Chapter 546: His Majesty Does Not Want War with Axel

Clair Bretagne returned to 221B Baker Street, Val-de-Vas, after spending five hours in Machubi through the Mirror World. Upon seeing Charlot Mecklenburg, he wore a bitter smile, spread his hands, and said, "It’s the worst outcome. His Majesty does not want to go to war with Axel."

"Antonio is only permitted to negotiate. War is not an option," he added.

Charlot took a deep breath and said, "The four of us need to reach a consensus."

"It was Wood Brandon who killed Crown Prince Morgan. We know nothing about it, were not involved, and were not in Strasbourg."

Clair glanced at Andreas, and Ebner Soumet also fixed his gaze on Andreas, making the youngest former Saint-rank of the Black Phoenix Dynasty visibly uncomfortable. "What exactly are you trying to say?" Andreas asked. "Do I need to prove my loyalty?"

Clair Bretagne spoke in a low voice: "The Bretagne family or the Soumet family—you must choose one for an alliance through marriage."

Ebner Soumet cast a glance at Charlot, who shrugged and gave no opinion. However, Charlot’s silence was almost a tacit agreement with Clair's words. Clair, as a member of the Bretagne family, was fully aware of the situation. Ebner had already proven his loyalty—he had wielded the Firequell Silver Rhino, a weapon of immense destruction, to kill Lady Redmir and slay Morgan. He was firmly tied to the same rope as Charlot and Clair. Their trio was solid as a rock. Andreas, on the other hand, lacked such close ties and posed a risk of betrayal.

"No! I refuse!" Andreas exclaimed. "I still hope to pursue my own love."

Charlot responded calmly, "Then kill someone to show your sincerity."

He opened the Book of Ages and absorbed the three of them into it. The Book of Ages, which had begun to develop its own narrative, now contained a story of two young lovers fleeing their families for love, only to wander into a monster’s lair...

The eight monster nests within the Book of Ages had already unleashed numerous creatures. Without changes in the storyline, the young couple was doomed to die, turning the story into an incomplete tragedy.

Charlot and the others entered the Book of Ages. He pointed forward and said to Andreas, "There are two people over there. One is named Soren, a useless young nobleman. The other is Winnie, a widow who resides alone and is the eldest daughter of Wood Brandon."

"Kill them both as your proof of loyalty."

Andreas spread his hands, shrugged, and said, "Neither of them is Saint-rank. Killing them is as easy as slaughtering chickens. But is this really necessary?"

Charlot replied, "It’s not about what I need or what you need. It’s about what Clair and Ebner need."

Reluctantly, Andreas grabbed a vampiric rapier and stepped into the story. Meanwhile, Charlot took Clair Bretagne and Ebner Soumet out of the Book of Ages. Soon, Charlot discovered that Andreas hadn’t killed anyone. Instead, he had begun advancing the storyline.

Charlot shrugged, unconcerned about this turn of events. Andreas had the temperament of a true noble scion, the son of a national icon and a Black Phoenix prodigy. His persistence, which many would consider a flaw, was unique to him.

Andreas, it seemed, had developed a liking for the story within the Book of Ages and wanted to play with it longer.

Clair couldn’t help but comment on Charlot's decisiveness. "Are you worried that His Majesty will punish us?"

Charlot replied indifferently, "Perhaps not. But why put His Majesty in a difficult position? He doesn’t even know who killed Morgan. Let’s give him more moral authority. Sacrificing Wood Brandon is no great loss."

Clair chuckled. "I hope your well-meaning effort pays off."

He, too, knew that the assassination of the former Crown Prince was not something to be publicized.

...

The Axel family had ruled the Fars Empire for several epochs. As one of the top aristocratic families, they produced numerous talents and had deep ties with other noble families. Even the Bretagne family shared Axel blood. The two most important children of the Bretagne Emperor were born to Nannie Bretagne Axel, the eldest daughter of Julius Axel VI.

The Bretagne family had not seized the throne from the old emperor but had instead avenged him by killing Redmir. Their claim to the throne was, on the surface, entirely legitimate.

In fact, the children of the Bretagne Emperor were ranked highly in the line of succession, making them acceptable heirs to many old Farsian nobles. The idea of a temporary transition under an elder count and eventually passing the throne to Antonio—a young man of pure Axel bloodline—was appealing to many. It would allow the Axel bloodline to continue ruling the empire.

But Morgan's presence complicated matters. His assassination would pit the Bretagne Emperor against most of the nobility.

The current situation was optimal: all hatred focused on Wood Brandon, while the Bretagne family remained free of any wrongdoing toward the Axels.

...

Since Antonio refused to go to war, Charlot didn’t meet his brother-in-law. Instead, he used the excuse of worrying about Princess Annie to secretly escort her to the old emperor. Antonio had no objections to this.

Charlot wasn’t merely making excuses. Over the following days, he used the Swiftstep Technique to catch up with Annie and Mother Karen before they reached the military camp. He personally escorted Annie into the camp to meet the Bretagne Emperor.

The old emperor had grown even more composed. It was clear that his ascension to the throne hadn’t brought him happiness. Seeing his daughter slightly lifted his spirits. With a faint smile, he said, "Annie, you’ve come at the right time. Your aunt, Princess Axo Axel, arrived today and misses you dearly."

Charlot was taken aback. Ever since Prince Redmir’s rebellion, there had been no news of Princess Axo. At that time, she had been stranded in the Lionheart Empire. He hadn’t expected her to return and visit the Bretagne Emperor’s camp.

Charlot and Annie soon met Princess Axo. She was dressed plainly, more like an ordinary lady than a grand princess of a bygone empire, entirely devoid of imperial grandeur.

Charlot sensed that something was amiss but said nothing. Together with Annie, he respectfully greeted the princess.

Princess Axo brightened slightly upon seeing Annie but wore a peculiar expression when her gaze fell upon Charlot. Unable to hold back, she asked, "Who killed Morgan?"

Charlot was stunned. "Morgan? Didn’t he go to the New Continent?"

The princess sighed. "He would have been better off in the New Continent. Though chaotic, he might have survived with his skills."

"There are rumors that Wood Brandon killed him, but I find that hard to believe."

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