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Gilbert’s choice was, of course, Seraphina. There were many plausible reasons, but the biggest one was, naturally, the Sub Scenario.

<Sub Scenario – Possessors of Twisted Desire>

Type: Sub

Clear Condition: Guide the seekers to the right path.

Seekers: Seraphina, Briana, ???

Reward: Reward grade determined by progress (F~S)

– ???

Progress: 20%

Information:

– The seekers have lost their way due to their twisted hearts.

1. Seraphina – Twisted Index 60%

– Princess Seraphina’s desire for possession has grown too large, twisting her.

– Her once-clear eyes have become eyes of insatiable desire.

– The first fork in the road has been chosen.

You refused to become the object of her desire. (Twisted Index increased by 30%)

– The second fork in the road has been chosen.

You proposed to serve her if she becomes the Emperor.

– The third fork in the road has been chosen.

You chose to side with Seraphina in the throne dispute. (Twisted Index decreased by 10%)

* You must guide her back to the right path to prevent her from straying.

* If the Twisted Index reaches 100%, a ruinous ending will begin.

When Gilbert responded to Seraphina’s call, the Sub Scenario updated. Simultaneously, the third fork was chosen, and the Twisted Index decreased.

Considering that reaching 100% Twisted Index would trigger a ruinous ending, Gilbert had no real choice.

He had already proposed to serve Seraphina if she became Emperor. With the throne dispute beginning, choosing Prince Richard’s faction would likely push the Twisted Index to 100% immediately.

While the exact nature of the ruinous ending was unclear, it was evident from the text that it wouldn’t lead to a good outcome.

Remaining neutral was an option, but the unpredictability of variables made it risky. The throne dispute had started earlier than expected, and unknown variables could intervene.

To respond to such variables, Gilbert needed to be deeply involved in the throne dispute, which wasn’t possible if he remained neutral.

Blocking all variables was difficult, but as someone who preferred proactive measures, choosing Seraphina was the most fitting decision.

“Priest. Have you finally decided to stand by my side? You must have promised to serve me if I ascended the throne.”

Seraphina smiled contentedly, clearly pleased to have Gilbert by her side.

“Circumstances always change. With Demia Academy nearly destroyed, I couldn’t remain idle.”

“True. The audacity to attack the academy again shows their intentions.”

Seraphina’s eyes, once filled with joy, turned cold. She loved the Empire and prioritized its safety, so the threat posed by the New Resistance deeply troubled her.

“May I ask why the throne dispute started so suddenly?”

“Since you seem to have some idea, I’ll be direct. His Majesty wishes to restore the Empire’s dignity. The catalyst is to uproot them completely, ensuring they never dare to harbor such thoughts again. He has entrusted this task to the heirs, and the one who succeeds will be crowned as the successor.”

So that was the reason.

Gilbert realized the Emperor’s aim. The rapid start of the throne dispute was a ripple effect of the New Resistance’s actions.

This attack was different from previous ones, severely damaging the Empire’s prestige. The academy, a symbol of the Empire, was half-destroyed, and the Empire couldn’t ignore such a blow to its pride.

As the self-proclaimed supreme empire of the continent, they couldn’t tolerate this. The plan was to eliminate the New Resistance while simultaneously appointing a successor.

Gilbert understood the Emperor’s strategy: to divert attention by creating a larger issue to cover up the current one.

“I understand.”

“Now, I ask you, Priest. What do you think is the first thing to do in this throne dispute?”

Perhaps intending to assign him an advisory role, Seraphina sought Gilbert’s opinion. While not particularly skilled in strategizing, Gilbert knew what needed to be done.

Eradicating the New Resistance was crucial, but there was one thing that needed to be done first.

However, before speaking, Gilbert hesitated. He wondered if it was the right time to bring this up.

Until now, he hadn’t mentioned it because there was no concrete evidence, only suspicion.

But with the notification that the Main Scenario’s internal enemy had begun, it was confirmed as fact. Still, only Gilbert knew this, and the lack of evidence remained.

But there was no other choice.

Gilbert steeled himself and spoke.

“The first thing to do… is to identify the traitor within Demia Academy.”

“Traitor? Sir Gilbert. Do you understand the weight of that word?”

At the mention of a traitor, Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, and her tone shifted. She now addressed him as a subject, not as a fellow disciple.

“I understand.”

“Then explain your reasoning in detail.”

“Your Highness knows better than anyone the security system of Demia Academy. The academy’s defenses are not easily breached, and with the recent inspection, it’s unlikely there were any vulnerabilities.”

“Couldn’t the guards have been negligent?”

“Even if they were, there’s still a problem. The New Resistance breached the barrier too easily. This would be impossible unless someone intentionally disabled the defenses.”

While initial negligence could be blamed, this was a different issue.

Considering the scale of the attack and the recent security checks, the ease of the breach was inexplicable.

Gilbert wanted to impress upon Seraphina that this was more than just suspicion.

“Continue.”

“But they did infiltrate and caused significant damage. If their breach was impossible, we must consider what made it possible. The conclusion is clear: there is an insider within the academy colluding with the New Resistance.”

“…”

Seraphina fell into deep thought upon hearing Gilbert’s confident assertion. Her eyes closed, and her brow furrowed slightly.

After a moment, she spoke.

“This isn’t the first time the possibility of an insider has been raised. I, too, didn’t believe the academy’s defenses could be so easily breached. But if even you say so, there’s no room for doubt.”

Her eyes opened, filled with anger. Though controlled, her rage was palpable.

“I cannot help but be furious. I believed until the end that there was no traitor, but it seems the enemy was within all along.”

“Your Highness…”

Seeing Seraphina revert from a ruler to a fellow disciple, Gilbert couldn’t hide his pity. He wondered why the once-brilliant princess had never considered the possibility of an insider. Perhaps she had wanted to believe in her people until the very end.

But that belief had led to countless deaths and the Empire’s honor being tarnished. Her devastation and helplessness must be indescribable.

Regaining her composure, Seraphina looked at Gilbert with even sharper, colder eyes.

“Sir Gilbert. I will give you an order.”

“Command me.”

“Find and eliminate the traitor within the academy. This is your first task as my subject. Ensure it is carried out.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“Additionally, you will lead the vanguard in eradicating the so-called New Resistance. Fulfill your duty.”

“I will obey.”

“There’s something else I haven’t had the chance to tell you.”

Gilbert raised his head slightly at Seraphina’s words. She sat before him with a regal posture, a charming smile spreading across her face as she slightly spread her arms.

“Welcome to my faction, Priest.”

“…Thank you.”

It was a somewhat anticlimactic welcome, but it was very much like Seraphina.

***

As Demia Academy underwent restoration, the Empire announced a full-scale operation to eradicate the Resistance. Their relentless terror could no longer be tolerated.

Simultaneously, it was declared that the operation would be entirely entrusted to the heirs, and the one who resolved the crisis would be crowned as the successor.

The citizens of the Empire held their breath at the sudden move by the Imperial Family. Both nobles and commoners were equally stunned.

However, nobles who remained neutral and commoners uninterested in power merely hoped the situation would pass quietly.

But nobles closely tied to power sensed an opportunity and provided troops and intelligence, while capable commoners saw this as a chance for advancement.

A new wind was blowing through the Empire.

Meanwhile, Gilbert, having received Seraphina’s orders, first contacted the Lion Heart Count Family.

His request was simple: the dispatch of Layla, the unit leader of the Lion Heart Count Family’s Ranger unit.

 

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