Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: The Answer is Decided (3)
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The night Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger was summoned by the Fifth Prince, in the Crown Prince's office.
"So, Hendrick. Are you absolutely sure that Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger and my foolish little brother really had this conversation?"
In this era, without bugs, wiretaps, or tiny recording devices, eavesdropping on others' conversations was an incredibly dangerous and difficult task.
Thus, in politics, once you took someone into your private chamber for a talk, uncovering what was said was practically impossible.
The reason the Crown Prince—who knew this all too well—could speak as if he'd heard the secret conversation between the Fifth Prince and Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger, despite the latter's tight security, was...
"Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Some snippets secretly overheard by that Bacon fellow, whom we planted as an apprentice butler in the Fifth Prince's residence a few months ago, match the report from Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger himself. So, I believe we can take the contents of the letter Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger sent at face value."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince let out a sigh of relief and said,
"If Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger had sided with that blockhead, it would've given me a real headache. Thank goodness it didn't come to that."
Any other subordinate or vassal would have responded to the Crown Prince's words in some formal manner.
But Hendrick, tasked with commanding the spies, didn't offer opinions like other ministers—he simply delivered information.
In fact, for a spy to suggest anything to their master would exceed their authority.
The Crown Prince inwardly found Hendrick's silence rather reliable.
"Then go about your duties. And make sure to protect that girl Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger mentioned thoroughly. She could prove useful later for undermining my blockhead brother's political standing."
With those words, Hendrick left the room. Next to enter was someone the Crown Prince hadn't expected.
Ever since their victory in the Bisocia War, this man had been proposing an alliance—the Fourth Prince of the Reich Empire, Krieg von Reich.
To be precise, what he called an alliance was essentially a pledge to serve under the Crown Prince.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Ah, Krieg! You're earlier than I expected. Don't just stand there—sit down."
Saying this, the Crown Prince himself pulled a chair from in front of his desk for Krieg to sit in.
To an outsider unaware of the circumstances, it might look like the brothers had always been on great terms.
But in truth, until recently, they had been rivals vying for the throne from the shadows.
In the world of politics, yesterday's enemy becoming today's ally was as common as tripping over a roadside pebble—nothing special.
"Sorry for pulling you away from your busy schedule like this."
"Not at all, Your Highness. But may I ask what this is regarding?"
"Oh, that idiot Jonas pulled off something amusing, so I wanted to chat about it. And while we're at it, share a cup of tea with my dear little brother."
Hearing this, Krieg felt cold sweat trickling down his back.
Because the Crown Prince, with whom he had clashed over power—quarrels unfit even for family—wouldn't set aside his packed schedule just to sip tea and chat idly.
'Damn it. Even if I'm the one who came crawling on my knees, this humiliation is too much...'
Yet the words from Krieg's mouth were the complete opposite of his feelings.
"Is that so? It's an honor that Your Highness thinks so highly of me."
"Krieg, in private, just call me 'brother.' We share the same mother, and didn't we used to play together when we were kids?"
"No, Your Highness... How could I dare to..."
At this, the Crown Prince spoke slowly, with a threatening edge.
"Call me that. We're brothers cooperating toward the same goal now, aren't we? I see you as both a little brother and an ally—surely you're not trying to put up a wall between us..."
"No, brother."
"Good. Here, take a look at this letter, Krieg."
The Fourth Prince Krieg took the letter and couldn't hide his shock.
"Isn't this the letter saying Jonas tried to poach Baron Jaeger? But why show it to me?"
"Jonas hasn't changed a bit since we were kids. It reminded me of when he was five, throwing a tantrum at the chamberlain because he wanted my sword. You remember that, right?"
"Yes, brother. When I was eight, he stole my favorite chessboard and pieces too."
On the surface, it was a warm, brotherly atmosphere. But Fourth Prince Krieg wasn't a fool—he knew full well.
The Crown Prince was deeply displeased that Jonas had dared to try stealing Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger away, and he was pondering what form his retaliation would take.
He also grasped the hidden intent: a warning aimed back at him.
Moreover, it was clear from the time given that he was meant to read it, so Krieg scanned the letter as quickly as possible.
"But that was kid stuff. Now that we're older, I can't just hand over what's mine. No, back then it was just a toy or a fancy sword. Before we knew it, they've become tied to the Empire's future and ultimate power. Especially Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger."
"Isn't he a vassal you treasure, brother? A once-in-a-generation prodigy who rose to lieutenant colonel at 21. And look here—he swears his loyalty to you with all sorts of flowery knightly rhetoric straight out of a romance novel."
A few seconds earlier, the Crown Prince had been in a foul mood over Jonas, but now he smiled brightly and replied,
"If he'd just firmly refused without burning bridges, he could've dodged the crisis while leaving room to join Jonas later. That would've let me drop my suspicions entirely. But he didn't outright insult Jonas—he painted that greedy fool as a villain coveting what's not his."
"Exactly, brother. And he boasted that his achievements are thanks to you. If word of this spreads... some might think they could rise even higher by serving under you too."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince smiled again and said,
"Honestly, Jaeger earned his position through talent at that age, but my support was indispensable in placing him there so young. Why else would I hand an infantry battalion to a mere captain, then promote him to major after one mock battle victory?"
Hearing this, Fourth Prince Krieg was certain.
This was the Crown Prince spelling out exactly how he should conduct himself under his command.
Otherwise, why summon him at this hour just to discuss a letter?
"What a model relationship, little brother. A lord who trusts his subordinate completely, and the subordinate who thrives and grows under his lord's shadow, unleashing his full potential. Since you pledged to serve under me, Krieg, if you follow me like Jaeger does, I'll embrace you with genuine affection."
At those words, Krieg rose from his chair and bowed formally, as he would in an official audience.
"Before joining you, brother, we might've been mere siblings. But now that I'm under you, we're lord and vassal, despite our blood ties. I shall serve with utmost loyalty."
"Is that so? Then these investigations by Hendrick are no longer needed."
With that, the Crown Prince dropped a book from his desk in front of Krieg, signaling him to open it.
Inside were summaries of conversations Krieg had with a few loyal vassals after pledging allegiance to the Crown Prince.
"Even before you declared you'd serve me a few months ago, Baron Draim had already sworn loyalty to me, not you. And here's something he wrote. After your promise, when others signaled chances to betray or seize opportunities, he didn't budge. Commendable, little brother."
Hearing this, Fourth Prince Krieg couldn't conceal his astonishment.
His faction was barely above a single count in strength, and he'd taken good care of his vassals, so he thought none would sell him out easily.
He especially couldn't believe his most cherished vassal, Baron Draim, had betrayed him.
"Ah, but Baron Draim was someone I planted long ago. No need to feel betrayed, little brother."
"Is that right, brother?"
The Crown Prince then smiled at his brother and said,
"Look only to me, and be loyal only to me. Do that, and I'll grant you wealth and power beyond your deserts."