As the Argos headed away from the Capital Planet, Claus reported to the location Liam had called him to, and found that everyone else had already arrived there. Naturally, Tia and Marie—who’d fought in the war alongside him—were present, as well as Kukuri, whom they’d met up with again on the Capital Planet. Chengsi was also there, which Claus had to admit he was curious about. No one was chewing her out for her presence, so he could only assume that Liam had invited her as well.
Entering last, Claus heard the door close and lock. This room was strictly safeguarded, so it was used to discuss top-secret matters of the highest importance.
Now that Claus was present, Liam dropped a heavy announcement on those gathered. “We’ll be opposing Cleo.”
None of the five individuals assembled before Liam was particularly surprised; they’d expected something along these lines. For his part, Claus had assumed that this whole thing would lead somewhere bad as soon as they’d found a traitor in Cleo’s Imperial Guard.
I took it for granted that this would happen. I wish he’d start with the more important information. Liam was being too casual about the matter, which worried Claus.
Liam looked at Kukuri. “It was Kukuri who discovered Cleo’s betrayal.”
Kukuri was happy to have made up for his earlier failure. “One of my slain operatives left evidence behind that led me to discover of Prince Cleo’s betrayal… If you wish it, Master Liam, I could assassinate Cleo immediately.” Kukuri had gone instantly from happiness to cold anger. He couldn’t forgive Cleo for betraying them.
Marie felt the same. “It was all thanks to Lord Liam that the brat even ended up crown prince. He should pay for his betrayal.”
Both Kukuri and Marie still bore a grudge against the emperor two thousand years ago. He’d betrayed them, having them petrified despite their faithful service to him, so Cleo’s betrayal opened old wounds they would rather have forgotten. That was why both wished to take an extreme revenge on Cleo.
Tia offered a more peaceful solution. “Considering House Banfield’s influence, we should be able to object to Cleo’s appointment as crown prince. The leaders of the Empire can’t ignore Lord Liam. I suggest we make it clear that we oppose Prince Cleo taking the role. That way, we can back whichever royal comes to us next and install someone beneficial to us as heir.”
Claus liked Tia’s idea. “I second Lady Christiana’s proposal.”
Chengsi offered no opinion of her own; she didn’t seem at all interested in this subject.
Liam sighed, frowning. “I was the one who said I’d make Cleo the emperor. Him being our enemy now doesn’t mean I’ll break my word. I won’t assassinate him, and I won’t prepare a replacement.”
Liam’s intentions not to interfere with Cleo’s ascension to the throne were unexpected, and Marie didn’t know how to react. “B-but he betrayed you, Lord Liam! And if you leave him be, who knows what he’ll do to you later?!”
“Well, I did wipe out his Imperial Guard. But we’ll call it even, considering all the help I gave him before that.”
“He won’t necessarily agree with that reasoning. Lord Liam, please reconsider!”
“Enough. I don’t care if Cleo becomes crown prince or emperor. No… I’ll be glad if he becomes emperor.” Liam looked as though he truly enjoyed the thought.
He’s definitely planning something, Claus thought.
Then Liam declared to the five of them, “Cleo will be the Empire’s last emperor.”
No one could say anything in response to that. Chengsi alone seemed suddenly intrigued, her eyes sparkling.
After several long seconds of silence, Tia began, “You mean to say—”
“If the Empire’s going to be my enemy, I’ll crush it, like I’ve crushed everything else that got in my way.”
It was characteristic of Liam to say that he was simply going to do away with something he disliked. He’d picked the wrong adversary this time, though. He was talking about the Algrand Empire; he’d just announced that he’d stand up against the very nation he belonged to.
“Y-you mean you’ll usurp the Empire?” Marie asked, her voice trembling.
She wasn’t shaky out of fear. Claus didn’t understand it, but to him, it looked like she was shaking in sheer bliss. Why is she happy about this?!
But Liam didn’t seem to confirm Marie’s interpretation of his statement. “I have no interest in the throne. Right now, I’m only trying to figure out how to take down the Empire. That’s really a fascinating question. Do I destroy it from inside or wage a war of conquest?”
It seemed that his goal was now just to oppose the Empire, and he wasn’t thinking about what to do beyond that.
Th-this is bad. At this rate…!
At this rate, House Banfield was done for. No matter how powerful it was, House Banfield could never win against the entire Empire, considering the difference in scale. The Empire was an intergalactic nation—it was utterly massive.
Claus had a very bad feeling about this. All he could see in their future was defeat, yet everyone around him was having a different reaction.
Tia backed Liam’s plan, smiling. “A wonderful idea! Ruling an entire nation would suit you perfectly, Lord Liam.”
Kukuri snickered happily in that creepy way of his. “I didn’t expect that you were after the Empire itself… Please use us as you wish, Master Liam.”
Marie extolled Liam in delight. “Yes, you should rule the Empire, Lord Liam! I’d gladly give my life to destroy this rotten nation! Make use of me as you see fit, my lord!”
Chengsi remained quiet, but her face had turned red, as if she couldn’t wait to fight the Empire in its entirety.
Looking at these vassals, all of whom worshiped Liam, Claus felt himself sink into despair. Someone stop him! We can’t fight the Empire! It’d be way too unbalanced!
Sure, Liam was strong, but that was strong for an Imperial noble. He didn’t have the strength to take on the entire Empire. Maybe he could put up a fight if he rallied enough allies behind him, but the odds against success would still be steep.
Claus decided that he had to speak up. If we betray the Empire, and it beats us, that’ll be the end of us. Who knows what could happen to our families? As his vassal, I need to warn my lord before he makes this kind of mistake.
And so, Claus finally opened his mouth. “Lord Liam, I have to voice my objections to this plan.”
“What…?” Liam frowned as if Claus had offended him.
Claus had no intention of backing down, though. “I said I’m against this plan. As we are now, we could never defeat—”
Before he could finish, he saw blades approaching his throat. Tia and Marie had drawn their swords and clearly intended to kill him. Their eyes weren’t those of colleagues—they were murderous.