Chapter 208. The Revulsion (2)

"This seems beyond our power to resolve," Fayle said with a weary sigh, his gaze resting on his son, Caron. "We'll have to wait for your grandfather to return before making any decisions."

"Even so, we should start preparing," Caron replied.

"I agree," Fayle admitted.

Inside Fayle's office, six people had gathered, including Caron, Fayle, and Revelio.

Fayle swept his gaze over the others and asked, "You could have come to speak with me individually. What's the reason for this group visit?"

Hugo, Leon, and Leo—all of whom were his nephews—wore equally serious expressions as they looked back at Fayle.

"We thought it was time for us to contribute to the family," Hugo said. "If the four of us stand together, our voices will carry more weight, won't they?"

"Combining strength when the foundation is weak... That is an excellent strategy." Fayle's gaze settled on Hugo as he asked, "And you agreed to this, Hugo?"

Hugo gave a strained smile and nodded, then said, "I've benefited too much from Caron to refuse, Uncle Fayle."

"So, you've been thoroughly ensnared," Fayle said.

"...That's how it turned out," Hugo murmured, looking a bit embarrassed.

"A smart man like you... How did you make such a mistake?" Fayle shook his head with a sigh.

After Caron gave him the dew of the World Tree, Hugo had been left with no choice but to side with him. Without Caron's help, he would still be suffering the aftermath of breaking through to 7-Star.

Caron flashed a bright smile at his father, then said, "We've formed a new alliance called 'The Unfilial Brats.' We've agreed to combine our voices when important matters arise. I just thought you should know in advance, Father."

Once Halo returned to Azureocean Castle, Caron and Leo's Coming of Age Ceremony would soon follow. After their journey to the North Sea, both of them would officially gain the right to participate in family meetings.

"We can't let something like an arranged marriage without consent happen again, can we?" Caron added with a grin.

"It sounds like you're saying you want to wield influence over the family," Fayle said, his expression thoughtful. "I doubt your uncles will sit idly by."

"No, both uncles will just watch from the sidelines," Caron said with a smirk. "I warned them that if they mess with me, I'll bite them."

Settling into the chair across from Fayle, Caron's gaze shifted slightly toward Revelio. He murmured, "Keeping a prince around in times like these isn't exactly a wise decision."

"You're right," Fayle agreed, then personally poured a cup of tea for Revelio. It was the herbal tea imported from the Southern Great Forest.

Revelio took a sip, then exhaled softly and said, "The aroma is exquisite."

"I'm relieved it suits Your Highness' taste. It's thanks to my son that we were able to import such fine elven tea," Fayle said with a hint of pride.

"I've always enjoyed elven tea," Revelio replied with a small smile.

"Of course," Fayle said, nodding knowingly.

Revelio had grown up alongside Foina, so it was only natural that he would be familiar with the taste.

After placing his cup down, Revelio's gaze slowly swept across the room, taking in each person present. His eyes eventually met Leon's.

Leon looked back at him with a faint sigh, her expression tinged with regret. She, too, had now realized the reason Revelio had come all the way to Azureocean Castle.

"I'm sorry for being so cold to you, Your Highness," Leon said softly.

"Not at all, Lady Leon. I was the uninvited guest," Revelio replied with a faint smile.

With the emperor's life hanging by a thread, Revelio's decision to come to Azureocean Castle instead of returning to the Imperial Palace had been a matter of survival.

"I've heard rumors that the Crown Prince has been making moves lately," Fayle said, his voice low. "I've had my agents monitoring the situation, but I didn't expect things to be this serious."

Information about the emperor's health was considered a state secret, one that was to never leave the confines of the palace. No matter how vast the intelligence network of the Ducal Family of Leston was, obtaining accurate details about the emperor's condition was nearly impossible.

Fayle stroked his chin thoughtfully, then said, "His Highness the Crown Prince must have already completed his preparations to seize full control."

"Yes, that's right," Revelio replied with a slight nod.

"...The timing is not ideal," Fayle murmured. "So, while the imperial family is hunting down the Revanchist faction, they've been working on succession behind the scenes?"

"Most likely," Revelio said quietly.

"That's... problematic," Fayle said.

Crown Prince Iorn had never viewed the Ducal Family of Leston favorably. It was no secret why—his mother's family, Marquis Diaz, was a direct rival to them.

If the emperor died under these circumstances, Iorn would undoubtedly ascend the throne. And that was anything but good news for the Ducal Family of Leston.

"Your Highness," Fayle said, his voice low and firm. "As you are well aware, this matter is something the Duke himself will have to decide. The risk is too great."

The moment the Crown Prince became Emperor, protecting Revelio would become an exceedingly dangerous endeavor. Fighting against a crown prince was one thing, but going up against an emperor was an entirely different matter.

