Chapter 153: Insider
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 153: Insider
The upper echelons of the Imperial Palace were in a state of frantic motion.
A strategy team, composed of dozens of legal advisors and seasoned tacticians, was busy organizing materials for the upcoming public hearing. Alexander, the one who should have been the most anxious, watched the chaos with an air of detached leisure.
From the experts' perspective, this was actually for the best. If Alexander tried to get involved, he would undoubtedly only get in the way. The only things he could contribute were his oversight and his status, which he used to gather as many competent people as possible.
Still, he hadn't been sitting entirely idle; he had one achievement to show for his efforts.
“Is this information accurate?”
Alexander scanned the copied proposal and called out a name toward the communication crystal ball.
“Baron Kiyot?”
Baron Kiyot was a noble serving as a lord in the Far East.
—Y-yes, that is correct!
“Relax a little. It’s not like I’m going to eat you. Why are you so tense?”
—A-ah, my apologies! At any rate, the scenario I sent you is a summary of the strategies the Regent discussed during our brainstorming session.
“The Regent?”
—Ah, I mean Regent Ferda... Ferda Rosnova...
Alexander remained sharp, while Baron Kiyot sounded utterly cowed. The sound of hesitant breathing crackled through the crystal ball before the Baron finally spoke again.
—Um... Your Highness...
“What is it?”
—If this all works out... will you keep your promise?
“This is absurd... Are you doubting me right now?”
—N-no! Of course not! I’ve overstepped again, saying such strange things...
Alexander let out a pathetic sigh.
“Don’t worry. I will guarantee your safety. I’ll also have a government post within the Inner Wall ready for you.”
—I am overwhelmed by your grace! Thank you!
“So, since you’ve taken it upon yourself to be a traitor, make sure your spying is thorough.”
—Understood! Please remember this Kiyot, who is forever loyal to the Empire!
With that, the communication cut off.
A position was something Alexander could create at any time. And if he couldn't? He could just throw the man away. Since the man was already a traitor, it didn't matter to Alexander whether he kept the promise or not. To him, people were merely consumables—tools to be discarded once their usefulness was exhausted. Being a noble didn't change that.
Still, since I have Old Man Golt’s promise to help...
It was highly unlikely that things would turn against him. Besides, didn't he have the 'helper' that everyone coveted? The mere thought made him beam with satisfaction, and he offered his thanks once more.
“I am truly moved that you would offer me your wisdom.”
The middle-aged man sitting across from him replied politely.
“Not at all. The pillars of the Empire are those with Golden Blood. How could I not assist you, Your Majesty?”
“‘Your Majesty’? I am still only the Crown Prince.”
“You will eventually ascend the throne and rule. What does it matter if I call you that now?”
“Haha! Have you seen a future where I become King?”
“Of course.”
Hearing those words, a surge of baseless confidence welled up within Alexander. He was the type to let flattery go to his head, but praise from this man was on a different level. And for good reason...
“Thank you for cooperating with me, Sage of Water.”
For this man was Helus Fobidas, famously known to the world as the Sage of Water.
“No, the honor of cooperating with Your Highness is all mine.”
Laughter, filled with the certainty of victory, echoed through the Crown Prince’s office.
* * *
—...And that concludes the summary of the Crown Prince’s current strategy.
“I see.”
Ferda, having received the copy, gave a short reply. As he sat there reading it, a restless voice rang out irritably.
—Um... do I have to stay here much longer?
Helus asked cautiously. Ferda questioned him as if the man were being ridiculous.
“Can’t you do everything you need to do from there?”
—W-well, of course... but it’s actually becoming quite burdensome.
No matter how much Helus lived large as a 'Sage,' at his core, he was still a poor mage. Consequently, the luxury of the Imperial Palace was on an entirely different scale. When Helus indulged in what he considered luxury, the Imperial staff simply reacted by saying, "He is as frugal as a Sage should be."
It was a shock to Helus to realize he had been nothing more than a frog in a well.
“Enjoy it while you can. Imperial entertainment is something even average nobles rarely get to experience.”
—Enjoying it is all well and good, but... I have one request.
“I’m listening.”
—Well... I was hoping you could help me use my 'wisdom' a bit more...
It was a request Ferda had expected. He replied:
“For a Sage, three opportunities to answer questions a day should be plenty.”
—Three is too few! People ask me all sorts of things; I don’t know how to answer them all...
“Isn’t it foolish to think you have to answer everything?”
