Episode 18: The Mob Prince Destroys Empress Camilla
(Empress Camilla’s Perspective)
I am Camilla, the eldest daughter of House Ludwig, one of the four great noble families that serve as pillars of the Empire, and the Emperor Alvaise-sama’s favored consort.
I was summoned to Alvaise-sama’s private chambers for the first time in a while, and I headed there with a light heart.
Indeed, Alvaise-sama loves none other than me.
Ah, how wonderful I feel.
To make the Mazoku woman Luna, who is trying to win Alvaise-sama’s favor, eat dirt, I entrusted Xylas with the assassination of her son, Luke. It should be about time for good news to arrive.
It is unacceptable for lowly Mazoku to swagger about the Imperial Court as if they own the place.
Next, I shall dispose of her daughter Diana as well.
Perhaps I should have Xylas turn Luke’s corpse into an undead and have the siblings kill each other?
Ufufu, just imagining it sends shivers down my spine.
What kind of face will Luna make when she loses both of her beloved children?
“Camilla Ludwig, I have come at your summons… !?”
As soon as I entered the room, I was forcibly thrown to the floor by someone.
“W-What are you doing, you insolent fool!?”
A burly soldier pinned me down and roughly put handcuffs on me.
Such disrespect towards me, the Emperor’s consort, was unthinkable.
“Those are my words, Camilla. Why didn’t you report your research on the instant-death magic, Thanatos?”
Emperor Alvaise-sama’s cold, murderous voice echoed.
I stiffened involuntarily.
Eh, w-why does he know about that…?
“The Empire is currently at war with two nations. Do you understand this situation?”
“Prince Luke’s research data on Thanatos… to create an undead army that wields instant-death magic is quite astonishing.”
The great alchemist Count Saint-Germain sat on a sofa, leafing through a stack of parchment with great interest.
“However, the experiments with instant-death magic have all failed. To put people into a state of suspended animation… it’s like an upgraded version of [Sleep] (Hypnos).”
“Even so, this magic, which can instantly neutralize enemies, will be of great help in strengthening the Imperial Army. A great achievement, Luke.”
“I am honored by your praise.”
The last hateful voice was Luke, the one I ordered Xylas to assassinate.
Could it be that he survived?
Moreover, Xylas’s report said that the instant-death magic was almost complete…? W-What does this mean?
I was in utter confusion.
“However, to have been secretly researching such a new magic… we have no choice but to say that House Ludwig harbors rebellious intentions against the Empire.”
Count Saint-Germain stated coldly.
It was then that I finally understood the situation and shuddered.
Luke had defeated all the assassins I sent and stolen Xylas’s research results.
I-Impossible.
How could a good-for-nothing who can’t even use magic properly…?
N-No, more importantly than that, I have to get through this situation somehow.
If things continue like this, House Ludwig will not only fail to make Victor-chan the next emperor and wield power, but will also be punished as rebels.
“Alvaise-sama! This is some kind of mistake! That lowly Mazoku brat is trying to frame me! I-It’s all Luna’s plot!”
I tried to blame Luna on the spur of the moment.
“Yes, that Mazoku woman is foolishly trying to take revenge on the Empire…!”
“These documents detail human experimentation on the populace. Do you think Luna, who was confined in the Prison Tower, could have prepared this?”
At that moment, Alvaise-sama emitted an immense aura of anger.
“H-However! There is no proof that these documents were created by someone from House Ludwig!”
“Your Majesty, I regret to say that I was attacked by Empress Camilla’s men and saved by the swordsmanship instructor, Gaine.”
Luke opened his mouth and looked at me coldly.
“Gaine says that Empress Camilla threatened him to kill me, taking his daughter hostage. These documents were possessed by Xylas, Empress Camilla’s assassin, whom Gaine defeated. Count Saint-Germain is well aware that Xylas is House Ludwig’s personal magician, is he not?”
“That is correct, Prince Luke. He is my unworthy disciple.”
“W-What are you saying, you good-for-nothing brat!”
I was deeply shaken by the evidence presented against me.
C-Could it be that Gaine betrayed me?
Even though I promised to give him a large sum of money in addition to undoing the incomplete version of Thanatos cast on his daughter.
How dare that adventurer defy me…!
“It seems that Empress Camilla was even trying to kill Diana out of personal spite.”
“I ordered you not to endanger Luke’s life.”
Alvaise-sama emitted an oppressive aura that made it hard to breathe.
“Furthermore, to try to harm even Diana, whom I am raising as a weapon… I consider this treason against me!”
“P-Please wait, this is some kind of mistake!”
I tried to explain myself in a panic, but I was too flustered to come up with a good excuse.
“I was just trying to save Alvaise-sama, who is being deceived by that woman—Luna…!”
“How shallow. It seems that Empress Camilla is nothing but a detriment to the Empire.”
Count Saint-Germain gave me a look of utter contempt.
I was furious that he would utter such abusive words to me.
“The same goes for House Ludwig. They need to be disciplined. Camilla is to be divorced and banished from the inner palace as of this moment. House Ludwig will have a portion of its territory confiscated.”
“I believe that is a wise decision. We cannot allow House Ludwig’s arrogance to go unchecked.”
“D-Divorce…!”
If I were to be divorced, my position in House Ludwig would be completely lost. I would be mistreated for the rest of my life.
More than that…
“Alvaise-sama, what about my son, Victor-chan!?”
“His residence will be moved from the inner palace to a detached palace. Do not think that Victor will ever succeed me.”
“His Highness Victor will serve as a hostage for House Ludwig from now on. If they ever defy His Majesty again, they will atone with His Highness Victor’s life.”
“…S-Such an order. My father will not remain silent!”
House Ludwig is a great noble family that serves as a pillar of the Empire. I raised my voice, thinking that I could somehow manage if I came on strong.
“If you refuse to obey my decision, then I will abolish House Ludwig altogether. Saint-Germain, I leave it to you. Take the heads of everyone connected to House Ludwig.”
“As you wish. Then, shall I start with Camilla-sama’s head?”
Count Saint-Germain bowed deeply. His eyes were filled with cold murderous intent.
“H-Hii!”
The immortal monster Saint-Germain is the Empire’s trump card.
This man is famous for being elusive, appearing instantly anywhere within the Empire and eliminating those he deems enemies of the Empire.
According to Xylas, the Secret Art of Immortality involves incorporating the factors of an ancient dragon to obtain an immortal body.
The longer an ancient dragon lives, the more powerful it becomes…
Saint-Germain, who has lived for 1000 years, is probably far superior to Xylas in power.
There is no way I can survive being targeted by such a monster.
I felt everything I had built up collapse with a crash.
Today, on this day, I lost everything and was ruined.
“I-I will obey His Majesty’s orders, so please spare my life!”