# -BANG...!
"Those damn bastards..."
The Crown Prince slammed his fist on the desk as if he might collapse it, spewing his rage. There was nothing he could do in this situation where things rarely went his way.
"How dare they... rebel against the Imperial Crown Prince..."
The wolf pack had begun to bare their teeth.
These wolves, who had wagged their tails when he held firm power, were now rushing in the moment they sensed weakness.
Family was the biggest problem of all...
-CRACK...
He had always known that Shartia coveted the throne.
Though she pretended to have no interest in the throne on the surface, she put more effort than anyone else when it came to matters related to power.
Even a fool could see it.
That his sister was after his position.
Until now, he hadn't needed to keep her in check because Shartia's influence had been insignificant.
Her lowly birth.
Her fragile personality.
His sister who gave up power to protect what was hers had been busy just keeping her own bowl.
But.
-We have captured the escapees from the Black Sanctuary.
His sister, who had been expanding her influence, had at some point become the biggest obstacle and was now holding a knife to his throat, and he was one step away from being cut by that blade.
Yes, she had 'crossed the line.'
Originally, he had planned to arrange a political marriage for his sister with a young nobleman after he became king, considering her competence, but her actions that crossed the line began to irritate him.
Even though she knew full well that she would receive unfavorable treatment if he became king.
So he had warned his sister.
-When I become Emperor, I plan to exile all the imperial family members.
His arrogant sister had ignored his proposal.
-Magic Department student Shartia!! She has defeated Imperial Crown Prince... no!! Leogard Theo and advanced to the semifinals!!
He had given her a chance.
A chance to stand on the side that wouldn't collapse even when strong waves came.
-CRACK...
But.
Things weren't going smoothly.
Though in his heart he wanted to become Emperor and bring down the hammer on those who coveted the throne, his current situation wouldn't allow even such imagination.
-CRASH!!!
"I haven't even resolved the western issue... yet Shartia keeps expanding her influence!!"
-BANG BANG BANG!!
"I still need to resolve the issues with Ricardo and Yuria too...!!"
-BANG!
He kept growing anxious as idiotic situations continued to unfold without any progress.
His biggest concern was the 2nd Prince's participation in politics.
The 2nd Prince Truller.
His good-for-nothing brother had been pushed to the bottom of the succession order because he hadn't shown any good points to their father.
But.
If he were to die in an unfortunate accident...
His father, who prioritized succession by the eldest, would surely pass the throne to the 2nd Prince Truller rather than to the somewhat intelligent Shartia.
-BANG...
"This one and that one... instead of concentrating power to their brother... they're dispersing it..."
Theo, who had slammed his fist on the desk, took a deep breath and suppressed his anger. Getting angry wouldn't change anything anyway.
"When I become king, I'll pay them all back."
After all, he would be the one to become king.
For now, he needed to focus on Truller first. What Truller might do...
"I need to strengthen security."
Because he couldn't get a grasp on it.
"Wolfgang."
Theo, who had been drinking alcohol in his private office, sighed deeply and addressed Wolfgang, who was bowing his head. He wondered what to do with this person who had given him nothing but disappointment despite the trust he had placed in him.
"What do you think about this problem right now?"
"..."
"Starting with Shartia capturing all the escapees and gaining the favor of the nobles and my father."
"..."
"To the issue of the 2nd Prince participating in the succession battle."
"..."
"Do you have any idea how to resolve this?"
At the Crown Prince's sharp words, Wolfgang clenched his fist and muttered an excuse in a low voice.
"I apologize. I will do my best."
In the given situation, all he could say was that he would do his best.
"Your best... you should think of alternatives before speaking."
"..."
"This isn't something to be taken so lightly..."
"..."
"Since you don't seem to know, shall I kindly explain it to you...?"
"N-no, sir."
"No... shut up and listen."
Theo took a deep breath and placed his finger on his forehead as he spoke.
"One. The absence of the ledger."
"..."
"Trusting only your words, I recorded names in the ledger and now I'm exposed to vulnerability. I don't know who has the ledger, but what's certain is that whoever it is, I've lost a weapon that could threaten the position of the Crown Prince."
"...We are searching for it. All witnesses related to the ledger have been dealt with..."
-BANG.
"So where is the ledger?"
When Theo's cold gaze met Wolfgang's eyes, Wolfgang, having nothing to say, pressed his lips tightly.
"I apologize."
