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496 The System's History: The start of the end VIII

"The child died a few days ago…" For a moment, Aki's world stopped. These words repeated over and over in his head until he could hear his own heartbeat pounding.

"They were rumors going around in the palace that it was because of the child's failure to acknowledge her mother for her misconduct. No one knew what happened, and these were mere rumors. However, all maidservants who were tasked with the princess died and were all replaced by new ones." Daisuke detailed the things he heard and carefully noted that they were just rumors.

However, smoke begins if there's a fire. Thus, the strangeness of the situation made him suspicious of its validity. The reason he had been keeping a close watch on the servants and guards that were near the princess's manor.

"Impossible… Hanako, I mean Tora wouldn't do such a thing to our daughter." Aki shook his head in disbelief as he doesn't want to hear another word from Daisuke. However, just the thought of Churu, who upheld justice just like how Tora taught her in the past, it was not a surprise if she questioned her mother kill many innocent people.

"Your Majesty… permit me to investigate the matter more." Bowing his head, Daisuke hoped deep down that this would be true. After all, this might ignite a fire within his king that already gave up the throne and maybe, he might reclaim what's rightfully his.

It might a selfish wish for him but, this was a matter of the kingdom's life. If Tora continued to use force to make people submit to her, this country would eventually die. After all, bodies had been piling up on the streets and soon, it might cause a plague because of it.

Not to mention, the heat of this season, it would not be a surprise if it plagues by drought and disaster. Truly, nothing right had ever happened when Tora ascended the throne that even the heavens punish their country for placing such a vile person to lead its people.

Aki just nodded his head in disbelief as his heart was rendered conflicted. He hoped that it wasn't real and Tora wouldn't be that blinded with power that she could even kill her daughter. No, the person he knew was a selfless soldier that loved her daughter and him.

The woman whom he had hurt.

"She wouldn't do such a thing…" He murmured while Daisuke left him alone.

****

Several days later…

"Your Majesty, regarding the prin—" After investigating more of the matter, Daisuke returned to give Aki the details of his investigation. However, he halted as Aki interrupted him midway.

"I know. I heard it." Unlike his mien in the past year, Aki had shaved his beard, took a proper shower, and back to looking decent and clean. Regardless, that doesn't mean it also tended his broken heart upon hearing the news of the princess's death.

They were being punished for all the blood that had been shed in the hands of the current ruler and now, even the princess had paid a huge price. Tora, taking away the throne to the royal family, the people would rather choose the figurehead of a king instead of this tyrant mad queen.

The drought had plagued small towns outside the capital, and many people had died due to starvation. Even the food supplies had become limited, and yet, the queen turned a blind eye and let her subject die doing nothing.

The people's hope for this country, they didn't have any hope anymore. Having a ruler as heartless and selfish as Tora, this country was done for.

"Your Majesty…" Daisuke bowed as he swallowed a mouthful of saliva. He glanced at Aki and saw the royal family crest he has on his hand. It was the crest of that the former emperor has.

Back when Kei was serving him as the acting emperor in his stead, the only thing Kei didn't accept was this family crest that was meant for the real king to hold. Hence, with this, Aki could prove his real identity.

"The minister of finance and minister of education, they were still alive. Send them my word and meet me tonight."

"Yes, Your Majesty." After hearing Aki's command, Daisuke didn't waste a second as he departed to meet the ministers that were forced to acknowledge the new queen as a wise decision. Fortunately, they did what they did because if not, Tora would have executed them and all their kindred.

As Daisuke left, Aki continued to stare on the royal family crest that he had been hiding. Most of the people who knew his identity was killed. Still, there were still a few ones who were left and made a wise decision to follow Tora.

Aki knew that with what was Tora had been doing, they must have been dreading to stop the tyranny of her — even those who joined hand in hand to support her, they must have had regretted their foolish decision as Tora indeed gave them titles but those were just mere empty titles.

However, Aki doesn't care about their own regrets as he must stop her. He must stop this insanity before this country would die. He doesn't understand why must she kill their daughter and even if he tried to make a positive view regarding it, he just couldn't accept it.

Churu, he loved her just like his real daughter. He loved her just as much as he loved Tora. Therefore, how could he accept that letting Tora, claiming the throne to protect their child from him, still cost her her life in the hands of her mother?

Was he wrong about everything? Indeed, he was. He knew nothing about and his resolve would always waver. However, since he couldn't protect Churu, at the very least, he must protect Tora by stopping her from destroying her beloved country by her own hands.