novelnext Chapter 184 : Successor (5)
Chapter 184 : Successor (5)
“How many people have gathered in the plaza?”“When I passed by earlier, there were around two hundred... but by now, everyone except the students attending class should have gathered.”
“That's a relief.”
“What did Ribenia Spiegel say?”
“They accepted immediately, of course. They had no reason to refuse. They've decided to publish a special edition as soon as the verification results are finalized.”
“I see.”
Ribenia Spiegel.
The newspaper with the highest level of public trust.
They were the ones who had exposed the Bernhardt Family's disgrace, and later revealed Greenwhistle's hypocrisy.
That had only been possible because we'd helped behind the scenes, but regardless, the public regarded the newspaper's words as highly credible.
After today, the Bernhardt Family would have no options left.
They might put up a little resistance,
but maintaining full cooperation with the Platinum Dawn Society would become impossible.
The Society's plan to gain the upper hand in the coup by utilizing Bernhardt's resources would also fall apart.
And if our infiltration succeeded on top of that...
we'd finally be able to take the next step.
A giant stride toward establishing a new Empire.
“It's about time.”
“Let's go, Instructor Eugene.”
“Yes.”
The crowd gathered in the plaza easily exceeded five hundred people.
The area around the Projection Orb was especially packed.
The Orb projected two screens simultaneously—
one displaying the neatly folded will,
the other showing Georg, the Speaker of the Council.
— We will now begin the verification of Case No. 16E2339, the will of former Bernhardt Family Head Johann Bernhardt regarding the transfer of authority over the position of Family Head.
Although the area was far noisier than expected,
the Amplification Orb ensured every word was heard clearly.
— Since this will is nearly identical in content to the previously submitted will, the primary points of verification will be determining which will was written first, and whether this newly discovered will was unquestionably handwritten by Johann Bernhardt himself.
At Georg's signal, several officials wearing white gloves carefully unfolded the will.
The document contained the complete contents of the will, the date it was written, the testator's address, his full name, and his official seal.
— As you can see, this will was written on August 3rd, 1458.
A copy of the original will appeared on the adjacent screen.
— The original will was dated... August 10th of the same year.
Murmurs spread rapidly throughout the crowd.
— Next, we will verify whether the new will was indeed handwritten by Johann Bernhardt.
At another signal, three handwriting experts appeared on screen.
After carefully examining the will with various instruments, they leaned toward the Orb.
— We unanimously certify that this will was written by Johann Bernhardt himself.
Everyone present understood exactly what those words meant.
Those around us glanced repeatedly between Michel and me while waiting for the final verdict.
Once everyone returned to their positions,
Georg placed a hand beside the gavel and spoke.
— Following the verification of Case No. 16E2339, concerning former Family Head Johann Bernhardt's transfer of authority over the Bernhardt Family, we hereby declare the previous will null and void, and officially adopt the newly discovered will.
Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
That evening.
The Bernhardt estate was in complete turmoil,
incomparable to anything before.
“Waaah!”
“Waaah!”
More than a hundred servants stood before the main residence,
holding hastily made picket signs as they shouted.
“Edgar Bernhardt, release us from the permanent brand immediately!”
“The legitimate Family Head has already been chosen! Why are you still sitting in that seat? Come out!”
“You people should cooperate already! There's no reason left to protect those bastards!”
Several veteran servants shoved against the guards standing at the entrance, looking as though they might force their way inside at any moment.
Watching the scene from the Round Table conference room,
Edgar turned toward Robert.
“Any news about my siblings?”
“Other than Gilbert being captured while trying to flee and taken to the Imperial Correction Bureau... nothing.”
“…Hmm.”
Edgar stared at the newspaper carelessly tossed onto the table.
'Michel... I never imagined she'd be willing to shoulder this kind of risk.'
The follow-up reports broadcast through the Amplification Orb dealt the already crumbling Bernhardt Family a fatal blow.
The abolition of the Code forcibly imposed upon servants and employees.
The return of patents and proprietary technologies.
The redistribution of family assets to society.
The establishment of the Bernhardt Citizens Foundation.
The unification of the direct and collateral family branches.
Future business rights to be decided through a vote by every family member.
The Council directly managing an independent auditing team.
Replacing the hierarchy-based system with one centered entirely on ability.
Michel had made it abundantly clear that she intended to solve every problem that had plagued the Bernhardt Family.
The collateral branches, the employees, and the servants all welcomed the proposal.
As a result—
Although less than ten percent of the supplies had been transported, nearly every related operation had ground to a complete halt.
It was a disaster Edgar had anticipated.
Nearly every criticism and poor reputation Michel Bernhardt had suffered over the years had been fabricated.
The rest of the direct bloodline wanted her treated that way.
So everyone simply followed along.
In truth, there was practically no one who genuinely believed Michel had committed all those wrongdoings herself.
'...So I have no choice but to stake everything on this.'
The permanent brand.
Otherwise known as the Code.
