To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

Fortunately, Dante didn’t seem to be stupid. As soon as he heard Liv’s name, confusion clouded his face.

[Surely Gracia would have … how…]

[So I’ve come to this country to reclaim my place.]

Whether he understood the meaning or not, Dante stubbornly kept his mouth shut. After a moment, he parted his lips and said in a small voice.

[I am Dante Münster, the 5th Prince of the Merna Empire.]

[Yes, Your Highness. Do you know why I spoke to you?]

[Do you pity me?]

[I don’t pity you. Rather…]

Liv’s gaze fixed on the clover-shaped pendant. Liv would need his help in the future, but for now, it would be better to make him recognize that she was in a superior position.

[I hold you in quite high regard.]

[What do you…]

[Do you believe in the Supreme God?]

Dante answered that question without a moment’s hesitation.

[Yes, I believe.]

[Then rejoice. Your Supreme God has sent me down for you.]

As Dante frowned, not understanding those words, Liv slowly raised one arm. Because she had recently visited two sanctuaries, Liv still retained the power of the gods. Then…

[Ah…!]

Dante exclaimed, looking up at the sky following where Liv’s hand was pointing. The sun was slowly disappearing. It was a solar eclipse.

A moment later, a dove flew in from somewhere and circled above Liv’s head. The tree beside them shook, dropping white petals on top of it. As Dante was gaping at this sight, the pendant hanging around his neck began to vibrate.

[Huh?]

The clover-shaped pendant slowly swayed on Dante’s neck. Then it emitted a flash of white light. After Dante closed his eyes and looked down at the necklace again…

[Ah…]

The pendant that had been made of wood was now shining, transformed into silver. Now Dante was unknowingly kneeling before Liv. The power Liv had shown had the effect of stirring people’s hearts. It was a power that seemed even more magnificent to someone who had been ignored like Dante.

[Has the Supreme God… sent you to me?]

[Yes, you could say that.]

Liv extended one hand towards him.

[Dante Münster, let’s make a deal with me, Liv Gracia. You will become Crown Prince, I will become Emperor, and we will cooperate in the process.]

Dante nodded with a face that would follow whatever Liv said. A perfect deal had been made where Liv didn’t need to worry about being betrayed.

* * *

After hearing a detailed introduction about Liv’s identity, Dante followed Liv unconditionally. In Liv’s view, it didn’t seem like he would betray her.

[But how can I help you, Lady Gracia?]

Dante asked in a dazed voice.

[Lady Gracia has great power and can help me, but I don’t know what I should do…]

[You can postpone helping me in earnest until after you become Crown Prince. But there is something I need to ask for your help with right now.]

Towards Dante, who seemed to have questions about those words, Liv said.

[Have you studied the art of kingship?]

[Yes, I have… All the princes and princesses of the Empire study the art of kingship.]

[Then that’s good. You can help me study the art of kingship.]

Liv had read many books and could now pride herself on knowing a lot about this world, but knowledge as an Emperor was a separate matter.

The art of kingship was a field of study prohibited for ordinary people, and Liv had no opportunity to access it either. Even the Arendt Marquisate was said to have no related books, which said it all. Liv needed to fully familiarize herself with the duties of an Emperor before returning to the Holy Hilysid Empire.

And so, the art of kingship that Liv began studying with Dante…

[Hmm, it’s not as difficult as I thought.]

[Actually, the theories are all similar.]

It seemed like a discipline that mixed political science, sociology, economics, philosophy, and history. In other words, it was neither here nor there. The art of kingship that people considered great was actually nothing special.

On the first day of studying the art of kingship with Dante, Liv wrote a letter to Emmett. Walter said he could secretly deliver the letter through a trustworthy person, and he had used this method a few times in the past. Although sending this letter might be dangerous, Liv thought it would be good if Emmett could feel a little at ease after reading the letter.

[To my dear Emmett,

I’m doing well. The Merna Empire is a nice place.

…Actually, I miss the Holy Hilysid Empire. The food here is not tasty, and the weather is bad. But since I can’t say this outside, I’m only telling you.

