Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Using Others' Logic as a Weapon (1)
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"......And so, I believe it would be best to maintain the current policy."
"In that case, we'll proceed with keeping the existing approach. Does everyone agree?"
The aide glanced around the room.
"If you agree, please raise your hands."
All the lords raised their hands, and the agenda passed smoothly just like that.
This made it the tenth item handled already.
Fatigue began to settle on the lords' faces. Sitting in one place for so long and investing emotions took a considerable toll on the mind.
Even the vigorous Emperor Theodore was no exception, as he subtly signaled to the aide.
"Then, before we move on to the next item, let's take a short break."
The aide quickly declared the recess.
"Whew."
"Oh, my back."
The lords rose from their weary seats, scrambling ahead of one another toward the upper area of the conference hall.
Just as before, simple refreshments and drinks were prepared there. The menu was slightly different from what had been set out at the start of the meeting.
"Even the refreshments in the imperial palace are on another level."
"I hear the head chef from the emperor's palace is involved."
"Oh, really?"
"I attend these meetings just for the food, hahaha."
The lords clustered with their close allies, enjoying the refreshments or chatting leisurely.
No one approached me. It was only natural since it was my first time attending today.
Thanks to that, I could comfortably head to the table and examine the refreshments.
'Oh.'
They were various types I'd never seen in Ovest Castle. Among them, I picked one made with lemon and grapefruit.
'I should have Max try making this later.'
Not that I knew when that "later" would be. The chances of me finishing my business in the capital and returning to Ovest Territory were extremely low.
'I'll return when I can defeat Diego Kindriel.'
Or when I was completely free from Cain. Until then, I had to build my forces and grow stronger.
'Oh, this is delicious.'
As I eagerly enjoyed the imperial palace's special refreshments, I felt various gazes landing on me.
The most intense one came from Carlo. Even while conversing with his subordinates, he kept glancing my way.
But his eyes were much softer than when the meeting had just begun.
'He must feel relieved after seeing me.'
During those ten agendas, I hadn't expressed an opinion even once. I'd only raised my hand to vote.
Those items weren't particularly important to me anyway, and the outcomes were predetermined regardless of my view.
'The important ones come later anyway.'
Carlo seemed to interpret my behavior differently.
He looked at me with a mocking expression that said,
'As expected, he's nothing special.'
No matter how much I'd rampaged in my territory, he probably thought I couldn't hold my own in the real arena of politics where the true heavyweights gathered.
A victor's smile played on Carlo's face. He seemed quite satisfied that the previous agendas had all gone his way.
'Well, we'll see how long that lasts.'
I let Carlo keep his misconception. That smile would shatter miserably once the meeting resumed anyway.
So I ignored him even as he stared openly at me.
'Is beating a kid half my age that satisfying?'
I snorted inwardly.
Instead, I moved with the intent to devour every refreshment on the table. I savored one of each type, fully enjoying the moment.
That was when it happened.
"The refreshments seem to suit your taste?"
A low, resonant voice came from beside me.
Gulp.
I swallowed the grapefruit pudding in my mouth and turned to look.
"Lord Mikel."
I set down the plate in my hand and bowed my head slightly.
Mikel stood there, his long white beard framing eyes that sparkled with youthful vitality.
"They're delicious. The imperial palace chefs have real skill."
"They're the finest talents selected from across the empire, so of course."
Mikel chuckled heartily. It was a very affable laugh.
'He's always been one to smile like that.'
Who knew what he might be hiding beneath it.
In that sense, Carlo was better. Unlike him, whose thoughts I could roughly guess, Mikel could perfectly conceal his inner feelings.
'I should call him a raccoon, not a tiger.'
In any case, it was a good opportunity since he'd approached me first.
I smiled back in response and reached for a plate.
"This one's especially good."
It was a mini cake coated in white cream and garnished with mint leaves on top.
Instead of bringing it to myself,
"Would you like to try one?"
I offered it to Mikel.
His pale blue-gray eyes widened for a moment before softening.
"Thank you."
He took the plate readily but didn't eat right away, just staring at the cake.
I paid no mind and picked up another plate. I popped the cake into my mouth and chewed slowly before swallowing.
"Mm, it's good as expected."
"Is it?"
"Yes. I thought it was just whipped cream at first, but no. The spicy, refreshing flavor is so unique—it keeps drawing my hand back."
White-tailed mint.
A mint-family plant native only to the northern snow mountains. It got its name from the white tips on its leaves.
And this cake was infused with a heavy dose of that white-tailed mint aroma.
White-tailed mint had such a strong minty scent that it was one of those ingredients people either loved or hated.
Proving it, while more than half of the other desserts were gone, this cake's portion had barely diminished.
But I knew.
'Mikel's a white-tailed mint fanatic.'
I knew how much he loved this dessert. And that hardly anyone in the capital enjoyed it.
