episode_0048

Beyond the northern border of the Empire. The land of the demons, Novogord.

The chairman of the Demon Council, Caland Estania, was busy with his work.

“Charles. What did you just say?”

“A delegation heading to the Empire. Please include me in it.”

He was momentarily speechless at the unexpected request made by his only daughter, Charleroi.

It was only a few hours ago that the decision was made to send a delegation.

But how can Charleroi, who hasn’t even officially entered parliament yet, have already heard the news?

‘This guy. He’s planted his own eyes and ears in the National Assembly without me knowing.’

It’s embarrassing, but at the same time, it’s also admirable.

Yeah. If you want to follow in your father’s footsteps, you have to do that much.

He slowly pulled his lips away, trying hard to hide the pride in his chest.

“You want to be part of the delegation? What are you thinking?”

“On the surface, you say you’re celebrating the Empire’s victory, but in reality, you’re trying to investigate the internal situation within the Empire, right?”

“… Ahem.”

I expected that Charleroi would figure it out soon, since he was smart.

But it took less than half a day for the decision to send a delegation before they noticed.

As expected, it was the sharpness and judgment that was characteristic of Estania’s bloodline.

“The Empire has recently achieved a great victory over the alliance of the three eastern kingdoms. It is only natural that those who have made a pact with them should congratulate them.”

“There’s no need to make a big deal out of something that can be simply conveyed through a letter, like a delegation or something.”

“Sometimes it’s better to do something loud and noisy even though you know everything.”

We must be calm. The empire’s momentum is currently skyrocketing.

At least half a year. If it took a long time, it would have taken several years, but didn’t the war end in two months?

There is nothing good to be gained by embarrassing the Empire with useless words and actions here.

It is impossible to hand over the government that we worked so hard to seize to the hardliners.

There, Novogord also needs a moment to catch his breath.

Even if you are a demon, you can’t live swinging a sword and spear all day long.

‘Maintaining relations with the Empire is essential right now, as a large-scale whaling campaign is just around the corner.’

The most important event in Novogorsk: North Sea whaling.

Just the cost and manpower required to make it so important is beyond imagination.

In the meantime, if the foreign situation becomes distorted, there is nothing good to be done.

And it is to understand the internal situation of the empire.

Even if we find a loophole, there is no intention of disturbing the immediate peace.

“That’s more unexpected than that, Charles. I thought you would be able to watch a whaling show.”

“When I was young, I was really impressed by the scenes of hunting those huge and strong whales. But this time, I was even more interested in something else.”

“Is that an empire?”

“It’s an empire. It could be something else.”

Although he didn’t say anything specifically, Charlois already knew everything because he had heard about it.

A young strategist who was active in the conflict with Novogord. The mysterious strategies he showed.

They were back again, this time across the East.

It has become even more refined and sharper than before, beyond comparison.

The three eastern kingdoms united under the name of the Union, but were torn apart by their scheme.

Now, it has been completely cut off and cannot be reattached.

Like whale meat chopped into small pieces with a knife.

‘After hearing the whole story, I didn’t eat anything all day.’

How creepy it was. How relieved I felt.

Was he still not yet enlightened when he ran into Novogord?

Or did he trust the moderates and pass it on along appropriate lines?

Whatever it was, the conclusion Charleroi came to was this.

If you were one of the humans from the kingdom in the East.

He must have been helpless and helpless because of that absurd strategy.

The most frightening thing here is that this is not a scheme that no one knows about.

It’s quite predictable. You can guess what he’s trying to do here.

But you can’t stop it. Even though you know it, you have no choice but to open your eyes wide and take it.

This very fact filled Charleroi with even greater fear and awe.

“… I want to go there myself and find out.”

“The internal situation of the Empire. Be careful. Since you are the daughter of the Chairman, the Empire will not move lightly, and you can always have someone watch over you.”

“Don’t worry. I will only move within the line that doesn’t cross the line.”

When Charlois said that, it became impossible for Caland to stop his daughter any longer.

And after a while, a formal embassy set out for the Empire from Novogord.

A letter from the Council congratulating the Empire’s victory, along with Charleroi to deliver it.

*

After returning home, I was enjoying a sweet rest.

My family, I, and my employees were faced with the unexpected.

“Prince Kael.”

The person who greeted me with confidence was none other than Her Highness Princess Isabel.

Such a sudden visit. Thanks to that, I was a little. No, very surprised.

Not only my father, but even my mother and the servants of the household were terrified.

