Chapter 1073: I’m Sorry, Father, I’ve Let You Down

"A-Aldric...!?"

Elina’s eyes widened as she watched what was happening before her.

Instead of attacking her, Aldric plunged his sword into his own body.

"Ugh..."

He groaned in pain, gritting his teeth as he pulled the sword back out.

Srck!

Blood spurted from the wound, splashing everywhere and even staining Elina’s armor.

Aldric staggered, swaying from side to side, but quickly drove his sword into the ground to keep himself from falling.

He hunched over in pain, clutching his wound with his left hand. His breathing grew labored, and cold sweat trickled down his neck and back.

Elina immediately stood up and rushed to support him, but Aldric shoved her away.

"Go away! Stay away from me!" he snapped coldly, his voice strained with pain.

"Don’t try to act tough in front of me!" Elina shot back irritably.

Ignoring his protests, she helped him up and carefully laid him on the ground.

"Wait a minute. I have a healing potion," Elina said in a panic.

Just as she reached into her armor pocket, Aldric grabbed her hand.

Startled, Elina turned to look at him.

"Don’t stop me! You’ll die if you don’t get treated right away!" she snapped.

Aldric gritted his teeth through the pain, then slowly shook his head.

"Listen to me, Elina."

His voice was hoarse and weak.

"It’s no use. I... I’m going to die."

Elina’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"H-How is that possible?!"

Aldric gave a bitter smile and gently pulled his hand away.

"Adalen did this. He’s the mastermind behind everything, including this war. Duke Malvain—no, that traitor doesn’t deserve a sacred title like ’Duke’! He’s working with Adalen and deliberately letting his own people on the border die at the hands of those rebels!"

His voice trembled.

"I really am... stupid."

Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes before slowly streaming down his cheeks.

Elina looked stunned by his revelation.

’Adalen and Duke Malvain are behind all this?’ she muttered in disbelief.

She had already suspected Duke Malvain, so hearing this didn’t surprise her all that much.

But Adalen?

That was completely unexpected.

"How could he do this? How could he be so cruel as to seek help from the enemy!?"

Elina gritted her teeth, overwhelmed by a surge of hatred.

Millions of lives had been lost just like that. She couldn’t accept it, especially after learning that one of the princes was responsible for it all.

During the battle for the throne, outside forces were strictly forbidden from offering direct support.

They could still help, but only indirectly, through things like diplomacy.

However, since Adalen had no major supporters besides his grandfather, the Singularity of Light, Ragan cut him some slack.

He was allowed to use his grandfather’s influence to gain the support of the nobles.

This put Adalen on equal footing with her, Aldric, Zarak, and Cassian in the battle for the throne.

Unfortunately, that decision had backfired.

That damned man had actually joined forces with the Holy Empire of Valtanir.

It was utterly unforgivable!

"They kidnapped me and implanted a controlling curse into my body," Aldric continued weakly. "I lost control of my body and was forced to obey Corvin’s every command. Fortunately... fortunately, that arrow struck my right eye. That’s where the center of the magic formation was, and destroying it allowed me to break free."

Elina was shocked by his explanation. She had suspected that Aldric was under the influence of some kind of magic, and it turned out she was right.

"T-Then, why did you attack me earlier?"

Aldric didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gazed up at the dark sky, his remaining eye filled with longing and regret.

"To test you."

"Test me?"

Aldric nodded weakly.

"I’m going to die. Ever since the curse was broken, I’ve felt it slowly draining my life force. Just surviving this long is a miracle in itself." He chuckled softly. "I wanted to see how far you’d come, but I didn’t expect you to become this strong. That timid little girl from back then has grown into someone incredibly strong. Time really does fly."

Elina fell silent, her expression growing complicated.

"Listen to me, Elina," Aldric continued with a calm smile. "I hate you so much. You have the support of the Singularity of Chaos. Honestly, it’s not fair."

He let out a long sigh.

"But while I was under Corvin’s control, I came to realize something—my hatred serves no purpose. The Singularity of Chaos supports you because he probably sees potential in you that he doesn’t see in me, Cedric, Adalen, Cassian, or Zarak. So, I admit defeat. I’m certain you’ll win this battle for the throne."

Elina pressed her lips together, her body trembling slightly.

"Oh, right..."

Aldric turned to look at her, the light in his left red eye slowly fading.

"May I ask two things of you?"

Elina lowered her head and gave a weak nod.

"Please look after my mother and Novaria," Aldric said quietly. "I know they’ve caused you a lot of trouble in the past. They weren’t kind to you, but... can you forgive them? I’m not asking you to look after them every day. It’s just that—"

"I agree," Elina interrupted, her voice hoarse.

She lifted her head slightly, revealing her tear-streaked face.

"Don’t worry. I’ll take care of them."

Aldric smiled in relief. The last worry weighing on his heart had finally disappeared.

"And one more thing. I want you to stop Adalen and Cedric from becoming emperors," he said weakly. "Don’t let them win this battle."

"I will."

Elina wiped away her tears and forced a smile.

"Leave it to me."

"Thank you."

Aldric felt as though the chains binding him were slowly falling away. He gazed up at the dark sky and noticed that snow had begun to fall.

A snowflake landed on his cheek. It was cold.

Suddenly, a memory came flooding back—the day he had sworn an oath to his father, Ragan Lorian.

***

"What are your dreams, Aldric?" Ragan asked gently.

Ten-year-old Aldric eagerly raised his hand.

"Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to become emperor and take your place, Father!"

"Pfft!" Ragan chuckled. "You’re already thinking about something like that at such a young age, huh?"

He patted Aldric on the head.

Aldric blinked in confusion.

"Is it wrong to have a dream like that, Father?"

Ragan smiled.

"No, it’s not wrong," he replied gently. "Becoming emperor is the dream of many princes, both past and present, just like you. But you know what? Being emperor isn’t just about sitting on the throne and ruling people however you please."

He looked up at the blue sky.

"Being an emperor means bearing an incredibly heavy burden of responsibility. You have to protect the people you love, as well as everyone throughout the empire. You also have to defeat any enemies who threaten it."

Aldric’s eyes sparkled as he listened.

He jumped to his feet and pointed toward the sky.

"Father, listen to me!"

Startled by his sudden outburst, Ragan turned to look at him curiously.

With a broad smile, Aldric declared, "I swear I’ll become an emperor who makes the people feel safe! Father, you’ll be my witness!"

Ragan fell silent for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Wonderful! Very well, I’ll be your witness. I want to see you wearing this robe and ruling the empire. May the gods grant me a long life so I can see that day."

He affectionately ruffled Aldric’s hair.

"Hehehe..."

Aldric grinned as he gazed up at the blue sky, his heart filled with determination.

***

"I failed to keep my promise to Father."

Aldric let out a faint chuckle as he slowly closed his left eye.

"I’m sorry, Father. I’ve let you down..."

---/---

Author’s Note:

Thank you so much to all my loyal readers! Time flies, and we’re already at the end of the month. I hope you’re all staying healthy!

Oh, right! The war arc has finally come to an end. With Aldric’s death, only two candidates remain in the battle for the throne.

We’re getting closer to the end of the story now! I just hope I can stay healthy and keep updating consistently so I can give you all a satisfying ending.

Once again, thank you so much for all your support, and don’t forget to support me again next month! Love you all! ?( ?>?<?)??