—I’m not even sure what’s important and what isn't...
“Use that to your advantage.”
—H-how?
“Occasionally answer things that don’t seem important at all, and make them seem important. That’s exactly why I sent you there.”
On the surface, it looked like he had infiltrated the Imperial Palace to solve problems, but in reality, he was just a tool to sow confusion. Olivia had recognized that purpose immediately, which was why she had sent him to Alexander.
—I’ll try to use it in my own way... but still, if you could just increase the number of questions...
Helus pleaded once more. Ferda let out a blatant sigh.
I knew he’d be hard to use properly, but...
He was more frustrating than imagined. However, since the man was known as one of the continent's top Sages, Ferda decided to adjust things to fit that reputation.
“Fine. I’ll help you answer up to five questions a day. Since I’ve given you two more, put more thought into what’s actually important before you use them.”
—T-thank you!
“Report everything that happens while you’re assisting Alexander regularly, and prioritize the Princess’s orders. Understood?”
—Y-yes! Of course!
His loyalty was guaranteed. When he had seen Olivia, his face had looked like someone completely bewitched by a demon of lust.
“Speaking of which, where is the Princess?”
Ferda asked, curious about Olivia’s recent activities.
—Lately, she has been visiting the Alte Cathedral frequently. I heard she’s planning to take Saintess Training...
Upon reaching the 4th Circle, she had begun in earnest to learn the magic used by priests. Since she had reached that difficult Fourth Enlightenment through faith, the Alte Order would likely be very proactive. Whether they intended to make her a nun or use her as a connection to the Imperial family, they would want her.
The Red Circle, said to be forged from deep piety...
Ferda still couldn't quite understand it. He recalled the image of Olivia suddenly gaining enlightenment and manifesting her Circle in that cramped room of a cheap inn. Why had she gained enlightenment then?
Religious enlightenment was inherently strange. Some awakened two Circle stages at once after grueling meditation under a Bodhi tree, while others awakened by feeling the spirit of a flowing river. Even Olivia herself might not know what she saw or how she felt. Enlightenment was something ineffable, and it tended to fade as the Circle formed.
Regardless, the foundation for her to become a Saintess has been laid.
She still needed to reach the 5th Circle, but since she had cleared the 4th Circle—the biggest hurdle—Ferda felt it wouldn't be impossible for her.
Ferda looked over the materials Helus had prepared.
“...”
It was a mess. The content was all over the place. He wondered if he should be angry, but he realized Helus must have decided it was better to provide the raw data rather than try to organize it himself.
“Mori.”
At his call, Mori turned her head. The expressionless girl waited for her instructions.
“Organize this for me.”
Nod.
Mori quickly scanned the documents and began to filter out the core information. Watching the process, Garnet asked Ferda in surprise.
“Is this girl the source of the knowledge the Sage of Water possessed?”
“Yes.”
“This is beyond my imagination.”
“Mori’s ability?”
“That too, but the source of knowledge was largely undervalued because of Helus. It turns out he just didn't know how to use it at all.”
Ferda nodded in agreement. Garnet leaned toward Mori to see the sentences she was writing down.
“Chief of Intelligence.”
“Yes?”
“My apologies, but please do not approach Miss Mori so carelessly.”
Isabella glared at her. Her eyes held an emotion that was rarely seen.
“My apologies, Administrator.”
Garnet felt a chill and backed away obediently. It was a situation where Isabella had every right to be protective.
She’s a precious asset of the Far East, so I should be careful for now.
To Ferda, who knew them well, it looked a bit different.
Does she even see Garnet as a rival?
While Mori was indeed a precious asset, Isabella’s reasons were purely personal—a fact only Garnet was unaware of.
In the meantime, Mori finished the task cleanly and presented the summary. The mass of text had been transformed into an easy-to-read digest. Ferda scanned the summary and extracted the necessary information.
“It seems Grand Duke Waldemar Golt is acting as Alexander’s supporter.”
“If the Grand Duke is supporting him... the game is as good as decided.”
Waldemar Golt. At the mention of that name, Garnet’s expression soured. It meant he was a difficult person to deal with. Ferda also knew what kind of man he was.
The Emperor’s closest confidant...
Whether he was truly loyal to the Emperor was unknown, but it was certain they were in a symbiotic relationship. He was a man of such high integrity and fame that he was called a hero of the people.
“There are five High Councilors in the Crisis Response Headquarters, and Grand Duke Golt already has two other members in his pocket.”
