Regressing as the Reincarnated Bastard of the Sword Clan - Chapter 354

“Did you hear? The Archduke’s sudden visit to the capital seemed suspicious, but it turns out he was tasked with protecting it!”

“Not only guarding the Northern Great Wall but also the capital now?”

“I heard they’ve already wiped out the northern beasts and even captured two first-class magical beasts this time!”

“Two first-class magical beasts?!”

“A true patriot, that one! A loyalist through and through!”

“They say his reason for coming was to address the treason charges against Count Gujung’s faction.”

“Treason charges? Nonsense—it’s outright rebellion! Just look at their behavior so far. They’ve all been silent, hoping to keep their heads, but those scoundrels are traitors, every last one of them!”

“Indeed, indeed! Finally, the country is being set right! Long live Ragnar!”

Amidst the sudden turmoil, the citizens of the capital—initially gripped with fear—began to raise their voices. The praise for the Ragnar family, once subtly shunned, grew louder and louder across the city.

“Everything is progressing well.”

High above the city, standing atop a spire with his hands casually behind his back, Black Dragon enjoyed the breeze with a relaxed demeanor.

‘I rushed here, but things have fallen into place much more easily than I expected.’

Not long after Theo entered the capital, he had urgently summoned Black Dragon. It was as though Theo had specifically called him to manipulate public opinion.

Of course, even without Theo’s explicit instructions, Black Dragon was adept at grasping his intentions. That’s why he had promptly deployed the Black Snow agents to sway public sentiment.

There was another reason he worked so swiftly—Cassandra Edda.

During this chaotic time following the Emperor’s death, swift and decisive action was needed to solidify their position.

‘To think there’s still a Crown Prince.’

Even if he was just a baby, he was still of the Emperor’s blood.

And being a male heir, the anti-Ragnar factions could quickly push to have him ascend the throne.

The Empress would likely be a formidable obstacle, but that could be addressed in consultation with Theo, who had already taken control of the court.

At that moment, a shadow flickered before Black Dragon, and one of the Mugeol-class agents revealed themselves.

“Black Dragon, the Patriarch has sent a response.”

Black Dragon nodded with satisfaction, read the brief message, and promptly burned the letter.

“Let’s go welcome the new queen.”

“At once.”

Everything was already in place to enthrone Cassandra as Emperor.

Black Dragon unleashed a burst of mana into the air, signaling the Ragnar army to begin their march from the border.

Following Black Dragon’s message, Theo ascended the city wall alongside Felix.

Below, they beheld the imposing sight of the Ragnar army marching proudly toward the capital gates.

‘Even the carriage—they’ve thought of everything. As expected of Black Dragon.’

True to form, Black Dragon’s execution of the plan was near flawless.

The carriage bore the imperial crest, surrounded by the Azure Sword Guards

for protection. Above, the White Armored Dragon Knights flew in formation, their presence an intimidating display of force.
Leading the army at the forefront was Black Dragon himself.

Clank!

A resounding footstep echoed from the gates as Black Dragon strode forward.

“We have brought Princess Cassandra! Open the gates!”

Black Dragon’s booming voice, amplified with mana, reverberated powerfully.

‘He even infused it with mana. As expected.’

Theo smiled, impressed by the theatrics. Black Dragon’s voice carried to every corner of the city, ensuring that all its inhabitants would hear.

In moments, murmurs spread through the crowd gathered below the walls.

“Princess Cassandra? Did His Majesty have a daughter?”

“I’ve heard rumors… About a group that fled in secret. They say it was covered up under a royal decree, but the imperial crest was used.”@@novelbin@@

Such statements began to circulate cautiously—courtesy of Black Snow operatives planted among the populace.

‘Black Snow is working its magic again.’

Theo’s lips curled into a faint smile.

‘This is almost devilish,’ Felix thought as he watched the spectacle unfold.

The manipulation was simple, yet it was executed with such precision that it was impossible not to sway the masses. Even Felix, as the commander of the Knights, found it difficult to argue against the narrative, which lent it further credibility.

Moreover, the swift action—subduing Count Gujung’s faction in less than a day—was almost beyond belief.

‘No wonder Ragnar’s influence keeps growing.’

Felix chuckled bitterly, as if resigned to the overwhelming tide.

Theo glanced at Felix and spoke.

“Shall we head to the palace? There’s much to discuss.”

“Indeed.”

Theo and Felix proceeded ahead to the imperial palace.

Before long, Black Dragon and Plum Blossom Sovereign escorted Cassandra, holding her hands as they entered the palace.

‘She’s grown quite a bit.’

Seeing Cassandra, who now looked far less childish than before, Theo felt an inexplicable sense of pride.

“It’s been a while, Theo.”

“It has, Your Highness.”

Given the solemnity of the location, Theo addressed her formally, kneeling on one knee as he greeted her.

Felix, too, bowed his head respectfully.

‘Did he recognize her?’

Felix’s gaze trembled, and his heartbeat was audible as he observed Cassandra’s face.

“It really is you, Princess. You bear His Majesty’s visage.”

Felix’s voice quivered as he spoke to Theo, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

‘Your Majesty… The imperial lineage shall endure. I, Felix, will ensure it. Rest in peace.’

Recalling the night of rebellion and Emperor Horik’s final stand, Felix clenched his chest with resolve.

“You are Sir Felix, correct?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Felix, Commander of the Empire’s First Knight Order, swears unwavering loyalty to you until my dying breath.”

