episode_0088

Of the three gathered here, the tallest one is, of course, the princess.

But if you look closely, the princess is just another guest.

In other words, it was I who had the responsibility to lead the story here.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

Yeah. That makes me even crazier. Something was weird last time too.

It seemed as if the princess was secretly wary of Charleroi.

Perhaps he was worried about getting too close to Novogord’s key figures.

The relationship between the two countries is still ambiguous, that is.

It was clear that he was worried that I would become the subject of unnecessary gossip.

‘First of all, wouldn’t it be right to get rid of that anxiety?’

The Emperor may not have spoken yet.

That’s understandable, because the less people know about this, the better.

It is possible that he will tell the truth after things have definitely progressed.

“Miss Charleroi.”

So, I spoke to Charlois first.

“Yes, Prince Kael.”

“What does the Chairman of the Novogorsk Council plan to do?”

“You have decided to accept my opinion. Now, if we do the preparation work and make a proper play, the picture that both countries want will be drawn.”

Then the princess comes out and starts staring at Charleroi.

You might be wondering what this story is about. You might be curious and intrigued.

I decided to look straight at the princess and explain the current situation.

“Actually, Your Highness.”

Atria. To be exact, Dedorant is teasing Novogord.

The moderates are sullen, but some on the hardliners’ side are wavering.

In order to use this in reverse, we plan to provoke conflict between Atria and Novogord.

This will make it so that they can never hold each other’s hands.

“… I see.”

It’s strange. The princess’s eyes would normally sparkle.

This time, he just nodded without showing any sign of surprise or anything.

Did you know that the Emperor had already made a promise?

“Hey, Kael.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“It might be a little weird to say this now, but I’m a little worried.”

“What part are you talking about?”

In response to my question, the princess glanced at Charleroi, who was sitting in front of her, and then continued speaking.

“If there is any talk of meddling in other countries’ affairs. Even if it is this kind of scheme. It will not benefit you, Kael. The Empire will have to emphasize that it was ultimately your personal action.”

“This is something I did with great determination.”

“If I do it wrong, the major I have built up over time could lose its luster?”

“This is also for the empire in the end.”

Of course. If by any chance the North gets noisy, it’ll be a real problem.

It was not for nothing that the empire helped the East and showed mercy to the South.

All of this is in preparation for projecting power beyond the western border.

In the meantime, out of the blue, the war with the demons of Novogord resumes?

Clearly, nothing could be more troublesome and embarrassing than this.

‘Probably one hundred percent, the West will use me too.’

I know myself well. My performance was only possible when my allies had the upper hand.

But if you have to deal with both Dedorant and Novogord, that advantage will disappear.

If I do that, my true colors will be revealed, so I must absolutely avoid it.

“You really are… .”

The princess trailed off for a moment with a small sigh.

Then he turns his head to Charlois and continues speaking.

“This is how I see you again. Miss Charlois.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“You decided to proceed with the work according to Kael’s advice?”

“Yes.”

Is it because the princess is in front of you? Charlois is also a bit different than usual.

Should I say that it feels strangely stiff?

“Since it’s advice from none other than Kael, I don’t think that’ll happen, but if things go wrong by any chance, you’ll have to take responsibility. Can you do that?”

“Of course, Your Highness. I have no intention of shifting the blame to the person who helped me if things go wrong.”

Well, fortunately, both the princess and Charlois are keeping a moderate level of caution rather than being overly cautious.

As expected, she looks like the daughter of an imperial princess and the chairman of the council. There seems to be no need to worry too much!

*

I was very worried. There was no good to come from intervening in other countries like this.

No matter what happens, the Empire will deny the very contact for the sake of legitimacy.

If that were the case, there was a very high chance that all the dumps would be used by Kael.

Even if you have a deep love for the empire, you would hesitate in a situation like this.

Because my sincerity and effort may not be rewarded.

Because it is more likely to become a trap that will trip you up.

“This is something I did with great determination.”

But Kael answered with a firm face and an unwavering voice.

“This is also for the empire in the end.”

A good person. But, very occasionally, a person who really gets on my nerves.

There is no self there. It is only filled with something different from others.

It would be nice if you could think and act for yourself a little.

If that person is struggling because of it, I want to help them as much as I can.

“… .”

Isabelle slowly turned her head and looked at Charleroi.

Kael couldn’t see it, but there was a slight chill inside it.

And Charlois noticed it right away and became slightly nervous.

“Since it’s advice from none other than Kael, I don’t think that’ll happen, but if things go wrong by any chance, you’ll have to take responsibility. Can you do that?”

