Chapter 53: The Weight of Ambition

The Imperial Princess’s office meeting room.

“Your Highness, the damage is more severe than we thought.”

Prime Minister Esman said with a grave expression.

The simultaneous attacks on the reconstruction sites.

While there were almost no casualties, there had been a severe loss of manpower.

The commoners, still holding fear and trauma from the Demon Lord’s invasion, had lost their will to work due to the attacks from the assailants.

On top of that, with the added incitement from the noble faction and the Church, the already scarce workforce was draining away like an ebbing tide.

“At this rate, it will be difficult to continue the reconstruction project.”

They were already greatly concerned about schedule delays even when operating with only half the planned workforce.

And yet.

With even more people leaving, a large-scale reconstruction project had become virtually impossible.

“Perhaps it would be best to temporarily halt the project…”

“No, Prime Minister. There will be no halting of the project.”

Anastasia cut off Esman’s cautious suggestion with a firm voice.

“But Your Highness, no matter how you look at it, continuing the project like this is unreasonable… no, it’s impossible! Therefore…”

“That’s what they want.”

“What do you mean…?”

“For this project, we have not only collected more taxes from the nobles but also raised taxes on the common people, albeit at a very small rate. If we reduce the scale of the project or halt it here, they will surely raise their voices as if they’ve been waiting for it.”

“B-But… isn’t this an unavoidable situation? Isn’t it because the workforce is far too small?”

At that question, Lionel interjected into the conversation and answered for her.

“It’s those bastards who created this ‘unavoidable situation,’ isn’t it?”

“That’s right! Speaking of which, what were the results of the interrogation? If we were to launch a counterattack…”

A faint glimmer of hope crossed Esman’s face.

It was obvious who was behind them.

It was clearly the noble faction and the Church.

But it was only a strong suspicion.

So, if they could just secure proper evidence, they might be able to turn this unfavorable tide.

However, Lionel shook his head, shattering his hope.

“All the ones we captured just said they were paid for the job and knew nothing. Despite raising the intensity of the interrogation, we couldn’t secure any definitive evidence.”

At those words, Esman clasped his head in his hands and lamented.

“Ah… ah… then what are we to do… It’s overwhelming with just the noble faction and the Church, and now that the Magic Tower has joined them, it’s extremely difficult…”

“Hmph, don’t whine, Prime Minister. We knew it was an uphill battle from the start, didn’t we?”

“But… isn’t this too much…”

Just as the atmosphere of the meeting was growing increasingly gloomy.

Anastasia slowly opened her mouth.

“We can do this. No, we must do this.”

A resolute determination was etched on her face.

Her unwavering conviction to revive the empire no matter the interference or plots.

Her appearance, which didn’t waver in the slightest, was admirable, but reality was harsh.

No one in the meeting room could easily nod in agreement.

“But Your Highness, the situation is extremely unfavorable.”

“…Yes, I know, Prime Minister. So for now, let’s gather the available workforce and proceed with the high-priority sites first.”

“Ugh… I suppose we have no other choice.”

The pace of the project would be much slower than planned, but it was the best choice at this point, so they had no choice but to nod.

Of course, it was questionable whether even this would go well due to their continuous sabotage and public opinion manipulation.

Thus, the expressions of those in the meeting room could only grow darker.

Just then.

“Everyone, it’s not all bad news.”

Anastasia decided to bring up a new topic to change the atmosphere of the room.

“The Dwarven Kingdom, the Elven Kingdom, and several other nations have agreed to help with our reconstruction project.”

“Is that really true?”

“Yes, starting with the Dwarven Kingdom, several nations have sent replies stating they will provide support.”

“Oh… oh…!”

The good news delivered by Anastasia began to brighten the faces of the people little by little.

“That’s truly incredible… We thought there was some hope with the Dwarven Kingdom, but for the Elven Kingdom and even the Beastmen to agree to help…!”

One official couldn’t hide his admiration.

Everyone had thought that the dwarves, who occasionally traded with the empire, might offer support.

But it was only a ‘might,’ so they hadn’t held high hopes.

This was because, during the previous emperor’s reign, the empire had treated neighboring kingdoms and other races with contempt and disregard.

The current emperor, Valerius, who had stepped back and entrusted state affairs to Anastasia, had made some effort to restore relations.

However, since they too were recovering from the damages of the war with the Demon Lord’s army.

If asked whether they would help the empire, the answer was uncertain, so they hadn’t held high expectations.

“That’s truly amazing, Your Highness!”

“This is all because of the impressive display you showed during the subjugation of the Demon Lord’s army!”

The officials praised Anastasia.

At this, her mouth was itching to speak.

