Chapter 67
Chapter 67
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: The Answer is Decided (1)
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In the original novel, the Crown Prince was at the point where he was gradually being pushed back by the Second Prince—the one the protagonist would soon serve—and was starting to consider an alliance with the Fifth Prince.
Considering how the protagonist convinced Laura, who had become his subordinate by then, to side with the Second Prince, and later even got Count Venner to defect, ultimately delivering the decisive blow that destroyed the Crown Prince's faction...
My intervention seemed to be twisting the story of this novel—no, the history of the Reich Empire—in strange ways.
Now that I'd decided to side with the Crown Prince, wouldn't it be best to steer the empire's history as favorably toward him as possible?
To add a little more to that, it might help to tarnish the Fifth Prince's image even slightly when turning down his offer.
That way, I could pay back His Highness the Fifth Prince—just a tiny bit—for trying to screw me over, whether intentionally or not.
"Major Jaeger, is stepping on bugs that amusing? Your face is full of smiles."
At those words, I snapped back to my senses and apologized to the Crown Prince.
"My apologies."
Whether he saw through my scheming, or whether he was simply pleased that I'd immediately reported the idiot who'd tried to recruit me—Peter Jaeger—right in the middle of the ball by pulling that stunt...
Either way, he showed no hint of anxiety, proving he never even considered betrayal. That display of loyalty must have put him in a good mood.
His Highness the Crown Prince wore a similar smile and said,
"Well now, Major Jaeger. Are you drunk? Your face is flushed red. It seems the excitement of your first banquet as a young man led you to down the wine too quickly."
From my days on the Rhineland Front to the Chekovia Front, I'd built rapport with officers by drinking—without exaggeration—up to two liters of beer at a time on heavy nights.
A few glasses of banquet wine wouldn't intoxicate me.
So this was his way of telling me to stop giving other factions any ammunition and go home to rest.
"My youthful hot blood must have gotten the better of me. If you'll permit, I'd like to take my leave first, Your Highness."
With that, even though I'd been walking fine just moments ago, I pretended to be drunk and asked Laura to call a servant.
This should make me look like a noble who'd gotten tipsy from overindulging in excitement at his first banquet, face still somewhat clear but unmistakably intoxicated.
At a ball, the real dangers were slips of the tongue or insulting someone and giving them leverage. Leaving early due to drunkenness? That would just end up as amusing gossip, nothing more.
"Major, are you all right? For His Highness the Crown Prince to say you're drunk, you must be quite wasted..."
I appreciated her concern, but I was perfectly fine.
So I whispered to her—just loud enough for Laura, who was practically glued to my side, to hear.
"His Highness the Fifth Prince just tried to recruit me right here in the banquet hall. That's why the Crown Prince told me to play drunk and get out to avoid more trouble. I'm fine, so don't worry."
Laura nodded in relief at my words, and we safely made it through the rest of the ball.
To be precise, I'd deftly deflected invitations from other nobles to switch factions, and with Laura's help, shaken off the young ladies' advances cleanly. I'd call that a win.
But one annoying issue remained: having to go see the Fifth Prince in person because I'd accepted his invitation.
Still, I'd handled his overture—risky enough to cause misunderstandings with the Crown Prince—as well as I could.
That should let me head back without regrets.
Now... how exactly should I turn down His Highness the Fifth Prince's offer?
Six days after the ball, on a Saturday lunchtime.
Last week at this time, I'd been reviewing lecture notes and enjoying a bit of leisure.
But today, at the Fifth Prince's summons, I was dressed up and heading to his residence.
Damn it. I'd hoped to enjoy some downtime now that I was back in the capital for once.
Suppressing my inner irritation, I arrived at the mansion on the western outskirts of Reichburg, where an elderly butler greeted me.
"Are you Baron Peter Jaeger? I am Gilliam Wagen, butler to His Highness the Fifth Prince. His Highness has stepped out briefly and asks that you wait a moment."
"Very well. Where should I wait?"
"Please wait in the parlor inside the mansion. It should take about two hours, so shall I prepare a meal in the meantime?"
A prince like the Fifth wouldn't poison food just to kill me—and right now, I was someone to recruit, not assassinate.
No attempts at poisoning or the like.
Besides, even from a rival faction, refusing hospitality from imperial royalty would earn a reputation for arrogance.
Not that it was possible in the first place.
"I'll have to thank His Highness personally later for his kindness."
"His Highness instructed us to take special care, so we've prepared the finest meal possible."
Following the butler's guidance into the parlor, I found it lavishly decorated.
Not quite on the level of the banquet hall, but a massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, the walls adorned with portraits of the Fifth Prince, his parents, and family alongside beautiful landscapes. The desk appeared carved from marble, exuding a heavy yet luxurious aura.
The butler must have timed it perfectly for my arrival, as the food was already laid out.
Soup, steak, bread, roast beef, wine—the spread was far too much for one person.
Serving this much food to a noble guest symbolized the depth of one's favor toward them.
The Fifth Prince clearly wanted me on his side no matter what.
"This meal embodies His Highness the Fifth Prince's regard for you, Major Jaeger."
"His Highness's favor is so great it feels undeserved. I'll enjoy it properly."
As I reached for my knife to start eating, the butler beside me rang a silver bell.
A woman entered, wearing what could only be called a maid outfit—but far shorter than usual servant garb, exposing her thighs and ample cleavage.
Pale skin, dark eyes, a beauty striking enough to draw stares on the street, if not quite doll-like perfection.
Shit. This doesn't feel good.
The butler standing by my side smiled at her and said,
"This young lady is Marie; she just turned twenty. I brought her in case you find the wait until His Highness arrives tedious after your meal. I'll take my leave now."
Bad feelings always turn out right. "In case you're bored" after eating—what else could that mean?
She was obviously here for sexual service.
If I took the bait, the butler and Fifth Prince would chuckle and say something like,
'Glad you like her. A special gift for the empire's hero.'
Then they'd use her to pry into my private life bit by bit.
Meanwhile, Marie fumbled awkwardly to attend to me.
"I prefer to eat with my own hands. And after staying up all night preparing yesterday's Staff College lecture, I'd like to rest a bit. I'll just eat and nap."
At my words, Marie began showing signs of anxiety over failing her task.
If I outright rejected her, it might give the Fifth Prince something to hold against me...
"It's truly an honor to enjoy such luxury thanks to His Highness, but I can't ruin my health over it."
With that, I handed a few silver coins—worth about five silvers—to the scantily clad maid before me and said,
"This is my personal token of gratitude to you. His Highness will understand if you tell him."
"Thank you, Baron."
Now she could report to the prince that I'd turned her down due to exhaustion from an all-nighter, backing it up with the hefty sum of five silvers given to a mere maid.
That would show I'd appreciated his gesture, leaving him no outward reason to take offense or nitpick.
And so, I moderately enjoyed the lavish meal before me and truly dozed off on the sofa until the prince called.
How much time passed? I heard the jingle of a bell in my ears.
"You must have been quite tired. His Highness the Prince has arrived. Please follow me. I'll escort you to his office myself."