262
I Killed the Demon King. It Was a Mistake
Chapter 262
Recently, Prince Denver was quite surprised when he read the letter from Elijah. This was because Elijah's demands were both extremely bold and simultaneously enticing.
"Do you intend to accept Elijah's proposal, Your Highness?"
"You mean the proposal to attack the Empire together in exchange for giving us the Wizard Province?"
"Yes, that's correct. Isn't it quite a good proposal? With our current strength, we could overthrow the Wizard Province."
"Offering something you don't even possess as if it's yours, and taking credit for efforts you haven't made is a basic quality of a politician. In other words, Elijah is more of a politician than a soldier."
Denver slowly began melting the seal wax over the candlelight.
"The fact that he offered to give me the Wizard Province if I help attack the Arch family is tantamount to declaring that he intends to become the continent's new hegemon. In other words, we'll inevitably clash."
"Do you think Elijah could become the new Emperor?"
"No. He lacks legitimacy. Even if he becomes Emperor, he won't be able to grasp strong authority. However, he's also a monster who nearly killed the Hero, annihilated both the White Knights and Red Wing Knights, and dissolved the Allied Forces. Such a monster has now bared its fangs at the Emperor."
Prince Denver took out two pre-prepared letters from his drawer and poured the melted wax on them.
"If I add even a small amount of strength here, he will definitely overthrow the Empire and drag the continent into chaos."
Denver pressed his family ring into the melted wax.
"And that chaos is exactly what I want."
On the other letter, he pressed the goat seal, the symbol of Niflheim. Denver threw both letters toward the fireplace. A black hand shot out from the fireplace and grabbed the letters.
"Deliver the one with the Dior royal seal to Elijah, and the one with our seal to the Emperor."
"Yes, understood."
Denver gazed blankly at the sea. Dark clouds were gathering in the distance. It seems this year's last typhoon was approaching.
"This is the chaos I've waited so long for."
Prince Denver smiled, showing his teeth.
***
The next day, Caesar arrived at Arch Duke's mansion in the evening after sunset. Having only ever seen the Arch Duke family members at the Arch Great Library, this was his first time being invited to their mansion. Being invited for a funeral made it feel particularly strange.
Caesar stepped down from the carriage and looked up at Arch Duke's mansion. Arch Duke's mansion was noble and majestic, like viewing the Palace of Versailles. If I had known this would become a city of magicians 200 years ago, I would have built such a grand mansion too. This must be why real estate investment is the investment of all investments.
"I should get a house in Sapientia too."
Should I meet with that friend Pringles after so long? I should tell him to buy up all the cheap properties available in Sapientia this time.
"Why is your first thought at a funeral about buying land?"
Caesar looked down at the green-eyed woman in a black dress.
It was Raven.
"The dead are dead, and the living must talk about how to live on."
"Never mind that, did you come alone?"
"Yeah. After spending so much time crowded with people on the battlefield, I felt like being alone for a while."
"What about Gloria?"
"Of course she wanted to come too. But her father and brothers weren't about to leave their daughter who just returned from the brink of death alone."
Isn't Viscount Bellum's love for his youngest daughter extraordinary?
Gloria, who returned after going through all sorts of hardships this time, is currently unable to leave the mansion as her family wants to feed her delicious food and hear all about her experiences. She will probably attend today's funeral with Viscount Bellum.
Caesar entered the mansion together with Raven. When Caesar and Raven entered the mansion together, everyone began whispering.
-It's the King of Homigraph...
-I heard he was close to Arch Duke, so of course he came.
-The one beside him is the green-eyed wizard.
-I heard they became very close in the demon realm...
-I wonder if this will bring new winds to high society.
Caesar and Raven were used to such whispers from guests. After all, successful people always attract such talk. Some people watched them with tense eyes, wondering if Caesar and Raven would make their debut in high society, while others were curious about what political decisions they would make in these turbulent times. So while they pricked up their ears to hear what the two were discussing... The actual conversation was rather trivial.
"The fedora really doesn't suit you."
"Wearing high heels doesn't make you look that much taller, Raven."
"It's proper manners to take off your hat indoors. How long are you going to keep wearing it?"
"I'm wearing it on purpose. I want to see who dares to point it out to me."
"Don't lie. You just made that up."
"You're right. But don't you think it's a good opportunity to see how people think of me?"
Caesar and Raven found great joy in such meaningless conversation. Could they have had such useless conversations on the battlefield? Caesar and Raven could feel peace in this casual chat, and they tried their hardest to savor that peace down to their very bones.
