Lord of Caldera - Chapter 373

Chapter 373: Chapter 373 Empire On The Brink Of Collapse
“The power struggle between my father and me is an internal battle within the imperial family. But that damned dragonslayer has no connection to the imperial bloodline. He won’t defect.”

Maximilian’s plan was simple. The Royal Guard, led by Dietrich, would raid merchant caravans on the trade routes between the western and southern regions, seize their goods, and distribute the loot to the pro-imperial nobles. It was a straightforward strategy to disrupt Sylas’s growth while tightening his grip on the wavering imperialist nobles.

If Sylas’s development was continually hindered, he would have no choice but to take action. That action would inevitably cause collateral damage, sparking dissatisfaction among the nobles.

“With this, I’ve slowed his momentum. Now, all that’s left is to wait for him to make a mistake. I see no other way to win through a direct confrontation,” Maximilian thought, already crafting his next plan under the assumption of success.

But there was one crucial fact Maximilian overlooked: the Royal Guard’s loyalty stemmed from their sense of honor. If that absolute honor was tarnished, their absolute loyalty would crumble as well.

“What should I do?” Dietrich pondered, sitting in his quarters, deep in thought. As a Royal Guard, he was sworn to obey his lord’s commands without question. Yet, the Crown Prince’s orders had crossed a line, defiling the very honor of knights.

As he wrestled with his dilemma, Dietrich recalled the advice of Jurgen, his predecessor as captain of the Royal Guard.

“Dietrich, remember this: honor is not like a fragile glass ornament. Even if it falls and shatters, it doesn’t disappear. If you’re willing, you can always pick up the pieces.”

“Are you saying I shouldn’t fear tarnishing my honor for the sake of duty?”

“No. I’m saying that even if your honor is stained, you mustn’t give up on restoring it,” Jurgen had replied.

He had likened honor to a pristine white handkerchief. Though it could be stained, it could also be washed. However, no matter how much one tried, some stains would remain. That was why knights spent their entire lives washing, scrubbing, and striving to restore their honor.

“If you continue to strive for redemption, even with tarnished honor, you are still a knight. But the moment you think, ‘It’s already ruined, so it doesn’t matter,’ you cease to be one.”

“Striving to restore honor…” Dietrich murmured, contemplating the words.

It was clear that the imprisoned Emperor was not a man worthy of respect. The Emperor cared only for his own reputation and authority, prioritizing his dignity above all else. Ironically, that meant he rarely tarnished his own honor, as losing it would directly harm his image.

The Crown Prince, Maximilian, was the complete opposite.

“All he values is practicality,” Dietrich thought.

Maximilian placed little importance on abstract values like honor, morality, or dignity. He focused solely on tangible power, strength, and benefits. When maintaining honor aligned with his goals, he acted nobly. But when honor became a liability, he discarded it without hesitation.

Now, he had even ordered the Royal Guard to abandon their honor.

“Striving to restore honor… That is what makes a knight,” Dietrich repeated Jurgen’s words to himself.

What truly defined honor? The Emperor distrusted his vassals and his son, while the Crown Prince deposed his father. Nobles betrayed their loyalty to form a new nation. Who among them could claim to be righteous?

Dietrich decided to return to the fundamental principle of knighthood:

“Do not stain your blade with the blood of innocents. A knight’s sword exists to protect.”

It was a rule he had heard countless times during his days as a squire. Now, Dietrich saw it as the essence of the honor he had to protect.

Resolving to end the civil war with as little bloodshed as possible, Dietrich left his quarters and headed to the Emperor’s chambers.

“Sir Dietrich!?”

“You can’t be here!” cried the Crown Prince’s aides guarding the entrance, panicking at his arrival.

Dietrich remained calm, his expression unreadable. “I’ve come to relay the Crown Prince’s words to His Majesty. Step aside.”

“The Crown Prince’s words?”

“Do I look like I’m lying? If you’re unsure, confirm it with him,” Dietrich replied smoothly.

“No, no! Please go in,” they stammered, stepping aside.

The first lie Dietrich had told since coming of age had come out surprisingly easily. As he entered the Emperor’s chambers, the man, his face sallow and lifeless, looked up.

“The Royal Guard…!”

The Emperor’s previously expressionless face twisted with rage upon seeing Dietrich’s armor. He stood abruptly, veins bulging on his forehead and cheeks.

“You traitorous wretches! The Royal Guard, sworn to protect the Emperor, siding with the rebels?! What would your predecessors say about this betrayal…!”

“Your Majesty,” Dietrich interrupted, dropping to one knee. He didn’t have time to endure the Emperor’s tirade.

He had come for one reason alone: to present a choice that could determine the course of the civil war.

“Your Majesty, if given the choice to maintain the imperial bloodline and live out your life here, or to relinquish the bloodline and regain your freedom, which would you choose?”

The Emperor’s eyes widened in shock at Dietrich’s question.

In the Empire, there is an old proverb:

“The most fatal lie is the one told by a person who has lived most honestly.”

If someone frequently changes their story or has told even a few minor lies, people naturally harbor doubts, even at the slightest suspicious statement. However, when someone who has never lied utters something dubious, it is often dismissed without much thought.

Dietrich made full use of this ancient wisdom.

“By the Crown Prince’s orders, I will patrol briefly. Step aside,” he commanded.

“Pardon? But why would you, a Royal Guard, personally conduct a patrol…?”

“I simply follow orders. If you doubt me, you may confirm it yourself.”

“No, no! That won’t be necessary. I’ll open the gate right away. Please wait a moment.”

The Royal Guards were the Emperor’s elite bodyguards—renowned for their unwavering loyalty. It was widely known that they never moved unless directly commanded by the Emperor. However, with the Emperor confined for a long time, they had started following the Crown Prince’s orders instead. Even so, unless someone was destined to become the next Emperor, moving the Royal Guards was nearly impossible.