“…Explain in detail.”
Mephisto’s explanation followed.
Currently, the Archduke of Lepent is dispatched as an envoy in Niran. Therefore, it is highly likely that this figure is involved in the Niran civil war.
In other words, Arian’s king was aware that Lepent’s Archduke was in Niran and started the civil war anyway.
Moreover, quite tactfully for a Western power, the Two Princes moved in accordance with the timing of the Niran civil war.
Ultimately, Contrat’s actions can be interpreted as a blatant provocation against the Emperor.
If the Empire meddles with Niran, they will side with the Two Princes alongside Lepent.
That is the implication.
Therefore, provoking Niran now will benefit the Two Princes the most.
The two former vassal states of the Empire will take this opportunity to bring themselves under their influence.
Although Mephisto’s voice was long, he spoke smoothly from start to finish.
Several nobles stuck out their tongues at his inhuman demeanor.
“What a useless bastard of mixed blood—.”
As the conversation about the Two Princes continued, the Emperor spat curses reflexively.
At the same time, he showed signs of confusion.
“But… why on earth is Lepent’s Archduke there? Isn’t it common knowledge even to a three-year-old fly that Lepent and Arian are at each other’s throats?”
“Presumably, he moved there to form an alliance with Arian. This is quite an unprecedented move, I believe.”
“Hmm, what was his name?”
“Glenn. Ron Glenn Lepent. His name has been spreading in the north recently, so I’m also keeping a close eye on him.”
“Tch, let’s put that bastard aside for now… So, we’re just going to stay put like this?”
The Emperor’s gaze clearly demanded an answer.
“How could that be? His Majesty has just been insulted.”
Mephisto quietly shook his head with a smile.
“Before striking back, it’s necessary to accurately identify the current enemies. I apologize for my bluntness, but if Lepent, Arian, and Lebanov are tied together, it will become an incredibly troublesome situation.”
The Emperor frowned with displeasure.
Lepent, Arian, Lebanov — all mere pawns who couldn’t even raise their voices in the previous generation.
“Hmph… arrogant bastards.”
“If they defect to the Two Princes, we can’t even begin to imagine what will happen to the whole world. What Your Majesty must think of first is to break the alliance of those three countries I just mentioned.”
“Hmm, very well. That makes sense. What’s the method?”
“First, you must firmly hold the leash of the hunting dogs.”
Hunting dogs.
A derogatory term used by the Empire to belittle the Duchy of Lepent.
“The Lepent bastards? That fits. Those damned sons of bitches have always been arrogant.”
“It’s natural for dogs to follow their master loyally, isn’t it? So, about that ‘plan’ I mentioned earlier.”
“Hmm? A plan? Oh, you mean using those northern orphans?”
“Yes, that’s right. Count Sailharun is steadily putting it into practice, so it should be implemented soon. Therefore…”
Count Sailharun of Lepent is a representative pro-Empire force. Their ties to the Empire are a lifeline, so there should be no major obstacles in progress.
Mephisto bowed deeply with elegant movements.
Even this action was perfectly neat.
“Your Majesty, I swear on my life I would not make such a proposal lightly. Now, like our old wise men, you must endure with the mindset of crawling under the legs of ruffians.”
A moment of silence followed, as if the atmosphere itself froze.
Then the Emperor let out a long sigh.
“Tch… very well, if the Marquis says so, it can’t be wrong. So, are you confident in that plan you mentioned earlier?”
Mephisto immediately lifted his head and met the Emperor’s gaze.
“Your Majesty, I dare say, even a goddess would not be able to stop it. Once the plan is complete, all the arrogant merchants of the western Peninsula will be under Your Majesty’s control. With the gold flowing from the Peninsula, you could sweep away the Two Princes in no time.”
“…Hahaha, even a goddess can’t stop it? Is it acceptable to say something so blasphemous?”
“I humbly apologize. I was only trying to emphasize my loyalty to Your Majesty.”
“Haha, I don’t doubt your loyalty. The Peninsula merchants, huh — good, I like that.”
The Empire’s western Peninsula is beyond the Emperor’s direct influence.
It has been a well-known secret since the previous generation of his predecessors.
The Florence family has held the Peninsula’s purse strings for generations. Their wealth and influence over the Peninsula are formidable enough that even the Emperor dares not ignore them.
“Those damned Florence bastards have been arrogant even before our ancestors. If we can wipe them out and swallow the Peninsula whole… that’s very appealing!”
A satisfied smile spread across the Emperor’s lips.
The Emperor, Aldicar, believed everything within the Empire was his possession. He also believed the entire continent should belong to the Empire.
In other words, he yearned for a continental unification that even his predecessors never dared attempt.
If he could bring the Florence bastards to their knees and absorb them!
Such a grandiose dream was not far-fetched.
“Therefore, show magnanimity toward Niran’s affairs.”
“Magnanimity? What do you mean by that?”
As the Emperor’s gaze grew sharp again, Mephisto quickly continued.
