Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 248

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 248

“Let’s just go ahead with it. Treason, plain and simple.”
“Your Highness!”
Adrian looked worse than a beggar. His clothes were so filthy that rolling through a mud pit would have been an improvement, and his platinum hair was in such disarray that one couldn’t even imagine its original color. He looked like someone who had barely survived some catastrophe.
Yet the people arrayed before him were a different matter entirely. Each was dressed in elegant, well-tailored clothing. Adrian let out a bitter laugh at the sight of them.
“Of course justification matters. But that Brian—the thing isn’t even human anymore. He’s openly causing trouble right here in the Capital and the Imperial Palace. How does it make sense that our legitimate Emperor, our father, would allow decent people to be devoured alive while he sits by and does nothing about that monster?”
“But if we could just prove that Brian is not a true human…”
“Prove what? That Empress Cleo drove herself mad and turned her own son into a Magic Beast? Our father would never admit to such a thing. It would take him transforming into a beast right before everyone’s eyes and actually tearing someone to pieces—nothing less would convince him.”
No matter how foolish or arrogant an emperor might be, an emperor is still an emperor. Until the Empress seduced even the Chief Chamberlain, reports did reach the Emperor. Brian’s transformation, the Empress’s schemes—the Emperor summoned her more than once to question her. But when she wept and clung to him, pleading her innocence, he simply thought, ‘I see, it must be so,’ and left it at that.
Even though Brian is the Emperor’s eldest son, lacking in legitimate succession, the Emperor knew that if his son were to plot rebellion, Adrian would strike back in response.
Of course, that fragile balance shattered the moment the Emperor declared his intention to cast Adrian out and make Brian the Crown Prince.
The Emperor himself—well, it seemed he still hadn’t issued a formal edict, even now.
But Adrian predicted that wouldn’t last much longer. Once the Crown Prince appointment edict was issued, the Emperor would die by some means, and Brian would seize the throne.
“Listen, I’ll be honest with you. No matter how many people we save from danger, no matter how close the empire comes to ruin, no matter how unreasonable our opponent is to negotiate with—even if we act on all that—in the end, it’s just another succession dispute, right? Magic Beasts don’t talk, but they’ll still call us traitors for allying with them. They’ll say it’s just an excuse, the kind of nonsense any rebel would make. Are you afraid of how history will judge you after this is all over?”
“…”
“…”
“I mean, honestly, even if Magic Beasts are dangerous, I still don’t really understand…”
“Talking about a god of light and a god of darkness now just sounds like old fairy tales…”
“We do know about that time Magic Beasts invaded the Imperial Palace, but…”
People tend to think whatever is easiest for themselves. Position makes the man, they say—would someone really act so thoughtlessly knowing it would harm them? Those who warn of the worst are treated like Cassandra, laughed at for spreading such doom.
And then, when the worst actually arrives, they lament. They never thought it would actually happen.
People are disappearing. Worse, even the small Magic Beasts that used to appear occasionally are nowhere to be seen. The Imperial Palace holds no suspicious screams, no commotion. Lavish feasts continue daily, their expense seemingly endless. Many nobles, convinced that Brian will be the next Crown Prince, have flocked to his side, supplied him generously, and closed their eyes and ears, unaware they are but insects caught in a web.
“Wouldn’t it be wise to wait just a little longer?”
“Ha, you do have a sense of humor, Count Valois.”
Adrian laughed very loudly.
Even knowing the man before him had no intention of guiding this empire toward the light. Even knowing he regarded human lives as lighter than flies.
Wait for something big to happen, so that when it does, he could take a stand with justification on his side and avoid blame.
Even the nobles who had sided with Adrian, harboring doubt about the Emperor, Brian, and the Empress, spoke such words. What did they think would happen when that ‘something big’ occurred? Did they truly believe that they and their families would come through unscathed?
It was absurd.
Titania had staked her life and ventured beyond the Imperial Palace for a purpose she had not shared with Adrian or the Empress.
The Empress herself staked her life and endured every humiliation within the palace, waiting for one last move.
Even Adrian continued to hide in plain sight, dodging those constantly hunting him down, barely—barely managing to maintain these gatherings. It was they, not the cautious nobles, who had the most to lose.
Of course, it wasn’t as though there were no people who sided absolutely with Adrian. Those standing before him now were those who, sensing the danger of events unfolding in the Imperial Palace, had lately joined his cause. And so they were still voicing these infuriating objections.
“The opponent is not someone reason can reach, and this is hardly a mere political dispute. As I see it, this is a matter of survival.”
Nobles were problematic for exactly this reason—they’d never fought for their lives, so they didn’t understand the gravity of the situation. It wasn’t about how people would judge them after everything ended. If they could simply survive, that would be fortunate indeed.
Back when he’d been a mercenary, chasing down employers who’d stiffed him to the ends of the earth—those days were simple and good.
Adrian’s composure was cracking, but for now he had to use every available hand—common soldiers and nobility alike.
So Adrian spoke with a smile, his words sharpened like daggers.
“I cannot permit any more hesitation. If we wait until they’re fully prepared to devour us, it will be too late. I will have my head cut off before any of you do, and I will bear far more shame in history than you ever will. Truly, if you fear and cannot bear to go against His Majesty’s will, leave now. If you do, and become one of those hollow Magic Beast shells bereft of self, I will at least grant you a painless death.”
It was just before the final major operation was to be launched.

