Terminally-Ill Genius Dark Knight

171: The Rise and Fall of the Empire

“It’s not polite to ask your bride candidate to help out another woman, is it?”

Penelope von Arkheim said with a mischievous smile. The princess’s beautiful golden eyes fixed on me. Her hair momentarily glistened, and although she was still young, hidden beneath her future beauty were sharp thorns. I involuntarily held my breath and briefly met her gaze.

‘Thankfully, it seems like she’s just joking… but it’s still scary.’

It’s a joke from none other than the imperial princess herself. To me, it couldn’t help but feel threatening, so I had to be extra careful.

‘…Seriously, Penelope should really give up the title of [Compassionate Princess].’

I wondered how someone could be called ‘compassionate’ while being so good at tormenting people. But I kept my mouth shut. Even someone as clueless as me knows when to stay quiet.

Penelope closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them again, giving me a mysterious smile.

She calmly spoke.

“Anyway, I understand your proposal and the reasoning behind it. You want to keep the First Prince, Louis, in check and also control the Goff Merchant Group that’s closely aligned with him… So, you think it would be a good idea for us to ally with the Rivalin Merchant Group, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“But, before I accept your proposal, we have a few internal issues to resolve, right?”

Here it comes.

I calmly took a sip of the tea in front of me. Then, placing the cup back down, I answered calmly.

“I’m well aware that the current representative, and head of the Rivalin Merchant, Eleanor de Rivalin, is not on good terms with the Empire.”

“Exactly. Eleanor. She doesn’t support the imperial family. Not just the first Prince, Louis, but she doesn’t support me either. So why would I ally with her?”

In other words, what’s the benefit for her?

Besides.

‘I heard recently that Eleanor openly declared at a major merchant meeting that there was no hope for the imperial family and revolted against them.’

I can understand why. Eleanor despises war. As a merchant, war could be the biggest opportunity to make money, but she has deep doubts about the Empire’s militaristic policies. She also judges that Princess Penelope doesn’t have a capability to prevent this. That’s why she, uncharacteristically, spoke a bit hastily.

She predicted that if the Arkheim Empire continued, a period of war would inevitably come.

When that worst time arrives, a lot of blood will flow, so she suggested to abandon this country and find a new path with the people.

Perhaps it was the wisest decision. If we look back at the original storyline of Inner Lunatic, When Penelope, First Prince Louis. And Eleanor all engage in a fierce power struggle, one of the 72 demons, Amdusias, begins to establish his influence. He is an impossible demon to defeat at this point, and in order to revive Baal, he will awaken many more demons along the way, causing the situation to escalate… In the process, one of the three. Penelope, Prince Louis, or Eleanor, loses their power and falls. In such a dark time in the main storyline. Eleanor’s decision to remain neutral might have been wise.

‘Though, of course, Princess Penelope didn’t think so’

Someday, they would want to deal with the Rivalin Merchant Group. Naturally, the imperial family would be keeping an ear on these matters too. Regardless of how skilled and capable Eleanor was as a merchant, the Arkheim Empire is still the imperial family. Challenging the hierarchy of the imperial family is unacceptable in any form.

Because of this, the public seems to have started to divide. There’s tension in the academy, and those who used to stay by Eleanor’s side are starting to leave one by one, which is also probably the reason.

At any rate, they are a bunch of cowards.

….The problem is, I somehow ended up having to defend the person I was just badmouthing. Damn it.

“I’m aware she recently declared her opposition to the imperial family. I have ears too, after all.”

“And yet you’re asking me to rely on Eleanor’s merchant group? Why?”

“Because it’s the best option.”

I glanced at Penelope, who frowned slightly, and barely managed to swallow the dry lump in my throat. Her gaze was just like a supreme ruler, mixed with a bit of fear. This is when she’ll show it right?

Her future, where she’ll transform into a [Cold-Blooded Princess].

Penelope still continued speaking in a calm tone.

“I don’t understand. Why would a smart fox like Eleanor, do something as turning against the imperial family?”

“Of course to reassure the First Prince.”

“What?”

“Her insult towards the imperial family and her statements. I think they are definitely problematic too, but they are also true.”

— [Master of Acting] activates strongly.

“Eleanor de Rivalin may seem like she’s only acting in her self-interest, but she’s concerned about the safety of the people.”

“That’s sophistry.”

“No. If she were really just acting for her own benefit, she would’ve allied with another nation to keep the Arkheim Empire in check. But she didn’t do that because her attachments to the city where she and the people grew up, not the nation itself.”

That was the truth. Why did Eleanor go out of her way to speak about her distrust in the current Arkheim Empire to the nobles? In the end, there was just one

Arkheim, which claimed to implement policies for the people, wasn’t actually doing so. The disaster caused by [Esteban the fool] only deepened the divide between the nobles and the commoners.

From this process, at the very last moment. If we follow the original story, Eleanor was forced to choose between the two, but she hasn’t taken a stance yet. The meaning is clear.

