On the roof of the royal palace, two dark shadows could be seen running sneakily towards one of the secluded courtyards.
Arriving on top of a courtyard, one of them asked, "Are you sure he is in here?"
"Shush! Are you trying to get us killed?" The other man, whose voice was laced with age, rebukes his partner, "According to the information, he should be here."
"Who?" A voice asks, seeming out of place.
"The Crown Prince Jircniv…" The elder stopped speaking as a drop of sweat rolled down his face. He knew his partner's voice and the voice that responded was not it.
Turning his head, he was shocked to see a young blond boy standing there with his partner's head resting in his hand while the body just laid there, clearly dead. The boy's purple eyes shone like demonic allures in the night.
Though clearly a boy, the pressure exuded dwarfed even the strongest of men. Though clearly human, something in those eyes sent chills down his spine. They weren't human!
"When…did…you." The man trembled, shuttering as he knew he was doomed. To be able to sneak up on them without so much as a sound, it was clear they were no match.
"Mhmm, I seem to be more powerful than I thought. Killing someone should have caused some reaction but I did not seem to mind it. I have always had a weak disposition to blood but that seems to change." Looking at the severed head in his hand, Jircniv did not feel his hand nor heart tremble, "Have I transcended humanity? What a disturbing thought."
Standing before the old man, Jircniv eyes bore into the shivering man before him with indifference, "Who sent you to kill me?"
Shuttering his words, the old man knelt down and begged, snot dripping from his nose, "Please…forgive me.. I don't know.. we just received a mission and came here..please don't kill me."
Not even looking at the man, Jircniv separated his head with his hand.
Jircniv sighed, "I thought I would get more information than my last life but it seems it's the same. Not long from now, this peaceful life will become full of blood. Must the past repeat?"
Disappearing from the roof, Jircniv appeared in his room as if nothing happened. His clothes were immaculate, not even a speck of blood was on it.
My speed seems to have reached a frightening level. I was able to jump and scale the palace in mere seconds. I also notice my skin seems oddly more durable but flexible than before. Perhaps, I should learn the sword?
Jircniv never practiced the sword and never thought to. This is not because he didn't tried, it's because he had no talent for it
Plus, considering his schedule, it would be hard to include it and become proficient. But now, he has a chance.
Taking his clothes off, he tosses them into the furnace inside his room. Though there was no blood on it, you can never be too sure. He would have liked to destroy the bodies but that was of no concern. As long as no evidence pin him to their deaths, he was in clear.
Walking to his bed, Jircniv went to sleep while thinking of his plans. All the knowledge he learned throughout his life is still there, so there is no need to waste time. He needs to obtain the throne immediately.
His Father, Emperor Versailles Khan Maximus Axil El-Nix was not a good ruler, he was too weak willed and easily coerced to do things. An Emperor like that made the empire a laughingstock of the other nations.
After he became Emperor, all those voices no longer sing. Though bloody, Jircniv was aware that while the nobles did not like him, the same could not be said about the commoners. His acceptance rate was very high amongst the people.
Perhaps it will be in my best interest to kill my Father? Or should I use a more peaceful approach? Mhmm, I will try peace first, if that doesn't work, I will just endure the loss of a Father I never had.
(Next day)
Walking through the palace, Jircniv was wearing his royal robes and golden bracelets on his arms. Two golden rectangle earrings dangled from his ears.
Following him are his entourage of servants and personal guards. Though they were his subordinates, he felt no loyalty from them.
They were chosen by his Father, so it would be stupid to assume they held loyalty to him. Most of them were perhaps angry they had to serve him instead of the Emperor.
There are two reasons for one to appoint guards for someone, one is protection and the other is control. He did not need them since they might interfere in his plans but since he has to hide his power, they would serve as a good shield.
Today's course of action was meeting with his Father. If his Father can be talked to, then there is no need for the Bloody Emperor to exist, if he cannot, he will just make the empire the strongest nation before Nazarick emerges.
Everything stems from today's meeting. Still..
Since his senses have heightened to godly levels, he could hear everyone's whispers, making him aware that though he was called the Crown Prince, his faction was actually the smallest. His Father was the current ruler, but he had many childrens, each with more rights to the throne than him.
His Father was the Emperor and his Mother was from the Five Great Families, but she was not the heiress, just a family member. Compared to his siblings with five names, he was a laughing stock with just four.
In his reign, Jircniv was made fun of by the kings and rulers once he took the throne, but after seeing his callous attitude and innovative actions, there was only awe and fear.
