Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: A Traitorous Subject Has Its Uses
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And the Emperor, who had no inkling that his own daughter was currently working disguised as a slave maid in the very imperial capital where he resided, was nursing a headache while reviewing reports from various regions and the protest letter from Baron Vanilo.
"No, really… how on earth did that child disappear? And who could have conspired with her beforehand?"
"Since she has learned swordsmanship and aura to some extent, she should have no problem surviving in the wild… As for any conspiracy, we are also in the dark. We are currently investigating all reports from the surveillance intelligence division and questioning all the maids and servants who worked within the imperial palace."
"What about the Baron Vanilo side?"
"They are… absolutely furious, causing an uproar. They're demanding the bride be returned, threatening to rush to the capital any moment now. And the formal ceremony hasn't even taken place yet……. Sigh~"
The reporting official let out a deep sigh, and the Emperor shook his head as his throbbing headache seemed to intensify.
Baron Vanilo. A pig adorned with pearls—utterly unfit for the scale of his territory and his noble station, but as the legitimate heir by blood, there was nothing to be done about it.
It was already a marvel that the territory had been managed this far, thanks to the foundation well-maintained by the retainers who had served since his predecessor's time.
"He even threatened war! He was causing such a scene about going to war… that the retainers and knights of House Vanilo barely managed to restrain him."
"Those who serve such a fool as their lord are truly pitiable."
"Your Majesty, it seems we should explore other options besides just relying on the search. There's no guarantee we will find Her Highness the Princess……."
"Hoo~ Understood. Continue the search for now. Report to me immediately if there is any further contact."
Emperor Gerardo Calem dismissed him for the moment and began to ponder.
Not wanting to see the situation deteriorate any further, he racked his brain for some resolution. As he did, he heard the voice of the imperial knight guarding the study verifying someone's identity.
'Who is it?'
"The Archbishop of the Goddess Church! Anseria is here, Your Imperial Majesty!"
"Let him enter!"
Feeling he had to do something, he immediately granted the Archbishop's entry. As the study door opened, an elderly man who appeared even older than the Emperor, with a head of thick white hair and a bent back—Archbishop Anseria—entered leaning on a cane.
Though his face was benevolent, he was a figure one could never let their guard down around—a fanatical monster who had lived in the capital's temple for eighty years.
"Hehe, this old servant of the gods, Anseria, has come in response to Your Majesty's summons."
"Good of you to come. You are already aware of the situation, I presume? I wish to request your assistance. It is regrettable the High Priest could not come……."
"Hehehe, the High Priest is currently away attending the Grand Conference in the Holy Nation. In any case, what kind of assistance are you referring to, Your Majesty? Shall I mobilize the Paladin Order? Or utilize the communication network within the regional temples?"
"I require the aid of a 'miracle'."
"Hehehe."
'Miracle'. The impious sometimes referred to it as similar to magic, calling it 'divine magic', but in the Goddess Church, it was strictly considered a power granted by the Goddess, hence the term 'miracle'.
That power included simply healing wounds or illnesses, but for those with deeper faith and loved by the gods, more special 'miracles' were often permitted.
"Your Majesty, may this servant of the gods offer a brief piece of advice?"
"Speak."
"A 'miracle' is strictly a divine blessing, and those granted it must use it with utmost caution. Losing your daughter, Her Highness the Princess, is a most sorrowful event… but Your Majesty, a 'miracle' is not a convenient tool. It is an interference with fate."
It sounded like well-meaning advice, but the true meaning behind Archbishop Anseria's words was that if help was needed, a price must first be offered.
The Emperor felt disgust at these stomach-churning words delivered with a benevolent clergyman's face, but as this was almost routine, he endured for now and asked him.
"Then let me ask you one thing. If a 'miracle' is used, can Zelsi be found?"
"If I use the 'miracle' granted to me by the Goddess, there is a possibility she can be found."
"A possibility? That's uncertain."
"Well, there are several possibilities regarding the escaped Princess Zelsi, are there not? It would be best if she were safe, but there is also the possibility she is dead, or in a place beyond the Goddess's protection. In such cases, even using a 'miracle' would not find her. Ahem! It seems I have spoken too rudely."
"Grrrr……."
"Truth can be harsh at times, Your Majesty. A 'miracle' is not purely a good thing. Even considering all that, do you still wish to use it? Even paying the price?"
The Archbishop's words sounded cold, but he was right.
To use the 'miracle' possessed by those priests, one had to pay a not-insignificant price. If, after doing so, Zelsi's condition or location remained unknown, one would end up paying the 'price' for nothing.
Having already lost much, the Emperor finally decided to forgo using the 'miracle'.
"Hehehe, I see. A pity, Your Majesty. I thought you might accept the aid of a Holy War……."
The 'price' was their demand for support in the church's prosecution of a Holy War.
If there was a guarantee of finding her, it might be different?
But his 'reason' could absolutely not accept expending enormous national treasury and resources on an uncertain 'miracle'.
"…You have seen to your business, so you may leave."
"Yes. Then this old servant of the gods shall take his leave. Hehehe."
The Archbishop's attitude, smiling benevolently as he withdrew, grated on his nerves, but the Emperor barely restrained his anger, unable to provoke the Holy Nation ruled by the church.
