When Viktor mentioned two and a half years, Lia was stunned for a moment.

Similarly, confusion arose in her heart.

If he was going to agree, why set a time limit?

She wanted to ask Viktor what he was planning. Couldn't he be more rational?

However, after hearing this, Emperor Oberli laughed. He looked at Viktor with a smile and said:

"Really, two and a half years?"

Viktor bowed slightly to the emperor and sincerely said to Emperor Oberli:

"Two and a half years is enough time for Her Highness to learn all my knowledge. After that, it would be impolite for me to stay on."

Hearing Viktor's explanation, Oberli patted the chair beside him and burst into laughter. He was so excited that he coughed while laughing, and the servants nearby quickly came forward to pat the emperor's back.

Emperor Oberli waved his hand, signaling the servants to withdraw.

"Viktor! The more I see of you, the more I like you."

"How can you be so clever!"

Oberli Sol.

As the strongest person in the empire, Oberli was very clear about his own physical condition.

In reality, within two years at most, he would die from insufficient blood and qi.

His shortened lifespan was due to a hidden illness from his youth.

This was a hurdle that every powerful warrior couldn't overcome.

Unlike mages, warriors couldn't use mana to cast spells.

They relied on their own powerful blood and qi to enhance their physical strength.

Although blood and qi could be replenished through food and good rest, the consumption was also enormous.

Burning blood and qi would give warriors extremely powerful strength, even allowing them to challenge opponents above their level.

Correspondingly, this would also cause the user to burn their life force.

As an emperor, Oberli's deeds had already been thoroughly excavated by players.

At seventeen, Oberli Sol had already become a valiant general of the empire.

Single-handedly, he slew a giant dragon that had caused natural disasters.

He cut off the dragon's skin and made it into armor as a reward for his success.

In his prime, Oberli was even more powerful.

He once faced off against a fourth-tier evil mage's world-destroying magic head-on and survived.

Although his skin was torn and tendons ruptured, with his powerful healing ability, he recovered completely in just a few days.

Emperor Oberli's current state was due to consuming too much blood and qi in his youth without timely treatment.

Perhaps he was too fond of fighting.

Warriors generally had short lifespans, and even emperors were no exception.

This was why Rivi, at the same age, looked so young, while the old emperor was like a candle in the wind.

But he had never regretted it.

He smiled at Viktor and said:

"Your father, in his youth, was once my most excellent subordinate."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Until the day I ascended the throne, I rewarded all the ministers who followed me."

"Only when it came to him, he just asked for a piece of land."

"I asked him, what about a title? Don't you want a higher status?"

"He shook his head and told me that being just a noble was enough."

"After that, he left the capital, retired from military service, and we never met again."

This revelation of something even Lia hadn't heard about surprised her greatly.

She had never known that her father had such a past.

Viktor remained expressionless, listening to the old emperor recount the past.

"After that, it was twenty years until I finally received news of his death."

"Viktor, you are his child, and in the end, he left that piece of land to you."

Oberli sighed, seemingly exerting too much effort, and coughed heavily twice.

"You are even more excellent than him, excessively clever, but knowing when to advance and retreat isn't always a good thing."

"Sometimes, seeking favor and power isn't necessarily wrong."

"Just like the Raisers, no matter how big a mistake they make, as long as they still have a reason, I still have to protect them."

Oberli opened his eyes and said to Viktor:

"Viktor, I will give you a choice, two and a half years, or..."

Viktor placed his hand on his chest and bowed solemnly.

"Your Majesty, within two and a half years, I will do my utmost."

Oberli sighed, but there was some satisfaction in his expression.

He stroked the little princess's head behind him and said with a smile:

"Well, it's this child's misfortune."

"I hope in these two and a half years, you can fulfill your role."

The last sentence was directed at Viktor.

Viktor remained silent, and Oberli knew he had agreed.

"You two wait outside for me, let me talk to the child for a while."

"When I come out, accompany me to the banquet."

Lia and Viktor agreed.

After the two left, Aurelian looked at Oberli with a puzzled expression.

"Father, why do you want him to be my teacher?"

"I don't really like him..."

"Why?"

Oberli laughed, looking at Aurelian biting her finger, which was quite adorable:

"I think he's very cold, definitely the kind of strict teacher, and I don't like ones that are too strict."

"But he can protect you and make you stronger."

Oberli fondly stroked Aurelian's head, watching his daughter's expression become even more confused.

"But isn't it enough that I have Father to protect me? Father is so strong."

Oberli looked at her, his eyes full of tender affection and pain.

"Child."

"I cannot protect you for a lifetime."

"No one can."

......

Lia and Viktor obediently waited outside the door. Seeing no one around, Lia directly asked:

"When you said you needed to consider earlier, did you really want to refuse the emperor?"

Viktor didn't respond.

