You want me to take out a loan to practice cultivation? I'll just pay off the debt physically.

Chapter 211 The Collapse of the Empire, the Beginning of a New Era

Sometimes, the truth is just that simple and unadorned.

In most cases, lower-level workers and soldiers are not entirely stupid.

When the answer is completely etched into everyone's minds, even if they don't want to know the truth, the truth will still seep into their minds.

Therefore, the Crown Prince of the White Eagle Empire's attempts to seduce the public had no effect whatsoever.

[Even members of the elite battle groups nearby, eager to demonstrate their loyalty to Charles VII, seized the opportunity when the Crown Prince of the White Eagle Empire was not paying attention and directly captured him!]

Even for these top professionals, their loyalty to the former emperor wasn't entirely pure.

But the current situation is clear to even a fool.

Following the Crown Prince of White Eagle, the most likely outcome is that one will be reduced to ashes.

[By following the White Eagle Emperor Charles VII, given his relationship with the Red Heart Society, he might indeed be able to secure a stable position within the society.]

Charles VII, observing his crown prince being suppressed by two powerful warriors, felt no sense of victory.

Instead, a chilling sense of utter despair slowly rose within him, a chill that penetrated to the bone, even overshadowing the ruthlessness and cunning expected of an emperor.

[If one's own crown prince truly possesses the courage and resolve to organize a resounding and decisive resistance, to live and die standing.]

Raise the flag, unite in solidarity, and fight against the heavens!

Even if it was a doomed failure, a final swan song burning with the last vestiges of the old aristocracy's blood and pride, it would at least leave a few embers of refusal to be extinguished on the ruins of the empire, adding a touch of tragedy and epic depth to the end of this era.

Like the monarchs in ancient texts who died for their ideals, at least their names can be engraved on their tombstones as warriors.

But now it seems that the successor he personally chose and nurtured is, as he predicted, utterly incompetent.

From the flawed planning at the beginning of the rebellion, to the inherent weakness of attempting to leverage the power of aristocratic clans during the rebellion, and finally to the dual collapse of mind and body when facing absolute power at the last moment...

Everything points to one core issue: this heir lacks the crucial backbone and will necessary for an emperor, especially one in turbulent times.

It is in dire straits that true heroes are revealed.

[From the perspective of choosing an heir, my judgment was clearly flawed.]

In May of the 131st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, the White Eagle Empire, symbolizing the last bastion of the old order, officially completed its handover.

This clash between the new era and the old era was devoid of fierce street battles and a united defense; instead, it was filled with a cold silence and the routine sealing of archives.

The speed of power shifts is dizzying; yesterday's nobles were discussing how to maintain their dignity, and today they are already struggling to adapt to the rules of their new masters.

[And here, in the White Eagle Empire's highest-security prison, the Crown Prince is imprisoned.]

[According to Charles VII's thinking, he actually wanted to save face for the ruling class of the White Eagle Empire.]

However, within the Red Heart Society, the concept of equality for all was deeply ingrained.

Therefore, the Crown Prince of White Eagle was imprisoned in the highest prison for seven major crimes under White Eagle law, including treason and rebellion.

Charles VII looked at his heir and sighed.

Is it really that urgent?

Even after I die, won't the White Eagle Empire still be yours?

This is not a question, but a statement imbued with a sense of absurdity.

After all, this coup d'état was undeniably absurd, and even as one of the parties involved, I still found it somewhat difficult to comprehend.

[Assuming a truly formidable foundation exists that even the most ardent loyalists would fear, you should stand with me, with the supreme imperial power.] [Noble families and imperial power are forever irreconcilable opposites!]

Only the most foolish heir would truly entrust everything to a powerful family.

[If you possess powerful forces and are only doing this to exploit aristocratic families, intending to make things easy for yourself and discard them after they've served their purpose, then I won't say anything.]

But what you're doing is utterly foolish!

As the Crown Prince listened to Charles VII's earnest words of instruction, a glimmer of hope inexplicably arose in his heart.

[Father, haven't you given up on me yet?]

Seizing the opportunity, he knelt down and began to confess his mistakes to Charles VII, begging for his forgiveness.

At the same time, he used his mother, the current Empress of the White Eagle Empire, as a shield.

He hoped his father would spare his life for his mother's sake!

Although this was a serious crime of treason, as someone in a position of power, he was all too aware of the intricacies involved.

At the heart of this power arena, the law is merely a yardstick; ultimately, what enforces that yardstick is the will of the one sitting at the highest point!

[As long as one's father, the emperor, doesn't want to kill them, then even the most heinous crimes are considered innocent, and could even be considered meritorious.]

[But if my father wants to kill me, then even if I'm innocent, I'm guilty!]

[Or rather, the greatest evil is the murderous intent of those at the top!]

But how could Charles VII allow them to have their way?

He stated that by coming here and meeting the other party in person, he had fulfilled his responsibilities as a father.

The reason I said all that was to prevent the Crown Prince of White Eagle from embarking on his journey with confusion and regret.

Now you understand!

【Then let's go down!】

Once you're down there, remember to spend quality time with Charles VI, the grandfather of the White Eagle Crown Prince.

As soon as he finished speaking, two members of the battle group walked into the prison.

To preserve the last vestiges of the royal family's dignity, Charles VII bestowed upon the Crown Prince a poisoned wine capable of dissolving the soul.

As for how the soul can reunite with its loved one after death?

That's not something he's considering!

[In September of the 131st year of the Extraordinary Calendar, after many years, under the overwhelming technological advancements and immense power of the Red Heart Society, the world finally returned to the Red Heart.]

[The moment the Red Heart Society's banners are planted across the world, unparalleled humanity is born within you.]

[Relying on this unprecedented human will, the admiration and loyalty from every corner of the world, and your sufficient understanding of the will of the Pure Heart World, you have finally entered the control center of the world's origin.]

The nascent world's will sways around you, seemingly filled with unparalleled curiosity about your arrival.

After all, you were born from the Crimson Heart World, and the entry of beings from this world into it will not provoke resistance from the will of the Crimson Heart World.

However, you know that the crucial point is the clash with the world's will that you'll face next—the deception method you've already prepared!

(End of this chapter)