“Sadalmelik.... Are you with the Second Prince?” Chang-Sun asked.
“Th-th-that’s right.” Morgan Hornan wasn’t even aware that Chang-Sun was disrespectfully referring to his Guardian by her real name. All he could think of was getting out of this place right now.
“Go tell the Second Prince that we’ll visit the Imperial Palace soon.”
Morgan’s eyes wandered, unable to understand what Chang-Sun meant. Was Chang-Sun going to persuade the Prezia Family to offer the Dominion Seal or was he threatening Morgan that his next terrorist attack would be against the Imperial Family?
“You don’t understand, do you? I’m saying that we’re going to meet the Second Prince in private the next time we’re in the Imperial Palace,” Chang-Sun added.
“... U-understood, sir! I’ll send someone to escort you when you visit the Imperial Palace.” Morgan bowed as his face brightened up, thinking that Chang-Sun was subtly implying that the Prezia Family was willing to offer the Dominion Seal to them.
‘Yeah! Even a violent terrorist would need a place to rest in peace! He wants to make a deal with us through the Prezia Family, which means if I use him wisely...’ Morgan thought, hope growing within him.
It was common to see yesterday’s enemy becoming today’s ally in the world of politics. Hence, Morgan had a feeling that he would have the upper hand in the imminent outbreak of civil war. It was still naturally suspicious in some ways, but he concluded that no bad would come out of this meeting. He quickly walked away, worrying that Chang-Sun would change his mind.
After watching Morgan for a moment, Chang-Sun chuckled and went deeper into the manor. “He’s gotten himself busy thinking about a rosy future that will never come.”
* * *
“Greetings to you, Sir Jin. My name is Sietle Prezia, and I’m the current lady of the Prezia Family.” Instead of being moved to tears for finally reuniting with her son, who had just come back from the brink of death, Sietle introduced herself formally after listening to the narrative of Trivelle’s group.
Watching her had given Chang-Sun a very strong impression of her. ‘She’s a warrior.’
He was listening to the conversation between Sietle and Morgan before their fight against the Hornan Family’s knights. Morgan threatened her with her son’s life, yet she didn’t even blink.
Sietle calmly adjusted her dress when she heard about her new guests, befitting the polite host that she was. She looked as if she had no emotions at all. Treville even described her as an iron lady.
“My mother? Ever since I was young, my mother has always been composed... I’m a sentimental type of person, so I respect her a lot. I think that’s why when Father passed away and all the vassals left, she still managed to endure and maintain the empty family all on her own,” Treville said.
But...
‘They’re trembling.’ Chang-Sun didn’t miss Sietle’s trembling fingers as she held her dress to bow.
With his heightened senses, he could also hear her racing heart, showing she was both quite surprised by Morgan’s blackmail attempt and relieved to see Treville again. She was likely as sentimental as the next person or even as much as Treville but was simply doing her best to hold herself back from expressing her emotions.
‘She had to be strong to protect her young son and her family from the hyenas,’ Chang-Sun speculated, finding Sietle even more remarkable now. Despite being initially weak, she became a completely different person to protect her family.
「You’re... Jan’s daughter-in-law, yes?」
“That’s right.” Sietle nodded.
「You must have gone through a lot.」
Did Jin’s warm voice melt her heart, which had to freeze up a bit to survive? Her lips seemingly quivered a little.
「I heard that his grave has been relocated near the manor. I would like to say hello to him, so can you point me to him?」
“It has been a while since you returned to the manor, so I’m sure that you would find a lot about the manor unfamiliar. I’ll show you.”
Sietle guided and showed Jin around herself. Although it wasn’t the same as the main manor of the Prezia Family, it also had a long history. Sietle and Jin exchanged several conversations about it and talked about everything else in their hearts. Jin got to hear about Jan and his family’s lives while he was away, and Sietle learned about the parts of the Prezia Family’s history that she wasn’t aware of.
During dinner, Sietle listened to Chang-Sun’s plan. It surprised her so much that she couldn’t help but show her emotion for the first time.
