Chapter 88: A Father’s Scrutiny and a Son’s ‘Loyalty’

In Larkin’s communication room, a connection had long been established between Promen and Larkin, yet neither had uttered a word.

Larkin sat before a pristine table, his hands resting flat upon its surface, much like a prisoner awaiting judgment. He dared not even glance upwards.

Promen, conversely, embodied the stern demeanor of a judge, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on Larkin. Behind him stood the Grand Prince, equally silent, observing the communication crystal with an unreadable expression.

Both father and son appeared to be locked in a silent standoff, each awaiting the other to break the quiet.

Promen finally broke the silence.

“Larkin, even when you were but a small child, I perceived you as truly unique, quite extraordinary. Indeed, among all my sons, you are the only one whose next astonishing move I can never predict.”

Larkin, beads of sweat trickling down his brow, shook his head repeatedly. “No, no, I am actually a very simple person.”

“Precisely, precisely, that’s the very point.” Promen pointed at Larkin, then turned to the Grand Prince. “This kind of transparent foolishness, which relaxes everyone’s guard, is something you should learn from.”

The Grand Prince observed Larkin with a serious expression, then shook his head regretfully. “Father, such a trait is truly a gift; it cannot be learned.”

“That is indeed regrettable. If only you possessed such a talent, perhaps the esteemed position of the Aral Empire’s first diplomatic ambassador to the Holy Light Church since its founding would have been yours.”

Promen gazed profoundly at Larkin, who continued to wipe away his sweat. “Here, I am swamped with duties, yet my son, thousands of miles away, still manages to deliver no small surprise from time to time.”

Before Larkin could offer an explanation, Promen continued, “Larkin, as a father, I have always delighted in witnessing my children’s growth. However, none of your siblings have ever grown in such a way, at such a young age, that it has left me… shocked.”

Cold sweat dripped from Larkin’s forehead as he forced a chuckle. “No, no, I am still your good-for-nothing son.”

“How can you call yourself good-for-nothing? You’ve grown to the point where you’re making decisions for me, or rather, for the nation. Never in my life did I imagine I would be so constrained by another. Did you sleep well last night?”

‘He slept soundly, going to bed at 10 PM yesterday and not waking until 8 AM the next day. He didn’t stir once.’

Yet, observing the dark circles beneath his father’s and elder brother’s eyes, Larkin knew that uttering those words would spell his doom.

Larkin managed to stammer, “Not very well. The thought of the losses I’ve brought upon the empire kept me awake all night.”

Promen nodded understandingly. “Is that so? I contacted the Church at 6 AM today, and hearing that you hadn’t woken up yet, I didn’t want them to disturb you. I told them to wait until you woke naturally before contacting me.”

Larkin immediately slammed his head onto the table, crying out, “I’m sorry, I was wrong!”

Promen shook his head. “Good sleep quality is a good thing; how can it be wrong? Your elder brother, our ministers, and I haven’t slept all night. They are still working without rest, as many matters require revision based on your instructions. We have no choice; without consulting your opinions, we wouldn’t know what might happen next.”

Larkin’s head once again heavily struck the table. “I was wrong. This is certainly not what I desired; it’s primarily due to some uncontrollable accidents that occurred. Please believe that my loyalty to the empire is absolute. Please don’t revoke my citizenship.”

Promen stated blandly, “It’s hard to say. We won’t revoke your citizenship. You are the bridge of friendship between the Empire and the Holy Alliance.”

Larkin’s head rolled back and forth on the table. “What kind of bridge am I? I’m a mudslide! I truly don’t deserve such an honor.”

Promen retorted, “Is that so? Our work last night was all structured around you serving as this bridge of friendship. Are you implying that all the plans we stayed up late to devise were in vain, and now we should spend another day undoing them?”

Larkin’s mouth gaped, as if exhaling a white wisp of soul, his heart sinking by half. “No, no, Father, I will do whatever you arrange for me.”

