‘What is wrong with me?’
This thought truly gave Karenina a fright.
She did desire the authority of the Russell Duchy. She wanted to inherit that royal power and lead Russell toward the future she envisioned.
But could the so-called orthodox line continue to lead Russell in its struggle against other nations?
‘It is too difficult.’
As this question surfaced in her mind, Karenina’s eyes dimmed slightly.
The other Duchies had already established alchemy card systems and were now wielding immense influence over the world. Other nations were also growing stronger by the day.
Russell, however, seemed to be stuck in place, trapped in a vicious cycle. The martial prowess and courage that had defined their history had become a tragic song of territory being partitioned by other nations after the Abyss War.
Karenina had long since realized that the royal education she had received was utterly meaningless in the face of reality. Russell was being left far behind, and the gap was widening at an increasing rate!
Even if she could preserve the Empress’s life for another fifty years, the entire country would simply continue its slow death!
“Is Russell impoverished and weak?”
Lomio had heard her murmuring to herself quite clearly. “I didn’t expect it, brother. You actually see things quite clearly.”
“Let me say a few words about the current situation. I hope you won’t mind.”
“Please, speak,” Karenina said, her expression focused.
Willing to discuss the state of the world? This did not sound like something an examiner would say.
‘Perhaps… is this a reward for the team passing the trial smoothly?’
“I believe that if Russell is to have any hope, someone else must sit in the high chair.”
Suppressing his inner excitement, Lomio spoke tentatively.
Yes!
This was exactly right. He had been waiting for this moment! All his efforts had finally been noticed by this “prince,” and the man was now willing to listen to a few “words of counsel!”
Lomio had not forgotten that his family’s territory was located on the border between the Duchy and Russell! One of the so-called “ruinous endings” was the reason he had to constantly seek strength within this Academy.
That ending was a large-scale border conflict between Russell and the Duchy!
Karenina!
That SSR young lady from the game would launch a war against the Duchy immediately after taking power, leading to the destruction of Lomio’s home and family!
Now, with this brother “Cafnir” here, there was surely a more direct way to resolve the threat of war!
“If you want it, I can help you ascend to that throne.”
Seeing his brother lost in thought and silent, Lomio immediately offered his greatest advantage. Others might not be able to do it, but he was a player! He was a cheater who knew the future!
“This?!”
Karenina never imagined she would hear such a sentence from this examiner’s mouth!
“Are you not loyal to your mother?”
“The Empress of Russell?” Lomio was confused for a moment.
How could he, a minor border noble, have any relation to the Empress of Russell?
“I am only loyal to myself. And, of course, to my partners.”
Lomio’s words were completely sincere.
In their daily lives, they were brothers. Even if he was slightly more capable, did he not still need to cling to the thigh of this “Lord Prince”?
Status, position, and controlled resources… these were things that could not be obtained within the Academy for the time being!
Yet, Lomio had to get his hands on them! The malice the yuri game development team held toward male villains was no joke! Heaven only knew what problems he would have to face later!
“I said, I am only loyal to myself.”
Lomio repeated himself, his tone unwavering. “Cafnir, you can’t be so naive as to think bloodline determines everything, can you?”
“No matter how brilliant or mighty the Empress of Russell is, she cannot change one fact — this country is dying.”
Karenina’s pupils contracted violently.
She had thought these words in her heart countless times, but no one had ever dared to say them to her face.
“Are you mad?”
She subconsciously looked around, confirming that no one else was present. “If word of this got out —”
“What if it did?” Lomio interrupted her. “Would telling the truth make Russell any worse?”
“Wake up, brother.”
“You and I both know that Russell’s problems cannot be solved by a single person. What is needed is a complete revolution.”
He stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the night sky over the Academy.
“Why is the Duchy strong? Because they established the alchemy card system and mastered the core technology of the new era.”
“Why are other countries catching up? Because they saw the direction and were willing to change.”