“You’re... going to take over the Imperial Palace? But that place is protected by the Arcadian Imperial Army and Inspection Bureau—ah!” she exclaimed as a memory popped into her mind. “The reason you told the Second Prince that you’re going to pay the Imperial Family a visit is...”
Chang-Sun nodded. “It will give us the chance to get the Emperor’s leash. The Emperor is known as the incarnation of a Celestial who walks among mortals. He would surely be a valuable hostage.”
Sietle chuckled dryly. Since the desire to worship the Emperor was extremely strong in the Imperial Palace, everyone would certainly panic if he was taken hostage. “Isn’t that too dangerous? You might be able to somehow take down his guards, but the Star Signs are immediately going to interfere—”
“The Star Signs would have no time to care about what is happening in the <Saha World>,” Chang-Sun interrupted, dismissing her concern.
If the <Anti-Star> Alliance were to make a move as the two Star Signs’ conflicts intensified, interfering with Arcadia’s state of affairs would be the last thing in <Horoscope>’s mind.
“I see. That day would mark the death anniversary of the Second Prince and Hornan Family, then.” Sietle seemed to have a lot on her mind, yet her eyes still quickly turned sharp. “And it’s a chance for the Prezia Family to rise again after all the persecution they’ve thrown at us. Treville.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Go into the main room and open the third drawer. The Dominion Seal is in there.”
“M-Mother, that’s—!” Treville stammered.
“Use it to summon everyone. You’re the head of the Prezia Family now.”
Treville looked dumbstruck, but seeing the resolve behind Sietle’s eyes soon made him gulp and nod. He couldn’t hide how hard his heart was pounding, though. Although he now surprisingly had the power of the Prezia Family’s head, Sietle’s suggestion made his mouth dry up. She was proposing to bring together the old vassals who were forced to scatter all over Arcadia by the Imperial Family’s long persecution.
“Finally... We’re rising again.”
“The Prezias have left big and lasting marks in this world. Although we may be laying low now....” Sietle nodded slowly, her eyes blazing up with fervor. “... it is time we spread our wings and show the people how wide they are.”
* * *
Flutter!
Dozens of doves flew above the Prezia Manor. The Prezia Family would rise again today. Treville was happy, but at the same time, he was worried about how many of the old vassals would answer his call.
Years had passed since the Prezia Family lost power. Hence, they could no longer promise any benefits to the vassals and their family members. They probably already had lives of their own, which meant they would have to decide whether or not to abandon everything they had built until now. And Treville’s concern came true.
“I’m Sehan from the Fabien Family, here to answer the Great Family’s summon.”
“I’m also here to answer the summon. My name is Hol, and I’m from the Sanneh Family.”
During the Prezia Family’s golden age, they had a total of ninety-eight vassal families, but most of them didn’t even send a written reply. Only two of them came in person to join the parade, both of whom looked very shabby for nobles because they were from small families that only had a few members.
Nevertheless, Treville welcomed them with a smile. “Welcome, brothers. You answered my call even though it has been so long. Thank you.”
“Trust your family. Just like your mother said, the Prezia Family’s influence is beyond your expectations,” Chang-Sun said.
Feeling restless, Treville was strolling across the garden last night when he coincidentally ran into Chang-Sun.
“And don’t pay much heed if only a few people come together like you expected.” Chang-Sun tapped Treville’s shoulder.
“...?”
“Don’t forget who your family’s Guardian is.”
“...!”
“Jin’s family is also my family.” Chang-Sun smiled gently.
A family protected by ‘Divine Twilight’! What could be more reassuring than that? Seeing the determination in Chang-Sun’s eyes, made Treville believe that nothing was impossible.
Flap―!
That was why Treville wasn’t worried even when only two of the vassal families arrived at the Prezia Manor. On the contrary, he confidently instructed the butler to hold up the flag of his family and started his parade to the Imperial Palace.
Morgan, who came to escort the Prezia Family on the Second Prince’s order, looked surprised to see the Prezia Family’s humble group. “Are you saying... that you’ll go to the Imperial Palace like that?”
“Are we not going?”
