I did not like how this is pseudo in*est. Like Author, why did you make Nero's brother's body double become his chosen Apha-consort! Like this is borderline g*ooming, I couldn't stomach it. Wdym, that the male lead watched the Emperor grow from a toddler to an adult, whom is still kind of young when they've became official! Mind you, the ML had to pretend to be his brother, while the real brother was off doing whatever. Around Chapter 100, the author did a shoddy job in trying to set up this pairing. I felt it was too forced and its a major ick for me. I am definitely the only person with this thought. The other three male leads were perfect choices.

MC is emperor with a shitty past and is trying to rebuild his kingdom. To do so he needs help from 4 MLs (whom are topping him). First ML is a wolf knight who has undying loyalty to MC as he is MC's childhood friend and is puppy like. Second ML introduced is a cold tsundere genius war knight whoes family perished due to MC's father. Third ML is a beefy gladiator s*ave who even though is puppy like as well, is the only one with dark skin and a barbarian like past. He gets saved by MC. Last ML is a tech genius who's talents look amazing when compared to the kindgom's advancing technology.

in that the trope where system points being redeemed to heal his crippled legs actually has zero impact on his actions - there's no miraculous healing plot, and he does actually have to deal with day-to-day issues with his legs throughout the story, even though there's tech that let's him walk for periods of time as well.

Sexually charged scenes definitely do - the most intimate being some handjobs with the White Wolf Knight- but full, consensual s*x only happens with the actual husband in the end. That will be a plus or minus depending on the reader, but I'm glad the author clearly labelled it 1v1, because the story definitely teases full harem.

those who aren't into brother-con territory might be repelled though, though it isn't actual in*est, but I appreciated he was the one ML who always tried to keep Nero's best interests and happiness first above his own desires

Felt the need to address- this is NOT a harem, and true to most CN non-harem novels, MC does NOT have what ppl may consider actual s*x with the potential partners.

There's "four" potential MLs- readers probably see five, but when the actual one shows up, he shows up. By the end, the one he ends with really is the right one for him. Though, from the start, I didn't particularly like any of the main four for him- a spin on their relationship to make it nonromantic would've been perfect and a lot less.... peacocking by the MLs

any omega is very lucky to be with Ml, and lo and behold MC finally become that person.

Alexei, as the first ML introduced, I honestly thought he was the one but at the middle of the novel I realized, yeahh he isnt the one

Heidrich, I knew from the get go he wasn't the ml. I also didn't really like him that much. Nothing personal, its just my preference.

Asaka (im not that sure abt the name), he's really really cutee. But still, I knew he wasn't the ml. He's also one of the mls that I really pity. Since I knew, he really had no chance of being the end cp. He also seems quite aware of that.

Yestin, I knew he was the one MC would end up with the moment Alexei talked about how Yestin could guide/influence Nero. Nero has always shown his strong exterior. Although he gets vulnerable sometimes to Alexei, he can't really influence decisions Nero would make especially if it doesn't concern Alexei. I know Alexei will always be a special person to Nero, but I knew Nero needed someone that he could be comfortable with to shed his identity as the monarch even just for a minute (the maximum time Nero would allow🥲) and be the carefree prince he would be if those misfortune didn't come. Judging by how long Yestin's spoiler is proves he is my stock hahaha

Nero would announce his omega identity and marriage to Yestin

Even though the story was tagged 1v1, the MC's affection is not clear on whom. That's so tiring to read, sometimes he shows one of Mls affection, other times he not. I feel like the romance part is not a main focused thing in his mind, kinda whatever. He is an emperor, siring heir is a only way to go. All 4 MLs cannot make him fall in love. He chooses the most possible one from them.

And the ultimate ML was Yestin-somehow has haft Nero's brother DNA. Technically he is his half brother. *Palm-faced* It iches me when they got intimate and MC keeps calling ML bother. "Insinuated in*est." The children somehow survived that in*est.:))

Asga and Marshal, their fluctuation are kinda forced.

Our MC is such a breath of fresh air within this story and I absolutely fell in love with him. He’s strong and determined, a man that’s in love with his Empire and would do absolutely anything to make sure his people stand high, in peace and unafraid.

Near the end of the story, the ML compares Nero’s love for the Empire to his own love for Nero, and it really is such an extravagant and brilliant, selfless love that he has for his people— even to the point of self-destruction, which is also later tackled in the novel and handled so gorgeously.

MC is cold, ruthless and decisive— yet so lovely and compassionate towards his Empire. He is insanely smart and wise and I can’t even begin the describe the amount of times I felt absolutely in love with the things that he does.

We have Heidrich, a man that desires control and is a brilliant military genius. We have Asaga, a half-zerg ex-gladiator who is insanely strong and is willingly the Emperor’s most loyal dog. We have Alexei, MC’s personal White Wolf Knight who dedicated his entire self to his master— and then we have Yestin, a mysterious and genius man with secrets embedded in both his and MC’s past.

All four are very interesting characters and in the novel, for majority of its story, the readers don’t even know which one of them— if it’s one of them, will be MC’s final romantic interest. All of them have their shortcomings and flaws, but I found myself rooting for each one at different parts of the story— even despite being spoiled on who the ML would be from another review.

