“Astrologer’s assistant, Ayleth.”

“Assistant... Since an astrologer is probably like a mage, that means an apprentice system, right?”

“Yes, that’s about right.”

I hadn’t thought deeply about it, so I answered roughly, making up the setting as I went.

“I’ve heard the apprentice system has many downsides. The apprentice is the master’s property...”

“Regent.”

A low voice interrupted, impossible to ignore. Our Reid didn’t want to hear me and Rigares exchanging useless chit-chat.

“Let’s accept that gladly.”

“Well thought out. It might sound like gossip, but Hadeil isn’t very good at keeping promises.”

“You speak as if you would keep yours.”

A small sneer slipped from Reid’s lips—audible only to me.

Rigares, trusting utterly unaware that his opponent before him was the returning time traveler who had betrayed him countless times in other timelines, stressed his faith.

“Of course. I want our political partnership to last a long time. A prophet shines more in war than in political disputes.”

“......”

“Ah, are you worried I will cruelly discard you after achieving everything? You’re more cautious than you seem.”

“......”

“How about this?”

At that moment, Rigares rested his chin on his clasped hands and made a meaningful proposal.

“Would it be better if we forged an alliance by a device that makes betrayal impossible?”

“Alliance?”

“Marriage alliance.”

What? We heard such a startling word that Reid and I each doubted our ears.

[‘The Balancing Cynic’ clicks its tongue, asking if this is really going to happen again.]

[‘The Scales Judging the Soul’ lights up its eyes at the brotherly love triangle.]

Rigares glanced briefly at me. Then, with the attitude of speaking common sense, he continued.

“I’ll adopt your assistant as my foster daughter. And make her my official consort. Then you and I will be formally father-in-law and son-in-law—wouldn’t that be sufficient proof of alliance? Oh, don’t make that face. It’s not uncommon in the royal palace.”

“......”

Wow, what did I just hear?

<This is insane!>

While Agnes raged, even the divine realm went into chaos.

[‘The Wordsmith Who Builds the World’ complains of dizziness from such fresh nonsense.]

[‘The Scales Judging the Soul’ thought it was just a brotherly side-harem but is shocked by the extreme spicy taste!]

[‘The Cliché Gourmet’ is crazy for the scandalous dysfunctional relationship!]

Oh right, this was a messy genre.

[ World destruction 85% (▲55%p)]

Yeah, our Reid was really pissed.

I barely dared to look sideways but summoned courage. Moving my creaky neck, I glanced at Reid.

In the chilling silence, his face was......

‘Gasp!’

I almost hiccupped embarrassingly.

“......”

His pale, drained face looked inhuman and lifeless. The reception room’s lighting surely wasn’t dim, yet darkness seemed to drape only over him.

Even the glowing crimson eyes flickering in that shadow looked surreal.

It was the most dehumanized face I had ever seen from Reid.

“Foster daughter. Consort. Father-in-law. Son-in-law?”

His voice carried a rhythmic cadence as if singing, but cold as the bottom of the abyss.

The oppressive aura of chaotic evil filled the reception room. Everyone except me seemed strangled by an invisible hand, frozen in thought.

“Gasp, choke, huff?”

Rigares also touched his throat, embarrassed. After the choking sounds echoed for a while, Reid’s low voice drowned out the noise with a heavy tone.

“Rigares Ezentel Winchester.”

“......”

“I really can’t do this with you.”

Finishing his words, Reid pulled his lips into a smile.

Seeing that, I sensed.

‘Ah, the moderate plan is over.’

Step one discarded. Transition to the higher phase was expected.

As expected, Reid immediately acted.

“Prince Rigares, I’ll give you a prophecy.”

“......Ugh.”

Reid mercifully restrained his intimidation. Rigares gulped oxygen greedily but still glared at Reid.

“Who the hell are you really.......”

“Rejoice.”

“......What?”

“Soon, Reminic Schuhail Winchester will return to the capital.”

