After I died, Everything Changed - Chapter 74

“As if. Coming to the palace like this is a strategy—it keeps the nagging to a minimum. It’s a visual reminder: Look how much I’ve done for the Empire already. It’s my way of pushing back before they try to squeeze more out of me.”

“…You really are…”

I couldn’t tell if he was clever or just full of tricks.

Or maybe… he didn’t actually care that deeply for the Empire in the first place. It was hard to say.

“Even if you didn’t show off, everyone already knows. You’re a treasure of the Empire, after all, Your Grace.”

Besides, Lahan wasn’t the type to fold under pressure or accept responsibilities he didn’t want.

I was beginning to understand him now.

He wasn’t driven by money or honor.

He gave his all to whatever genuinely interested him.

Whether it was war, business… or perhaps even something else.

As we talked, we soon arrived in front of the Emperor’s audience chamber.

I couldn’t shake the tension in my chest.

It wasn’t hard to guess that House Mergen would be today’s main target.

I gripped the fabric of my dress tightly. I could feel Lahan watching me.

“That’s not like you,” he said with a faint smile.

He was right. It wasn’t.

But things had changed.

People with something to protect always end up more afraid.

So I’ve gone from seeking revenge… to trying to protect something now?

I didn’t even know where I was headed anymore.

Only one thing echoed in my mind: Irene’s voice.

“Protect Mergen.”

So I would.

I’d keep watching over the place she’d loved so much.

“I’m here. Don’t be afraid,” Lahan said softly.

His voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

Just then, the chamberlain opened the door.

“You may enter.”

Clutching my skirt tighter, I stepped into the audience chamber.

Inside, the Emperor and Crown Prince were waiting.

We offered a proper greeting, and a few formalities were exchanged.

Then, at last, the Emperor got to the point.

“There are troubling rumors about Lord Abel spreading across the Empire.”

“…They’re baseless.”

“People are turning into monsters. These aren’t just rumors anymore.”

“They’re using the corpses of the dead—killed by monsters. It only looks like a transformation.”

I spoke calmly, based on the research we’d gathered so far.

“Are you certain of that?”

The Emperor’s voice grew sharp.

“There’s no one in the world who can speak with certainty about monsters.”

He frowned deeply at my answer.

“The people are in a panic. They’re terrified they could become monsters themselves at any moment.”

“I understand their fear completely.”

“And the areas of monster sightings are expanding rapidly.”

Everyone was struggling with the same problem.

“We can’t just sit and watch. If this continues, riots will break out.”

“Do you have something in mind?”

The Emperor nodded.

“We’ll establish a subjugation force.”

“A monster subjugation force…”

“We need to show the people we’re taking action. We need to show them we’re fighting back.”

Lahan, Crown Prince Matthias, and I all nodded in agreement.

Even if the motivation was political, it was still a necessary move.

We had to pull the public back from the edge of fear.

“House Mergen will lead the charge,” I said.

In that moment, I accepted the reality of war.

Whether fair or not, the blame would fall on Mergen.

Backing away now would only make things worse.

I refused to let anyone seize control of our territory.

Better to put on armor and lead the charge myself—
and in the process, finally silence the rumors surrounding Mergen.

“I’ll join as well,” Lahan added.

Everyone turned to look at him.

“Sounds like fun,” he said, flashing his signature, easygoing smile.

“I’ll join too.”

This time, it was an unexpected voice.

Matthias…?

“If the royal family stays silent during a national crisis, the people will lose faith,” said Crown Prince Matthias.

He had always been a strategic thinker.

Most likely, he stepped in to prevent Mergen and Bahel from receiving all the glory if the campaign succeeded.

I glanced at Lahan—he didn’t look surprised at all.

So, he saw this coming.

Still, this was a far better outcome than letting Mergen shoulder the blame alone.

“Good,” said the Emperor. “As long as we can root out the monsters, the Imperial Army is yours to command.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“If we can use this opportunity to show unity between the Imperial family, Bahel, and Mergen, all the better.”