Arriving before the throne room, Jircniv shook his head in disdain. He was once proud of this door and thought it screamed wealth but when compared to that door and throne room, what is the empire?
With Momonga and Nazarick's strength, there was really no need for them to conquer anything as people would just offer their territories free of charge.
Glancing back, Jircniv spoke calmly to his subordinates, "Stay put here, and don't let anyone enter."
The servants and guards look at him with surprise on their faces. Honestly, they never intended to enter as that was something their position doesn't allow. However, feeling the aura of power and dominance from Jircniv, they were curious about what was going to happen.
They have been serving him for a while but never before had they felt this much seriousness from him and the will to obey.
The throne room guards looked at each other and pushed the door open without words.
Walking inside the room, a handsome man could be seen on an obsidian throne. He is wearing a white robe with a crown on his head. His long golden hair spilled down haphazardly. In his hand, a golden scepter rested, making him give off an aura of nobility.
At the right of the Emperor is a beautiful woman, who is the current empress, Victoria Emilus of House Emius. She is the heiress of one of the Five Great Families.
There were nobles sitting down, speaking about matters of importance. The room was heated with discussion and the Emperor listened intently, occasionally turning to the empress and the older man to his left.
So he's not here? That's good, even with my current strength, I don't think I'm a match for Fluder Paradyne.
The nobles turned around and became quite seeing Jircniv.
Jircniv did not pay these nobles any mind and walked past them. They were people all thinking about their benefits and not about their actual duties.
Most of these nobles was purge by him in his previous life because of the harm they brought to Empire.
Jircniv walked to the empress and commanded, "Leave. I need to speak alone with my Father."
This was not without reason. This empress is a valued member of the Emius family. If she stays, whatever they discuss will reach their ears. One might say he could have gone about it another way but why?
The Five Great Familie must be removed for the empire to grow. After this meeting, his first action will be targeting them.
In his past life, his actions were more tame, until he obtained the throne, so to these people, his actions were shocking and unexpected.
The reasons he could live for so long was because of his ruthlessness and Fluder.
The faces of some of the nobles turn red with anger. The empress was about to speak out but suddenly an aura of power pressure her, making it hard to breathe.
Everyone became pale as they saw Jircnivs eyes glow purple. They felt something else was staring at them and something not human.
"I won't say it again, leave."
Emperor Versailles Khan Maximus Axil El-Nix's right hand man, Valor Embercrest, was about to leave but was stopped by Jircniv's eyes.
"Since we are alone, Father, let's get straight to the point. What are your plans for Baharuth? And are you willing to abdicate to me?"
Resting his chin on his palm, Jircniv sat on the empress's throne, and looked at his confused Father.
To Versailles Khan Maximus Axil El-Nix, his son had always been confident but he was mature for his age and would not do anything outlandish. However, today's situation said otherwise.
Does he not understand that he made himself an enemy of the noble faction and even the Five Great Families? The chances of gaining the throne have dropped drastically.
Valor Embercrest leaned in to whisper into the Emperor's ear but felt like a predator was looking at him, and decided not to.
"Father, I want you to tell me your plan for Baharuth. I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt but I know the people truly running the show are the ones whose voice reaches here, without even a shadow." Jircniv continued as he looked at Valor, "Valor Embercrest, the puppet of the Five Great Families and the one pulling my Father's strings. Both of you need to answer my question."
Valor Embercrest looked at Jircniv with his old gray eyes, which made him look like a vulture. Though surprised that Jircniv knew his role, he kept his composure. He could tell that Jircniv was not to be trifled with. That aura is not something a weak person can have, let alone a boy.
Weighing the pros and cons, he decided to play this game. No matter what the consequences are, he must leave this room alive to face it. If he can't leave, there is no reason to worry about it.
With a tired and worn out sigh, Valor spoke, "I don't have any plans for Baharuth. Like you said, I'm just a puppet whose strings are being controlled by others. However, I am a citizen of this land, so I would love for it to become stronger and be ruled by a recognized monarchy. I have seen many underhand things the Five Great Families have done but tied by obligations and threats, there is little I can do."
Looking at the man, for some reason, Jircniv knew he was telling the truth. Turning to look at his Father, he noticed he was not surprised by the identity of Valor nor was he surprised by his answer. It was clear he knew.
Emperor Versailles tapped his hand rest and stood up.
"While I find this interesting, I'm curious why you ask this question of us. What difference does our stance on the Baharuth's future provide you?" The Emperor's purple eyes burned with interest.
"I am asking so I can decide if I should kill you or not. The empire needs to be handled better, but under your reign it has not experienced any change." Looking at his Father who looked confused, Jircniv continued, "I will give you two choices."
