On the surface, nothing seemed amiss. The conversations were all seemingly innocuous.

However, through Yuder's watchful eyes, Kishiar's manner of dealing with Katchian was glaringly apparent.

At the moment, Kishiar was treating Katchian in the same manner as Katchian usually treated others. Although it wasn't an exact matchKishiar was considerably more moderatethe essence was strikingly similar.

The subtle and capricious way of piercing through people.

During Katchian's reign as Emperor, everyone had been on edge, constantly wary of his unpredictable whims that determined who would be ousted and who would die. Yet, when filtered through Kishiar's hands, all that remained of this terror was mere clownery.

At the end of the sharp blades that the nobles once wielded to earn others' fears, there was really only such naivety.

Katchian probably wasn't oblivious to what Kishiar was showing him. The young Crown Prince couldn't hide his bewilderment and anxiety, as he realized that these people he'd regarded as simple and laughable were pushing him into unfamiliar territory. Despite attempts to mask it with a forced smile, his agitation was clear to those with keen eyes.

Still he's managing to hold it together.

The moment their eyes met, Katchian seemed to visibly shrink, but soon gritted his teeth, regaining his posture. He then quickly excused himself, claiming that his unfinished sentence had merely been an expression of concern for the Emperor and Empress, and that his current physical condition was the only reason for his abrupt stop.

Although one could sense palpable rage when he looked at Kishiar, his external response wasn't bad.

"Ah, I see. Your Highness hasn't been well recently either. Yet you've come all this way to show concern for both of them, reminding us once again how precious family is," Kishiar responded, also feigning understanding and moving on. 'Family being precious,' what an ironic term between Katchian and them.

"...Indeed. Health is more important than anything else," the Emperor picked up, shifting his gaze toward Katchian. His eyes conveyed a lot of unspoken messages.

Regardless, the meal continued. From the moment Katchian mentioned health, Kishiar changed his conversational strategy. He ceased to shake things up and started to let Katchian lead the discourse.

It was done in such a sophisticated manner that even Katchian himself probably hadn't fully caught on.

Questions, then answers. More questions, then more answers.

From the topic of health, which Katchian had himself introduced, the natural flow of questions and answers was subtly geared to extract longer answers from Katchian's side while divulging almost no information from the Emperors side. Katchian's guard was slightly tilted in a different direction, having already been rattled once.

Kishiar's skillful control of the conversation's pace was so masterful that Yuder even found himself contemplating whether his rhetorical skills had nearly reached a divine level.

It's almost like he's testing the limits of how much Katchian can endure.

Kishiar acted as if he had just discovered the human named Katchian for the first time. It was completely different from the way he had maintained an emotionless distance while feigning friendliness during their previous encounters within the imperial palace.

Sometimes like a clueless fool, and sometimes like a cunning politician who had swallowed a hundred snakes, he had endlessly dragged Katchian into a whirlpool of emotions by skillfully bringing the Emperor and Empress into the conversation. A ceaseless stream of dialogue flowed, where each believed they were asking the other astute questions.

So engrossed in the conversation was Katchian that he only realized how much time had passed when he heard that dessert would be served shortly. He was slightly flustered.

Already?

To calm his excitement, he took a deep breath. The dessert looked as beautiful as a painting, but he was not in the mood to eat.

Duke Peletta kept diverting the topic from the Emperor's health. The Emperor emptied his teacup three times, and I could smell herbs in two of those cups. He must have been medicated.

It was unmistakable, even from close proximity, that the Emperor was unwell. The Empress couldn't hide her discomfort every time Katchian seemed to ask a question.

Why did they avoid discussing the Emperor's health but keep asking about mine? I said I'm still undergoing treatment to dodge any definitive statement about my recovery

The Crown Prince was well enough to resume official activities, but he was still receiving treatment, which the Emperor must surely be aware of. Yet the incessant questions about whether he was fully recovered made him uneasy, and he withdrew a step.

"Crown Prince."

Just when his head was spinning, the Emperor, seated before his dessert, called out to him with a gravely somber voice.

"The reason I wanted to hear about your health today is that I've been thinking of gradually delegating tasks that are difficult for me to handle myself."

Katchian blinked, taken aback by the unexpected statement.

"What do you mean?"

"There was a recent incident where a monster appeared in the Sun Palace. Fortunately, I was unharmed. However, it made me realize that it would be good to have someone to help out in trying times."

The Emperor continued.

"But now that we have confirmed that the Crown Prince's health is still not optimal, we are considering passing on these tasks to Duke Peletta."

For a moment, Katchian doubted his own ears.

"Pardon?"

"Not all tasks that one wants to undertake can be taken on; health is the primary condition. Duke Peletta meets the requirements to act on behalf of the Emperor and is in good health, so there should be no problem."

Only then did Katchian understand Emperor Keilusa's intentions.

How cunning.

The focus of today's dinner wasn't the Emperor's health; it was Katchian's. By constantly drawing attention to his state of health, and then turning the tables like this, they were about to stab him in the back.

They had forced Katchian to admit he was still not fully recovered and were now openly planning to give Duke Peletta official power.

Could the aim of his recent strange activities have been leading to this?

