Volume 1 Chapter 145.2

Volume 1 + Chapter 145.2: The Emperor Has Passed Away

Under such circumstances, almost all hope was placed upon the future Imperial Grand Advisor—Eve.

In truth, although Eve was still technically in a probationary or preparatory stage, her seniority, capability, and qualifications were more than sufficient to meet the requirements for assuming the post.

Especially her background.

This was precisely why, after the incident occurred, Chancelianne dispatched someone to find Eve at the very first opportunity. This fact left Chancelianne, Alice, and even the young maid herself deeply astonished.

Long ago, the Emperor of the Empire had already quietly established Eve’s identity and position, and had even made arrangements at that time—should the Empire suffer a major upheaval and the Emperor become unable to fulfill his duties, Eve would become the sole individual entrusted with assisting Princess Alice, wielding ninety-nine percent of the Empire’s authority.

Truly a case of one person beneath the heavens, yet above all others—so much so that, while Alice herself was still immature, even she would have to heed Eve’s commands.

Many matters concerning the imperial household—its internal affairs and personnel appointments—had yet to be clearly finalized even now, with numerous issues left unresolved.

However, Alice’s right of succession and Eve’s status as Imperial Grand Advisor were the sole two matters that had long been formally decided by the Empire’s highest authorities, enshrined as part of imperial law.

These statutes bore the seal symbolizing the Empire’s supreme authority, along with the signatures and seals of more than a dozen major imperial families.

Foremost among them were the Lorraine family and the Reynolds family—two clans that controlled the Empire’s economy, military resources, and political structure in nearly every respect.

The endorsement of these families sent an unmistakably powerful signal: Alice’s and Eve’s positions had been acknowledged by the Empire’s ruling elite and were firmly backed by them.

This also meant that, barring any further unforeseen disasters, if matters proceeded according to the established plan, the Empire should not experience serious internal unrest or turmoil in the short term. As long as everything progressed step by step, the Empire’s future could remain relatively stable.

What was truly frightening was the emergence of additional complications… After all, the shockwave caused by the Emperor’s death would be immense.

The Church, too, might begin to stir in the shadows, harboring dangerous ambitions.

That was why, at such a time, Eve’s involvement was indispensable.

“As for the specifics, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager hopes to discuss them with you in person,” the young maid said softly after a brief hesitation. “I must ask that you accompany me to the imperial palace.”

Her gaze was fixed firmly on Eve. Though she herself sensed the gravity and complexity of the situation, as a messenger she had to remain as calm and composed as possible.

This was not something she could afford to panic over.

Eve nodded slightly, her voice calm yet resolute. “There’s no time to lose. Let’s go.”

To be honest, this mess was something she could have chosen to ignore entirely—after all, she was not formally a member of the imperial family. Yet she understood her own position all too well.

Although she had ample reason to stay out of the conflict, one could hardly bite the hand that fed them…

Ever since she had taken up temporary residence in the imperial palace, the royal family had shown her considerable care. Many matters had been resolved smoothly and swiftly thanks to their influence.

They had even amended laws specifically for her sake not long ago, sparing her from a great deal of unnecessary trouble.

Eve was fully aware of these favors, and she could not simply refuse them.

If it was merely a matter of assisting Alice and helping her learn how to govern the Empire as her father once did, Eve had no real objections.

And Alice, surely, must be in a terrible emotional state right now. One moment a carefree little princess—then suddenly plunged into the abyss, forced to shoulder an enormous burden.

“This way, Miss Eve.”

The young maid led Eve toward the designated location, her words tinged with respect and urgency.

“Oh, there is one more thing. Please accept this as well.”

As she finished speaking, she carefully retrieved a small box from her pocket. Wrapped in silk, it looked exquisitely crafted. She presented it to Eve with great solemnity.

Eve accepted the box and gently opened it. Inside lay a small, elegant golden shield engraved with the Empire’s emblem, gleaming with a noble luster—it appeared to be a medal.

“My apologies, Miss Eve. Normally, an investiture of this rank would be accompanied by a grand, nationwide ceremony,” the maid said softly, her voice full of regret. “But given the current situation, we are unable to prepare for such an event. We can only ask that you accept this medal, which symbolizes the Empire’s utmost trust.”

