Chapter 1450: Undercurrents of the Keluoke Imperium

"No."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi spoke, his voice hoarse, his tone indifferent.

"Kesi will not become the heir; he never will."

The confidant raised his head.

"Your Majesty, what you just said..."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi interrupted him.

"What I just said was for him to hear; I need him to think he is the heir. Only then will he work hard. The fleets of Kelake and Kesuosi are arriving soon, and most of the ministers in the court have leaned toward Kesi. I need someone to attract all the conflict; Kesi is that person."

The confidant lowered his head.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi coughed a few times and said.

"Kesi is very good right now—capable, resourceful, ambitious—but he gives me a feeling of... palpitations. I cannot put my finger on it; his methods do not seem like those of my son.

Ever since he returned from Xiuluo Holy Star, he has changed completely; he has become unlike a Keluoke person. I do not know what he experienced, but I know that if the Keluoke Imperium falls into his hands, it will head toward destruction.

Because his ambition will not be satisfied with succession; he will expand, he will wage war, and he will drag the Keluoke Imperium into endless conflict. I am old, and I do not want to see the Keluoke Imperium destroyed in the hands of my son."

The confidant said.

"Your Majesty, then how do you intend to deal with Prince Kesi?"

Keluoke Ershisi Shi said.

"Use him. Let him attract the firepower of Kelake and Kesuosi, and let him quell this rebellion. Once the rebellion is quelled and the ministers in the court have seen through his methods, I will slowly weaken his power. Finally, I will eliminate him."

The confidant asked.

"Your Majesty, what about the First Prince and the Second Prince..."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi said.

"Wait for them to suffer mutual destruction, then I will clean up the mess. Among my sons, not one can put my mind at ease. But at least, Keweinuosi will not lead the Imperium to destruction."

The confidant nodded.

"Your Majesty, do you need to arrange a contingency? If Prince Kesi knows he is being used, he might not sit and wait for death."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi said.

"Arrange for the guards of the Imperial City to be replaced entirely by my people. Have your confidants planted by Kesi's side. I must know his every move. If he dares to make a move..."

He did not continue, but the confidant understood his meaning.

The confidant stood up.

"I will go and arrange it now."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi closed his eyes.

"Go. Let me rest for a while."

The confidant bowed and turned to leave. Only Keluoke Ershisi Shi remained in the bedchamber.

Kesi, you are too perfect. Perfect to the point of being unreal.

Kesi walked out of the bedchamber and walked along the corridor toward his own palace.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi clearly knew everything, knew that it was he who had framed the other princes, but the Emperor did not blame him.

Gratification? Approval? The Emperor said "I also hope it is you," but the Emperor's eyes held no warmth.

Kesi walked into his palace and closed the door.

A moment later, a slight sound came from the corner of the wall, and a figure emerged from the shadows.

D-9, a Kalidusi assassin, disguised as Kesi's personal guard.

"His Highness."

Kesi did not turn his head.

"The Emperor is using me; he will likely eliminate me before long."

"His Highness, do you need to act in advance?"

Kesi shook his head.

"No, wait for the fleets of Kelake and Kesuosi to arrive, wait for them to make the first move. Then we will quell the rebellion. After the rebellion is quelled, the Emperor's utility will be gone. By the time he goes to eliminate me, his life will no longer be in his own hands."

D-9 nodded.

"His Highness, our assassins have already infiltrated the sides of the First Prince and the Second Prince."

Kesi said.

"How is the situation?"

D-9 said.

"Kelake's Adjutant is our assassin. Kesuosi's strategist is also our assassin. They can act at any time, and they can also replace their targets at any time."

The corners of Kesi's mouth lifted slightly.

"Let them wait for my command."

D-9 nodded.

"Understood, His Highness. What about Keweinuosi?"

Kesi thought for a moment.

"Keweinuosi will not easily take a side. Do not worry about him; wait for him to approach on his own."

D-9 nodded and turned, disappearing into the shadows.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi, you are old. You think you are using me, but in reality, I am using you; we are both using each other.

Once the rebellion is quelled, you will know who the true chess player is.

Kelake's palace.

Kelake sat in the study, a military map spread out before him.

His Adjutant stood to the side, holding a Data Pad in his hand.

"His Highness, the fleet has already assembled eighty percent and is currently rushing to the Capital Star," the Adjutant said.

Kelake nodded.

"Good, tell them to increase their speed. Kesi, your doomsday is coming soon!"

The Adjutant nodded.

"His Highness, regarding His Majesty the Emperor..."

"Regarding the Imperial Father... Hmph, once the fleet arrives, we will seize the Imperial City. Arrest Kesi and force the Imperial Father to abdicate. Then, I shall be the Emperor of the Keloke Imperium."

The Adjutant lowered his head.

"His Majesty is wise."

"Hahahaha... You are quite good; when the time comes, I will certainly reward you well!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Kesuosi's palace.

Kesuosi sat in the study, a list spread out before him, his strategist standing to the side.

"His Highness, the number of ministers in the court secretly supporting us has increased to forty-nine."

The strategist said.

Kesuosi laughed.

"Good, once the fleet arrives, Kesi, your good days will have come to an end."

The strategist nodded.

"His Highness, the First Prince is also assembling a fleet. If the First Prince makes a move first..."

Kesuosi looked at him.

"Let him move first. Once he and Kesi are both exhausted from the struggle, we will strike. By then, the throne will be ours."

The strategist said.

"His Highness is wise."

Kesuosi stood up and walked to the window.

"Kesi, Kelake, the one who wins in the end will be me."

The strategist lowered his head, a trace of a smile on the corners of his mouth.

Keweinuosi's palace.

Keweinuosi sat in the study, several intelligence reports spread out before him.

He finished reading them and set them aside.

"Big Brother and Second Brother are mobilizing troops, yet Kesi has no reaction. Could it be he has long been prepared?"

The Adjutant stood to the side and asked.

"His Highness, what shall we do?"

Keweinuosi said.

"Whoever wins, we will help."

The Adjutant nodded.

Keweinuosi stood up and walked to the window.

"The Keloke Imperium is about to change. But no matter how it changes, the throne will not be Kesi's, and Big Brother and Second Brother will not let him sit on it, and I... will not either."

The Adjutant lowered his head.

The corners of Keweinuosi's mouth lifted slightly.

"Let everyone think I am watching from the sidelines. Once they have finished fighting, I will strike."

The Adjutant said.

"His Highness is wise."