Chapter 377: Side Story 3: Deciding the Next Severian Emperor

Ash sat with Asmond in Alfred’s guest room. Unlike Asmond, who was slightly nervous from Alfred’s sudden request to meet the mercenary group, Ash was stoic, his face not showing an ounce of emotion. The door opened, and Alfred walked in. Asmond quickly got up and lowered his head respectfully, but Ash didn’t bother with the same formalities, only staring deep into Alfred’s blue eyes. Alfred did the same. Unlike Constance, who had Emerald eyes, Ash’s were a deep black that absorbed light.

"Thank you for coming. I know it must have been strange to get a message from me." Alfred said politely. Asmond was about to talk, but Ash lifted his hand to stop him.

"Why have you called for me?" Alfred smiled, forgetting about his whispering voice. He couldn’t tell if it was intentional or if it was simply the man’s nature, but everything about how he presented himself made one uncomfortable.

"I will tell you, but first I need to know. What is your relationship like with your father?" Alfred watched the changes in Ash’s mood. His stoic appearance crumbled, his brow furrowing alongside a frown.

"Why does this matter?" Ash asked coldly. His body tensed up, making Asmond watch in panic, wondering if he would do something crazy.

"I got my answer." Alfred said with a soft smile, "You see, your brother is currently the Pope of the Church, and he has been getting close to your father. This is a problem for me because I am excommunicated from the Church, and my Empire has become the target of a Crusade."

Ash’s frown deepened, "You are not asking me what I think you are, Emperor." Getting up, he walked over to the door. "I have no desire for the throne, nor can I claim it as a bastard."

"That’s a lie," Alfred said smugly, making Ash pause, "Sure, a bastard can’t get the throne through inheritance without being legitimised by their parent, but that isn’t the only way to get the throne."

Ash turned around and walked in front of Alfred. He towered over the young Emperor. "If I killed you, here, would I get the throne?"

"Ash!" Asmond called out in a panic. He was stupid and should have expected something like this. "He’s an Emperor. Please. Calm down."

Ash looked at Asmond for a few seconds and sighed, nodding, "Don’t push me." Warning, Alfred replied with a friendly smile.

"We got off on the wrong foot. I’m not trying to appeal to some old camaraderie from a war, good knows how long ago, nor am I making an empty promise. I’m saying I will help you become the Emperor of the Severian Empire. I have the resources and motivation to help you."

Ash stared unblinkingly at Alfred but eventually sat back down. "And what’s next. I become your puppet?"

"Of course not." Alfred smiled, "Take the throne and you can do whatever you want. All I ask is that you do not help Constanc in his Crusade against my Empire. I need him to feel isolated, and eventually realise that he can’t hope to stand against me."

Ash and Asmond looked at one another before looking back at Alfred. The man was younger than both of them, but there was an undefeatable aura around him, as if he could make anything he said possible. Yet Ash couldn’t trust him. He had learnt how people like Alfred work, and after surviving as a bastard of Severia, he knew every man in power was a snake.

"Why can I trust you? I have no reason to. You could be propping me up just to hand me over to my father for all I know."

"I should ask the same." Alfred said causally, "But let’s not think about this as political intrigue but as a contract, I am hiring you to take the throne. All mercenaries work on trust. Trust that you will do what you’re paid to do, and the trust that I will pay you. Besides, if I am caught, I don’t doubt that Emperor Theodosius will use everything in his power to destroy me. I’m taking a lot of risk even meeting you."

Ash looked at Asmond. In this moment, he was the only man he could trust to help him make the right decision. Asmond knew this but was conflicted. He had been with Ash since childhood and wanted to see him on the throne more than anyone. He also knew the man wanted it.

"It’s your call. I can’t help you with this one." Despite that, Asmond knew that only Ash could make the decision. Ash frowned, hearing his friend’s words, but understood.

"I need time to think." He showed his hesitation for the first time, and Alfred smiled. The fact that he had to think about it meant that a seed of desire had already been planted.

"We have time. Just don’t take too long." Getting up, Ash walked out without saying a word, whilst Asmond lowered his head respectfully and quickly chased behind. With the two out of the room, Alfred finally sighed in relief. It was an immense gamble that he was taking using Ash, but he needed Severia to be weak. He didn’t need Ash to take the throne, but having Theodosius occupied was enough.

