Can't I develop my own character?

"Grand Duchess Maganna is helping Her Highness Venetian fight for the throne. The reason behind this is heartwarming."

A day passed in the bustling imperial capital, and the old emperor's birthday banquet turned into a funeral. After a fierce battle among various forces, no one expected that the final result would be like this. For a time, all kinds of rumors were flying around, and it was impossible to tell which one was true and which one was false.

The much-anticipated Princess and the iron-blooded Grand Duke, who was on high alert, one had gone to an unknown place, and the other had actually stayed in the imperial capital as a guard, running back and forth between the castle and the train station every day, and no one knew what he was doing.

With the sudden rise of "Vine", her information was also noticed by all parties. Then the royal family searched the family tree overnight and finally confirmed "Vine"'s identity as a member of the royal family. A group of old antiques breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the ancestor’s family business was not lost. Who cares? As long as he is a member of the royal family, it’s fine.

In addition, some people were glad that this was not a rebellion or usurpation of the throne, so there was no need to fight any further.

However, because "Vine"'s reputation within the empire was too low, there were almost no nobles who openly supported her. Only the Janus Gate supported her, and then various conspiracy theories emerged. Some people suspected that this was a conspiracy of the Janus Gate, trying to push a puppet to control the empire.

Cardinal Andoni couldn't wait to ask Lin Qi if this was true. He was quite excited. If this was true, wouldn't the layout of Janus Gate in the northern continent be destroyed?

Unfortunately, the wish is beautiful, but the reality is cruel. 'Lin Qi' only represents the Janus Gate to reach a cooperative relationship with 'Vene'. Look, although the two are good sisters, they still know how to handle business in an impartial manner.

The wishes of the people at the Gate of Janus were dashed, but 'Vene''s' situation was indeed very delicate. As for the Imperial Army, those nobles with territorial rights did not recognize her, and she was also unknown to the Senate.

The royal family? That's not so bad. For them, either 'Vine' or Casradi will do, but the key is that they don't contribute.

Even when the Second and Fourth Princes saw that it was 'Vine' who took the throne instead of the Crown Prince Casradi, their resentful hearts gradually rekindled and they began to move secretly, as if trying to make a comeback.

At this time, Maganna still had the greatest deterrent power, because many of the 10,000 Iron Blood Army soldiers were still alive and stationed in the city.

Moreover, outside the territory of Barron, Karkat, who was originally fighting with the main force of the Iron Blood on the Mort Line of Defense, immediately ordered the imperial army to withdraw after hearing the news that the old emperor had passed away, and allowed the Iron Blood Legion to enter the territory of Barron.

However, when McCauss received the news about Maganna, he only led tens of thousands of troops to station on the Mort Plain.

Now, let's not talk about how much trouble it would bring to "Vene" if the nearly 200,000 troops under Karkat's command rebelled collectively. Even Maganna, for example, is the best candidate to seize the throne right now, right?

Although, if the throne were really taken away by Maganna, it would definitely cause greater chaos, but does the Iron-Blooded Grand Duke care about this?

The Archduke didn't care.

So what does she care?

This question even overshadowed the discussion of how 'Vene' had managed to get Casradi to agree with the Gate of Janus. News agencies across the empire were operating frantically, and the reporters were scratching their heads, unable to figure out what was going on.

There was a commotion outside, at this moment, inside the imperial castle.

In a courtyard.

The atmosphere is a bit subtle.

'Vine' picked up the teacup and took a sip, while sitting at the tea table were Casradi and Heino.

Casradi: When I woke up, the sky was falling. The new Emperor Augustus was about to ascend the throne, but the empress was not me!

Casradi couldn't understand why... her most capable subordinate turned against her, her most trusted teacher said "forget it, Casradi", and her most trusted friend, the saint, said "this is an internal decision of the Janus Gate". All three parties collapsed at once, leaving her standing there with her sword drawn and looking around in confusion.

Can anyone tell me what happened???

She felt the same as the old emperor who wanted to question Creed after his blood sacrifice failed, but she had so many doubts that she didn't know where to start.

"Why?" Finally, she asked the question in her heart. Since the other party invited her over, there must be a reason.

Wei Nei sighed softly, "Your Highness, you are still too kind. Why didn't you doubt me? Why would I follow you when you had no advantages at all?"

"that is because..."

"Because you never thought that there would be anyone other than Maganna and the others to compete with you, right?"

Casillas was silent.

She hadn't really thought about it. Who could have imagined it? A viscount from a small place suddenly came to seize the emperor or something. She would rather believe that her old father had an illegitimate child outside, and then suddenly rose to power.

