Ch.176Leopold’s Deduction

“First of all, what’s clear is that Ernst deliberately sought out Isabella late at night. Such a meeting at that hour couldn’t have been just for a mother-son chat. It was an excessively late hour.”

Indeed, that’s certain.

Even if he wanted to have a private conversation, there would have been plenty of time for a private audience after dinner.

The fact that he specifically went to the main palace around midnight…

“While it wasn’t unusual for Ernst to have private meetings with Isabella, most of them took place around evening. So yesterday’s incident must have been either due to some urgent matter… or he acted on impulse.”

“Impulse? That doesn’t seem to fit Ernst.”

Though I’ve only spoken with him a few times, he seemed to have a steel-cold personality.

Surprisingly, such types can act recklessly once their patience snaps… but was there a reason for that?

“Normally that would be true, but… he was quite fond of Matthias, so if he discovered that his mother was responsible for Matthias’s death, that’s another matter. As far as I know, the only things that would make him act impulsively would involve Leonore or Matthias.”

“He did look particularly gloomy during the court meeting.”

“…This is merely my speculation, of course.”

Leopold trailed off, suggesting he wasn’t entirely convinced of his own theory.

“If Ernst went to the Empress to confront her about his brother’s death… there’s a high possibility that some conflict erupted between them.”

“Indeed. Looking at the outcome, it would be fair to say that more than just a disagreement occurred—there was bloodshed.”

Bloodshed.

Does that mean they engaged in actual combat?

“Really, would Ernst draw his sword against his own mother just because his brother died?”

He must have known that the only one to benefit from such a rift between them would be Leopold.

Even if he intended to oppose Isabella, wouldn’t it have been more rational to do so after ascending to the throne?

…I’m not sure.

Perhaps he also discovered something about Isabella’s true identity or objectives.

If he learned that her goal wasn’t simply to place Ernst on the throne, but to manipulate him as Emperor to lead the Empire to ruin…

Then drawing his sword would make sense.

“Well, we can’t know what they discussed… There might have been some other reason. However, it’s certain that it didn’t end with just a conversation. Otherwise, I don’t see why seven people had to die.”

“That’s true.”

“The question is, who won? If Ernst didn’t know Isabella’s true nature, I would have been confident in his victory, but…”

He must have lost.

She’s not an opponent one can defeat without knowing her weaknesses.

Setting aside the combat abilities of Isabella’s subordinates or herself, it would be impossible to overcome her five powers with just a sword.

‘Netherworld Escort,’ ‘Embracing Nightmare,’ ‘Writhing Nest,’ ‘Black Repose.’

And… ‘Fable’ as well.

This wasn’t something I could tell Leopold.

If he asked how I knew about these, I wouldn’t have an answer.

If the seven deaths were due to Netherworld Escort… does that mean he managed to kill her about seven times?

That alone would be a remarkable achievement.

Even Master-level knights would struggle to kill her more than five times.

Ernst must have been quite strong originally.

Even without Isabella’s enhancements.

“If Ernst had won, Isabella would likely have been confined. If she had died, no matter what excuse Ernst might give about assassins, he couldn’t escape suspicion of having killed her or at least allowing it to happen.”

Anyone would see it that way.

If they died after Ernst went to see Isabella, it would create the strange situation where Isabella was assassinated while Ernst was present.

“On the other hand, if Isabella were still alive, he could somehow explain himself, even by threatening her. In this case, this charade would be buying time to explain his suspicious actions and prevent Isabella’s faction from collapsing. He might even try to pin the attack on me.”

That sounds plausible, but ultimately it’s barking up the wrong tree.

There was no possibility that Ernst won.

The fact that the main palace wasn’t destroyed clearly indicates he couldn’t break through ‘Black Repose.’

“What if Isabella won? No matter how strong Ernst was, I doubt he could defeat a witch who controlled multiple demon beasts comparable to Masters.”

Even as I spoke, I had a rough idea.

By now, isn’t he probably having his brain washed?