Recently, I’ve been studying the art of kingship with the 5th Prince. But unlike its reputation, there’s not much to learn from the art of kingship. I think just reading newspaper articles every morning would be more educational.

The reason I’m with the 5th Prince is because we’ve promised to cooperate with each other. If the 5th Prince becomes Crown Prince, the Merna Empire will be completely on my side. Then August won’t be able to bring in foreign powers recklessly. Fortunately, the 5th Prince is an intelligent person. With a little help, I think he can take the position of Crown Prince.

Maybe by the time you receive this letter, he might already be Crown Prince. I plan to progress things as quickly as possible.

Oh, I’m also studying Garcian diligently. I heard from the gods that because I’m used to the voice of God, I can easily learn human languages too. I really became able to have daily conversations in just a week. Still, the technical terms in the art of kingship books are difficult though.

I hope this letter could arrive safely. Take care until then.

I love you.]

* * *

After reading the letter, Emmett sighed. Because Walter Hamelsvoort had sent the letter through a secret method, he who couldn’t reply felt even more frustrated.

It had already been three weeks since Liv left for the Merna Empire. During that time, the Holy Hilysid Empire had been quiet. August seemed to feel it was time to somewhat loosen the atmosphere, as he wasn’t tyrannizing the nobles. But that made it even more unsettling. It felt exactly like being in the eye of a typhoon.

After reading the letter, Emmett felt not relieved, but rather more anxious.

‘She says she agreed to cooperate with a prince she doesn’t even know.’

What if he betrays Liv and she gets hurt? Is it certain that he’s a trustworthy person?

…No, to be honest. He didn’t like that Liv had written so much about another man in her letter!

“Haah, Liv…”

Emmett sighed. Liv was sometimes so innocent that she made his heart complicated.

* * *

“You say someone from the Merna Empire moved to Edelburg?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. That person moved so meticulously that we couldn’t catch them. It seems they even changed their identity several times, as their trail was completely lost somewhere in Edelburg.”

“Hmm…”

“So we turned our investigation towards the Merna Empire, and found out that outsiders are staying at the house of Count Lester, who is a friend of Walter Hamelsvoort. The outsiders are certainly Walter Hamelsvoort and his party. But… they’ve been frequenting the imperial palace recently.”

August’s face contorted upon hearing Marquis Schmidt’s report. If Liv Gracia had been among ordinary nobles, August would have immediately ordered her capture. However, if Liv was with the Merna imperial family, even he would find it difficult to give orders rashly. If he were to harm a member of the Merna imperial family, it might spark a war of unmanageable scale.

“For now, observe them. And report immediately if they leave the Merna Empire.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“And…”

If the Merna imperial family were to intervene in the affairs of the Holy Hilysid Empire, things would become complicated. The Merna Empire was a powerful country not easily dealt with. Then what should he do, how…

“I see.”

August’s eyes flashed brightly as he recalled something. A good method to stop Liv Gracia had come to his mind.

Although it was clear that Duke Lartman and Marquis Arendt harbored dark intentions, August couldn’t stop them immediately. This was because God had directly declared he would abandon him not long ago. The nobles, thinking they had caught an opportunity, tried to start a rebellion by allying with the temple, the Lartman family, and the Arendt family, so if he provided any more pretext here, rebellion would occur.

What August needed now was the disintegration of the nobles.

“Why not create new Five Noble Houses?”

“Pardon?”

“Hamelsvoort is finished, and Lartman and Arendt will soon be over too, so only Schmidt remains. Then I’ll create new Five Noble Families including the Schmidt Marquisate.”

“Your Majesty, do you mean…”

“I should create entirely new meritorious families and give them privileges.”

August laughed, not caring whether Marquis Schmidt was flustered or not. He seemed pleased to have found an answer. Yes, with this method, he could make the existing nobles who had sided with Duke Lartman betray him. The noble factions would never unite as one, doubting each other.

The taste of power was always sweet.

He had no intention of giving up this position.