“Re...minic?”

It was the ultimate taboo for the brother-complex prince.

“How dare you mention my brother’s name in front of me......!”

Of course, blue-eyed murderous intent was nothing before the red madness.

Again, Reid spat out a curse-like prophecy, hitting each word into Rigares’s ears.

“Remember, Rigares.”

“Shut your mouth......!”

“Your full brother will never forgive those who wished for his death.”

“......!”

At Reid’s final words, Rigares suddenly jerked as if convulsing, as if he too had once wished for the death of the beloved brother.

Watching Rigares trembling, Reid slowly rose from the couch.

“I hope you have an emotional reunion with your brother.”

“......”

“Now, Ayleth. Our business is done, so shall we leave?”

The final mastermind no longer hid his power and immediately expanded his domain.

Shadows followed Reid’s every step as invisible attendants opened and closed the reception room doors.

In the corridor, with only the two of us, he spoke to me.

“You disliked step four, so we’ll go with step three—‘moderate yet radical’ plan.”

“......Haah, I knew it would come to this.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

Yes, our Reid. Do whatever you want. That’s why I possessed this body. Yeah.

<What’s step three?>

“Participation.”

<Participation?>

“Entering the succession contest.”

“Weren’t you already doing that?”

Agnes asked as if it were news. Well, there was something she still didn’t know.

I looked up at the fallen prince beside me and declared.

“From now on, I’ll participate not as an assistant but as a candidate.”

Chapter 15. Moderate Yet Radical

A woman stood on the balcony.

Though approaching forty, her appearance distorted her real age; everything about her was mysterious.

Her originally dark hair had turned white, interwoven like platinum strands, and beneath her fanned eyelashes, her watery eyes shone with melancholy—like the most beautifully soaked crystal.

A fragile, mournful woman who made your chest ache just looking at her.

Yet in reality, she had mercilessly purged countless political opponents and currently held the regent’s powerful seat controlling the kingdom. People called her:

Raviosa Angela Winchester, the iron queen mad for power.

Bathed in sunlight on the balcony, a young maid approached and bowed.

The queen’s statue-like expression softened slightly. A small bird bringing news was always endearing.

Though it wasn’t good news.

“The infamous rumors continue spreading beyond the palace, across the entire capital. Not only nobles ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ but commoners, wherever three or more gather, that’s all they talk about.”

“And Rigares? Still as he is?”

“Pardon me, but he remains highly disturbed and neglects himself.”

“They say he’s been drinking heavily for a week and causing trouble for the lower ranks. What a pretty story.”

“It’s entirely our fault for poor service, Your Majesty. Please punish us.”

Perhaps fearing to offend the kingdom’s highest power, the maid struck her knee on the floor deliberately.

But the queen, whose own sense of pain had long broken, felt no sympathy in others’ suffering. She just stared coldly and pondered.

“Rigares, that brat. When he should show a dignified face to the nobles, he’s making a disgrace of himself... Hadeil must be thrilled.”

Though now she kept the half-crazed Rigares locked away and used her power to stop his scandals from spreading, there were definite limits.

The palace’s eyes and ears were everywhere. And soon it would be the queen’s birthday banquet.

If Rigares did not attend or showed a mess again, the nobles’ hearts would surely lean toward Hadeil.

Then the maid delivered pleasing news to the queen’s ear.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. Prince Hadeil has also recently become extremely irritable and made many small mistakes.”

“......Is that so?”

“Yes. He looks gaunt and his eyes are hollow, seeming sleepless. Perhaps because of that, during recent audiences with nobles, he made several embarrassing slips of the tongue...” 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

“They say it’s been a week now?”

“Yes.”

“How interesting.”

Having received enough information, the queen dismissed the maid.

Raviosa continued staring beyond the balcony toward the garden and quietly spoke.

“Is this your doing, Celested?”

In fact, there was a guest on the balcony. Present long before the maid appeared.