Meanwhile, Kaya was looking at him with wary eyes.

Anyway, as the Imperial Count, my father politely showed his respect.

Like the first head of the household who was loyal to the imperial family during the reign of the Great Emperor.

Then, when asked the reason for the princess’s visit, she answered like this.

“Oh, um. That’s. Yeah. I just stopped by for a bit.”

The distance between our Berthier Empire and the system is not that far.

But if you were to say that it was close, that would also be difficult.

So, if someone from the system says, ‘I stopped by on my way.’, it is not possible.

There must be a reason. So it is correct to assume that he took the time to visit.

Of course, my father is not so disloyal as to remind me of that part.

All I can do is say, ‘I see. Then I’ll take you inside.’

And then after some time, he handed the princess over to me.

“Perhaps the purpose of your visit is for you. So you should serve Her Highness the Princess.”

He received the imperial order and went to the palace in a hurry, but now he is suddenly visiting our territory.

I thought something was up and greeted the princess in the reception room.

“Your Highness the Princess. It is nice to see you again.”

“That’s right. I thought I’d see you a little later.”

First, let’s greet each other briefly. Next, of course, we’ll confirm the purpose of our visit.

To my question, the princess answered again, ‘I was just passing by and stopped by for a moment.’

Of course, I know that’s not all, so I can’t just back off.

My father was silent, but I wanted to hear the reason in return.

“But, as far as I know, Your Highness has a lot to do. Is there anything that you are having trouble with? If you need my help, just let me know. Your Highness and I have shared the same battlefield not once but twice.”

But we’re packaging it as pretty, beautiful, and impressive as possible.

You didn’t just come here, so tell me quickly why you came looking for me! Seriously.

The princess coughs in vain, as if she realized what I meant.

“Actually. I heard there’s an envoy coming from Novogord. Do you know?”

“Oh, yes. I heard a little bit about it through rumors.”

The princess nodded to my answer, saying, ‘Then the story will be quicker.’

Novogord’s delegation visits in person to congratulate the Empire’s victory.

There they will obviously want to know how the Empire achieved its victory.

The emperor will probably call for me there, so I came to pick him up in advance.

This was the reason why the princess suddenly appeared in our territory.

“… .”

Because of that, I ended up falling into an even more absurd feeling.

No, the princess is not some kind of errand girl. If I need anything, I will call someone and make a summons.

I was just surprised that he came to visit me in person with something like that.

I feel like there’s more to it. This can’t be the end.

As I was thinking about that, the princess, who had been rolling her eyes here and there for a moment, opened her mouth.

“Over there. Prince Kael.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please speak at your convenience.”

“Actually… there’s another reason why I came here.”

As expected. There was something. Yeah. I knew it. I knew it!

How could a person called the princess come here simply to run an errand?

“His Majesty the Emperor asked me about you.”

“Your Majesty… About me. ”

“Yes. What do you think? No other words, just that.”

“… .”

In that moment, cold sweat runs down my spine.

The emperor asked me about myself. Not indirectly, but directly.

Even to the princess, of all people. To the person who was most attached to me.

Above all, to someone who can never betray the royal family.

“So…what happened?”

“I spoke to you with the utmost sincerity. Prince Kael is a talented person of our empire. There will never be anything like what Your Majesty is worried about. I dare to assure you.”

“Your Highness the Princess!”

This is crazy. How dare you say that in front of the Emperor, of all people.

Even if she is a princess, this is an extremely unreasonable statement and could even lead to self-destruction.

At least it’s not because I really have no intention of doing anything, if I were someone like Sima Yi…

“I am truly grateful that Your Majesty is concerned about me. However, I am even more worried that Your Majesty will be in trouble.”

I’m worried. Of course I’m worried. If the princess falls, it’s not just her who will be ruined.

This could be the trigger for the main wave, which has been creating a good atmosphere, to suddenly fall.

It can’t be a very pleasant thing, since our family will also be somewhat affected.

“Don’t worry. I have convinced His Majesty. And I will continue to do so. Prince Kael, just continue to work hard for our empire.”

“Hahaha. I guess I have to work even harder so as not to betray Her Highness the Princess’ trust.”

It must not have been easy to say something like that. This princess is truly an amazing person.

I expressed my sincere gratitude to her and continued to talk to her more.

*

A man and a woman sit facing each other and chat away.

If the Crown Princess had been there, she would probably have sighed and said, ‘These things.’

The Emperor never meant it that way.

Why is it that this clever couple only becomes foolish at moments like this?