He had expected that as long as Emperor Keilusa was alive, he would never easily relinquish his position.

But their alternative was Kishiar La Orr.

Though many might scoff at his decision, Katchian didn't see it that way. He hesitantly spoke, casting an indifferent gaze at Duke Peletta, who seemed to always be grinning like a flower blissfully ignorant of impending calamities.

"Of course, such a decision should naturally have the agreement of others. As the Crown Prince of the Empire, I find it difficult to consent."

"Does this mean, despite your condition, you will undertake all the responsibilities I assign to you?" The Emperor retorted, his eyes unreadable behind his glasses. Katchian responded carefully.

"If entrusted, I will certainly do so. It is the duty of a Crown Prince, after all."

"Duty," the Emperor quietly repeated the word, then leaned back in his chair, muttering, "Very well, then"

"The task I had intended to entrust to you involves a critical matter related to the palace's security. To begin with, the culprits behind the recent monster incursion have yet to be caught. I expect you to resolve this matter beyond any doubt."

Katchian's eyes widened momentarily. Whether he reacted or not, the Emperor continued.

"Feel free to mobilize anyone affiliated with the Sun Palace. Thoroughly investigate the palace guards who initially investigated the incident, the Cavalry, and other palace personnel. Show no mercy to anyone suspected. You've asserted this as your duty, so see it through."

Katchian was still unaware that the perpetrators of the monster invasion in the Sun Palace were his own healers, as Duke Diarca had yet to mention it to him.

Nevertheless, nobody in the Empire doubted that Diarca was behind itKatchian La Orr included.

Suddenly, Katchian recalled that he had not informed Duke Diarca that he would be dining with the Emperor today. If he accepted this mission without first informing Diarca, would the Duke not become suspicious, especially since Katchian had already once attempted to free himself from Diarca's influence?

A coarse breath slipped through Katchian's lips, his gaze shifting towards Duke Peletta.

Kishiar remained silent, merely smiling brightly. Katchian caught sight of him whispering something to his dark-haired subordinate, and felt his head about to explode.

After Katchian had hastily left without uttering another word, Emperor Keilusa stared at the spot where the boy had been for a long time.

In the game of tactics, there is neither a perfect black move nor a perfect white one. It means there are no absolute enemies or allies; the more one obsesses over colors, the deeper they fall into the trap. Emperor Keilusa's brother, Kishiar, had skillfully exploited this concept, delivering a devastating blow to Katchian La Orr's mental state. This had been his entire scheme, written down and sent off that morning.

Although Katchian was still not of age, the Emperor felt it was precisely for this reason that he could not allow him to stay in his position any longer.

He had tried to frame Kishiar using the Apeto family and used that to break free from the Diarca family's influence. Although the attempt had failed and led him to spend the next few months in a state bordering on madness, he had never faced a court of law as a criminal.

It was because Diarca had ultimately sacrificed those who had worked under him, instead of the Crown Prince, for the crimes committed. When the trial was unfolding regarding the horrendous experiments House of Apeto had conducted on the Awakeners above water, quick confessions came from those who were to die in place of the Crown Prince, under the water.

False confessions claiming that they had done everything, not the Crown Prince. Then, mysterious deaths in prison followed by swift closure of the case.

Thanks to Diarca's swift and silent maneuvering, the Crown Prince was officially absolved of the title of murderer. People only remembered the Crown Prince's failed assassination attempt and gossip from the House of Apeto.

But does escaping the blame for a crime make one innocent?

Could Katchian La Orr's attempt to make Kishiar a murderer be erased?

No. Crimes don't disappear. Everyone present knew that fact.

Even the Crown Prince knew this, hence he quietly accepted the protection from Diarca he had once tried to shake off. Regardless of his true feelings, he continued to maintain outwardly that he was innocent, merely recovering from a brief illness.

He never once apologized to Kishiar or to those who had been harmed because of him. Not a single official expression of regret had been made. He had merely fled into his palace, and until now, had done nothing but vent his anger.

And there he was, audaciously reading the shadow of death on the Emperors face, an utterly covetous gaze.

This was proof of how lightly Katchian looked upon the Emperor and Kishiar. How could someone raised by Diarca's hand not belittle the Emperor?

Katchian, and indeed Diarca, were still letting their guard down.

Had they truly been vigilant, Katchian would not have come here today with Kiolle, without notifying Diarca. Had he given prior notice, Diarca would have neither sent Katchian to this gathering nor allowed Kiolle to accompany him.

Furthermore, the Emperor was extremely pleased today because he could confirm from Katchian's attitude towards Kiolle that, although he was in a position where he couldnt abandon Diarca, he was not fully yielding at heart.

Had the Crown Prince been content and arrogant under Diarcas care, it would have been difficult to find a way in. But if not, the story changes.

While conversing with Katchian, the Emperor reassessed what kind of person this young man was. He was still too young to perfectly mask his expressions and gaze amidst confusion, and sometimes such a gaze revealed more to an observer than a hundred words could.

Katchians crimes were already heavy. Given the chance, he was someone who could commit more.

Perhaps that's why Kishiar had specifically summoned Katchian.

The eyes of the Emperor silently turned towards Kishiar.

In a brief silence, their similar gazes shared an understanding.