#011

The Imperial Palace was bustling from the morning. Nobles of Count rank and above, who had separate residences in the capital, arrived one after another by carriage. It was even more crowded than the day Cullen arrived at the Imperial Palace. Trumpets, announcing arrivals incessantly, rang out loudly.

Cullen sat by the window of his chamber, watching the people arrive for several hours. While looking at the colorful heads entering like ants, he read the organized data.

After his last meeting with the Dragon, he had spent two days investigating the nobles. He was trying to narrow down those connected to his mother.

In the process, he learned of the subtle factions within the Imperial Palace that he had vaguely suspected on the first day. Though not certain, there were noticeable relationships.

First, Duke Renon, along with Count Linden, formed the core of Crown Prince Kihelene’s faction. And the Linden family, after the Duchy of Jenix incident 39 years ago, had their rank suddenly elevated from Baron and were granted territory in the northeast.

The records detailed the area and boundaries of the territories currently managed by each noble. Duke Renon’s territory, located in the south, had grown significantly recently, absorbing the borders of the Duchy of Jenix.

In contrast, the Duchy of Refellon, another Duke of the Empire, had maintained its territory unchanged from the past, with Count Cliff’s territory, who had guided Cullen, located nearby.

“Your Highness, Count Cliff has arrived. Shall I escort him to the reception room?”

A servant knocked on the chamber door and spoke from outside. Cullen got down from the windowsill. The formal attire he had reluctantly put on for the Elder Council was uncomfortable. A white cape was draped over the dark navy robe, decorated with gold thread on the cuffs and hem.

“Let him in.”

“I will follow your command.”

Cullen opened the door and went out to the reception room. As he quickly crossed the corridor, Count Cliff appeared at the opportune moment. He thought the man was not a dignified noble. He appeared as soon as the thought crossed his mind.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Count Cliff bowed politely.

“Please raise your head. What is the reason for your visit?”

Instead of exchanging pleasantries, he got straight to the point. Count Cliff raised his head with a smile. He had the same kind-hearted impression as a few days ago. He was the only person in the palace who seemed friendly.

“The Elder Council is about to begin, so I came to escort Your Highness.”

“Is everyone here?”

“They are all arriving. I came to escort you in case you didn’t know the way. If it’s alright, I would like to guide you.”

Cullen observed him calmly. There was no such thing as kindness without reason. Considering Duke Renon and his associates had been hostile towards him, Count Cliff might be connected to Duke Refellon, as he had surmised.

There was definitely a reason for the Count’s kindness. Cullen weighed his own value. They had no way of knowing about him, so his practical value was nil. Even if they discovered he was an excellent mercenary, that was separate from nobles like them.

Then, perhaps the possibility of becoming Crown Prince… that was about it. There might be other reasons if he looked for them.

“Very well.”

“Let us go, Your Highness.”

As soon as Cullen confirmed, Count Cliff politely guided him. Stepping into the corridor, the waiting guards surrounded them. Count Cliff continued to speak familiarly.

“I hope you have recovered from your journey. Please let me know if there is anything you lack.”

Though there was a high possibility he would never see them again depending on the outcome of today’s meeting.

Cullen thought dryly. Regardless of when Kihelene’s birthday was, he had decided to claim his own birthday as the latest date.

“There is nothing I lack. Rather, I would like to know how the Elder Council proceeds.”

Despite the cold reply, the Count smiled and answered.

“The Elder Council is a procedure to determine the successor to the throne, and it has only occurred twice in history.”

Could this be related to what Kihelene had explained about those born on the same day?

“Is there a need for it? It is clear who the suitable candidate is.”

“Your Highness has no desires.”

Count Cliff said something ambiguous, then smiled and continued. In the meantime, they had left the small palace where Cullen was staying and entered a glass-covered passage.

A corridor made entirely of priceless glass, following the white marble. The glass greenhouse was nothing compared to this.

“However, as you know, the Empire’s laws are not so. The tradition of the eldest son inheriting the throne is an unbroken rule and a law that must be upheld. The Emperor has decreed it.”

“But I have no way to prove my age.”

“That is why the Elder Council is being held.”

As Cullen walked briskly, Count Cliff hurried to keep pace beside him. They soon reached a domed building. At the wide stairs, Cullen encountered people coming from the opposite corridor. It was Kihelene.

Behind her, a number of nobles, far exceeding Cullen’s own, accompanied her. Naturally, Duke Renon was among them. Glancing over with a murderous look, Cullen shifted his gaze upwards towards the stairs.

There stood three people. Dressed in brown robes that covered half their faces, they were very short. With slight movements of their heads, they turned and opened a door. One of them spoke.

