episode_0031

31. The Big Picture

The emperor is coming to see me.

The ruler of an empire that conquered a continent several times larger than China seeks to meet me.

No matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t understand why he would come to see me.

So, I immediately went to Erica and relayed the information I had heard from Cecilia.

Unlike me—someone who merely replicates modern items—she is a true genius, skilled in political ability as well.

After hearing everything I had to say, Erica, being the genius she is, seemed to have picked up on something.

Frowning slightly, she asked me again.

“Is that true?” “Yes.” “His Majesty the Emperor is coming to see you…”

Erica tapped her temple with her fingers, deep in thought.

Then, with a playful smile, she began testing me.

“You’re not thinking of switching sides to the Imperial Family, are you?” “How could I possibly do that?”

What nonsense.

My life’s goal is to peacefully farm and live in the countryside.

But serving under a feudal noble is already this exhausting—working under the ruler of an empire?

No doubt, I’d end up like Jang Yeong-sil, worked to death, or meet the same fate as Hwang Hui.

Subordinates acting out and souring his mood?

Work Jang Yeong-sil to the bone.

Persistently trying to resign or committing crimes and misconduct?

Forbid resignation and sentence them to a lifetime of servitude like a slave.

……Come to think of it, it’s not much different from now.

If I submit a resignation letter, it gets burned. If something displeases him, I’m worked to the bone, aren’t I?

Wasn’t it a mistake right from the start?

While I was regretting my life choices…

Erica, knowing my personality well, wasn’t seriously testing me.

With a sigh, she moved toward the main topic.

“Enough jokes. Go back for now—I’ll discuss this with Adel.” “Sleep well.”

Bowing politely, I left the room.

———————————————————————

The fox and the emperor will meet.

That young emperor wants to meet the fox…

While I tapped the table with my fingers, lost in thought, Adel entered.

A beauty clad in extravagant silk, fur, and precious crystalline sunglasses.

But her loyalty to me was genuine, so Adel bowed deeply in greeting.

My dependable and beloved cousin Adel, as trustworthy as Vivian.

“You’ve heard the gist of it, right?” “Yeah, that the emperor is trying to approach that sly little brat?”

Adel’s demeaning term for the fox made me furrow my brows for a moment…

But this wasn’t the time to address it, so I decided to scold her later and let it pass.

Above all, the fact that I rationally admired the fox was a secret.

I looked at Adel and asked.

“Why would the emperor want to meet the fox?”

I already had some guesses of my own.

But I also wanted to hear Adel’s opinion, having interacted with many nobles and merchants while managing money.

If someone in a high position like me spoke first… it might stifle Adel’s free reasoning.

Recognizing my consideration, Adel paused briefly before carefully piecing things together.

“The emperor is young.” “Correct.” “On top of that, she has no political foundation, money, or power—just a girl overflowing with legitimacy.

She’s never even shown her face once at any social gathering where balls were held.

So why would she specifically seek out that sneaky little brat?”

Adel’s reasoning aligned with what I had anticipated.

Since we seemed to share the same thoughts, I voiced the reason.

“Cecilia must have given the emperor a hint.” “That yellow snake…”

Adel, who disliked Cecilia, shuddered in disgust.

“The emperor has never met the fox nor witnessed her abilities firsthand.

Yet she insists on seeking her out—meaning Cecilia must have whispered in her ear like a serpent’s tongue.” “Why would she do that?”

Adel didn’t seem to have thought that far.

In fact, she even muttered in confusion, as if there was no reason for it.

“Think about it—no matter how talented a person is, that brat is just a commoner.

Aside from her admittedly sharp mind, she practically has nothing to her name. And yet the impoverished emperor wants to ‘consume’ her?”

Moreover, the Oyeongje faction wouldn’t leave the emperor alone.

Unlike the incompetent former emperor who indulged and corrupted them, this young emperor seems determined to break free and reclaim power wisely.

For the emperor, this is a precious, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—yet she chooses to reach out to a commoner, our fox, instead of a noble?

Under normal circumstances, this would be incomprehensible.

Yes, under normal circumstances.

“It’s precisely because our fox is special that she’s been chosen.” “That brat?” “Yes.”

The fox is a commoner.

A powerless, easily dismissed commoner.

But the one trait that separates her from ordinary commoners, retainers, or nobles is…

“Her uniquely privileged position as Erica Grace’s favorite.”

In other words, unlike typical lord-retainer relationships, the issue lies in how excessively I’ve favored the fox.

Aside from her audacious resignation threats, I’ve granted nearly every request she’s made.

During the war with Penrose, I gambled everything—politically and physically—on the fox’s words, making reckless bets.

The result? The fox always pulled off miracles, proving my choices right, but…

To others, it must look like a wife blindly obeying her husband’s every word.

After all, no lord in their right mind would stake everything on a single subordinate’s suggestion.

Adel frowned in displeasure.

“So, she plans to manipulate that commoner brat to control you?” “That must be her logic.”

Wouldn’t that be far easier than confronting and persuading me directly?

