bookpower Chapter 102 : Chapter 102
Chapter 102 : Chapter 102
Chapter 102 - If You Can't Avoid It, Use ItClaudio Renart Abellon, the First Imperial Prince of the Abellon Empire, was spending his mundane days when he suddenly felt his consciousness separating from the material world.
From a certain point, it was a dreamlike sensation of being in a dream.
"Hmm."
The Prince, unfazed by the sensation, calmly looked at his hand, clenching and unclenching it.
Such a calm reaction was entirely natural for the Prince, as this was not the first time he had experienced this phenomenon.
The Prince slowly turned his head and surveyed his surroundings. And there, was a world shining in pure white, which he never got used to, no matter how many times he saw it.
'The feeling of standing on clouds, and... a beautiful landscape that felt as if it would blind me.'
It was a scene reminiscent of heaven depicted in religions, its very archetype.
Although he had been here more than once or twice, Claudio couldn't help but be surprised by himself, feeling beauty in this landscape.
It must have been an appreciation bordering on admiration, that he, who lived in ennui, could feel such emotions.
'Does this mean 'The One' has something to tell us?'
Claudio thought, calmly observing the surrounding scenery.
Yes, as Claudio said, this was how 'The One,' the master of Ad Astra, summoned a meeting.
The only way to gather the members of Ad Astra, who were almost impossible to assemble in one place due to various reasons like social status, physical location, and scrutiny.
It was one of 'The One's' powers, which ignored the laws of the material world and transcended causality.
This was possible because it involved contacting the minds of those who shared blood, rather than directly interfering with the material world itself.
After a short while, the Crown Prince felt his hazy and faint perception becoming clearer.oo."
At the Crown Prince's gentle words, Mateus, who had maintained silence until now, slowly raised his head.
"There are no excuses or confessions. I am merely faithfully upholding the great covenant of 'The One.'"
And he spoke calmly.
"But, isn't it an undeniable fact that your child has emerged as a variable?"
Even at Claudio's remark, which hid a sharp sword beneath a smiling face, Mateus' expression remained unmoved.
"If I harbored impure malice, I would not have offered my legitimate son and daughter to His Royal Highness' plan, would I?"
"Is there any meaning between people who have lost their human hearts?"
"They are clearly useful pawns."
And then, a voice cut through the arguments.
"Hmm! The important thing now isn't responsibility. What's truly important is how we should respond to that variable!"
It was the hearty voice of the man in full armor, Salvatio.
"A response, indeed. While his personal strength was negligible when I faced him... seeing how he dealt with Gabriel, he must be harboring some immense power."
As if in agreement, Grændal calmly recounted his impressions from encountering Rain Enlight.
"Anything to add, kid?"
When Grændal directed his gaze towards Stella, Stella replied with an expressionless face.
"...It felt bad, you know?"
"Felt bad?"
"Acting as if he knew everything in this world... it was disgustingly unpleasant."
"Hmm..."
At Stella's words, Claudio clasped his hands and pondered for a moment, muttering.
"Even if Gabriel's matter was a coincidence, that he could interfere with Miss Stella's actions... Hmm. Should that also be considered a coincidence?"
"Does that mean the brat is reading our intentions?"
To Akmandar's question, Claudio shrugged.
"For now... there's a 50/50 chance."
Either coincidence or inevitability.
"Well, to determine that possibility, I have prepared a move."
"Hmph."
As Claudio spoke, the boy at the head of the table—'The One'—wore an expression that seemed intrigued, or perhaps even fond.
"It's about the artifact matter from before. It seems my sister, through some means, followed me."
"Oh ho, Imperial Princess Regina! She's grown quite a bit!"
At Salvatio's words, Claudio let out a small laugh and continued.
"She will probably... follow to the Railroad Mysterium. My sister would certainly do so. It's both the best option for her and a critical blow to me."
Claudio also knew that Regina had planted an unidentifiable informant within the Crown Prince's Faction.
He simply hadn't done anything about it because truly weeding them out would require considerable effort.
No one flips over an entire anthill just because one ant is annoying, do they?
However, the Crown Prince did not allow the situation to be used against him in a purely negative way.
If you can't avoid it, use it.
Regina and Rain Enlight would come to the Railroad Mysterium.
Therefore, he would greet them with a conspiracy at the Railroad Mysterium.
That was the Crown Prince's way.
"If Rain Enlight is determined to be a 'variable' in the true flow through this incident... then it won't be too late to act decisively."
And at his words, 'The One' nodded with a benevolent smile.
"Indeed, that is correct."
Followed by the innocent boy's remark.
That single remark contained the intention to respect the 'world' the Crown Prince aimed for.