‘No, this is all thanks to Logan…’

Because this was the result of Logan’s efforts, exchanging letters with various allied nations day in and day out.

The high-ranking officials of the allied nations, impressed by Logan’s performance in the war against the Demon Lord’s army, had strongly advocated for this, leading to this result.

She desperately wanted to tell everyone this fact.

‘Renate asked me to please exercise restraint, at least in official settings, so I have no choice…’

Right now, to her.

Someone might ask, “Wouldn’t it be enough to just say, ‘This is all thanks to Sir Logan’s efforts,’ and move on?”

But if one were to question whether it would end with just that one sentence, the answer would have to be an absolute no.

Therefore, Anastasia was extremely frustrated.

She needed to inform the people here of Logan’s excellence and greatness, but she lacked the confidence to control herself properly.

‘Ah, really… what should I do…? Should I just blurt it out, even if I get scolded by Renate?’

‘Everyone, this is all thanks to Sir Logan.’

‘The high-ranking officials of the allied nations, like Lord Baldur and Lady Elara, who were impressed by Logan, who was more active than anyone from the start of the Demon Lord’s subjugation….’

Imagining herself gushing foolishly for a moment, Anastasia found it hard to open her mouth.

Just then.

There was someone who helped her.

“Hmph, wasn’t it because there was one more person who showed an impressive figure, not just Her Highness?”

Lionel spoke, failing to maintain his usual expressionless face, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards slightly.

At this, everyone tilted their heads and asked back.

“There was one more person?”

“Who would that be?”

At that question, Lionel shook his head as if frustrated and replied.

“It seems you’ve all forgotten how the Demon Lord’s army was subjugated.”

‘Yes! Duke! Please tell them!’

Anastasia’s red eyes shone like rubies as she looked at Lionel.

And to meet her expectations, Lionel began to explain.

“How can you not immediately think of Sir Logan when I ask? How frustrating. It’s no exaggeration to say that most of the strategies came from his head; I’ve heard he contributed a great deal. It would have been great if those Church bastards hadn’t interfered… I truly regret not joining the subjugation force, even if it meant overexerting myself. If only I had known Sir Logan back then, it would have been even better…”

‘Huh…?’

For a moment, Anastasia couldn’t help but tilt her head.

She had wanted him to speak on her behalf, but she hadn’t expected him to go into such great detail and at such length.

‘The Duke…? Was he always this talkative…?’

Everyone else in the meeting room was thinking the same thing as her.

“But how can none of you immediately recall Sir Logan’s name? Have you forgotten who saved us when the Hero threw a tantrum in the meeting hall? And the project we are currently working on is also…..”

Because Lionel’s praise for Logan showed no signs of stopping.

It really seemed like it would go on forever if no one stopped him.

At this, Esman cleared his throat, interrupting his speech.

“Ahem! Ahem! Keuheum!”

“What is it, Prime Minister? Have you caught a cold? Anyway…”

“Ahem! A cold, what cold… I get it. I understand just how great Sir Logan is. That’s enough. Ahem…”

Everyone nodded in agreement with Esman’s opinion.

“Hmph…”

Lionel was a little disappointed that he couldn’t say more, but since everyone seemed to understand Logan’s greatness, he decided to stop there.

Just then.

“Excuse me…”

An official cautiously raised his hand and asked.

“But… where is Sir Logan now?”

At that question.

“Ah?”

“Huh?”

“Oh?”

Everyone finally realized that Logan was not in the meeting room.

---

Meanwhile.

The Church’s central meeting hall.

Unlike the serious atmosphere of the Princess’s office meeting room.

 

This place was so festive it could be mistaken for a banquet hall, with everyone raising their glasses and chatting cheerfully.

“Absolutely perfect! Finally, everything is proceeding smoothly according to plan! Everyone, raise your glasses!”

Narcissus shouted triumphantly from the head of the table, raising his glass.

At this, Kardo chimed in with a fawning smile and flattery.

“This is all thanks to Your Highness’s insight.”

“Khahat! What are you talking about, Duke? It’s all thanks to the great mage, Irene, who is here!”

“Haha… Yes, that’s right…”

Kardo forced a smile and nodded.

Because the subject of the praise, Irene, was showing a dry reaction, quietly sipping her drink.

From his perspective, it was infuriating.

‘Tsk… He’s fallen for her, and fallen hard… Like father, like son…’

It seems he was born with the blood that couldn’t help but be attracted to lowborn women.

No matter how outstanding her magical skills were, to give his heart completely to a b*tch of low birth.

‘Well, since that b*tch saved his life, I guess it’s natural… A bit of a shame. This will make it harder to get a taste later… Huk!’

