Choice

"This wine is truly worthy of the God of Wine; it's as if one is standing in a bountiful vineyard."

A strange voice reached his ears.

Moria inhaled an intensely rich aroma of wine, his entire soul and spirit becoming clear.

He slowly opened his eyes and found himself in a familiar environment – his own bedroom.

However, he wasn't lying on the bed anymore. Following the wine's scent, he saw Shaya and Sebas sitting in the corner.

One was wearing a black Grim Reaper's robe, while the other was draped in a black coat. Each held a wine glass, the rose-colored liquid within emitting a tempting glow. The wine aroma was clearly coming from these glasses.

The one who had just spoken was Sebas; clearly, he still couldn't resist the allure of the red wine.

Moria was certain he had never met these two before. And with their peculiar attire, they certainly didn't look like good people.

Years of experience surviving multiple assassination attempts made him shout loudly.

"Guards! Guards!"

But clearly, no one responded.

He looked at his bed, then at the people surrounding him with somber expressions. He didn't seem to realize what had happened yet. He looked at his son-in-law, Fasther, and shouted excitedly.

"Fasther! Go mobilize the guards!"

His lack of response only made Moria more agitated. He yelled at those around him.

"Are you all blind?! Right here, there are two strangers, can't you see them!?"

He turned his head to look at his daughter, and then he saw the "himself" lying on the bed.

Withered and gaunt like a dried cucumber, devoid of life.

Moria saw his two daughters clinging to him and weeping, whispering something. The memories from before gradually surfaced in his mind.

I... died?

Moria looked at his own corpse, then at his hands, a look of confusion on his face.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, he sharply turned his head to look at the two people sitting in the corner.

Sebas also looked up at him, meeting Moria's gaze. The corners of his mouth curved into an unreadable smile.

"It seems you've realized."

He placed his wine glass on a nearby table, then slowly stood up and walked towards Moria. A bone mask appeared on his face, and the black robe swayed as he moved.

At this moment, anyone witnessing this scene would understand what was approaching them.

"Moria Britannia, your time has come. Come with me," Sebas said.

Moria instinctively took a step back, his face showing fear of death and the unknown.

"Wait! Sir, I still have important things I haven't done!"

"Most people in this world don't die when they want to," Sebas said calmly.

"Everyone has regrets before they die, but death is fair to everyone, even if you are the Emperor.

Take one last look at your family, then come with me, Moria. Stop wasting time."

Moria turned his head to look at his two weeping daughters and fell silent.

"If you are worried about your missing third daughter, you don't need to be."

A voice from the side caught Moria's attention. He looked at the other person among the two. He was still sitting on the chair, holding a wine bottle and refilling his empty glass.

Moria seemed to recall something and said excitedly, "You know where she is?"

"In a manner of speaking," Shaya said. "She was just unlucky, but she is free. She wasn't kidnapped or coerced by anyone. At least for now, she is very safe."

He gently swirled his wine glass, his eyes fixed on the swirling rose-colored liquid, and murmured softly.

"Perhaps, in the future too."

He looked up at Moria, his deep eyes filled with an unreadable thoughtfulness.

"Compared to her, I think you should worry about your two daughters. What they will face in the future will be much more brutal than what she will face."

Moria looked into Shaya's eyes, and his heart sank to the bottom. He continued to ask.

"What will they face?"

"War."

Shaya didn't hide anything.

"A war that will engulf the world, where countless lives will be ruthlessly taken by the flames of conflict.

The power structure of this world will be reshuffled in this war.

Neither royal nor imperial power can remain untouched."

"War!?"

This time, it was Sebas's turn to be unable to stand still. He pressed further.

"Are you telling the truth?"

Most things in the mortal world have nothing to do with the Underworld, but war is different. War means death, a lot of death.

Due to the annual population growth, the number of souls the Underworld can accommodate has reached its peak.

If a large number of deaths occur in a short period, the Underworld's system will undoubtedly face immense pressure.

Shaya quietly raised his wine glass and took a sip of red wine, joking.

"You can choose not to believe it. Destiny will naturally provide the most accurate answer, won't it?"

Sebas's expression gradually became serious. "I understand. Thank you very much for your reminder, Mr. Shaya."

He was not surprised that someone could predict the future; there were many legends about prophecy in Greek mythology.

Reminder?

Shaya slightly raised an eyebrow but said nothing, merely taking another sip of wine. He quickly understood why Sebas had said that.

A large number of people would die in the war, which should be related to the Underworld.

However, he had genuinely just wanted to answer Moria's question.

After all, he didn't know how many souls the Underworld could accommodate.

Moria also fell into thought, murmuring softly, "The South has always coveted Britannia's territory. After I die, the struggle for imperial power will not be peaceful, and Britannia will inevitably fall into chaos. At that time, war is very possible."

He actually had a premonition as well, which was why he had originally planned to arrange a marriage between Alicia and Ernst. With the military strength of the Britannia Empire and the West Fran Empire, there was no country in this world that could defeat such an alliance.

Furthermore, it would also allow Alicia to stay away from the quagmire of the succession struggle. This was the best choice for Britannia, and for her.

But Destiny never granted people their wishes.

He suddenly looked up at Sebas, "My lord, judging by your expression, this war is not a good thing for you either, is it?"

Sebas snapped back to attention and looked at Moria with slight impatience. "No matter what you say, your death is irreversible. Don't struggle pointlessly."

"I understand, that's not what I meant." Moria looked at Sebas, pleadingly. "I hope you can do me a favor. Outside the imperial palace, I actually have another son."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Shaya asked with interest, "An illegitimate son?"

"No." Moria shook his head. "Illegitimate sons have no right to inherit. He is Anya's child, but I sent him out of the palace when he was young. There are people in the palace who can prove his identity.

Many years ago, Alicia had an older brother, but he drowned in a lake at the age of three. I always believed it wasn't an accident.

So, to protect him, even my three daughters don't know of his existence."

He looked up at the two of them. "Compared to women, both the royal family and the council prefer a male heir to the throne. Therefore, although Isabelle is the first in line for succession, she will still face many obstacles in inheriting the throne.

But if I had a son, the outcome would be different. He would receive the support of the royal family and the council, and would undoubtedly be the new ruler."

Shaya nodded. Europe and the East were different. Due to the religious system, the emperor could only marry one wife. At that time, medical care was not developed, and children easily died. Giving birth was also difficult.

Therefore, women also had the right to inherit. Essentially, it was due to the small number of offspring and the overly powerful religious influence that women's succession had to be accepted. Britannia naturally continued this law.

This did not mean that Europe was equal between men and women at that time.

The kings of the past were puppets of religion, so it didn't matter whether the successor was male or female, as long as they supported religion.

But Britannia was not a kingdom; it was an empire larger than Rome. The imperial power was so strong that it even overshadowed divine authority, and the situation was different.

This was the inevitable outcome of all hereditary systems.

The ruling class of this country would not allow outsiders to carve up their cake.

"I believe Britannia's army is sufficient to defend this country," Moria said earnestly. "But the premise is that Britannia's internal stability is maintained, and my son can bring that stability."

He paused and added, "The premise is that he inherits the throne alive."

"You mean I have to protect your son as well?" Sebas said displeasantly. "Who do you think I am?"

"That's not what I mean," Moria said, lowering his head. "I am merely stating the facts."

Sebas fell silent, weighing the pros and cons.

Shaya also quietly watched Moria, his mind racing.

If the future truly came to a point where he needed to decide destiny, he would need one or several people to carry the fate he wove...

This child might be a good choice.