🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 156
After leaving the Halbern estate, Ludwig returned first to the Southern Empire.
Thanks to the gate connecting the two capitals, his return was quick — but his heart was restless.
While he was away, he couldn’t shake the unease that Valer might pull some stunt and get himself thrown out.
‘I’ve made some arrangements, but still…’
That wasn’t enough to put him at ease.
Determined to finish his urgent business quickly and return, Ludwig left his deputy, Germann, in charge at the now quiet Roke Castle.
“Your Highness, I must have misheard you. What exactly do you want me to do?”
“Act as my representative.”
“…”
Germann genuinely wondered if Ludwig had already gone senile.
“Anything that requires my personal approval — send it to Halbern.”
“S–Send it to… Halbern?”
Leaving the dumbfounded Germann behind, Ludwig swiftly wrapped up his affairs at Roke Castle and headed straight for the Imperial Palace of the Southern Empire.
“U–Uncle!”
“It’s been a while, Franz.”
“W–What brings you here, sir?”
Perhaps it was because of what he’d done — Franz III, pale and trembling, couldn’t even raise his head.
Ludwig sighed quietly as he looked at him, full of disappointment.
He had known of his half-brother’s madness yet had made him emperor anyway — and when that brother died not long after, Ludwig had placed his three-year-old nephew on the throne in his stead.
He had never once regretted that decision… but perhaps because of Arellin, he found himself feeling repentance for the first time.
He had always thought his nephew pathetic, but now he wondered — maybe I made him this way.
“From now on, I’ll entrust Phaetal to you.”
“Wh–What?”
“That doesn’t mean I’m handing over all my authority. Don’t delude yourself. The moment you make a foolish move, I’ll take it all back.”
Franz III — a mere puppet emperor long overshadowed by his regent — blinked rapidly.
Personal rule had been his lifelong dream, yet he never imagined it would be handed to him so easily.
“Wh–Why…?”
Normally, speaking back to Ludwig would’ve been unthinkable, but the situation was so surreal he could barely think straight.
Ludwig didn’t scold him for his impertinence. He simply answered calmly.
“I can’t stand in for your reign forever, can I?”
“…”
It was a reasonable statement — but coming from the man who had been the de facto ruler of the Southern Empire since the previous generation, it rang oddly hollow.
“Stop acting pitiful and show some dignity as Emperor of the South.”
Ludwig reflected on himself — the man he had been before meeting Arellin.
How his feelings for Sione, and the wounds she inflicted on him, had driven him into arrogance and obstinacy.
Facing his own mistakes had been agonizing enough to make him want to die, but overcoming them had brought a relief beyond words.
‘I already miss Arellin.’
Even though his duties still towered like mountains before him.
“From now on, I’ll be staying in Albrecht. Contact me there.”
“Y–Yes?”
Franz III could barely keep up.
What on earth was happening?
“Oh, and Franz.”
Franz flinched.
Ludwig, who had been about to leave, paused and gave his nephew a pitying look.
“Your father’s journal is at Roke Castle. Tell Germann, and he’ll give it to you.”
“…!”
“You wanted to see his will too, didn’t you? Ask Germann to show you that as well.”
The journal and will — things Franz had longed his whole life to find, ever since he began suspecting the truth behind his father’s death.
Franz thought something was strange.
The uncle who had always been sharp, intimidating, and explosive — now seemed… different.
“Why… why are you…?”
Why was he giving those up so easily?
Weren’t those documents filled with incriminating secrets about Ludwig himself?
Or… had Franz misunderstood his uncle all this time?
As Franz stood there speechless, Ludwig gave him one final farewell.
“Live well.”
* * *
After finishing all business in the Southern Empire, Ludwig headed for the Holy Kingdom of Lemren.
One of his attendants cautiously asked,
“Was it really necessary to hand over the journal and will, Your Highness?”
Lost in thought, Ludwig gave a faint smile.
“There’s no reason to keep them anymore.”
Despite everything, Ludwig had once loved his half-brother — the former emperor.
He knew that Franz III feared him, believing the absurd rumor that Ludwig had assassinated his own brother and would do the same to him someday.
But Ludwig had deliberately left that misunderstanding uncorrected — believing that resentment and fear would push Franz to grow stronger.
Instead, the boy had grown into a timid fool who couldn’t even speak properly to his uncle.
‘It doesn’t matter anymore.’
Ludwig savored the peace that came from finally releasing the things he had held so tightly for so long.
“Once business in the Holy Kingdom is done, I’ll return straight to Halbern.”
His heart grew restless again.
* * *
“Arellin, there’s something I want to tell you.”
At last — after a week of relentless travel — Ludwig returned and stood before Arellin once more.
“Something to tell me…?”
With a confident expression, Ludwig pulled something from his inner coat.
It was an official certificate, issued in the name of the Holy Kingdom of Lemren.
“I have decided to become your godfather.”
“…”
Arellin was speechless.
“G–Godfather?”
“If I can’t be your father, then at least let me be your godfather.”
Even if they didn’t share blood, even if he couldn’t be her real father — Ludwig’s determination to be tied to Arellin in some way was written all over his face.
“…”
“…”
Watching from the side, Mehen and Valer were equally speechless.
‘So that’s why he said he had business in the Holy Kingdom…’
Was this the business he meant?
While Mehen only looked weary, Valer’s expression twisted in outrage.
“You’ve got to be kidding me! Who said you could be her godfather?”
“Do you have the authority to decide that?”
“Ha! I’m her father — of course I do!”
“I’ve already received the Holy Kingdom’s approval.”
It wasn’t just any approval — it was a certificate endorsed by the Saintess herself.
“How much did you donate to get that?”
Even if the church’s influence wasn’t what it used to be, a godfather officially recognized by the temple was no small matter.
Valer shouted furiously,
“I won’t accept it! You think a mere piece of paper makes you Arellin’s godfather?”
“That’s fine with me,” said Mehen, quickly switching sides.
“If the Regent Duke becomes Arellin’s godfather, then at least the kind of incidents we’ve had before won’t happen again.”
“I’ll do my best,” Ludwig replied smoothly.
The Southern Empire of Phaetal might not be as powerful as Albrecht, but it was still an empire commanding the southern continent.
Having someone like Ludwig as Arellin’s protector was a strategic advantage — far more beneficial than harmful.
Besides, wasn’t peace better than another war?
Mehen decided to sacrifice his household peace for world peace. He and Arellin would manage somehow.
But not everyone could accept the situation so easily.
“Darling!”
“Who’s your darling, you idiot?!”
Valer couldn’t stand it.
“Daughter!”
A pitiful plea for support — but unfortunately for him, his daughter was a total mama’s girl.
“I’ll do as Mom says.”
“Arellin…”
Valer was defeated.
Ludwig, smiling shyly, asked,
“Will you call me godfather?”
“Godfather.”
“Ahhh—!”
Just one word, but Ludwig clenched his fist in pure emotion. Arellin could only stare at him, dumbfounded.
‘Is it really that great?’
Unable to bear the heartwarming sight, Valer jumped back in.
“Call me Dad too!”
“Dad.”
“Again!”
“Grow up already, man!”
Mehen quickly intervened, stopping Valer’s childish antics — but then, even the calm Ludwig revealed his hidden ambition.
“I may be atoning for my past sins now, but someday… I will become your father.”
“…?”
Can you just decide to become a dad like that?
Arellin could only stare in disbelief.