To Wolfgang, who was on the defensive, Theo continued.
"Two. The broken authority in the west."
"..."
"Due to the frozen canal, the influence in the west that you boasted about so much has been divided with Duke Bellian."
"...I can fix it. If you just give me a little more time..."
"Time?"
"Yes, if you give me time, I can resolve this issue."
"I see... how much do you need?"
"If you give me just one month..."
"Will it be done by the time Shartia gains father's trust and obtains the position of Crown Princess?"
"...!!"
"Or are you planning to side with Truller after he assassinates me and takes the position of Crown Prince?"
"No!! How could I betray you, Your Highness...!!"
Theo's breathing became rough.
"Every minute, every second is precious... Right now, at this very moment, Shartia is desperately moving to find my weaknesses, and Truller is contemplating whether to choose assassination or conspiracy..."
"...I will strengthen the security."
"...Wolfgang Louis."
Theo grabbed Wolfgang's shoulder roughly and gave him a cold look.
"Do your best."
"..."
"We're already in the same boat."
"..."
"If I sink, you will sink too. No, I will make sure you sink."
Theo was anxious.
Because cracks were beginning to form in the once solid position of the Crown Prince.
His father, who had always only expected things from him, had now gradually begun to test him, and when he was reprimanded in front of the nobles, he realized it.
That if things continued like this, it would be dangerous.
That's why Theo needed it.
Something to drive in a wedge.
"Think about it."
"..."
"The image of you standing beside me when I become king."
"..."
"A future where you take Desmont's place and rise from a marquis to a duke."
"..."
"Imagine it dozens, hundreds of times in your head. And find a way to make it happen."
Wolfgang's eyes, which had only ever looked at power, began to burn.
Because the rope he could grab was right in front of him now.
"I will make you the best. As much as you help me, I will repay you double."
"..."
"Don't just do your best, stake your life on it..."
When Theo's fierce gaze turned to Wolfgang, Wolfgang bowed his head, took a breath, and nodded.
"Understood."
Because he had no choice anymore.
"The method..."
He just had to become a madman pursuing power.
*
At the same time.
"Eek...?"
Olivia was staring at the old bundle of papers with wide eyes.
"Daddy."
Darvav, smiling contentedly, stroked Olivia's puzzled head.
"Why are you calling me?"
"What is this?"
To Olivia's question as she pointed at the paper with her finger, Darvav replied with a pleased smile. The paper in front of them could perhaps be sold for the highest price in the Empire.
"Guess."
"Tissue."
"No."
"Garbage."
"...It's a bomb."
"...A bomb?"
"That's right."
At the trivial words, Olivia pouted and turned away from the notebook. Meteor was much stronger and more beautiful than a bomb anyway.
"I like Meteor better than bombs..."
"Where would you like to shoot it...?"
Olivia smiled as she pointed her finger at the tallest building in the Empire.
"There."
"...If it's there."
[The Imperial Palace.]
"Oh..."
Darvav looked at Olivia with proud eyes. He didn't know who she took after to be so smart.
"If that went 'boom!' and collapsed, it would be really great..."
"Indeed, when this father was young, my dream was to drop a meteor on the Imperial Palace... Olivia, you take after your father."
"Eeeeek..."
"What's wrong?"
Darvav frowned and approached Olivia, who was making a sad face.
"Eeeeek..."
I shouldn't cry.
I'd rather pay double the taxes.
Olivia, on the verge of tears, said to Darvav:
"Does that mean Daddy doesn't have a dream...?"
"Huh..."
What a filial daughter, thinking about her father like this.
"No."
Darvav looked at the Imperial Palace with a more serious expression than ever.
"My dream is still the same."
"Eek...?!"
"Someday."
"Ooooh...."
"I'll shoot it."
Darvav's dream was still ongoing.
Darvav spoke while looking at the bomb that would fall on the Empire.
"Olivia."
"Mm."
"Look at the notebook and repeat after me."
"What?"
"To blow it up or not."
"Eek?"
"To blow it up or not."
"To blow it up or not...?"
The ledger that Wolfgang and the Crown Prince were desperately searching for was becoming Olivia's toy.
Without knowing the desperate hearts of those searching.
"To blow it up or not..."
Olivia was playing with her new toy.
"Eeeeeeek!!! Blow it up!!!"
Very enjoyably.
"Eeeeeeek... maybe don't blow it up..."
She was playing.