Revelio gave a small nod, his expression one of understanding, then answered, "Yes, I'm aware."

"And yet... You're still asking us to protect you?" Fayle asked, though he already knew the answer.

Revelio's request was clear. Once the coronation was complete, a purge would inevitably follow. Iorn's competitors for the throne would be quietly eliminated—starting with Revelio.

Unlike the other princes, who had powerful maternal families to protect them, Revelio had no such backing.

"I should clarify something first," Revelio said calmly, his voice steady. "I'm not asking the Ducal Family of Leston to make me the emperor. That would be an impossible favor."

His golden eyes gleamed with a sharp, calculating light as he said, "All I ask... is for you to buy me some time."

Caron studied Revelio's face closely. He knew that the Sixth Prince was a clever man. Whatever he was planning, Caron couldn't quite see through it. But one thing was certain—Revelio wasn't the kind of man to die without a fight.

"If the Imperial Magic Tower and the Ducal Family of Leston were to protect me," Revelio said, "then even my brother wouldn't be able to act recklessly. Am I wrong?"

Fayle finally understood why Revelio had waited until Caron arrived before making his move.

Revelio hadn't come to beg for protection. He had come to negotiate. And the party he wanted to strike a deal with wasn't the Ducal Family of Leston.

"Gaining the Magic Tower's support won't be easy, Revelio," Caron said, his tone laced with amusement.

"But you can make it happen," Revelio replied. "Having a capable little brother makes life so much easier."

"Well, I can't argue with that," Caron said with a shrug.

Revelio hadn't come to negotiate with the Ducal Family of Leston; he had come to negotiate with Caron Leston.

Caron took a sip of his tea, looking at Revelio. Then, in a low, almost lazy voice, he murmured, "What you really want... is to survive. Am I right?"

"Yes, for now," Revelio admitted, his smile faint.

"If the Ducal Family of Leston and the Magic Tower were to lend their support... Crown Prince Iorn wouldn't dare touch you," Caron said with his gaze sharpened. "But tell me, would that really be enough for you?"

A slow, sinister smile crept across Caron's lips.

Fayle knew that look all too well. He thought,

Caron must've thought of something insane.

It was the same smile Caron wore whenever he was about to cause trouble.

Caron set his cup down on the table with a soft

clink

, then tilted his head slightly.

"Let's go big," he said, his tone dripping with mischief. "You've come here to sell your bloodline, haven't you? Asking for mere protection feels... underwhelming. You should set your sights higher."

If they were going to make a deal, they might as well raise the stakes.

Caron's smirk deepened as he added, "I have a lot to offer you. Isn't that why you came to me in the first place?"

Revelio gave a dry chuckle, then nodded in agreement.

"What could my brilliant little brother possibly do for me?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I have a lot of very talented friends," Caron replied with a knowing smile.

If things went well, this could become a mutually beneficial deal.

Caron's grin widened as he locked eyes with Revelio.

***

One week later, the owner of Azureocean Castle returned.

"Take your seats," Halo said, gesturing toward his three sons.

Dales and his two brothers took their places without hesitation. There was one more person in the Duke's office, however.

It was Caron.

"I received a report from Caron," Halo began, his tone heavy. "Is it true that His Majesty's days are numbered?"

Fayle gave a solemn nod and replied, "Yes, according to the members of the Oceanwolf Knight Order stationed at the Imperial Palace, security is tighter than ever before."

"That is troubling," Halo murmured, his brow furrowing. "And what of Prince Revelio?"

"He is still staying in the guest quarters," Fayle replied quietly.

"A member of the Imperial bloodline residing in Azureocean Castle at a time like this... it's bound to stir up chaos," Halo said, his gaze narrowing. He looked at Fayle with a questioning glance. "You know this better than anyone. So, what is your reason?"

Although the question was directed at Fayle, it was Caron who jumped in to answer.

"May I speak on his behalf, head of the house?" Caron asked politely.

This was an official setting, so Caron referred to Halo by his formal title, not as his grandfather.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Halo, as if expecting this, gave a slight nod and said, "Go ahead."

"We cannot simply leave the imperial family unchecked," Caron said, his voice steady. "We need at least one person with our interests inside the power structure."

"That is a purely political reason, then," Halo said, his tone thoughtful. "Caron, I thought you despised politics."

"That doesn't mean I can ignore it," Caron replied calmly. "Now that remnants of the Malevolent Emperor have been discovered, it's possible they've already snuck their demonic monsters into the Imperial Palace."

When a new emperor ascended, the power structure would inevitably shift. And if Crown Prince Iorn, backed by Marquis Diaz, took the throne, he would undoubtedly seek to diminish the Ducal Family of Leston's influence in the capital.

