Ch.635Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from the Cold Country

I had expected contact. But to be honest, I didn’t know the meeting would materialize so blatantly.

Princess Margarita, who had shown her goodwill by handing over the classic lighter, maintained a dignified attitude throughout. In fact, her voice asking if I was surprised even carried a natural nonchalance.

“Surprised? If so, I apologize.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. Judging by your sudden visit, you must have had urgent circumstances.”

I tapped the cigarette, which was about one-third burned, into the ashtray, deflecting the princess’s apology.

“If our meeting becomes known, wouldn’t Your Highness Margarita be the one inconvenienced?”

It was essentially asking if she had come without preparation.

Understanding my implication, Princess Margarita revealed a slight smile.

“I appreciate your concern, but that won’t happen now or in the future. My bodyguards will keep unwanted visitors away.”

“Of course, the princess who stands shoulder to shoulder with the Saint of Laterano wouldn’t have come here alone.”

The second princess of the Empire, born with black hair and black eyes, was renowned for her exceptional beauty, often compared to the Saint of the Order.

Moreover, since Veronica was originally from the Kiyen Empire, connoisseurs had long been comparing the Saint and the Princess.

Well, people say they’re evenly matched or whatever.

To be honest, in my opinion, her face fell far short of Veronica’s. Though her appearance was quite outstanding, comparing her to Veronica seemed a bit… Perhaps it was a matter of preference.

Even the Empire’s connoisseurs were divided on whether the Saint or the Princess was superior.

Anyway.

“Those fellows. They’re not from the Imperial Guard, are they?”

“No. They’re longtime talents I brought from the west.”

I know. I’m aware that the second princess has been privately employing security personnel for some time.

Nominally, they were known as the subordinates of the former empress who was a western noble, but in reality, they were all individuals who had served the former empress and Princess Margarita like shadows.

It was an open secret that the Imperial Guard, which should protect all imperial family members equally, was loyal only to the Emperor, and that the movements of the empress and princesses were reported directly to the Emperor through the eyes and ears of the Imperial Guard members.

Therefore, past empresses had brought their own subordinates separate from the Imperial Guard, and these subordinates were now in opposition to the Imperial Guard, which was loyal to the crown prince.

“……”

After examining the western bodyguards standing guard in front of the lounge, I stored their appearances and characteristics in my memory and carefully closed the door.

It was the moment an imperfect sealed room was created.

Episode 23 – The Spy Who Returned from a Cold Country

The power struggle for the throne of the Kiyen Empire was thoroughly developing into a three-way conflict.

According to the Abas government’s assessment, Princess Margarita was currently the contender furthest from succession. Excluding Yekaterina, who had no real power, she was far behind Valery and Yelizaveta, and to overcome this gap, she needed external help more desperately than anyone else.

That fact was well known to the other imperial family members as well.

In fact, Princess Yelizaveta, whom I had met at the Grand Duke’s residence, had forewarned me that her half-sister would soon seek me out.

The first princess, skilled in political judgment, had easily anticipated her sister’s moves. This provided certainty to our government, which had roughly estimated Margarita’s visit, and gave me time to prepare.

Nevertheless.

Even I, who had been preparing for the princess’s visit, couldn’t help but be surprised by her insight.

“You don’t seem particularly surprised to see me. It seems you received advance notice from my sister.”

She already knew that I had made contact with Princess Yelizaveta first. And she was confident that I had received a warning from her half-sister about her impending contact request.

“Are you testing me based on my reaction, or do you have some basis for your confidence?”

“The rumor about a princess famous for her lovely blonde hair visiting the Grand Duke’s residence is well-known.”

Princess Margarita, with her arms crossed, tilted her head slightly and added.

“And coincidentally, a peculiar guest secretly visited the Grand Duke’s residence. While being tailed by the security police, no less. They say he met with the princess in secret and left immediately.”

She knows exactly what I did and where.

Where did Princess Margarita get this information from?

While pondering with cigarette smoke wafting around me, suddenly, combining my movements and the backgrounds of the two princesses, a hypothesis emerged.

In other words, I had a rough estimate of where the information had leaked from.

With the cigarette between my lips, I moved only my mouth to answer.

“You’ve bribed the security police and the Grand Duke’s servants.”

“Isn’t it true that no one anywhere dislikes money?”

“Indeed, the wealth of the west is famous even abroad, so you must have approached with an offer no one could easily refuse.”

Within Abas, all my movements were kept strictly confidential. In the territory of the Kiyen Empire, apart from the ambassador, consul, and military attaché, no one knew that I had contacted Yelizaveta, so if information had leaked, it must have come from the imperial side, not Abas.

