Chapter 65: The truth of the Crown
(A few days ago...)
[Topaz empire, Imperial capital Sandzar, Inside the Castle of Serenity: ]
"I do not have much time left..."
The Sungrade patriarch received the news of the deteriorating health of the emperor way before things got worse.
He was called to the capital by the direct orders of the emperor to take a look at the strange fire-like markings that had appeared in some parts of the emperor’s body.
It was a strange occurrence since the emperor had not done anything out of his daily tasks to catch this strange ’illness’ as the doctors at the capital called it.
His body temperature kept rising due to the effects of this strange illness, he felt like his entire body was burning from the inside.
Keeping the external body cool wasn’t working well for him after a few days either. The mages needed to use a delicate spell on his body all the time so that they could keep the illness under control.
Slowly, the flame markings spread throughout his body, enhancing the burning effects.
When the Sungrade patriarch saw it for the first time, he did not know what they were or what to do with them, but as things got to the point they were at right now, he did not know if helping him would do anything at all.
The emperor had done everything he could to save himself, to lessen the pain that was slowly overwhelming his entire being, but it was certain that he did not have much time left.
The mages and the healers could only do something to relieve the pain and help him pass away as peacefully as possible. But, the emperor had not given up just yet.
’A few decades ago when it was my turn to bend the knee to the emperor and swear to follow him, I did not believe I was making the right choice.’
It was a tradition of the Sungrade house to help the crown in their needs whenever called upon. The eastern end of the empire was theirs and they were the only rulers, the only Lords of these faraway lands.
They had more freedom here in the east than any other house had anywhere in the empire, and that freedom and authority came at a certain cost: to follow the crown.
It was their duty, and since the tradition of the succession of the Topaz crown was forged with brutal trials and challenges, the Sungrades had never doubted the authority of the crown.
’Only the most worthy within a generation could succeed the crown.’
That has been the case for as long as the Topaz empire has stood on this continent. However, the current emperor broke that tradition completely.
’His succession itself was something that happened in a unique manner.’
Emperor Janin Haimdal Von Gregor Topaz was an ascetic.
He had forsaken the world and gone in search of the truth of elemental powers.
Ever since he was young, the only thing he was interested in were the elemental powers and how they were used in different parts of the world.
He had taken himself out of the contention for the crown very early, and for decades, no one saw him.
The previous emperor, his father, was a great man. He was the true emperor of the Topaz in all manners and definitions.
His Elder son was the same as him, the one who was supposed to succeed the crown after winning against the three other contenders who lost their lives one way or another by the time one of the biggest tragedies of the empire’s history took place.
’The emperor, along with his heir, was killed while going against a Calamity.’
The creature turned out to be far too powerful for their forces. It would have destroyed the empire, but at the cost of their lives, the empire was saved.
Many died in that battle back then, and the people in power understood the importance of bringing a true successor to take over the empty seat.
’His mother was still alive back then.’
The late empress took control of the empire for the time being, stabilized things, and ultimately, spent years getting a hold of her last surviving son.
And when she found him, by force or by the threat of her life, she brought him back, and he was made to be the emperor.
’But he was a good man.’
Emperor Janin was not the wisest or the strongest. He was also not particularly special.
The only unique quality of his was his pure, almost good heart, something that the previous emperors of Topaz did not have as the unique ruthlessness that was needed to maintain the crown.
The authority of the throne was too great for someone with a good heart, and he knew he wasn’t sufficient to maintain the throne’s burden alone.
So, more than any other master of the state, he relied on his advisors and companions.
He knew an heir was needed to succeed him so, he took in a wife as well, relinquishing his will as an ascetic for the empire.
Following the coronation, he worked to maintain the peace of the empire instead of further expanding their reach.
In the meantime, there were several invasions from the enemy continental powers, but the empire stood tall against them.
’But things are different now.’
The emperor’s constitution has become too weak. He would pass away soon. And in his place, his chosen heir was supposed to take his place instead of another bloody competition where his children had to suffer along with his subjects.
’He should have just kept the traditions.’
But the emperor was no ruthless tyrant. He loved his children and his people, and his love had now created cracks throughout the empire.
’The Samstrong Duke did not act on his own. He always wanted the princess to take the throne.’
The crown prince was good like his father. Under him, the stagnation that had covered this empire would have stayed the same.
Many people did not want that, and so, there was a rebellion happening right now even though the emperor was still breathing.
’You asked us to go be with our family, Janin, but how are we going to deal with this now?’
He looked in front of him, at the youngest ones that were playing with their food on this big dining table.
Not all of his family members were here today. His fifth wife was back at her homeland for the time being with their second youngest daughter while his second eldest son was in the capital, guarding the crown and the throne.
His most beloved companion wasn’t around anymore, but their son was here, scolding both his youngest sister and his little nephew.
The father of his only grandchild was with them today, along with his wife, and still, as a father, he regretted that even he did not know where his eldest daughter had gone.
’The guardians have long confirmed that she’s alive somewhere.’
But he did not know where that girl was. And, he did not know what he was supposed to do now, in this situation.
"Everyone, I hope you’re enjoying the dinner." He was a father, a husband, a Lord, as well as a subject that was still loyal to the emperor, and not the crown itself.
He had made it clear the moment he took his oath to follow the emperor, and the emperor did not find anything wrong with it.
The Sungrades were not part of the rebel forces supporting the princess or the loyalists who wanted to fulfil the emperor’s wish for the crown prince to take his place.
’Your youngest is with that woman but you should still worry about him.’
Being at Stanox did not guarantee the youngest prince’s safety even though he had given up on the throne.
The world has already seen what becomes of those who do not desire this power and authority. It was ironic that the biggest threat to the two forces was a boy who might not even know what was going on in his home right now.
Still, as someone who was walking on a tightrope, he needed to make his decision quickly.
"I have something important I would like to discuss with all of you." As he spoke, the rest of his family members looked at him curiously.
Alex had stopped playing with food as well, and the boy younger than her was almost falling asleep again.
"This is important so listen carefully." He focused his eyes on Prism, making everyone else look at him in unison.
"You have been called to the Sanctuary."
And the moment this news was announced, each member present excluding the boy in question here, had their mouths left open.
"Hmmm? What’s that, father?"
And of course, as it was supposed to be, the clueless Alex asked her innocent question right away, preventing the ladies from choking on their still warm food...