Captain – Chapter 277 – Watching a Grand Drama

The old man’s words fell, and the youth seemed to sink into contemplation, saying nothing for a long time.

Silence returned to the room, with only the faint crackling of burning wood and the urgent sound of rain echoing within, diluting the heaviness brought by the old man’s words.

“However, after experiencing another ten years, walking the most difficult path together with like-minded individuals, and establishing that organization called the Black Raven Society, our little princess truly grew up. She came to understand that bloodshed and conspiracy were not the optimal ways to solve problems.”

“That’s what led to the current situation, isn’t it?”

The Marshal’s gratified words broke the room’s tranquility, bringing Curtis back from his complex thoughts to reality.

Thinking about how the Founder’s path had changed over these ten-plus years, as well as her various teachings to him, the youth nodded slightly: “Yes, Aunt has indeed changed significantly, both in her attitude toward Grandfather and her methods of solving problems.”

“With her efforts and the organization’s help, we’ve eliminated as many destabilizing factors as possible that might cause civil unrest in the Empire. This allowed us to gain time for me and Aunt to seek an audience with Grandfather, to persuade him to stand on our side, and after this…”

“I finally have enough power to change the status quo.”

At this point, only himself remained in the youth’s reference. He gazed into the old man’s weathered eyes, sincerely requesting: “Until now, many problems have been resolved. I can already see the dawn’s light, so I implore you…”

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“Let all this come to an end.”

Sensing the youth’s determination and the implications in his words, the old man smiled and asked: “Besides Benjamin, I imagine you’ve already persuaded many people. So this time, you’ve come to persuade me?”

Slowly sitting upright, Curtis said earnestly: “Yes, Grandpa Auston.”

Hearing this, the Marshal shook his head as if amused, saying softly: “But child, you should understand that if one cannot penetrate to the core of a matter, to a person’s true heart, then even the most persuasive words and beautiful prospects are nothing but empty talk.”

“Gloria has her hatred and her choices, and naturally, I am the same.”

Not giving the youth another chance to speak, the old man lightly tapped the armrest of his rocking chair with his finger. His eyes revealed some sadness and reminiscence as he said quietly: “I mentioned earlier that I have never changed, yet my actions appear so contradictory in your eyes. Why is that?”

“Because I never attach my feelings for this country to any single person, whether it’s His Majesty or you. Ten years ago, I refused Gloria for Auran’s sake. Now, I stand in my current position also for Auran’s sake. I have never wavered, so how could I have changed?”

“I don’t deny Benjamin’s contributions to the Empire, as I’ve witnessed them personally. But neither will I forget his crimes because of that. For a farce, an utterly ridiculous farce, and for his own face, he was willing to plunge the Empire back into the sea of war.”

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“Auran soldiers never fear death.”

As he said this, the old man’s blood seemed to heat up. He sat upright, his somewhat stiff body trembling with anger: “But they absolutely cannot sacrifice themselves, die in vain, for one person’s selfishness or sins!”

After these words, Auston’s tone suddenly fell, containing unbearable sadness and disappointment: “After a long war, the Empire once again achieved victory. Auran’s children once again protected our territory and glory. But what about Benjamin?”

“Not only did he not grieve for those who died in this war, but he took the victory that the soldiers had won with their lives as his own achievement.”

“From that moment, I was shocked to realize that my old friend, who once wanted to make the Empire great again and valued everything about Auran more than life itself… had changed. He had become such a completely selfish person who craved empty fame. This is the real reason for my change in position.”

“Unlike Gloria, not only can I not forgive him, but I cannot convince myself to let such a person continue to sit on the throne, to let him continue to decide the direction and future of the Empire.”

“In your eyes, I sided with Robert because I believed his slander. But in fact, he was merely a means for me to achieve my goal. Even without him, I would not have changed my choice. And knowing all this…”

“Do you still want to persuade me, child?”

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After a moment of silence, Curtis stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. Looking at the pitch-black sky, he said gravely: “Of course, Grandpa Auston. You know Uncle Robert’s character well. Though his heart is with Auran, he is a genuine ambitious man.”

“His heart is not on the Empire’s territory, but on the Federation, the Southern Islands, and those countless unknown lands shrouded in mist. He wants to incorporate the world’s map into our national territory, and this will inevitably disrupt the hard-won peace and drag Auran back into the flames of war.”

“Whether for the Empire’s development, the people’s desires, or the current world situation, this is absolutely not fortunate. And for this reason, he is not the best choice.”

“That being the case…”

Turning around, the youth’s jet-black eyes reflected the old man’s face: “Why can’t you choose me?”

“You?”

Not surprised by the young prince’s words, the old man shook his head: “Child, not to mention that your existence has further solidified Benjamin’s determination and rule, just considering those standing behind you makes it difficult for me to consider you as an option.”

“His Majesty, the Founder of the Black Raven Society, the head of the Shelley family—each of them represents the pinnacle of worldly power, standing for immensely powerful forces behind them. And you will be jointly placed on Auran’s throne by them. So it’s difficult for me to determine where your heart will truly lie after becoming the Empire’s ruler.”

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Just as the youth knew of the Marshal’s whereabouts, the old man’s casually spoken words revealed nothing but top-level world secrets. When confronting forces truly touched the pinnacle of power, many confidentiality measures taken by both the Black Raven Society and the imperial military were as fragile as paper.

Thus, many secrets naturally ceased to be secrets.

“I will become the Emperor of Auran. For this, whether it’s the organization, the Federation, or the already decayed old forces of the Empire, all will be cut away by me.”

This was the young prince’s answer to the Marshal’s penetrating question.

With his hands behind his back, Curtis once again looked at the scene outside the floor-to-ceiling window, as if gazing at his own realm, at the subjects who needed him to devote his life to protect and guide them.

“I will tell you everything—my intentions, my plans, and Auran’s true future. But before that, I hope you can have enough patience, because my coming here, besides trying to persuade you, has another purpose.”

The youth’s voice was calm, his tone composed. His back-turned silhouette, though still somewhat slender, seemed already capable of bearing the weight of the sky above Auran.

“That is to invite you to watch… a grand drama together.”