Chapter 1750 Unworthy
It was a shame that even though it was an open secret that he was backed by the Underworld, the Underworld had mastered the art of evading Kandrian law enforcement, making it extremely difficult to charge him with crimes due to a lack of substantial evidence.
"You are unworthy." The Emperor declared. "Unworthy to bear either the power or the burden of the crown. You are unworthy to be my heir and inherit my power."
Prince Rajak glared at the Emperor, not saying a word.
The Emperor's eyes drifted through his many progeny. "Most of you do not war for the throne, and of those of you who have the ambition to become Emperor, only seven of you have displayed the competence to forge their path to the throne needed to earn my support." nove(l)bi(n.)com
Many of the princes and princesses winced and grimaced at the Emperor's words.
After all, he called all but seven of the incompetent.
And, unfortunately, it could not be denied.
Their campaigning efforts were, frankly, embarrassing. Most of them struggled to reel over even a single power to their so-called faction.
"Of the remaining six of you...hm, let's see," The Emperor's eyes shifted to the closest one.
Princess Rafia stared at him emotionally as he gazed into his daughter's eyes.
"Rafia...my poor girl," He remarked.
"I am not poor," She retorted.
"Certainly not in wealth, no. But you may as well be bankrupt when it comes to emotional intelligence," The Emperor remarked. "So long as we live in a world where people are more irrational than rational, more emotional than intelligent...the capacity to comprehend, harness, and manipulate emotion is more important than the ability to process data."
She didn't reply to that.
She didn't know how to.
Yet a glint of frustration flashed in her eyes.
That was the first that the Kandrian Empire truly stood equal to the other three powerhouses.
The balance of power shifted drastically, diminishing the significance of the other three powerhouses.
It became the trigger for an East Panamic War as the Sekigahara Confederate, the Republic of Gorteau, and the Britannian Empire could not only not tolerate the rise of a new powerhouse but also sought to get their hands on a piece of the Marina Gold pie.
Yet, they could not. A combination of using topographical defenses, strategic and tactical allocation of resources, and brilliant geopolitical campaigns, Emperor Rael created powerful deterrence until the three powerhouses eventually gave up five years later, signing a peace treaty with the Kandrian Empire.
"You proved that the Kandrian Empire is superior!" Prince Randal declared. "You showed the world that not even the three powerhouses could overwhelm Kandria!"
"Fool."
Emperor Rael's words cut through his jubilation.
"The more you speak, the more I am convinced that you possess neither the rationality to see the errors of your thronely ambition nor the competence to execute your self-
destructive ambition without bringing ruin to this nation."
Prince Randal froze as the Emperor passed his judgment.
His disapproval was palpable.
"Father, I-
"Silence."
The Emperor's command was decisive.
His glare weighed down on the Military Prince, pinning him in place.
"I will not entertain your nonsense any longer."
Prince Randal's expression grew ugly, yet he didn't dare speak after the Emperor commanded him to shut up.