“Only Russell is still clinging to the glory of a century ago. Inherited magic? Courage and conviction?”
“Those things can no longer keep up with the times.”
Lomio turned around and looked directly at Karenina. “Do you want to guard a rotting throne and watch the country slowly die? Or do you want to take a gamble and give Russell a new future?”
Karenina fell silent.
Her fingers gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white. Every word this man spoke was like a knife stabbing into her heart. Because everything he said was the truth.
“Why do you think I can do it?” Her voice was soft, yet it carried a sense of resolve.
“Because of your strength,” Lomio answered without hesitation. “Come on, brother, you’re already hanging out with me. How could you be someone bound by tradition?”
“More importantly — ” He paused. “Because you have no way back.”
“Did you think I couldn’t see it? You didn’t come to the Academy to pad your resume; you came to find the power to change things. The burden you carry is heavier than anyone else’s.”
Karenina’s breath hitched for a moment. This man saw through everything.
“So, what do you want?” She raised her head, her ice-blue eyes flickering with a dangerous light. “What do you gain by helping me seize the throne? Don’t tell me it’s for Russell’s future.”
“Of course not.” Lomio smiled. “I told you, I am only loyal to myself.”
“My family’s territory is on the border, and I don’t trust any of the other heirs. I just want a trustworthy King sitting in that chair who won’t cause me any trouble. It is as simple as that.”
Karenina stared at him for a long time. The man’s eyes were terrifyingly clear, without a hint of hypocrisy. He truly was doing this for self-preservation.
But because of that, it made him feel more trustworthy.
“It seems your plan has been in motion for a long time?” she asked.
“Hasn’t it been moving forward since the moment we met?” Lomio sat back down on the sofa. “Credits, alchemy cards, connections — these are all the foundations of power.”
“And finally — ” His voice dropped. “You need a turning point. An opportunity that will allow you to obtain the key item and make your choice.”
“You mean, the Ice…” Karenina pressed.
“Shh.” Lomio made a silencing gesture. “Some things lose their meaning if they are explained too clearly. I can guarantee that this opportunity will come.”
“As long as we cooperate fully and stay in step, we will surely succeed.”
Lomio, of course, knew what the most critical item for the Russell throne was.
The Frost Dragon Soul.
It was the only viable way to resolve the curse of the Russell throne and counteract the negative effects of the Heart of Winter. It was the key to allowing the successor of Russell to live past the age of forty.
Whoever obtained it first and used it first would be the next ruler of Russell. Even if they were a man in a female-dominated world.
“I need time to consider.” Karenina stood up.
“You are welcome to do so at any time.” Lomio did not push her. “But let me remind you, time is running out. There are already people in the Academy making their moves; you should have felt it by now. Camu Cromwell and those other noble children — they won’t pass up any opportunity.”
Karenina’s footsteps paused. “I know.”
She walked toward her room without looking back. The moment the door closed, she leaned against it and closed her eyes.
Usurpation.
The word echoed in her mind. She had never imagined she would reach this point. But now…
‘Perhaps, this truly is the only way.’
After considering every possibility, Karenina stood tall.
Was this Academy really just an academy? Karenina could feel that within this Academy system, which used “credits” as its underlying logic, every part reflected the power of the current Duchy.
If one did not join this game, did not establish a sound economic system, and had no prospects for development, they would become fish on a chopping block. Just like those “talent clients” who owed credit loans and had to overdraw their future credits.
“Has it been like this from the very beginning?”
Karenina finally fully realized why the boy named Lomio had been chasing credits from the start.
His actions had proven beyond a doubt that without an economic foundation, there was no possibility of becoming stronger. Just like now, Russell, which relied solely on selling resources and inherited magic, had no future when faced with the overwhelming systematic superiority of the Duchy.
Before all the people were turned into fuel for the royal family and burned away in the ice and snow, she, Princess Karenina, had to make a choice.
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