She still hasn’t given up on this empire. She doesn’t want to witness with her own eyes, the countless tragedies a new war would bring.

In fact, to prevent the downfall of the Arkheim Empire, she acts as a buffer between the nobles and the commoners while managing her merchant group.

‘Goff Merchant Group and Rick. Along with the First Prince took advantage of this situation. Rick probably played a main role.’

In the original story, he never caused this much trouble by directly getting involved. He always moved in the shadows.

But in this chance, I’ve come to a clear realization.

‘If I don’t stop him now, something much bigger will happen.’

I have to prevent this. And to do that, the two of them need to join forces.

“Your Highness.”

“Please go on.”

“In fact, you already know, don’t you? That Your Highness doesn’t have any other options now.”

“…”

Penelope von Arkheim. The empire’s First Princess, is currently backed into a corner. And there’s no one on the continent who doesn’t know that.

It’s just natural. Louis, the First Prince, and the Goff Merchant Guild have joined forces. The foolish emperor’s current regency is also Louis. Meanwhile, Penelope is stuck in a situation where she doesn’t have anything, and all she can do is just keep pondering. At this rate, the one who will inevitably fall will be Penelope von Arkheim.

And if that happens?

‘Of course, it’ll be a bad ending. Bad ending maker, the moment Louis von Arkheim becomes emperor, tyranny will begin, and demons across the continent will awaken.’

That’s why I came here, with an offer that cannot be refused. At the top of Sidus’ hall. A place that is not different from a gallows, Nox von Reinhaver, son of the Dark Family, probably comes here to save them both.

Eleanor and Penelope.

I have to say it, even with a blade to my throat. both of them must join hands.

“…You already know. My forces are still weak, don’t you?”

“It’s just a matter of ‘still’.”

“Nox von Reinhaver, you’re truly strange.”

Penelope sighed and continued. Her expression shows a half-baked acting.

“It’s as you said. I’m powerless right now. No matter the situation, I won’t be able to get out of it alone. I’ll have to rely on someone. But… it didn’t have to be you.”

She clenched the hem of her dress tightly before continuing.

“Why are you helping me? You, of all people, son of the Dark family?”

“Not me. Eleanor de Rivalin. She’s the one that will help Your Highness, no, the next Empress.”

“Wasn’t she said she wouldn’t support me?”

“She doesn’t support anyone. That hasn’t changed. But”

I looked into her trembling eyes and, though slowly, spoke with precision.

“I trust the people and the nation I’ve lived in. That’s why I don’t want it to fall. Arkheim”

“… Even if that choice goes against your own family?”

“I was always the outcast anyway. Nothing to be surprised”

“Eleanor”

Penelope continued

“She won’t help me either. Like you said, she must be thinking it’d be better to align with another nation instead…”

Before she could finish her sentence, a sudden knock can be heard. At any rate, the timing was perfect.

A quiet but steady knock echoed. Penelope asked with a trembling voice

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. But Eleanor de Rivalin is here, asking to meet you.”

It was Echidna speaking from behind the door. Penelope forced herself to nod.

“… Please let her in.”

Creak. The door opened, and there was Eleanor. Looking just like her usual self. She was glamorous yet graceful, elegant but never over the top. With that perfect balance and her pretty cherry-red lips, she greeted us and took a seat nearby.

Then, suddenly, Eleanor spoke up.

“I’ve come because there’s something I’d like to say to Princess Penelope.”

“A proposal, right?”

Penelope responded a bit coldly. She already knew that Eleanor was the only person who could help her. That’s why she was speaking this way now. Eleanor had shown up unannounced and without warning, likely because she believed she held the upper hand. Eleanor shrugged slightly and replied.

“That’s correct, it could be a proposal after all.”

….. I thought so, but what she said next was a bit surprising. No, what followed was even more so.

“But it’s not a bad proposal. You’re already aware that the Rivalin Merchant Group has split, right, Princess Penelope?”

“Rick, the accountant, caused quite a mess, didn’t he?”

“That’s right. But unlike what he expected, I made it back alive. The people are divided, but my forces are still stronger. In reality, I’ve always been the one who appears on the surface and manages the group.”

“So, what are you trying to say?”

“If I dare to say, I can help you. I’m sure you already know that Louis, the First Prince, must be taken down.”

“…And what’s the compensation? The royal family doesn’t have much to offer right now, and our trust in each other is still…”

At that moment, even I could barely swallow my saliva. No matter how much we asked, Eleanor didn’t say what she wanted from the royal family in return. I thought we had become somewhat closer, but now this?… The moment I thought that, then Eleanor’s lips twisted into a smirk.

“Please break off your engagement.”

“What?”

“As compensation for supporting Princess Penelope, I demand the annulment of your engagement to Nox von Reinhaver. As the head of the Rivalin Merchant Group.”

“…?”

What? In shock, I stared at Eleanor. Was this a joke?

Ei….

Why is my name suddenly being brought up here?