Chapter 55: Your Highness, It’ll Cost Extra
Sword Holder.
This was an ancient term.
It was so ancient that the younger generation of the current Empire, whether noble or commoner, had never heard of it.
However, Shaya, an archaeologist who had spent half his life immersed in ancient ruins and the Grand Library, was not unfamiliar with the term.
The Freista Empire was strong because of the Eight Great Oathbound Families, but it was also constrained by them.
At the beginning of the Empire’s establishment, the alliance between the Eight Great Oathbound Families and the Imperial Royal Family was still relatively stable.
But as time passed, perhaps some Oathbound Families still adhered to their original intentions and remembered their initial vows.
Yet, more families had changed.
In both Shaya’s previous life and the current one, the so-called human heart was the most unreliable thing.
Whether it was the desire for profit, the fantasy of eternal life.
Or the ambition for power, the rebellion of not being willing to be inferior, or the instigation of External Forces.
These reasons were either justifiable or purely driven by selfish desires.
But in any case, the seed of the disintegration of a powerful empire was sown at its very inception.
With the fluctuations in national strength and the arrival of foreign enemies, this Seed of Rebellion began to sprout and grow, its thick branches cracking the magnificent structure known as the “Freista Empire” again and again.
And the Imperial Royal Family had also prepared countermeasures in advance.
“The Crimson Blood and Pure White Sword to Protect the Holy City.”
This was a covenant inscribed on the walls of Camelot, branded at the moment the Empire was founded.
The Crimson Blood represented the Oathbound Families, and the Pure White Sword represented the “Sword Holders.”
An organization of equal standing to the Oathbound Families.
As the name suggested, they wielded long swords and monitored the entire domain.
Whether it was nobles of all sizes, powerful officials, or even extraordinary forces and hidden organizations within the territory, all fell within their jurisdiction.
This was a Sword of Damocles hanging high in the sky.
As long as this suspended sword existed, the seeds of rebellion could only slumber in the dust and could not truly reveal their fangs.
But such a sharp blade was destined to be detested.
And so, at a time when a foolish emperor and a mediocre Sword Holder appeared simultaneously, this term became history forever.
Nowadays, the military, the Directorate, and the Inspectors who oversee each territory can be considered to be partial continuations of the Sword Holders. Yet, they are far from comparable to the original.
Shaya’s gaze slowly swept across Isadorella’s face.
This Silver-haired Princess harbored greater ambition than he had imagined.
Despite appearing so young, what she pursued was not merely maintaining the Empire’s balance, being a patchwork repairer who mended things for a few years.
What she pursued was to recreate the Empire’s original form.
Even to surpass the past.
“First,” Shaya said, holding up a finger.
“Your Highness, you are currently only the Second Princess.”
“Although I know that quite a few people in the Empire are optimistic about you winning the Royal Selection Ceremony.”
“But the majority of them are commoners, or mid-to-high-level personnel in the military and the Directorate. If judged solely by strength, you can indeed be called powerful.”
“However, in terms of power and influence within the Imperial Capital, you are far from comparable to those High-ranking nobles in the Imperial Capital.”
Shaya’s words paused slightly.
“As far as I know, due to some of the iron-blooded methods you have displayed in the past.”
“The vast majority of the High-ranking nobles in the Imperial Capital now regard you as a thorn in their side, a splinter in their flesh.”
“And your ideals will definitely not be recognized by foreign countries and extraordinary forces.”
“For them, a divided and turbulent empire would be more in line with their interests.”
Shaya’s finger pointed at Diris beside him, causing the maiden to look at him with her pure eyes in confusion.
Of course, after seeing her Succubus true form, Shaya naturally no longer believed in her usual “pure” demeanor.
“At the very least, if Guild Leader Diris’s identity were exposed, Your Highness would certainly become an enemy of the Holy See.”
Isadorella nodded noncommittally.
What Shaya said was indeed the truth.
Although Isadorella had absolute confidence in herself—in terms of willpower, political skill, and even her talent as a Beast Tamer, she surpassed the other princes.
But it could not be denied that the support she currently received in the Imperial Capital was truly insufficient.
Several Oathbound Families and High-ranking nobles had each chosen their own favored candidates, and the Alliance of Lieges and the Holy See would certainly not become her allies.
“Betting in advance before the Royal Selection Ceremony is completed requires a price to be paid,” Shaya said, waving his hand.
“And this price might be heavy.”
“If a noble with connections places a bet, they won’t lose much even if they lose, after all, too many interests are involved, and even the winner of the Royal Selection will be wary.”
“But for a commoner like me, once I make a wrong step, there is no turning back.”
Although Shaya’s words remained respectful, they subtly conveyed a sense of refusal.
This was also within Isadorella’s expectations.
As the Second Princess of the Empire, she knew how difficult it was to recruit talented individuals.
Based on the intel she had, this person, Shaya Egut, did not have too strong a desire for power or fame.
Or rather, Shaya did require power, but what he cared about was only the practical benefits that power brought him, not the mere feeling of wielding power itself.
This meant that the usual promises made by monarchs throughout history to recruit capable individuals were ineffective.
“When we conquer this land, you and I will rule it together.”
“But, what use is this land to me?”
And so, a beautiful story of a wise ruler and a virtuous minister ended without a hitch.
However, there was naturally a reason for Isadorella to personally visit Shaya.
Ceylon.
Her background as “Winter,” and the disaster that annihilated Ceylon.
And the “Crimson Rose” Borgia Family hidden behind the scenes.
Shaya’s past represented that they shared the same stance and had the possibility of cooperation.
After all, the Borgia Family itself was one of Isadorella’s greatest current enemies in the Imperial Capital.
Even so, Isadorella only had a fifty percent chance of successfully recruiting him.
For someone with such grand dreams, no one knew how much they truly cared about their past.
If he were truly a saint perfect in every way except for lust, then hatred might not affect his choices.
However, just as Isadorella was about to reveal her final trump card, Ceylon.
She heard the young man’s voice ring out in her ears again.
“So, Your Highness.”
“What I mean is…”
“It’ll cost extra.”
I’ll adjust my schedule a bit, the second update will be posted during the day.
The shelves are opening soon, so I’ll be saving up more manuscripts lately.