Originally engraved to enforce confidentiality and various regulations, no one except the holder of the Master Code could remove it.
There had once been an era when receiving the Code was a badge of honor and pride.
But that had been more than a century ago.
In the present day, the Code was nothing more than a shackle—
a tool to eliminate traitors before they could betray the family and forcibly compel everyone beneath them to cooperate.
Of course, no one had ever intended for the Code to cost someone their life.
Which was why those who accepted it generally offered an arm or a leg as the price.
And Edgar Bernhardt possessed more than enough authority to cripple the limbs of everyone upon whom he had bestowed the Code.
But even if they were merely servants, if he inflicted that level of punishment on the overwhelming majority under these circumstances...
he'd deserve immediate summary execution rather than imprisonment.
'...At this point, talking about withdrawing the lawsuit wouldn't even make the news.'
He could still secretly join the Platinum Dawn Society without much difficulty.
But with the transportation of supplies completely impossible, what meaning did any of that have?
“What in the world am I supposed to do...?”
He had just begun muttering to himself—
when a voice interrupted.
“It seems you're in need of some assistance.”
“Would you mind if I lent a hand?”
The unfamiliar voice came from the opposite side of the Round Table, prompting Robert to react first.
“Who's there?!”
Before he could even draw his wand and cast Mana Missile, the owner of the voice stepped forward.
The one accompanying her was Maximilian,
Greenwhistle's leader,
who had recently met Edgar in private.
The one who had spoken,
However, was a young woman wearing an elegant black dress adorned with luxurious decorations.
“It seems your transportation operation has encountered a bit of trouble.”
“At this rate... everyone will end up in quite a difficult situation, don't you think?”
“……”
Despite meeting her for the first time,
Edgar and Robert immediately knew who she was.
Maximilian fidgeted awkwardly beside her.
The young woman herself remained perfectly calm and resolute.
Above all, the dense magical aura overflowing from her entire body left no room for doubt.
She was Charlotte Platina— the veteran leader who had guided the Platinum Dawn Society all this time.
The moment Edgar reached that conclusion, he spoke first.
“…You said you'd help us.”
“What exactly do you intend to do?”
“Before that...”
Charlotte slowly raised one hand toward him, then gently closed her open palm.
“Ghk?!”
An invisible pressure surged forward, crushing Edgar's mouth shut.
“I'd recommend that we speak politely to one another.”
“I value proper etiquette.”
“……”
“Understood?”
Watching Charlotte instantly subdue Edgar to demonstrate her superiority,
Robert swallowed hard.
'...What was that?'
His duel against Rubia Magnus had damaged his pride somewhat, but he still had complete confidence in his abilities.
He could usually determine both the type and activation method of nearly any chantless spell simply by watching it.
Yet the magic Charlotte had just used felt utterly alien.
Not only couldn't he determine how it had been activated—
he couldn't even identify what kind of spell it was.
'Judging by its mechanism... it seemed like some sort of binding spell...'
But that was all.
He had nothing beyond mere speculation.
No—
he couldn't even be certain whether she'd actually used magic at all.
Before he could resolve his doubts,
Charlotte released Edgar.
“Gasp!”
“Haah! Haah!”
Edgar panted heavily after whatever invisible force had gripped his face finally let go.
Charlotte glanced at him before walking toward the window.
“As for what I plan to do...”
She casually pointed toward the crowd below.
“I'm going to use the Code to control those people...”
“And have them resume transporting the supplies as originally planned.”
Her smile contained neither hostility nor malice.
Yet somehow, it felt terrifying beyond words.
Unable to believe what he'd just heard,
Edgar wiped the saliva from his lips before glaring at her.
“You're saying you can control people through the Code?”
“Is that even possible?”
“Not for just anyone.”
“Only for people with ugly hearts.”
“The kind of people who are evil.”
“Despicable.”
“And willing to betray even the benefactors who've supported them all this time if it means saving themselves.”
“……”
“People exactly like you.”
Charlotte slowly walked toward Edgar.
“Now then.”
“Draw out the desire buried deep within your heart.”
“The desire to live.”
“That no matter what you have to do... you want to survive.”
“That you're prepared to do absolutely anything if it means staying alive.”
Hearing the voice overflowing with demonic temptation,
Robert instinctively cast a Silencing Barrier around himself.
Edgar, however, had missed his chance to cover his ears.
His pupils gradually lost their focus.
Like a man completely hypnotized, he stared straight ahead and cried out desperately.
“I want to live...!”
“I don't want to die because of those worthless insects!”
“If only I can keep myself from falling...!”
“I'll tear every last one of those bastards limb from limb if I have to!”
“I'll survive!”
Charlotte stepped beside the furious Edgar, whose eyes burned with murderous intent, and slowly reached out her hand.
“…I knew I was a good judge of character.”
At that moment, the first brand appeared upon Edgar's forehead.
An overwhelming torrent of magical power began pouring into it.