Chapter 155

The Saint Airo Empire.

While Cyrus was busy dealing with the large-scale harvest of new crops such as Sweet Potato and Corn in his territory, a minor political upheaval was taking place within the empire.

It should be said that this was a usurpation operation initiated by the third prince Kashu.

The third prince Kashu, managed to escape from the Tum Tower, where he was imprisoned, and attempted to assassinate the eldest prince, Warner.

However, the assassination attempt ultimately ended in failure.

Inside the imperial palace, the ailing old king, the captured third prince, the second prince Kien, Princess Rennal, and others gathered in Warner's study, where he usually handled state affairs.

Inside the study were knights wielding long spears or greatswords, while outside were attendants and knights responsible for guarding and watching over the place.

The entire palace seemed to be filled with an atmosphere that made people feel oppressed, tense, and even made everyone hold their breath.

--A change is about to occur in the empire.

The atmosphere in the study became even more tense.

Kashu was forced to kneel on the ground by a knight, his hands were tied, his clothes were dirty and messy, and his face had some bruises.

He was captured just as he was about to escape the capital and was immediately taken back to the palace.

Kashu's heart pounded with anxiety and fear; he dreaded the impending trial and his fate.

He couldn't help but look at the king—his father, who was now being held down by two knights, one on each shoulder, and firmly pressed into his chair, unable to move.

The king struggled and shouted angrily, ordering the two knights to release him immediately, or he would order their execution with the most severe punishment!

However, the king was old and frail.

Even though he wasn't tied to a chair, he still couldn't break free from the two knights' hold.

Moreover, the two knights were expressionless and completely disobeyed the king's orders.

They obeyed the eldest prince, Warner.

"Warner, are you planning a rebellion?!" the king angrily questioned the eldest prince.

Warner stood before the desk, his back to the king. Upon hearing this, he turned and said calmly, "Father, the one who wants to rebel is not me, but Kashu."

"You should ask him that."

The king choked, but then became even more furious, shouting, "Then make those two damned men release me immediately!"

"I am your father! Not your prisoner! Why should I be pinned down in this damn chair and unable to move?!"

Warner: "Father, do you really think I don't know that you were involved and orchestrated this behind the scenes?"

"Are you trying to make me tear off my last veil of pretense?"

The king's face flushed red, his expression a mixture of anger and complex emotions, finally settling on resentment. He said, "Warner, I'm not dead yet. I'm still the king of this country..."

"That won't be the case for long."

"You...!"

The king was so angry that he could not speak, he was panting heavily, and his chest was heaving.

Princess Rennal felt sorry for her father when she saw him like this.

She took two steps forward, intending to say something to Warner, but Prince Kien secretly grabbed her wrist. Then, after Lennar turned to look at her, he shook his head slightly, telling her not to go and not to say anything.

Lennar bit her lip, but ultimately stopped in her tracks.

She decided to remain silent on the matter.

The king's help was undoubtedly a factor in Kashu's escape from the Tum Tower, and even... the king's tacit approval was likely involved in Kashu's plan to assassinate Warner...

The king began to disapprove of Warner's rule.

Lennar couldn't help but wonder—did her father really want to kill her older brother too?!

The king barely managed to suppress his temper and said to Warner, "If you still want me to pass the throne to you, then have someone release me right now!"

"Otherwise..."

Warner placed a hand on the king's shoulder, his icy blue eyes staring directly into the king's equally colored eyes. The subtle emotion revealed within them instantly silenced the king.

"Father, from a young age you have been raising me to be the heir to the throne. This is common knowledge, both within the royal family and among the people of the empire."

"It is only right that I inherit the throne."

Warner slowly straightened up, but his hand remained on the king's shoulder. "Your health is poor, and you've been claiming illness. If one day your condition worsens to the point of being life-threatening... you might suddenly pass away."

"Even if you left no words, I will still inherit the throne of this empire in the end."

The royal family would support him, and the people of the empire would be even less likely to oppose him.

The king's expression changed drastically. The redness that had risen to his cheeks from his anger began to fade little by little. After Warner released his hand from his shoulder and turned to leave, the king fell silent, not uttering a single word.

Kashu couldn't help but show a fearful, pleading expression. "Big brother, big brother, I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have dared to dream of competing with you for the throne, nor should I have planned..."

"Big brother, you can lock me up anywhere, I promise I won't escape again and won't pose a threat to you..."

Warner: "I've already given you one chance before, Kashu, because you're my brother."

"But now... if you stay obediently in the Tum Tower, I will still have people provide you with a high-class life befitting a nobleman."

"Unfortunately... you don't have one."

"You should now pay the price for your actions."

