「We’re really in trouble here…」
In a small town northwest of the Univance capital.
The base they had set up by buying out a modest inn should still be undiscovered by that kingdom’s internal spies.
To avoid suspicion, they were operating it as a normal inn.
Though the ones running it were knights from the “Empire”.
The civil official attached to Broidwan Empire’s Grand General Kishara, Yaju, wore a grim expression as he read the reports from the agents scattered throughout Univance.
A thin, middle-aged man who didn’t look suited for rough work. But those narrow eyes of his brought to mind a cunning fox.
His specialty was schemes and subterfuge. Behind-the-scenes manipulation.
Even a man like him… was utterly stumped by the gathered reports.
「No matter how you look at it, this is strange, isn’t it?」
「……」
The subordinates waiting nearby surely felt the same.
They exchanged glances and fell silent.
「We’re in trouble. No matter how I slice it… it feels like Prince Argusta became a completely different person starting from a certain day.」
「The official story is that a large-scale ritual was used to treat an illness?」
「That’s probably the cover. But it’s only natural to assume it wasn’t a healing ritual at all.」
「……」
「It makes the most sense to conclude it was a summoning ritual.」
At their superior’s words, the subordinates drew sharp breaths.
Even if he was only the third prince, performing such an act on someone with succession rights to the throne was unthinkable.
It wouldn’t be wrong to call it barbaric.
「Normally, no one in a royal family would joyfully marry a monster like that. The way he acted toward the general that day, the trouble he caused with the republic’s finance minister, it’s far too fearless for ordinary thinking. And he has only one wife? Telling him to spend his entire life with a monster like that… ahaha… it’s pure madness. But this hypothesis explains that madness perfectly. Univance probably crushed the third prince’s soul and summoned someone from another world.」
That’s the only logical conclusion.
We’re forced to reconfirm just how troublesome this kingdom truly is.
King Wilmott’s past achievements in politics and military affairs stand head and shoulders above any current monarch.
His eldest son Schnitt has made his name as prime minister in politics, while the second son Halfren has risen as a general.
Precisely because a direct assault is impossible, every nation schemes to take Univance from the shadows.
「The birth family of Argusta’s real mother, the Lucefert house, was wiped out along with the entire clan on charges of treason, correct?」
「Yes, sir. After the prince himself made the statement, the royal family confirmed it. The prince then demonstrated his willingness to serve the royal house with his very life, so he was granted no further punishment.」
「Serving with his very life… He agreed to marry that monster under such harsh terms. The nobles can hardly complain about that.」
「Yes. It’s said that memory issues have arisen since the ritual, but… that unwavering loyalty toward the royal house. The current common opinion among the nobles is that ‘Prince Argusta never intended to join the rebellion in the first place.’」
「…Pushing from that angle seems difficult.」
Then we’ll need another approach.
「Yaju-sama.」
「What is it?」
「What if we spread rumors that it was a summoning ritual?」
「…Are you an idiot?」
「Huh?」
「Even if we had ironclad proof… pursuing it would be extremely difficult. At the present moment.」
「Why is that?」
To think he could be this foolish… Yaju mentally branded the subordinate with “disposal” and continued.
「Because he has brought nothing from his world to this one. No special technology, no unique magic, nothing at all. Now… suppose we publicly announced, ‘Prince Argusta is someone summoned from another world.’ Which nation would believe those words?」
「……」
「Everyone already knows we’re relentlessly targeting his pet monster. Even if we presented proof in this situation, no country would sympathize. At worst, they’d grow suspicious of our intentions and form a coalition against us.」
「Why?」
He’s already a fool marked for disposal. In a show of kindness, Yaju decided to give him one last parting gift of knowledge.
「Not just our country… every major power still performs summoning rituals even now. But since ancient times, they’ve always relied heavily on luck, so successful cases are extremely rare. That’s why there’s an unwritten rule: unless someone achieves blatant military gains, no nation calls out another for doing it. If we accused Univance of their actions… we’d be accused right back.」
The only consolation was that this helped him reorganize his thoughts. That was all.
「The republic’s spies are troublesome too. They can throw around endless amounts of money to negotiate.」
「Pardon my words, but honestly, I’m a little envious of their methods.」
「…True enough. Nothing moves people quite like greed. With money, it’s also easier to use women as tools.」
「Yes.」
When it came to intelligence gathering, the Empire always struggled against the republic.
Tap, tap, tap, he drummed his fingers on the desk, gathering his thoughts for a moment.
「His Excellency is demanding results… and sticking purely to an information war isn’t the Empire’s style.」
Then they would simply fight in a way befitting the Empire.
「Contact His Excellency the General back home. Request the dispatch of Tricia.」
「Yes, sir… but are you sure that’s wise?」
「It’s not wise at all, but we have no choice. If we want to steal the horse, the only way is to seduce the rider.」
He grinned slyly.
「Let us invite Prince Argusta to our Empire. It will be a rather rough invitation, but I’m sure His Excellency will forgive it. After all, he’ll want to know which is stronger, the Empire’s dragon slayer… or Univance’s.」
He chuckled darkly and settled on the plan.
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