Deceiving the naive fox—except regarding her expertise—to move me as they please…

Had Cecilia not informed us, I might have blindly acted for the emperor’s sake, unaware of the manipulation.

“Then why did that yellow snake tell us?

If we fall, wouldn’t it benefit her?”

That, too, is simple.

The Redmain region hasn’t yet been fully subdued.

Conversely, Cecilia herself is entangled in a succession battle with her half-brother Cedric.

Thus, she needs a shield.

Amidst this chaotic timing, Liriana from the north and Prince Consort Alvaren could invade.

No doubt, Cecilia wants us to serve as a shield—holding off Ternova and Nigrem while she devours Arcadia.

If I foolishly cling to a powerless emperor and collapse, Cecilia would bear the brunt alone.

In fact, knowing Cecilia…

“She must have taken the emperor’s side.” “Huh?” “Hah, that damned, big-breasted, venomous wench…”

Now, the outline of Cecilia’s scheme finally became clear.

“Simply put, Cecilia and I are boarding the same ship.” “With that yellow snake?!”

Adel shook her head in disbelief.

I began slowly piecing together the full picture.

Why did the young emperor agree to Cecilia’s suggestion of coaxing the fox?

The answer—to draw in not the fox, but Erica Grace behind her.

She intends to use the former Grace ducal house’s power to restrain the Oyeongje faction.

Up to this point, anyone could deduce this much.

But one must always see the essence.

Cecilia, who started this affair—why did she tip off the emperor and offer aid?

“She wants an alliance with me.”

Erica Grace, ruler of Redmain, and Cecilia Luxia, heir of Arcadia.

Two great nobles aiding the emperor to expel Oyeongje and seize power.

If the Grace house forms an alliance under the emperor’s protection… it would greatly solidify Cecilia’s claim as Arcadia’s ruler.

Moreover, if the realm descends into warlordism, she could demand the emperor legitimize her cause.

With Oyeongje gone, Cecilia and I would become the dominant powers.

However, Adel raised a skeptical question.

“But suddenly forming an alliance like this? It feels off.

Even if you and that yellow snake were schoolmates, forming an alliance out of nowhere would raise eyebrows.” “Hence, the piano gift.” “If anyone asks if it’s staged, she can claim closeness by flaunting the piano?” “Exactly. Proof of friendship through such a precious gift.

Even if they see the truth, they wouldn’t have grounds to oppose us.”

Thus, the Erica-Cecilia alliance supports the emperor.

Like the former emperor with Oyeongje, the young emperor nurtures us, elevating us into pillars of the imperial court to counterbalance them.

In exchange, we gain immense power.

Though roughly figured out, one thing still nagged at me.

“Why insist on approaching the fox?” “Well… maybe to avoid attracting attention if two great nobles met directly—” “Once we’re positioned as Oyeongje’s equals, that’s meaningless.

Besides, no noble has the authority to oppose a private meeting between Cecilia and me.

And the piano already laid the groundwork for our ‘close ties.’”

What if I failed to grasp the hint?

Cecilia could’ve directly approached me, or the emperor could’ve summoned me for an audience.

Why resort to meeting the fox…?

“Something feels off.”

Moreover, executing this plan doesn’t resolve all issues.

The late emperor had already excessively empowered Oyeongje.

Even with our support, matching them would be impossible for the young, powerless emperor.

Thus, she needs justification to oust Oyeongje—but how does targeting the fox factor in?

My unease only grew.

———————————————————————

Instead of returning to my quarters, I headed to Brook and Eightree’s workshop.

Upon arrival, Brook and Eightree—who hadn’t slept, still working—greeted me warmly.

Brook Eightree

“You’re here?” “Sister, she’s our boss now—you should use honorifics—” “No, speak comfortably.”

When I allowed it, Brook laughed heartily like an old man and slung an arm around my shoulder.

Of course, since she’s a dwarf barely 145 cm tall, her hopping looked adorable.

“Hah! Our genius has a totally different mindset!

I like you way more than those stuffy noble bastards!” “Sister, please…!”

Such an eccentric pair of dwarven sisters.

Releasing my shoulder, Brook looked at me eagerly with hopeful eyes.

“So… got another world-shaking idea? What’re we inventing?” “We’re making another piano.”

Brook’s face fell, and she glared at me half-heartedly.

But clearly remembering her place as a subordinate, she grumbled before getting to work.

“Couldn’t Eightree handle this? Just restring the leftover wires and build a new piano frame, right?” “Yes, I can manage.” “Ugh, now you’re taking my jobs too?”

Half-jokingly complaining, Brook stepped back.

Eightree scurried off, diligently weaving leftover wires and starting on the piano frame.

With Brook now free, I asked another question.

“Can you work with gypsum?” “Most decent blacksmiths can. Why? Need a gypsum sculpture?” “No, the impurities from it.”

Cecilia had advised me.

To arm myself with at least one weapon for self-defense.

So, what weapon should I carry?

A sword? Spear? Blade? Bow? I lack talent and mana for all of them—they’d be useless.

That leaves only one weapon I can wield.

“Aaah… Time to return as Alzaha’s Bomber.”

Shall I make it again?

Explosive arrows.