AHEIAID Chapter 59: Aftermath
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The old emperor, Lapa, who had originally decided to hand over Harry, was struck with dizziness upon hearing the news of Harry’s death. He almost passed out on the spot!
Supported by his frantic attendants, Lapa was overwhelmed with both anger and grief, shedding tears in front of everyone.
“My Harry… Damn that Heine! How dare he?!”
“This was an extrajudicial execution! I won’t let him get away with this!”
He had initially planned to use his influence to privately persuade the council members, ensuring that his youngest son would be spared the death penalty and sentenced to exile instead.
Then, he would bribe the executioners to secretly send Harry to a small planet he had already purchased. Once the storm passed, Harry could undergo plastic surgery, assume a new identity, and they could still enjoy a peaceful life together.
But that damned Garius Heine showed him no respect at all—he had struck mercilessly right in the imperial capital!
Lapa seethed with resentment, convinced that Garius had done this purely for revenge.
After all, it was Harry who had publicly destroyed Garius’s estate in front of everyone in the Empire.
No…
This hatred couldn't be left unresolved…
Just wait—so long as he remained emperor, he would make sure Garius Heine suffered!
Gritting his teeth, Lapa swore vengeance. He shoved away the attendants fussing over him.
“Get out! All of you, out!”
The attendants exchanged uncertain glances, then hesitantly replied, “Yes, Your Majesty,” and turned to leave. But before they could go far, they noticed someone standing behind them—Crown Prince Joseph.
He had been driven away earlier in anger, yet here he was again, his face devoid of emotion.
With his tall stature, sharp gaze, and naturally fierce-looking eyes, Joseph startled the attendants.
But they quickly recovered, greeting him with respect and even a hint of eagerness.
After all, compared to the old emperor and the late third prince, this "sole heir" was far better!
“Your Highness, you’ve returned.”
“Were you worried about His Majesty?”
“We’re so glad you’re back…”
Flashing smiles far more genuine than the ones they had given Lapa, they stepped aside as Joseph walked past them to stand before his father.
Looking at the man who had always given him such complicated feelings, Joseph remained silent.
Lapa, assuming his son had come back out of concern, felt deeply moved.
At that moment, he became more convinced than ever that his wife had been right—he still had Joseph. Joseph was far more capable than Harry and would surely be able to suppress Garius Heine.
“My son.”
Tears streamed down Lapa’s face as he patted Joseph’s shoulder.
“Do you know… your brother…?”
Before he could finish, Joseph cut him off coldly.
“I know. He deserved it.”
Lapa: …
Joseph continued, his expression unwavering.
“He was so vicious that if I had a choice, I would rather be a worthless nobody than his brother! Blowing up factories and hospitals, assassinating my friends, using his royal status to commit murder in the homes of ministers… Everything he did was a disgrace! I can’t even face my friends—my esteemed mentors—because of him!”
Lapa's eyes widened. “You… Are you even Harry’s brother?! How can you be so heartless? Oh, I see now! You just want my throne! You think your brother was in your way!”
The more he spoke, the more convinced he became. His finger jabbed toward Joseph’s face as he raged.
“…”
Taking a deep breath, Joseph suppressed his anger, his chest rising and falling.
Looking at his father, he found himself, for the first time, questioning why people couldn’t choose their own birth.
He wouldn’t have minded being born into a poor family—but having a selfish mother and an ignorant father? That, he minded.
At last, he made his decision.
With a calm expression, he looked at his furious father and said,
“I have already submitted my request to the council.”
Lapa froze. “What request?”
Joseph met his father’s gaze and declared, “I have applied to become the new emperor.”
The old emperor, Lapa: ……
“I won’t force you to abdicate, but I consulted a psychological expert, who diagnosed you with mania and delusional disorder. In such a mental state, you are unfit to rule. The council members unanimously approved my request. As for Mother—”
At this point, Joseph glanced at his father, whose face had turned red as he shouted, "Nonsense!" A trace of sympathy flashed across Joseph’s eyes.
“Mother agreed as well.”
