[Chapter 285] Debt Settlement

"First, I think we should discuss whether or not it is right to strip the Bisto family of their right to inherit the throne."

It was not appropriate for the most likely candidate in the Emperor's election meeting to take on the role of chairman. So, Duke Ganiello, who had been conveniently assigned the role, brought up the agenda in order of priority.

Those seated around the table in the council room were Lady Mariah, Duke Ganiello, Baron Mirham, and the Duke and Duchess of Meindlandt. None of the three, excluding the Duke and Duchess of Meindlandt, had the intention or the power to go against their wishes. So, the meeting was essentially a "presentation."

However, no one in this room was unaware of how important such a ceremony was.

"To determine whether or not to strip them of their right, we need to clarify whether that right exists in the first place. Regardless of whether there were lies mixed into the justification the Bisto family presented when they first ascended to the throne, it is true that they made humanity flourish in this land that was once ruled by monsters. They also established an administrative system and maintained peace for hundreds of years, so it seems that the Bisto family did have the right to inherit the throne."

Baron Mirham, who was seeing White Swan Castle and even Cledwin and Neris for the first time, spoke calmly. To be precise, he was trying very hard to appear calm.

The Mirham family was a family established by a Jewel Heart princess who had left the Bisto family and had not been part of the royal family for a long time. However, they had often intermarried with the royal family and had a long history, so the head of the family had the status of an elector.

The Mirham family did not participate in this war at all. Regardless of the family's symbolism, the people of this family rarely left their small territory. They had no power to lend to anyone. They simply wanted the mercy of the victor.

His words seemed to imply that the Bisto family had a legitimate right to be Emperor. But everyone in this room knew what kind of argument the grounds he had just laid out could lead to.

The argument that the current electors' act of electing an Emperor was legal.

It didn't matter what happened 600 years ago, the Empire of Vista, or whatever it would be called in the future, was the one that ruled the continent. Everyone knew that disbanding the Empire now would benefit no one. Disputes would inevitably arise, and many people would die.

So, wouldn't it be the most peaceful development for the powerful to inherit the position of the deceased?

Knowing all this, Lady Mariah remained silent, and Cledwin smiled.

"Certainly, the Bisto family did not have 'no' merit at all. In the end, it is true that humans benefited. And there were good rulers among the past Emperors, and the Empire's system itself is not all bad. Since it's a matter related to the people's lives, I agree that we should prioritize practicality over justification."

"Yes. But as you know, the deceased Emperor was a foolish man who indulged in pleasure and neglected the people, and the Crown Prince plunged the entire Empire into misery with his folly. There are currently two princesses alive."

Camille had not yet escaped from the secret room. She seemed to be alive, but no one could tell her apart from a corpse. Yet, strangely, she hadn't died.

Kien the Dragon said that Camille was sealed in that state. She would probably spend an eternity, close to forever, in the most terrible pain she remembered. It seemed that when Cledwin became proficient in wielding the power of the gray Jewel Heart, he could release her and allow her to die peacefully.

Cledwin snorted.

"If you mention the Eldest Princess, there will be many who will rise up. The Eldest Princess's past misdeeds have been officially announced, so if the victims each send one person from their families, the Empire will be split in half."

"…Yes, that's right. So, Eldest Princess Camille is not a viable candidate for the next Emperor, and Princess Izet…"

"Princess Izet said she would give up her family name. Here is the notarized document."

Neris gestured, and an official standing behind her unfolded a beautifully decorated sheet of paper so that everyone could see it. It was definitely genuine, but even if it wasn't, it didn't matter, so people just pretended to glance at the document.

Duke Ganiello led the meeting.

"Most of the collateral branches of the Imperial family died during the recent capture of Pelena. Lady Mariah, are there any heirs to the Bisto family that we don't know about?"

"No. As the oldest living member of the Bisto family, I can assure you that there is no such person. And considering the follies the direct line of the royal family has shown, it seems difficult to claim the legitimacy of succession anymore."

Lady Mariah had said the most important thing she needed to say in this meeting.

Even though she would have to give up the glamorous right of being an elder of the Imperial family with that statement, there was no regret on her face. She even seemed to have a faint, relieved smile.

"Then, do all of you who hold the position of elector agree to strip the Bisto family of their right to inherit the throne in the future? But the Empire itself will remain."

Duke Ganiello asked. Everyone in the room raised their right hand in agreement. The Duke and Duchess's vote was counted as one.

"Then we need a family to inherit the throne."

Everyone raised their right hand again in response to the Duke's question.

The Duke laughed heartily.

"Then, for the first time in history, the Imperial family of the Empire will change its surname. I think there is only one suitable candidate, what do you think?"

There was no dissent.

Before they could exchange a few more words, all the electors except the Duke and Duchess of Meindlandt stood up. And they paid their respects to the new Emperor and Empress.

***

Nellusion couldn't remember the last time he had breathed fresh air.

He blankly ignored his parents, who were sitting in the same room but as far away from him and each other as possible. The memories that had been so confusing just a short time ago were gradually returning to him as memories of this life.

