“Ah, Amell! It looks like things have been going well for you at the Academy.”
Welcoming Amell inside a private room was none other than the Empress, as she extended both hands in an attempt to hug him.
Amell simply sidestepped her, his gaze shifting to the Emperor, who sat on a single-seat red sofa, engrossed in his book.
Finally taking note of him, the Emperor placed the book down and turned to face Amell.
“Looks like you made it in time.”
“Yes, I was… stuck with a few things.”
It was more that he wanted to go with Leon, but Julien left without warning, leaving him no choice but to go by himself. Well, technically, his fiancée Agatha did go with him, so he wasn’t
Nonetheless, it would’ve been best if he had gone with Leon.
Especially now that they were ready to reveal to him his lineage and real identity. This decision came after Amell had observed Leon enough to know that he would be able to take the news without resentment.
Not only that but after a thorough examination, they were now completely certain that Leon was indeed related to them by blood.
There was no better opportunity to reveal his true lineage than at the Congress, where the world’s superpowers were gathered. It would not only legitimize the announcement but also ensure that all the powerful figures recognized his face and understood exactly who he was.
But there was only one problem,
“Father, there’s something I’m somewhat hesitant about.”
“Speak.”
Amell licked his lips.
“…Don’t you think it would be best to tell Leon in advance before suddenly dumping it all on him? I feel like it might actually make him resent us if we do it this way?”
“Amell, you understand best why we have to do it like this, right?”
“But—”
“This is to ensure his safety. You must understand that if we were able to confirm Leon is part of our family, then the other royal family members and their factions have likely noticed something as well.”
“Yes…”
Amell nodded his head faintly.
He had indeed noticed subtle movements from the other noble houses and the branch families. Leon’s presence brought instability to the Royal Family, and while it was decided that Amell would be the most likely one to inherit the throne, the other members didn’t see it the same way.
There were many factions in the Verdant Empire, with several eyeing the throne.
If Leon joined and supported Amell, then the fine balance that was created would shatter.
This was why the Emperor and Empress were so hesitant to meet Leon and inform him in advance. They couldn’t risk the news leaking under any circumstances.
In order to ensure that it didn’t, they planned on announcing everything when the Congress started.
There were certainly better ways to handle this, and Amell felt the same, but to minimize the risks, the Emperor and Empress chose this approach.
“I’m not sure how he’ll react to the news, but if we explain it to him later, I hope he’ll understand. Do you think he would be upset?”
“….I don’t know.”
Amell wasn’t too sure.
He didn’t think Leon would show too much of a reaction. Unless it involved Julien, Leon didn’t seem like someone who would get easily flustered.
Of course, these were merely his thoughts after having observed him for almost a year.
But the concerns were still there.
“There’s no use overthinking this. The Congress is about to begin, and since we’ve already made our decision, we should see it through.”
Standing up from his seat, the Emperor set his book aside and massaged his face.
Almost instantly, his demeanor shifted, transforming into one of regal authority. At that moment, he was no longer a concerned father but the Emperor of one of the four great empires.
“Ah.”
It was just as he was about to leave that he suddenly recalled something.
Turning around, he eyed Amell.
“Should we also reveal his real name to the public?”
“Real name…?”
Amell fell into thought.
Indeed, Leon… His real name wasn’t Leon. At the very least, it wasn’t the name he had been given at birth.
His real name was;
Vareth.
***
“This place sure looks grand.”
Up close, the palace hosting the Congress was even more imposing and breathtaking than it had appeared from a distance. Towering pillars soared several dozen meters high, while a massive red carpet stretched across the marble floor.
Elegantly dressed attendees in various formal attire moved through the grand entrance, adding to the palace’s atmosphere.
Watching the countless people pass by, I felt out of place—yet, at the same time, it also felt as if I stood out more than ever.
‘No, we’re probably standing out.’
Leon and I weren’t exactly the ugliest of people.
…And not only that, but we were also somewhat famous.
“That’s…!? I think I’ve seen them before.”
My ears perked up as I heard the whispers of the people around us.
I gave Leon a side-eye.
“Looks like they recognize the two of us.”
“…We did make it to the finals of the Summit.”
“That’s true.”
I lifted my head as I stepped onto the palace grounds. Considering my newfound “celebrity” status, I realized I needed to carry myself with the right demeanor.
Not only was I an award-winning actor, but I was also the most talented cadet within the four Empires.
It wasn’t surprising that they knew who I was.
Julie—
“The twin stars of the Evenus Household!”
“Yes, it’s the twin stars!”
“The twin stars!”
“…..”
“…..”
Kill me, and then Leon.
Please…
“Oh, you guys finally showed up.”
Amid my despair, a familiar voice rang out as Aoife appeared in the distance. Dressed in an exquisitely crafted red gown that complemented her fiery hair, she effortlessly drew the attention of many as she made her way toward us.