“... Well, if you’ve braced yourself for the embarrassment...” Morgan scoffed and led the way. “As I told you earlier, His Highness Chiront has personally and mercifully set up this meeting, so you should be careful. Don’t make a mistake while you’re offering the Dominion Seal to His Majesty.”
The Prezia Family previously asked Morgan to tell the Second Prince that their head was going to lead his vassals to the Imperial Palace and offer the Dominion Seal to the Emperor. Morgan also found the message tempting. Their conflict against the Eleventh Prince was already intensifying. Fortunately, the Prezia Family was voluntarily giving the public to the Second Prince.
Even when the Prezia Family was branded as traitors, they retained a great amount of influence over the public. Now, their head was going to lead all his vassals in front of ordinary citizens on a parade to the Imperial Palace, where he would hand over his Dominion Seal.
In doing so, the Imperial Family would naturally gain public opinion, and the positions of the Second Prince and Morgan would be as solid as a rock since they were the ones who made it possible. From that point on, the nobles and priests who were yet to decide who to follow would choose the Second Prince’s side.
‘Lord Chiront will soon ascend to the throne, and I, Morgan Hornan, will become the Prime Minister! Muhahahaha!’
Morgan found Chang-Sun’s participation in the parade suspicious, but he was far too blinded by his greed to pay it any mind.
The horses neighed as the Prezia Family’s parade to the Imperial Palace began.
“Oh, my goodness! The rumor about the Prezia Family giving up their Ducal Family title is true!”
“It’s said that the family is going to offer all their wealth and retire to the country to repent for all their crimes.”
“Is the man in the front the current head of the Prezia Family? He’s young.”
“Isn’t the parade too small? They should have done a better job! What is that?!”
Having heard the news about the parade, people crowded the streets. Morgan had worked in the shadows to earn as much attention as possible.
‘The more people see this sight, the quicker the news about the Prezia Family’s loss of power would spread. Once Treville offers the seal, I’ll be replacing the Prezia Family!’ Morgan guffawed, thinking everything worked out in his favor. His happiness quickly died out, however.
“I’m Hanus from the Creta Family. My apologies for the late arrival, but I wish to join the parade.”
“I’m Tanata Oxyville, here to be in your attendance. May I have your permission to join you?”
The other families who didn’t show up earlier began to join the parade one after another.
“Would it be really okay for them to go to the Imperial Palace like that?”
“Considering how much the Imperial Family persecuted them, it’s worrisome...”
“That is it. I’m going to follow them.”
“What can you do even if you follow them?”
“Anything! The Imperial Family can’t possibly do something funny to the Prezia Family if many people are watching them. Considering all the grace that my parents received from the Prezia Family, the least I can do for them is make the parade less lonely!”
“H-hold on! I’m coming with you!”
Concerned about how small the parade was, the crowd joined in. Some of the spectators came out to the street without any specific purpose, but they found themselves following the parade out of curiosity when they saw people walking with it in big groups. The size of the parade snowballed, growing hundreds of times bigger than before.
“Wh-what in the world happened?!” Morgan tried to take action when he realized that something odd was going on, but it was too late.
“M-my apologies for the late arrival! I had business to take care of at home... I’m Kaont of the Pegasus Family. Would it be okay to join the parade now?”
“Welcome, brother. The Prezia Family always welcomes their people.” Treville smiled gently.
Even the vassals who didn’t answer the summon hurriedly joined the parade when they noticed something was up. Some of the vassals even brought hundreds of their family members in confidence.
“I'm from the Pollan Family...”
“The Cenube Family...”
“The Hosant Family...”
Many of the old vassals assembled. The parade was now composed of tens of thousands of people.
“N-no...!” Morgan gradually turned pale.
“Hold up the flag now,” Treville ordered.
The butler, who was waiting for Treville’s command, held up a new flag several times bigger beside the Prezia Family’s flag. The red flag had a symbol of a spear and a sword crossed in front of a shield. They now paraded under the Twilight Flag, which ‘Divine Twilight’ always held up in times of war.
Sunset-colored light spread throughout the crowd.
[The Celestial ‘Divine Twilight’ is blessing his people!]
