The sixth contender was Prince Marcus.

The power supporting Prince Marcus was the Holy See Academy, the highest educational institution in the empire.

His greatest backer was none other than the academy’s dean.

The dean’s students could be found throughout every corner of the Eternal Empire, and he himself possessed an extraordinary status within the Holy See.

In terms of foundation and influence, Prince Marcus’s faction was not inferior to Prince Kane’s in the slightest.

As for the final contender, it was naturally Prince Dorek.

Behind Prince Dorek stood the Fated Human Race.

Although the Fated Human Race occupied only a single star system within this world, countless experts could be found among its people.

Its current clan leader, the Auric Divine Emperor, was an incomparably terrifying peak T9 Oracle-grade expert.

There was even a high possibility that he had concealed his true strength and had actually reached the half-step Eternal Rank.

Moreover, he simultaneously commanded the Eternal Legion—the most powerful and mysterious military force in the entire Eternal Empire!

This was the current situation surrounding the seven imperial princes of the Eternal Empire.

As for the remaining hundred or so princes, none of them possessed the qualifications to compete against these seven for the throne.

Their strength and backgrounds were far inferior.

Naturally, they had no hope whatsoever of challenging the seven leading contenders.

After hearing all this, Daniel finally gained a general understanding of the seven princes and the current political situation within the Eternal Empire.

"Judging from this, Prince Dorek possesses the weakest faction of the seven."

Daniel understood the situation clearly.

Among the seven princes, the one with the greatest strength and deepest foundation was Prince Lucian.

If Lucian obtained the full support of both the Oracle Hall and his biological brother, his chances of seizing the imperial throne would surpass those of every other prince.

In terms of wealth, he also possessed the support of the Eternal Chamber of Commerce.

No one could possibly compete with him financially.

In terms of military strength, no faction could rival the Oracle Hall either.

At least on the surface, Prince Lucian was undoubtedly the most powerful contender.

Prince Alvin ranked second.

Although Alvin appeared relatively unremarkable, he was actually the prince closest to the center of political authority.

To put it simply, his connections among the empire’s highest officials were far stronger than those of the other princes.

As for the remaining contenders, most were relatively evenly matched and did not warrant much further attention.

...

Only a few days later, Chief Steward Foster returned safely.

Just as Daniel had predicted, because Prince Dorek had not traveled with him, Foster had not attracted the attention of the assassins dispatched by Prince Kane.

The moment he returned, Foster brought excellent news.

He had successfully persuaded the Fated Human Race to send Oracle-grade experts.

He had also brought back an enormous quantity of wealth and resources.

All those resources had been quietly delivered to Prince Dorek’s residence without drawing anyone’s attention.

The entire operation had been exceptionally discreet.

Daniel immediately hurried to the palace.

The moment he entered, he saw a mountain of radiant treasures piled before him.

The dazzling light was so intense that he could not help narrowing his eyes.

He turned toward the smiling Chief Steward Foster.

"How many experts did you bring back?"

"And where are they now?"

Chief Steward Foster quickly answered,

"Sir, I followed your instructions and explained the full severity of the situation to the Fated Human Race."

"Once I made the consequences clear, the clan—which had initially been somewhat hesitant—decisively chose to support Prince Dorek."

"They abandoned all their previous concerns and reservations."

"They directly dispatched one T7 Oracle-grade expert, six T6 Oracle-grade experts, and ten fifth-stage Oracle-grade experts."

Foster’s face filled with admiration as he continued,

"With such overwhelming military support, Prince Dorek will no longer need to fear assassination."

"We may even take the initiative and launch a counterattack to exact revenge."

When Daniel had first instructed Foster to request reinforcements from the Fated Human Race, many had believed the mission impossible.

After all, the Fated Human Race had always been unwilling to interfere in the empire’s internal affairs.

However, Foster had explained that if Prince Dorek successfully seized the imperial throne, the Fated Human Race would obtain immeasurable merit and rewards.

Furthermore, the karma involved in this struggle was no less significant than an immeasurable Heavenly Tribulation.

Nearly every powerful being would inevitably be drawn into this enormous vortex of conflict.

The stronger a faction was, the more impossible it became for them to avoid involvement.

After all, this concerned the future direction of the entire empire.

As a major power, the Fated Human Race had already been bound to Prince Dorek’s cause.

Their only path to survival was to support him with everything they possessed.

Otherwise, if he failed, the entire race might face extermination.

Prince Kane was no merciful man.

The moment he ascended the throne, he would undoubtedly purge the maternal clans of his former brothers.

He would never permit any surviving prince to retain the possibility of rebelling against him.

Prince Dorek was the nephew of the current clan leader of the Fated Human Race.

Their blood relationship was exceptionally close.

If the clan refused to support Dorek, they would inevitably be targeted during the future purge.

Their fates were already intertwined.

If one prospered, both would prosper.

If one fell, both would suffer.

Chief Steward Foster had repeated Daniel’s entire analysis without leaving out a single detail.

The members of the Fated Human Race immediately became deeply worried.

In the end, they had no choice but to agree to support Prince Dorek.

After hearing Foster’s report, a faint smile appeared on Daniel’s face.

"Those Oracle-grade experts naturally had to come here and assist us."

"Since they have arrived, assign them to protect Prince Dorek."

"As for this enormous quantity of wealth..."

Daniel turned toward Chief Steward Foster and issued another instruction.

"Use all of it to buy every informant and official who can be bought."

"Make certain they become our eyes and sources of intelligence."

"You may also attempt to contact spies currently serving the other factions."

"Everyone beneath the heavens acts for the sake of profit."

"Even if they currently serve another prince, they can still be purchased as long as we offer sufficient resources."

"Pay particular attention to those holding positions within the Imperial City, as well as the generals responsible for the city’s defenses and other critical locations."

"They will be able to provide us with an enormous amount of assistance."

"Chief Steward Foster, you should be highly experienced in such matters."

"You have also lived within the Imperial City for many years."

"I believe you are sufficiently reliable."

"You should be able to handle all of this properly, correct?"

After speaking, Daniel fixed Chief Steward Foster with an intense gaze, waiting to see how he would respond.

The moment Foster felt Daniel’s piercing stare, he was struck by a terrifying pressure—

A pressure he had previously experienced only when standing before the Emperor himself.