* * *

-Our young master has grown quite weathered in the time since we last met.
“How are things in the Imperial Palace?”
Rasper smiled bitterly at Debbie, whose voice carried a note of concern, and posed the question. Debbie cocked her head thoughtfully before answering conscientiously.
-Us? Same as always. Half-crazed servants and handmaids, some recovering from their madness, others going mad in the process. Discipline’s a complete mess. The way I hear it, Empress Cleo was originally planning to use the Rose Palace staff to ruin the reputation of the Princess and the Empress right until the end, but it seems she’s changed her plan somewhat.
“And then?”
-Since things turned out this way, the ones who sensed something was wrong and tried to flee supposedly left the palace. But that’s just a lie. The servants who worked the banquets started losing their minds first. Something’s off—they make constant mistakes and get locked in the Punishment Chamber immediately. That place is suspicious too.
“Much as expected.”
-Yes, well. Chief Chamberlain Natalie seems to have her wits about her, strangely enough. Those few who’ve kept their sanity are being shunned, it seems. Some of the others notice something’s wrong but don’t seem to care and just go about their business.
“How is the Empress’s Palace?”
-Well, they’ve been preparing well… Things are reasonably secure there. Why do you ask?
“Debbie. Listen carefully to what I’m about to tell you. Remember those transport passages I had you set up before? You did install them?”
-Yes, sir. I mean, if you asked for it…
“There’s something additional I need done. I’ll find a way to deliver the supplies.”
-…But young master, what exactly is happening?
Rasper let out a hollow laugh.
“War is coming.”
-What?! Finally?
“Yes, so…”
Rasper paused for a moment. What should he say at a time like this? But as if Rasper’s hesitation was of no consequence whatsoever, he heard Debbie’s cheerful voice.
-We’ll win, right? Our side?
“…Yes. We’ll do our best to make sure of it. Remember what I told you before, and be careful. All of you.”
Rasper ended the communication and rubbed his tired eyes, recalling what had just happened.
After Raymond demolished the Castrain Family Building and chased after Titania, the Castrain Family convened an emergency meeting once they confirmed that Rasper had moved Titania away and she had disappeared from their grasp.
“To be honest, if the young master Raymond truly sided with them in earnest…”
“Would we stand any chance?”
“Even you, young master Rasper, presented research showing that those who’ve undergone Demonification display several times their normal strength…”
“Wasn’t the Princess supposed to be dead? Why chase after her now? Why have you hidden this until now…?”
“If things proceed this way…”
“Quiet.”
Orto, Duke of the Castrain Ducal House, struck his staff against the ground with a bang, silencing the people who had been talking over each other. Since it was such a grave matter, they could not hide all the facts, and some information had already leaked. In such circumstances, if only family members gathered for the meeting and announced the results, it might cause misunderstanding or discord, so several trusted associates had also been invited. Ironically, this made things more chaotic. Bibi, Lisianthus, and Rasper present in this chamber sat as silent as clams, while everyone else continued their clamor.
“What do you three think?”
The Duke, unable to hide his gloomy and somber expression, posed the question to his children. Rasper was the first to answer.

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