Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan

Chapter 328

Emperor Horik Thermes II.
The sun of the empire, the highest authority.

And yet, to the public, he was no more than a puppet of the Court Duke.

The fact that such rumors had spread unchecked throughout the entire capital was testament to the Emperor’s current predicament—a glaring example of how feeble the imperial authority had become.

Horik himself was painfully aware of this truth.

Since his ascension, the majority of the Emperor’s faction had been purged, exiled, or executed for various fabricated reasons. Their vacant positions were quietly filled with individuals loyal to the Court Duke. By the time Horik realized the scale of the Duke’s influence and sought to act, it was far too late.

At that time, Horik confided in his most trusted subject, Felix.

"Even if the military remains intact, I lack the justification to eliminate the Court Duke. Preserve your strength, Felix. The time will come. From now on, trust no one."

Horik had no way of knowing the true loyalty of his other commanders. Though they outwardly pledged allegiance, their inner intentions were impossible to discern.

Thus, Horik had chosen to rely on Felix, the sharpest sword and most loyal subject at his disposal—a decision that had proven effective so far.

‘But even that seems to be approaching its limits…’

The Court Duke had recently crossed a line, something he had never dared to do before. For Horik, this was a sign that the moment of confrontation was drawing near.

Felix had diligently reported every one of the Duke’s transgressions to the Emperor.

"Hmm… I see."

Felix’s reports, detailing the Duke’s corruption and schemes that were eroding the empire, were met with the Emperor’s subdued reaction. He had long since grown numb to his own helplessness and resigned himself to playing the role of a figurehead, hoping for a future resurgence.

Felix understood this resolve and refrained from asking hopeful questions.

There was, however, a rare stroke of fortune.

"It’s fortunate that the Ragnar Duke’s visit coincided with my night in Diana’s chambers."

"I agree, Your Majesty. The timing is impeccable."

Though Theo Ragnar’s actions were unpredictable, his presence brought a fresh wind to the decaying capital.

"What has the Grand Duke been doing? Has there been any movement on his part?"

"None so far, Your Majesty."

Felix briefly recalled the peculiar scene of servants hauling an unusually large quantity of mint chocolate.

‘A unique palate, to say the least.’

Other than that, there had been no noteworthy incidents. Felix doubted the Emperor had any interest in the Grand Duke’s taste preferences, so he kept the observation to himself.

The Emperor furrowed his brow, deep in thought.

"Frankly, I do not trust Ragnar. In this empire, the only people I can rely on completely are you and Yoon."

The imperial guard Yoon lowered his head respectfully.

"Everyone else is nothing more than a beast hiding its true colors. Ragnar is far too powerful—so much so that even the Court Duke regards him as a threat, does he not?"

Horik had already concluded that Theo Ragnar was no different from the others. It was the judgment of a man who had seen too much betrayal in his lifetime.

‘Perhaps if they were to meet face-to-face…’

Felix clung to a sliver of hope. But there was no denying that the Ragnar family’s influence continued to grow.

In the north, the Ragnars were almost deified. If they wished, they could easily establish a duchy, a prospect that posed a grave threat to the empire.

From Horik’s precarious position, Ragnar was nothing short of a dangerous wild card. Felix dared not voice any assurances.

"I have never seen the Court Duke so wary and antagonistic toward a single noble family," Horik continued.

"That is true," Felix replied.

Though the Court Duke claimed to be a protector of the empire, his actions toward Ragnar bordered on outright imprisonment.

"That obsession may well prove to be his undoing."

Horik’s words widened Felix’s eyes in realization.

‘Yes, perhaps…’

The Emperor’s intentions began to take shape in Felix’s mind. If nothing else, Ragnar was the one entity capable of opposing the Court Duke.

"We have long since admitted our weakness and prepared for the future. But…"

“Cough! Cough!”

"Your Majesty!"

Horik erupted into a fit of coughing, spewing dark crimson blood. Yoon rushed to support him as the Emperor’s hands, slick with blood, stained the carpet.

"As you can see… whether my plans come to fruition or my life ends first, even I cannot say…"

Felix clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms and drawing blood.

