Chapter 10

I entered the emperor's chamber, walked across the purple carpet, and headed towards the throne. The nobles and royal family inside all looked at me with puzzled expressions.

Gradually, the emperor and his attendants seated on the throne came into view.

In front of the throne, children around my age were kneeling. It was Louis and his followers.

If Louis is here, things won’t go well...

In any case, I knelt before the emperor.

"Alex. I have arrived."

"Raise your head, Alex."

I lifted my head, and there sat a grand man with a magnificent white beard on the throne.

This man is my father, Emperor Fratius of the Holy Lucian Empire.

Before I received the crest, he doted on me, but now he looks at me as if I were filth.

On the other hand, Louis has become the emperor's favorite.

Louis, unable to meet me due to my disappearance through dark magic, couldn't vent his frustrations from before I received the crest. That's why he had the emperor call me here.

The emperor's voice rang out, filled with anger.

"Alex, I have heard from Louis... It seems you have been bullying him all this time?"

Louis immediately spoke up.

"Your Majesty! Please, do not blame my brother too harshly! He has just received the cursed crest!"

"Louis... You are truly a kind child. You have shed tears for your kindness many times. On the other hand, Alex, you received the cursed crest because of your sinful deeds."

I have never done anything to Louis.

Well, it's true that I felt inferior to him before I received the crest...

In any case, arguing here would be a waste of time.

The emperor and Louis want to make me the villain. They don't just want me to apologize.

The emperor quickly announced.

"Alex, I hereby strip you of your inheritance and appoint you as the Margrave of Tiars."

In other words, I can no longer inherit the family name or become emperor.

Louis looked at me and smirked, as if to say, "Serves you right."

To me, this is a bad thing. Everyone would think so.

But for me, it's a welcome change.

Before the reset, the empire was divided by the struggle for succession among my brothers. Foreign powers attacked, and the empire quickly fell into ruin. The great rebellion in the capital was sparked by starving citizens.

Now, I can escape from such a capital.

After the split, I can strengthen my military and wait to see who will win, then side with them.

Well, even before the reset, I was pretty much on the outside.

However, Tiars... where is it?

As a margrave, it must be a border region.

It's a name I don't recognize.

In any case, I have no choice.

The punishment seems severe, but Louis must have pleaded. If he couldn't do it himself, he wanted his father to do it.

Perhaps my boasting and smiling when I received the crest had a subtle effect... but for me, it turned out well.

Suddenly, a high voice rang out.

"Your Majesty, if I may..."

"Hmm? ...You are the Margrave of Iliuria's..."

The emperor's gaze fell on a girl with long silver hair.

Yulis Iliuria, my fiancée.

"My name is Yulis. Your Majesty, Prince Alex is not the kind of person to do such things. He is very kind and always speaks kindly to Prince Louis."

That is the truth.

But why is Yulis saying this?

These are words that even I, let alone anyone else, did not wish to hear.

Before the reset, Yulis disappeared around the time I started to become a recluse at fifteen.

Everyone rumored that she was tired of being engaged to a cursed person.

But in reality, I believe it was because the emperor and the Margrave of Iliuria forced the engagement to be broken and arranged for her to marry Louis just before she disappeared.

Suddenly, a voice rose from behind.

"Yulis! How disrespectful! Your Majesty, Prince Louis, I apologize!"

The Margrave of Iliuria knelt on the spot.

However, the emperor did not scold Yulis.

Louis, on the other hand, looked taken aback.

Those who bear the crest of the [Holy Maiden] are believed to be of impeccable character. The temple has instilled this belief in the people.

Therefore, it is impossible for the [Holy Maiden] to lie.

...I don't believe it, though.

Similarly, those who bear the crest of the [Holy God] are believed to be noble and truthful.

But Louis lies.

Moreover, he is not noble. As he grew older, he enjoyed cruelly killing captives and monsters.

Well, I never believed in the teachings of the temple anyway.

In any case, according to the temple's teachings, it is not good for the [Holy Maiden] and the [Holy God] to have conflicting opinions.

The emperor, sensing the trouble, said.

"Well, well, it's just what the children say... So, Alex, what do you think?"

"I humbly accept."

"Umm, yes. Do your best. That concludes this matter."

And so, I became the Margrave of Tiars.

As I was leaving, I noticed Yulis's sad gaze.

Before the reset, I didn't understand, but Yulis might have felt pity for me.

I felt a bit relieved and silently thanked Yulis in my heart before leaving the emperor's chamber.