“Oh, he’s doing this on purpose...” muttered Alcede, his voice quieter than a whisper. He, Lyse, and Sidis were all standing behind the emperor, however, so Egbert caught every last word with his pointy doggy ears.
Lyse wholeheartedly believed Alcede was correct. Egbert had been crafty ever since he was a child. He knew how to work his charms, to which Qatora had fallen victim many a time. Lyse could thus easily see that he was intentionally eliciting sympathy from his retainers with his furry little face in order to get what he wanted.
Egbert continued his pouting act, saying, “Perhaps also an effect of the Light, I am now stuck in this form. I believe it will not only hinder me from fulfilling my duties, but also draw contempt from those from other nations.” He paused briefly to take a deep breath. “We ought to rectify this as swiftly as possible, yet no solution has presented itself. I therefore believe someone who can handle the Light should take the throne in my stead.”
“Your Majesty, are you saying...” An imperial who looked to be about fifty years of age could barely choke out the words. “Are you abdicating?”
This caused a clamor in the room.
“Abdicating?!”
“Someone who can handle the Light? Does that mean Prince Sidis?”
“I suppose that does make sense...”
“Will a Light bearer be able to do something about this situation?”
Just as Egbert was about to speak up and calm the hubbub...
“It wouldn’t be necessary for His Majesty to abdicate,” someone asserted loudly.
The room was shocked to hear it, as he never used such a forceful tone of voice outside of battle. The royals, nobles, and even Duke Alcede—who worked with him on nearly a daily basis—all looked at Sidis in surprise. He now commanded the attention of the whole room.
“His Majesty entertained the idea, but we’ve now learned that we can preserve the radiant pillar with the power of the Light,” Sidis declared. “Based on the evidence we’ve found, we believe that a protective spell was applied when the first emperor of Razanate discovered the Light of Origin. We also believe that spell is what’s causing the aberrations now.”
His audience was understandably shocked.
“A protective spell, you say?!”
“The Light of Origin has magic applied to it?”
“Why would something that powerful need protection?”
“Does magic even work in close proximity to the Light in the first place? Think of how hard it is to use in the villa.”
Lyse had anticipated this reaction. It was surprising enough to learn there was magic to protect the Light; they might just faint on the spot if they learned the Light was a magical construction. That needed to remain a secret to everyone but the next emperor—and this plan of theirs depended on that secrecy.
Egbert, meanwhile, snapped around and glared daggers at Sidis. He knew he couldn’t openly question what Sidis was trying to pull, and since Sidis had accounted for that, Egbert also knew he was powerless to stop him.
“What kind of magic is powerful enough to bring about the aberrations?” asked Lasuarl after calming down a bit.
“It is a spell nearby that encircles the Light. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that it stabilizes the Light rather than giving it any form of defense,” claimed Sidis out of thin air. Given how the Light swallowed up anything that so much as touched it, it was certainly plausible that it had some form of protection. It was important to emphasize, however, that this spell (not that it actually existed) wasn’t to ward off the dangers of monsters. “We believe that the Light of Origin was unstable until this spell was cast.”
“Then that means this spell is the reason the Light has remained unyielding for so long...” a council member speculated.
“Yes, and it’s most likely that the stabilization spell has deteriorated because the Light has worn away at it for centuries.”
“Just like the Light provides us with mana, it must have been affecting the magic all this time,” said Lasuarl, seeming fully convinced.
“But what about His Majesty’s affliction? Prince Sidis, have you learned anything about that?” another member of the imperial family chimed in.
“We believe it’s an effect from the ascension ritual,” Sidis answered.
“What do you mean?”
“In the ascension ritual, the new emperor gives some of his mana back to the Light. That process may have registered His Majesty as the custodian of the stabilization magic.”
“I see. And it’s waning?”
Sidis nodded and affirmed the duke’s theory with all seriousness. Only about half of what Sidis had said was true, but how else could they explain why Egbert was the first to spawn a clone before the Light bearers? That was where the ascension rite came in. If the new emperor’s mana supported the Light, then it was indeed possible he shared a connection with the radiant pillar.
Whatever the case may be, Sidis’s audience bought into the explanation. His suppositions sounded credible enough to them. Some were more convinced than others, but everyone at least seemed relieved that the Light could be remedied. And rightfully so. It was naturally the wish of every imperial to see the Light return to normal. Furthermore, the thought of passing the crown in such turbulent times only caused them more anxiety.