Kardo, who had been licking his lips inwardly and eyeing Irene with a lewd gaze, couldn’t help but gasp.

“….”

Because at some point, she was glaring at him with cold eyes.

“Duke, do you have some business with me?”

At Irene’s words, Narcissus’s brightly smiling face twisted into a scowl.

“Duke? What is the meaning of this?”

Because he too was glaring at him with cold eyes, Kardo broke into a cold sweat.

‘No, I didn’t do anything, you crazy b*stard!’

He wanted to shout out of frustration, but if he did, he didn’t know what kind of trouble he would face.

Therefore, he hastily shook his head and made an excuse.

“Ah, it’s nothing, Your Highness. Hahaha…”

“Hmph! Nothing, my foot! Irene is angry because you did something!”

The atmosphere of the meeting room, which had been intoxicated with victory, instantly turned cold.

Just then.

“It’s a good day, isn’t it? I hope you will be generous and let it pass, Your Highness the Prince.”

Sera, sitting at the head of the opposite table, mediated.

Her voice was very soft and her expression was a benevolent smile, but inside, she was already completely overturned.

‘Tsk… Just having a drinking party in the Church is annoying enough, why are they throwing a fit…’

They were short on time even just to focus on discussing what to do next, yet they were having a drinking party, and fighting amongst themselves.

Seeing them get cocky just because things were going a little well, Sera couldn’t help but think she needed to proceed with the plan as quickly as possible.

Because if she continued to be with these people, she felt she wouldn’t live out her natural lifespan due to stress.

“The Saintess is right. Your Highness, please calm down.”

Teron also chimed in from the side, calming Narcissus.

“Hmph… Alright. Since the Saintess and the acting Master of the Magic Tower say so, I’ll be generous and let it slide this time. Be careful in the future, Duke.”

“Th… Thank you, Your Highness…”

Kardo replied, clenching his teeth and trying his best not to show his displeasure.

‘This reckless bastard… Has he fallen for a woman and forgotten who his real allies are?’

Meanwhile, Irene, who was the cause of this commotion, paid little attention and quietly tilted her wine glass again by herself.

As if to humor her, Narcissus asked with a silly grin.

“Irene, is there anything you need? Haha!”

“…Nothing.”

“O-Oh? Alright. Let me know if you need anything.”

“……”

Irene drank her wine without giving Narcissus even a glance.

If she had her way, she wouldn’t want to be in such a noisy place for even a moment.

However.

She couldn’t leave because she needed to hear their plans for how to proceed.

‘Because these people might propose some ridiculous plan…’

For example, bullshit like assassinating Logan, Anastasia’s closest aide, or teaching him a lesson.

‘If they even bring up such a thing…’

She planned to freeze or burn them all.

What Irene wanted was the downfall of Crown Princess Anastasia.

Unmasking her was important.

However.

If he were to be hurt in the slightest in the process, she could never forgive it.

That’s why, during this simultaneous attack incident, she had excluded the location where Logan was.

‘Logan…’

She imagined what he might be doing right now.

Probably.

Anastasia was probably getting angry and whining because the empire’s reconstruction project wasn’t going well.

If she was continuously cornered, she would obviously try to force him to solve the situation somehow.

‘Then eventually, he’ll fall out of love…’

And come back to me.

Thinking so, she continued to tilt her wine glass.

Just then.

Sera raised her hand and said.

“…Everyone, shall we stop raising our glasses for a moment and start discussing what to do next?”

Since they were just continuing the drinking party and no constructive conversation was taking place, she had reluctantly stepped forward.

However.

Almost no one paid proper attention to her words.

No, no one did.

“Saintess-nim, what are you talking about? On a good day like today, you should focus on raising your glass with His Highness!”
“That’s right! Didn’t His Highness tell you to raise your glass! This is also part of our duties! Kuhaha!!!”

Everyone was drunk and busy sucking up to Narcissus.

“Haa…”

Sera brought her hand to her forehead instead of her wine glass and let out a deep sigh.

‘Ah, these idiots really… They already think they’ve won…!’

She was so annoyed.

They weren’t the type to just take this lying down, so why were they being so foolish?

‘Ah, this won’t do… I’m too anxious…’

Eventually, Sera got up from her seat and decided to make a slow exit.

However.

“Here, here! Saintess-nim, please have some too!”

“Ah, I…!”

She couldn’t easily leave because a foolish noble bastard grabbed her.

“Let me pour for you!”

“Will you accept my drink as well!?”

“No, I am a body that serves the Goddess, so alcohol is a bit…!”

In the end, she had no choice but to devote herself to fending off the advances of the drunk nobles.

‘Ah, this is so annoying!’