Ch.145War and the Vermilion Bird #1

“Hmm. First of all… thank you for your hard work. I simply thought you would gather information or conduct reconnaissance, but to think you would personally venture into dangerous territory…”

Several days after Anderson left.

The three dukes of our kingdom gathered once again for a meeting.

This time, it wasn’t at Calliwood’s duchy but at a location closer to the middle ground.

Duke Calliwood exhaled deeply as he sat on an outdoor terrace chair.

With me, Helena, and Luke Killinear seated around the round table, it might have felt cramped.

Of course, that wasn’t really the case.

“As expected of the Grand Duke. Your initiative is truly remarkable.”

In contrast, Luke muttered in amazement with a smiling face.

His usual slick, snake-like demeanor seemed considerably diminished, suggesting he was genuinely surprised.

It was understandable, as this wasn’t the kind of action one would expect from a Grand Duke of equal rank to a duke.

“Thank you for the compliment. The situation was so urgent that I found myself taking action before I knew it.”

“To think someone in such a high position would move personally… truly an exemplary noble. I almost want to follow your example.”

Luke’s lavish praise felt insincere to me, as if he was deliberately trying to elevate me.

Due to the education received at House Killinear, he would instinctively avoid getting his hands dirty.

If these words were sincere, however, it would only strengthen my assessment that he was a difficult man to understand.

It would be frightening if he could be this way despite growing up in an environment where arrogance would naturally flourish.

“Ahem. By the way… what did you discuss with the Imperial Viscount?”

In the midst of exchanging compliments that made only the listener uncomfortable, Duke Allon Calliwood cleared his throat and changed the subject.

While the shift in conversation topic seemed almost too abrupt, I was actually relieved.

First, I was glad the awkward conversation had ended, and second, the topic Calliwood had just brought up was our main purpose anyway.

I shared the details of my conversation with Viscount Anderson as thoroughly as possible.

I explained that he agreed to send an informant to us immediately if any special movements were detected, and that there were quite a few people who supported this idea.

“Hmm. It would have been nice to learn everything from their military structure to supply routes, but I suppose it’s natural not to know since war hasn’t even broken out yet.”

After my lengthy explanation concluded, Luke stroked his chin regretfully and muttered.

As he said, knowing the enemy’s organization in advance would have been helpful in many ways.

“But can we truly believe what this viscount says? No matter how precarious the current Crown Prince’s position may be, he still maintains his position, doesn’t he?”

“Surely not. Even if the other party were lying, I believe the Grand Duke would have seen through it, wouldn’t you agree?”

“If the entire meeting itself was a deception, couldn’t the Empire be fabricating information? We can’t completely rule out that possibility…”

Luke briefly defended, and Allon added his concerned rebuttal, continuing the back-and-forth.

Once suspicion begins, it’s endless and exhausts both listener and speaker, but it was only natural.

It was far better than loosening one’s guard in a situation where war seemed almost certain.

Of course, we shouldn’t let excessive suspicion lead us into our own trap, but still.

“Of course, the Duke’s suspicions are valid. Especially when dealing with the Empire. However…”

Swish. I paused briefly, searched inside my garment, and placed a piece of paper on the table.

It was evidence and a weakness that Viscount Anderson had risked his life to provide, saying that words alone could be doubted.

“What is this?”

“A document bearing the Imperial Crown Prince’s handwritten letter, signature, and seal.”

“What?!”

Allon involuntarily shouted, snatching the document from the table and scrutinizing every letter.

The sight of him staring with wide eyes was almost frightening.

It felt like witnessing a different kind of obsession than what Helena or Ellen had shown.

“It’s genuine.”

While not every imperial noble’s emblem and signature might be known, the symbols of key figures like the Emperor or Crown Prince were common knowledge.

Everyone seated here knew them. It was essentially required knowledge.

“If this were to reach the Empire, it would cause an enormous scandal. The Crown Prince would certainly fall from grace.”

“And most nobles aligned with the Crown Prince would be purged, with a high likelihood of a complete reshuffling. In other words, we could use this to create chaos within the Empire.”

As before, Luke and Allon seemed to be in remarkable sync.

Whether in agreement or rebuttal, everything fit perfectly.

It almost made me wonder if Luke might be Allon Calliwood’s illegitimate child rather than Albus Killinear’s.

“Of course that would be one approach… but we shouldn’t do that.”

After a brief exchange between the two men, Helena, who had been silent until now, slowly spoke up.

“What do you mean?”

“As Duke Killinear said, we could send this document to the Empire to create chaos. The Emperor would be busy purging those connected to this document, buying us time. The desperate Crown Prince might even start a civil war. In that case, it would result in imperial citizens fighting each other, which might be more effective in weakening our opponent.”

Helena first offered an opinion that agreed with Luke’s suggestion.

Judging by Luke’s nodding expression as he listened, this seemed to be the correct answer.

His satisfaction was quite evident.

“Duke, have you entered my mind? How did you read my intentions so accurately…”

“With my limited intellect, I just thought hard and happened to match your thinking.”

“But you disagree with my opinion, don’t you? If you don’t mind, may I ask why?”

Luke showed no displeasure despite recognizing Helena’s opposition to his view.

It was impressive how he maintained only curiosity in his expression, even after reading Helena’s cautious approach.

Helena, seemingly pleased with his reaction, answered while being considerate of his feelings.

“Because it violates trust.”

“Pardon? Trust?”