The list of High Councilors was as follows:
• The Hero of the People, Grand Duke Waldemar Golt.
• The Conqueror of the Black Death, Marquis Akad Debelung.
• The Veteran Hero, Count Oldin Rooster.
• The Rogue Archmage, Erdes Roton.
• The Head of the Alte Order, Joseph Faust.
Someone else was originally supposed to take Erdes’s seat, but coincidentally, that man had been executed for ignoring Alexander’s order to deploy. The vacancy was given to Erdes, who had made the greatest contribution during the recent raid. Normally, she wouldn't have bothered with such a role, but knowing it involved Ferda, she had undoubtedly attended like a moth to a flame.
“Well, the key will be how we handle Waldemar.”
“Indeed.”
Ferda recalled the last time he had seen Grand Duke Golt. He was an old man covered in age spots, but his back was always as straight as a rod. Ferda had always wondered about the source of his popularity. Usually, those loved by the commoners are hated by the nobility, and those loved by the nobility are hated by the commoners, yet he enjoyed the love of both factions.
“Grand Duke Golt must be a fading old man by now. How is he still so influential?”
“It’s because of the greenhouse.”
“Greenhouse?”
“There is a dome-shaped greenhouse in the Grand Duke’s territory.”
Ferda had no memory of this. It seemed that, from his perspective, it had been a trivial detail not worth noting.
“What’s so special about this greenhouse?”
“It’s a place that can maintain the warmth of spring even in the dead of winter, and the coolness of autumn in the heat of summer.”
Ferda realized why he hadn't remembered it; it didn't sound that impressive. After all, the castle he was currently in had such magic installed as a basic feature.
“Any 4th Circle mage could pull off a trick like that, couldn't they?”
“You are correct.”
If it were just that kind of greenhouse, Garnet wouldn't have mentioned it.
“But the story changes if the mana concentration inside is also controlled.”
“Even the mana concentration?”
Now Ferda’s interest was piqued.
“To what extent can it be adjusted?”
“I’m not sure how high the concentration can go, but at the very least, it’s capable of creating a No-Mana Zone.”
Magic to adjust the climate can be cast repeatedly as long as one can handle the aftermath. However, using magic to create a zone where mana does not exist is a contradiction in terms. It’s a principle similar to purely extracting all the air from an area. It might be possible for a small space, but to apply it to an entire large dome was impossible for a simple mage.
“If he can create a No-Mana Zone... then cultivating rare medicinal ingredients wouldn't be a problem.”
“Exactly.”
Certain ingredients with miraculous effects require extreme conditions. Among them, mana concentration is a particularly finicky requirement, one that is difficult to maintain without literally grinding people down to fuel it.
“Do you know what kind of spell formula is used?”
“We’ve tried to infiltrate our agents several times to find out... but we were nearly counter-tracked every time.”
A place with security so tight that even a secret intelligence organization couldn't crack it—that was intriguing. Grand Duke Golt didn't come from a family of mages, so how did he possess such technology?
Ten to one, he stole it from some mage or scholar.
But that alone wasn't enough. If a non-mage stole something and made it their own, it meant other mages could easily mimic it. However, the fact that he held onto it meant Waldemar understood the core of the formula that others lacked. It also meant he possessed significant talent as a mage.
If he uses that as a weapon to lead the nobles, Burnell could become a target as well.
Just as Alexander had, Waldemar could also set his sights on Burnell. Ferda had built up a lot of anticipation during the presentation in Halim, and now incredible results were pouring out, making that anticipation look modest by comparison.
There are four projects currently underway in the Archduchess’s territory.
The refinement of Magitech Rifles by the Archduchess’s engineers.
The waterway development through water purification in collaboration with the Tower Master of the Blue Eye.
The Mana Cars being developed with Escoleia and the merchant houses.
And the foundational work to make these three projects successful—the efficiency upgrade of Magic Stones—was still ongoing. Currently, they were showing a revolutionary efficiency of 30% of total capacity.
With all projects gaining momentum, it would be a disaster if they were seized or halted.
“The Empire will use this incident as an excuse to demand Magitech technology, won't they?”
“Yes.”
The technology that would have been lost if they had surrendered to Alexander. The possibility that it could still be taken even after the situation was resolved was a headache. They were truly persistent.
“If only there were an easy way to handle this...” Ferda muttered.
Nothing in the world was easy, but that wish was a sign of his inescapable humanity.
“There is an easy way,” Garnet replied, not letting his words slide.