Behind her were two guards in silver armor.
“Eh…? What’s wrong with your faces? It looks like you both ate sh—”
Aoife hastily covered her mouth before she could finish her sentence and looked behind towards the two guards who kept their attention fixed elsewhere.
With a visible twitch of her lips, Aoife took a deep breath and recomposed herself.
“As I was saying, you guys don’t look good.”
“…It’s because we’ve just been harassed.”
“Eh? Harrassed? Who would even harass you?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
I sighed in silence before switching the topic.
“Where are Kiera and Evelyn? You usually are always with them.”
“Oh, about that…”
Aoife gestured toward the distance, where two figures stood by the buffet area. The two immediately stood out, and not because of their appearance, but because of their antics.
With a neatly held handkerchief, Evelyn carefully picked up several items, sampling the snacks with delight before pulling out a small notepad and jotting something down. Beside her, Kiera stood in stark contrast, eagerly shoveling food into her mouth without restraint.
It was a…
“I don’t know them.”
Aoife perfectly summarized the situation.
In that sense, I now understood why she was by herself.
“Well, it’s a good thing you two arrived early. With the attention you’re already drawing, I can’t imagine how chaotic it would be if you had shown up later when the place is completely packed.”
“That would be rather troublesome.”
I could already see people eyeing us like hawks, ready to pounce on the two of us at any second. If not for Aoife being present, they would’ve already done so.
“On that note, this is also a great opportunity for the two of you.”
“How so?”
“To build connections for your family. There are so many high-ranking nobles here, whether from this Empire or others. Plus, several major merchant houses and Guild Leaders are also in attendance. Cooperating with any such figure would massively benefit your houses and you.”
Well, true, but…
‘Helping the family wouldn’t really benefit me that much.’
It would at most give me more status. However, the Evenus family was clearly something that the current family head was in full control of.
By the time I gained control of the place, several decades would’ve passed.
“Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask something.”
Disrupting me out of my thoughts, Aoife suddenly asked,
“What Church is your house currently affiliated with?”
“Eh?”
Why would this matter?
“The delegates from all seven churches will also be present. Each is sending an envoy, and depending on which church your house is affiliated with, you might even receive their blessing.”
“That…”
I turned to look at Leon. I had no clue about the church our current household was affiliated with. No, it was more like I had forgotten.
“Mortum.”
Leon answered in a flat tone shortly after.
“…The Evenus Household is affiliated with the church of Mortum.”
I opened my mouth but soon closed it.
I wasn’t even surprised by this. Thinking about the Seven Church gathering that had happened a while back and how Leon had chosen Mortum, it made sense.
In fact, I was probably the weird one for not choosing Mortum.
‘Not that I had much of a choice in the matter.’
Considering the circumstances I had found myself in back then, it had been for the best that I had chosen Sithrus instead of Mortum.
“The Church of Mortum? Yes, that makes sense. I think the Verlice Household is also affiliated with them. If that’s the case then… then… then…”
Aoife’s speech suddenly began to slur, her words faltering as if she had experienced a glitch. She started repeating the same phrases over and over, and when I tried to speak, I came to a sudden realization.
‘I can’t speak at all!’
Before panic could set in, my vision blurred, and a wave of dizziness washed over me. I felt my body grow heavy, slipping beyond my control.
This feeling…
It was somewhat familiar.
And that was when I realized.
‘..I’m experiencing a vision.’
Tzzz—
A static noise filled my ears all of a sudden.
‘Eh…?’
Confused, I strained to look ahead as the world around me began to shift—or at least, it tried to.
Tzzz—
The static sound echoed once more as my vision glitched. Or rather, it became shrouded by a strange, hazy veil, making it difficult to see through.
‘What in the…!?’
Confused, I tried to rip the veil, but as hard as I tried, it wouldn’t budge at all.
At least, not until the static sound echoed again.
Tzzz—
In that moment, I caught a glimpse of what was behind the veil.
A pair of yellow eyes.
They stared straight at me.
But soon, the veil covered the vision once more.
‘What is going on!?’
Tzzz—
As the static sound reverberated once more, my gaze dropped to what seemed to be a marble floor.
There, spreading across its smooth surface, was a pool of blood.
Tzzz—
The image was cut short.
Only for it to return again as a boot appeared on top of the puddle. It was made of black leather, with intricate golden embroidery.
Tzzz—
But that was all I saw before the veil appeared once more.
And then,
“Ah, so you’re also here.”
A voice reached my ears. It echoed from all surroundings.
What sort of…!?
Wam!
Suddenly, light flooded my vision as the world around me seemed to stretch and distort in all directions.
By the time I snapped out of it, a loud voice echoed throughout.
“Please welcome, the envoys of the church of Oracleus!”