Perhaps this was their way of survival.
As Byron pieced together the backgrounds of the four competitors, along with the truth about the coronation ceremony, the [Hidden: The ominous clouds of the Sun Empire’s royal succession, historical influence 30] Decryption Rate rose from 13% to 30%.
Byron also had so vague guesses about the supporters behind each prince.
Speaking of which, Atahualpa suddenly stopped. He stared intently at Byron, his eyes burning. "Your Majesty, Lord of the Celestial Kingdom," he said, "the Sun Empire has an ancient saying."
"Bring three copper coins, tell a lie; bring three smiles, shed tears before dusk; bring three disheartened, and they will surely die of madness."
"In the Transcendent System of this world, Beastliness, Divinity, and Human Nature are the three cornerstones, symbolizing that All Things in Threes."
"Therefore, each heir to the throne needs to find two assistants to join the coronation ceremony. For us, the ability to seek external support is also part of our own strength."
Atahualpa’s face was filled with earnestness and sincerity as he continued, "I have a lot of gold, but I’ve had far less ti to mature than my brothers. Consequently, I only have two Mythical Creatures of Fourth Order power who are sufficiently loyal."
"My Captain of the Guard, Xinji Roca, and my Queen Consort, Aya Kapak, are high-end combat forces that no amount of wealth can buy."
"However, when we t by accident under the will of the [Sun God], I felt I had a better choice."
"I want to invite you to join my team, replacing my Queen Consort Aya."
"Although Aya has been honing herself for this eventual day, I am confident she is no less capable than any other Fourth Order."
"But in yesterday’s battle, I could feel the strength within you that did not match your Class—that must be [Divine Sight] from Human Nature, correct?"
"Especially when facing other teams composed mainly of [Sons of the Sun], your power could be an unexpected trump card."
"Of course, I cannot guarantee absolute safety in participating in the coronation ceremony."
"Over the course of more than a thousand years, the Sun Empire has had fourteen kings, and every royal succession has been a calamity for the royal offspring. Even in the most peaceful successions, the death rate exceeded one-third."
"My mother is the King’s last wife, the current Principal Queen Mother, Kouya. I represent the most legitimate interest group of the Empire, one that wishes only for peaceful developnt and to accumulate a little more wealth."
"Yet, many ambitious individuals do not wish for the Empire to transition peacefully. Once the coronation ceremony begins, we may beco the target of many."
"To compensate for the risk you’ll be taking, once I ascend to the throne, I’m willing to open the imperial treasury and let you choose any three non-heritage treasures."
"All things co in threes?" Byron began to seriously consider the risks and rewards.
Atahualpa had laid out the pros and cons quite clearly, which Byron found comndable.
Honestly, when he was using the [Desire Compass], he had already identified the location of a Crystal Skull within the Royal Palace of the Royal Capital, Cusco.
Knowing he was in a Great Empire with multiple gods at its helm, Byron had, from the start, discarded the idea of violently seizing the Crystal Skull.
Forming an alliance with Atahualpa was one of his main goals, not only because the prince was an inhumanly wealthy Dog Landlord but also to seize the opportunity to retrieve another Crystal Skull.
If even Atahualpa, who was the most short-handed, could gather three Fourth Order individuals, then his opponents would undoubtedly also have teams composed entirely of Fourth Orders.
He reassessed his own strength.
Sotis, the gap between people can be greater than that between people and dogs; the sa held true when comparing one Fourth Order to another.
Using the "sha of the Fourth Order," [Blue Hair] Halding, as a benchmark, when he first grasped "Whistling Deity’s Descent," he was about at the level of 2.1 Haldings.
After several more high-stakes battles, he figured his full power was at least 2.3 Haldings now.
Moreover, he had the Number Four Skull, [Rain God] Chak, which could summon storms—a strong counter against those Sons of the Sun and Molten Giants.
He felt the dangers should be manageable.
It was then that Atahualpa’s words beca the last straw on Byron’s psychological defenses.
The prince let out a heavy sigh. "Ah," he lanted, "I’m so poor, all I have left is money."
"Compared to my illustrious brothers, I have nothing but gold; I often feel life is empty and aningless."
"If I die, I don’t even know who will end up benefiting from the wealth I’ve amassed to build a Golden Palace."
Byron, who was still sowhat hesitant, imdiately fird his expression and thumped his chest—THUMP! THUMP!— "Treasures or not, they don’t matter," he declared. "What’s key is that I acknowledge you as a friend."
"If a good brother is in trouble, how could I stand by and watch? Just leave the gold... task to ."
If a prince supported by other powers ascended to the throne, there might not be another chance for him to benefit like this. Taking so risks was completely worth it.
He wanted not only to ensure Atahualpa’s ascension to the throne but also, hopefully, for Atahualpa to step into the Divine Domain. Achieving immortality this way would also fill the coffers of the Pioneer Navigation Colonial Trading Company!
Once Byron made up his mind, he no longer second-guessed himself.
He recalled the [Night Demon] disguised as the widowed princess. She had already ford an intimately close relationship with Captain of the Guard Xinji Roca, a key figure in the succession struggle.
He didn’t plan to keep this bottled up inside. Whether his teammates were reliable concerned both his life and the prince’s. He couldn’t worry about overstepping or speaking out of turn. It was ti to blow the whistle.
"Your Highness, your sister Princess Perta Kapak has a problem!"
Atahualpa, who had been pleased by Byron agreeing to help, imdiately looked grim upon hearing this.
But before he could ask for details about what was wrong with his sister, a familiar voice suddenly carried from the garden up ahead. "I will preside over this matchmaking contest along with Captain Xinji Roca. Co on, girls on my side, and boys on the captain’s side."
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