"One, give the throne to me of your own volition and retire in peace. You will not be put in harm's way and will receive some immunity from the law. Second, refuse my offer and die. Either way, someone is walking out of this room, the Emperor."
Versalies looked at his son with a deep look and turned to Valor who also looked at Jircniv with such a gaze. They turned to each other and smiled.
"I didn't think you would mature this fast but this is good. I guess I should explain the situation."
"I am not the Emperor by ability but one by accident. If not for the tragedy that struck the family, I would not become Emperor, nor did I want to." Looking at his son, Versalies walked around, lost in thought, "I have seen the burden ruling brought onto my own Father, and wanted nothing to do with it but fate is hard to escape. I was not the Crown Prince nor in line of succession. If not for an accident that left me as the only heir, I would not be here. However, that was where the trouble started. Since I was not popular nor had influence, I had no choice but to tie myself to the Five Great Families. Though on the surface, I am the Emperor, I have to follow orders and do their bidding." Turning to look at his son, Versailles continued, "I wanted to change this. The empire is our family's property, but now we don't have a right to it. I already predicted you would succeed me, but this exceeded my prediction by a couple years."
Valor Embercrest bowed, "I have been on your Father's side since the beginning. I feed false information to the families and put on the appearance of feeding your Father orders. Everything is within your Father's plan but.." Looking at the Emperor, pity appeared on his face, "Fate is inescapable."
Everything that was happening was not inside Jircniv's memory nor did he receive reports of this. He could tell they were telling the truth, which he assumed was Touch Me's power.
Valor Embercrest was not a name spoken in good light, in fact, he was often mentioned in whispers as some demonic fiend. When people speak of traitors, his name tends to come up.
As for his Father? He was removed from history by him. He was a failure, one that did not benefit the people. But here these two people were telling him this was furthest from the truth.
Though suspicious, Jircniv did not mind if this was the truth. It makes things easier.
"You expected this?"
Versalies could see the suspicions on his son's face and felt gratified. If he just believed him like that, it would be disappointing.
"I am blessed with a Talent. It allows me to glimpse into the future. I already know your Mother will kill me and that you will make the empire powerful, but this scene does not exist within my vision. This is the first time this happened."
A Talent to see the future? Even amongst the ones seen in the future, this one is extremely good. So, Versailles Khan Maximus Axil El-Nix is not a dumb but pretending? If that is the case, he is a good actor.
If what he said about not happening, it must be the System sending me here that altered it. But, there is something odd, if he can see the future, why not change it? When did this ability appear?
"Clarify this for me, why can't you change the future?" This has to be the answer. Versalies clearly are not dumb, so why would he willingly join the five families?
Surprise appeared on Versalies's face, not expecting his son to ask this, "My Talent allows me to peer into the future, however it's only mine. The only way for me to see others is if I am also in their future. The reason I became Emperor is because I tried to change the future and our family died. The future cannot be changed, at least not by me. If you can see it, it's impossible for you to change it. Quite a strange rule."
If I heard this before I might believe it but it's possible to change the future, I'm proof.
"For now, I will buy your story. I awakened a Talent too. My strength has improved and my aura can affect others. Anyway, Father, I want you to abdicate and become a pawn in my hands, what do you say?"
Versalies grin grew bigger and laughed, "Gladly! Being an Emperor, even a fake one is tiring. Even more so, pretending to be a lustful manic. However, I should warn you, the Five Great Families will not take this lightly."
With a smirk of his own, Jircniv replied, "I know but their days might as well be over."
".."
Versalies looked for Valor, "Tomorrow, I will declare Jircniv the new Emperor. I want you to convey to the families that I have contracted an incurable disease and will announce my successor."
Valor bowed and asked, "Right away. But you know this will cause the families to act?"
"That's my plan. They will not have time to figure out who I choose and not have enough time to come to a compromise with each other, so Jircniv will have an easier time ascending the throne."
Jircniv smiled at his Father, he is a smart person but he's wrong. The five families will not allow him to become Emperor because they have long chosen candidates. However, I have long decided to exterminate the families. That will be tomorrow.
~ Ding ~
[Host has reached level 33 of Lord Touch Me's power. Justice Have Arrive have been granted.]
Justice Have Arrive: When activated, all attacks, mana, regenerative abilities will be recovered in a short amount of time at the cost of stamina.]
Looking at the message before his eyes, Jircniv smiled wildly. The heavens or perhaps he should say, Lord Touch Me seem to agree with him.