“Yes, trust. Whether they’re committing treason or not, they took risks trusting us… we can’t stab them in the back. We might flatly refuse to help, but pretending to help while betraying them is unacceptable.”

I understand that trust is necessary even when buying goods, so it’s even more essential in matters like this.

At least, that’s what I truly believed.

Both Luke, who questioned with astonishment, and Allon, who listened with the same bewilderment, probably understood this.

However, citing trust as a reason in this situation seemed absurd to them.

“Is that… really the reason?”

“Of course, that’s not the only reason. What’s truly important is preventing the side effects of breaking trust.”

“Side effects, you say?”

When Luke urged her to explain, Helena composed herself, taking a breath before speaking.

Judging by how she collected herself in that brief moment, it seemed she was preparing for a lengthy explanation.

“People often never forgive those who betray them. The desire for revenge typically sprouts. Whether they act on that desire or not is another matter.”

“That’s true. Who would like someone who betrayed them?”

“Exactly. So I believe we should avoid betraying trust whenever possible. Let’s use this situation as an example. If I were to follow Duke Killinear’s suggestion and expose this document to the Empire, two scenarios might unfold.”

Whether the Emperor’s blade of anger would strike directly or whether they would desperately try to avoid it.

Everyone nodded at this point, as Luke had already mentioned it once.

“The problem comes after that. In this case, it would become a battle between the Emperor and the Crown Prince, and either outcome would be disadvantageous for us. Both sides would be filled with poison and burning with revenge.”

“Revenge, vengeance…”

Luke quietly mulled over the word “revenge.”

This unintentionally led to a heavy silence, but Luke soon broke it with a low exclamation.

It seemed he had realized something himself.

“I see. As you said, Duke, whoever wins, there’s a high possibility of deep resentment forming. Especially if the Crown Prince wins.”

“Yes. Thank you for understanding.”

If the Emperor wins, he would first eliminate the rebel forces.

Of course, the entire faction wouldn’t be destroyed; rather, the leaders and their relatives would be executed, meaning the foundation of the rebel forces would likely remain.

The remaining rebels would naturally resent us for igniting the spark, and the Emperor’s faction would not forgive us for hindering continental unification.

As a result, we’d face a terrifying collaboration of ambition for unification and thirst for revenge against us.

What if the Crown Prince wins?

Similarly, after we extended a hand only to betray them severely, they would harbor revenge at least as strong as, if not stronger than, the Emperor’s.

They would likely harbor such intense vengeance that they’d forget their original thoughts and actions aimed at preventing war casualties.

When one harbors revenge, they move to fulfill it, which leads to war.

Even if not immediate war, they would create provocations that would eventually lay the groundwork for conflict.

As I listened to Helena’s additional explanation, I found it quite plausible.

At least from my perspective, I couldn’t help but nod in agreement.

“…So, I think it’s right to cooperate with those who have reached out to us and navigate through this war. In a way, this is also a kind of transaction.”

“I understand. Then, we’ll proceed with cooperating with them to guide the war.”

“I agree as well.”

Allon, who had been quietly listening, nodded obediently in agreement, showing no objection.

With this, our opinions converged.

“Now that we’ve reached a consensus, we should inform His Majesty of this matter as soon as possible.”

“Indeed. It wouldn’t make sense for the head of state to remain unaware of this.”

Moreover, while House Crauzer might be the leader of the royalist faction, since it’s ultimately a faction that fully supports the king, the king naturally becomes the top of the hierarchy.

Even if it’s a figurehead position, as the top, he needed to know what was happening.

If only to prevent any gossip.

Therefore, Helena and I rode to the capital immediately after parting with the two dukes.

Since we were close to the capital, we could say we were paying a courtesy visit without arousing much suspicion.

As many knew, we were royalists, and unlike in the past, we were no longer reclusive.

“Well, it’s been quite some time since a duke or grand duke requested a private audience like this. You should visit more often.”

As soon as we entered the sparsely populated reception room in the palace, the king smiled wryly and complained.

Despite only a few years having passed, he showed clear signs of aging.

It was understandable, as he was in his mid-forties.

“I apologize. I will try to visit more frequently in the future.”

Helena, knowing the king’s complaint was half in jest, responded with a gentle smile.

If the king had been genuinely expressing regret, she wouldn’t have smiled and would have lowered her head and posture.

In any case, the atmosphere was good, making it the perfect time to bring up our matter.

“…I see. The Empire’s situation seems quite complicated as well.”

“Yes. And regarding this matter… I believe only Your Majesty should know about this for now. It would be better if fewer people knew, at least until we face the imperial army on the battlefield.”

“You’re right. I will follow the Duke’s wishes. It would only cause headaches if rumors leaked outside.”

King Sotern, having heard the circumstances, nodded without complaint, seemingly agreeing with Helena’s opinion.

He might genuinely think our decision was right, but it wasn’t just that.

Perhaps it was awkward to question or reject a decision made collectively by three dukes.

“By the way, war. For generations, we’ve had peace, and I thought it would continue forever… perhaps my desire was too greedy.”

“Not at all. How could a desire for peace be considered greed?”

Hearing the king’s lament with a shadowed expression, I spoke quite firmly, wanting to convey that this was certainly not the case.

Thanks to this, a faint smile appeared at the corners of the king’s lips.

“Thank you for saying so, Grand Duke. However, when power accumulates, it eventually seeks an outlet… perhaps this was inevitable. Especially for the strong.”

“That may be true. But…”

We are not weak either.

Only after hearing Helena’s confident tone did the king finally lift the shadow from his expression.