Chapter 158

Episode 158

The treatment was different. What do I mean?

Let’s rewind a few months to when Lucia and I first arrived in the capital.

Despite being the daughter of the Southern Grand Duke and a member of the Imperial Dukedom, no one came to greet us.

Count Apellai, who was in charge of protocol at the time, excused himself due to illness and only sent an official named Moros much later.

I thought it was unacceptable and was about to report it to Duke Kalisto, but the Lady stopped me.

Now, the situation was completely different.

“You must be tired from your long journey, Baron O’Brien.”

I realized that being the “Plenipotentiary” was quite a significant role.

High-ranking officials were waiting for me at the entrance checkpoint.

Considering that not even an ant dared to approach us before, it showed how important this matter was.

Jericho whispered, “It seems Apellai is here too.”

“I saw him.”

“It seems the prince took your advice to heart. He looked ready to chop off his head.”

I smiled and nodded.

There was no way I would let the Minister of Foreign Affairs off the hook after he came all the way here.

After dismounting, I approached Count Apellai, who was at the front of the welcoming group.

“Thank you for the warm welcome, Your Excellency. I’m glad to see you in good health this time. Ah, please let me know if you’re feeling unwell. I heard you had a rough time at the Imperial Palace, so I’ll gladly make accommodations for you.”

“Accommodations? You’re too kind. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I will personally escort you to the Imperial Palace.”

The Count even smiled and used honorifics. Was this the work of a seasoned politician?

I had a different reason for provoking him.

Before he could speak, I activated ‘Mind’s Eye.’ It used to be purple, but now it flickered with a murky black light.

This confirmed my hypothesis.

‘As expected, the activation of Mind’s Eye is related to my social status.’

I was still a baron, but I had been appointed as the “Plenipotentiary.” In other words, I had become the representative of House Kalisto.

But my opponent was just a mere count, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

If Mind’s Eye hadn’t worked, I would have been confused, but this was good.

The conditions for Mind’s Eye to work were now two. First, the level of connection with the target. In other words, their “affinity” towards me. If they were deeply impressed by me, Mind’s Eye would work.

Second, as proven now, social status. This would naturally unlock as I climbed the ranks.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

‘I should try using Mind’s Eye on the mastermind. Her affinity towards me must have increased after all the recent events.’

On the other hand, I was also worried. If it turned purple again, it would mean I hadn’t earned her favor yet.

I decided to worry about that later and dealt with the welcoming ministers for now.

“Please board the carriage. We’ll take care of the horses.”

“Very well.”

I boarded the carriage with Count Apellai. With Selendis and Jericho guarding my sides, I wasn’t worried at all.

But just in case, I activated ‘Automatic Combat.’

The carriage departed. Count Apellai, despite being uncomfortable in this situation, spoke to me.

“I heard you went through a lot. His Majesty and Prince Karma are deeply concerned.”

“It’s only natural. It wasn’t just any family, but the family that made the greatest contribution to the Empire, attacked by a member of the Imperial Family. It’s strange that the nobles are so quiet.”

I deliberately hit a nerve. But Count Apellai remained unfazed.

“I offer my deepest condolences. Did Duke Kalisto have any specific instructions?”

“I’ll convey them directly to Prince Karma.”

When I drew a line, Apellai chuckled awkwardly and closed his mouth. We didn’t speak after that.

Soon, I had an audience with Prince Karma in the Great Hall.

With ‘Automatic Combat’ still activated, I sensed quite a few presences.

“O’Brien von Walker, I greet the Empire’s little sun. How have you been?”

“You’ve worked hard. I heard you were on an Inspection Unit mission. Did it go well?”

“Yes, Your Highness. It was nothing serious. The mission itself was completed in a day.”

We exchanged brief greetings. The prince looked tired, probably from many sleepless nights.

“You don’t look well. Would you like Sir Jericho to examine you?”

I inquired about his health while activating ‘Mind’s Eye.’

“That’s a kind offer. But I have many matters to attend to right now. I’m aware that you’ve come as the Plenipotentiary.”

“Before we get to the main topic, could you dismiss everyone?”

“As expected, you sensed them. Everyone, leave.”

As the order was given, the presences started to disappear.

But the strongest one remained.

‘Is it Sir Olaf, the Captain of the Imperial Guard?’

With that level of aura, it must be him.

They knew I was proficient in both sword and magic. But leaving the next emperor alone would be unthinkable.

I deactivated ‘Mind’s Eye.’ It seemed it didn’t work on someone representing the Emperor.

“Before that, I’d like to confirm something. Your Highness, wouldn’t it be better to convey our family’s intentions to His Majesty?”

