The Eldest Daughter Walks Down The Flower Path - Chapter 164

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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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The Eldest Daughter Walks the Path of Flowers Episode 164

Empress Adrianne’s plan to use the flames of the demon realm to kill all the imperial succession candidates, including her own son Crown Prince Charle Arpend, and all the nobles in the capital had failed.

Empress Adrianne, who had become the worst criminal since the founding of the Empire overnight after being the Empire’s empress, was immediately deposed and became a prisoner.

“…However, in recognition of her service to His Imperial Majesty for decades, the deposed empress will not be executed.”

Today, 3rd Prince Olivier Arpend of the Empire accepted the Emperor’s abdication decree.

Olivier was now discussing the deposed empress’s punishment with Claude Arpend, who would no longer be emperor.

“However, the deposed empress will live to repay her crimes.”

Claude Arpend spoke to Olivier.

“Such mercy is utterly useless. Kill me, Adrianne, and Charle—all of us.”

Claude Arpend’s mind was still clouded, but sometimes he regained his former self.

Just like now.

“Do you know what kind of people Adrianne and I are? We’re the type who would pick up a sword again if we had even enough strength to hold a spoon.”

Claude Arpend shook his filthy beard and cackled.

“Don’t expect regret, reflection, or repentance from people like us. There are those born this way. I’ll tell you how to break such people, so listen well. Cut off their necks, hang their heads in the marketplace for passersby to spit on, and throw their bodies in the fields. Be careful. If you bury them intact out of misplaced sympathy, they’ll come back as ghosts to bite your throat.”

Claude Arpend cackled harshly.

“And you’re the same. Olivier Arpend, do you think you’re any different? Did you think only you would be noble despite inheriting the blood of the Arpend imperial family? In the end, you’ll become just like me!”

Olivier only looked down at his father with eyes full of disgust.

Meanwhile, Radis and Elizabeth were watching the scene from a distance.

Elizabeth whispered to Radis.

“My goodness, how can he say such things to his own son?”

Radis wanted to say this.

‘That damned fraudulent old man deserves it.’

But she couldn’t bring herself to use such harsh words in front of Elizabeth.

Instead, she smiled gently and spoke with dignity.

“Indeed.”

“I hope Lord Olivier doesn’t get hurt.”

“Then go tell him that. He’d be delighted, wouldn’t he?”

At her words, Elizabeth’s face turned bright red.

“Th-that can’t be! R-Radis, you go tell him.”

“How can a complete stranger like me interfere in a father-son fight? You’d need to be at least a prospective daughter-in-law…”

“D-daughter-in-law! We’ve already decided not to marry…!”

Radis shook her head at the flustered Elizabeth.

“Why are you both so hesitant?”

And she lightly tapped Elizabeth’s back.

But with that light gesture, Elizabeth’s body shot forward like an arrow, cutting through the air.

“Kyaah…!”

Elizabeth flew and stuck to Olivier’s back with a smack.

Startled, Olivier turned around.

“Elizabeth? What’s wrong?”

Elizabeth looked dazed about what had just happened to her, but soon came to her senses.

She spoke firmly.

“Oli, you’ll never become like that. We won’t let you. You’ll become a much better person than him!”

Olivier’s rigid expression gradually softened as he looked down at Elizabeth speaking those words.

Watching them, Radis felt an inexplicable tickling sensation and rubbed her neck as she headed toward the window.

Looking outside, she saw that the harsh winter had retreated and spring was approaching.

She murmured with a pleased expression.

“Ah, it’s spring.”

Imperial Year 494, the season of fresh greenery.

3rd Prince Olivier Arpend, son of former Emperor Claude Arpend and the late Empress Chartin Arpend who was posthumously restored to her position, became Emperor of the great Empire of Cardia.

He had refused the abdication decree several times, but could not refuse the decree written personally by former Emperor Claude Arpend, containing oaths of loyalty from the four loyal ducal houses of the Empire and Lord Russel representing the entire South, and delivered directly by the High Priest of the Grand Shrine.

At the new emperor’s coronation ceremony, Olivier Arpend received the emperor’s crown placed on his head by the High Priest before the sacred flames of the Grand Shrine and all the nobles of the capital, wearing golden ceremonial robes embroidered with blue peacocks, the symbol of the imperial family.

At that moment, amazingly, the sacred flames in the brazier began burning with brilliant golden light.

The people lined up to welcome the new emperor rose from their seats and cheered at this amazing miracle.

Radis, watching from the front of the formation, slightly pressed her brow.

“Lord Ruu…”

Eve Russel, standing beside her, asked.

“Why? Why are the sacred flames acting like that?”

“…He likes the new emperor. He says it’s the first time in 500 years he’s liked someone.”

