The Old Emperor's Intentions!

This is a spacious room with an antique charm and exceptional elegance.

Specks of brilliant sunlight streamed in through the intricately carved, openwork window, casting dappled shadows on the luxurious bed and the clean floor.

A pair of slightly tired eyes slowly opened, and the familiar golden curtains came into view.

At the same time.

A faint scent of sandalwood filled the air, quickly restoring the old emperor's clarity of mind. With a subconscious, gentle movement, the cloud-patterned silk covering him rippled like water.

"Um"

This caused a teenager who was fast asleep sitting on the edge of the bed to slowly wake up after feeling the movement, and open his Kohaku -green eyes.

He was a fair-skinned, gentle-looking young man with medium-length light green hair.

"Father?"

"Ah, Father, you're awake!"

When he noticed the emperor's kind gaze, he immediately perked up and shouted excitedly, which made the emperor shake his head helplessly.

"I've told you many times, as the crown prince and the future emperor of the empire, you must always remain calm and rational, and not be so easily startled."

Although he was lecturing, his tone was very gentle.

Because this was his only prince.

Although it sounds incredible, the emperor did indeed have only one wife in his life, the current Empress, and only one son.

Speaking of which...

The imperial family's surname was Qin, and the old emperor's name was Hao.

The crown prince of the empire is named Su, and he is seventeen years old this year, but he is rather gentle and naive in character.

And he is the "little emperor" in the "Akame Manga who was deceived by Minister Honest and ultimately went to the Guillotine.

"Your subject understands."

Qin Su nodded obediently at first, then quickly asked, "Father, how are you feeling now? Should I go and summon the imperial physician?"

"I'm fine. Where is your mother?"

The old emperor shook his head, sat up against the headboard, and recalled the events of the past in his mind.

Although Destaguru within the Shikoutazer had eroded his consciousness, it didn't mean he couldn't remember anything; at least he still clearly remembered his experiences during the berserk mode.

I was simply overwhelmed by an uncontrollable surge of madness and lost all sense of reason.

However, after falling into a coma, he knew nothing more.

Only a faint memory remains of that towering golden pillar of light and the image of the Baymax ship.

"The Empress Dowager stayed with you for nearly two days and two nights. Three hours ago, she couldn't take it anymore and returned to the palace to rest under the escort of Commander Kurome," Qin Su replied softly.

"Yes, thank you for your hard work."

The old emperor sighed inwardly, knowing that he had been unconscious for two days.

Then Qin Su asked, "Father, should I inform General Budo and Governor Shao'er to come over?"

No rush.

The old emperor waved his hand in refusal. "Tell your father about the recent events first."

"This"

Qin Su hesitated, opening her mouth but appearing unable to speak, which made the old emperor frown and his tone become serious. "Speak plainly, don't beat around the bush."

"It's Father!"

Qin Su's heart tightened, and he quickly recounted in detail how the Supreme Teigu, the Shikoutazer, had been confiscated by the World Government after the other party had fallen unconscious.

"Eh----"

As the old emperor listened, his expression grew increasingly solemn. Even after the other person finished speaking, he remained silent for a long time, until finally, everything culminated in a long sigh.

Qin Su said indignantly, "Father, I think we should immediately demand the return of the Shikoutazer from the World Government. It is clearly ours!"

"We're not getting it back."

"As utterly defeated, whether it's the Shikoutazer, our country, or even the entire world, it is effectively already theirs."

"Under these circumstances, the World Government's decision to allow us to join and even retain our national power is a great act of benevolence."

The old emperor lowered his voice as if he were talking to himself, but he was actually speaking to Qin Su by the bedside.

"Remember this: any complaints made when there's an absolute gap in strength are nothing but meaningless overestimation of your own abilities."

"What we need to do now is submit and continuously strengthen the empire. As for the future, let future emperors decide."

Qin Su felt she understood what he was saying, but not completely, so she could only nod blankly to show that she had memorized it.

