227. Imperial Envoy (2)
“Did you agree to go on an inspection together tomorrow?”
“I heard they plan to visit the battlefield directly and hold a memorial for the souls of the fallen settlers.”
“Did the priest come along too?”
“Bishop Shield is here.”
Late at night, Fernandez was drinking tea at Kirhas’s residence, chatting. Kirhas was recalling the conversation she had diligently memorized between the Duke and the Crown Prince.
“Was there anything else?”
“The knight who came along was actually the more talkative one. The Crown Prince just… mostly smiled throughout the conversation.”
Kirhas remembered the Crown Prince, who only wore an enigmatic, ambiguous smile. He dined with impeccable etiquette and manners, avoiding direct participation in the conversation.
Hearing this, Fernandez stroked his chin and laughed.
“What do you think?”
“About the Crown Prince’s visit? Surprisingly bold. We confirmed that Iron Side directly intervened, and the Imperial Palace must know that too. I don’t know how he can remain so calm.”
No matter how politely you put it, the Crown Prince’s situation is no different from sticking his head into a guillotine. In Fernandez’s view, the Crown Prince’s visit meant one of two things: either the Emperor doesn’t want conflict with Ribue, or the Crown Prince is not on the same side as the Emperor.
The recent conversation made the latter possibility much more likely. In reality, the Emperor has no reason to tolerate Ribue. If Ribue openly opposes the Imperial Palace over the recent schemes, the justification would lie with the Imperial Palace, wouldn’t it?
“I should talk to the Crown Prince.”
“Shall I arrange a meeting?”
“Preferably alone.”
“His escort knight is extremely thorough. It seemed like he would even follow the Crown Prince to the bathroom.”
“Haha.”
The Crown Prince’s escort knight. A knight of the Bright Star Spear Order. The Bright Star Spear Order is directly under the command of Captain Revans, who is the Emperor’s closest confidant. Is he trying to ‘protect’ the Crown Prince, or ‘monitor’ him…?
*Knock knock.*
“Who is it?”
Kirhas spoke in a lazy voice, tinged with irritation. She was finally enjoying some alone time with Fernandez after almost half a day.
“It’s the Duke Carvelier’s daughter. Chieftain.”
“The Duke’s daughter…? Let her in.”
The Beastman Warrior guarding the door opened it. Soon, a dazzling evening dress and fiery red hair stepped through the doorway. It was Rene.
Fernandez caught a whiff of a sweet fragrance as she entered. It’s common for noble ladies to wear perfume at social gatherings, but… this scent was different from the one he smelled at the banquet earlier…?
Rene glanced at Fernandez and then approached the Chieftain, bowing her head slightly.
“Pardon the late-night intrusion, Chieftain.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I came to see one of the Chieftain’s retainers for a moment.”
“Fernin…?”
Kirhas’s eyes sharpened as she glared at Fernandez. Again, again, again? Fernandez shrugged and shook his head. What ‘again’?
Unfazed by the tension between the two, Rene looked straight at Kirhas and crossed her arms. The silhouette of her soft evening dress seemed to irritate Kirhas’s temper. She spoke coldly.
“Speak here.”
“I request a private audience.”
“Daring to ask the Chieftain’s concubine… A proper Duke’s daughter, in the middle of the night, alone, with you. Do you have something to say?”
“Yes, ‘in the middle of the night,’ ‘alone.'”
This is getting out of hand. Fernandez chuckled as he watched. Rene Philippa is a seventeen-year-old noble lady. No matter how intelligent or bold she is, the playful nature of her age seems unavoidable.
Hearing Fernandez laugh, Kirhas flinched. She quickly mouthed to Fernandez, who was leaning against the wall behind the Duke’s daughter, ‘Already to that extent…?’ ‘What do you mean, already?’
‘Sometimes I wonder what Kirhas thinks of me.’
-Probably exactly what it looks like.
‘Shut up.’
Fernandez shrugged and approached Kirhas. He knelt on one knee, showing the etiquette expected of a Beastman Noble, and said, “It’s late, so I’ll escort the lady to her chambers.”
“Fernin…!”
Kirhas’s eyes seemed to tremble with disbelief and betrayal. Fernandez gestured briefly in Heretic sign language. ‘Operation.’ Kirhas responded with a gesture full of sarcasm. ‘Oh, of course, you would.’
“Oh, thank you. I hope I haven’t disturbed your rest.”
“I don’t sleep much, my lady.”
“My goodness. I sleep so much that it’s always a problem in the morning. Shall we take a walk, then?”
Rene provocatively draped her arm over Fernandez’s.
* * *
The palace garden wasn’t much of a sight after the recent destruction, but on this warm spring night, the moonlight reflecting off the fountain was beautiful. Fernandez walked in silence with Rene for a while.
“Isn’t the weather lovely?”
Rene, who had been wearing a somewhat sullen expression, forced a smile and spoke. Fernandez stopped in front of the fountain and looked at Rene.
She looked down. With her emerald eyes sparkling, she stood with her hands clasped together.
“What’s the matter?”
“…A bit embarrassing. Don’t you have any sense of romance?”
“Save the romance for books. I doubt you’d have anything serious enough to provoke the Chieftain.”
