Chapter 609: 609: Nefracious Planning
Inside the Imperial Palace, the atmosphere had already become extremely heavy and oppressive while reports from every battlefield continuously piled across the massive table one after another, and the expressions of the officials standing inside the grand hall looked uglier with every passing hour because the situation on the frontlines kept worsening rapidly despite all the efforts of the Empire.
BANG!
Emperor Alaster violently slammed his palm against the large table before him while countless documents scattered across the floor instantly, and the terrifying pressure erupting from his body caused even the surrounding officials to stiffen slightly in fear.
"These useless bastards!" Alaster roared furiously while his face twisted with anger and frustration.
"They dare complain now after enjoying the protection and prosperity of the Empire for so many years?"
His eyes burned with fury while he slowly stood up from his throne and began pacing across the room restlessly.
"When the Empire expanded territories and fought wars for resources, all those nobles happily accepted the wealth and benefits without uttering a single complaint," he shouted coldly while glaring toward the gathered officials.
"But now that the Empire itself is facing danger and asking them to contribute properly..."
"They suddenly start whining like frightened dogs hiding behind walls!"
The entire hall remained completely silent because none of the officials dared interrupt the enraged Emperor at this moment.
Even the Prime Ministers and military commanders lowered their heads quietly while allowing Alaster to vent his frustrations freely.
"Did I force those damned nobles to live luxurious lives all these years?" Alaster sneered while clenching his fists tightly.
"No."
"They happily fattened themselves while hiding safely beneath the protection of Arcadia."
His voice became increasingly colder.
"And now they hesitate when the Empire asks for support?"
"Bullshit."
"Utter bullshit."
The more he spoke, the more furious he became while traces of exhaustion slowly mixed within his anger, and even the magical lamps across the hall flickered faintly due to the pressure leaking from his body.
"If Arcadia falls..." he muttered darkly while narrowing his eyes.
"Do they honestly think the Four Great Empires will kindly spare them afterward?"
A cold laugh escaped his lips.
"Idiots."
"They are all idiots."
The atmosphere inside the grand hall became increasingly somber after those words while many officials quietly exchanged nervous glances with one another, because deep inside they also understood that the Emperor was not entirely wrong.
If Arcadia truly collapsed...
Then none of the major noble houses would escape the consequences afterward.
After venting his frustrations for a long while, Alaster finally stopped moving and slowly sat back down upon the throne while rubbing his forehead tiredly, and although the anger in his eyes had not disappeared completely, exhaustion and pressure had clearly begun showing upon his face now.
The Empire was slowly being cornered from every direction.
Enemies pressed from outside.Dissatisfaction spread from within.And hidden dangers silently watched from the shadows.
For the first time in many years...
Even Alaster felt genuine pressure weighing heavily upon his shoulders.
The room remained silent for several moments while the Emperor quietly fell into deep thought.
Then suddenly—
The large doors of the hall slowly opened.
Prime Minister Deus calmly walked inside while maintaining his composed expression, and the moment he entered, the surrounding officials instinctively stepped aside slightly to make way for him.
Alaster slowly raised his eyes toward him.
"You came," he muttered tiredly.
Deus nodded slightly before walking closer toward the throne.
"I heard about the latest reports from the frontlines," he replied calmly.
Alaster immediately let out a cold snort.
"Then you should already understand how troublesome the current situation has become," he said darkly.
Deus remained silent briefly before finally speaking again.
"There may still be one possible solution."
The moment those words entered Alaster’s ears, the Emperor immediately looked toward him sharply.
"What solution?" he asked seriously.
Deus slowly glanced around the hall before stepping closer toward the throne and lowering his voice slightly.
Then he quietly explained his suggestion.
And the moment Alaster fully heard those words.His eyes instantly lit up sharply while a strange light flashed across them.
For the first time in quite a while, genuine interest appeared within the Emperor’s expression.
However...
That reaction only lasted for a brief moment.
Because immediately afterward, hesitation slowly appeared within Alaster’s eyes once again while deep thoughts surfaced across his face.
He narrowed his gaze toward Deus carefully.
"But by doing this..." Alaster muttered slowly while tapping his fingers against the armrest.
"We might invite even greater trouble afterward."
Deus remained completely calm after hearing that concern.
"There will only be greater trouble if the Empire survives long enough to face it," he replied quietly.
His expression remained indifferent.
"But at the current rate things are progressing..."
"It will already become difficult for the Empire itself to continue lasting much longer."
The hall became silent again after those words.
Alaster slowly tightened his grip against the throne while complicated thoughts continuously flashed through his mind, because deep inside he clearly understood that Deus was not wrong.
Arcadia was already standing dangerously close to the edge of collapse.
If they continued hesitating now...
There might not even be a future left worth protecting afterward.
The Emperor slowly swallowed his saliva while falling into silence.
The doors opened once more.
A familiar figure calmly stepped into the hall.
Crown Prince Haster.
His expression remained composed as always while his crimson eyes quietly swept across both Alaster and Deus before finally stopping upon his father.
"What exactly are you hesitating for, Father?" Haster asked calmly while slowly walking forward.
His voice was steady and relaxed, but the meaning behind his words carried obvious pressure.
"Such an opportunity will never come knocking upon our doors again."
Alaster silently looked toward his son.
Haster stopped near the center of the hall before continuing calmly.
"I think you should agree," he said quietly.
The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became even heavier after those words while silence once again descended across the room.