“We shall now begin the Elder Council.”

The voices, deeply marked by time, were difficult to discern by gender. Having finished speaking, they entered through the opened door without greeting anyone.

Kihelene began to walk elegantly ahead. She seemed accustomed to leading. Those behind her glanced at Cullen one by one. Their upward glances still held hostility.

Though it was a familiar experience, Cullen keenly felt his solitude.

“They are the Ciel Elders. Only High Priests who have retired from the Aksha Grand Temple gain longevity through the goddess’s choice. I am also seeing them for the first time.”

With Count Cliff’s added explanation, Cullen also entered.

The meeting hall was under a circular glass ceiling. Sunlight shone down on the round table in the center of the hall. Cullen and Kihelene sat in two chairs prepared for them. The people behind them stood, seated at a distance on either side.

There was no one behind Cullen. Even Count Cliff, who had guided him, stood between Kihelene and Cullen, next to a middle-aged man with an unfamiliar face. The Count was seen whispering to the man.

“Heir of Larkan, we shall ask you a single question from now on.”

Without any elaborate ceremony, the figures standing opposite Cullen and Kihelene spoke simultaneously. Three voices overlapped and echoed.

In the white light, they removed their robes. Silver hair cascaded down, and empty eyes were revealed. Huk, some people let out low gasps at the bizarre sight. It seemed like the first time they had seen such a form. Some recoiled and stepped back.

Empty holes, as if dug by something, shot Cullen.

Looking at the pitch-black holes, Cullen held his breath for a moment. His fingers trembled slightly. He clenched his fist, forcibly suppressing the scenes that surged up as if in a fit.

“Goddess Aksha is watching.”

“You shall speak only the truth.”

“Today, here, the next generation’s judge shall be decided.”

The combined voices echoed strangely. The three old men simultaneously looked at Kihelene first.

“Kihelene Larkan, tell us the day you received the goddess’s blessing.”

Kihelene opened her mouth with a calm expression, unlike when she was in front of Cullen. She answered in an elegant and clear voice.

“It was the seventh day of May, in the year 1471 of the Imperial calendar, when the lilies first bloomed.”

As I thought. Just as I had discovered through my investigation, Kihelene was born in the same year as Cullen. Then, silver light flowed from the empty eye sockets of the three old men. They nodded.

“You have spoken the truth.”

As soon as the words ended, letters were etched into the air. The letters, bearing Kihelene’s name and date, descended and were carved into the round table. This time, it was Cullen’s turn. The three pairs of vacant gazes turned to Cullen.

“Cullen Larkan, tell us the day you received the goddess’s blessing.”

Cullen clenched and unclenched his fists. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the overlapping afterimages. Hiding his agitation beneath a cool expression, he slowly opened his mouth.

“It was the first day of the last month, in the year 1471 of the Imperial calendar.”

As soon as his answer fell, sighs of joy erupted from the surroundings. Just as whispers of congratulation and relief were about to spread, red light flowed from the eyes of the council of elders. They reached out simultaneously in raised voices. Their voices boomed, filling the hall.

“The goddess sees through lies.”

“Our role is to lead you to the truth.”

“Speak the facts.”

At the unexpected turn of events, Count Linden, who stood behind Kihelene, stepped forward.

“What do you mean! Didn’t you just hear her say December!”

Other nobles also sided with Count Linden. Count Cliff, who stood behind Cullen and Kihelene, also moved a little closer to Kihelene’s side.

“She admitted it herself. The position of Crown Prince was always meant for Princess Kihelene!”

Duke Renon added his words. He asserted strongly.

“Does the position of Crown Prince make sense for this commoner, whose origins are unknown?”

The meeting hall instantly became chaotic. Cullen could barely hear it. He wanted to ignore those vacant eyes.

His stomach churned. His mother’s corpse kept flashing in his mind. Unlike himself, who could pass over other cruel sights without much reaction, Cullen was greatly agitated. He wanted it to end quickly. He didn’t want to be the Crown Prince. No, he just wanted to leave this place.

To do so, he was about to give a false answer again.

“How noisy.”

A calm yet powerful voice was heard from somewhere. An intangible pressure that instantly quelled the commotion weighed down the hall. Everyone’s gaze slowly turned back. Cullen also twisted his body.

There stood a beautiful being with shining golden hair cascading down to her waist. Her blue eyes, tinged with gold, seemed golden under the sunlight. Her beauty, which seemed otherworldly, momentarily silenced everyone.

In that moment, even Cullen forgot the turmoil in his heart.

Count Linden was the first to break the silence.

“W-Who is this uninvited guest in this sacred place!”