"So you still can't figure out why the Saint supports me, and why your teacher doesn't object... Ultimately, this means I'm more suitable to be the Emperor of Augustus than you, right?"

Casladi turned to look at Heino, but the latter looked away and looked at the flowers blooming in the courtyard.

Then she understood that she had indeed failed. Compared with 'Weine', she seemed too immature. Even now she couldn't figure out when the other party had instigated 'Lin Qi' and Hainuo to rebel... I also had people secretly keeping an eye on her!

Because of the incident where Ryan was suspected of being a traitor, Casradi had actually become more cautious. She arranged for people to secretly keep an eye on "Vine", after all, the latter had a good relationship with Ryan in the past.

As it turned out, 'Weinei' had been working diligently in Silver Front City and had not taken any suspicious actions, so Casladi had no suspicions.

What's the point of saying all this? Losing is losing. 'Weinei' is more powerful than me.

Casladi breathed a sigh of relief and suddenly felt much more relaxed. She had been worrying about how to seize the throne, but now, there was no pressure and she felt relaxed!

"Tell me, what do you want me to do?" Casradi asked. "If I'm guessing correctly, you want me to support you, so that those who originally supported me will also turn to you?"

Wei Nei smiled slightly: "Your Highness the Princess is really smart."

"But even so, the situation is still unfavorable for you. As far as I know, the imperial army led by General Karkat is stationed at the border of Barron. He has nearly 200,000 men under his command."

Casradi knew that even though Vinet had taken control of Barron, the situation wasn't optimistic. After all, Vinet wasn't the crown prince, and didn't have the same legitimacy as her. Furthermore, the old emperor was dead, and an imperial general commanding an army of 200,000 men was a questionable one.

Not to mention, there are so many nobles all over the empire, who would be convinced by "Weinei"?

"And Maganna, she also has more than 100,000 people under her command, and she is in Barron... I'm very curious, how did you convince her to help you?" After emptying her mind, Kasradi threw away those random thoughts and her thoughts became clearer.

"Vine's lips curled up. 'It's simple. Just like when Charlie killed Ryan, Magna was so angry she almost lost her mind. Similarly, if Ryan survived, she would naturally be willing to give up some of her benefits."

Casradi was shocked: "Lian! He's still alive? How is that possible!"

"Look, you don't even know why he's alive. So, Your Highness, you are indeed not fit to be the emperor."

"..."

Casradi thought to himself, of course I don’t know, because you planned all this. If I had known earlier, what would you have wanted from the throne?

It turns out this guy had planned so much secretly...Casladi shook her head secretly. She now understood why 'Vine' was able to win.

But... Ryan is not dead.

Casradi was very confused. She found that after hearing the news, she was not angry but a little happy. She was almost sure that Ryan was the spy arranged by Maganna... Was it because she had completely given up the fight for the throne?

"Where is he?"

"Who?"

"Ryan, I want to see him."

'Vine' chuckled. "That's what Magna thought, too. However, Ryan probably won't arrive in Barron until tomorrow afternoon. Does the princess want to see him, too?"

"There's one thing... I want to talk to him about, even if he tells me in person." Casradi stared at the teacup. The black tea swaying in the cup reflected her current mood.

"Well... you need to ask Magna's opinion, but if you promise me what I just did, I can arrange it quietly."

"I didn't have a choice," Kasradi asked. "If I didn't agree, could I have left Barron alive?"

"Of course, Vice President Hai Nuo will definitely protect you. She's so kind to you."

"Cough cough..."

Hainuo, who was standing by, choked on his tea.

"Teacher..." Casradi handed over a tissue, "Thank you. I know you must have been forced to do this."

Hainuo: "..."

Who can...come and save her?

"There's one more thing." 'Vine' changed her tone. "Your Highness, when I become the new emperor, I will abolish the Senate and establish a Council of High Lords to govern the empire. If you are willing, I would like to invite you to become a member."

"High Lord?" Casradi wondered. "Is this any different from the Senate?"

"Of course it's different. The current Senate is, to put it bluntly, a retirement home for the royal ministers. Most of them are old royal aristocrats, few of whom actually do anything. The newly born Augustus Empire doesn't need such empty titles. In the High Lords' Council, every one of them is a key figure in the empire's political power, including Grand Duchess Maganna. I will also have her join."

Confidence gleamed in Wei's eyes. "The future Augustus Empire will surely become even more powerful."

...

After the short tea party, Casladi and Heino walked in the castle. They were arranged to live in the castle these days.

"Teacher, can something like the High Lords' Council really be established?" Casradi didn't give a clear answer just now because she thought it was a bit ridiculous.

"If there really are so many people holding real power in the empire, that means..."