“Missing your friend?”
“Lady Rene Philippa de Carvelier, Duke’s daughter. Don’t you think friendship should be mutually beneficial?”
“Tsk.”
Rene turned her head with a look of disappointment. She soon gazed at the fountain and whispered softly.
“Things are getting a bit strange.”
“Did you contact the Prince personally?”
“Yes, and the Prince wants to see you now.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you. Did you know each other?”
Fernandez shook his head briefly. Rene shrugged and said,
“Given my status, I can’t openly mingle with foreign men in the middle of the night, Sir Sernerd. But I think it’s best to hold off on the plan to involve the Sultan.”
“Are you saying the Prince and the Emperor are at odds?”
“The Empire will fall.”
Rene declared. Her eyes shone coldly.
“His Highness Prince Robert. Isn’t that right?”
“Old buildings should be rebuilt, not just renovated.”
-Rustle.
From behind the garden bushes, along the long narrow path, Robert walked leisurely. He was dressed in a light tunic with a longsword at his side.
Fernandez, aware of his approach, looked at him without much enthusiasm. In his past life, his main area of activity was the eastern part of the Empire, so he wasn’t deeply acquainted with the northern heroes. Seeing the hero’s youthful appearance felt somewhat unfamiliar.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Robert Tremule.”
“Albert of Dane. Your Highness.”
“Spare the formalities, Sir Albert Sernerd. If a Knight of the Round Table from the Dane Kingdom acts so humbly, what would King Vicente think?”
Fernandez, who had been bowing his head, paused for a moment. He soon chuckled briefly and thought.
‘So, Iron Side knows my identity.’
-Didn’t Robert say he was the Finance Minister? How did he get in touch with Iron Side?
‘Every organization needs approval from the Treasury.’
Fernandez raised his head and crossed his arms. The two men quickly sized each other up. Strong. Up close, even more than expected.
‘Indeed, the ruler of the northern seas.’
-In my past life, the elves were in decline. With the current naval power, Robert is no match for the Guimerin royal family.
‘Robert isn’t just strong at sea.’
Erik the Black was more skilled in land battles than naval ones. Northerners are generally more robust and stronger than mainlanders. This man before me launched a counterattack in a situation where all fronts and ports were paralyzed, isolated and surrounded by such foes.
Anyway, it’s an era of heroes. Fernandez laughed self-deprecatingly. Even a continent filled with such heroes eventually fell.
“I’ve heard much about your reputation. Truly, it’s well-deserved. I’d love to cross swords with you, but the situation doesn’t permit it. A pity.”
“You flatter me, Count Tremule.”
Count Tremule. Since the Prince’s title isn’t hereditary, addressing him as the second son of a mere county was a diplomatic gesture. Robert laughed upon hearing it.
“There are many fascinating stories about you. Yes, I’ve heard of your boldness, but not of your wit. The rumors didn’t do you justice.”
“Among the many praises of Count Tremule, I don’t recall hearing of his modesty. Impressive.”
“Haha, hahaha! Sir Sernerd. Neither of us likes to waste time. Shall we get to the point?”
Robert laughed for a while and then sat on a garden chair. He leaned back comfortably, crossing his legs with confidence. His icy blue eyes shone arrogantly.
“Kingmaker. Who do you think will ascend the throne next?”
“Kingmaker?”
“Wasn’t it you who placed Vicente on the throne when his fall was evident? The Hearttaker Chieftain was probably your doing too? It was like watching a street play. When I received the report about you, my subordinates had a codename for you. ‘Kingmaker.'”
“So, you’re not just the Finance Minister.”
“Indeed. My apologies. I’ve been negligent in managing my subordinates, leading to some unfortunate incidents. But isn’t it fortunate? Thanks to that, the 50-year war ended.”
“Haha. This is…”
Fernandez chuckled as he looked at Robert, who spoke so confidently. He had misjudged. This man wasn’t just a capable Prince aligned with Iron Side. Before him stood a completely different kind of beast.
‘Not just a financier of Iron Side…’
-He was Iron Side itself.
‘Very… capable. Impressive.’
Why hadn’t this man aimed for the throne in his past life? Had Rene’s political maneuvers been more meticulous than he had anticipated?
“From now on, don’t think of me as the Imperial Prince, the second son of the Tremule Count, the Empire’s Finance Minister, or the Minister of the Interior of Guir… I am the head of the Empire’s Special Task Force, Iron Side’s Gray Circle. Its leader, Angel.”
“Impressive. Truly.”
“Doesn’t seem like it?”
“What expression do you think I’m making, Angel?”
“Amused. Albert.”
At that, Fernandez raised his hand to touch the corner of his mouth. He was laughing so hard it surprised even himself. Yes, he had to admit. Meeting the heroes of his past life and hearing their backstories was enjoyable. But more than that.
Delving into the secrets of the world was even more thrilling. This wasn’t the attitude of an Inquisition Officer, but closer to the curiosity of a Dark Mage.
“Let me ask again. Who do you think will ascend the throne next?”
And this was a test posed by the head of the continent’s greatest intelligence organization.
“Rene Philippa de Carvelier.”
“Hic?”
And that sound was the future Emperor’s hiccup.
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