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"Your Holiness. Emperor Theodosius has arrived." Constance nodded towards Gabriel and followed him to a nearby room. Inside, Theodosius looked around, interested in the grandeur, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

"Father," Constance spoke coldly to the fat man surrounded by guards. Looking at his son, Theodosius’s smile grew wide as he got up and walked over to him. With each step, his smile grew wider, happy to see what type of man he had become.

"You truly are better than those other brats," Theodosius said proudly. Constance pushed past him and took a seat, waiting.

"I’m surprised you came here. You rarely leave the Palace after all."

"I wanted to see for myself what this place had become with you in charge." Theodosius looked around again, nodding, "Despite the setbacks, you have done a good job."

"Why did you come? I doubt you missed me." Unlike his usual gentle tone, Constance’s voice lacked any warmth. Yet it made the Emperor smile more.

"Your siblings are useless. Arrogant, stupid and completely inept. I’m afraid that if they took the throne, our family would lose it." Constance’s eyes narrowed, already seeing where Theodosius was going. "You made your point, so stop being a child and come back. I need an heir. Someone like me."

"I am nothing like you." His words came out as a growl as he ground his teeth. Theodosius chuckled, wiping the sweat from his head again.

"Sure, lie. Look at yourself. You rule exactly like me, only for a different reason." Theodosius shrugged, "You don’t understand my son. You can have both the faith and the Empire. Put someone you trust in power, make them Pope. You need the Empire, your pitiful Templars are not enough, especially with..." Theodosius paused, "What’s his name?" Speaking to himself, he fiddled with one of his many rings, "Yes, Alfred. With that boy in the West, you are losing those loyal to the faith."

Constance tightly gripped the armrest. He wanted nothing more than to throw his father out and prove to him that he and the Church alone were sufficient to deal with Alfred and his allies. But he restrained himself, knowing it wasn’t true. Theodosius saw Constance’s anger and narrowed his eyes in delight, a slyness behind them.

"Look at you. That pitiful child who ran away can now meet my eyes." Constance took a few deep breaths, trying his best not to lash out.

"I. Will. Not. Return." Constance grabbed the symbol of Sol around his neck to calm down. "You will do your duty as the Holy Seat Guardian and provide me the support I need."

"Sure." Theodosius readily agreed and lifted his hand to the roof, admiring the gems on his fingers, "If that is the case, I think I can have the Empire ready in..." He paused again, making up a number in his head, "Ten years. Is that good enough?"

"Don’t play with me, Father." Constance dangerously spoke, a slight murderous intent behind his words. The guards around Theodosius slowly reached for their blades, as did Gabriel.

"I would never dare abandon my responsibilities as Guardian of the Holy Seat. But you must understand. My Empire is vast, and I cannot mobilise so quickly without the proper preparation. For example, gathering my forces, administration, economic stability and" Theodosius looked into Constance’s eyes, his own Emerald eyes resembling a snake, "Succession."

Constance stood up in hate and gashed his teeth, "You dare. We have given you enough years already to deal with the Ammerians. You are completely unreasonable."

"I am not being unreasonable. I have already told you that your brothers and sisters are failures. You can wait ten years for me to train one as my successor, or twenty whilst I have another child. Your Holiness, as I respect you and the faith, you must respect me and the Empire." Theodosius stood up and walked over to Constance. Firmly gripping his shoulder, he chuckled, "I will be waiting for a reply. Just remember, I can easily cut this time short with your help."

Leaving the room, Constance stood with Gabriel. "Get out." Quietly whispering, Gabriel gulped and quickly left. Alone, Constance took a few deep breaths, his fist curling and every vein popping.

"FUCK!" Kicking the small table, the ornaments on it fell shattering on the floor, "That fat fuck." Gabriel stood outside, not allowing anyone near the room as he heard Constance rage in the background, items shattering every few seconds.

It lasted for a few minutes until the door opened again. Fixing his appearance and wearing a pleasant smile that hid his immense rage, Constance looked at him. "Have someone clean the room."