Cassandra extended her hand toward Felix, who immediately kissed its back, pledging his fealty.

“Thank you.”

Cassandra, somewhat awkward, offered a shy smile before taking her seat.

“You’ve had quite a journey. As you know, with the passing of the late Emperor, we have brought Princess Cassandra here to officially recognize her as the next Emperor.”

Theo’s declaration was met with silent nods from the assembled Nine Dragons and Felix. Cassandra, too, wore a calm expression, as though accepting her destiny.

“Is the coronation process particularly complex?”

Theo asked Felix, who stroked his chin thoughtfully.

His primary concern was obvious.

‘Will the Empress simply stand by?’

It was unlikely that the Empress, who had given birth to the Crown Prince, would remain passive. Any misstep could result in the Empire splitting in two, even after welcoming this new sun.

“Honestly, my concern lies with the Empress. I doubt she’ll remain idle.”

Felix voiced his concerns directly, struggling to find a clear solution.

Theo shared his unease. Power was enough to drive people to madness—something he had seen time and time again.

‘In the North, we resolved it with sheer force.’

However, what worked in the North held no sway here in the heart of the Empire.

While Cassandra carried legitimate lineage, she had not been officially designated as the heir. Even with the ousting of Count Gujung’s faction, there were still doubts as to whether the other nobles would support her claim.

‘The Crown Prince complicates matters further.’

Theo rubbed his temples, feeling a headache brewing.

At that moment—

“Linking the Empress to the traitors seems to be our only option.”

The suggestion didn’t come from Theo or Black Dragon. All eyes naturally turned to the source of the voice.

“Sir Felix, are you serious?”

Theo asked with a concerned tone.

It was essentially a coup, something even Theo hesitated to propose. That the Knight Commander had suggested it caught him completely off guard.

“All for the sake of restoring order to the Empire.”

Determination shone in Felix’s eyes.

His expression seemed to declare that he would bear any consequences himself if it ensured the Empire’s stability. He continued.

“To eliminate future threats, we must also manipulate memories. Will you assist me?”

His plea was directed toward Lodbrok. She was the ideal candidate, capable of executing intricate memory alteration without causing undue mental strain.

“Hm.”

Lodbrok initially appeared reluctant, her expression suggesting annoyance. However, Theo’s earnest gaze softened her resolve, and she eventually nodded.

“In that case, altering appearances and memories together would be best.”

Her proposal left Felix trembling with gratitude.

“That goes far beyond what I hoped for. I would be forever indebted to you.”

Tying the Empress to the rebellion and deposing her would undoubtedly cast the Crown Prince in a negative light. He could become the target of ridicule and hostility wherever he went.

But by altering everyone’s memories, the boy could be given a new life—a clean slate. While the Empress was complicit, the Crown Prince was innocent.

“I’ll personally oversee the arrangements.”

Black Dragon’s decisive response finalized the plan, resolving the issue of Cassandra’s ascension.

“Let’s hold the late Emperor’s funeral on the same day as the coronation. It would be fitting for the Princess to lead it herself; the people would see it as appropriate.”

Felix added his thoughts, and the discussions proceeded smoothly without any dissent.

***

Everything felt wrong.

The serenity he once cherished so deeply—the crackling of a burning candle, the gentle sound of the circulating wind—all of it grated on his nerves.

The Second Apostle knew.

He understood that all of this arose solely from a shift within himself: a transformation born of mistrust.

Having lived through eons under the faith he once devoted himself to, the current state of disbelief tormented him more than anything else.

It felt as though he was walking a burning path of thorns day after day, the agony unrelenting.

Had he known that doubt could be this excruciating, he would have never begun this journey of faith in the first place.

His mind was a maelstrom of chaos.

Even the First Apostle, whom he had once trusted implicitly, now seemed suspect. Fellow believers no longer felt like allies.

And then, he appeared.

“So, even you are now consumed by mistrust.”

The voice carried a tone of profound pity, scratching at the Second Apostle’s ears and heart.

“No one forced you into faith,” the First Apostle continued, his words sharp yet unnervingly calm. “You abandoned Yggdrasil and turned to the faith of your own will, moved by the doctrines. Isn’t that so?”

“Then… do you now wish for me to abandon the faith? Is that why I’m being subjected to this torment? Who… who dares impose such trials upon me?!”

The Second Apostle’s voice wavered, a twisted mix of unhinged rage and sorrowful despair.

The sight brought satisfaction to the First Apostle.

This torment, this anguish—only those with the deepest faith could experience such suffering.

“Good,” the First Apostle finally said, his tone laden with approval. “This is enough. The day has come when even you will understand my position.”

At those words, the Second Apostle’s hollow gaze slowly shifted toward the First Apostle.

For reasons unknown, the Second Apostle felt his heart pounding violently.

The First Apostle’s words held the promise of something—something significant.

And then—

Puhk!

The sound rang out as the First Apostle, wearing a deranged smile, plunged his hand into the Second Apostle’s chest and pierced his heart.

The Second Apostle froze, his body trembling, his thoughts swirling into a void.

“You see now,” the First Apostle murmured, his voice laced with eerie delight. “To destroy and rebuild, sometimes even faith must be torn apart. Now, rise anew… as something greater.”

The Second Apostle gasped, his vision darkening, his heart pounding one final, thunderous beat before succumbing to the void.