Then surely someone among the security police or the Grand Duke’s staff must have informed her.

Considering the facts that I had secretly met Princess Yelizaveta inside the Grand Duke’s residence and that I had been followed by security from the warp gate immigration, it was reasonable to assume that information had leaked from both sides.

The security guys had only followed me to the entrance of the Grand Duke’s residence. They didn’t follow me inside.

Those who could most quickly and easily detect what was happening inside were the servants of the Grand Duke’s residence.

Considering that they were the parties with easier access to information, but as civilians, they would have difficulty noticing the security police surveillance, only one conclusion could be drawn.

Spies had been planted in both the security police and the Grand Duke’s residence.

When faced with what could be seen as a provocative question, Princess Margarita readily admitted that she had planted spies.

From the fact that she affirmed it candidly, without even trying to deny it, I could guess how bold and confident she was.

“Well, even if I don’t admit to sending intermediaries, my sister would have already anticipated that far. My half-sister is more paranoid than you can imagine. Perhaps even more so than Father?”

Margarita disparaged her half-sister in a nonchalant tone. She even went as far as indirectly criticizing Nicholas VI, calling him paranoid.

It was truly a touching display of family affection.

Of course, I didn’t think much of the two princesses keeping each other in check. It would be more ridiculous to think that family love exists among those who seek the emperor’s throne by pushing aside their half-siblings.

Outright criticism was better than insincere expressions of affection.

If Margarita had made nonsensical claims about loving her family, I would have involuntarily snorted.

Therefore, I could approach the conversation with a comfortable mindset.

“I suppose an honest person is better than someone whose intentions are hard to discern.”

“Right? I’m glad we seem to understand each other.”

Princess Margarita, with a slight smile, flicked open her fan. And I tossed the cigarette I had been holding into the ashtray.

Now it was time to get to the main point.

*

Before the conversation.

Princess Margarita asked me to answer one question honestly.

“I have a question I’d like you to answer candidly. Ah, don’t feel pressured. I just want you to give me a hint about what promises you received from my sister.”

She was asking me to reveal the terms negotiated with Princess Yelizaveta.

Normally, disclosing cards that were on another negotiation table would be inappropriate, but in this case, the Abas government had no reason to stand on ceremony. The matter itself was no ordinary affair.

That’s the background for why I answered honestly and comfortably.

“Additional opening of southeastern ports and economic markets, and guaranteeing the autonomy of Kiyen enterprises. Reopening military dialogue channels with Ashtistan as a follow-up to the four-party talks. Withdrawal of Kiyen troops stationed in Moritani for gradual arms reduction. And strengthening the negotiation rights of the Imperial Parliament.”

“Economic interests, diplomacy, military tension reduction. She promised human rights improvements.”

Princess Margarita, who had monopolized the most luxurious sofa in the lounge, languidly rested her chin on her hand and murmured.

“All proposals that Abas people would like?”

“Unnecessary tension doesn’t help bilateral relations, and opening economic doors is welcome news for the Empire as well. As for human rights issues, they’ve been consistently raised as points of contention.”

“She intends to use southern nouveau riche to check the west and mobilize her supporters in the Imperial Parliament to suppress the military. Trying to face both my brother Valery and me at the same time… Our sister has quite the ambition.”

“……”

It wasn’t something I needed to agree with. It was also content I shouldn’t agree with.

When there was no response, Princess Margarita showed a slight smile. As if asking why I was holding back my words.

“You don’t need to worry. This is just between us, so feel free to be comfortable.”

I simply shrugged my shoulders in response.

Having heard her half-sister’s plans, Princess Margarita quickly began calculating. I could see in her eyes that she was contemplating how to make a more attractive offer and how to eliminate her competitors.

And shortly after.

“Alright, since it’s come to this, I’ll go all out.”

As if she had reached an estimate, she began rattling off her pledges.

Proposals that sounded quite attractive just from hearing them.

“In addition to the southeastern market opening that my sister promised, I’ll also unlock the barriers on western ports. I’ll ease the embargo measures on industrial products, agricultural products, as well as magic stones, zerodium, cesarium, and more.”

Complete opening of southeastern-western markets. Lifting of export restrictions on strategic resources.

Both were very tempting proposals. Especially the part about lifting the embargo was very interesting.

Zerodium and cesarium are minerals containing magic power, and in a broad sense, they can be considered a type of magic stone.

However, unlike ordinary magic stones that only have condensed magic power and can only be used as fuel, these two minerals could also be used as core materials for producing industrial products through refining. To draw an analogy, they’re like rare earth elements essential for semiconductor production.

