Death... and me

Rean then laughed as he said.

"It's fine, it's fine. No one's here to eavesdrop anyway, so who cares? If you're afraid that we will spread this news, rest assured. It won't happen. Well, it's not like someone would believe us anyway."

Huan then mentioned.

"I could destroy your plans by simply spreading the news that Calina is alive, you know? I have no doubt that the First Prince's faction would be more than willing to go after her in your Dalamu Sect's territory."

Rean shook his head as he said.

"That would be the same as saying that you want to take one side. After all, they would mean you messed with one of the candidates' plans for this throne fight."

Huan shrugged his shoulders in response.

"I can simply use someone else to spread this news without others knowing that I did it."

Rean still didn't seem to care.

"That would still mean that you want to choose a different side. Others might not know of it, but you do. Are you really going to step over your pride to bring this news out?"

Huan snorted as he asked.

"Are you waging a war of words with me, boy?"

"Hahaha! As long as it works, then why not? This is a secret meeting that no one knows about anyway."

Huan narrowed his eyes as he looked at the twins once again. Still, he sighed in the end once he thought about Old Worm the previous day. If not for that, he would teach these twins a lesson. He only said that he wouldn't kill them to Werxa. A small beating wouldn't be that much to worry about.

"Whatever. So what if Calina joins the fight later? What does it have to do with me anyway? You said it yourself, right? The princes and princesses' influences won't matter in the end."

Rean nodded.

"That's not entirely true. You said it yourself as well. If the Emperor's decision is not of your liking, you wouldn't mind refuting it. In that case, even if she is chosen in the end, she will still need your approval."

Huan narrowed his eyes.

"So you want my support. Why should I do it? It's not like she would be better or worse than other candidates. If anything, the others have a lot more experience."

Rean nodded as he said in response to his words.

"They do. However, most of them still wish to attack Chrole. However, that would be the most idiotic option out of all of the possible options. Calina, on the other hand, has a half bloodline between Chrole and Sasamil. She is perfect for mediating this conflict once she is chosen by the Emperor. Chrole would have a reason to at least hear what she says, and Sasamil would be hers, to begin with."

Huan shook his head as he asked.

"Do you think it would be that simple?"

Rean smiled once more.

"According to this answer of yours, it seems like you also don't wish for this war to happen."

Huan didn't mind.

"Obviously. Still, I do understand the other princes and princesses as well. The Chrole bloodline had spread inside the Imperial Family. Only now, with this huge opposition, it ceased to happen. Them being afraid of Chrole taking over Sasamil isn't totally unfounded. If Calina, a half-bloodline, really is chosen by the Emperor, everyone would become even more concerned."

Rean didn't deny that.

"That's true. However, this is an inevitable step whether everyone likes it or not. Without seeing what Calina will do for the Empire first, you can't expect people to simply accept her out of nowhere. This is an Empire. Changing the opinion of others is not something that can be done in just a few days. It will take years of effort, as everything else does."

Huan then asked the twins.

"And what if she really decides to side with them and push the Empire into a fusion with Chrole? Can you guarantee that she won't change her mind? Don't try to be naive here. The Imperial Family members themselves wanted her dead. Would she have a reason to wish for their wellbeing?"

Rean couldn't answer that. After all, he can't predict the future. Calina seemed to be deadset on stopping this possible war. However, does it mean that she doesn't want both empires to be together? Even if she doesn't for now, what about the future? There is no doubt that she will receive harsh treatment from most Imperial Family Members if she succeeded in taking the throne. Would her heart not waver to the Chrole side at that time?

Rean then gritted his teeth as he pointed at Huan.

"That's where you come in! You, more than anyone else, must support her so that she will never think about such a thing!"

"What?!"

Huan was taken aback by that answer.

"Are you throwing all the weight on my back, just like that?"

Rean didn't care as he continued.

"That's the only way out if you don't want her to change her mind in the end. You are the Prime Minister, so act like one. Give your support to the Empress. Or at least, do it as long as the sovereign is doing their best for the Empire. That's your job!"

Huan felt a headache coming.

"Do you even know how complicated such a thing would be? Don't speak as if all that is needed is to have my support."

"It's not only your support. At that point, if the Emperor is still alive, he will be supporting her as well. The Prime Minister and the previous Emperor. Although that is far from being enough, that's an excellent start. I'll be honest here. I don't think the Emperor wishes for a war either."

Huan was speechless as he thought about the talk with Old Worm.

'Is this why you were so interested in them? Fine, I admit. They are interesting... and fucking annoying as well!'

Huan then massaged his temples as he replied.

"My support will be given to the one who deserves it. That's all I can say. If Calina can prove herself, then I might consider the idea. Let's see what happens when the time comes."

Rean sighed in relief as he looked at Roan. This was his idea to start with, so Roan decided to stay by the sides and just observe till the very end.