Since they’d still need to use him in his role as prince… he’s probably not worm food yet.

“Then this charade would be buying time for her to persuade Ernst in her own way. I don’t know her methods, but… when he emerges from seclusion, Ernst will no longer be the man I knew. It would be fair to say he’ll be nothing more than Isabella’s puppet.”

“A miserable outcome.”

“I agree. In any case, this effectively reduces my enemies to one.”

That’s not wrong.

Whether that’s beneficial or detrimental remains to be seen.

From now on, I only need to be wary of the mind of the one who survived—essentially Isabella—which is advantageous.

But if the conflict between Isabella and Ernst had been holding each other back, then perhaps things will become even more dangerous now that those restraints are gone.

“What are your plans going forward?”

“Nothing has been decided yet. If it was Ernst’s doing, I just need to ensure my supporters aren’t swayed by false rumors. The tide had already turned in my favor when I gained Lord Wien’s support. But if it was Isabella’s doing… Ah, that’s right! I forgot about that…!”

Leopold’s eyes flashed.

“Leonore! If Ernst intended to confront Isabella, he might have given Leonore some indication beforehand. We must secure her immediately!”

Ah, right. There’s Leonore…!

I’d forgotten about her while focusing on Isabella and Ernst.

Though I didn’t particularly like the word “secure,” I agreed that we needed to bring Leonore to our side.

With Ernst fallen, there was no one left to protect her from Isabella’s hands.

The question was whether Leonore would accept this willingly… forcibly bringing her would cause various problems.

“What if Leonore doesn’t agree? Surely you don’t intend to detain her by force. Considering the rumors surrounding Your Highness right now… that would be quite a dangerous approach.”

At this point, if Leopold forcibly detained Leonore and that fact came to light, it would be nothing short of a fatal scandal for him.

To people, it would become evidence.

Evidence that Leopold had finally begun openly harming Isabella and her children.

The rumors about him killing Matthias would no longer be mere hearsay but treated as half-truth.

He might even be framed for attempting to assassinate Isabella.

“Hmm… that would indeed be dangerous. There’s no choice then. I’ll have to entrust this matter entirely to the princess.”

“Wait, to me?”

“Weren’t you somewhat friendly with Leonore? She might be suspicious of my words from the start, but things could be different with you.”

We’re not that close…?

I do like her, but objectively speaking, we’ve only met twice and had one sparring match.

After that, I was busy with various matters, and being from Leopold’s faction, I refrained from meeting her to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

If we met, either I would be suspected of betrayal, or she would be. Maybe both.

Either not noticing or ignoring my confusion, Leopold continued with his request that bordered on an order.

“Contact Leonore and persuade her to leave. If Ernst was indeed defeated by Isabella as you think, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Afterward, don’t bring her here—have her hide somewhere beyond Isabella’s reach for a while.”

You want me to hide Leonore?

Of course she can’t stay in the 1st Prince’s Palace, but strictly speaking, I’m just renting a room at the academy…

…Come to think of it, I do know a few places where she could hide.

Ophelia’s hideout is outside the system so that won’t work, but maybe I could ask Asha to use her factory?

She has an entire building, so there should be space to avoid prying eyes.

“I can probably hide her, but how long is ‘a while’? Weren’t you planning to have her testify about the Empress’s misdeeds?”

Leopold shook his head.

“As I said before, without physical evidence, such an attempt would only earn me the dishonor of being accused of kidnapping and threatening her. I’ll need her testimony eventually, but it’s still premature.”

So we need to find physical evidence first…

The situation has already become complicated, and I wonder if the Holy State’s spies that Lacy promised to send will be able to help.

—-

I accepted Leopold’s request with one condition.

That he would guarantee Leonore’s safety after all this was over.

Unconditionally, whether she testified about the Empress’s misdeeds or the matter was resolved without needing her testimony.

Leopold appeared to contemplate for a while, but when he saw that my attitude wouldn’t change, he finally swore in the name of Elpinel.

I’m not sure how meaningful a vow from someone who isn’t even a priest might be, though.