Inner Circle

“Actually, I called you here to say this, Yena. I really wanted to commend your noble struggle for the Empire.”

“Yes…?”

“I want to let the world know about that pride and loyalty you showed, willing to risk your life to protect the Diet building. Truly, aren’t you the model of a true soldier and Imperial citizen!”

Erdoff clenched both fists and raised them to his chest, exuding enthusiasm.

“I plan to hold a public medal award ceremony in the Ministry of Interior auditorium. There, I’ll tell everyone with what mindset you jumped into the burning building, ready to face death! Your sincere confession will be an example for all people.”

It was an ephemeral sweet proposal.

For me, who had to do anything to get in their good graces, there was no reason to refuse a deal from the current Imperial Prime Minister.

But what is this unpleasant feeling?

Facing the Prime Minister’s dilated pupils up close sent chills down my spine. A creeping sensation, like a long-tailed snake licking my skin with its tongue, rose throughout my body.

In Erdoff’s tiny black pupils, I glimpsed the madness that would eventually plunge the whole world into chaos.

“…Thank you.”

Thanks to that, I could only part my lips after a few seconds of silence. I stood up from my chair and bowed at a right angle while Erdoff and his associates watched.

Anyway, I had no way to refuse.

Wasn’t I in a position to join the Labor Party and elicit their favor? Moreover, not being stupid enough to reject the hand extended by the Prime Minister, I simply bowed my head.

Well, I guess they’re trying to use me to solidify their position within the Empire.

I could roughly guess Erdoff’s intentions. He plans to put forward a righteous person who caught a criminal, further vilify the Communist Party, and gain an advantage in the general election.

Since I happened to be a Labor Party supporter, it was obvious that he thought this was an unparalleled opportunity, expecting me to be obedient.

Fidget!

Like these unnecessarily delicate hands, they probably didn’t want to waste using someone who externally looks like a frail girl who could easily stimulate people’s emotions.

“You don’t need to be so formal. Considering your service to the Empire, I think this treatment is rather insufficient.”

Erdoff waved his palm downwards, seating me who had been standing.

“Ah, if you’re worried about your identity being exposed, rest assured. We’ll officially handle it well as a soldier serving domestically.”

He finished talking about the medal award ceremony with a knowing smile. Afterwards, casual topics of conversation and simple chatter about interests followed.

“You like music?”

“Yes, I especially enjoy Wagner’s pieces.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“It’s an honor to share the same taste as you, Prime Minister.”

“Hoho─!”

Perhaps because I knew all about Erdoff’s past and his entire history, we engaged in friendly conversation.

“Did you say your father was Erich Freud?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“They say children take after their parents, and you’re certainly a good daughter. Your father in heaven must be very pleased seeing you contribute greatly to the nation.”

Thanks to that, the tense and stiff atmosphere in the room eased considerably.

“Although he sadly became a spirit while protecting the fatherland, his pride for Bern still remains here, doesn’t it?”

Unlike the formal tone used for courtesy at the beginning, I clearly felt it when I heard Erdoff’s voice now full of kindness.

“…Thank you!”

I bowed my head to the Prime Minister who was looking at me with one arm propping up his cheek. The tone imbued with loyalty was a bonus.

“I’ll visit your home later to inform you of the detailed schedule. Paulo here will help with the speech part. He’s the best in the Empire when it comes to speaking.”

As Erdoff patted his shoulder, Paulo gave a light bow. Perhaps because he was so thin his cheeks were hollow, a cooler aura emanated from his face compared to others.

Just as I imagined.

If Erdoff was a madman wrapped in ideology, Paulo was thoroughly refined madness. Hearing that stiff tone reminded me of how he coldly handled the treatment of other races in the past.

Didn’t he say that all other races should be exterminated to purify Bern? He was indeed a madman befitting Erdoff.

“I’ll do my best to live up to the party leader’s expectations.”

And to think that from now on, I’ll be receiving help from such a person…. I’m not sure if I should be happy about this or not.

“Let’s get up now.”

Finally, the long meeting with the leadership came to an end.

Clatter, rattle!

At Erdoff’s single gesture, all the core members who had been silently standing by – Göring, Paulo, Erius, and others – stood up. I was no exception.

“It was a great honor to meet you, Prime Minister.”

I immediately rose from the desk and paid my respects to Erdoff.

“I enjoyed it too. I hope you grow into an excellent officer in the future. I’m confident you won’t go astray, having protected Bern from communists, haha!”

Before leaving, he patted my cheeks with both hands one last time.

“Thank you, Yena.”

