what kind of bloodshed might rage between them.
Did Canary know all these vested interests?
"Renisha would be better than me. Princess Donata, after all, Renisha knows the palace better than I do. Plus, she's easier to talk to than me."
Princess Donata's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
To her, Renisha was nothing more than a rival.
Princess Donata had volunteered for this position. She'd heard that a foot-washing maid had become Empress, so she wanted to try her hand at becoming Princess Donata herself. If even a lowly person could become Empress, why couldn't Donata?
And yet, there was even a deposed Empress in the palace.
Crazy Hientri.
Still, that didn't mean she didn't covet the position.
The Third Prince, whom Donata had supported, had been completely deposed.
All that was left for Donata was the wrath of the Second Prince, who now held real power.
This is where we need to put the bone in.
Donata, her temper rising, spoke to Laxus again.
“But, I like Your Majesty better.”
“Haha.”
Laxus closed his eyes and laughed.
Another crazy person here.
“Why? Haven’t you heard my rumors? Renisha would be much easier to deal with.”
“I’ve heard of Your Majesty’s majesty. And I want to see for myself whether it’s true. Is he really the one they say he is?”
Quite a brave Princess.
And it was a welcome development for Renisha as well.
“Since it’s what the Princess wants, I think it would be good for Your Majesty to take the time.”
Renisha grinned, scratching at Laxus’s heart.
In this mad place, only one thing truly captured Renisha’s attention and heart.
Kassius.
Her knight, his gaze fixed on Renisha.
The nobles, overcome by Kassius’s terrifying presence, cowered like mice, unable to squeak.
In fact, the mere sight of Laxus, Renisha, and Canary was already suffocating, but Kassius, who was twice the size of an average man, was another. There were more than a few who wanted to run away from here.
“Ah, it’s been a while, Princess Gallus.”
“It’s an honor to remember me, Lady Renisha.”
Gallus trailed off, perhaps because of Renisha’s ambiguous position and the difficulty in addressing her.
“Just Lady Lottera would suffice. The position I held, for whatever reason, will not change.”
“Yes, Duchess Renisha,”
Gallus emphasized.
Two people were ostracized in this place.
Canary, who had become Empress despite not being worthy of it, and Kassius, rumored to have been born a slave with a sinister demeanor.
Renisha quite liked that.
Thanks to this, no one had any interest in Kassius.
In fact, Kassius was born as the successor of Hisham, a Yi tribe.
He was born with a higher birth than some nobles without even the right to the throne.
Perhaps it was the confidence that came from that that made Kassius neither particularly offended nor interested in the gaze of others.
Renisha relished the piercing gaze Kassius gave her.
He was a man who both cried and laughed at Renisha's words.
"The Three Serpent Gods will be pleased that Princess Gallus has graced this occasion. Is His Majesty at ease?"
"Of course."
Princess Gallus's eyes lit up.
"He hasn't forgotten the Duchess he met when he was a Prince, has he? He asked me to please forget about the time he confessed to you like a foolish youth."
The incident at the time was quite famous.
Everyone in Hientri knew that Prince Camderson, Gallus's older brother and now King, had fallen in love with the Empress of Hientri and recited passionate love poems.
Camderson was only eighteen at the time. He must have been around twenty-two now.
Everyone laughed it off as a childish act, but not Laxus.
In his madness, Laxus threatened to kill Camderson, and to save him, Renisha even used her own money to arrange an escape route.
Gallus had bravely brought up this story.
Renisha saw a spark of goodwill in Princess Gallus's eyes.
If that were true, it was safe to say that King Camderson's favor was also there.
There was a reason Renisha was present.
To step on Canary?
No. To ensure the seeds she had sown were growing well. Renisha had personally hosted the envoys over the years.
They were her staunch allies, and she needed support.
For Renisha to be recognized as the Emperor of Hientri, she also needed external support.
An Emperor who doesn't treat anyone is no Emperor.
Renisha was here to confirm their sincerity, and before they left, she thought, "I have to drive the nail in."
Of course, some, like Donata, were desperate to impress Laxus, but some were clearly on Renisha's side.
Renisha slowly turned her head and looked at Laxus.
Violet eyes, resembling violets, were fixed on her.
"Renisha. You still remember that day. Do you remember that, too? How did I beat that brat up?"
This time, Laxus's gaze turned to Kassius.
A sharp, possessive desire was evident.
"Why me?"
Renisha chuckled.
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