"Big brother," Lennar couldn't help but speak up, "Kashu, Kashu is still our younger brother after all..."

What do you want to do with him?

"Execution by hanging."

No! Don't—

Kashu let out a terrified scream and struggled violently, but he was immediately subdued by the two knights behind him.

The king's pupils constricted involuntarily.

Lennar gasped, her eyes widening as she covered her mouth, muttering, "No, brother, this is too..."

Even the second prince Kien, frowned imperceptibly, but then immediately relaxed. He stood in the far corner of the study, without saying a word.

He remained silent.

Warner: "He didn't consider that I was his older brother when he sent people to kill me."

"Lennar, if I show him any leniency today, who can guarantee that one day he won't harbor ambitions for the throne again... At that point, do you think I can still be so lucky as to thwart assassination attempts or conspiracies time and time again?"

Lennar pursed her lips and lowered her eyelashes slightly.

"No, brother, believe me! I promise I won't make the same mistake again! Please believe me!" Kashu cried.

Ignoring the knights' attempts to restrain him, he threw himself before Warner, pleading incessantly.

However, Warner remained unmoved.

At this moment, he hardened his heart more than anyone else.

Even Kien couldn't help but feel a pang of pity when he saw Kashu in this state, and he immediately turned his head away so he wouldn't look at him again.

The king moved his lips and said, "Warner... he's your brother."

"But he also had some inappropriate thoughts."

Warner said coldly, "And this idea is all because of your and Mother's initial indulgence and pampering... You made him believe that he could replace me as the next heir to the entire empire."

"Father, do you really think that if Kashu becomes king, he will do a better job than me?"

Warner's words caused the king's expression to change again, and he was speechless once more.

Afterwards, Warner ordered his men to take Kashu away, while the king's "condition worsened," and he eventually rested in his room, refusing to see anyone outside.

News of the Third Prince Kashu's plot to assassinate the First Prince and seize the throne spread throughout the royal city. Three days later, the Third Prince Kashu was executed by hanging in the royal city.

When news of this reached the Desinia Territory, Cyrus was making dipping sauces with chili powder made from dried chilies, while the most suitable foods for winter were roast meat and hot pot.

He pushed a small dish containing dried chili powder and some other seasonings in front of His Holiness the Pope, and said with a smile, "Please try some more."

A rare look of hesitation appeared in Segalot's golden eyes.

He had just tasted a bit of dried chili pepper that hadn't been ground into powder, and his lips still felt a lingering spiciness and numbing sensation...

While the taste of chili peppers was novel, it was simply too much for some people to handle.

Afterwards, he was comforted by Cyrus and drank a lot of water and ate some candy.

The situation has improved now.

Cyrus looked embarrassed and said, "I was wrong just now. I shouldn't have lied to you and tasted the chili directly. This time, dipping meat slices or vegetables in the chili actually tasted quite good."

Would you like to try some more?

"Is it really that good?"

"Mmm, it's really delicious."

Cyrus personally placed a piece of roasted meat on His Holiness the Pope's plate, dipped it in a small dish, and then presented it to the Pope.

His intention was for His Holiness the Pope to take the tongs holding the roasted meat from him, but to his surprise, the Pope leaned over, grabbed his wrist with one hand, and then opened his mouth to eat the roasted meat.

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A rich array of flavors burst forth in Segalot's mouth, especially the most prominent spiciness. With the neutralization of the food and other seasonings, the pungent taste, though still quite strong, did not feel particularly unpleasant or unpalatable.

Segalot's slightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed; he realized he was starting to like the taste.

Cyrus asked expectantly, "Is it delicious?"

"Hmm, it tastes very good." Segalot let Cyrus try some too.

He released Cyrus's wrist, sat back down, and naturally took the tongs he had used to pick up the grilled meat... Then, a piece of grilled, fragrant meat dipped in seasoning was placed in front of Cyrus.

Cyrus scratched her cheek, then opened her mouth and ate it.

"Delicious," he said, puffing out one cheek.

Before, life without chili peppers was incomplete; now, it's pure bliss!

Cyrus smiled with narrowed eyes. He ate quite a bit of grilled meat and hot pot ingredients. The booklet about Potato recipes sold at the Thorn Merchant Guild had some recipes for hot pot, grilled meat, and roasted Potato.

They even made pots and pans.

Now, the news has spread almost throughout the territory.

When Cyrus had eaten about 80% of his fill, Ferdinand followed Judas in and reported to him on recent events concerning the Saint Airo Empire.

"... Shortly after the execution of the third prince, Kashu, the eldest prince Warner, ascended the throne at the behest of the old king."