“Send congratulations and an envoy under the Emperor’s name to Niran.”
“What? You want me to congratulate them?”
“That’s right. The unexpected reaction from the Empire will surely throw them into chaos. They won’t even notice when a few orphans disappear in the north.”
At that, the Emperor, who had been silently thinking, smiled.
“…Ah, it’s like snow blindness. Haha! A very clever tactic.”
Though usually dull, when it comes to schemes to take others’ possessions, he is quite sharp.
“In addition, you must send a letter to Count Riberton of Lems River. As long as he’s given money, he can shake both Lepent and Arian enough.”
“Riberton, huh? That greedy pig’s family has always been like that. Let’s give him just enough and use him. I’ll leave all matters to him.”
Like the Florence family controlling the Peninsula, Riberton, holding territory by the Lems River, is in a similar position.
Since the Empire is vast, it’s not uncommon for certain nobles to rule their lands like kings.
“Thank you. I will not disappoint Your Majesty.”
“Good. Proceed without any issues.”
The Emperor stood up and began to move.
His gaze then landed on the still silent Count and knight.
“Get rid of those two incompetent fools.”
His tone was dry, as if ordering to discard garbage.
At the same time, the faces of the two men beneath the throne darkened.
“Y-Your Majesty! Please spare us!”
“…Tch.”
But Mephisto intervened once more.
“Your Majesty, even if you don’t care about the Count, the Grand Chamberlain commands many in the northern corps. If you remove him as well, it could undermine the morale of our troops fighting on the front lines.”
Recalling unpleasant memories naturally, the Emperor immediately sent a fierce gaze toward Mephisto. However, Mephisto only bowed slightly with an indifferent expression.
“Hmph, very well. Thinking of our soldiers — we’ll spare the Grand Chamberlain. Make sure he produces results.”
“…Thank you for your grace.”
Now the Emperor’s gaze shifted to the remaining middle-aged Count.
“What about him? Surely you’re not going to spare that idiot too?”
Mephisto nodded without hesitation.
“As Your Majesty wills.”
“Get rid of that incompetent fool immediately.”
Just those words.
“P-Your Majesty! Please spare me!”
The royal guard standing by immediately dragged the Count away. He would likely lose his head within hours.
“Tiring. Today’s meeting is adjourned.”
The Emperor then led a few maids and walked toward his chamber. Nothing particularly remarkable, as usual.
The nobles quickly left the audience chamber.
No one knew when the Emperor, who was as volatile as boiling water, would issue another edict.
After some time, the audience chamber became quite lively again.
But Mephisto remained.
He stared in the direction where the Emperor had disappeared, quietly smiling.
A smile so subtle its meaning was impossible to decipher.
“Truly — humans are fascinating creatures.”
A strange sense of hostility flickered in his eyes.
***
Contrat’s office.
His eyes gleamed with interest as he read a high-ranking letter.
“Hmm?”
First, the sender’s name piqued his interest.
Marquis Liam Thorn Mephisto.
A well-known close aide and advisor to the Emperor.
“Ha ha ha, this is interesting. The Emperor must be really riled up.”
No one responded to Contrat’s words.
The servants quietly bowed their heads.
Normally, Puruka, his close aide, would have interjected, but he was currently away on a mission.
Tap tap tap.
Contrat drummed the desk with his fingers while studying the letter.
He seemed to be thinking deeply.
Then, momentarily, his finger pointed to one of the servants.
“Come here.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Alexius — you’re in the palace now, right?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Bring him here. And Britani… yes, bring Isabelle as well. Immediately.”
Upon the king’s order, the servant quickly closed the door and left.
Contrat slipped the letter between his fingers and smiled faintly.
As if expecting some entertaining game.
***
“So the Empire is sending congratulatory envoys.”
“Huh?”
At Contrat’s unexpected remark, a man with light brown hair widened his eyes.
Alexius Stauffen.
The eldest son of House Stauffen, the first prince of Arian’s royal family, and the official heir.
Contrat ignored his hesitation and simply tossed the letter over.
Alexius began reading it.
“Everyone, read it once and share your opinions.”
At the command to speak their opinions, a woman with auburn curly hair frowned.
“Britani?”
“Yes. Isabelle does well, so what can’t you do? Instead of wasting time on pointless quarrels every day, help your father.”
“Help.”
Britani Stauffen, eldest daughter of the house and the first princess, sensed their father’s intention to test her and the others.
The esteemed gentleman had no reason to seek help from them otherwise.
Still, they had to perform to some extent.
Britani skimmed the letter and then, nervously, pushed it to the side.
Her gaze toward the woman opposite was decidedly unfriendly.
Isabelle paid no mind and took the letter to read.
“Hmm.”
The moment her father mentioned the congratulatory envoy, several scenarios floated through her mind.
None were entirely impossible.
“Good. Now, all of you — state your opinions about this.”
Contrat’s eyes sparkled as he looked at his children.
Instinctively, Isabelle understood this was a test.