She paused, her expression grave. “This small medal not only represents the Empire’s absolute confidence in you—it also grants you the authority to mobilize all imperial resources at will, without needing approval from anyone.”

Holding the box with both hands, the maid presented it to Eve with profound sincerity.

Though this moment took place in private, once the Empire endured this turbulent period, it would undoubtedly be recorded in history.

This was a crucial step for the Empire—and how that step was taken now rested entirely in Eve’s hands.

“Is it really all right for me to accept this?” Eve hesitated.

The power to command the entirety of the Empire’s resources without consulting anyone…

If she so wished, Eve could reduce the Empire to ruins, leave with enormous gains, and walk away unscathed.

After all, she was a witch. Witches were not bound by human order, nor obligated to care about anything beyond their own interests.

Witches… did not even have a concept of ‘home.’

Yet Eve was clearly different. She had her own convictions, and certain goals that required the Empire as a stepping stone.

So this matter—which might appear to be none of her concern—was something she truly could not ignore.

“Please, you must accept it.”

“…Very well, in that case.”

Eve reached out and picked up the medal from the box. It was made of pure gold—small, yet surprisingly heavy in her hand.

As she looked at it resting in her pale palm, she found herself momentarily lost in thought.

…………

“Really? Everything you said—is it all true? This isn’t something you can joke about!”

Inside the shelter for vagrants, the Dragon-Pride Protagonist gnawed on a piece of bread so hard it nearly threatened to break his teeth. His face was filled with doubt and disbelief.

He raised his head and stared at the foolish-looking chubby man in front of him. The man was filthy, grinning stupidly, and when he opened his mouth, his front teeth were completely gone—making the Dragon-Pride Protagonist even less inclined to believe him.

“Absolutely true!”

The man patted his chest confidently, his voice loud and assured. “Didn’t I tell you? I’m only pretending to be a vagrant to avoid my enemies. My family used to be a prestigious noble house—well-known in the imperial capital, with powerful connections. I have access to insider information. There’s no way I’d be wrong.”

The chubby man’s eyes brimmed with certainty, as if he fully believed every word he spoke. “And don’t forget—you promised me something.”

He deliberately emphasized his words, a hint of slyness flashing in his eyes. “You owe me your next piece of bread, as payment.”

His smug expression made it seem as though he were already savoring that bread, while the Dragon-Pride Protagonist could only look at him helplessly, his emotions tangled and conflicted.

As the Dragon-Pride Protagonist listened, distrust was plainly written across his face.

Satisfied with nothing more than a piece of stale bread—was this man really some noble?

He stared at the foolish chubby man, suspicion filling his heart. Then again, in a place like this, no one had the right to mock anyone else.

Just as no one here believed that he had once been an outstanding graduate of the Church Academy.

Back then, he had been radiant, talented, surrounded by admirers. But once that halo was stripped away, his former aristocratic friends and so-called companions all distanced themselves from him.

His former glory and reputation became nothing more than reasons for his deeper isolation.

Homeless and mistaken for a beggar, the Dragon-Pride Protagonist had been mercilessly expelled from the imperial capital and forced to drift into this shelter.

Even so, the Empire’s treatment of vagrants retained a degree of humanity.

While vagrants were not permitted to roam the streets—out of concern for appearances—the shelters funded by the imperial family were, at least, reasonably decent.

At least, that was how the Dragon-Pride Protagonist saw it…

Here, one was guaranteed basic food and lodging. As long as you stopped wandering and kept yourself clean, even returning to the imperial capital wouldn’t invite too much interference.

There were even teachers who came to give lessons, offering a semblance of moral instruction.

Those who managed to settle into this shelter were mostly not good people. Day after day, their favorite topics were the faces, clothing, and figures of the female teachers—conversations dripping with crude lust and undisguised vulgarity.

the Dragon-Pride Protagonist found this all too believable. The people here truly weren’t decent sorts, their conversations revolved either around shared misery or indecent, unmentionable topics.

Yet in the end, the Dragon-Pride Protagonist had no choice but to become one of them.

He slept on worn-out bedding discarded by others, ate rock-hard bread, and survived on mediocre stew. The conditions were harsh beyond words—but everything was free, and for him, having shelter from wind and rain was already a blessing.

But no matter how harsh the environment, the Dragon-Pride Protagonist was still the Dragon-Pride Protagonist.