Maybe because you did something stupid. Or maybe because you changed your mind along the way.

If anything comes to Kael. If that person gets into some kind of awkward situation.

I will do everything I can to release this anger.

It was Isabel’s true feelings that burst out without her even knowing.

“Of course, Your Highness. I have no intention of shifting the blame to the person who helped me if things go wrong.”

It is clear that Charleroi could not have fully understood the circumstances.

But she vaguely noticed something and immediately answered like that.

As the princess said, I may not be able to repay the favor to someone who helped me, but I cannot harm them.

“… That’s fortunate.”

Isabel answered in a slightly relaxed voice.

Of course, only the voice was released. My mind was still dizzy.

To be more precise, I couldn’t quite figure out why I was doing that.

It’s a bit too emotional for someone who’s worried about Kael.

There must have been various promises exchanged between those two.

There must have been some prior work that allowed them to trust each other.

And yet, didn’t you give such a blatant and direct warning?

“… Miss Charleroi.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Then, is finding Kael today part of that?”

“Ah. Yes. Father. So I told the chairman and they are currently preparing. If it goes well, Novogord will be in conflict with Atria, or more precisely, Dedorant.”

They don’t really fight over territory. They just growl to protect their pride.

But in national relations, it is precisely that pride that can never be compromised.

Once a rift breaks out, it is almost impossible to repair it.

“That’s a pretty good plan.”

“Do you think so? I provided the details, but it was actually Prince Kael who suggested this first. I’m sure your father would have been quite impressed when he heard it.”

“That’s unexpected. If you’re the chairman of the council, aren’t you a worn-out veteran?”

“But it’s hard for anyone to come up with such a brilliant idea. It’s even harder to come up with it without any hesitation, as if you had considered it in advance.”

As he spoke, Charlois’ face was filled with pure admiration.

There, Isabel felt as if she was being praised for some reason.

I don’t know why. It’s just that the corners of my mouth twitch when Charlois praises Kael.

“Both the Chairman and Lady Charloa seem to be impressed by Kael’s plan?”

“It’s not just me, Your Highness. In fact, there are people in Novogord who study Prince Kael’s tactics and strategies. Oh! Don’t misunderstand. This is purely out of curiosity and a kind of respect for the person known as Prince Kael.”

Respect? An unexpected word pops out.

At that, both Isabel and Kael end up with a ‘Huh?’ expression.

“This may sound strange. However, it is even more so because they are demons. Someone who shows outstanding performance on the battlefield. Someone who makes their allies win before even starting a fight. Someone who creates new victories wherever they go and rewrites history. How can you not respect someone like this?!”

Charlois’ face turns bright red with excitement.

At the moment when the flustered Kael was about to step in to calm her down.

“The demons know a thing or two. And so does Miss Charloa.”

Isabel continues, her face more satisfied than before. Now smiling broadly.

“Are those who respect Kael gathering in some kind of academic gathering format?”

“Yes. It started with a psychological warfare using fog to show Novogord. Then, in the eastern region, it was followed by a strategy of deception and deception, and in the south, it was to completely trap the enemies in a net!”

“I was there with you in the East. I understand why you’re impressed. Honestly, my heart still races when I think of Kael’s plan back then.”

“Your Highness the Princess is like that too! I’m jealous! To be able to see it right next to you!”

Hey, hey? Kael is flustered and tries to join in on the conversation between the two women.

But the excitement levels of those two had already far exceeded normal.

“The leader of that gathering is actually me. Hehehe. I knew from the first time I met you during the friction with the Empire that you were no ordinary person.”

“Miss Charleroi?”

“Miss Charlois has a pretty good eye for people. Actually, I’m thinking of doing the same. Lately, it seems like Kael can even read the weather?”

“Your Highness the Princess?”

Kael, who pitifully tries to get between the two women.

But this time too, his attempts at restraint were comically overruled.

“You even read the weather?”

“Yes! You know something big is happening in the east right now, right?”

“I know.”

“Actually, before that happened, Kael predicted it. Something would happen!”

“Oh my god! Really?!”

“I wish something had happened! This is not a prophecy!!”

Kael had to thank the heavens that Kaya was not here right now.

I would be here if my sister hadn’t gone out to train with the knights of the family.

And perhaps no one was more passionate, no, fanatical about that conversation.

“Wouldn’t it be possible to change the direction of the wind later on or even create the wind?”

“Maybe I can chase away the enemies by playing the lute a little!”