Translator: Cinder Translations
...
In the suburbs of the capital city of Gabella, at the McDonald family estate. A carriage slowly entered the expansive estate, where rain was falling and water had accumulated on the ground. As the carriage rolled along the cobblestone path, it splashed up sprays of water.
The carriage passed directly through the courtyard and arrived at the front of the main building. The deep military style of the structure was imprinted by generations of family heads who served in the imperial army; it looked more like a military fortress than a residence.
Just as the carriage stopped, a servant rushed out into the rain, holding a woolen cloak. The carriage door opened, and Marshal McDonald, dressed in full knight's armor, stepped down from the carriage, and the servant immediately draped the cloak over him.
Without a word, the marshal hurried into the mansion. Inside, the main hall was decorated lavishly, contrasting with the exterior's military style, and it was similar to the homes of other great nobles.
As soon as he entered, a woman came forward to personally remove his cloak and handed it to a waiting maid.
"Oh, my dear," Marshal McDonald embraced his wife and said with a smile, "It's a pity your cold came at such an inopportune time, otherwise you could have welcomed me at the palace banquet. Let me tell you, there were many handsome young men at the banquet today."
His wife shot him a disapproving glance. "You've just returned, and you're already being inappropriate."
Today was the day Marshal McDonald returned to the capital, and Emperor Bartley Griffin held a grand banquet to welcome him.
Due to her illness, his wife stayed home to await his return. However, had this been several decades ago, when they were newlyweds, she would have been waiting at the city gates for his arrival, no matter how unwell she felt.
She leaned closer to her husband's ear and whispered, "The Chancellor sent someone to the house; they are still waiting for you."
Hearing this, McDonald furrowed his brow tightly.
"Really persistent, aren't they?"
He sighed, "Alright, I'll meet this envoy."
In the marshal's study, a representative of the D'Arshi family was brought in by a servant.
He was a shrewd-looking middle-aged man who bowed respectfully to McDonald as soon as he entered.
"Congratulations on your triumphant return, sir. The Emperor and the entire Empire now rely on you even more."
McDonald waved his hand dismissively and gestured for him to sit, clearly uninterested in the envoy's flattery. "I'm not one for beating around the bush; if the Chancellor has instructions, let him speak directly."
The envoy smiled slightly, "Well, it seems you have been in the army for many years, McDonald sir; you're quite straightforward. So, let me be direct."
He cleared his throat slightly and continued in a gentle tone, "The Chancellor has sent me to request something from you."
The envoy was adopting a very humble posture.
"In the near future, Duke D'Arshi will propose to the Emperor the formal establishment of an heir to the throne."
McDonald's pupils constricted—so it was this matter.
He deliberately used an uninterested tone to say, "It is only natural for Duke D'Arshi, as the imperial chancellor, to propose such matters to His Majesty; there is no need to inform me."
The envoy leaned forward slightly, "It's not that simple. The Duke means that the next Emperor should rightly be His Highness Felix Griffin. We hope that when that time comes, you can stand up and support him clearly."
A thunderclap sounded outside, illuminating the room with lightning.
McDonald narrowed his eyes. "The Duke's grandson?"
The envoy cheerfully replied, "He is the firstborn of His Majesty the Emperor and his legitimate wife—the Queen."
McDonald said, "What His Majesty wishes to do regarding which son is His Majesty's own affair; as his subjects, we have no right to intervene."
The envoy's smile faded, and he countered, "That is incorrect, Marshal. The matter of the heir to the throne affects the fate of the entire Empire; the future of countless subjects is at stake. How can it be said to be merely the Emperor's own affair?"
Though the envoy's words were somewhat disrespectful to the Emperor, McDonald found himself unable to refute them.
"Even so, why should I support His Highness Felix? My old comrades all praise His Highness Antonio's performance in this war."
The Gabella Empire does not have a clearly defined primogeniture system, especially in the royal family; past emperors often chose the son they deemed most capable as their successor.
The envoy replied calmly, "Firstly, His Highness Felix's talents are well-known. While the second prince excels in military strategy, comprehensive ability is crucial for governing a country, especially for a great nation like Gabella. Furthermore, with the lineage of His Highness Felix's mother, the major nobles of the Empire, led by the D'Arshi family, will stand by his side. You wouldn't want the McDonald family to be isolated, would you?"
The old marshal snorted and retorted, "So you're confident that the major nobles, led by the D'Arshi family, will all support him? If that's the case, what position does the royal family—the Griffin family—occupy?"
"This…" The envoy was momentarily at a loss for words.
Realizing he had misspoken, he quickly smoothed things over. "The royal Griffin family is, of course, in a transcendent position. Alright, McDonald sir, nitpicking over words is pointless; we should get back to the main issue."
The envoy took a breath and said, "The second reason arises from the royal family— the future of the Empire cannot be entrusted to a child born of a sorceress!"
Marshal McDonald's eyes widened in shock, and he scolded, "Watch your words! She is the acknowledged woman of His Majesty."
"Indeed, sir," the envoy nodded, "I apologize for my indiscretion."
Even so, his face did not show the same alarm as before.
"Let me rephrase: The future of the Empire should not be entrusted to a son born of a woman of unknown origins."
McDonald closed his eyes and did not respond.
"McDonald sir, I have explained the Chancellor's request to you. Now, what are your conditions? I will convey them to him intact. I come with sincerity, and as long as your conditions are not too unreasonable, Lord D'Arshi will certainly meet them."
McDonald kept his eyes closed, reflecting on his conversations with Bachelor Yarvi during his journey back to the capital and the repeated mention of that prophecy.
Ha, the ethereal prophecy. He usually despised such mystical matters. Although he owed the second prince favors from the previous generation, that wasn't enough to shake the principles he had adhered to all along.
As for the first prince, he had no intention of supporting him either.
He opened his eyes and slowly stood up. "I am a soldier of the Empire. I fight for the Empire; I will pledge allegiance to whoever holds that position—as long as he is legitimate. So please inform the Chancellor…"
Clap, clap, clap! Before he could finish, the envoy gently clapped his hands, but his expression seemed to indicate he had heard something amusing.
The interrupted marshal felt some anger rising and was about to scold him when he heard the envoy say:
"Alright, McDonald sir, in fact, Lord D'Arshi did not expect to persuade you solely with my words."
Then he slowly took something out from his pocket.
"Look, what is this?"
It was an old-fashioned dagger adorned with beautiful engravings.
However, the sight of the dagger sent a thunderous shock through McDonald's heart.
"Where… where did you get that?"
The envoy's eyes gleamed with a chilling light. "There's nothing that can remain hidden from the D'Arshi family in this country."
"Where is he now?"
The old marshal appeared like an enraged lion, ready to pounce at any moment.
The envoy regained his smile. "Don't worry, McDonald sir; he is quite safe, living comfortably. The people you sent to him are also safe. However, should you reconsider your decision?"
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, how could I dare threaten a seasoned general like you? Even if I represent the D'Arshi family. We merely want to present some options to you that you might have overlooked... but the choice is still entirely yours."
McDonald sat down in a dejected manner, and the envoy quietly awaited his response.
After a moment of silence, the room echoed with the voice of the old marshal.
"Alright, please inform the Chancellor that I will seriously consider his request."
(End of the Chapter)
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