Emperor Valentin didn't say anything for a while.
He just stared at the report showing the statistics of the missing cases of pregnant women throughout the Seirende Empire.
"They sure moved so carefully to ensure that the rate of missing women was not alarming enough for us to dig into." He said as he felt anger and guilt welling up in his chest.
To just discover it now, for the last four years, they have already abducted more than a hundred pregnant women. What had he been doing all this time?
Another heartbreaking fact was that forty percent of these cases weren't reported as normal missing cases but murder cases.
The husband, children, and all the members of the household were reportedly killed and missing. The crime scene would just be blood and a few body parts without any intact corpse.
It was done so cautiously and was distributed cleverly throughout the empire. No wonder it was not raised by the council during the assemblies! Not even once!
Only due to the efforts of the Roaming Blades that it had been finally brought to light. Such a gruesome event had been happening under his rule!
"How could they!" Emperor Valentin was trembling in fury. As the Emperor of the Seirende Empire, he couldn't help but blame himself for only discovering it now.
"Father, I know that it's not right to tell you to not blame yourself. But do not torment yourself like this." Leon tried to calm his father down.
"What's more important is to think of a way to address this problem without alarming the perpetrators."
Seeing the concern from his frigid son's manner of speaking, Emperor Valentin rubbed his temples as he said in a helpless manner,
"This case isn't something we could contain just within the two of us. I think that we need to somehow think of a way that this will be raised by someone in the upcoming assembly to mobilize the manpower.
I have a nagging feeling that this case wasn't just hidden from us by relying on these schemes alone. Do not forget the possibility that there might be nobles involved in these cases."
The two carried a dreadful expression on their faces as they contemplated silently.
After a while, Leon took the papers at the coffee table and flipped on a particular page. Showing it to his Father Emperor, he said in a serious tone,
"Father, notice that the cases within these areas have the highest number of murder-abduction cases. I think we can start with this."
"Hmm, the vassals governing these areas were under the jurisdiction of the Astaze Marquessate." Emperor Valentin immediately caught Leon's point.
"The Astaze Marquiss, the maternal family of your Second Imperial brother, are you sure that you wanted to go against him?" He asked Leon with a challenging tone.
"It won't make any difference to avoid offending him now. My very own existence had already offended both him and first Imperial Brother." Leon replied nonchalantly.
"I just wish that my child and Eli would pass the stage where they were most vulnerable before imperial brothers knew of their existence."
"Then handle this carefully."
"I will father. My aim is to cripple the Spectre's obvious forces within the Empire before going against them directly. I need to think of a way to distract them not to dedicate their resources to specifically targeting the Empire."
"Hmm, do you have any idea how to do that?"
"Initially I thought of targeting the black markets within the Empire and trying to cripple their sources of income and information. But Eli had a better idea in mind…"
"Oh.. I am interested to hear of my future daughter-in-law's idea!"
"It was actually to launch the black hair industry. She had already started working on the plans in collaboration with Grandmaster Andvari and Grandmaster Reuben."
"Black hair industry… Now that the Spectre knew that there still exists an asani within our borders, they would surely engage their powers to track down Eli even under disguise, concentrating on Seirende alone."
"Since one can see through magical disguises, Eli proposed that we introduce to the nobility the trend of having their light-colored hair dyed in black, in an attempt to disperse the Spectre's forces outside the Empire."
"She planned to start this trend way distant to the Empire so as to not give rise to the suspicion that it was actually our scheme."
"Hmm well thought of." Emperor Valentin commented while rubbing his chin. A trace of interest could be seen in his expression.
"As to how we will deal with Astaze March, I have already devised a plan. I hope you just can support me during the upcoming assembly next week."
"Hmm, alright, let's see what you have in mind at that time. Also -" The Emperor suddenly paused and looked at Leon.
His sparkling crystal blue eyes were begging, he leaned forward clasping his hands, as he continued,
"My son, come help me think of a valid reason to visit Silver Dew Forest and go with your Mother~~"
--
Day of the assembly.
Clamors of greetings and pleasantries could be heard in the palace assembly hall.
Countless vassals from the different duchy, march, and county were all dressed modestly, fully embodying their dignity as the leaders of their own territories.
While there exist factions within this group of people, they dare not to explicitly go against each other unless their interests are jeopardized.
Thus, the atmosphere of the hall was like a den full of lions, who looked docile yet ready to bite when threatened.
Soon the palace aides announced the entrance of the members of the Imperial family. The officials and vassals then observed proper decorum while giving respects to the members of the Royal Family.