People, in general, found comfort in familiarity. That was especially true for the long-lived imperials. It was only natural that they craved the status quo. Under the circumstances, they wouldn’t immediately call for Egbert’s abdication even if blame for the aberrations fell on him. He’d proven himself as a ruler by extinguishing the Donan threat, and the council members believed he’d come through for them again. That faith and desire for stability were exactly what Lyse and Sidis had capitalized on.
Even those who want to see Sidis on the throne know it’s too risky to have a change of rule during such turmoil when we don’t even know if it would change anything. On the other hand, the concrete steps we’re suggesting will definitely have an effect...although I do feel sorry for His Majesty. Lyse couldn’t see Egbert’s expression from where she was standing. He was still and quiet, but he eventually stood down from the table and planted himself back in his seat.
“Why, oh why, Sidis, was I not informed of this beforehand?” the emperor asked.
Sidis had a slight smile on his face. Surely this meant Egbert wasn’t all too angry. “Do forgive me, Your Majesty. We only ascertained as much before daybreak, and with the situation this morning, I did not wish to burden you unnecessarily. But worry not. Our nobles, knights, and soldiers are of the utmost skill and have successfully defended us in situations far more dire. We can rely on their strength.” He was flattering everyone in the room, and they were grateful. The nobles looked noticeably more relaxed.
“These are our capital and palace as well, of course. We are proud to defend our home with our fighting prowess. That said, given the frequency of the recent monster attacks, our supply lines have been affected. It would be most favorable if we could mend the stabilization magic and the Light at once,” Duke Lasuarl added.
Egbert nodded. “How shall we proceed then, Sidis?”
The silver-haired prince took the cue given to him by the emperor along with a step forward. “First, those of us who can approach the Light will enter the villa. This will of course include Your Majesty and Duke Alcede for his assistance. Then, to calm the Light and lessen the interference of the Light on magic, I shall be borrowing the help of my fiancée, Lyse.”
A member of the imperial family’s hand shot up. “Excuse me for asking, but couldn’t you do everything yourself, Prince Sidis? For example, if you were to go through the ascension ritual...”
“I’m afraid not,” Sidis said flatly. “First, His Majesty already has a connection with the Light. If I were to pair myself with the magic as well, I fear what negative consequences that might bring.”
“Hmm, that might make it even less stable than it is now,” said Alcede in support.
Sidis nodded before continuing. “If the aberrations continue or worsen, we may yet need to take more drastic measures. But it’s possible that the magic is stable enough now for His Majesty, with our aid, to repair the spell.”
“I see. Thank you.” The imperial family member who’d asked the question—along with everyone else in the room—was sated in knowing that this was the only choice.
“However, the preparations for the ritual are extensive. Not only will it use various special rocks and minerals, but setting it up will also take a few days. In the meantime, I beseech everyone to keep up the fine work in maintaining the integrity of the capital and palace defenses, as well as protecting His Majesty’s domains.” Sidis finally turned the command of the conversation back to Egbert. “What say you, Your Majesty?”
“If this is the best path to take, then it shall be our way forward,” he assented. “Since we need to prepare, let us break for today. Please pass word to everyone who was unable to attend. Let it be known that we’re proceeding with the ritual to mend the Light.”
With that, the emergency council meeting was adjourned.
Emperor Egbert and his personal entourage departed the meeting chamber before the rest of the council. Once they were out in the hallway, Sidis tried starting a conversation.
“Your Majesty...”
“You three come with me,” ordered Egbert, turning his head to glance at Lyse, Sidis, and Alcede. He looked sternly pensive, but it was hard to see past his endearing puppy charms. Lyse still felt pangs in her chest—perhaps an attack of her conscience for causing him so much trouble.
I can’t say I regret anything though, since we’ve managed to prevent His Majesty from abdicating. She shook off the guilt and followed Egbert at his request.
When they arrived at the emperor’s quarters, he immediately dismissed his chamberlains before nimbly hopping up on the sofa and sitting down in one swift motion. “Take a seat,” he invited, imploring the others to do the same.
“Don’t mind if I do,” said Alcede, who seated himself next to Egbert. Meanwhile, Sidis and Lyse sat across from them.
“So, care to explain all this, Sidis?” urged the emperor in a half sigh. He was neither weary nor stupefied, nor did he sound angry. If anything, there was a glimmer of hope hidden in his tone.