PFBE 09

Chapter 09

“You know well what I’m concerned about. But that’s nothing to worry about.”

Cain tried to persuade Count Landerk by imbuing his voice with the authority of royalty. He deliberately avoided unnecessary formalities and spoke in a firm tone.

“Do you really know what I’m worried about, Your Highness?”

Count Steiner Landerk spoke in a somewhat sharp tone. It wasn’t rude per se, but Cain could easily sense that he was feeling quite frustrated.

“You’re worried that the Imperial Five faction might mobilize their forces and start a full-scale war, aren’t you? Since one of the Imperial Five, Duke Hans Denev, holds lands not far from the capital, they could use that as a foothold to project the Imperial Five’s entire military might onto the imperial palace,” Cain said.
“Y-Yes. That is exactly my concern, Your Highness.”

Count Landerk was somewhat surprised. Had this reckless prince really understood the situation so well? Cain’s insight into the current internal state of the Felberg Empire was sharp enough to make him pause.

But Cain didn’t linger and dismissed it briefly.

“The Imperial Five faction might gather their forces, but they won’t be the ones to strike first. I can say that with absolute certainty.”
“Your Highness… I apologize, but would you mind explaining to your humble servants the reason for this?”

At that moment, before Landerk, who was fumbling to organize his thoughts, could answer, Count Khelid stepped forward.

“That’s not difficult at all.”

Depending on the situation, a prince refusing to explain might be considered discourteous. But Cain, a modern-era person at heart, nodded willingly and began to explain.

“Simply put, the Imperial Five faction cannot march on the capital because they have no legitimate reason. Though I suppose I should provide some additional context.”

Seeing Landerk’s blank, uncomprehending eyes, Cain realized he had left out too much context. He decided to change the way he explained things.

“My apologies.”

Though Landerk held a high title, he had little interest in schemes or politics. His singular focus had always been the path of the sword. That stubbornness, however, made him valuable as a loyal retainer—so Cain was willing to overlook his deficiencies.

“No need. Let me continue a bit further. The reason the Imperial Five faction has no grounds to advance on the capital is because I am alive.”

Count Khelid, who had observed central politics for over forty years as a court retainer, quietly nodded at Cain’s judgment. Yet he could not help but wonder how a prince, who had nothing to do with politics, could have acquired such insight. Concealing emotion before royalty was precisely why Khelid had survived so long in the court.

The Felberg Empire had existed since the ancient mythical era, long before the Cataclysm War. It was a proud and venerable empire, with the royal family descended from the stars of the celestial order. Over centuries, the bonds of the royal family remained unbroken, and their legitimacy was virtually unquestioned.

Yet as the Stigmata (Seonghun) were forgotten, the royal family’s power waned. Consequently, the empire gradually entered a dark decline. Still, loyal noble factions remained formidable, and many neutral nobles continued to acknowledge and respect the Felberg royal family’s legitimacy.

In short, despite the apparent conflict between the loyalists and the Imperial Five, the neutral faction’s support meant that the Imperial Five could not recklessly march on the capital.

Had all the royals, including Cain, died at the coronation hall, the Imperial Five could claim at least a minimal justification for deploying troops to seize the capital. But with the last royal, Cain Felberg, alive, such an action was impossible. Cain’s statement that they had “no justification” stemmed from precisely this reasoning.

However…

“I understand Your Highness’s assertion that the Imperial Five would not advance on the capital in the extreme case. But then, is there really a need to postpone the coronation?”

Count Steiner Landerk cautiously voiced his concern. His reasoning was fair and natural. He was, after all, a man of principle who did not flinch even in the presence of a prince.

“Shouldn’t you ascend the throne promptly to show the empire that the royal authority remains intact?”

Though Cain was nicknamed the “Mad Prince,” he was still a royal by celestial blood. To Landerk, the simple solution to all these troubles was nothing more than filling the vacant throne. Cain, however, was different. As Kang Jihoon, the developer who had created this world, he knew the trump card that could restore the crumbling Felberg Empire to greatness.

“Count Landerk.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What do you think has allowed the Felberg royal family to endure until now?”
“If I may speak frankly… I’d say it’s thanks to the celestial bloodline dating back to the ancient mythical era.”

Landerk answered calmly. His words were blunt, like a warrior’s, which made the conversation easier for Cain.

“Don’t worry. I’m not the kind of prince to crush a servant over something trivial.”

This was obvious, yet utterly uncharacteristic of a so-called mad prince. Landerk was astonished once more. Traveling with Cain, he had already noticed that the third prince was far different from the rumors.

“You’ve seen the stigmata on my hand, haven’t you?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”

The stigmata was a mark of the celestial blessing, proof of royal power. Those of the Felberg royal line had historically wielded the authority of the stars through the stigmata. Yet, over centuries, the Stigmata and its power had been forgotten.

“For now, this stigmata cannot be used.”
“W-What?”

Landerk was shaken. Following the disaster that nearly destroyed the empire on its founding day, he had believed that Cain’s stigmata would be the solution to all nightmares. Now, learning it could not be used, he was momentarily stunned.

“It’s far too powerful, left by the celestial order, for me to control completely.”
“Th-Then…?”
“But rest assured. If we can postpone the coronation, by the time the promised day arrives, I will be able to create at least one stigmata that I can fully control.”

After centuries of being forgotten, Cain promised to imprint a new stigmata. His voice was confident.

A few months ago, this would have sounded like drunken nonsense from the Mad Prince. But now, Count Landerk remembered seeing Cain at Kanosa Fortress use the power of the stars to repel enemies.

“Your Highness… I will follow and trust you.”

A servant’s duty was simply to give loyalty. Count Steiner Landerk swore once more his unwavering allegiance to the prince who would soon ascend the throne, for the glory of the empire and the royal family.

While Cain was persuading Count Landerk, Aaron Valerian, having reunited with the palace and joined other priests of the Imperial Faith in Granada, returned from his journey.

Passing by the vigilant knights, he arrived at his lodgings, only to be met by Vinson, a senior mage and member of the Imperial Faith.

“You’re late.”
“Was everything all right at the palace while I was gone?”

Given the precarious state of affairs, Aaron’s concern for Cain was natural. Vinson sighed, looking weary, and shook his head.

“Nothing happened. Well… nothing could happen here, after all. This is the palace.”

Vinson realized too late that just recently, in what was thought to be the safest place in the Felberg Empire, a massacre of royals had occurred. But Aaron’s attention was focused solely on Cain.

“Have you eaten? I heard that today’s main course included things Your Highness dislikes…”
“I’ve eaten. But let’s start by confirming your report.”

Aaron cleared his throat and spoke again.

“Now that the true royal has returned, the Imperial Faith can lift its seclusion and regroup all its forces. Soon, they will summon all brothers and sisters to protect the royal family.”

The Imperial Faith, which had retreated into secrecy after being exploited and abandoned by the crumbling Felberg royal house, was now returning.