novelnext Chapter 149 : Probing Battle (5)
Chapter 149 : Probing Battle (5)
Chapter 149: Probing Battle (5)
The moment they entered the residence, the two were guided by Leah Brontë and began their discussion with Edel.
“…That concludes our proposal, Princess Edel.”
After finishing his statement, Edgar cautiously observed her.
Edel Ribenia. Twenty-six years old. Fourth in the Imperial succession order. Her primary jurisdictions were construction, trade, and anti-Beast technology.
Possessing accomplishments second only to the First Prince among Emperor Ludwig’s direct descendants, she had been a genius involved in Imperial affairs since the age of six.
The nearly revolutionary achievements she displayed drastically decreased immediately after reaching adulthood.
The public believed the horrific tragedies that befell the Imperial Family had driven her into resignation.
It was a perfectly reasonable conclusion.
In 1466, Emperor Ludwig fell into a coma, and shortly afterward, in 1470, the First Prince Luel died during a prolonged campaign, leaving her position increasingly ambiguous.
Edel had been the child the Emperor cherished most. The same had been true for Empress Eleonore, who died of illness in 1456.
Her mother, who had lovingly cared for her as a child, passed away, her father became a living corpse, and the only two people she had relied upon—the First Prince and First Princess—became unable to involve themselves in Imperial affairs for their own respective reasons.
The brilliant Edel must have reached a conclusion quickly.
That from that moment onward, there was no longer any possibility of her leading the Imperial Family, nor any reason left to place hope in it.
That was why she had remained silent for such a long time.
Yet even amid that silence, compared to those two fools, she had still achieved remarkable feats, truly making one think: “As expected of Edel Ribenia.”
Even so, for the two men who vividly remembered the shocking actions of her childhood and adolescence, the current Edel was an extremely suspicious existence.
‘Was she simply waiting for the right moment while hiding her strength… or had she truly given up, only to begin moving again now that an opportunity appeared?’
Whichever it was, it certainly wasn’t good news for the Bernhardts.
At her core, she was an Imperial Loyalist.
She firmly believed the Imperial Family alone should lead the Empire, while nobles, clergy, and citizens merely existed to support it.
What she especially despised was the aristocratic political dominance exercised by the Eight Great Families. Even now, she argued that the Assembly’s interference in Imperial affairs was excessive abuse of authority.
For Edgar and Mikhail, who intended to lead the nation under the name Bernhardt, she was their complete opposite.
Money and power were not things that could persuade her.
Thus, the two men instead used the peace of the Empire and the safety of its citizens as bargaining tools.
Because surely she, more than anyone else, understood which side was truly more suited to lead the Empire.
In the end, this confidence stemmed from their belief that they were more necessary to the Empire than the Imperial Family itself.
Edel’s response to that confidence was remarkably cynical.
“So to summarize, Bernhardt intends to support Karbenna, the Special Task Force, and Duel—Mallet.”
Ah, perhaps this summary would be more accurate.
“If you wish to become heroes who save the nation, then do it beneath the stage Bernhardt has prepared for you.”
“…….”
“Am I wrong?”
Under her sharp gaze, Mikhail awkwardly scratched his forehead.
“Please don’t mock us so openly, Princess.”
“You’re the ones who phrased it that way.”
This time, Edgar tilted his head and spoke heavily.
“You know better than anyone what the Empire’s reality truly looks like.”
“…I do. Far too well.”
“We also agree that reform is necessary. But if we try to overturn the entire existing system amid such chaos, the whole Empire could suffer catastrophic damage. In the worst case, it could even lead to the collapse of the Empire itself.”
“The collapse of the Empire…”
“We trust that is not something you desire, Princess.”
At those unbearably arrogant words, Edel uncrossed her arms and stared directly at Edgar.
“You people have always been like this.”
“…What exactly do you mean?”
“You figure out what the other side desires most, then offer proposals that ultimately benefit yourselves more.”
To cowardly Abel, they offered power.
To greedy Rachel, they offered wealth.
“And to idealistic me, you offer peace.”
“…….”
“You’re saying: we’ll give you those things, so maintain the current system. So Bernhardt can continue living comfortably in luxury. Isn’t that right?”
“…Your interpretation is rather excessive, Princess.”
“It probably worked well until now. Because there hadn’t been any major chaos. The Beasts expanded their influence beyond humanity’s awareness, while humanity reassured itself that the creatures were under control.”
But you see—
“The ‘desire’ to avoid failure helps us grow, but the ‘arrogance’ of believing failure is impossible only poisons us.”
With resolute eyes, Edel spoke briefly.
“You people are arrogant.”
At that moment—
The atmosphere in the room turned heavy.
The expressions of the two men, who until recently had at least tried to maintain polite smiles, became completely cold.
“…You are free to think that.”
Edgar looked at Edel with hostility in his eyes.
“But our arrogance has a foundation. A very clear one.”
Whereas yours seems to have none.
“On what basis exactly do you intend to deny Bernhardt?”
Despite his confrontational response, Edel answered without blinking.
“That’s obvious. Twenty million Imperial citizens.”
At that, Mikhail immediately interjected as though he had been waiting.
“Do you truly believe they’ll follow you? In an Imperial Family where no one besides you is remotely competent, won’t they instead think: ‘Since things have already come to this, why not overturn everything completely?’”