Caesar looked at the large photograph hanging in the hall. It was an image of Duke Laar Arch when he was alive. And Duke Laar Arch's body was laid in a glass case. Caesar felt something peculiar while looking at the Duke's body. Is the current Duke Laar Arch dead or alive?
That Laar Arch is from the future. Though it's not exactly clear how far in the future, that is. Then what would happen to that corpse if one were to enter the Arch Great Library now and kill Laar Arch from before meeting Caesar yesterday? It would surely create a time paradox.
"What are you doing? We should lay flowers."
Caesar laid flowers together with Raven.
The Arch Dukes welcomed Caesar.
"You're Viscount Caesar Ellinger, correct? Thank you for coming."
"Not at all."
"I am Romile Arch, Duke Laar Arch's nephew."
"Pleased to meet you. By the way, where is Lord Noah Arch?"
"He hasn't left the Great Library yet. Please understand, it's an Arch family tradition to make an appearance only on the day of the funeral procession."
Only appearing on the funeral procession day… Well, I can somewhat guess the reason. The previous Arch Duke is probably advising the current Arch Duke and teaching various things that need to be handed over. That must be why the funeral lasts for two weeks.
"Green-eyed Wizard, we are truly glad you came."
"Not at all. May the deceased rest in peace."
"Both my uncle and grandfather, the Duke always lived as if he knew when he would pass away. That must be why he closed his eyes so peacefully."
Romile pointed to a room for Caesar and Raven. Blue Star wizards stood guard on both sides of the room.
"If you dislike the bustle, enter through that door. It shouldn't be a bad place to quietly enjoy cigars and drinks."
"I understand. Once again, may the deceased rest in peace."
Caesar gave his final greeting before heading straight to the room Romile had pointed to.
"Did you notice how Romile Arch didn't mention my fedora either?"
"Perhaps because explicitly pointing it out wouldn't be noble-like."
"It's natural to show respect before the deceased. He could have at least offered to take my hat."
"So what are you trying to say?"
"People are watching me."
"...Are you still on about that?"
"You can see it too. There's a very peculiar atmosphere flowing."
Raven had already read the tense atmosphere spreading through the funeral hall. That's why she had stepped outside right after entering the entrance, feeling like she would suffocate from the tension. Caesar, being someone who seemingly never experiences tension, was emitting peaceful magic waves, and Raven had been sticking right next to Caesar.
"They must be wondering how they can survive."
Most of the nobles and wealthy people gathered here? They've all gathered to survive. The demon realm has gone to hell, Elijah has started a rebellion, and with the Emperor declaring bankruptcy, the Imperial economy has plummeted.
In this situation, the way to survive is to grab onto a lifeline that won't break, but the problem is no one knows what that might be. Moreover, in this chaotic situation, Duke Laar Arch has gone to heaven… They must be just watching and waiting to see what to do.
Caesar stood before the Blue Star wizards. Upon seeing Caesar and Raven's faces, the magicians silently opened the door. Inside the door was a fairly large living room.
There was a magically burning fireplace, chairs scattered here and there, and tables with light refreshments and drinks. Caesar and Raven felt somewhat at home with the furniture arrangement that lay somewhere between disorderly and orderly. Perhaps those who prepared the funeral had set up this lounge for people to rest comfortably.
"I knew you would come."
A man who had been drinking wine by the fireplace approached Caesar. It was Miles Parker, the moneylender to rulers.
"It's good to see you after so long."
"I heard you performed remarkably in the demon realm."
"I did go through quite a bit."
Miles extended his hand to Raven.
"It is an honor to meet you, Wizard Raven. I am Miles Parker."
Raven lightly extended her hand to Miles, and Miles lightly kissed it. He's quite smooth in his manner of treating ladies.
"I didn't expect both of you to come together. You must have become quite close in the demon realm."
-Raven going around with Caesar...
-I even heard they speak informally to each other.
-They must have gotten very close, could they perhaps be lovers?
-Even though she was close with Yan and Mitchell, she never appeared with them at the same party.
-If they really are in that kind of relationship, it would be quite a scandal.
-Then what happens to Gloria?
-The Bellum family might feel a bit bitter about this.
As expected of Miles, his thoughts shift rapidly. While it shows his good observation skills, from Caesar's perspective of reading those thoughts, it's becoming quite mentally taxing.
"When you go through life and death together, you tend to become somewhat close."
