Published: January 4, 2026
Imperial Capital, the fourth prince’s mansion.
Henry was engrossed in a vast map of the entire empire spread out in his study when a servant entered respectfully.
“Henry-sama, The Eighth Your Highness is here to see you.”
“Oscar? Show him to the reception room.”
“Understood.”
The servant took the order, bowed respectfully, and exited the study backwards.
Henry was puzzled by Oscar’s sudden visit. After fixing his appearance, he left the study and headed to the reception room.
Along the way, a maid in her mid-twenties was waiting in the corridor to receive orders.
“No alcohol, bring tea. Oscar seems to have taken a liking to it lately, so prepare it with the cold spring water stored underground.”
“As you wish.”
Henry didn’t stop walking, leaving the order as he passed by, and quickly made his way to the reception room.
Upon arrival, he entered the room where Oscar was already there, admiring the paintings decorating the reception room.
“Still the same, huh? Are you interested in that?”
“Yes, I thought the touch was unexpectedly sensual for something displayed at your older brother’s mansion. Has his taste changed?”
“It was a gift. If you want it, you can take it home.”
“Actually, my tastes have changed. Lately, I prefer more heroic compositions.”
“You change so often. Has that always been the case? Do you still frequent Cobalt Street?”
“Right after the great earthquake, so not openly.”
“You’re timid in strange ways. Dustin should learn from you. When I met him the day before yesterday, he said he paid a down payment for a hundred slaves to Enlil.”
“If you’re going to do that, you should have started thirty years ago for it to make sense.”
“Haha, that’s true.”
The fourth prince and the eighth prince.
Now the highest authorities over domestic affairs and military respectively in the empire, the two began with casual sibling chit-chat to ease the atmosphere.
After a while, Henry spoke up.
“So, what brings you here today? You come to my mansion maybe once a year, if that. Did something happen?”
“A secret letter from Your Majesty arrived—sent by express messenger.”
“Express messenger?”
Henry frowned.
Noah had established wired telegraphy technology using Humbaba’s threads. Its transmission speed far surpassed anything express messengers could achieve.
Though still costly and not open to the public, Emperor Noah could use it with top priority, making the use of express messengers for his communications pointless.
If speed is needed, wired telegraphy is the only choice; if not, leisurely transport would suffice.
Yet an express messenger was used, causing Henry to furrow his brows deeply.
“Here it is.”
Oscar handed over the sealed imperial letter from Noah. Henry took it, unfolded the paper, and read.
His suspicious frown gradually turned into surprise—then to sheer astonishment.
After finishing, Henry lifted his face as if seeing a ghost, staring at Oscar.
“Demotion to governor...?”
“That’s what it says.”
“Isn’t it a fake?”
“No, it’s definitely from Your Majesty. After receiving this, I thoroughly checked the imperial law from cover to cover. There’s no clause forbidding the emperor’s demotion.”
“...Law.”
Henry suddenly realized and muttered quietly.
“Yes, very much in Your Majesty’s style. Strict with the law, yet interpreting it as ‘not wrong’.”
“Even so, a demotion from emperor is unthinkable.”
“That’s not necessarily so.”
Oscar smiled wryly and shrugged.
“How so?”
“The abdication of the emperor. The retired emperor ranks below the emperor—‘legally,’ that is.”
Henry was even more stunned by Oscar’s words.
“Of course, no one really thinks the retired emperor is inferior, but legally, their rank drops. So abdication to retired emperor could be considered a demotion.”
“I see.”
“However, going from emperor to governor of a province is a completely different matter. I’m amazed by Your Majesty’s thinking.”
“Ah, Your Majesty really is incredible.”