“Sadalmelik.... Are you with the Second Prince?” Chang-Sun asked.
“Th-th-that’s right.” Morgan Hornan wasn’t even aware that Chang-Sun was disrespectfully referring to his Guardian by her real name. All he could think of was getting out of this place right now.
“Go tell the Second Prince that we’ll visit the Imperial Palace soon.”
Morgan’s eyes wandered, unable to understand what Chang-Sun meant. Was Chang-Sun going to persuade the Prezia Family to offer the Dominion Seal or was he threatening Morgan that his next terrorist attack would be against the Imperial Family?
“You don’t understand, do you? I’m saying that we’re going to meet the Second Prince in private the next time we’re in the Imperial Palace,” Chang-Sun added.
“... U-understood, sir! I’ll send someone to escort you when you visit the Imperial Palace.” Morgan bowed as his face brightened up, thinking that Chang-Sun was subtly implying that the Prezia Family was willing to offer the Dominion Seal to them.
‘Yeah! Even a violent terrorist would need a place to rest in peace! He wants to make a deal with us through the Prezia Family, which means if I use him wisely...’ Morgan thought, hope growing within him.
It was common to see yesterday’s enemy becoming today’s ally in the world of politics. Hence, Morgan had a feeling that he would have the upper hand in the imminent outbreak of civil war. It was still naturally suspicious in some ways, but he concluded that no bad would come out of this meeting. He quickly walked away, worrying that Chang-Sun would change his mind.
After watching Morgan for a moment, Chang-Sun chuckled and went deeper into the manor. “He’s gotten himself busy thinking about a rosy future that will never come.”
* * *
“Greetings to you, Sir Jin. My name is Sietle Prezia, and I’m the current lady of the Prezia Family.” Instead of being moved to tears for finally reuniting with her son, who had just come back from the brink of death, Sietle introduced herself formally after listening to the narrative of Trivelle’s group.
Watching her had given Chang-Sun a very strong impression of her. ‘She’s a warrior.’
He was listening to the conversation between Sietle and Morgan before their fight against the Hornan Family’s knights. Morgan threatened her with her son’s life, yet she didn’t even blink.
Sietle calmly adjusted her dress when she heard about her new guests, befitting the polite host that she was. She looked as if she had no emotions at all. Treville even described her as an iron lady.
“My mother? Ever since I was young, my mother has always been composed... I’m a sentimental type of person, so I respect her a lot. I think that’s why when Father passed away and all the vassals left, she still managed to endure and maintain the empty family all on her own,” Treville said.
But...
‘They’re trembling.’ Chang-Sun didn’t miss Sietle’s trembling fingers as she held her dress to bow.
With his heightened senses, he could also hear her racing heart, showing she was both quite surprised by Morgan’s blackmail attempt and relieved to see Treville again. She was likely as sentimental as the next person or even as much as Treville but was simply doing her best to hold herself back from expressing her emotions.
‘She had to be strong to protect her young son and her family from the hyenas,’ Chang-Sun speculated, finding Sietle even more remarkable now. Despite being initially weak, she became a completely different person to protect her family.
「You’re... Jan’s daughter-in-law, yes?」
“That’s right.” Sietle nodded.
「You must have gone through a lot.」
Did Jin’s warm voice melt her heart, which had to freeze up a bit to survive? Her lips seemingly quivered a little.
「I heard that his grave has been relocated near the manor. I would like to say hello to him, so can you point me to him?」
“It has been a while since you returned to the manor, so I’m sure that you would find a lot about the manor unfamiliar. I’ll show you.”
Sietle guided and showed Jin around herself. Although it wasn’t the same as the main manor of the Prezia Family, it also had a long history. Sietle and Jin exchanged several conversations about it and talked about everything else in their hearts. Jin got to hear about Jan and his family’s lives while he was away, and Sietle learned about the parts of the Prezia Family’s history that she wasn’t aware of.
During dinner, Sietle listened to Chang-Sun’s plan. It surprised her so much that she couldn’t help but show her emotion for the first time.