"His Highness, Leon Andrae de Seirende, Third Prince of the Empire arrives!"
"His Highness, Antoine Raz de Seirende, Second Prince of the Empire arrives!"
"His Highness, Kazimir Nox de Seirende, First Prince of the Empire arrives!"
Soon three handsome elegant men entered, they were dressed in a dark blue royal prince suit with a striking red sash decorated with golden embroidery.
They all had hairs under the shade of red, the third prince had the deepest red among the three. The most striking feature all had was their crystal blue eyes.
They stood dignifiedly on their assigned places on the right side of the throne, while they all hear the aides announce,
"His Majesty Emperor Valentin De Seirende, Ruler of the Empire, enters the Hall!"
As soon as Emperor Valentin imposingly entered the hall, everyone greeted,
"Long live His Majesty Emperor! Long live the Empire's Princes!"
Emperor Valentin glanced at the audience with scrutiny in his crystal blue eyes. The atmosphere of the hall turned stiff.
Clad with his white imperial suit lined with golden chains and gems, he finally let the audience be at ease while he imposingly sat on the throne. "Be at ease! Let this assembly begin!"
As soon as the crowd and the Imperial family settled down, the aides then proceeded to the assembly agenda.
While the vassals were nervously racking their brains to present their matters in the presence of the Emperor, a tense atmosphere was brewing in the area where the princes were seated.
"Oh ho, it's really amazing to see you right here! Despite playing swords with your little army on the borders of the Empire…" Kazimir, the First Prince, mockingly said to Leon.
He didn't even bother to look at Leon as he said these words as if his eyes would be wasted if they looked in Leon's direction.
Leon didn't say nor react in any way as if he didn't hear what Kazimir had said.
"Have you been bored in the ambiance of the wastelands? I thought you blended really well there.." With a chuckle, Antoine, the Second Prince, also followed in mocking Leon.
"Are you hoping that Father would assign you again to some trivial errands across the Empire? What would you be if not for an errand boy? Hahaha,"
"Hey Kazimir, let's make a bet on how long would the missions, oh no, errands Father would assign to him today!" Antoine schemingly said.
"Sure! It'll probably last for about six months. I'll bet on the gold mine in Trameni Peak." Kazimir replied confidently.
"Hooo.. you really went all out! Then I'll have to bet my Beaussy Winery, for him to be sent in a year!"
A series of taunts could be heard one after another from the first and second princes, yet Leon maintained his uncaring attitude with a deadpan face.
In his mind, the two looked nothing but red-haired clowns.
While they were distracted in making fun of their third Imperial Brother, Emperor Valentin had already called Leon's attention.
"The Third Prince will be in charge of escorting me in the Silver Dew Forest for the Renewal of Treaty with the Elves."
"What the heck!" The two princes were caught off guard. They uncontrollably stood up in their seats in protest.
"Your majesty please reconsider!"
The Duke of Vesala and the Marquess of Astaze, voiced their opposition with a shocked expressions. They were the strongest supporters of the First and Second Prince, respectively.
The reason why they were alarmed was that the renewal of the treaty with the Elves holds a lot of weight on who will be the most possible heir of the Empire.
The treaty with the Silver Dew was the one that gave Emperor Valentin stability and power as the ruler over Seirende and the neighboring kingdoms. It was the Emperor's greatest legacy and source of power.
pαndα`noνɐ1--сoМ Thus, it was also important that the Silver Dew Elves recognize the next heir.
Everyone knew that the Silver Dew Elves do not like human interaction.
Hence, whoever among the princes was approved by the Silver Dew Elves to enter their territory, was most likely the one who will be chosen as the crown prince.
The faction supporting the two other princes was in panic! They were all cursing in the back of their minds.
The faces of the two princes couldn't be painted either. Their faces which were full of mocking and ridicule were long gone. In their faces were only anger, denial, and envy.
"Your Majesty, we must think of who among the princes would be your perfect escort in entering the Elven Territory. Shall we?" The Duke of Vesala said in a tensed, yet coaxing tone.
"Silence!!" Emperor Valentin announced with full authority in his voice.
The agitation and protest from the crowd were forcibly contained.
The next words of the Emperor made them feel cold as if someone poured a bucket of ice-cold water into their bodies.
"The Silver Dew Elves specifically named the Third Prince, Leon Andrae the Seirende, to enter their territory!"
Emperor Valentin coldly said while a projection stone containing the Elven Chief's writing flashed for the crowd's viewing.
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