Not only did she agree, but she was even ecstatic—she practically wished her husband would drop dead on the spot so her son could take the throne.
“…………”
Lapa stood frozen for a moment, then shook his head frantically, his voice growing louder.
“No, no, impossible! That can’t be! How could they approve this? They are my subjects… And her—she loves me the most! How could she…? You’re lying! You unfilial traitor, you’re lying to me!”
When no one had threatened his position before, Lapa had always considered the throne a tedious burden.
But now that someone had taken this "burden" away, he suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of loss—he had nothing left…
“Father needs psychological treatment.”
Joseph gave a slight nod toward his subordinates at the door. Immediately, his tall, loyal guards stepped in without any trace of respect, grabbed the old emperor, and dragged him away despite his struggles.
The attendants: ……
Oh, my god.
What just happened?
In the blink of an eye, the throne had changed hands. The crown prince’s move was so swift—so… brilliant!
The eyes of the gathered officials lit up with excitement. On his very first day in power, Joseph swiftly selected capable officials for key positions, while those less competent were assigned comfortable but unimportant court positions.
Suddenly, everyone was pleased—cheers erupted in the palace.
Looking back, no one seemed the least bit saddened by the old emperor’s disgraceful removal or the death of Prince Harry. Even the empress hadn’t inquired about her youngest son’s funeral.
But this neglectful mother didn’t have long to enjoy her relief. She soon received a notice stating that all the luxury goods and properties she had acquired had been purchased using imperial public funds.
Without hesitation, the new emperor Joseph ordered all these assets to be confiscated and auctioned off. The proceeds, fully disclosed online, were transferred to the imperial treasury to fund welfare programs and military upgrades!
Every month, she would receive only a standard royal allowance.
By right, members of the imperial family possessed private wealth, and even at their poorest, they were still hundreds of times richer than ordinary citizens. The former empress was also entitled to a generous pension from the new emperor.
But having lived a life of extreme luxury, how could she possibly accept being reduced to an ordinary wealthy retiree?!
As she stared in disbelief at the notice in her hands, cold-faced enforcement officers barged in with guards, immediately beginning to seize her belongings.
“No—what are you doing?! Don’t touch my things! Those are mine! Mine—!!”
The empress lunged at the guards, trying to claw at them, but they simply frowned and pushed her away. Undeterred, she charged again, shrieking like a madwoman.
“Joseph would never treat me like this! Get out—leave my home—!”
“You’re thieves! Bandits! Don’t steal my things, ahhh—!”
As the guards cleared out the room full of priceless treasures, sealing them away in crates, the disheveled empress collapsed at the entrance of the estate, hurling curses at the departing aircraft overhead.
Like a common shrew, she wailed and raged, sitting on the ground in utter disgrace.
Seeing this, the young lovers and handsome companions she had kept around quickly realized that the empress had lost everything. Without hesitation, they scattered, each taking whatever resources they had managed to secure before slipping away.
Meanwhile, Joey was already in District 13 when he heard about what had happened.
After Amon finished his report, he also relayed Joseph’s formal apology on behalf of his father and brother, along with his hope to maintain friendly relations with District 13.
Only then did Joey realize how much had transpired in the outside world. He couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional about it.
But after a moment of reflection, he moved on.
Honestly, given how chaotic and rotten the imperial family was, their downfall felt both unsurprising and inevitable.
The bright side? No one would ever interfere with his and Garius’ lives again.
And maybe there was some truth to the saying “great misfortune brings great fortune.”
While focusing on recovering, taking care of the big goose, and preparing to visit the steward, Joey suddenly heard a crackling sound in his mind one day—
A sharp “zzzt—” rang out.
Then, a series of increasingly clear electric buzzing noises flashed through his brain.
【System loading complete】
【Host confirmed】
【Host verification complete】
【Hello… zzzt… I am your sys… zzzt… Please… idiot host… Daddy’s back!】
Holy shit!
Joey was so shocked that his sunflower seeds fell to the ground.
System, you motherf— you’re finally back!!
T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi page, thank you🍊🍊🍊
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