Captain – Chapter 251 – Victory and Defeat Like Fog

“She promised me that she would help that child reclaim everything that belonged to his father, and make that wretch Ulysses pay blood for blood. But she asked if I could stop seeking to overthrow the Alexander family’s rule and entrust this unfinished task of sixteen years to her… to that child.”

Hearing the old man’s tone of acceptance, Naren asked slowly, “So you accepted her request?”

“Yes. Because of the Frans Island incident, I had already contemplated resignation. After learning this secret, I naturally agreed. I then returned to St. Caloie, resigned from my position as Governor before His Majesty, and provided him with intelligence about those harboring disloyal thoughts.”

Federo smiled faintly, “Although this might seem like abandoning allies after crossing the river, you know there are no eternal alliances in this world, especially for the aging ruling class of the empire with its diverging hearts.”

“Since Carlos’s child was to take the throne, I naturally had to eliminate all hidden dangers to the empire. That was my thinking at the time.”

Hearing this, the Governor’s face darkened. He said angrily, “Did you ever consider what would happen to you if His Majesty refused to believe you, or refused to forgive your actions over these sixteen years?”

“Does that matter?” the old man asked hoarsely after a moment of silence.

Knowing what profound grief the other had carried all these years, and understanding what a blow it was to lose his only remaining family after losing Carlos, Naren fell into a long silence.

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After some time, the Governor slowly sat up straight. Placing both hands on the table, he stared into the old man’s emotionless eyes and said deliberately: “It matters, Federo.”

Sighing lightly, the old man smiled and said, “In the entire empire, perhaps only you and Caine would say this to me now. But rest assured, although I have little to live for, now that I know Carlos’s child is still alive, I naturally want to see him ascend to the throne with my own eyes before I can close mine in peace.”

“Although His Majesty’s thoughts are difficult to fathom, in truth, before going to see him, I had already guessed his choice.”

“The reasons are complex. Perhaps he remembered old feelings, perhaps he was concerned about your reaction, or perhaps… he was still hesitating among the several paths laid before him. But regardless, he ultimately didn’t move against me.”

Seeing Naren’s expression soften somewhat, Federo narrowed his eyes and said, “But this can hardly be called forgiveness. At most, it’s a compromise—a compromise for the sake of Auran, the royal family, and many other considerations.”

Nodding slightly, the Governor accepted the old man’s explanation. He then asked, “In your conversation with His Majesty, did you mention that child?”

“No. In my view, that was a family matter of the royal house, and the bitter fruit His Majesty must swallow after the choice he made sixteen years ago.”

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The old man shook his head and explained, “Because he doesn’t know this secret, when he learned of Robert’s intentions, he will inevitably fall into an even more intense psychological struggle.”

“For a strong-willed person like him, it’s simply impossible to set aside his dignity. How could he tolerate the outcome of the throne passing to someone else… even if it’s to that distant relative.”

“So before seeing that child, he will be troubled and deeply pained. This is perhaps my final revenge on him.”

Noticing his friend’s furrowed brow, the old man guessed his thoughts and smiled, “But by now, they should have already met. And I believe His Majesty will make the right choice, even if this choice is sixteen years late.”

“What about Robert?”

Having received the old man’s assurance, Naren still didn’t feel much relieved. He said gravely, “Even if you no longer persist on this path, he seems to have no intention of stopping.”

At the mention of their current enemy, the smile gradually disappeared from Federo’s face. He said quietly, “Robert is an ambitious man, but it’s not certain how much he truly desires the throne. His reason for opposing His Majesty is somewhat similar to mine—both intending to remove Ulysses from the crown prince position.”

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“But his chosen method is vastly different from mine. He forces you to resign in order to eliminate His Majesty’s greatest support, seeking to qualify himself to stand as an equal against His Majesty. After that, if His Majesty still refuses to depose the crown prince, then he would naturally…”

“Wait.”

The Governor interrupted the old man. Frowning, he said, “But according to you, His Majesty will ultimately choose Carlos’s child to inherit the throne. So Ulysses being deposed would become an inevitable outcome. In that case, if Robert were informed of this, what reason would he have to defy?”

“It’s too late.”

Federo said flatly, “Naren, in terms of identity, position, and temperament, Robert is vastly different from you and me.”

“As a distant relative of the royal family, he dares to eliminate His Majesty’s confidant and weaken the royal family’s support. Regardless of whether he truly has no designs on the throne, in the eyes of His Majesty and many others, this is no different from preparation for usurpation.”

“In such circumstances, there is only one solution for a peaceful conclusion: Robert must voluntarily give up his position as Governor, surrender all power that might threaten royal rule, and become a nobleman who enjoys endless wealth and luxury but stays away from political affairs.”

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“But you know well that power is something we can relinquish for more important reasons, but Robert would never be willing to do so. He is the most steadfast proponent of authoritarianism. Faced with any obstacle that displeases him, he would only think of crushing it, never compromising.”

Looking at the steady candlelight before him, the old man remarked with some emotion, “In this respect, he is actually quite similar to His Majesty. People like him, no matter how much they may act like a docile rabbit, will always inspire threat and fear.”

“His Majesty understands this better than anyone. So to ensure the royal rule remains unshakeable before his passing, he would never allow Robert to continue wielding great power, let alone now when he has already shown his ambition and could reach for the throne at any moment.”

After listening, Naren asked thoughtfully, “So… Robert will eventually become a sacrifice for the new emperor’s ascension, correct?”

“If only it were that simple.”

Sighing deeply, Federo shifted his gaze to look at the sky through the glass window. In that vast, boundless black curtain of night, not a single star could be seen. He said heavily, “Even without me, the power now gathered around him remains strong—strong enough to dim half the light of Auran’s sky. Therefore, before this storm truly ends…”

“Victory and defeat remain as obscure as fog.”