Chapter 68
I Will Never Entrust This Empire to You
Night had fallen, just as Marican had warned, but since there was only one path through the gorge, there was little danger as long as each rider kept their eyes fixed on the man ahead.
Yet not long after they entered the ravine, a pale mist began to gather.
“What in the world… fog at this hour?”
Marican frowned, a ripple of unease stirring inside him as the haze thickened.
“Do not worry, my lord. It will clear soon.”
But contrary to the knight’s prediction, the mist grew denser still, until even the silhouettes of those directly before and behind blurred into nothing.
Panic spread quickly among the men.
“Do not falter! Hold your ranks and advance slowly!”
“Yes, sir!”
At Kymon’s command, the company pressed deeper into the gorge. At last, the vanguard and the elite troops reached the other side.
Kymon turned and called to Hugo, who was just emerging with the rear guard.
“Hugo! We are nearly through. Hurry, just a little more!”
“Yes, my lord!”
But the moment Hugo obeyed and quickened his pace, a thunderous roar erupted above them.
“Rocks! The rocks are falling!”
Crack! Boom!
Screams tore through the gorge. Hugo staggered forward, forcing his way out just as massive boulders crashed down, sealing the narrow pass.
He whirled around. Where the path had been now stood a wall of stone—five, six great rocks blocking the way.
“What… what happened?!”
From above came a triumphant cry:
“We’ve trapped the rebels inside the gorge! Charge!”
The shouts of soldiers echoed with thunderous force.
“Trapped… all of them?”
“Hard to say, the fog is too thick—but it looks like none escaped.”
Listening to the enemy’s voices, Hugo darted to Kymon’s side. His master stood frozen, shock written across his face.
“My lord—go! You must reach the capital at once!”
“But my knights… if I abandon them—”
Still dazed, Kymon muttered as though to himself. Hugo cut him short with a desperate shout.
“My lord! We have no time! Those above will descend any moment, and to fight them here would be folly. You must take the hundred who escaped and march for the capital now!”
He thrust something into Kymon’s hand—a gleaming arcane device.
“This is a transport relic. I brought it just in case, and thank the heavens I did. With it, we can reach the capital in a single day. While they focus on the men trapped behind, you will strike down the Emperor!”
“Hugo…”
Kymon embraced his loyal retainer fiercely.
“It has been my greatest honor to serve you all my life.”
Bowing low, Hugo urged him onward.
“Go, my lord! At once!”
“You mean to stay?”
“Yes. Whoever laid this trap—Duke Canoluf himself must be here. That is to our advantage. With the Duke away from the capital, you can seize the palace unopposed. Miss this chance, and you may never have another. I will draw their eyes, posing as you. Before the fog lifts, you must be gone!”
Reluctantly, torn by duty and desperation, Kymon obeyed. He led the hundred men out, vanishing into the mist.
Hugo watched him go. Then, raising his voice for all to hear, he bellowed:
“Knights! I, Kymon, will stand and fight here! Steel yourselves, and follow my command!”
But the gorge was eerily silent.
“Sir Hugo… something is wrong. There has been no sound from within for some time.”
Hugo grimaced. There was no hope of breaking through the barricade. He gave his men the only order left.
“Then we lie in wait. When they descend, we strike—and delay them from pursuing our lord to the capital. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
And so Hugo and his band crouched in the shadows, hearts pounding, waiting for the enemy above.
By dawn, Kymon had already reached the capital, borne swiftly by the transport relic.
Of the thousand knights he had brought, scarcely a hundred remained.
“Listen well!” His voice rang out, hard as iron. “For the sake of those trapped in the gorge, we must strike at the palace and bring down the Emperor and Crown Prince who conspired against us! Do you understand?”
A grim chorus answered:
“Yes, my lord! Do not fear!”
“Good. We are but a hundred, but tonight we will enter the palace by a secret passage known only to me. The Empress herself has opened the way. Once inside, we shall kill the Emperor and raise a new Empire!”
Their eyes burned with vengeance.
That evening, guided by Antwat’s secret preparations, they slipped silently into the imperial palace.
Kymon divided his men.
“You, fetch the Crown Prince and bring him to the council chamber. You do the same with the Princess Consort. The rest, with me.”
“Yes, my lord!”
While his men scattered, Kymon swept through the palace guard. At last, it was time. His long-cherished dream lay within reach.
He strode into the Emperor’s chambers. Thanks to Antwat’s treachery, no guards remained.
Opening the door, he found Emperor Viseluc fast asleep.
So peacefully, so ignorantly—resting as though the world were not about to collapse.
Drawing his sword, Kymon pressed the cold steel to the old man’s throat.
“Your Majesty. Wake.”
Viseluc’s eyes flew open. He jolted upright, shouting.
“Who goes there?! Guards!”
Kymon chuckled darkly.
“Call as you will. None remain. I’ve already dealt with them. Rise, sire.”
“K-Kymon?! Why are you here?”
With mock courtesy, Kymon tossed him a robe.
“Dress yourself. I could end your life here and now, but there is one command I require of you.”
Bewildered, Viseluc obeyed. Cloaked, he was led to the council chamber, where Haman and Patricia, dragged in by soldiers, awaited.
“Father, are you unharmed? Kymon? What is the meaning of this?”
Kymon smiled, almost amiably.
“Crown Prince, I have merely come to reclaim what was stolen from me. Be patient—it will not take long.”
He drank in the sight of his captives with satisfaction. Only one step remained: the imperial seal. Without it, Diamond could not be enthroned.
“Your Majesty,” he said smoothly, “hand me the seal. Your health is failing. It is time you passed the throne to Prince Diamond, who will rule in your stead.”
Viseluc laughed harshly.
“Kymon, do you truly think that fool can be Emperor? No—you plan to crown Diamond, then rule the Empire yourself.”
Kymon’s eyes narrowed. The old serpent saw too much.
“Worry not, sire. I am not so witless. Just give me the seal.”
At that moment, the chamber doors opened.
A young man entered, smiling brightly.
Diamond.
Kymon’s face twisted.
What in blazes is he doing here?
He was supposed to be locked away in a cottage. Who freed him? Antwat?
“Grandfather! To leave me out of such a historic moment—truly unkind.”
Kymon forced a smile.
“Your Highness, once His Majesty bestows the command and seal, I intend to fetch you myself.”
“Ah, is that so? For a moment, I feared you meant to take the throne for yourself.”
“Foolish boy!” Viseluc roared. “Would you kill your own father to seize the crown?”
Diamond stepped closer, meeting his father’s glare.
“Father… resent you though I may, I am not such filth as to murder you. If you grant me the throne willingly, with the seal, I will honor you in your old age.”
Viseluc’s laughter rang bitterly.
“You? Emperor? Even a stray dog would laugh!”
The words struck Diamond like a blow. His eyes filled with old grief and rage.
From childhood, Viseluc had never once given him a look of kindness. Never praise, never warmth—only orders, only scolding, only comparisons to Haman.
No matter how hard he strove, it was never enough. The smile he longed for was given only to his elder brother.
So Diamond chose another path. If he could not win his father’s love, then he would force his gaze another way.
Misdeeds, scandals, endless disgrace—shielded and excused by Antwat, who never scolded him, who always covered for him. And Diamond came to believe it was not his fault at all.
No—the blame lay with Viseluc. For never sparing him even a smile. For stealing the crown meant for him and placing it on Haman’s brow.
From that day, Diamond’s resolve hardened. If he was cast aside, then he would take back his place by any means.
And when he escaped exile, he swore one vow:
I will reclaim what is mine.