The problem was that the regions where these minerals are mined are few and far between worldwide. And one of those few places was the Kiyen Empire.

As people on Earth who frequently impose trade sanctions might easily guess, Nicholas VI had long imposed strict controls on the export of these minerals.

Why?

Because one of the products that could be made from those minerals was “military magic weapons.” Naturally, from the perspective of Kiyen, which might have to wage war against Abas or Fatalia in an emergency, these were raw materials that should never be exported, even under threat of death.

Given these circumstances, there was a time when both the Royal Intelligence Service and the National Security Agency had wrung out every possible method to steal them. They even set up paper companies in third countries for years to import them indirectly, and sometimes diverted quantities in collaboration with other governments, and so on.

Of course, when caught by the Imperial Protection Agency, all those involved were dragged to camps, and Abas, Fatalia, and Rushan all amicably looked for other import sources.

Anyway.

The proposal to export those was very attractive news for us as well. So much so that there was no need to hear other proposals.

However, Princess Margarita’s proposals didn’t end there.

“To be honest, I think it’s impossible to end the military standoff between the Empire and the Kingdom at once. The military isn’t just called the military for nothing, right? The troops stationed in Moritani are units that the Imperial Defense Ministry cherishes dearly. Even if one is the Emperor, if they unilaterally eliminate them, there would inevitably be backlash from inside and outside. If coupled with arms reduction, the generals’ mood would become very uncomfortable.”

“Are you saying the Imperial family might lose control over the Imperial army?”

“Hmm… I’d appreciate it if you understood it as my sister losing control, not the Imperial family.”

“So you’re saying Princess Yelizaveta’s plan is unrealistic.”

“That’s right. Troop withdrawal is premature, but I think adjusting the accounting budget and reducing the army and navy alone is a viable alternative.”

Her alternative was as follows:

Over three years, she would gradually reduce the number of army and navy personnel. The standing forces of millions would be reduced by 100,000 each year, continuing until they finally reached a total of 2 million for both the army and navy combined.

In this process, she said she planned to retire a large number of equipment and warships as well. As a bonus, the budget that was to be allocated for the planned armored equipment and warship improvement projects & new weapon development projects would be cut.

I listened to her words with a serious expression and then tilted my head.

“This is a delicate matter, but I’m wondering if this might be an excessive military reduction. Two million is just over half the current size of the Imperial army, isn’t it? To merge and abolish so many military units, you would need a justification that could convince the military and the imperial citizens.”

“After consuming several pillars in war for five years, shouldn’t we, in good conscience, start reducing that bloated body? There’s so much we could do with the money that feeds and clothes a large army.”

The war is over. The national coffers are empty. So she would put the money-eating hippo on a diet to reduce financial outflows.

Originally, the military is a group that has no productivity but only absorbs budget. With such a justification, imperial citizens would likely be somewhat convinced.

Of course, she said she wouldn’t touch critical projects like the construction of new airships. Princess Margarita didn’t want to see the Imperial army collapse completely either.

However,

Regardless of who ascends to the Emperor’s throne, a large-scale military reduction is inevitable.

That was the situation of the Imperial army as explained by Princess Margarita.

“Even if I don’t become Emperor, a large-scale military reduction is unavoidable. The aftermath of the Kiyen-Magic Realm conflict has devastated the Empire in unseen ways. Even the military will have to accept the reality that they can no longer enjoy flower-viewing.”

Honestly, this wasn’t a bad proposal either.

Although it’s still premature to determine exactly how much would be reduced, if over 1 million Kiyen military personnel and military equipment were to disappear, the Abas Department of Defense would certainly give a standing ovation.

Of course, if Abas were to implement military reductions as a result, they would immediately change their stance and pour out curses.

Anyway, it was a good proposal from the perspective of the Abas government and parliament.

Princess Margarita, reclining on the sofa, turned her head to one side and looked at me over her shoulder.

“To be honest, the hardliners in the military will resist, saying that ‘external threats’ remain and that arms competition shouldn’t be stopped, but doesn’t that depend on how the Abas government responds?”

“I cautiously predict that if we start with economic opening, improve diplomatic relations, and gradually begin military reduction, such resistance might subside.”

“Launching a big ship requires patience.”

It was an implicit agreement not to fire shells into territorial waters or no-man’s land while celebrating the new Emperor’s accession.

I listened to her plans for a while. As I listened, I realized that many of her plans had similarities with the agreements that Princess Yelizaveta had hinted to me.