"Su'er."

"Father?"

After hesitating for a few seconds, the old emperor said, "Once we officially join the World Government, I would like to send you to their world to study for a few years."

"Ah!"

Qin Su was stunned upon hearing this. Going to other worlds? This was something she had never even considered. And wouldn't that mean being separated from her father and mother?

To be honest, he didn't want to go.

But not knowing how to refuse her father, she simply lowered her head, pursed her lips, and remained silent.

"You are the future emperor of this empire, so I believe you must have a better understanding of the World Government."

"So while I can still manage state affairs for a few more years, you should go out and see the world. This will surely be of great help to you and will also help us get closer to the World Government."

The old emperor understood his son's character; to put it bluntly, he was a kind child who had always been surrounded by love but hadn't become wicked.

In normal times, someone with this kind of personality would likely have no problem being a wise and conservative ruler who follows the established order.

But with the emergence of World Government, the world is undergoing a period of great change.

This places high demands on the ability and character of a country's ruler.

Therefore, he had to steel himself and use this method of "studying abroad in Otherworld" to accelerate the development of Qin Su's independence and abilities in all aspects.

"."

Qin Su remained silent, but as the old emperor spoke, he knew that the other party had made up his mind this time, which made him feel somewhat depressed and nervous.

That was fear of the future.

"In short, be prepared. Starting tomorrow, you need to study etiquette more diligently, acquire knowledge, and also build a solid foundation in Physical Arts, at least to the point where you won't be ashamed!"

After saying this, the old emperor waved his hand.

"Alright, go see the Queen Mother first, and while you're at it, inform Governor Shao'er, General Budo, Treasurer Ezra, Commander Gozuki, Minister Najenda, and Dr. Stylish to come to the Oath Hall for a meeting."

"Yes, Father."

Qin Su stood up dejectedly and walked out of the bedroom.

"Eh----"

Once the door was closed, the old emperor let out another long sigh; he truly had no choice but to do this.

While his previous statement was partly the reason, the core issue was actually that the empire had lost its 'Shikoutazer'.

Since the emergence of the World Government, the Alchemi Kingdom and the Shenwa Island Country have been largely unaffected, except for the loss of some mid-level combatants and the majority of lower-level troops.

But what about the empire?

First, the Northern Snow Region was directly occupied and seized, then the Army was completely defeated, Army General Brand was killed in battle.

The naval fleet and headquarters were completely destroyed, and Navy Admiral Esdeath disappeared without a trace.

Furthermore, Melard, the former commander of the 'Oarburgh' assassination squad, is also suspected of being killed or captured in battle, and Najenda's Imperial Intelligence Corps suffered more than half of its casualties.

Although General Budo was unharmed, the Air Force suffered heavy losses.

Oh, and there was that massive Blizzard before, which turned the south of the empire into a frozen wasteland, freezing countless livestock and civilians to death.

Now even their biggest trump card, the 'Supreme Teigu', is gone.

Given this predicament, the only solution the current emperor can think of is to send the prince abroad to strengthen ties with the World Government and thus gain its influence.

However, doing so would seem overly obsequious, undermining the dignity and respect that the empire had maintained for millennia.

When he reaches the underworld a hundred years from now, he will surely have no face to face his ancestors.

"Your Majesty, I am truly incompetent!"

Tears of pain welled in the old emperor's eyes, and two streams of hot tears slid down his cheeks. He no longer concealed the vulnerable side of his heart.

However, an hour later, after he had finished washing up, put on a black dragon robe with gold trim, and stepped into the Oath Hall again.

His face had long since regained its usual calm and determination.

"His Majesty!"

The old emperor sat down at the table, looking at the bowing imperial ministers before him, including Budo, Shao'er, Najenda, and the Dr. Stylish, and secretly made a vow in his heart.

"I will definitely pass the empire on to Su'er intact!"