There's no need to definitively establish Caesar and Raven's relationship to Miles. After all, countless people have already seen Raven and Caesar arriving together at the funeral, and everyone is likely forming their own speculations about it.
"Actually, there was something I wanted to discuss with you."
"That's welcome news. I also had something I wanted to discuss with you, Viscount. Shall we move somewhere else?"
"No, we can talk quietly here."
"Then shall I go first?"
"No, I'll start."
Miles habitually adjusted his cuffs.
"I received a request from Lord Mitchell."
Miles deliberately unfastened his cuffs to hide his startled expression. The art of managing appearances is truly an art form. Miles spoke while readjusting his cuffs.
"You mean Lord Mitchell?"
"Yes. You're aware of the news about Lord Mitchell?"
"I heard he lost almost all of his Red Knights."
The Red Knights are not merely a military force. They are a symbol of House Redfield and one of the political factions wielding tremendous influence within the family.
Their support of Mitchell had given him a significant advantage in the succession race, but now that he's lost all but ten Red Knights, Mitchell has essentially fallen out of contention for family leadership.
"Lord Mitchell made a request of me. He asked me to look after his family members."
Miles found it difficult to take Caesar's request lightly. It was already widely known that Mitchell's influence had plummeted. There's a saying about not reaching for a falling blade, yet Caesar seems intent on doing just that. Miles found it difficult to determine how to respond.
However, Caesar merely sipped his wine while quietly observing what answer Miles would give. Miles glanced furtively at Raven. Raven was just sipping wine with an indifferent expression. It's quite difficult to discern what these two are thinking. Miles's mind worked quickly.
'Caesar is surprisingly sentimental.'
While he may appear cold at first glance, he takes care of those who enter his nest until the end. If Caesar has decided to embrace Mitchell as family...?
After contemplation, Miles spoke.
"Most of Lord Mitchell's family members are under Lord Nathaniel Redfield's protection."
"Protection, is it?"
"They're essentially under detention."
That Nathaniel fellow is moving faster than expected.
"Is there a way to save those people?"
At this point, Miles was certain. Caesar intends to help Mitchell.
"There is one way."
"What is it?"
"Lord Mitchell must renounce his succession rights to House Redfield."
"So it comes to that after all?"
Caesar pulled out a small letter from his breast pocket. Miles observed the wing seal stamped on the envelope. It was the seal of House Redfield.
"This contains Lord Mitchell's message for the family."
"...Shall I deliver it?"
"Tell them it came through you from me."
Miles respectfully accepted Mitchell's letter.
"By the way, Lord Mitchell intends to give up his position as family head."
Miles's eyes widened.
"Is that true?"
"He plans to renounce it cleanly."
Naturally, Mitchell desires the position of head of House Redfield. However, he is not the type to sacrifice practical matters for goals that cannot be immediately achieved.
"But there's a price."
"...What kind of price?"
"Mitchell wants to kill Elijah."
Caesar pulled out another letter from his breast pocket.
"Supply mercenaries and resources to the demon realm to strike at Elijah. House Redfield must absolutely not interfere in this process."
"I trust Lord Mitchell's word. But how can we know these mercenaries won't turn their blades on House Redfield?"
"That's why you need to persuade them well so there are no misunderstandings when sending the mercenaries. That's your specialty, isn't it?"
Miles began to think deeply.
-Caesar is trying to support Mitchell.
-Nathaniel Redfield absolutely won't want to give Mitchell a chance to recover.
-Moreover, in the current chaotic situation, mercenary prices have skyrocketed.
-Additionally, the mercenaries want payment entirely in cash, not promissory notes. They don't trust bonds.
-Who knows how much cash will be spent.
The reason Miles had supported Mitchell was because Mitchell was far more capable and level-headed than his other siblings. In contrast, while Nathaniel pretends to be level-headed and can be cunning, his thinking lacks depth.
Moreover, his harsh way of managing people has earned him a poor reputation.
'He even tried to poison his own father.'
With Mitchell gone, Nathaniel likely wants to obtain the Duke position as quickly as possible. He's probably being cautious now that the Arch Duke has died, but soon he'll kill the current Duke and place himself in the Duke's position. Rather than trusting such a greedy person…
'I trust Caesar.'
"I'll do it."
Caesar smiled faintly and said:
"Lord Mitchell said we could use all his assets, so use them all."
"Yes, understood."
"Ah, and if there are any good properties available, give them to me. For example, land in Sapientia?"
Since things have come to this, I might as well build my mansion on the floating island.