In other words, the Duke's authority could be severely weakened.

But if agents loyal to the Malevolent Emperor were already embedded within the palace...

Caron had no intention of standing by and watching that happen. That was why he planned to support Revelio.

"The nobles in the capital already know that Prince Revelio has our backing," Caron said. "Even though the marriage proposal fell apart, no one can afford to disregard him.

"That's all it is, though. Under a new emperor, Revelio would be nothing more than a puppet. Protecting the powerless younger brother of a puppet emperor comes with its own burdens, does it not?" Caron said.

Crown Prince Iorn wasn't like the current emperor.

The reason the current emperor had remained in power was solely due to Halo's revolution. And as a result, the emperor had been forced to tread carefully around Halo his entire life.

But once Iorn ascended, that balance would crumble. He wasn't as fearful of the Ducal Family of Leston as his father. And given the nature of power, Iorn would eventually bare his fangs at the Duke's family.

That was why Caron believed they needed a means to keep the emperor in check. And to him, Revelio was the perfect candidate for that role.

"Tell me your plan," Halo said, his voice laced with curiosity.

Caron's eyes gleamed with anticipation as he began to explain, "I plan to establish diplomatic ties between the empire and the elves, beastfolk, dwarves, and even the giants—all the non-human races we have connections with through the Duke's family."

Relations between the empire and those non-human races had been severed since the Malevolent Emperor's reign. If those ties could be restored, it would be a significant achievement. While they didn't have the power to control the continent, their influence wasn't something that could be ignored.

"If Prince Revelio were to lead the empire in reestablishing diplomatic ties with the non-human races, wouldn't that be a remarkable achievement?" Caron said, his voice steady but filled with anticipation. "It would be the perfect gift to mark the new emperor's coronation."

"You're suggesting we let Prince Revelio take the credit," Halo replied, narrowing his eyes. "And what would we gain from that?"

"We would be able to place one of our own within the Imperial Palace—legally," Caron explained. "If we emphasized the significance of restoring relations with the non-human races, appointing Prince Revelio as the Minister of Foreign Affairs would be a natural progression. It wouldn't be difficult to secure that position for him."

"The position of Minister of Foreign Affairs is something we can change at will," Halo said, his tone skeptical. "If that's the case, we could install Revelio there right now. I fail to see why we need to go through such elaborate trouble."

"If we forcefully install him without any justification, the people of the empire will point fingers at the Ducal Family of Leston," Caron said calmly. "But if the prince earns merit and we highlight his achievements, the story changes."

Halo stroked his chin thoughtfully, his brow furrowing slightly as he said, "Give Prince Revelio a path to survival, plant our influence in the Imperial Palace, and win the people's support along the way... A deal with no downside, it seems."

"And eventually, the non-human races will need to establish ties with the empire," Caron added. "Only then can they stand with us when the time comes to fight."

"You're right," Halo said, his tone thoughtful.

Caron was sharp. He wasn't just looking at the immediate benefits; he was also thinking far ahead.

Halo's grandson was already preparing for a war that was bound to come.

The Demon Realm, a land filled with unspeakable evils. Caron was truly planning to set foot in that accursed place.

Halo slowly turned to look at his sons. Sweeping his gaze over them, he asked, "Does anyone object to Caron's plan?"

Caron, however, let out a strange growling noise. "Grrrrr..."

Perhaps that was supposed to be some kind of signal. Normally, his two uncles would have seized the opportunity to nitpick and drag the conversation out, but this time, they simply shook their heads.

"I have no objections," Dales replied.

"I think it's a solid plan," Raphael added.

Halo was certain that Caron had spoken separately with his sons while he was away.

On the surface, it's for the duchy, but he must have secured something for himself on the side,

Halo thought.

He was certain that his grandson had secured something for himself behind the scenes. After all, Caron was a cunning one who never engaged in a deal where he didn't come out ahead.

Still, whatever Caron had pocketed wasn't a matter of immediate concern, so Halo decided it was something he could investigate later.

For now, he gave a firm nod and instructed, "Draft a detailed plan and submit it in writing."

Caron's lips curled into a grin as he turned to Fayle and said, "Father, you heard that, right?"

"...Sigh," Fayle exclaimed.

Caron was always quick to dump tedious tasks such as paperwork onto others.

With the matter of Revelio settled, Halo wasted no time moving on to the next topic. His expression grew solemn as he said, "Given the current circumstances, we can't delay this any longer."

His gaze shifted to Caron, his voice dropping to a low, commanding tone. "The reason I summoned you all as soon as I returned... was to begin the Coming of Age Ceremony for Caron and Leo."

The Coming of Age Ceremony was the most significant rite for the bloodline of the Ducal Family of Leston, and now, that moment was upon them.