“His Majesty entrusted me with handling this matter. So you can speak to me.”

“Very well. Then I’ll present House Kalisto’s position.”

I stood up. I didn’t want to kneel, as I had to act as the true Plenipotentiary now.

“House Kalisto has been loyal to the Imperial Family since the founding of the Empire. Although this incident could be dismissed as Arthur’s deviation, we cannot ignore the fact that the Imperial Family was involved.”

Despite my somewhat provocative wording, the prince remained seated on the throne, calmly looking down at me.

“If I hadn’t learned magic and prepared in advance, this could have led to a greater tragedy. Therefore, House Kalisto requests permission to possess magical forces. We hope you understand that this is solely to prevent another tragedy from happening.”

“I grant House Kalisto permission to possess magical forces. This will be executed as an Imperial decree.”

Huh? That was too easy.

Even with the prior understanding with Prince Karma, I expected some resistance…

“However, granting permission to possess magical forces requires justification. As you know, if Kalisto is granted this permission, other Grand Dukes will make the same request.”

“But they weren’t attacked by a member of the Imperial Family.”

“Didn’t you say it was just an individual’s deviation?”

Prince Karma suddenly smiled. He rose from the throne and slowly descended the stairs. He stopped in front of me.

“O’Brien von Walker, I have a task for you, the Plenipotentiary and Inspector of the Lucius Inspection Unit. If you complete this task, I will fully accept House Kalisto’s demands.”

As expected, there was a condition.

This was also within my expectations. Realistically, it was difficult to relax a centuries-old rule just because we were attacked.

I waited silently for the prince’s request.

“When I left for the Dukedom, I entrusted Chertan with handling the north. As you know, Margrave Finwinter is threatening us.”

“How could a subject of the Empire threaten the Imperial Family? He might have grievances, but it’s not a threat.”

“Chertan took a lot of wealth and food to appease the Margrave. But he returned with everything.”

He might not need anything else, but he would definitely need food.

The north had very little arable land.

It seemed the Margrave of the North was up to something.

“The Margrave wants all the Grand Dukes of the Empire to come to the north and bow their heads. That includes me.”

“That’s an unreasonable demand. Especially since House Kalisto has sent more supplies than any other family.”

“I know. House Whitefield has defended the northern barbarians for generations. Their loyalty will never waver. But when cornered, people change. They have no choice but to compromise with reality.”

The Nordics, the barbarians of the north, were a different race with a culture similar to humans. They had thick skin and large builds, resembling orcs in many ways.

In other words, they were an intelligent race capable of diplomacy. The Empire had always been wary of the worst-case scenario: the Margrave joining forces with the Nordics and opening the gates.

And now, that fear was becoming a reality.

“We can’t keep demanding loyalty forever. It’s time to show them something. Therefore, I order you to appease the Margrave of the North and meet their demands. This is the precondition for granting House Kalisto’s request.”

My vision darkened.

How could I sway the Margrave, who had refused the wealth and food sent by the Imperial Family?

Even with my experience playing the game in my previous life, this seemed like a mission of the highest difficulty.

“Then I’d like to set a condition as well. Would you grant it?”

“I’ll decide after hearing it.”

“If the Inspection Unit and I succeed in swaying the Margrave, I request that the permission to possess magical forces be granted exclusively to House Kalisto for the next three years.”

Why three years, and not longer?

I wanted to, but even three years would be a significant political risk for the prince.

Three years was a reasonable timeframe to make it sound like a negotiation, not a threat.

“I can grant that. No one will be able to find fault if you appease the wrath of a Grand Duke. It’s a consequence of the nobles’ selfishness in the first place.”

“As you command, Your Highness.”

The ninth mission of the Inspection Unit had begun.

* * *

After the official audience, the prince served me fine tea. He seemed relieved to have passed the responsibility to me.

But his relief wouldn’t last long.

‘Whether I succeed or fail in this mission, Prince Karma will bear the consequences.’

Come to think of it, the name Karma was quite fitting.

Karma, and causality.

I wondered what kind of consequences my actions would bring.

While savoring the tea, I listened to the events that had transpired since the prince’s return to the capital.

“So Princess Beatrice is currently tracking Muon?”

“I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen. With the Magic Tower closed, she believes we need to find his trail as soon as possible.”

“I see.”

I couldn’t stop the righteous princess. She was someone who had even intervened in our family’s war.

“I think she’ll be fine for now. The urgent matter is to determine whether the Tower Master is involved in this incident.”

“Can we leave Apellai alone?”

“It would be better to treat him as if he doesn’t exist. Our Inspection Unit is working on it separately. But Your Highness, I’d like to investigate the Magic Tower. Would you grant me permission?”