Chapter 402: The Oracle of the Serpent of Fate

Charlot Mecklenburg was never loyal to Emperor Julius VI!

As a transmigrator, why would he play the game of allegiance to the throne?

Charlot had never cared much for the laws of the Fars Empire either.

By Earth’s standards, many of Fars’ laws were, frankly, quite “illegal.”

As for the various crimes committed by Zimourman Axel Robin, Charlot had studied them thoroughly. Back when he helped Menielman Soumet burn certain records, he realized that by Earth’s moral standards, other than the crime of dueling to the death, none of Zimourman’s acts were particularly heinous.

Thus, Charlot’s feelings towards Zimourman were quite complicated—tinged with curiosity and even a bit of envy.

Hesitating for a moment, Charlot gently touched the Whisper of Fate. The small golden serpent-shaped ring on his hand suddenly issued an unusually clear directive: burn the top-secret document.

Startled, Charlot froze. The Whisper of Fate had rarely provided such a precise instruction before. It also clearly informed him that Zimourman had escaped rather than simply “vanished.”

This development...

...was truly intriguing.

Charlot rubbed his hands together. A streak of bloodfire shot out, igniting the document.

He decided to heed the Oracle of the Serpent of Fate.

However, once his shift was over, he planned to seek out Antonio and report the matter to his “brother-in-law.” After all, Antonio had once participated in the siege of Zimourman. If this legendary figure of the empire retained some memory and sought revenge on Antonio, it could spell trouble.

For good measure, Charlot sought the Whisper of Fate’s guidance once more. This time, the golden serpent ring returned to its usual vague, gentle hum, offering no clear opposition to his decision to inform Antonio.

Having uncovered such a monumental secret, Charlot was no longer interested in “working.” Preparing to leave early, he suddenly remembered something and drafted two documents.

One rescinded his position as the Chief Overseer of the patrol guards in the Lukavaro District and promoted Dubin Alger to the role. The other granted Charlot’s original team of adventurers—those who had helped him rise to power—promotions of three ranks, fulfilling his long-standing promise. Each would now have personal wealth exceeding a hundred écus.

Though the financial support had been delayed, the total rewards far exceeded his initial promises.

Once Charlot signed the documents, they took effect immediately.

He expedited their delivery, ensuring they would reach the right hands by the following day.

With that, Charlot headed to find Annie.

...

Annie Mecklenburg was also working at the Central Government Office.

Though she had yet to receive an official title, it was widely known that this Bretagne lady would soon become Princess Annie Mecklenburg, making her untouchable within the office.

When Charlot arrived to see Annie, he didn’t even need to open the door himself. Someone naturally did it for him. A female clerk helped Annie organize her papers and handed her coat to her.

Annie, accustomed to such treatment, hardly batted an eye. This had always been her lifestyle. It was only when she was with Charlot that she deliberately toned it down.

Now that Charlot was the Earl of Mecklenburg, Annie no longer felt the need to make any special adjustments.

The two didn’t return to their residence on 58 Elysée Avenue, nor did they take a carriage. Instead, they walked hand-in-hand to 221B Baker Street.

Nowadays, Annie’s status had elevated so much that she no longer required the services of the apartment's original housekeeper. Annie had purchased the entire building, and it now exclusively served Charlot and herself. The staff had been replaced with members of the Bretagne family.

As Charlot entered the house, he noticed a magical portrait on the wall. Smiling faintly, he asked, “Why the change?”

Annie replied softly, “Mother has passed away. I thought something more solemn was appropriate.”

The magical portrait depicted Annie and Charlot in formal attire, leaning close to one another in a warm, intimate atmosphere.

Charlot shrugged, indifferent to the subject of the magical oil painting. Instead, he asked for a cup of coffee and sat by the window with Annie, watching the crowds on the street.

After a moment of silence, Charlot said gently, “Though it might be a bit rushed, I can’t wait any longer. When do you think I should petition His Majesty for our marriage?”

“A month or two after His Majesty’s coronation?”

Annie blushed, her cheeks a deep shade of red. After a while, she whispered, “One month.”

The first major task of the Fars Empire was the coronation of Emperor Bretagne. Nothing could overshadow this event.

Only by securing legitimacy could Emperor Bretagne declare his sovereignty over the entire empire, rallying wavering subjects and mobilizing the nation’s full strength to join the Four-Nation Alliance in carving up the Black Phoenix Dynasty.

Once this war was successfully waged, Emperor Bretagne’s prestige would surpass that of Julius VI. The stubborn factions within the empire would no longer dare to resist, paving the way for swift action against rebellious nobles.

Charlot, though somewhat impatient due to his age—already three years post-graduation—had no choice but to wait for this grand event to conclude.

Annie, meanwhile, seemed lost in a cloud of happiness. After a long pause, she sighed, “It’s a pity Mother won’t see me wed.”

Charlot clasped her hand gently, murmuring, “Lady Nannie Bretagne Axel will bless us.”

Annie leaned against Charlot’s shoulder, neither speaking for a long time.

...

The two stayed at 221B Baker Street until evening. Charlot then prepared to escort Annie home. As they climbed into the carriage, Annie suddenly remarked in a low voice, “Father has gifted me Prince Redmir Axel’s estate.”

Charlot’s spirits lifted. Annie having her own estate might mean she wouldn’t need to return to 58 Elysée Avenue. However, her next words dashed his hopes.

Annie added softly, “Once we’re married, shall we move in there?”

Charlot nodded. In Strasbourg, he lacked such a grand residence.

As a feudal earl, Charlot’s residence had to be located in his domain. For Mecklenburg, that meant South Seraph. The specific city was left to his preference.

For someone like the Earl of Gallanord, who also held the position of Minister of War, maintaining a residence in Strasbourg was permissible. The same applied to the Earl of Bretagne.

However, the main reason Charlot lacked such privileges was his status as a newly ennobled noble. Long-established feudal families held their domains for centuries, making distinctions like these a subtle discrimination against newcomers.

...

After dropping Annie off at 58 Elysée Avenue and watching her enter the door, Charlot drove off in his carriage.

Sitting in the luxurious dark interior, a sudden sense of unease washed over him. His Eye of Insight activated, detecting someone tailing him.

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