The difference was that the plans presented now were much more radical. She excluded parts of Yelizaveta’s plans with convincing reasons and instead focused on exchanging bigger interests with each other.

Is it a complex about her sister?

She continuously made statements that seemed conscious of her half-sister, made proposals larger than what her half-sister had promised, and implicitly criticized her half-sister’s proposals while highlighting herself.

It seemed that Princess Margarita was quite concerned about Princess Yelizaveta. Almost unnaturally so, beyond just being a competitor for the throne.

Someone with a slightly impulsive yet quick calculating style.

And a half-sister with some form of competitive spirit, or perhaps inferiority, towards her half-sister.

That was the impression of Princess Margarita in my eyes. At least, that was the image of her that I perceived.

“……”

After a lengthy conversation, I gently smiled and concluded the meeting.

“I’ve listened well to your good words. My country will also positively discuss the proposals you’ve given.”

“I’d be grateful for that.”

“Ah, but if Your Highness succeeds to the throne, what are your plans for Crown Prince Valery, Princess Yekaterina, and those around them?”

To the question of whether she would purge them like Nicholas VI, she snorted and crossed her legs.

It was a clear sign of denial. At the same time, it was also a manifestation of great confidence.

“It’s too early to predict, but I think the relationship between my siblings will gradually improve. As time passes, everyone will come to recognize that I was a better candidate for Emperor than brother Valery.”

“Will Princess Yelizaveta acknowledge that as well?”

“……”

At the sudden question, Princess Margarita fell silent. With one hand at her temple, her black hair flowed down her slightly tilted head, casting a shadow.

The silence didn’t last long.

“…Perhaps so.”

But through that momentary silence, I had already received a clear answer from her.

I felt the need to lighten the slightly heavy atmosphere. Taking out a cigarette and lighting it, I adjusted my posture to match the princess’s.

“What kind of future for the Empire does Princess Margarita envision? Feel free to speak comfortably. I’m asking out of personal interest.”

When the topic of future power came up, Princess Margarita lowered the hand she had been holding to her temple.

From her hand, which naturally spread out under the armrest in a relaxed manner, I could easily infer that she was feeling comfortable.

“The crocodile and the plover bird. Have you heard of them?”

“How could I not? It’s an idiom even children know. Well, it’s actually an unproven legend, but still.”

“A crocodile is a strong predator, but it needs plover birds to survive. Even though the bird is just a mouthful to the crocodile, it does what the crocodile cannot.”

Power is the same.

Murmuring that, the princess slowly lowered her shoulders and languidly stretched out both legs. In a very natural and comfortable atmosphere.

“Even the great Nicholas VI needed plover birds. Relatives to fill in the lacking political foundation, vast armies and guards to protect the Emperor from threats inside and out, security personnel who would be his eyes and ears even in places he couldn’t reach.”

“……”

“The Empire is not a country led by one Emperor. At least not if it’s operated by the interactions of countless groups that exist for that Emperor.”

“Though close to a god, he’s not a god after all.”

Princess Margarita assessed that Nicholas VI’s governance method had brought prosperity and stability to the Empire and succeeded in maintaining it.

However, in today’s changed era, she judged that such a governance method was no longer valid.

She slightly tilted her head back and turned her chin slightly to exchange glances with me. The beautiful princess, often compared to Veronica, opened her mouth in a small voice, but firmly.

“Father’s method was like a necessary medicine for the Emperor. Not for the Empire, but for the Emperor.”

“And?”

“But the leader who will guide the Empire in the future shouldn’t rely on such methods. The stability that Father desired and the stability I dream of are quite different.”

She was saying that to ensure the Empire’s stability, Nicholas VI’s governance method must be abandoned.

It wasn’t necessarily wrong.

Why would foreign countries eye the Empire’s market but hesitate to enter? Because with just a finger point from the Emperor, businesses could be overturned, and high-ranking officials and economic figures who were discussing rosy futures just yesterday could be thrown into prison.

“…The stability of the Empire.”

I murmured calmly, without erasing the smile from my face.

“Is there anyone in the world who truly doesn’t desire that? However.”

“However?”

“It’s a somewhat relative concept. Stability, that is.”

Does the term “stability” truly suit someone who desires to seize the Emperor’s power by pulling down the legitimate crown prince?

I absolutely do not think so.

In that sense, the stability that Princess Margarita advocated was essentially no different from Nicholas VI’s stability.

Just as the Emperor stained both hands with countless blood to solidify his power.

She too was reaching out both hands to seize power.

Although they might not be stained with blood yet, the princess was prepared to willingly stain both hands with family blood for her goal.