“Sit up, Larkin! Do you still possess the self-awareness of an imperial prince?!”

Upon hearing his father’s distinctly raised tone, Larkin instantly straightened his posture.

“While I did briefly entertain the thought of disavowing your identity as an imperial prince and my son, after careful consideration, I deemed it too late. Now, tell me everything that has transpired with you recently.”

“Understood!”

Larkin, who had nearly lost his status as a son, meticulously recounted everything that had happened on his end to Promen. He also declared that he, Theresia, and Lola were now bound by life and death, sharing both prosperity and adversity.

Thus, he had perfectly completed the initial task Promen had assigned him.

The only issue was the excessive and utterly infuriating cost.

“You completed the mission well… alas.” Promen remarked faintly after hearing the full account of events. “Your actions and words indeed had their reasons. I do not intend to punish you for them, rest assured… alas.”

Two sentences, two sighs.

Promen hadn’t wanted to be like this, but if he didn’t, he would feel stifled. Anyway, it was just him, his eldest son, and the culprit, so there was no need to maintain a facade.

Larkin let out a heavy sigh of relief. Since his father had spoken thus, he surely had no intention of pursuing the matter further.

“However, as a prince, you must take responsibility for your words and actions. Therefore, upon your return to the Imperial Capital, several diplomatic affairs concerning the Holy Alliance will be assigned to you. Prepare yourself.”

Larkin declared loudly, “I shall serve the empire’s bonds until death!”

“For now, remain with the Church. It is not convenient for me to openly dispatch envoys to the City of Light at this moment. Therefore, you shall handle some of the negotiations between the Empire and the Holy Light Church. That will be all.”

Seeing this, Larkin hastily called out to Promen, who seemed about to rest. “Wait, Father, I have another suggestion.”

“Speak.”

Larkin stated earnestly, “The Pope intends to bestow the title of ‘Holy Dragon’ upon Theresia to win her over. I believe the Empire should also invent a special title for dragons. How do you feel about ‘Tyrant Dragon’?”

Promen replied, “…If you think it’s suitable, then it’s fine. It’s just a title; it doesn’t matter, does it? Is there anything else?”

“Yes!”

After a moment of hesitation, Larkin’s eyes gleamed as he spoke. “Father, you know me.”

Promen thought silently, ‘Actually, not that well.’

“I am a staunch upholder of imperial truth.”

Promen merely hummed in acknowledgment.

Larkin, watching Promen’s expression, continued, “During my time with the Holy Light Church, those superstitious individuals took turns trying to corrupt me. Some were even stubborn fanatics from the Cardinalate, attempting to make me abandon imperial truth and convert to their false faith.”

Promen’s eyebrows twitched.

Larkin’s body trembled. “But I stood firm in my convictions, right up until now… However! Father, you know me; I am a…”

Promen took a deep breath. “Larkin, get to the point.”

“…I encountered some small doubts and confusions while debating with them. Although I knew what they were saying was fallacious, I couldn’t refute them without knowing the correct answers. So, Father, could you please explain those issues to me?”

Promen gazed deeply at his unwavering, devout son. “Speak.”

Larkin then presented Promen with dozens of questions, the confusion and subtle agreement in his narration making Promen instinctively pinch his brow.

‘No, you call this unwavering? Aren’t you just one step away from converting?!’

Promen felt a headache coming on. However, to prevent the scandal of an imperial prince becoming a fanatical believer of the Church, he had no choice but to spend twice the expected time correcting his foolish son.

At the same time, he altered his initial plan of having Larkin permanently stationed at the Holy Light Church.

****

“Hehehe, do you see, Theodore? This old dragon only thinks of such despicable methods.”

Theresia hugged Theodore’s shoulder. “He doesn’t believe there’s true love between us!”

The Old Patriarch cast a deep look at Theresia. ‘I’d sooner believe that Theresia is the most moral dragon in the entire dragon race!’

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