Hainuo whispered, "It means Augustus is powerful."

Casradi paused.

Yes.

She was thinking about the chaos within the empire.

And 'Weinei' wants the empire to become more powerful.

As long as we keep on becoming stronger, the so-called High Lords Conference will become a reality.

"Casradi, if you're still willing to listen to my advice..." Hai Nuo hesitated, "Perhaps this is a better choice for you."

"I know, teacher." Casradi chuckled. "I've never blamed you. I'm already very grateful that you're willing to stay with me at this time... As for the position of High Lord, it's actually Venetian who wants to tie me to her side. I understand... But since she's confident that she can make Augustus a better place, I'm willing to try to support her."

"Everything for the Empire."

......

Did Casradi have any choice? No.

Although it seems that it is very unstable for "Weinei" to seize the throne, in fact, the rest of the things are just a matter of time.

Unless Maganna turned against him, no one could really threaten 'Vine'. Not only her, but her two brothers who were already sitting at the baby table were even less able to do so.

As expected, that afternoon after 'Weinei' finished talking to her, the two armies marched towards the residences of the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince, tied them up and threw them into prison on charges of 'treason'.

The accusation of treason was, of course, not directed against Wei Nei, but against the old emperor. Wei Nei had long held evidence, though it was common knowledge—for example, the Second Prince secretly bribed military officials to establish a private army. For example, the Fourth Prince used the money from the imperial commerce to buy support from the nobility, thus misappropriating public funds. The old emperor knew of this, but he didn't care. Now, however, it became Wei Nei's weapon to convict them.

Although this incident once caused a lot of opposition from nobles in the imperial capital, the voices gradually disappeared after Casladi appeared in the castle the next day and publicly supported "Vine" to become emperor.

Even a fool could see the situation clearly now. Don't look at how much power "Vine" herself has, just look at the people who support her, Saint Janus, the Iron-Blooded Grand Duke, Crown Prince Casradi, and the nobles in the Western Territory who have spoken out one after another.

With this support group, who dares to say that she is not qualified to be the empress?

"Grand Duke, why do I feel like we're being used?"

Outside the castle, the Iron Blood Legion is stationed.

Iverson scratched his head and said to Maganna, who was studying a map beside him, "Now everyone outside is saying that our Iron Blood Army also supports Wei Nei as emperor. And why did that guy ask us to capture the prince yesterday? They all say it's a conspiracy and that our Iron Blood Army has become Wei Nei's lackeys."

"You just believe what they say? Iverson, when will you use your brain and learn from me, the Grand Duke, and have your own ideas?" Maganna said with dismay, "You don't care what they say, as long as we achieve our goal. Even if she becomes emperor, without military power, when our army marches eastward, won't Barron be captured in a matter of minutes?"

Iverson nodded: "The Grand Duke is right, I think so too!"

"I've studied the battles on the Mort Line these past two days. If the Iron Blood Army marches eastwards next time and that guy Karkat tries to stop us, hmph~ I'm going to beat him so badly that even his mother won't recognize him!"

It was just that the time was too tight this time, and Maganna was determined to attack the imperial capital, otherwise how could Karcart stop the Iron Blood Army?

Just then, an officer hurried into the tent.

"Grand Duke! Latest news: an army has entered Baron!"

"Oh?" Magna nodded nonchalantly. "From the South? How many people?"

She thought that 'Weinei' had transferred troops from the southern border.

"No, it's the Holy Blood Legion, about 10,000 people."

boom!

The conference table was smashed to pieces by Maganna's slap.

"Holy Blood Legion! Is that woman Charlie back?" Maganna's murderous intent surged. "Iron Blood Legion, assemble and prepare to attack!"

This time when they broke into Barron, Maganna thought that if she met 'Charlie', she would stab her in the heart dozens of times before she would stop. However, 'Charlie' did not show up, and even the Holy Blood Legion was nowhere to be found.

Now, if you come out, I will beat you to death, right?

As a result, not long after Maganna walked out of the tent, a soldier rushed in from outside the camp in a hurry.

"Grand Duke! Grand Duke! News from the train station, Ryan is coming! Ryan is coming!"

Maganna was stunned and laughed: "Hahaha! My Grand Duke's Lord Ryan is back. Iverson, bring your people and follow me to welcome Ryan!"

Iverson, who was about to rally his men to charge, slipped and asked in surprise, "Where's the Holy Blood Legion?"

"They can play anytime, there's no rush, pick up Ryan first."

Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta.

Soon, an elite team of two hundred people gathered. Maganna waved her hand and the team marched towards the train station in a mighty manner.

......

at the same time.