TOOCM 99

Chapter 99

Despite the warning, Reina remained unshaken. “He absolutely won’t die. I will use any means necessary to restore Jeffrey to his original state.”

Michael blinked at Reina’s deeply meaningful remark. “It seems you have something you are relying on.”

“I’m under no obligation to tell you.”

Reina dismissed him curtly, and Michael let out a hollow laugh. Even in an emotionally agitated state, she would never make the mistake of revealing crucial information. The siblings, the more he observed them, the more he liked them.

Michael gave a slight chuckle and began. “I had originally planned to use your brother as leverage for a deal, but I will change my plan.”

Reina’s expression hardened at his frank admission that he intended to use her brother as a hostage.

“Are you saying you were just trying to blackmail me with my brother?”

“Only momentarily.”

His honesty was so blunt that it completely stunned her.

At that moment, Michael held out the key. “Instead, I offer you this as an apology.”

“You’re giving this to me?”

Reina looked suspicious that he would so readily hand over the key. When she looked at him, tacitly asking what his scheme was, Michael said,

“I don’t want a deal with Lady Reina, I want an alliance.”

“An alliance?”

“Yes. You can consider it a partnership driven by mutual interest. I will be helpful in rescuing Jeffrey, so I hope you won’t refuse.”

Michael abruptly adopted a humble stance. His change of position was smooth, as if he had finished assessing his opponent.

“You believe your interests and mine align?”

“Something like that.”

Michael was sincere. Having confirmed his honesty with Ritsi’s power, Reina got straight to the point.

“Then what is this key used for?”

“Please check for yourself during the banquet.”

“The location?”

“During the upcoming banquet, use the excuse of feeling unwell to leave the hall and go to the infirmary. My person there will guide Lady Reina on where to go next. You will be able to use the key at that location.”

Michael, as if he had been waiting, revealed his intentions. The key likely led to a secret containing information Michael could not speak aloud. It might be the place where she could find a clue to save Jeffrey.

Reina asked with a determined expression, “What do I need to do for you in exchange for the key? If it’s an alliance, there must be something that benefits you, Michael.”

“I was offering it as an apology, though.”

“You said it was an alliance. A situation where only one side benefits isn’t an alliance, it’s a transaction.”

Michael blinked at Reina’s shrewd remark.

After a moment, he smiled subtly. “The truth is, what I want may make things a bit awkward for you.”

“Just tell me first.”

Seeing her willingness to judge after hearing the terms, Michael spoke seriously.

“To formally challenge the succession fight for the throne. That is the condition I was originally going to request.”

Reina and Kaiden flinched. They had been preparing for exactly that, making them wonder if Michael knew something.

Reina spoke calmly. “The succession fight…? Are you asking me to compete against the Crown Prince?”

“While the Emperor established Siegfried as the Crown Prince, he also enacted a law allowing other worthy successors to challenge that position. He even created a game rule for it. That is…”

“Sollícĭto.”

When Reina mentioned the name of the succession contest, Michael smiled with satisfaction.

“That’s right. I want Lady Reina to formally apply for the Sollícĭto.”

Silence descended upon the room as Sollícĭto was mentioned.

Sollícĭto.

The act of a royal with a lower claim challenging a royal with a higher claim to the throne. The winner of the game gains a higher position in the line of succession, putting them in an advantageous position to become the next Emperor. The challenger and the challenged must compete through the game to determine who is more suitable to be the next Emperor. It was similar to a duel in that no fault was assigned if someone died during the game.

Reina seemed to hold back. “I didn’t know you were interested in the throne. Wouldn’t it be better if you did it yourself, Michael?”

“I have no great interest in the throne.”

Michael chuckled and poured wine into his glass. As the red wine filled the glass almost to the brim, he spoke.

“Aren’t you curious why the Emperor wants a child between Lady Reina and the Duke?”

Reina was startled by the abrupt beginning. She hadn’t expected him to know that the Emperor desired their child.

Reina sighed deeply. “Isn’t it to use them, just like Jeffrey?”

“It’s not even comparable to that.”

Michael took a drink of wine, maintaining his composure. As Reina waited calmly, he suddenly changed the topic.

“The Covenant between Crensia and Mernier contains a mutual non-aggression clause.”

“I know.”

“Mernier cannot exercise its authority over Crensia, and Crensia cannot inflict harm upon Mernier. The Emperor, who represents Mernier, is particularly strongly bound by the Covenant’s restraints.”

Reina stared intently at Michael, wondering what he was implying. She already knew from her previous life that the Emperor could not harm Crensia. That was why the Emperor had used her to pressure Kaiden. He had exploited the fact that Royals other than the Emperor were less restricted.

Of course, the restraints were still present, requiring her to use more than double the life force she should have. She was frustrated, not knowing why he was bringing this up now.

As if he understood, Michael addressed the central point he wanted to make.

“The clause, which seems to protect both sides, has a blind spot. A being who is both a Mernier and a Crensia is not restricted at all.”

“…Surely not.”

Kaiden frowned in reaction, and Michael nodded.

“The Emperor wants to be exempt from the Covenant. Through the child of Lady Reina and the Duke. Ultimately, he wants to wield the power of Crensia’s Dragon in his own hands.”

“!”

That madman!

Reina shuddered at the Emperor’s greed. She felt dizzy and swayed, and Kaiden quickly supported her.

“Are you alright?”

“…Yes.”

She already knew the Emperor dreamed of conquering the continent. But she hadn’t known he intended to use the Covenant’s blind spot to seize Crensia’s power and become an omnipotent being.

Michael’s ash-gray eyes gleamed sharply.

“Right now, you, Reina, are the only one who can cut this cycle.”

“Why me?”

“Because the person the Emperor covets most is already on your side.”

Michael’s gaze shifted to Kaiden.

As long as the Emperor wanted Crensia’s power, Reina could never be truly free from him. Then and now, the Emperor would never leave her or Kaiden alone.

And since her return to the past, everyone had demanded the same thing of her: to become the Emperor.

Reina had no choice but to accept that this was her destiny. She was the only one who could break this cycle, which felt like a cursed bond.

“Challenging the Crown Prince immediately is impossible.”

“Of course. I will help you set the stage before that. However, I hope it won’t take longer than the end of this year.”

“Alright.”

When Reina readily accepted, Michael seemed relieved. He extended his hand for a handshake.

“From now on, please call me Michael.”

“Then, Michael, please call me Reina.”

“Very well.”

Michael smiled contentedly and waved his hand.

A moment later, the clown puppet disappeared, and Michael stood up.

“Now that our discussion is complete, shall we go meet your brother?”