Sword of Salvation-Chapter 93: - A Fool; Gaining Power (2)

The sun had already slipped westward when Vincent once again set foot in Moskvallha Palace—last night, he had slept soundly in the most luxurious inn.

As he had planned, the palace’s special soldiers had visited Marquis Sergey’s residence that morning—without a doubt, to evacuate Athenia’s corpse and investigate the events of the previous night.

Vincent had yet to hear any information, as he had deliberately stayed at the inn. He had come to the palace only because one of the special soldiers had informed him that the emperor wanted his presence at an official imperial family meeting. However, Vincent had no doubt that this was all about Athenia Moskvallha’s death.

Previously, he had failed to kill Viertino. But this time, his plan could not fail. Vincent was one hundred percent sure.

"Mind your manners, Bulldoga," the prince pressed upon his strongest bodyguard, who walked beside him. "This is the first time I’m bringing you to this meeting. I don’t want my siblings laughing at me for choosing an incompetent guard."

"Don’t worry, Boss. But aren’t you attending an official imperial family meeting? Why bring a bodyguard? It’s as if you’re walking into a den of enemies."

Vincent chuckled. "That’s a funny question, Bulldoga," he replied. "I just did ’you-know-what’, and you ask why I need a bodyguard? Besides, a bodyguard is necessary to intimidate the others so they don’t dare try anything. Even the emperor himself is guarded by two of his most trusted soldiers—that old man doesn’t trust his own children not to seize the opportunity to kill him, even though he’s strong."

"If you can’t even trust your own family, then this world is truly insane."

"Khahaha. Since when has this world been sane, Bulldoga? Linea wouldn’t have become a disgusting whore if this world were sane. You and I wouldn’t have become scumbags if this world were sane. This world is sick, twisted; we won’t survive if we don’t go mad along with it."

The prince’s words made Bulldoga laugh as well. It could be considered a dark joke, but no one could deny that it was reality. Vincent accompanied Bulldoga’s laughter with his own.

Before long, they arrived in front of the meeting room.

"Third Prince Vincent Moskvallha, please enter," said one of the guards stationed at the door, while another opened it for the prince.

Vincent said nothing. His steps carried him inside like the ruler of the room. Bulldoga followed immediately.

The third son of Emperor Zalestino surveyed the room’s occupants with full confidence. However, when he noticed that only one of the fifteen seats was empty, when he saw the woman who should have been dead staring at him, when he saw the individual standing behind her... all of Vincent’s confidence vanished without a trace.

The prince did not even realize that his steps had halted. The shock on his face was clear to everyone in the room, leaving aside Bulldoga, who stood behind him.

What snapped the prince out of his shock was the emperor’s deep voice, instructing him to sit.

Vincent composed himself and took the only available seat. He apologized to the emperor for being late. He also apologized for appearing so surprised earlier. He claimed that his sternum had suddenly throbbed in pain, reminding him of a nightmare from the night before. A foolish excuse, one that no one would believe, but Vincent had no better explanation.

The blond-haired, brown-eyed man was filled with panic, worry, and rage. He wanted to glare at the young man standing behind Athenia, wanted to curse, insult, and beat him. That bastard had betrayed Vincent. He could not accept it. His anger toward the traitor was overwhelming.

However, Athenia’s intense gaze made Vincent hesitate. Perhaps the young man had not betrayed him—perhaps he had never been on his side to begin with. This was all Athenia’s plan. She had ordered that man to manipulate Vincent into plotting her murder. Athenia had intended to trap Vincent and utterly destroy him.

Without realizing it, Vincent had fallen into her snare. He had thought he was the one setting the trap. In reality, his entire scheme had been part of the princess’s plan. He had been dancing in Athenia’s palm. A total defeat for him.

"There are three reasons why I have summoned you all to this meeting," said the emperor—a burly old man with a thin beard. "Some of you may already know one of those three reasons."

Vincent, like all his siblings, focused his gaze on the emperor. However, his mind was elsewhere. Vincent was busy thinking of a solution to his predicament.

What should he do to save himself? What should he say in his defense?

Questions like those consumed Vincent’s thoughts.

"The first reason," the emperor continued, "someone in this room has been aiding Marquis Sergey in tax evasion. Someone here has been backing a criminal organization alongside him. The palace lost 592 million escal last year. Just last month, we were short by 47 million escal."

Vincent heard the statement, but he did not process it; his mind remained preoccupied with finding a way out of his situation.

Meanwhile, Viertino Moskvallha—who sat beside Viola Moskvallha (the emperor’s first daughter, his third child)—did not miss the distressed expression on Vincent’s face. The pale-blond-haired man could imagine what was running through Vincent’s head. The only thing Vincent was thinking about was how to escape this predicament.

"The second reason," the emperor continued, "someone in this room has dared to plan my assassination. This is the main reason why I have summoned you all. I never expected one of my children to conceive such a plan. It is disappointing, but not surprising."

Viertino was slightly taken aback by this revelation. The pale-blue-eyed man knew that Vincent had been backing several criminal organizations. He earned significant income from the commissions those organizations paid him. He also knew that Linea and Vincent had helped Sergey evade taxes—Linea had even assisted several other nobles with tax fraud. However, Viertino had not thought Vincent would go so far as to attempt regicide.

This made Viertino shift his gaze to Athenia, but only briefly. He knew Athenia better than anyone. So, he was 99 percent certain that she was not the mastermind behind this meeting. Athenia—even if she had the intent—did not have the resources to pull it off. She could not fabricate authentic evidence to incriminate Vincent.

’That young man is the mastermind behind Athenia’s actions,’ Viertino thought.

"And the third reason: last night, Athenia was attacked and nearly killed. Normally, this would not be a major issue because her guards had already eliminated all the hired assassins. However, since the mastermind behind the attack is the same individual responsible for the first two offenses, this has become a very serious matter. I am giving you all ten minutes to confess voluntarily."

The emperor’s ultimatum plunged the room into total silence. No one spoke. Everyone understood the gravity of the situation. It was the first time the emperor had displayed anger on his face. Whoever the culprit was, they all knew he would face severe punishment.

Viertino smirked inwardly. Hearing the emperor’s third reason, he now fully understood the plan that young man had given Athenia. The first and third reasons were entirely real; only the second was fabricated.

However, because the first and third reasons were true, fabricating the second was as easy as flipping a hand.

The ultimate goal was not to destroy Vincent. At a glance, it appeared so—especially if Vincent had indeed hired assassins to kill Athenia. However, the true objective was tied to the fabricated second reason. While it ensured Vincent’s downfall, at the same time, it forced the emperor to acknowledge Athenia’s merit.

Such an acknowledgment from the emperor required a reward to follow. That was the true aim of this plan—that was what the young man was after. Viertino could not be certain why he had helped Athenia. However, he had three assumptions.

First, he wanted to control Athenia as his puppet. Second, he simply wanted a large share of the benefits. And third, he genuinely supported the princess’s claim to the throne.

"Is there truly no one willing to confess?" Viertino asked with a friendly smile. "If you confess, I promise I will do my best to ensure your punishment is not too severe. You have my word as prime minister."