Sincerity could be felt in Erdoff’s eyes as he looked down at me warmly. At least the words of gratitude he conveyed now must have been sincere from the bottom of his heart.

“Ugh…”

When I came out of the Ministry of Interior, the sky that had been shining with morning sunlight was now filled with the heat of a bright midday. The pleasant warmth made my limbs go limp and brought on a sense of fatigue.

Maybe because I was tired, I felt even more drained for no reason.

It had been about three hours, hadn’t it? As I slightly raised my head, I could see the window of the office where I had been meeting with Erdoff until now.

“Yawn.”

Although physically comfortable, it had been an incredibly mentally exhausting time, trying to read Erdoff’s intentions and understand the unexpected proposal of a medal, all while being mindful of the Prime Minister’s mood.

No matter what, the opponent was Erdoff, after all?

It would be a lie to say I wasn’t nervous at all, despite my accumulated experience and having more composure and coolness than others. It had been a meeting where I swallowed quite a bit of dry saliva.

Maybe I’m getting sleepy because I’m worn out? As I sat on a bench in the city square, my eyelids started to close slowly.

Slap!

But I immediately slapped my cheeks with my palms to regain my senses.

“…There’s still a lot to do.”

Getting acquainted with Erdoff? That was good, as I had taken a step closer to achieving my goal. Receiving a medal? It wasn’t bad, as I could use it as a stepping stone to join the Labor Party.

However, there was still an important task remaining, wasn’t there?

[Ernst von Stresemann]

[Leader of the Imperial Conservative Party]

As I put my hand in my chest pocket, a familiar business card came out.

Having come to Bern, I intended to contact Ernst and finish the deal that we couldn’t complete at Astrakhan Military Academy.

In person, of course.

Although he said it could be resolved over the phone, isn’t it better to meet face to face for a serious conversation?

With not much time left on my leave, I should visit as soon as possible. Today, with nothing else to do in the afternoon, was perfect for meeting Ernst.

I wonder if I can borrow a telephone at a tea house or cafe.

Click, click!

Once I made up my mind, I didn’t hesitate any longer. I left the square full of Storm Trooper and Labor Party flags and moved to find a quiet cafe in the city.

---

“Prime Minister, the award ceremony was unexpected. If it’s held publicly, won’t there be reports about Yena Freud even in the British Empire or the Gallic Republic?”

Paulo, who was following a step behind Erdoff, asked while skimming through a document containing Yena’s personal information.

“If it becomes known that she’s a magic officer…”

“That won’t happen.”

However, Erdoff shook his head before Paulo could finish speaking.

“Those stupid fellows are always steeped in a superiority complex, believing Bern is beneath their feet. They don’t even treat the Federation as a country. They’ll never notice.”

Instead, he paused briefly and put his hand on the shoulder of Paulo, who was following while leaning on his cane, and gave a warning.

“You just need to write Yena’s speech well. We’ll thoroughly dismantle the Communist Party in this general election.”

“…Yes, understood.”

“Go to the Bern branch of ‘The People’s Voice’ and prepare for extensive coverage. As soon as the award ceremony ends, publish articles denouncing the Communist Party and the speech, and distribute them throughout the Empire.”

Erdoff mentioned the newspaper company run by Paulo and then resumed walking.

“Make sure you grasp the Prime Minister’s intentions well. Be careful not to cause any discomfort.”

Then, as if he had been waiting, Göring threw a sarcastic piece of advice at Paulo and trotted after Erdoff.

It was an intense psychological warfare competing for the Prime Minister’s favor. If one of them received even a slight rebuke, the other would tear into them like a predator finding prey.

Grind!

The current situation was exactly like that. Paulo twitched the corners of his mouth while looking at the pot-bellied Göring.

‘Ignorant fool.’

Even though they walked the same path of serving the Prime Minister, there were levels. In Paulo’s mind, Göring was nothing more than a pig far inferior to himself.

“Did you enjoy the conversation? I noticed you couldn’t stop smiling while talking with that girl Yena Freud.”

“Was it that obvious? She’s quite perceptive, seems to know her place well. And on top of that, being a magic officer… she looks like she’ll be quite useful in the future too.”

“Hoho, that’s great news indeed!”

He’s probably barely maintaining his position by flattering. Seeing this dirty and vile bastard always sticking close to the Prime Minister made Paulo’s chest ache and irritation rise.

It was to the point where even Erius, who spoke informally to the Prime Minister and occasionally caused friction, seemed like a gentleman in comparison.

“Tsk.”

Click, tap, click, thud!

Paulo decided that he should be more helpful and assist Party Leader Erdoff, as he stepped forward with the cane he had stopped.