“Cough!”

After a moment, the Emperor leaned back in his chair, his labored breathing gradually easing. His sunken eyes turned to Felix.

"That is why I believe now is the time."

Even as he teetered on the brink of death, Horik’s eyes held a faint glimmer of hope—though it was tinged with desperation.

‘He intends to pit one against the other.’

Felix grasped the essence of the Emperor’s plan.

As if confirming his thoughts, Horik offered a faint smile and continued.

"If we can orchestrate a conflict between Ragnar and the Court Duke, even an unfinished blade would suffice to cut down the traitors in the court. Now is the moment. An opportunity like this may never come again."

Horik’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as his long-held resentment surfaced.

Felix, however, remained composed as he considered the proposal.

‘It’s not an unreasonable idea.’

A clash between two mighty forces—the most powerful factions in the empire—would indeed provide breathing room for the Emperor’s supporters.

Overcome by emotion, Horik buried his face in his hands, his voice trembling.

"For the crown prince who will one day rule this empire… I truly believe this is a chance bestowed by the heavens."

Tears streamed down Horik’s face as he thought of the young crown prince. Barely ten years old, the boy was already burdened by the suffocating atmosphere of the imperial court and showed signs of depression. If Horik died, the prince would have no protector.

‘It’s still too soon.’

Felix dismissed the idea. He didn’t know enough about Theo Ragnar or his intentions to make such a gamble.

The worst-case scenario was that Ragnar would ally with the Court Duke and depose Horik.

‘The odds are slim… but not impossible.’

If the Court Duke offered Ragnar autonomy in exchange for non-interference, Theo might accept. Such an agreement would essentially allow Ragnar to establish his own duchy.

And what could the Emperor offer in comparison? Guaranteed titles? Appeals to patriotism?

Even Felix found the notion laughable.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I urge you to reconsider. Meeting him in the audience chamber tomorrow will not delay your decision."

The atmosphere turned icy.

Horik’s faith in his plan was met with opposition from the one man he trusted most. His gaze sharpened, piercing Felix.

"…You are right."

Realizing his folly, Horik’s eyes softened once more.

"Yes… I have been too hasty."

Though disappointed by Felix’s dissent, Horik quickly regained his composure, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"Three days from now, it will be Diana’s birthday. It’s not his turn, but I’ll use the occasion to summon Ragnar again. The Court Duke will welcome it with open arms; after all, his goal is for his daughter to bear my child."

Horik’s eyes flicked briefly to Diana, who lay in blissful ignorance, fast asleep. His expression darkened with barely restrained fury.

To prevent her from conceiving, Horik had even begun taking medicine that rendered him incapable of fathering children.

"I will bring him here in three days and attempt to persuade him."

"Thank you, Felix. Be careful, as always. You have worked hard today."

"Please, take care of yourself, Your Majesty."

Felix bowed deeply and left the chamber, closing the wooden door softly behind him.

As he walked through the stifling darkness, his thoughts swirled.

"Diverting the Court Duke’s attention…"

It was an immense challenge. The Duke’s nerves were sharper than ever, his paranoia evident in his scrutiny of Ragnar.

‘His blatant surveillance is just a show of force.’

The Duke’s strategy was clear: intimidation. Ragnar’s past actions had shaken him to the core, forcing him to tread cautiously.

Every word exchanged between Theo and Felix would undoubtedly reach the Duke’s ears.

‘The Emperor doesn’t have much time left.’

The thought was treasonous, but undeniable. Horik’s health had deteriorated drastically, and once he died, the young crown prince would be left defenseless.

‘Ultimately, the key lies with Theo.’

Felix had discerned that Theo was shrewd, powerful, and—most importantly—not malicious.

The fact that Theo had recently shown favor toward imperial clergy provided a glimmer of hope.

‘I’ve grown weak, haven’t I?’

Felix let out a dry chuckle. Even so, he steeled his resolve.

‘I will see this through. No matter the cost.’

Felix knew, deep in his heart, that the fate of the empire now rested in Theo Ragnar’s hands.