“…….”
“In that case, our downfall would only become poison for you. They’d say: ‘If even Bernhardt can collapse, what chance does the Imperial Family have?’”
Watching her still expressionless face, Edgar continued once more.
“This decision is a self-destructive move, Princess. You aren’t someone who would fail to understand that.”
It was both persuasion and warning.
Please, make the wise choice.
But Edel’s answer completely defied their expectations.
“The ones who know nothing are you traitors of Bernhardt.”
“…Traitors?”
Wearing a smile full of fighting spirit, she mockingly asked:
“How could I ever trust and cooperate with people who lead the family without even inheriting Johann Bernhardt’s will?”
At that moment, memories from nineteen years ago resurfaced, and Edgar tightly shut his mouth.
‘Traitors….’
How long had it been since he last heard that word?
How long had it been since he resolved to lead the family in place of his father?
Their unwavering conviction had even justified betraying blood relations.
But the convictions they once held—the passion, the determination—none of it remained anymore.
All that remained was blind faith in themselves and the arrogance of believing they could never lose.
And yet there was no turning back.
Because the choices they made were that kind of choices.
Thus, after exchanging glances with Mikhail, Edgar asked coldly:
“Is this truly your final decision, Princess? We won’t offer a second opportunity. The moment you make the wrong choice, it ends there.”
“Probably.”
“And yet you still intend to proceed? You truly trust those foolish citizens that much?”
“If you knew what I’m relying on, you’d immediately kneel yourselves… but the moment I reveal it, it’ll cease to exist.”
So continue believing in yourselves as much as you like, traitors of Bernhardt.
“The future belongs to those who believe, doesn’t it?”
---
Negotiations failed.
In a single phrase, that was the outcome.
But it was far too important a meeting to dismiss so simply.
Leaving Edel’s residence and heading toward their carriage, the two men remained silent for a long time.
The sky overhead remained perfectly clear, without a single cloud.
“…I expected the negotiations to fail.”
“But it’s those words she said at the end that bother you, isn’t it?”
“Mm.”
There should only be two people in the current Empire who knew the truth of that day.
If they themselves mockingly called themselves that, it would be one thing, but to hear the word “traitors” come from Edel Ribenia herself—
“…You don’t think she actually knows the truth, do you?”
Edgar cautiously asked in a tentative tone, causing Mikhail to wave his hand dismissively.
“Even for Edel Ribenia, that would be impossible, my friend.”
“That’s….”
“If she truly knew what happened in Bernhardt that day, would she have maintained such an ambiguous position for over ten years? She could’ve either recruited us or forced us beneath her feet and made us do anything she wanted.”
“…Or perhaps she knew all along and merely continued giving us opportunities. Otherwise, she wouldn’t sound so confident.”
“It’s bluffing. You know very well what kind of sly serpent she is.”
“…….”
Toward the unusually depressed Family Head, Mikhail approached and draped an arm over his shoulder.
“You’ve looked especially uncertain ever since yesterday’s meeting ended. Did something happen?”
“…Tell me, Mikhail.”
“Mm?”
“If Bernhardt no longer exists in the Empire’s future… would you regret choosing me instead of your daughter?”
“…So that’s what this was about.”
Mikhail stepped in front of Edgar and carefully knelt on one knee.
Before his friend, his partner, and his lord.
“Excessive talent only leads everyone to destruction.”
Though she was my daughter… that child was a calamity.
One that would destroy everyone.
“Even your father, Johann Bernhardt, a man worthy of universal respect, was swayed by her demonic nature and made the wrong decision.”
“Mikhail….”
“The branch families are merely gears that keep Bernhardt functioning perfectly. I have lived solely for that purpose, and I will die for that purpose as well.”
So stand proudly with arrogance, and stride forward confidently.
“Because you are the pillar of Bernhardt I chose, Edgar Bernhardt.”
“…….”
Under that unwavering gaze of trust, Edgar quietly nodded.
The last traces of anxiety lingering within him had completely vanished.
Extending his hand toward the leader of the branch family, he smiled faintly.
“From now on, never kneel before me again, partner.”
“…Very well.”
Having reaffirmed their resolve, the two entered the carriage.
On the way back, they received reports through their Orbs from those they had dispatched.
Robert’s group, which had headed to Karbenna, and Diane’s group, which had gone to the Special Task Force.
As expected, neither side had achieved any significant results.
Lastly, while conversing with his eldest son Robert, the two reorganized their overall strategy.
“To be honest… I can’t figure out what cards they’re holding, Father.”
“…Hmmm.”
“I can understand the Special Task Force maintaining a hardline stance since they’re practically viewed as Edel Ribenia’s direct force and, at the end of the day, they’re still military personnel. But Karbenna has absolutely no reason to act so arrogantly.”
“So you mean we need to determine whether it’s merely bluffing or not.”
“Of course, considering the history we’ve built over the years, there’s a good chance they’ll bring up the scandals created during that process… but they have flaws of their own as well.”
Edgar stared out the window for a moment before suddenly issuing an order.
“We’ll need to leak some rumors to the press, Robert.”
“…What kind of content?”
“…This headline should suffice.”
Slowly stroking the philtrum above his lips, he curled his mouth slightly.
“The Secret Relationship Between Karbenna and the Imperial Special Task Force… Is Their Goal Reform, or Usurpation?”