Lia understood, he was tacitly agreeing, and she anxiously asked:

"Why?"

"Don't you know that was an invitation from the emperor? Some people can't get that in a lifetime, and you wanted to refuse?"

"Lia, you're a merchant, you know that commodities have value."

Viktor took out a pocket watch to check the time and said to her:

"So what do you think is my value in His Majesty's eyes?"

Lia was stunned, thought for a moment, then said:

"You're so capable, your value must be high, after all, he wants you to be the princess's teacher, and that's the princess! Few people have ever seen her."

"Then, compared to His Majesty's relatives, what's my value?"

Lia frowned and retorted:

"That's not equivalent at all! How can you compare yourself to His Majesty's relatives?"

Viktor adjusted the hands of the pocket watch, and Lia saw a line of small text inside, the words formed by magic gradually enlarging in her eyes.

'His Majesty only has two years left.'

"Wha..."

Lia's eyes widened in shock, but she held back, not saying it out loud.

This was the palace, even if no one was around, they couldn't freely discuss the emperor's time of death.

So these two and a half years were...

"For the half year after that, I will still be Her Highness's teacher."

The moment Viktor finished speaking, Lia immediately understood.

She was a merchant, but as the family's acting lord, she was also a shrewd politician.

Was Viktor's value high? Incredibly high.

He had demonstrated his strength, and after the emperor's commendation, Viktor's reputation had reached an extremely high level.

Even those who disliked him would be eager to curry favor with him.

So before His Majesty's death, what would those vying for power think?

Whoever could gain the support of the Kravina family would have a huge advantage.

The emperor didn't want to see this situation, so...

He sacrificed his youngest daughter, Aurelian, using her princess status to bind Viktor, forming a teacher-student relationship.

This way, neither the crown prince nor the second prince could compete for Viktor.

Because this status was set by Emperor Oberli, no one could defy the emperor.

Unless the emperor died.

But after His Majesty's death, the newly ascended emperor wouldn't need Viktor anymore.

Viktor was destined to face retribution.

Those in power wouldn't be merciful because of their siblings.

Aurelian might eventually be married off, just like Emperor Oberli's sister Lady Cassana, becoming a sacrifice for political marriage.

If Viktor didn't want to face retribution, he couldn't let this happen.

So Viktor had to oppose it, Aurelian had to remain a princess to protect the Kravina family.

Thus, Viktor chose this two and a half year period.

A new emperor ascending the throne needs to stabilize power.

Viktor wouldn't be dealt with immediately, so he could continue to protect Aurelian for half a year.

After half a year, Viktor would leave the palace, taking the family to safety.

The new emperor naturally wouldn't see Viktor as a threat.

Lia thought dazedly, no wonder the emperor said those things to Viktor.

Lia murmured:

"Dark, it's fucking dark."

She had thought the scheming among nobles was bad enough.

But looking at it now, these people in the royal family, if you opened their chests, their hearts would be black.

"So when you said two and a half years, aren't you afraid..."

Aren't you afraid His Majesty will blame you?

Lia wanted to ask this, but she didn't.

She knew Viktor understood her meaning.

Viktor glanced at Lia and shook his head:

"He won't."

"How can you be so confident?"

Lia was somewhat speechless. She had thought that gaining connections with the royal family was a good thing, but in the end, it seemed to be a mixed blessing.

She naturally had some worries.

Being the princess's teacher was a double-edged sword.

If used well, the Kravina family would rise step by step.

If not used well, they would face retribution when His Majesty stepped down.

"The two and a half year period is the assurance I'm giving His Majesty."

Viktor's calm voice sounded in Lia's ear, his words exuding confidence.

Lia was slightly stunned.

So, in their brief conversation, he and the emperor had already made all the deals.

Within two and a half years, no matter how his children might act up.

No one could have any designs on Aurelian.

The same deal.

If anyone provoked the Kravina family.

Then, Viktor could handle it himself.

It was simple, because Viktor had established a connection with the royal family.

Although only for two and a half years.

But he belonged to the princess.

He would settle all scores in the princess's name.

"And... if we want to make Kravina even greater."

Viktor suddenly said something out of the blue.

"The final winner hasn't been decided yet."

Lia's eyes widened, looking at Viktor in disbelief.

"You mean you want to support..."

Before she could finish, the door behind them suddenly opened wide.

Aurelian walked out slowly, arm in arm with the emperor. Her shy and sensitive appearance exuded a mysterious air, while the emperor she supported still possessed an awe-inspiring aura of strength.

The father and daughter looked so harmonious, their faces reflecting warmth against the night sky.

Seeing the two, Viktor and Lia bowed slightly in respect.

His Majesty smiled and nodded to Viktor and Lia.

"Let's go."

"Viktor, don't be like your father and decline again."

......