The Emperor’s gaze swept across us.

“Seeing you all like this… it reminds me of the old legends.”

“Haha, you mean the founding myth?” Lahan replied with a hearty laugh, playing along with the Emperor’s remark.

“Yes. Back then, the three houses joined forces as well.”

“To complete the story, we’d need Belluge too.”

Belluge had once been counted among the great houses of Lutitia, Bahel, and Mergen—known for its mysterious powers.

That was before it became a sovereign duchy and withdrew.

Located far to the east of the continent, Belluge had cut diplomatic ties with every nation, including the Empire, for over a century.

They once shared military ties with the Imperial family, but in peacetime, they used tranquility as an excuse to avoid all contact.

Perhaps… they know something about all this.

Lahan’s offhand comment made me think more deeply about Belluge.

“It may be time to send envoys and reestablish contact with Belluge.”

“You’re making the right choice,” I said, answering the Emperor.

Belluge surely knew something.

They were the house that understood monsters best.

“Then we’ll have the three of you lead the subjugation campaign together… with the Crown Prince as commander.”

So, Mergen had been painted as the one most responsible for this monster crisis—and yet the command went to Matthias.

Even though Lahan was clearly the most capable strategist when it came to war.

The Emperor clearly intended to turn this into a stage for Matthias.

Still, if it meant we didn’t have to shoulder all the responsibility, it wasn’t a terrible arrangement.

“Very well,” I said.

“I understand,” Lahan replied, sounding entirely unconcerned.

He truly had no interest in playing the hero.

“I’ll be counting on you,” Matthias said with a calm smile.

“A deployment? How could they send you into such danger?!”

Grandfather did not take the news well.

“You expected this, didn’t you? At least this way, we have the Empire and Bahel’s forces at our side.”

“And the Crown Prince as commander? That cunning Emperor…”

It was clear Grandfather was none too pleased about that part.

“But in a way, that also means the Imperial family will have to take responsibility if things go wrong.”

“Go wrong? Not likely—with Bahel involved.”

“So, you trust Bahel more than Lutitia, is that it?”

I smiled softly.

Lahan would probably be thrilled if he knew Grandfather held his house in such regard.

“At least Bahel won’t stab us in the back.”

“Haha, have you forgotten Bahel is also our greatest rival in business?”

“Exactly why they’re reliable. At least they’re not incompetent.”

Grandfather had a point.

“The Emperor is clearly trying to turn Matthias into a symbol.”

“Yes. He’s laying the groundwork for his succession.”

As soon as I said that, Henry’s face floated to mind.

And with it came the mess of our broken engagement—
but that wasn’t today’s priority.

Right now, we had a war to prepare for.

“In any case, this will likely delay the succession announcement.”

There were so many loose threads still left to tie, and more obstacles kept appearing.

“Be careful.”

“…Of course.”

As if I’d just die out there.

I hadn’t clawed my way this far just to fall.

“If it comes to it, I’ll use the Crown Prince as my shield.”

At that, Grandfather chuckled.

“Do just that. After all, the heir of Mergen’s life isn’t worth any less than the Crown Prince’s.”

Sometimes, Grandfather could be surprisingly reassuring.

I suppose I got part of my stubbornness from him.

After Chloe’s death and Abel’s departure, only Nehrzhu remained in the estate—and he was visibly deflated.

Not surprising, really.

I found him staring blankly at the floor while sitting on the sofa in my office.

“Nehrzhu.”

At the sound of his name, he flinched, his shoulders twitching in shock.

I still wasn’t used to this version of him.

This wasn’t the loudmouthed, arrogant man who used to sneer at me and call me a brat.

“What are you looking so afraid of?”

“…”

He looked like a criminal awaiting his sentence.

Apparently, Nehrzhu thought I was about to exact revenge.

“Nehrzhu… do you think of yourself as part of Mergen?”

I asked quietly.

Nehrzhu looked up at me in surprise.

“O-of course I do!”

At least his answer was immediate and firm.

“Then why are you acting like this—watching your back like a stranger?”

Support