Do Heroes Need Welfare Too? - Chapter 160

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Part 2, Chapter 27

 

Iberis watched the series of events unfold with detached indifference, as if watching a play.

 

‘It doesn’t matter to me either way.’

 

Iberis had already heard the inside story from Adam.

 

Adam had told him that he would give up the imperial throne.

 

It was a move typical of Adam, who had never been interested in such positions to begin with.

 

Adam had willingly given up the throne.

 

He was already spending his time quietly under the Emperor, creating policies he would implement when he became Emperor.

 

He wondered whether he should show relief and joy at being able to carry out the plans he had conceived, or feel guilt as if he had stolen a position that rightfully belonged to someone else.

 

However, Adam was straightforward.

 

At that time, Adam had said something like, “Think of it as taking on a troublesome task for me.”

 

Thanks to that, the guilt weighing down on Judith would have lessened somewhat.

 

And if it was Judith, he could trust her too.

 

She was someone who could feel guilt and pain over things that weren’t even her fault, and understand suffering.

 

She would surely become a good Emperor, unlike her father.

 

And then.

 

Something happened that no one except Iberis could have anticipated.

 

It was content that would surprise even the nobles supporting Adam, or his followers who still hoped for the Emperor’s faction to be restored.

 

Adam spoke in a voice that was neither small nor loud.

 

However, the voice that echoed through the hall would have been heard by all the nobles attending the ball.

 

“However, I will renounce the imperial throne.”

 

“…!”

 

Once again, the crowd stirred.

 

Imperial successors pushing the throne onto each other.

 

People gaped in bewilderment at this unprecedented situation they had never heard of or seen before.

 

Watching them, Adam chuckled softly as if joking among family.

 

“So Your Highness will have no choice but to inherit the imperial throne.”

 

But it was a definitive declaration of renouncing the throne.

 

Iberis quietly waited for Judith’s next words.

 

Judith closed her eyes briefly as if thinking, then opened them and spoke.

 

“I will inherit Adam Leonhardt’s will and take on the imperial throne.”

 

* * *

 

One of the most likely imperial successors had voluntarily given up that position.

 

It was the first time an imperial family member had cast off the crown themselves, so the nobles were stirring.

 

The faces of nobles who had tried to help Adam and gain something for themselves crumpled.

 

However, those who knew Adam’s plan had uncomfortable expressions but ultimately couldn’t say anything.

 

The High Priests were the same.

 

Adam didn’t seem to have proper exchanges with the Celestial Temple.

 

You could tell by looking at the Elderly High Priest.

 

If Adam still had a special relationship with the Elderly High Priest, the Elderly High Priest wouldn’t have secretly sent a High Priest to try to get information from her.

 

‘…Adam told me not to care what the High Priests say, but how can I not care.’

 

Iberis looked at them briefly and let out a small sigh.

 

Now something had happened that would completely sour relations with the Celestial Temple, especially the Elderly High Priest.

 

Because he had declared that what they wanted would not come to pass.

 

What was the reason the High Priests had actively supported Adam from before?

 

Naturally, they must have planned to control the Imperial Palace by putting Adam forward.

 

As if it were a foregone conclusion, the Elderly High Priest was surrounded by nobles he had encountered several times in the sanctuary.

 

“This isn’t what we discussed!”

 

A small commotion arose.

 

One of the nobles who had gone to the Elderly High Priest had raised his voice.

 

However, the Elderly High Priest, feigning tranquility, silenced him with a single glare.

 

“If the Hero’s will is truly such, how could I, as his godfather, stop him? But he will certainly lend his strength to politics. Since they’re cousins with affection for each other, isn’t that good? Hehe.”

 

The Elderly High Priest spoke with a gentle smile.

 

And he lowered his voice a bit more to say.

 

“And exercising power from behind the shadows looks better than standing in front.”

 

“…Are you certain of that? Then I’d like to introduce my daughter to the Hero….”

 

“I apologize for earlier. Then how about we continue the conversation we had before?”

 

The Nobleman smiled again, seemingly having regained his composure.

 

The Elderly High Priest quietly looked down at the one daring to crawl up to him, then smiled peacefully as he always had.

 

‘Hero, so you make this choice in the end.’

 

Strength entered his wrinkled hand gripping the wine glass.

 

But he couldn’t show it.

 

Since Adam had declared it in front of numerous nobles, they wouldn’t dare criticize Judith either.

 

This must be what Adam wanted.

 

The Elderly High Priest would have to stay quiet, if only to maintain his peaceful hold on power.

 

But he couldn’t hide his bitterness. The Elderly High Priest decided to admit, as that bold maid had said, that Adam had slipped from his grasp.

 

However, that didn’t mean he planned to give up on Adam completely.

 

“But is it really true that there’s nothing going on with the Hero’s lover?”

 

One Nobleman who had been maintaining silence spoke up.

 

The Nobleman’s gaze turned to the Noblewoman clinging to Adam’s side. The Elderly High Priest, having confirmed Iberis, gripped his wine glass with more force as if anxious.

 

“Seeing that she even attended the ball as his partner, they don’t seem to have an ordinary relationship.”

 

The Nobleman asked worriedly.

 

The other nobles seemed to have the same thought as they quietly waited only for the Elderly High Priest’s words.

 

It was just as the Elderly High Priest was about to open his mouth to say it was nothing.

 

“What are you talking about so interestingly, Elderly High Priest?”

 

Before they knew it, Adam had approached them.

 

Those who had been surrounding the Elderly High Priest subtly made room when Adam appeared.

 

The Elderly High Priest seemed not to have expected Adam to speak first, hesitating briefly before smiling.

 

“Seeing the Hero show such a mature appearance makes this Elderly Man so happy. As expected, the Hero is a talent suited for the Imperial Palace.”

 

“Is that so? It seems the Elderly High Priest didn’t hear my words earlier. Did you arrive late, Elderly High Priest?”

 

Adam gestured to an Attendant passing by.

 

The designated Attendant rolled his eyes around and said in a small voice.

 

“The Elderly High Priest was also present when the Hero spoke earlier….”

 

“Is that so? I understand.”

 

Adam gestured for the Attendant to leave.

 

“Then you didn’t miss it, so I don’t understand why you’re saying such things to me. Would you enlighten foolish me?”

 

“Hero. Since there are many people around, how about we have such conversations later?”

 

The Elderly High Priest admonished him with a smiling face.

 

“I understand.”

 

Adam also seemed to have no intention of provoking the Elderly High Priest further as he smiled at him.

 

However, regardless of what others thought, to the Elderly High Priest that smile seemed like a warning to stay quiet.

 

But the surroundings didn’t stay quiet.

 

When Adam, who had been watching from afar, appeared, the Nobleman thought this was an opportunity that would never come again.

 

Today, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that everyone’s attention turned to Adam as soon as he appeared at the ballroom.

 

He had been watching for a chance to approach and speak to him.

 

Though he hadn’t expected Adam to publicly declare he wouldn’t inherit the throne, he was still undeniably imperial family.

 

Though he currently held the rank of Count, Judith would give him at least a Duke’s title, if only for appearances.

 

And he had a beautiful daughter of marriageable age.

 

All the nobles with daughters were thinking the same thing.

 

‘Though he appeared with someone who was only the subject of rumors as his partner, seeing that the Elderly High Priest shows no reaction, it must just be a deception.’

 

The nobleman, having finished his thoughts, didn’t miss the opportunity and spoke to him with a smiling face.

 

“Hero. Actually, my daughter is here at the ball. May I introduce her to you?”

 

“No.”

 

“…?”

 

“What would I do with meeting Your Lordship the Marquis’s daughter?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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