“You’re... going to take over the Imperial Palace? But that place is protected by the Arcadian Imperial Army and Inspection Bureau—ah!” she exclaimed as a memory popped into her mind. “The reason you told the Second Prince that you’re going to pay the Imperial Family a visit is...”
Chang-Sun nodded. “It will give us the chance to get the Emperor’s leash. The Emperor is known as the incarnation of a Celestial who walks among mortals. He would surely be a valuable hostage.”
Sietle chuckled dryly. Since the desire to worship the Emperor was extremely strong in the Imperial Palace, everyone would certainly panic if he was taken hostage. “Isn’t that too dangerous? You might be able to somehow take down his guards, but the Star Signs are immediately going to interfere—”
“The Star Signs would have no time to care about what is happening in the <Saha World>,” Chang-Sun interrupted, dismissing her concern.
If the <Anti-Star> Alliance were to make a move as the two Star Signs’ conflicts intensified, interfering with Arcadia’s state of affairs would be the last thing in <Horoscope>’s mind.
“I see. That day would mark the death anniversary of the Second Prince and Hornan Family, then.” Sietle seemed to have a lot on her mind, yet her eyes still quickly turned sharp. “And it’s a chance for the Prezia Family to rise again after all the persecution they’ve thrown at us. Treville.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Go into the main room and open the third drawer. The Dominion Seal is in there.”
“M-Mother, that’s—!” Treville stammered.
“Use it to summon everyone. You’re the head of the Prezia Family now.”
Treville looked dumbstruck, but seeing the resolve behind Sietle’s eyes soon made him gulp and nod. He couldn’t hide how hard his heart was pounding, though. Although he now surprisingly had the power of the Prezia Family’s head, Sietle’s suggestion made his mouth dry up. She was proposing to bring together the old vassals who were forced to scatter all over Arcadia by the Imperial Family’s long persecution.
“Finally... We’re rising again.”
“The Prezias have left big and lasting marks in this world. Although we may be laying low now....” Sietle nodded slowly, her eyes blazing up with fervor. “... it is time we spread our wings and show the people how wide they are.”
* * *
Flutter!
Dozens of doves flew above the Prezia Manor. The Prezia Family would rise again today. Treville was happy, but at the same time, he was worried about how many of the old vassals would answer his call.
Years had passed since the Prezia Family lost power. Hence, they could no longer promise any benefits to the vassals and their family members. They probably already had lives of their own, which meant they would have to decide whether or not to abandon everything they had built until now. And Treville’s concern came true.
“I’m Sehan from the Fabien Family, here to answer the Great Family’s summon.”
“I’m also here to answer the summon. My name is Hol, and I’m from the Sanneh Family.”
During the Prezia Family’s golden age, they had a total of ninety-eight vassal families, but most of them didn’t even send a written reply. Only two of them came in person to join the parade, both of whom looked very shabby for nobles because they were from small families that only had a few members.
Nevertheless, Treville welcomed them with a smile. “Welcome, brothers. You answered my call even though it has been so long. Thank you.”
“Trust your family. Just like your mother said, the Prezia Family’s influence is beyond your expectations,” Chang-Sun said.
Feeling restless, Treville was strolling across the garden last night when he coincidentally ran into Chang-Sun.
“And don’t pay much heed if only a few people come together like you expected.” Chang-Sun tapped Treville’s shoulder.
“...?”
“Don’t forget who your family’s Guardian is.”
“...!”
“Jin’s family is also my family.” Chang-Sun smiled gently.
A family protected by ‘Divine Twilight’! What could be more reassuring than that? Seeing the determination in Chang-Sun’s eyes, made Treville believe that nothing was impossible.
Flap―!
That was why Treville wasn’t worried even when only two of the vassal families arrived at the Prezia Manor. On the contrary, he confidently instructed the butler to hold up the flag of his family and started his parade to the Imperial Palace.
Morgan, who came to escort the Prezia Family on the Second Prince’s order, looked surprised to see the Prezia Family’s humble group. “Are you saying... that you’ll go to the Imperial Palace like that?”
“Are we not going?”
