Chapter 52: Even Trash Can Be Recycled 3

As we departed the encampment toward the Lord’s castle, accompanied by Prince Friedrich’s entourage, Chancellor Anhalt addressed me with a degree of discomfort.

“However… We have not received any news regarding Lord Santana until now… Might you shed some light on the reason for this?”

“Well, let me explain. There was a period of youthful indiscretion when I left home in my teenage years, unable to control my raging impulses. I trust that suffices as an explanation.”

“Umm… I see… My apologies, Lord Santana.”

Caught off guard by my straightforward response, Anhalt found himself at a loss for further words.

While he likely aimed to ascertain my true identity as the Lord’s son and the reasons for my absence, as well as probe for any potential blemishes to exploit, my mention of youthful wanderlust had effectively silenced him.

The reason was simple.

Among the Imperium’s youth, instances of temporary runaways like mine were far from uncommon.

Most would eventually be caught and disciplined by their parents, but cases like mine, where the individual’s whereabouts became obscure, were not unheard of either.

Having had a child who had run away and been brought back, Anhalt was in no position to criticize.

Thus, his attempt to pry and potentially undermine me had been thwarted, leaving him to let out a small sigh of resignation.

Observing his reaction, I inwardly smiled, recalling why this man harbored such animosity towards my existence.

Anhalt Christian, the Chancellor of the Palatinate, was a man of unwavering loyalty to his lord and equally boundless ambition.

He harbored a grand aspiration – to elevate his young master and pupil since childhood, Prince Friedrich, to the Imperial throne of the Holy Imperium.

Ruling over the Palatinate, a vast and fertile region that served as a vital transportation hub within the Imperium, Friedrich possessed the legitimacy and status of a Prince-Elector, granting him the potential to vie for the Imperial crown.

Although lacking in self-confidence, Friedrich was a devoted disciple who readily heeded Anhalt’s counsel without question.

Through him, Anhalt sought to etch his name in history as the tutor and chancellor who had elevated an Emperor.

To this end, Anhalt had actively exploited the prevailing phenomenon of heresy as the ultimate pretext.

When news of Bohemia’s rebellion arose, it presented Anhalt with a golden opportunity.

While not an exceptionally large territory, Bohemia was among the wealthiest and most powerful regions within the Imperium, conveniently located adjacent to the Palatinate.

Moreover, its current ruler, Count Turen, had only three daughters and no sons.

Although female rulers were not uncommon in neighboring nations, tradition within the Holy Imperium prohibited women from ascending the throne.

Seizing upon this, Anhalt led an ‘interventionist force’ to Bohemia under the guise of aiding a fellow heretical ally. However, his true intentions were far from altruistic.

Despite having a relatively small contingent of mages among his seven thousand troops, Anhalt had brought Prince Friedrich himself.

In the original narrative, exploiting Count Turen’s critical lack of a male heir, Anhalt exerted pressure while also swaying some of the other thirteen nobles through persuasion, conspiring to install his lord, Friedrich, as the next ruler of Bohemia.

This scheme had nearly succeeded, with Friedrich effectively ruling as the prospective Prince-Elector of Bohemia during the winter months, wielding near-sovereign authority.

Of course, this fleeting glory would soon turn into a mere dream, abruptly ending with Bohemia’s defeat in the ensuing war against the Imperium, just weeks later.

However, in an unexpected twist, Anhalt’s ambitious plans – destined for a dismal failure alongside Bohemia’s defeat – had been rendered utterly moot from the very outset by the sudden appearance of a young man named Santana Andreas.

This development had naturally set Anhalt and Friedrich on an entirely different course.

Santana Andreas, the unquestionably legitimate heir to the Bohemian dominion, bore an undeniable resemblance to Count Turen in his youth.

Observing him, Anhalt could only swallow his bitter disappointment.

Despite probing for any potential vulnerabilities by alluding to Santana’s supposed wayward years, Anhalt had only succeeded in dredging up his own unsavory past, utterly failing to gain any leverage.

Ultimately, even before setting foot in Bohemia’s castle, he had been forced to abandon the initial phase of his grand scheme.

Yet, Anhalt had not entirely relinquished hope for his present circumstances.

Although his plans to install Friedrich as Bohemia’s ruler had faltered, it was merely a single part of his grander ambitions.

Possessing considerable diplomatic acumen, Anhalt had been actively cultivating a network across the continent, exploiting the turmoil caused by the heretical uprisings to further his goal of elevating Friedrich to the Imperial throne.

The results had exceeded even his expectations, beginning with arranging Friedrich’s marriage to the princess of the formidable British Kingdom.

He had also fostered ties with the northern powerhouse of the Kalmar Union, as well as the lowlands regions engaged in their struggle for independence from the Holy Imperium.

Naturally, an alliance with the very lord of Bohemia, whose rebellion had ignited the initial spark, had been forged as well.

Under the banner of religious ideology, Anhalt had successfully united the heretical nations acknowledging the Palatinate’s leadership into a formidable bloc.

Through these accomplishments, he judged that the day when his ambitions of elevating Friedrich to the Imperial throne would soon become a reality.

‘While the outcome in Bohemia is regrettable… No matter. It is not crucial to directly seize control here, as long as their allegiance supports Friedrich’s claim.’

A minor setback had slightly derailed his plans, but it was a trifling failure compared to the greater successes he anticipated.

Resolving to put aside his disappointment, Anhalt began revising his subsequent strategies.

‘However… Why has Friedrich been so distracted since our arrival? He seems unable to take his eyes off this Santana fellow…’

Friedrich’s demeanor had subtly shifted ever since learning of Santana’s supposed runaway years.

While mildly puzzled by this change, Anhalt did not dwell on it, focusing instead on hastily modifying his future plans.

Following the brief welcoming ceremony for the allied rulers upon our arrival at the castle, I retreated to my chambers, feeling somewhat fatigued… where, as expected, a particular individual awaited me.

“Welcome back, Master. How did things proceed?”

Polena, who had naturally assumed the role of my personal attendant under the pretext of serving me from the outset, greeted me like a wife welcoming her husband home from work.

Although still feeling a tinge of awkwardness, I accepted her fluid, slightly playful demeanor.

“Nothing of particular note, but as I mentioned earlier, I grew rather weary from encountering some rather unpleasant individuals.”

I indirectly expressed my impressions after witnessing the original work’s despicable duo – Anhalt, concocting futile schemes, and Friedrich, his impotent puppet merely being led along.

“Hmm… That is unfortunate… In that case, shall I prepare some tea for you? Or perhaps you would prefer me to…”

“Tea will suffice.”

Feeling an odd sensation at how accustomed I had become to her suggestive remarks, I placed my order.

In response, Polena smiled as ever, deftly preparing the tea as if she had been awaiting my request.

However…

“…Hm? Would you like a cup as well, Polena?”

Noticing the two teacups set before me, I assumed she intended to partake as well. However, Polena shook her head slowly.

“No, that one is for our guest.”

“…Pardon?”

Perplexed by her enigmatic words, I was about to voice my confusion when…

-Knock Knock Knock-

“…Hm? Who could that be?”

Startled by the sudden knocking, I instructed Polena to ascertain the situation.

And…

“…Santana, it seems you should greet our guest directly.”

Unlike her usual nonchalance, Polena’s tone carried a hint of solemnity.

In response, I rose from my seat and approached the door.

The individual who came into view was none other than…

“…!? Prince… Friedrich…?”

“…I shall intrude for a moment, Lord Santana.”