34
Chapter 34
"So, you want to conquer the world."
"My goal is to unify the Taspilia Peninsula within three years, the South within seven, and the entire continent of Arcadia within twenty."
Quite an ambition. But there is one problem.
"But is it really wise to reveal such a secret to someone you've just met? How do you know I won't go around blabbing about it?"
"You're just saying that. I know all about you. My Baby Birds are even embedded in the Crown Prince's military camp. They whispered to me that you've achieved your feats by walking a dangerous tightrope, never knowing when you might die. That's likely because you have a goal more precious than your own life, isn't it? Would such a person really gossip about someone else's dream? I don't think so. You're just like me. You'll empathize with my dream. Am I right?"
To be honest, I don't empathize. But I can relate. Though it wasn't my choice, I'm also in a position where I have no choice but to conquer the world.
"That's why I'm making this offer."
"What kind of offer?"
"I'll give you something that no one else in this world can. I'll appoint you as the Commander-in-Chief of my army."
Commander-in-Chief! I pondered for a moment. This woman was definitely a compelling option. She had immense wealth, and since most of her commanders were foreigners, there would be less internal friction. And Commander-in-Chief! At only seventeen? She was making an incredibly bold offer. Regardless of how international politics shifted, she was definitely a powerful asset. I wanted to keep her as an option if possible, but...
The problem was that I wanted to graduate from Arcadia Academy first. I needed to find a polite way to decline while keeping the door open. Just as I was struggling to find the right words, the answer appeared from an unexpected place. And that was because...
"Allow me to sit for a moment."
Princess Leonia von Arcadia had said this as she sat down beside me. Startled, I cried out.
"Your Highness?"
"There is no need to shout. I am right here."
"No, I mean... why are you here...?"
"Charles, I heard you had returned, so I decided to visit."
As she spoke, Princess Leonia was glaring not at me, but at Lucrezia.
"Lady Lucrezia du Flos. It has been a while."
"Princess Leonia."
The two women's glares clashed in mid-air. They stared at each other as if they were sworn enemies. What was this? Did they not get along?
"Lady, what brings you here today?"
"I was simply curious to see the face of the War Hero."
"I believe you've had quite enough conversation for one day. Why don't you take your leave?"
At Leonia's words, she and Lucrezia began to glare at one another. After a brief silence...
"I shall take my leave for now. Charles, I'll see you next time."
Lady Lucrezia du Flos waved with a smile and departed, and Princess Leonia nodded with satisfaction. Meanwhile...
"Your Highness? What on earth brings you here?"
I was completely bewildered. Why did this woman suddenly visit me, sit beside me, and then kick Lady Flos out?
To my string of questions, Princess Leonia replied.
"Do you have any plans for today?"
"Not really."
If I had to be honest, my plan was to just lounge around and do nothing.
"Then you shall spend the rest of the day with me."
Just like that?
-----
Twenty minutes later, we were heading to the Princess's villa on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. There were rumors that Princess Leonia collected various items for her hobbies at the villa, and today was the day I could confirm them.
In the carriage on the way to the villa, I asked.
"Your Highness, do you not get along with Lady Flos?"
Then, she suddenly burst out laughing. Flustered, I asked why she was laughing, and she replied.
"Lucrezia du Flos is very similar to me."
"Similar to Your Highness?"
That was strange. I couldn't see any resemblance in their looks or personalities. If anything, the only thing they shared was blonde hair.
She chuckled, seemingly amused by my reaction, and spoke.
"Long ago, there was a tradition in the Arcadian Empire. The empire's heirs were required to graduate from Arcadia Academy with high honors."
"Yes. I've heard of that."
More accurately, I had read about it in the setting guide.
"But that tradition has become obsolete. Even the current Crown Prince only attended Arcadia Academy for a year, and even then, he barely showed up. Yet, he still became the Crown Prince."
"Right."
"Now that Arcadia Academy has lost much of its former significance, who do you think are the ones who actually spend all three years there?"
"Hmm... I'm not sure."
I pretended not to know, but I had a general idea.
It was the people who were lacking something, attending to fill that void.
"Those who are missing something are the ones who stay for the full three years. For instance, border nobles wanting to enter the central circle, heirs lacking legitimacy, young nobles wanting to boost their reputation, or those wanting to prove their competence. They spend three years at Arcadia Academy to earn high grades and use the institution's prestige to prove their worth."
I knew that all too well. I was no different.
"Those who can obtain what they desire without such effort don't bother with the academy. Charles, in that regard, tell me. For what reason are you attending Arcadia Academy?"
"Because I am lacking in every possible way."
No money. No power. No backing. Since I had nothing, Arcadia Academy was the only place I could obtain those things.
"Indeed, you speak the truth. Only a few months ago, you were in a truly desperate situation."
A trio of small-time villains, whose names I can't even remember now, had relentlessly tormented me. Had I not fought back, they would have surely driven me to expulsion. The incompetent are often the most malicious and persistent.
For someone with nothing like me to gain power, attending the academy was my only option. If you stripped away the title of Arcadia Academy cadet, what would be left of me? Nothing.
"People think of the academy cadets as a nest of elites and envy them. But isn't it amusing that in reality, it's a gathering place for those who are each lacking something?"
"Come to think of it, you're right."
If that were the case, I had a question.
"Your Highness, what is it that you lack?"
I wanted to know why Leonia was attending Arcadia Academy. I had a few guesses, but I wanted to hear it from her own lips.
"For me..."
"And for Your Highness?"
"I lack power."
Power. It was the answer I expected.
"Had I possessed as much influence as the Crown Prince, I wouldn't be attending Arcadia Academy. My standing is far inferior to both the Crown Prince and the Second Prince. The gap is so devastating that even my own confidants betrayed me to join the Crown Prince's side. That is why I am here. I wanted to graduate with grades so overwhelming that they put the other princes to shame. I wanted the world to recognize that while the Third Princess may lack territory and military might, her talent is unmatched. If the talents of the past turned their backs on me, I hope the talents of the future will not."
I knew Leonia's story. She had been too young when she inherited her land, and her rivals were too powerful, leading her aides to betray her. That experience must have left a scar. Thus, she chose to become a hero rather than remain a young, powerless princess—because she never wanted to be abandoned again.
"Charles."
"Yes."
"Lady Flos also lacks power. More specifically, she lacks military strength. The Taspilia Peninsula, where the Duchy of Flos is located, has remained divided for a long time, shared among various duchies, kingdoms, and republics. Lucrezia du Flos intends to swallow these scattered nations and unify the peninsula, using her immense wealth and own talent. For the House of Flos, the wealthiest family in the world, the only missing piece is military power. That is why she attends the academy—to find and scout those with exceptional military genius. There is no place more abundant with unclaimed talent than Arcadia Academy."
I see. That's why she said she and Lady Flos were alike. They both attend the academy to recruit talent.
"Charles. At first glance, Lady Flos may seem like a good option. Joining the Duchy of Flos would offer a faster rise to power than in any other nation, and she could pay you as much as you desire. The Duchy of Flos, with its bottomless well of wealth, is certainly strong, but there is something Lady Flos does not have."
"And what is that?"
"The justification to swallow the Empire. Imperial legitimacy."
Ah. If Lady Flos were to seize the Empire, it would be a Dynastic Revolution, but if Princess Leonia did it, it would simply be a standard struggle for succession within the House of Arcadia.
In other words, the Princess was telling me...
To choose her over Lady Flos.