That meant Nellusion's current ruined life had stabilized enough for him to compare it to his former dazzling life.

"Unbelievable."

The family that had been powerful enough to declare independence from the Empire was now gone without a trace.

His parents, who had worn crowns, were now as pathetic as beggars.

The family who had cherished each other had come to hate and slander each other, eventually becoming unable to even look at each other.

Now Nellusion knew why. It was all because of one girl.

Neris Trude, the kind and foolish girl they had used and discarded without a second thought.

"I didn't want you to die."

Nellusion truly believed that. He loved her in his previous life and in this life. He couldn't help but be drawn to her.

In his previous life, because she had loved him so purely. In this life, because she had become a shining jewel that anyone couldn't help but love.

But what could he do now? She was going to get her revenge for the blood of her previous life.

And she had already succeeded in settling her debts.

"Nellusion."

His father, Duke Elandria, or rather, the man who was now simply "Alkydes," spoke to his son in a chilling voice.

"What are you thinking?"

Alkydes didn't trust his son in the slightest, having nearly been killed by Nellusion before. So, he would periodically accuse him, "Aren't you plotting something again to betray me?"

The Duchess of Elandria, now simply "Kybele," yelled at her husband in a nervous tone.

"Be quiet! This is the umpteenth time today! How many times do you want me to tell you the same thing about my son?!"

"You heard what the Duke said! If he kills us both, he can live! He's definitely the kind of guy who would do that!"

"Lies! The Duke is definitely lying! Do you think our smart son would fall for such nonsense?!"

"You're just hiding in a corner because you're scared too!"

Kybele, who had definitely been keeping as far away from "both of them" as possible, flinched. Nellusion chuckled as he listened to their conversation.

Not long after the Duke had said, "If you kill the other two, I'll let you live," the three families were imprisoned in the same room. They said it was because there were too many prisoners, but Nellusion could see what the Duke wanted as clear as day.

He was trying to break up their loving family because they had used and killed Neris in the name of family.

"I don't need it."

The loving family was completely over. Hadn't he thoroughly ruined it with his own hands before this war even ended?

The experiences of his previous life and this life, along with his intense frustration and ample reflection, allowed Nellusion to see everything more clearly than before.

He had found everything around him boring since he was a child. He was good at lying, so he even believed it himself, but the truth was that the world was just too boring.

While everyone believed that he, the perfect one, would be happy, Nellusion vaguely felt something was missing in him. Family, wealth, and praise from others meant nothing to him. But he didn't want to acknowledge that fact, so he couldn't ask "why."

He simply pursued. To climb higher. To have more. He believed, arbitrarily, that the world would eventually cease to be boring if he did so.

The independence of the Elandria family was a goal he had set. The highest position he could realistically reach. Honestly, family was like hair or clothes to him, not bad if they were useful, but not worth crying over if they were gone. Valentine seemed to have vaguely felt that fact, but…

"You bastard who killed my brother!"

"How many times do I have to tell you, it wasn't me!"

As Alkydes and Kybele fought, footsteps approached from somewhere. Nellusion glanced out the bars with lifeless eyes, like a dead man.

He made a pained expression when he saw the face of the person who appeared.

"I came to tell you some news I just received."

Cledwin Meindlandt… Neris's husband.

His presence was more unbearable than this prison. Nellusion now knew. What he needed wasn't a crown, but Neris. The foolish him from his previous life realized that fact too late, and this is what happened.

"What is it?"

"The news that your sister is, surprisingly, still alive."

"Our Valentine?"

Kybele beamed and approached the bars. She had lived a life where everyone around her catered to her, and now she looked like she could be thrown among any group of convicts and not stand out.

Cledwin remembered well what she had done to Neris. He informed her with a cold face.

They say she's tending pigs at a monastery in the mountains near Caten. She's being abused by the monastery maid and suffering, what should we do? If you feel sorry for her, tell them to bring her here. So the family can share a room together.

Kybele screamed in despair. My precious, precious daughter! That lovely child who should live her whole life doing whatever she wants!

Cledwin also remembered well what Valentine had done to Neris. He nodded.

I'll take that as a no. Then I'll tell them that her mother requested she serve at the monastery for the rest of her life.

For the rest of her life? Kybele screamed again at that phrase. Cledwin slightly frowned.

I'm not saying I'm going to kill her. I just said that because she's already sick from all the beatings she's taken. Anyway, I've been kind enough to tell you, so I'm going. You three can get along nicely.

He left right then.

As he listened to the receding footsteps, Nellusion thought. He knew. Cledwin wanted the Elandria family to be utterly miserable, without a single one left. And that wish would come true.

This is all your fault!

Alkydes, who still had some affection for Valentine, yelled and kicked Nellusion. Kybele stood frozen, unable to stop him. She wanted to vomit.

Nellusion didn't fight back. Alkydes, emboldened, kicked and beat him more. After a while, Kybele screamed sharply and rushed at her husband as the beating continued. Nellusion closed his eyes.

A short time later, the guard reported that all three of the Elandria family looked like they were about to die. And before nightfall, three bodies were actually carried out of the prison.