“... Well, if you’ve braced yourself for the embarrassment...” Morgan scoffed and led the way. “As I told you earlier, His Highness Chiront has personally and mercifully set up this meeting, so you should be careful. Don’t make a mistake while you’re offering the Dominion Seal to His Majesty.”
The Prezia Family previously asked Morgan to tell the Second Prince that their head was going to lead his vassals to the Imperial Palace and offer the Dominion Seal to the Emperor. Morgan also found the message tempting. Their conflict against the Eleventh Prince was already intensifying. Fortunately, the Prezia Family was voluntarily giving the public to the Second Prince.
Even when the Prezia Family was branded as traitors, they retained a great amount of influence over the public. Now, their head was going to lead all his vassals in front of ordinary citizens on a parade to the Imperial Palace, where he would hand over his Dominion Seal.
In doing so, the Imperial Family would naturally gain public opinion, and the positions of the Second Prince and Morgan would be as solid as a rock since they were the ones who made it possible. From that point on, the nobles and priests who were yet to decide who to follow would choose the Second Prince’s side.
‘Lord Chiront will soon ascend to the throne, and I, Morgan Hornan, will become the Prime Minister! Muhahahaha!’
Morgan found Chang-Sun’s participation in the parade suspicious, but he was far too blinded by his greed to pay it any mind.
The horses neighed as the Prezia Family’s parade to the Imperial Palace began.
“Oh, my goodness! The rumor about the Prezia Family giving up their Ducal Family title is true!”
“It’s said that the family is going to offer all their wealth and retire to the country to repent for all their crimes.”
“Is the man in the front the current head of the Prezia Family? He’s young.”
“Isn’t the parade too small? They should have done a better job! What is that?!”
Having heard the news about the parade, people crowded the streets. Morgan had worked in the shadows to earn as much attention as possible.
‘The more people see this sight, the quicker the news about the Prezia Family’s loss of power would spread. Once Treville offers the seal, I’ll be replacing the Prezia Family!’ Morgan guffawed, thinking everything worked out in his favor. His happiness quickly died out, however.
“I’m Hanus from the Creta Family. My apologies for the late arrival, but I wish to join the parade.”
“I’m Tanata Oxyville, here to be in your attendance. May I have your permission to join you?”
The other families who didn’t show up earlier began to join the parade one after another.
“Would it be really okay for them to go to the Imperial Palace like that?”
“Considering how much the Imperial Family persecuted them, it’s worrisome...”
“That is it. I’m going to follow them.”
“What can you do even if you follow them?”
“Anything! The Imperial Family can’t possibly do something funny to the Prezia Family if many people are watching them. Considering all the grace that my parents received from the Prezia Family, the least I can do for them is make the parade less lonely!”
“H-hold on! I’m coming with you!”
Concerned about how small the parade was, the crowd joined in. Some of the spectators came out to the street without any specific purpose, but they found themselves following the parade out of curiosity when they saw people walking with it in big groups. The size of the parade snowballed, growing hundreds of times bigger than before.
“Wh-what in the world happened?!” Morgan tried to take action when he realized that something odd was going on, but it was too late.
“M-my apologies for the late arrival! I had business to take care of at home... I’m Kaont of the Pegasus Family. Would it be okay to join the parade now?”
“Welcome, brother. The Prezia Family always welcomes their people.” Treville smiled gently.
Even the vassals who didn’t answer the summon hurriedly joined the parade when they noticed something was up. Some of the vassals even brought hundreds of their family members in confidence.
“I'm from the Pollan Family...”
“The Cenube Family...”
“The Hosant Family...”
Many of the old vassals assembled. The parade was now composed of tens of thousands of people.
“N-no...!” Morgan gradually turned pale.
“Hold up the flag now,” Treville ordered.
The butler, who was waiting for Treville’s command, held up a new flag several times bigger beside the Prezia Family’s flag. The red flag had a symbol of a spear and a sword crossed in front of a shield. They now paraded under the Twilight Flag, which ‘Divine Twilight’ always held up in times of war.
Sunset-colored light spread throughout the crowd.
[The Celestial ‘Divine Twilight’ is blessing his people!]
