TV-Series
Description
The Emperor is the father of the protagonist, Noah Ararat, and serves as the sovereign ruler of the powerful empire in which the story is set. As the established monarch at the start of the series, he is already a figure of immense political authority who has guided the nation into a prosperous era. Described as having led the empire to its golden age, his rule represents a period of strength and stability, which sets the stage for the complex succession drama that unfolds among his many heirs. The author drew inspiration from historical periods of royal succession, such as the Qing dynasty, to shape the Emperor’s role and the political dynamics of the court.
In terms of personality, the Emperor appears to be a calculating and pragmatic ruler who prioritizes the health and future of his bloodline and empire over tradition and personal sentiment. This is most clearly demonstrated by his most significant political act: changing the long-standing succession law. He abolishes the primogeniture system, which would have automatically given the throne to his firstborn son, and replaces it with a "fair competition" among all his children. This decision reveals a ruler who desires the strongest and most capable heir to succeed him, valuing merit over birth order. He is not a passive observer; he is actively shaping the political battlefield that his sons must navigate, preferring a decisive contest to a stagnant court.
The Emperor's primary motivation is the procurement of a worthy successor to continue his legacy and maintain the empire's power. By instituting a competitive succession process, he aims to test the mettle of his thirteen princes. This action effectively turns the royal court into an arena of political intrigue and power struggles, forcing his sons to prove themselves. He appears to be a monarch who believes that only those who can seize power through skill and intellect are fit to hold it. Consequently, he is often the arbiter of these conflicts, and he frequently rewards his youngest son, Noah, for his exceptional achievements and sound judgments in handling both internal disputes and external threats.
Within the story, the Emperor serves as the ultimate authority figure and the goal for which the princes are competing. He is the final judge in the political and sometimes literal battles between his children. He has been shown to grant significant honors and positions to Noah, such as allowing him to wear a sword as a great honor, appointing him as Minister of Justice for his wise counsel on legal matters, and later elevating him to Minister of Military Affairs and Admiral of the First Army. However, his position is not without challenge; the intense competition he fostered leads to extreme consequences. When the Crown Prince, second in line, faces being dethroned, he stages a coup to seize the Emperor's abdication. After the coup is suppressed, the prince commits suicide, an event that ultimately paves the way for Noah’s eventual rise to the throne.
The Emperor's key relationships are primarily defined by his role as the patriarch of the ruling family. His most important dynamic is with his youngest son, Noah, whose wisdom and power from a very young age force the Emperor to acknowledge him as a major political force. He also relies on trusted advisors, including the Prime Minister, with whom he is close enough to make bets concerning Noah's actions. His relationship with his other sons is more strained. He views the openly malicious Prince Gilbert as "Obviously Evil" and has executed his eldest son, Gilbert, for treason, after which Prince Albert, the second prince and Crown Prince, insisted on the execution. His rule is challenged when Albert later attempts his own rebellion, which is stopped by Noah, solidifying the Emperor’s reliance on his youngest to maintain order. While he does not possess the supernatural cheat abilities of his son Noah, the Emperor's strength lies entirely in his political acumen, his authority over the empire's vast resources, and his ability to command loyalty from powerful figures like the Designated Imperial Hero. He is the source of legitimacy, and his decrees shape the fate of the entire kingdom. His influence is demonstrated through his ability to grant titles, land, and military authority, shaping the political landscape with his decisions. Development-wise, the Emperor's journey is one from an absolute monarch with a clear succession plan to a ruler whose court is thrown into chaos by his own decree. The rebellion and death of his chosen heir, Prince Albert, forces a significant shift in his perspective and directly leads to his ultimate decision to abdicate the throne in favor of his youngest and most capable son, Noah, ensuring the empire's future under the very system of merit he devised.
In terms of personality, the Emperor appears to be a calculating and pragmatic ruler who prioritizes the health and future of his bloodline and empire over tradition and personal sentiment. This is most clearly demonstrated by his most significant political act: changing the long-standing succession law. He abolishes the primogeniture system, which would have automatically given the throne to his firstborn son, and replaces it with a "fair competition" among all his children. This decision reveals a ruler who desires the strongest and most capable heir to succeed him, valuing merit over birth order. He is not a passive observer; he is actively shaping the political battlefield that his sons must navigate, preferring a decisive contest to a stagnant court.
The Emperor's primary motivation is the procurement of a worthy successor to continue his legacy and maintain the empire's power. By instituting a competitive succession process, he aims to test the mettle of his thirteen princes. This action effectively turns the royal court into an arena of political intrigue and power struggles, forcing his sons to prove themselves. He appears to be a monarch who believes that only those who can seize power through skill and intellect are fit to hold it. Consequently, he is often the arbiter of these conflicts, and he frequently rewards his youngest son, Noah, for his exceptional achievements and sound judgments in handling both internal disputes and external threats.
Within the story, the Emperor serves as the ultimate authority figure and the goal for which the princes are competing. He is the final judge in the political and sometimes literal battles between his children. He has been shown to grant significant honors and positions to Noah, such as allowing him to wear a sword as a great honor, appointing him as Minister of Justice for his wise counsel on legal matters, and later elevating him to Minister of Military Affairs and Admiral of the First Army. However, his position is not without challenge; the intense competition he fostered leads to extreme consequences. When the Crown Prince, second in line, faces being dethroned, he stages a coup to seize the Emperor's abdication. After the coup is suppressed, the prince commits suicide, an event that ultimately paves the way for Noah’s eventual rise to the throne.
The Emperor's key relationships are primarily defined by his role as the patriarch of the ruling family. His most important dynamic is with his youngest son, Noah, whose wisdom and power from a very young age force the Emperor to acknowledge him as a major political force. He also relies on trusted advisors, including the Prime Minister, with whom he is close enough to make bets concerning Noah's actions. His relationship with his other sons is more strained. He views the openly malicious Prince Gilbert as "Obviously Evil" and has executed his eldest son, Gilbert, for treason, after which Prince Albert, the second prince and Crown Prince, insisted on the execution. His rule is challenged when Albert later attempts his own rebellion, which is stopped by Noah, solidifying the Emperor’s reliance on his youngest to maintain order. While he does not possess the supernatural cheat abilities of his son Noah, the Emperor's strength lies entirely in his political acumen, his authority over the empire's vast resources, and his ability to command loyalty from powerful figures like the Designated Imperial Hero. He is the source of legitimacy, and his decrees shape the fate of the entire kingdom. His influence is demonstrated through his ability to grant titles, land, and military authority, shaping the political landscape with his decisions. Development-wise, the Emperor's journey is one from an absolute monarch with a clear succession plan to a ruler whose court is thrown into chaos by his own decree. The rebellion and death of his chosen heir, Prince Albert, forces a significant shift in his perspective and directly leads to his ultimate decision to abdicate the throne in favor of his youngest and most capable son, Noah, ensuring the empire's future under the very system of merit he devised.