Some people found it a little bit controversial that it ended up being Yestin, but I was fully in support of it. A man who was forced to be the Second Prince’s stand-in during MC’s earlier years, and somebody who had forged an unbreakable and sweet bond with MC during those years, as well as after they had met again.

Out of all of the love interests, it really was destined to be Yestin after you really look into things. In comparison to the others, Yestin really was the only one who could ever introduce Nero to the love, self-respect and pure happiness that MC was able to eventually achieve with the help of Yestin’s gentle hand.

The in*est tag scared me, but Yestin was never MC’s real brother and was simply a stand-in.

I will admit, however, that the whole ‘brother’ roleplay thing kind of made me shudder and was the only part of the novel that was disconcerting to me. That was not something that made this novel any less grand to me, however, as I just ignored it.

He’s cold, ruthless, a little too rational, but he doesn’t come off as your average savage op MC. He bears the heavy title of “Emperor” and he truly lives up to expectations. To him who lost his family since he was young, the empire was quite literally the only thing he had left of his family.

I like the little moments where he shows his more “human” side. Moments where he acts like a little kid really hits hard imo when you realize this kid was forced to grow up too fast due to circumstances, forced to shoulder the responsibilities of trillions of people.

alexei, hes the wolf knight/childhood friend that grew up with MC and hes honestly rlly cute. His relationship with MC feels so *intimate* that at times I feel like I’m intruding LOL. Those two have been through life and death together and they mean so much to each other it’s really fun to see them interact

heinrich, hes the future marshal and mc’s most trusted confidant. His chemistry with MC was off the charts at the beginning tbh but it kinda became pretty meh when he fell for MC LMFAO anyways I like how their minds think alike for alot of things since they both care heavily for the empire

agasa, former s*ave and half-zerg god of war. Hes so pathetic puppy but also kinda kinky (rlly into the idea of MC stepping on him) also his seduction method is showing off his b**bs and thats just funny as hell

yestin, the prime minister and my BABBYYYYY T-T I love him sm his backstory hits like a truck and imo he has the most developed character out of all the mls. His struggles, hatred for the royal family but also yearning for affection like omo...

i knew it was yestin the moment he appeared and well! Apparently i’m correct haha. For those worried that it’s inc*st or anything... its NOT! Yestin was mc’s brother’s body double so it’s more accurate to say they were childhood playmates. Also as ive said the MC is very rational and few things could actually move him emotionally and well yestin is one of those few things.

Among all back story... Yestin made me feel immense pain. How can someone experience what he had in their life! He's so pitiful! He doesn't even have any control on his life... But this one has the most plot twist ever. Didn't expect it to be like that.

Followed by Cute Asaga, Hexagon/Points Machine Heidrich and our Dumb Wolf Alexei.

Asaga was literally t0rtur3d in his whole life. I can't imagine the pain he's been throught the entire time he's on the arena. It's the definition of lofe worst than death!

Heidrich, however, experienced being exiled and treated as traitors during Rupert's time. He lost his family and doing his best to save his remaining relative. He's cute and annoying tho. Personally, I feel discontent and really annoyed when he keeps going against Nero, but he is extremely reliable whenever needed. I can say that, I felt a lot of relief knowing the Nero have Heindrich as the Marshal.

Alexei, on the other hand, didn't experience intense emotional damage in his life. But pure survival hardship. He and Nero has been running away, trying to survive from the pursuit... Compared to the other three tho, they experienced life worst than death at some point.

At this point, I still don't have any idea about Saint Louis, our mentally disabl3d (as per system) Holy Son... His backstory was revealed a bit. I am unsure on what kind of entity is he, but he really does have magical ability. I think Ceasar was referring to him on the letter, when he said "IT" is the weapon.

I'll try to search for my other bookmark tabs for future reference... 157-160 Yestin Back-story... Somewhere after this is Holy Son Backstory... 174 Differentiation, Zerg... 180 Collar (shocking)... 186! Random Punishment!... 187 Funny hehe, 3 statues. A with wide eyes, Y pressed against the wall, H kneeling by the ground...

when the 4 MLs finally reveal their feelings and nero just tramples on their feelings like a robot, I just felt like banging my head against a wall. It already felt contrived how painfully oblivious nero was throughout most of the novel considering he's supposed to be the most intelligent and rational person in the universe, and when the truth was revealed, his reaction just felt like a slap in the face. Why have we gone through 200+ chapters with the plot having gone through several motions just for the protagonist himself to be exactly the same as when we first met him? I'm not being funny but nero's stoicism remains unchanged literally until the last 10 chapters of the novel, and the change is only brought about phantoms of his dead family having to talk him into it. Nero undergoes no development on his own and simply remains stubbornly static throughout all the wild plot points in the story, which just becomes overly frustrating.

the empire faces a threat, nero and the MLs plan against that threat, the MLs do something revolutionary relating to science, politics or the military that gives the empire hope against this threat, the MLs bicker over their feelings for Nero, they face the threat, some struggle ensues, nero wins at the end of the day, and repeat.