The Billionaire CEO Becomes the Youngest Emperor-Chapter 6 - : Fireworks

The Ætherium Map was a rare artifact, a relic whose true value eluded nearly everyone... except Lucian. He knew its properties well, thanks to his knowledge of the story from the novelkiss he was now part of. It wasn't just any map: it was a strategic weapon

Magical Properties:

Self-Updating: The map would shift in real-time according to geographical and political changes, always offering an up-to-date view of the territory.

Absolute Accuracy: Every landscape, every river, every village was depicted with such fine detail that no standard map could ever compare.

Historical Residue: The map preserved traces of ancient roads, forgotten ruins, and vanished borders, revealing the scars of the past.

Magical Echoes: Symbols or anomalies would sometimes appear, like echoes of past magical or energetic disruptions, signaling places where something valuable or dangerous might have occurred.

By cross-referencing these details with his knowledge of the future and his analytical skills, Lucian began to understand... and what he discovered exceeded all his expectations.

The markings he frantically traced on the map — circles, lines, triangles — were not random. They formed a complex network, a grid he was building from the anomalies and clues left by the map. Each symbol concealed a possibility. By combining this with historical archives and geological data, he had reconstructed a chilling pattern.

This land... was a true treasure. Lithium, gold, tungsten, and even rare earths... it all seemed to converge here.

Lucian trembled — not from excitement, but from exhaustion and a gnawing unease. If someone else were to realize the full extent of this wealth...

He raised a tired hand and made a simple gesture, his thumb pointing downward.

... It's as if someone is trying to drive me insane...

And finally, after four days of relentless work, he collapsed.

It was Sunday, 10:00 PM.

_____

"What the hell is that damn kid doing all of a sudden?"

"Hahaha, maybe he's gone crazy. I heard he locked himself in his room for a week without coming out."

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"Dame Selene Voldrek was apparently here. Honestly, I thought he'd be dead by now... Tsk, too bad he isn't."

"Don't talk about our idiot emperor like that. Don't forget, life is a hell of a lot better for us than it was under his father."

At a glance, it was immediately obvious that the carriage bearing the imperial crest was making its way through the streets of Eldoria, the capital of the Thirteenth Empire. As luxurious as the influential figures inside it, this carriage was not the only one. The entire city seemed flooded with these identical vehicles, all heading toward the outskirts of the capital, where the grand imperial castle stood.

The reason was simple: The emperor had summoned all high-ranking officials, ministers, and nobles. Each was to bring a child, though it wasn't mandatory. Those who wished to bring one could only bring one. The event would last two days—a first in the empire's history.

The decree had been issued by Chris on Sunday morning—yesterday.

Today, Monday, it was 9:00 AM.

The parade of official carriages was a rare sight. Nobles from every corner of the empire had gathered on the emperor's orders, inevitably attracting the curious gazes of commoners. The abyssal divide between aristocrats and commoners in this empire was beyond comparison. The common folk watched, envious, as the nobles chatted, acting as though they were beings apart, far above those they passed.

An hour later, the grand throne room, undoubtedly the most imposing room in the castle, began receiving the empire's dignitaries.

The throne room was vast, adorned with silk tapestries and glittering chandeliers. The air was thick with solemnity. At the far end of the room, on a majestic throne, sat the emperor. He wasn't a towering giant, but a small man in resplendent attire, almost swallowed by the grandeur of his throne. He observed the arrivals with a mocking smile, as if he were watching a show he had orchestrated.

"What the...?"

The first delegation entered the massive hall, and everyone was momentarily stunned by what they saw.

"Lucian lost an arm?"

Reactions varied: fear, astonishment, joy, anger. But only one thought crossed everyone's mind: Selene Voldrek. Who better than the protector to harm the one she protected? The aristocracy knew well of the conflict between the two, and some were aware that the Goddess of the Sword was in the empire.

The nobles bowed before the emperor.

"Glory to His Majesty, the Emperor."

The greetings poured in endlessly, and with every bow, disdainful glares, contempt, and even disgust were cast. The noble children were no different.

It was exhausting.

Exhausting to see hundreds of people bowing to me, their superior glances, and their contemptuous stares from their children. Even nodding my head felt tiring.

"But today, I'll give you all plenty of reasons to fear me."

The human principles from my old world? They were useless here, a lesson my sweet older sister made perfectly clear to me. From now on, I'd eliminate anyone who came after me or the empire—even if it meant getting my hands dirty.

The pleasantries were unbearable. But the event required me to endure them.

Nobles took their turns, one after another, raising their voices in a meaningless dance of greetings. Yet, there was one last noble: Marquis Clerc.

That one, I had been waiting for. He entered with confident strides, his daughter by his side, wearing a smile that seemed designed for one purpose: to manipulate everyone around him. He bowed to the emperor.

"Glory to the Emperor."

Despite his title as a mere marquis, he didn't carry the same influence as a duke, but his power was still considerable. He was one of those who could easily be mistaken for a duke, so dominant was his presence in the aristocracy through his charisma and reputation.

A fleeting smile crept onto my lips. A smile that betrayed my thoughts: I thought you wouldn't show up.

Adeline, the marquis's daughter, watched in confusion. That smile again... Has he gone mad?

...He lost an arm? Then why is he smiling as if it's funny?

The more I look at him, the harder it is to believe that this is Lucian... The same guy who was even afraid of a fly ?... But he..

It doesn't matter. I'm done thinking about it. This no longer concerns me.

As everyone took their seats, a guard rushed up to me.

"Glory to the Emperor... The envoy from the 10th Empire has arrived."

A sly smile spread across my face.

"Let the first fireworks begin, Clerc."

5 Chapter is slightly shorter than usual, but don't worry, the next one will be much longer. Lucian is starting to lay the foundations for the empire's restructuring, and the upcoming events are set to be more intense than ever. Get ready for a major t

urning point in the story! Thank you for your continued support, and see you soon for the next Chapter!