NIP Chapter 148 : Probing Battle (4)
Chapter 148 : Probing Battle (4)
Chapter 148: Probing Battle (4)
Despite Edgar’s bold declaration, Abel still wore a blank expression.
At the same time, however, it looked as though his resentment had yet to fully subside.
Since even the target of that resentment was unclear, his frustration had nowhere definite to go.
Even so, Abel stubbornly maintained an indifferent expression.
At least to show that he was still angry.
“And just how exactly are you planning to get involved? Explain it more clearly.”
“…….”
Since Edgar had brought up the keyword “Assembly,” the other side should naturally have responded accordingly, yet this was the situation instead.
He had supported Abel because he thought the man was dull and stupid enough to make a convenient puppet.
But perhaps it was time to reconsider that decision moving forward.
‘Looks like I’ll need to actively negotiate with the other two as well.’
Well, that was why he had already sent Mikhail to Princess Rachel in the first place.
Suppressing the laughter threatening to escape at the sheer absurdity of it all, Edgar continued.
“It’s also true that we’ve granted Karbenna and the Special Task Force too much autonomy until now. Their achievements this time will certainly become a powerful weapon for them, but it still won’t be enough to completely overturn the subtle reputation they’ve carried so far.”
There will eventually be a need to address those issues one by one as well… but let’s set that aside for now.
“Well, regardless, it’s also true that the intervention of the Special Task Force led by Eugene Carter produced these results. Though we may currently stand opposed to them, there’s no need for that to continue forever. If necessary, we could even choose to support their side…”
At that, Abel exploded exactly as expected.
“What? Support that bastard and the Special Task Force? Are you insane?!”
“…….”
“You’re betraying me now? Do you even realize what I’m holding?!”
Booooom!
As Abel sprang up and began shouting wildly, Edgar grabbed him by the collar and slammed him straight against the wall.
“Ghk!”
“So how about you finally wake up and get a grip, Crown Prince.”
Under Edgar’s overbearing gaze, Abel’s spirit crumbled instantly.
And Edgar didn’t stop there.
He pressed him even harder.
“Frankly speaking, who was it that decided the Special Task Force was troublesome and useless, then dumped it onto Edel Ribenia? All military command authority originally belonged to the Emperor and his successor.”
“…….”
“And Edel Ribenia accepted even that without complaint, ultimately developing the force to this level. Surely even you know when Eugene Carter first started being called a war hero?”
Now thoroughly cornered, Abel lowered his head before cautiously glancing upward.
“…The Elvrak Total War, obviously. Most of the Empire’s current heroes were born there.”
“Good. I’m glad you remember. And who was the Defense Commander of the Ivric Region back then?”
“…Edel.”
“And who appointed her?”
“……Me.”
Only then did Abel realize what Edgar was trying to say, his face turning pale as he lowered his head once more.
Edgar tapped him sharply against the upper chest and spoke in a clear tone.
“While you’ve been continuously making one blunder after another, do you think we supported you because we enjoyed it? Hm?”
“…….”
“Wake up already, Abel Ribenia. The Bernhardts are not some insignificant family for you to use however you please.”
Then Edgar firmly grabbed both of Abel’s shoulders and declared with murderous eyes:
“The moment we conclude that you are unworthy of your position and qualifications, we will support another successor at any time. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“…….”
“If you understand, then at least nod.”
Despite the utterly humiliating words, Abel had no choice but to obediently nod his head.
After releasing a long, deep sigh, Edgar loosened the grip he held on Abel and lightly patted his shoulders.
“Now then, let’s stop discussing such painful matters here.”
Results are results, and victory is victory. Only amateurs waste time denying reality.
“We’ll simply change that reality into one favorable for us.”
“That’d obviously be ideal if possible… but what exactly are you planning to do?”
“We support Karbenna and the Special Task Force even more actively than Edel does. And at the same time, we establish a system to control them.”
For example… yes.
“Something like supervisors would work well.”
“…Supervisors?”
“This matter needs to be discussed with the Assembly members as well, so I’ll explain the details later.”
Ah, and one more thing.
“It seems Duel keeps trying to interfere with Imperial affairs lately… can’t something be done about that? At this rate, even the remaining noble supporters are going to turn against us.”
---
At the same time Family Head Edgar was practically threatening the Crown Prince—
Vice Family Head Mikhail was meeting with the Second Princess, Rachel.
“How interesting.”
Rachel elegantly lifted her teacup and tilted it lightly before asking with a cynical smile:
“A man who normally wouldn’t even approach the Imperial Palace has come personally to visit the head of an opposing faction.”
“…….”
“So then, what brings the noble Number Two of the mighty Bernhardts all the way here?”
Toward Rachel, who sat with crossed legs while savoring the aroma of coffee, Mikhail pulled out a small jeweled box.
“Please don’t take offense immediately and accept this first.”
“Oh my, and what’s this?”
When she opened the jeweled box, inside lay a single ruby pendant.
The moment she saw it, the head maid immediately placed a pair of white silk gloves on the table.