Ultimately, finding no solution, and thinking he would have to offer one of his granddaughters to Baron Vanilo, he felt his headache intensify at the thought of persuading his sons and daughters.
A few days later, at the Valderian family mansion.
After the sports festival concluded, the academy's schedule consisted of final exams, followed by the start of the summer vacation season.
Still using his recuperation as a pretext, Beonald was busy with antique appraisals and laboratory construction when a sudden summons arrived from the Valderian family today, forcing him to make an appearance at their mansion.
As they needed to handle security concerns regarding Bethia, he left Heidi and Selina behind. Today, he moved quietly with only Sain.
"You've arrived? You look well. Brazenly claiming to be in critical condition and secluding yourself, yet what have you been running around doing all this time?"
"A half-penny like me has many errands to run here and there. Sain, that…"
At Beonald's instruction, Sain handed over a box wrapped in high-quality fabric to the Valderian family head.
Accepting the box, he looked puzzled and asked Beonald.
"What is this?"
"It's a result from my work and a gift. Please open it."
"Hmph, I don't mind, but if it's a gift you've presented out of courtesy to someone else, if it's not to their liking, it might backfire… Oh? This is?"
The Valderian family head, who had been about to offer solemn advice, couldn't help but be surprised by what was inside the box… Inside was a small tobacco case exquisitely crafted in gold.
As the lavish patterns and decorations pleased the family head's eye, his nose detected what was inside.
"Inside… there is tobacco. This scent… it's quite unfamiliar. A scent I've never encountered in my life. But it's certainly not cheap. What exactly is this……."
As a smoker, he could tell from the tobacco's scent alone that the contents were extraordinary. Opening the lid, a richer aroma wafted out, revealing ten neatly arranged cigars displaying their elegant forms.
"Tobacco from the distant past, the era of the Unified Empire."
"Oh? How did you…? No… if it's from the Unified Empire era, could it possibly be intact?"
"You'll know if you try one."
"Hmm, let's see……."
Though unsure about the authenticity of it being from the Unified Empire era, the Valderian family head could no longer resist the profound, unfamiliar scent. He took one cigar, placed it in his mouth, and lit it.
Then he slowly drew in the smoke, savoring the taste. After taking one puff and exhaling, he slapped his knee with a loud *thwack!* and exclaimed in admiration.
"This is truly astonishing. Oooh… My one and only hobby and pleasure is this, but I've never tasted tobacco like this in my life. I love it! Kuhahahahahat! Sssssuuuuu… Haa~ Oooh……."
His eyes wide, he marveled at the tobacco's flavor.
There was the shock of a new taste, but fundamentally, he had to admit it had a depth superior to any tobacco he had ever smoked.
Seeing the family head's delighted expression, Beonald smiled and explained the tobacco's origin.
"I'm glad you like it. That tobacco was found inside a broken antique jar. It was wrapped once in parchment, then in oiled paper, placed at the bottom of the jar, covered with clay, and hardened. That's why it remained well-preserved even after so long."
"An astonishing method of preservation. But why? Why would it be stored like that?"
"I suspect it might have been for smuggling. For smuggling, the quantity is small… Actually, when discovered, there were about forty cigars. Even with that storage, some had rotted… only those ten inner ones survived. Anyway, thanks to that, I discovered them, and you, Family Head, got to taste them. Isn't that a good thing?"
"Hahahat! Right! That's what matters. Hyah~ But it's truly a shame. Only ten cigars… no, nine now. I'll have to save them for truly important occasions."
"With luck, we might discover more."
"Then you must bring them to me. I'll pay you well. Sssuuu… Hoo~ Ha~ It's truly remarkable."
Watching his satisfied expression, Beonald thought that noble society remained unchanged across eras and history.
Even after five hundred years, luxury goods, alcohol, tobacco, treasures… items that stimulate human greed and pleasure never truly lose.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the five-hundred-year-old tobacco until it was nearly finished, the Valderian family head now got to the main reason he had summoned him.
"Thank you for the fine gift! Hahahat! My mood has improved immensely! Anyway, the reason I called you is that we've received an invitation to Marquis Völn's birthday celebration. Our Cedron lad intends to make his formal debut in noble society. Later… after graduating from the academy, or after earning fame on the battlefield… tsk."
"Ah……."
"As you know, our family is rather uncomfortable with empty formalities and ceremonies. Still, thanks to our martial prowess, other nobles grumble less, and also… you understand, don't you? While it's called a birthday party, the social circle is another battlefield."
"Of course I am aware."
Unless backed by overwhelmingly powerful military force, production capacity, or population, cooperation and trade with other nobles within the same nation were essential. The social circle was another battlefield where such cooperation and factions were formed, employing threats, marriage alliances, and various other means to align mutual interests.
Entering such a place without prior preparation, recklessly, was no different from joining a battlefield unarmed.
"So, please assist that lad. It would be troublesome if he gets entangled in petty disputes or becomes a laughingstock. Alternatively, it would also be fine if you, having gained greater fame this time, draw attention so he can comfortably adapt to the social circle. What do you say?"
"Of course, I must help."
And for Beonald, this battlefield had been a primary area of activity since five hundred years ago. Moreover, it was a request from his cute(?) nephew—how could he refuse? He readily agreed.