“……”

Princess Margarita, who had been almost lying on the sofa, suddenly smiled.

With a very innocent and bold, almost childlike face.

“Everything comes with a bit of pain at the beginning, doesn’t it?”

No subject was needed.

I silently smiled and inhaled the smoke.

*

The conversation in the sealed room was concluded in a relatively short time.

Having participated in the imperial ball, neither I nor Margarita could be absent for an extended period. We had to return without delay, so we had to get straight to the point.

“It’s a shame that the time allowed for an in-depth conversation is limited.”

“It’s alright. Brother Valery’s birthday celebration continues for five days, right? Today isn’t the only opportunity.”

Princess Margarita suggested meeting again during the 5-day event. She naturally extended her hand, and I responded with a bow, kissing the back of her hand.

“Ah. I just realized I haven’t told you this.”

“…?”

“Five days later, on the last day of the celebration, brother Valery is scheduled to give a speech at the Imperial Parliament. Knowing my sister’s character, she probably won’t let that day pass quietly.”

A speech at the Imperial Parliament.

That was information I already knew. The crown prince’s schedule had been officially notified to the Abas embassy, and it was already widely spread throughout the Empire through reports.

The issue was what Yelizaveta was planning to do there…

“How long has it been since the Crown Prince gave a speech in his own name? I’m not familiar with it, as I’ve only seen speeches from the Prime Minister’s office.”

“It’s a moment that has returned after at least several decades. He has lent his name many times, but there hasn’t been a time when he directly put his name on the line for a while.”

For Valery, it’s a returned opportunity. For Yelizaveta, it’s an opportunity to smear the crown prince’s face.

I roughly grasped what the scheme was.

Since the speech venue was chosen as the parliament, it would be easier for Yelizaveta to mobilize the members who follow her. And she already held information that might act as a fatal weakness for the crown prince.

The information that some units of the Imperial military were independently supporting the crown prince.

“Security must be thoroughly ensured.”

“Ah, I must definitely relay that message to my sister.”

Princess Margarita withdrew her extended hand with a playful gesture and bid farewell with a bright smile.

Waving her hand gently as she saw me off was a bonus.

“Goodbye. It was nice meeting you today. Let’s see each other in a better place next time.”

I’d be grateful if she would visit the ambassador or consul instead of me.

Anyway, now that the contact was over, it was time to submit a report.

Letting out a sigh so small it couldn’t be heard, I put a cigarette in my mouth and began to ponder what kind of report I should write. Meanwhile, Princess Margarita was moving with clicking steps, about to leave the lounge.

Or rather, she was about to.

-Clatter. Click.

Just before the princess’s hand reached it, the doorknob briefly moved, and then the hinge creaked, and the door began to open.

Princess Margarita, who was about to leave the lounge, stopped in her tracks. I too paused in turning my lighter and cast my gaze towards the door.

“…Hmm?”

The person who appeared by opening the door was a middle-aged man.

Princess Margarita, frowning as if to closely verify his identity, had a look that suggested she couldn’t recognize who the person was at all. However, it was not difficult to notice that the princess was very angry.

What were the bodyguards who should be guarding the front of the lounge doing, letting in an intruder so carelessly?

Princess Margarita, unconsciously ruffling her neat hair, muttered in an irritated voice.

“Really… It’s not like they weren’t properly educated, what is this.”

I stared at the man who had provoked the princess’s irritation.

A middle-aged man estimated to be in his early to mid-40s. A yellow tie and a light blue vest. Cuffs decorated with blue jewels with prominent gold rims.

The bidder who had been watching me with a persistent gaze from the second-floor balcony, and who was suspected of asking the Royal Intelligence Service employee about my background.

-Thud… Thud…

The middle-aged man entered the lounge without a word.

While tapping the carpet with a cane I had never seen before.

Even in this situation, there were no bodyguards of the princess to be seen stopping him.

Something feels ominous. There’s an uneasy sensation as if tightly stretched nerves are being pulled towards the back of my ears.

Because a suspicious man had been following me?

Because he showed an attitude as if looking at a roadside stone without showing proper respect even when seeing a member of the imperial family? Or because he was leaning on a cane I had never seen before?

Maybe it’s all of the above.

From the person who appeared in the lounge, I felt such an extremely suspicious atmosphere.

“……”

The middle-aged man who had appeared silently raised the cane he had been tapping on the carpet. At its end were me and Princess Margarita with an irritated look.

At that very moment, I could see it.

The inside of the cane, hollow like black pupils.

Like a gun barrel.

The cane spewing a red flash.

– ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ ̶ !

It was magic.