'Ugh, it's such a hard flavor to get used to.'
The more you ate, the more your mouth burned, wrapped in a tangy herbal scent.
It might appeal to older folks, but it wasn't for someone my age who still craved sweets.
Yet I had unusual tastes. So I picked up the next plate with a relaxed face, as if it were the most delicious thing in the world.
"Haha!"
Finally, laughter burst from Mikel's mouth. His beard fluttered as he guffawed.
"This, this. You're the first around your age I've seen enjoy this."
"Is that so?"
"Most never touch it twice. Some even spit it out with a grimace."
Mikel seemed to take a sudden liking to me for sharing his taste in food.
He even waved off nobles approaching to speak with him and took a step closer to me.
"By the way, I saw you well before the meeting started. You really got under Carlo's skin."
"What did I do?"
I feigned ignorance. Then I took another bite from a plate.
"I only greeted Lord Carlo before entering the conference hall."
"Oh? Is that right?"
Mikel narrowed his eyes, sizing me up. I pretended not to notice his gaze.
"Ah, was it because I entered a bit late? But I was inside before the meeting started, so that should be fine."
"Hmm."
"The road to the capital was my first time, so I was delayed a little. Everyone should understand that much."
Another lie.
I'd entered the palace well before the meeting began. Sure, Yonas had caused a slight delay, but not enough to make me the last one in.
The truth was,
'Playing hide-and-seek in the imperial palace.'
I'd ditched the guiding attendant and wandered the palace grounds for a good while, suppressing my presence as much as possible.
I'd used that time productively to scout the layout before entering at the very end. After all, the protagonist always makes the grandest entrance last.
And in the process, I'd turned Carlo's stomach inside out. Two birds with one stone.
"Hmm, I see."
Mikel slowly stroked his beard.
Clink.
He set down his plate.
"Were those words just now sincere?"
A fierce glint exploded from his eyes.
"You really sat down at the same time as Carlo with no ulterior motive?"
Like a snow mountain piled with layers of powder, a low-saturation light flashed.
"Moreover, you seemed to be trying to win His Majesty the Emperor's favor."
The previously kindly voice dropped low like a lurking beast.
"Was that action your own initiative? Or Diego's will?"
It pressed down on me with the weight of a mountain.
"Don't you know how such behavior could be interpreted politically?"
Mikel unleashed an overwhelming aura toward me, as if demanding I spill my guts.
For a moment, everything except me and him seemed to freeze. His pressure was isolating me from the conference hall.
Despite the heavy atmosphere,
'Is this what they call intimidation?'
The corner of my mouth curved slyly.
"-!"
Mikel's cheek twitched as he read my smile. He seemed flustered that I wasn't the least bit intimidated.
In truth, he didn't scare me at all. The aura he emitted was mere drops in the bucket compared to Requiem.
No, wait.
'It might be a little tricky.'
Requiem stirring in response to his aura was inconvenient. It was instinctively sensing a strong foe and preparing.
'Whoa, whoa. Calm down.'
I quickly soothed Requiem.
As expected of the tiger of the north.
This moniker wasn't just because his eyes resembled a white tiger's. His gaze was as sharp as a tiger's fangs.
Swordsmanship that stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Ovest Knight Order. Slow and heavy, but each strike devastating.
The north's harsh climate sapped living creatures' energy easily. Thus, they had to maximize efficiency with minimal movement.
In that process, the Sud Knight Order's swordsmanship had evolved in that direction.
And its creator—the one who'd guarded the north the longest—was right in front of me. No wonder Requiem was growling excitedly.
'No, not that.'
I suppressed Requiem once more. I couldn't reveal its presence here.
'Why did I practice concealing my aura if not for situations like this?'
It was all to prepare for this.
It wasn't yet time to show these people that my claws were growing.
A bit more cautiously, more cunningly. I had to hone them until they were razor-sharp. Then, when the enemy let their guard down, sever their throats in one stroke.
'Not now.'
I finally succeeded in silencing Requiem.
"If there was intent,"
A languid voice slipped from my lips.
"Would that change anything?"
"What?"
"Judge for yourself."
Clink.
I set down my plate and met Mikel's gaze directly.
"Whether I'm your enemy or ally."
Mikel stared at me intently for a long while. It was a prolonged scrutiny, as if piercing into my deepest thoughts.
How much time passed?
A spark of interest slowly rose on his wrinkled face.
"......You."
He slowly opened his mouth. At that moment,
"One minute until the meeting resumes. Please take your seats."
An attendant's voice rang out.
I shrugged toward Mikel.
"I suppose I should head back in."
"......"
"Lord Mikel, you too."
Instead of continuing, Mikel
"......Very well."
Accepted my suggestion.
"As you say, it would be best to go in."
The light in his eyes as he looked at me flickered differently than before. Whether it became one of favor was up to me.