Chapter 36

The next day.

"Your Highness, the situation is not normal."

Camille approached as soon as Otto woke up and said.

"Situation? What kind of situation?"

"The number of knights guarding the area around the lodging has doubled."

"Is that so?"

"Their gazes are also suspicious. As if…."

"Like they're watching us?"

"Yes."

"Could it be the work of my maternal grandfather?"

Otto knew all too well who was expecting something from him and who was wary of him.

'After all, Javier, that old man, wouldn't just leave me alone.'

Otto knew Javier all too well.

Otto and Javier were political enemies.

Javier, who wanted to make his son the next head of the family, had no choice but to keep an eye on Otto.

"Are you talking about your maternal grandfather?"

"He's my maternal grandfather's half-brother. He's so red-eyed trying to make his son the next head of the family. So, he can't help but be wary of me, who suddenly appeared. If we talk about legitimacy, I should be the one with the qualifications to be the next head of the Kuntachi family."

"Oh."

"The one to be careful about is not the maternal grandfather but Javier, that man."

"What kind of person is he?"

"If he can put his son in the position of the next head of the family, he won't hesitate to use any means. He's prepared to make any sacrifice, and he wouldn't even blink at creating innocent victims."

Otto said, recalling the information about Javier.

"Does he see me as a thorn in his side and want to get rid of me?"

"It seems so. If Your Highness opens the sacred domain and obtains the power of the Invincible Emperor sealed inside…."

"It would be a disaster. His ambition to make his son the next head of the family would be in vain."

"We need to be extra careful."

"Of course."

Otto nodded.

"In the worst case, even the maternal grandfather might try to get rid of me?"

"A rebellion…?"

"Yes."

"Is that possible? Even if we consider it, starting a rebellion against Duke Conrad…."

"It's possible."

Otto said definitively.

"I'm the only direct descendant of my maternal grandfather. On the other hand, Javier's son is already recognized by the family as the next head of the family."

"Meaning he has solid support?"

"Yes. So, I need to show my abilities. I need to win over the family members. If not, I'll die, and so will my maternal grandfather."

Otto knew all too well that opening the sacred domain was not the only thing.

The moment he opens the sacred domain, he would inevitably be drawn into the factional struggles within the Kuntachi family, and there was a risk of losing his head if he made a mistake.

"He might even try to assassinate me today. If I open the sacred domain, it would be the end for him."

"Then what should we do?"

"Let's eat first. We need to eat to live."

"…Yes."

"What's good to eat here~?"

Otto seemed to be more interested in food even in the midst of his precarious situation.

* * *

While Otto was having a late breakfast with Camille.

"Selena's son came yesterday afternoon."

Conrad opened a family meeting to inform the family about Otto's visit and its purpose.

"Wh-what!"

"Heavens! The powers of the Invincible Emperor!"

Everyone in the Kuntachi family was shocked.

They couldn't help but be amazed that the powers of the Invincible Emperor, which had been sealed in the sacred domain for 1,000 years, were real.

"That's absurd!"

Javier strongly objected.

"Head of the family! Do you believe such nonsense? Why would you believe the words of a nobody…."

"Nobody?"

"…!"

"Did I hear that correctly?"

"T-that…."

"Even if he is the child of a disowned person, the blood that flows in him is ours, isn't it?"

"Y-yes."

"To say that a child who carries my blood has no roots."

Whoosh!

A crimson aura burst from the enraged Conrad, pinning Javier down.

"G-grk!"

Javier, in pain.

"Are you saying I have no roots?"

"N-no! G-grk!"

"I've always told you to be careful with your words."

"I-I'm sorry… Head of the family… please… G-grk… have mercy…."

Although Conrad's prime had long passed, his power remained formidable.

It was possible to kill his half-brother Javier with just a burst of mana.

"Be careful with your words. This is your final warning."

"I-I will… I will be careful…."

"I believe you."

Conrad then withdrew the mana that was pinning Javier and looked around at the Kuntachi family members.

"Although we can't say that the boy's words are entirely credible, since he's staking his life on it, it wouldn't be a bad investment to believe him. He says he will open the sacred domain in two days, so let's wait and see."

The Kuntachi family members, unable to say a word, agreed with the head of the family, Conrad.

After the meeting ended.

"Selena's son has the key to open the sacred domain… This doesn't seem normal, does it?"

"I don't believe it! The powers of the Invincible Emperor! Even if it's the sacred domain, it's too absurd!"

"What on earth is happening…."

The Kuntachi family members began to chatter as soon as Conrad left.

Opinions were divided.

Some had high hopes for the sacred domain, while others thought Otto's words were just boasting.

'Conrad… that damn…'

Meanwhile, Javier, looking in the direction Conrad had gone, gritted his teeth.

'How dare he humiliate me again… We'll see… How long can you keep trampling on me!!!'

Javier planned to take revenge on Conrad as soon as he made his son the next head of the family.

He wanted to repay the years of being looked down upon as a half-brother.

* * *

"Damn brat!!!"

Javier, upon returning home, vented his anger.

"To humiliate me in front of everyone! Conrad! You damn bastard! I will never forgive you! When I become the ruler of the Kuntachi family! I will execute you first!"

"Father! Calm down!"

Kuzo, Javier's son and the strongest candidate for the next head of the family, reprimanded him.

"Ultimately, it will end up that way. Please calm down. There are many ears listening."

"Kuh!!!"

"By the way, what do you plan to do about Selena's son?"

"What do you mean, what do I plan to do?"

Javier snorted.

"Do you believe his words? That a nobody can open the sacred domain?"

"Of course not."

"Then why are you worried about him!"

"There's always a chance."

"A chance…?"

"What if Selena's son opens the sacred domain?"

"T-that…."

Javier's face hardened.

If Otto opens the sacred domain and obtains the powers of the Invincible Emperor sealed inside….

"I don't believe it either, but what if he really opens the sacred domain? Don't you know what could happen?"

The cunning Javier knew all