The morning in Greyrock Province carried a damp chill.
The torrential rain fell without pause, drumming against the marching convoy's carriage in a dull, steady rhythm, as though someone were endlessly keeping time.
The carriage crept along the muddy highway, its wheels rolling through puddles and sending gentle jolts through the cabin.
Louis woke to that familiar rocking.
He did not sit up immediately. He simply opened his eyes, raised his right hand, and lightly swept it through the air.
"Hum-"
A faint hum spread through the cramped cabin.
A translucent, pale-blue screen unfolded like a thin curtain and hovered silently in the air.
[Daily Intelligence Update complete] [1: Upheaval in the Imperial Capital. Second Imperial Prince Kalien has seized the Imperial Hall and crowned himself emperor.]
Louis's gaze lingered on the line for only a moment. "He's even more impatient than I expected. He didn't proclaim himself Regent King, but emperor. How interesting..."
He felt little turmoil, merely offering a calm assessment.
Kalien had finally lost patience.
He had not taken the path of a regency, negotiated with the various nobles, or attempted to preserve that tottering facade of propriety.
He had skipped every intermediate step and placed the crown directly on his own head.
That was fine. For Louis, at least, it was not bad news.
If the Empire still had a Regent King wielding real authority, the situation would have been more troublesome.
That would instead have become a leash restraining direct action.
Just as I thought, Louis murmured inwardly. A mad emperor and a powerful minister commanding the army. The waters in the Imperial Capital are thoroughly muddied now, and my next moves will have all the more justification.
Then he lowered his gaze.
``` [2: Kyle Raymont has burned dozens of northern villages