“Really? He seems to have nothing going for him except his face.”

Radis hurriedly covered his mouth.

“Stop…!”

Eve grabbed her hand and kissed her palm with a loud smack.

“…!”

Radis’s face flushed red.

As punishment for making Eve wait, Radis had become infinitely weak when it came to Eve lately.

She couldn’t bring herself to shake off Eve’s hand and could only glance around nervously.

Then she realized that Emperor Olivier was glaring at Eve with very frightening eyes.

Radis finally had to press down on Eve’s foot with her boot heel.

Only after being scolded did Eve let go of her hand.

Watching this, Olivier stepped up onto the dais in front of the brazier containing the sacred flames and slowly began to speak.

“I am originally unqualified to ascend to the throne.”

His beautiful voice spread over the heads of the people gathered in the Grand Shrine.

“I was originally someone who had the duty to support my brother and rightful heir to the throne, Lord Charle. However, some irresistible flow chose me and placed me in this position.”

He continued, looking around the assembly.

“I did not ascend to the throne by my own power. I was chosen. I realized there is a reason I was chosen to ascend to the throne. My first duty as emperor is to acknowledge the errors of the past.”

Emperor Olivier raised his transparent violet eyes to look at Radis.

“The Empire was founded 500 years ago by the imperial ancestor Dantes Arpend and three seats chosen by providence—that is, the incarnated God of Light, Berard Russel the Seat of Time, and Alexis Tillord the Seat of Fire.”

This was a legend related to the founding that all citizens of the Empire knew.

However, the confession that followed was a truth no one had known.

“Like me, who inherited that blood, Dantes Arpend had magical talent. Mage Dantes Arpend, thinking his power would disappear if all the Demonic Trees on earth vanished, tempted the Seat of Fire to leave the Demonic Tree at the center of the continent on this land.”

Amazement spread like waves among the people gathered in the Grand Shrine.

Even Radis, who hadn’t expected Olivier to expose such shameful parts of the past, widened her eyes in surprise.

She slightly shook her head to signal him to stop, but Olivier’s expression was resolute.

“It was Dantes Arpend who committed the sin, but it was the Seat of Fire who paid the price. To prevent the foretold destruction, she had to endure the agony of her soul being gnawed away for 500 long years. On top of that, the greed of foolish humans drove her into even greater suffering, and the Empire was walking step by step into self-inflicted destruction. Of course, I won’t deny that I was among those foolish humans.”

At least the people present knew that what the new emperor was talking about was the secret story behind the terrible weapon called ‘black flames’ that deposed Empress Adrianne had created to seize power.

After the deposed empress attempted and failed at mass murder using the black flames, all the details were revealed, and those facts were no longer secret.

Emperor Olivier slowly descended from the dais and continued speaking.

“What stopped it was the new Seat of Fire standing here in this place.”

All eyes in the Grand Shrine focused on Radis.

Even the sacred flames in the brazier began burning more fiercely.

Radis felt her face reddening and called out to Olivier in a voice as small as a mosquito’s.

“Lord Olivier, no, Your Imperial Majesty…”

At that moment, Olivier knelt before her.

“…!”

As the Empire’s emperor knelt, everyone around her began kneeling down with thuds.

Looking up at Radis, whose cheeks had turned as red as the red ceremonial dress she wore from embarrassment, Olivier spoke.

“Radis. The will and courage, patience and sacrifice of the previous generation’s seats and yourself saved the Empire and countless lives.”

Radis shook her head, trying to say no.

She had never done anything deserving of such gratitude.

She had simply tried to protect those precious to her.

“Your Majesty, I…”

Olivier interrupted her words with a quiet voice.

“I know. While you were seeking this and that, you also prevented the Empire’s destruction.”

He spoke clearly once again.

“But the fact that the Empire owes you peace remains unchanged. The Empire will never forget all of that now.”

Radis had no choice.

She sighed and then took Olivier’s hands to help him rise from his position.

“I understand. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Olivier spoke to her.

“Radis, look behind you.”

Radis turned around.

Waves of various colors filled the Grand Shrine.

Looking again, she saw it was people kneeling toward her.

Olivier whispered while holding her hand.

“There’s something I’ve wanted to give you for a long time. I’m finally able to give it to you now.”

He smiled gently and declared in a loud voice.

“Radis, as a patriotic hero who saved the Empire, you are fully qualified to become the founder of a family. You shall receive the honorable surname of a patriotic hero, ‘Gloria.'”

Gloria.

Radis Gloria.

The moment she pronounced that name in her mouth, Radis felt that honorable new name cut away her dark shadow in one stroke.

Olivier kissed the back of her hand and whispered.

“Radis, you are free now. That new name will become your wings.”

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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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