(One author's closing remarks and some additional plot information are still missing)

Time flies, and two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

In the past two years, Wang has not experienced a period without crises, hardships, or any unexpected events.

Everyone's life was peaceful.

It seems that all the undercurrents were suppressed beneath the empire's outward appearance of beauty.

Time passed peacefully, and another year went by just like that.

The crowd waited calmly for the day of the death of the Imperial Emperor, Saul VIII.

During that time, everyone in the imperial capital was discussing who the soon-to-be-deceased Aubrey planned to pass the throne to.

Is it the eldest prince or the second prince?

And there was another group of people who seemed to have known all along.

Silently, he carefully put away the chips in his hand, intending to hand them over to the true heir whom no one had ever seen.

However, Aubrey's final decision surprised everyone.

As he approached death, he summoned all the nobles of the capital.

Inside the palace chambers, the final heir was publicly identified.

Aurelion Sol.

Some people weren't surprised, after all, Aurelion's performance was definitely better than that of the First Prince and the Second Prince combined.

In this life, she is no longer the vase hidden deep within the palace.

Especially during the first nine years, with Victor as her teacher, Aurelion's abilities have already become quite formidable.

She had long ago shown her ambition to seize the throne.

Even if others find it unacceptable, they can only put aside their thoughts and acknowledge Aurelion as their queen.

However, Aubrey said that it was because the princess was still young and not yet an adult.

He will have to wait another year before he can officially ascend the throne.

These words left everyone present completely bewildered.

After all, Auberly clearly doesn't seem to be in a state where he can last another year, so Aurelion's immediate succession is the most appropriate choice.

A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day.

However, Aubrey set such a precedent, and everyone could only obediently shut their mouths and listen to the dying words of the most powerful emperor.

"The princess is young, and the empire will be without an emperor for the next year. Duke Rivi and the princess's tutor Victor can assist in governing the country."

These were Aubrey's last words.

He collapsed onto the bed, carrying his final thoughts of love for his daughter, and went to his grave.

On the day Aubrey was buried, Aurelian cried until her eyes were red.

Tears streamed down her face, but she remained strong and didn't cry out.

The restored memories kept reminding her that she had already experienced this countless times.

But the death of a loved one, no matter how many times you've experienced it or how much preparation you've made,

When the moment truly arrived, all the defenses we had built seemed to become transparent, soft, and utterly vulnerable.

The pain still surged forth.

The constant beating of her heart served as a constant reminder to Aurelion.

She was destined to be human.

Because of human nature, one cannot become a god.

This is a gift from the Saul family, and also a curse for the Saul family.

They possess abilities comparable to, or even surpassing, those of gods.

But there is no eternity of gods.

However, soon after, Father Emperor...

Your daughter will soon be free from the curse of this gift.

...

Although the empire was without an emperor for a year, it did not descend into chaos.

Duke Riviera was involved in national politics and was highly regarded by many nobles.

Moreover, he had no children of his own, and he was determined to treat Aubrey's children as his own.

In addition, there was the support of the Clevina family.

Since the downfall of the Leather family two years ago for deceiving the elves and hoarding weapons, the Clavenna family has become the wealthiest family in the empire.

Of course, since the downfall of the Raiser family, many people have also suspected the Clavner family.

They attacked the Clevner family for the same reasons, hoping to bring them down as well.

Even if it's impossible, try to slow down the family's development as much as possible.

You guys make all the money, what are we supposed to earn?

As it turned out, it happened on the very day Aubrey died.

The Clyvenner family stated that due to the relationship between their patriarch and Princess Aurelian,

Eighty percent of all profits earned over the years, as well as any future earnings, will be donated to the national treasury.

Look, this is what true courage is.

The Leiser family only handed over 50% initially, and whether that 50% actually accounted for 50% is another matter.

With just that one sentence, everyone's concerns were dispelled.

Other businessmen, in particular, were frantic, but they were also at a loss as to how to deal with the Clevina family.

How can you be so flawless?

Handing over 80% directly—does your family only make money and never spend money?

Isn't this strangling all their merchants?

What will others think of us in the future?

Look, the Clevina family is willing to hand over 80% of their assets to the construction of the empire, while you merchants are not even willing to pay a single ounce of tax.

They must be shady dealers!

No wonder the Clevner family is so good at making money.

With this single move, one can injure the enemy by a thousand while losing eight hundred of one's own.

He showed his loyalty, but the money really was gone.

Apart from the Clavner family, no other businessman would dare to do such a thing.

After all, it's the same as not making any money at all; they still need to spend money to replenish their goods.

Conversely, this kind of business can only result in more losses than gains.

Every businessman was seething with hatred, waiting for the day when the Cleviner family would finally turn on them due to a lack of money.

Cash flow disruptions, product quality issues, unpaid wages for workers, mine strikes, agricultural shutdowns...

Every businessman harbors this fantasy.

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