Dragon Monarch System Chapter 1066:- National Treasures Loyalties

"Each of the National Treasures possesses enough power to overturn the course of any major engagement. And Ren commands the allegiance of every single one. This fact alone presents our greatest hurdle to achieving victory." Aditya's tone was grave as he nodded.

"Is there no avenue by which we might persuade the National Treasures to remain impartial? To stand aside from this internal conflict entirely... or perhaps even sway them to our cause?" For a considerable duration, Aditya had been wrestling with this very question. It lingered persistently in the recesses of his mind whenever his thoughts turned toward the unfolding war.

This was not born from any apprehension regarding the National Treasures themselves. Even if each individual held sufficient might to unilaterally decide the fate of any battlefield, Aditya harbored no fear of confronting them. A deep-seated conviction resided within him that, given adequate time, he would undoubtedly discover a method to contend with their strength and ultimately triumph.

Nevertheless, despite this inner confidence, Aditya found himself favoring the preservation of their lives over their elimination. To his perspective, the National Treasures transcended mere individuals; they were the very cornerstones and most potent instruments of the Celestial Dragon Empire. Should even half of their number be lost in the course of this internecine struggle, irrespective of the ultimate victor, the Empire would sustain irreparable damage to its overall might. A recovery from such a devastating blow would prove exceedingly arduous, potentially requiring over a millennium for the Celestial Dragon Empire to fully recuperate from such widespread devastation.

Not to overlook the astronomical expenditure of resources that this would inevitably entail.

"Not all of the National Treasures will align themselves with the Emperor. While I cannot state it with absolute certainty, the likelihood is exceedingly high," Boris responded to Aditya's query.

"Among the thirteen National Treasures, I personally undertook the tutelage of two. If those two imbeciles retain even a shred of the respect and affection they once held for their mentor, they will refrain from engaging in this civil war on the Emperor's behalf. In the most unfavorable outcome, they might simply elect to remain uninvolved in the conflict altogether."

A discernible air of pride graced Boris's countenance as he spoke of his former students, even casually referring to them as idiots. And indeed, he possessed ample justification for such pride. Boris was not merely remembered as one of the most illustrious Emperors in the annals of the Celestial Dragon Empire, having reigned for over twenty millennia, but was equally esteemed as an exceptional educator. Throughout his extraordinarily long existence, he had meticulously identified numerous promising young talents, nurturing them with profound care. He furnished them with invaluable resources, rigorous training, and opportune moments that catalyzed the full realization of their inherent potential.

On occasion, he would facilitate his students' journeys to various cultivation sects dispersed across the globe, thereby enabling them to accrue broader experience and expand their intellectual horizons. Boris firmly believed that genuine personal growth could not be achieved by remaining static in a single locale indefinitely.

"At the juncture when I relinquished my imperial duties and passed the mantle of leadership to my son, one of them was already on the cusp of attaining the 7th-order peak. As for the other, it had achieved the 7th-order peak several thousand years prior."

"Well... I bear unpleasant tidings for you."

"Your two former students have demonstrated unwavering loyalty to your grandson. Their devotion was such that they readily executed innocent children under the Emperor's explicit command," Harrington interjected, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Upon hearing these words, Boris's demeanor underwent an immediate transformation. A chilling wave of fury coursed through him. Despite having already been apprised of numerous reprehensible actions during Ren's reign, this particular revelation ignited a profound sense of anger within him.

"When your grandson ascended to the throne, he commanded your two students to obliterate an entire Marquisate family," Harrington elaborated. "Within a single night, the Marquis, his immediate family members, his extended kin, and even individuals closely associated with him were all put to death under spurious accusations of corruption."

That singular incident was but one among a multitude of Ren's ruthless decrees implemented during the initial months of his rule. It was directly attributable to the ceaseless occurrence of such events that a significant portion of the nobility gradually began to turn against him. An atmosphere of palpable fear permeated the Empire, as no one could ascertain who might suddenly vanish without a trace next.

To this very day, the true catalyst behind that horrific massacre remains shrouded in mystery. The Emperor offered 'corruption' and the 'misappropriation of royal funds' as mere pretexts, yet no concrete evidence or detailed justification was ever substantiated. Even the Duke, to whom the Marquis directly owed fealty, remained utterly oblivious as to why one of his subordinate lords had vanished overnight without any forewarning.