As though accustomed to this, Rachel put on the gloves and carefully examined the pendant.
“…This doesn’t seem like an ordinary ruby.”
“It was crafted using a special Bernhardt processing method that drastically increases the ratio of Magic Stone content. In emergencies, it can even be used as a magical amplification tool.”
“So in other words, it’s something valuable.”
“…Well, yes.”
Apparently that alone was enough, because Rachel slightly raised her eyebrows and revealed a faint smile.
“It’s strange though. You’ve never done anything like this before, so suddenly acting this way does make me curious.”
“From now on, we’ll ensure you never feel neglected again.”
“Well, alright. If you’ve shown this much sincerity, I suppose I can at least hear you out. Go ahead.”
“There is only one thing we wish to ask from your side.”
Mikhail immediately entered the main topic.
“Please remain neutral, Princess Rachel.”
“…Neutral?”
“Without siding with Abel or Edel….”
The moment her siblings’ names were mentioned—
“Listen here, Mikhail.”
Rachel suddenly raised a hand and sharply cut him off.
“Do I look like some washed-up failure who can’t survive unless I cling to my brother or younger sister?”
“That would never be the case.”
“Then why make such a ridiculous request? You of all people should know who stands behind me.”
Mikhail briefly sipped his coffee before speaking with firm eyes.
“Because I know, I’m making this request. The Empire is going to shake even more violently from here onward. If any of the opposing factions move recklessly, things could spiral completely out of control.”
“Wouldn’t things spiraling out of control be better for you people? You’ve grown your power all this time by using chaos as justification.”
She wasn’t wrong.
Not all of that chaos had been caused by them, but looking solely at the results, the Bernhardts had always stood on the side of victory.
But that was merely hindsight.
Even for the Bernhardts, this situation threatened the very survival of the family, forcing Mikhail to continue persuading her.
“We are merely preparing for the future, Princess. If the Empire collapses from internal conflict, external forces will surely invade.”
“At a time when the whole world is in turmoil because of the Beasts?”
“Precisely because of this timing, some nations may consider it the perfect opportunity. Especially countries like Bosnus.”
“…Well, perhaps that’s true.”
Rachel tilted her head before suddenly glaring sharply at him.
“So you’re saying I just need to sit quietly and watch?”
“Unrest is merely unrest. Since we’ve stepped forward ourselves, everything will settle quickly enough. So please wait just a little until then, and afterward we can properly compete again.”
After draining the remainder of her coffee in one gulp, Rachel answered with a faint smile.
“…Well, I’ll think about it. I also don’t want to see the Empire collapse.”
“We ask this of you, Princess Rachel. We must move toward the future. And those who obstruct that future must be removed without hesitation.”
Saying that, Mikhail rose and offered a formal bow of respect.
“Hopefully we won’t become those obstacles ourselves.”
Rachel responded by extending her hand in acknowledgment.
“Of course that’s how it should be.”
The two exchanged a silent handshake.
It was the moment a temporary alliance was formed.
Less than thirty minutes remained until midnight.
Having each completed their respective roles, Edgar and Mikhail reunited at the entrance of the Imperial Palace.
The Family Head looked utterly exhausted, while the Vice Family Head appeared comparatively calm.
Their gazes briefly met before Edgar spoke first.
“…How did it go?”
Scratching his forehead, Mikhail answered:
“She’s indifferent. Probably because she’s hiding some kind of trump card. What about Abel?”
“He’s still a complete idiot.”
Edgar sighed deeply before swallowing the rest of his words.
It had unquestionably been them who chose Abel Ribenia, despite him falling increasingly behind his two competitors in both capability and influence while only maintaining superiority through succession rank.
Still, the Imperial Family valued tradition and order more than any other faction.
Though they never treated eldest-son succession as absolute law, it was equally true that they generally upheld a hierarchy-based system.
Now that the First Prince Luel Ribenia had died on the battlefield, Abel Ribenia naturally possessed the highest chance of succession.
That was why they had supported him.
But that assumption only held true while the world situation remained stable.
In chaotic times, heroes were always born.
If the calamity called the Beasts continued to grow stronger, producing heroes like Eugene Carter—
Then the situation could change at any moment.
Without speaking, the two leaned against the wall and gazed up at the sky.
“…What do you think Emperor Ludwig would’ve done? If necessary, would he have ignored succession principles and chosen a more suitable heir?”
“Or perhaps he never even considered the possibility. After all, his eldest son was Luel Ribenia.”
“…True enough.”
“In the end, everything became hopelessly tangled from the moment Crown Prince Luel died in battle. The aftermath is still continuing even now. If not for that, we wouldn’t be going through all this trouble.”
“…….”
“Well, the next opponent is someone reasonable enough to understand words, so at least it won’t be a meaningless waste of time.”
“…Right.”
Everything for the future of the Bernhardts.
For that sake, they were prepared to do anything.
For that sake alone, they had even abandoned blood ties.
The two men moved forward simultaneously.
Far off in the distance, Edel Ribenia’s residence could faintly be seen opposite them.