Chapter 1451: Selection of the Heir

The Imperial City of the Keluoke Imperium, Chaotang Dadian.

Gold and deep purple curtains hung between the pillars, and reliefs of the past emperors of the Keluoke Imperium were carved into the walls.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi sat on the throne atop the high platform, dressed in heavy imperial robes, wearing a golden crown, his four eyes half-open and half-closed.

Standing to his lower left was Kesi, in a deep purple prince's ceremonial robe, his expression calm.

To the lower right was Keweinuosi, also wearing a prince's ceremonial robe, his expression indifferent, his gaze lowered.

Below stood the civil and military officials of the entire court, arranged according to their rank, a dense, dark mass.

An attendant walked quickly in from a side door and knelt below the steps.

"Your Majesty, urgent military intelligence."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi opened his eyes.

"Speak."

The attendant's voice echoed in the vast, empty hall.

"His Highness the First Prince Kelake and His Highness the Second Prince Kesuosi have arrived at Capital Planet Orbit with their fleet. The fleet consists of approximately two hundred Capital Ships and three hundred Auxiliary Ships, with a total force exceeding five hundred million. The two Highnesses claim... they are here to clear the ruler's side and execute the treacherous ministers."

The hall instantly erupted into chaos; the ministers looked at one another, whispering in discussion.

"Clear the ruler's side? Execute treacherous ministers? Who are the treacherous ministers?"

An old minister spoke up, his voice trembling.

The official beside him whispered.

"Who else could it be? His Highness Kesi."

Another official shook his head.

"The First Prince and the Second Prince are rebelling! His Majesty is still here; they are bringing troops to force the palace, if that isn't a rebellion, what is?"

"But they said they are clearing the ruler's side..."

"Clear the ruler's side? That is a rebellion. In the three thousand years of the Keluoke Imperium, there has never been a precedent for a prince to bring troops to force the palace."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi raised his hand.

The hall instantly fell silent.

He looked around at everyone, his gaze lingering on each person's face for a moment.

"My two sons have brought a fleet to the Capital Star. You tell me, is this a rebellion?"

The ministers lowered their heads; no one dared to answer.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi looked at Kesi.

"Kesi, what is your view?"

Kesi stepped forward and bowed slightly.

"Father Emperor, the actions of the First Imperial Brother and the Second Imperial Brother are indeed a rebellion. But this son believes they do not wish to overthrow Father Emperor, but have been blinded by idle gossip. As long as Father Emperor sends this son to explain clearly, they will naturally withdraw their troops."

The corners of Keluoke Ershisi Shi's mouth lifted slightly.

"You are willing to go?"

Kesi said.

"This son is willing to go. To explain clearly to the First Imperial Brother and the Second Imperial Brother, and let them know that there are no treacherous ministers in the court, only loyal and devoted subjects."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi nodded.

"Good, I will send you to quell the rebellion. Take your guard and go see your two imperial brothers. Tell them that I am still here, and the Keluoke Imperium is still here. Tell them to withdraw their troops; if they do not withdraw..."

He did not continue, but the meaning was already very clear.

Kesi bowed.

"This son accepts the order."

"Kesi, do you know why I am sending you?"

Kesi shook his head and said.

"This son does not know."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi stood up, walked down from the throne, and went before Kesi.

"Because I am selecting an heir, and the Keluoke Imperium needs a powerful heir. Among my sons, whoever can quell this rebellion will be the next emperor of the Keluoke Imperium."

The hall was deathly silent.

The ministers held their breath, unable to believe their ears.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi had stated the conditions for the heir in front of all the civil and military officials.

Kesi's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly returned to calm.

"Father Emperor, this son is not going to quell the rebellion for the sake of the succession. This son is doing it for the Keluoke Imperium."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi laughed.

"For the Keluoke Imperium? Good, then let me see how you do it for the Keluoke Imperium."

Kesi bowed.

"This son will certainly not fail the mission."

He turned and strode out of the hall.

Behind him, the ministers' discussions rose once again.

"His Majesty is publicly selecting an heir? This is the first time..."

"His Highness Kesi has gone, can he quell the rebellion?"

"If His Highness Kesi succeeds, he will be the Crown Prince."

"And if he fails?"

"Fails? Then he is not fit to be the heir."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi walked back to the throne and sat down.

"Silence."

The great hall fell silent once again.

"I know what you are all thinking; you feel it is sudden that I have publicly announced the selection of an heir. But I am old and will not live much longer. The Keluoke Imperium needs a strong ruler, not a piece of trash who only knows how to wait. My sons are all competing. Whoever can win will be the next Emperor."

The ministers lowered their heads.

"His Majesty is wise."

Keluoke Ershisi Shi leaned back against the throne, closing his eyes.

"Watch and see; you will know who the best heir to the Keluoke Imperium truly is."

Keweinuosi stood on the other side of the throne, his face expressionless.

The Imperial Father has publicly chosen to select an heir.

He did not choose me; he chose Kesi.

Because Kesi is the only one who dared to go and suppress the rebellion.

Imperial Father, do you think Kesi will win? He cannot win; the eldest brother's and second brother's fleets have five hundred million soldiers, while Kesi only has a few thousand guards. If he goes, he is just walking to his death. Once he is dead, Imperial Father will know who is truly worthy of inheriting.

Outside the great hall, Kesi walked down the steps and boarded a hovercar.

His Adjutant followed by his side.

"Your Highness, where are we going?"

Kesi said.

"To the location where the eldest imperial brother's and second imperial brother's fleets are stationed."

The Adjutant was stunned.

"Your Highness, we only have a few thousand men. They have five hundred million..."

Kesi looked at him.

"We are going to suppress a rebellion, not to fight a war. The eldest imperial brother and second imperial brother will not truly open fire; they only want to force the throne. As long as I go, they will withdraw their troops."

The Adjutant did not ask any further.

He knew that His Highness Kesi never did anything he was not certain of.

The hovercar rose into the air and flew toward the Spaceport.

Kesi sat in the back seat, closing his eyes.

Keluoke Ershisi Shi publicly selected an heir; the Emperor is testing him to see if he can quell the rebellion, or perhaps, testing to see if he himself would make a move.

Capital Planet Orbit.

Kelake stood on the Bridge of the flagship, looking at the distant Capital Star of the Keluoke Imperium.

His fleet was deployed behind him, two hundred Capital Ships and three hundred Auxiliary Ships, dense and numerous, blotting out the sky.

"Your Highness, Kesi has arrived."

The Adjutant walked over, his expression complex.

"He only brought one ship."

The corners of Kelake's mouth curled up.

"One ship? He really is fearless; does he think I would be afraid of him? Could it be that he still thinks he can control everything and hold the overall situation? How truly stupid."

The Adjutant said.

"Your Highness, if His Highness Kesi requests to meet with you..."

Kelake looked at him.

"That would be perfect; I would like to see what he can say when death is at his doorstep."

Kelake's eyes were filled with hatred.

If Kesi dares to come, he will let him know what it means to pay the price.