Absorbing this information, Boris was overcome with a profound sense of mortification. Mere moments prior, he had confidently asserted that his two students would never act against them. Now, it transpired that those very students had devolved into nothing more than unwitting instruments in the hands of his own grandson.

What significantly exacerbated his predicament was his dawning comprehension of the underlying reasons for this unfortunate turn of events.

From the earliest age, the esteemed National Treasures of the Empire were indoctrinated with the belief that the Emperor's decrees were absolute. Boris himself had meticulously reinforced this principle over the years, ensuring they understood that unwavering loyalty to the throne superseded all else. An Emperor's command was to be executed without hesitation, irrespective of personal feelings or inherent doubts.

Furthermore, Ren was not merely the Emperor; he was also Boris's own first grandson.

Consequently, it was perfectly understandable why those two followed Ren so unhesitatingly, even when his actions were demonstrably flawed. Their obedience stemmed not solely from his position on the throne, but significantly from the profound respect and loyalty they held for Boris. In their minds, serving Boris’s grandson without question was a direct reflection of honoring the principles he had instilled within them. They never paused to consider the moral rectitude of Ren’s commands; they simply carried them out as devoted servants of the Empire.

This realization weighed heavily on Boris, deepening his inner turmoil. For he had to concede, in his most honest moments, that a portion of the culpability for this entire situation rested upon his own shoulders.

"What are the other eleven National Treasures leaning towards?" Aditya inquired, seeking their candid perspectives, particularly from those who had spent millennia immersed in the Empire's political intricate web.

"To be truthful, predicting the allegiance of each National Treasure is exceedingly difficult," Wahid responded after a moment of contemplation. Although younger than Harrington or Boris, he had nevertheless lived long enough to witness innumerable political contests, shifts in power, and internal strife within the Celestial Dragon Empire. This extensive experience afforded him a clear understanding that individuals of the National Treasures' caliber were not easily fathomed.

"If I were compelled to venture a firm prediction, I would assert that there exists a substantial likelihood that no fewer than four National Treasures might elect to align with your cause."

"Not all of them are in blind agreement with the Emperor's recent conduct. Some still prioritize the Empire's future above their fealty to the throne itself. Should they genuinely perceive you as the superior choice for the Empire, a distinct possibility exists that they will stand by your side when the decisive moment arrives."

"One of the National Treasures originates from a noble lineage that operates under the purview of the Harrington Faction. His family holds the rank of Viscount," Wahid stated, his thoughts deeply engaged in the matter.

"My intention is to personally visit his family, accompanied by the other leaders of the Harrington Faction. We shall endeavor to persuade him to either join our ranks or, at the very least, to abstain from engaging in this civil conflict."

Wahid Harrington was acutely aware of the immense value possessed by each individual National Treasure. Even securing the neutrality of a single one could substantially alleviate the pressure on their faction once hostilities officially commenced.

However, this strategic move was scheduled for the following morning. Uncertain of the duration of the current meeting, he opted to defer addressing this particular matter until then. He had already apprised the Viscount family of his intent to meet the National Treasure from their ancestral line and had successfully arranged the encounter for the subsequent morning.

"The remaining three National Treasures hail from noble houses that have already unequivocally committed their allegiance to you, explicitly deciding to support your claim in this civil war," Wahid elaborated further.

"However, the enigma persists: no one can with certainty foretell the actions these specific National Treasures will undertake once the conflict erupts."

"When an individual is bestowed with the esteemed title of National Treasure, it is accompanied by a burden of immense responsibility. The fundamental essence of this title is straightforward: regardless of prevailing circumstances, they are expected to uphold the Emperor's commands and stand resolutely behind the Empire in every conceivable situation."

"Their loyalty is not intended for any particular noble house, nor even for their own kin. Their ultimate fealty belongs to the Royal Crown and the Royal Throne of the Celestial Dragon Empire."

Alfred had conveyed this crucial information to him prior to his arrival on the mainland. This was precisely why he had deliberately disseminated the declaration that his cousin, Ren, was unworthy of occupying the royal throne or donning the royal crown of the Celestial Dragon Empire.

His calculated strategy was to ensure this truth reached the ears of the National Treasures, thereby motivating them to either defect to his side or, at a minimum, to remain uninvolved in the ensuing civil war.

He reasoned that upon learning their Emperor was not a legitimate sovereign, unrecognized by the royal throne or the royal crown, they would cease their support.