The Late Hailredin: "May No More Tragedies Like Mine Occur. Glory to the Empire and the Continent."
Are these really the last words of this supposedly dead Hailredin?
No.
'Bad taste flaring up again.'
Lines like this are always fabricated last words by the crown prince.
'He said a will is the most splendid trace a human leaves behind.' In reality, he probably spat curses or curses at the crown prince, or died instantly with questions unanswered.
'I don't know Hailredin well, but it's such a familiar pattern.'
The one who killed Hailredin was likely the crown prince's scheme, or the prince himself. Ultimate goal? Obviously, infiltration of the kingdom. They'll aim for conquest by military force eventually, but first, they need intel on the kingdom—and a peaceful atmosphere is key for that.
'The kingdom won't suspect a thing and get stripped bare. Troop numbers, commanders, terrain, military strength—all of it.'
Update terrain intel. Gather data on future enemies for when war breaks out. Sow seeds for inciting rebellions among kingdom malcontents. Instill admiration for the Empire in the populace to make them prefer imperial rule post-conquest.
'What would I have done?'
For a moment, I summon the traitor Grey.
'Up to here, it'd be the same moves, but the premise differs.'
If the traitor margrave led this plan, I'd have spared Hailredin.
'Marry him to the Seirene lady, have them make kids.'
Not kill him, but let him live and breed.
'Mix them as much as possible, increase hybrids between the two nations.'
Implant the fantasy in capable imperial men that they can marry young kingdom beauties. 'Wars and such fade before love—borders mean nothing.'
Lay the board for countless mixed families: imperial fathers, kingdom mothers.
And when forced to choose kingdom or Empire...
'Nudge them toward the Empire.'
If they judge the father's nation better than the mother's, anyone would pick the Empire. Honestly.
'Objectively, between the incompetent king and the emperor, who would any citizen choose? The answer's obvious.'
Being a citizen of the crown prince's nation isn't so bad. The Empire has its issues, but in fragments, it's far superior to the kingdom. That's the point where I'd commit 'treason.'
"Robert."
"Yes, young master."
"How much is your salary?"
"......Four million."
Robert, standing behind me, grumbled in a sullen tone.
"Is that the contracted amount?"
"Yes."
"After taxes?"
"...Sixty percent vanishes, so, uh, um...."
"Two point four million in taxes alone, and it'll shrink more from deductions."
"Right?"
The kingdom's taxes are hefty. Correction: average, or nothing unusual.
'The kingdom's not the weird one.'
Farmers pay 60-80% of annual income. Can't pin an exact number mathematically, but roughly by ratio: land rents, corvée, etc.
What about the Empire?
"Do you know the annual income for someone in your position there?"
"......Does the paper print that too?"
"Of course. The Empire values soldiers' pay highly."
"I'm a knight."
"I know. Knights and soldiers are different beasts. Roughly similar rank, though."
Robert bristled briefly at the idea of a formally knighted man treated like an imperial musket fodder.
"Average is three point five million."
"Ha! As expected of the Empire."
"Taxes around fifteen percent."
"......."
I pointed to the figures in the paper, and Robert's face grew grave.
"......."
He didn't even speak. Obvious what he was thinking.
"After all deductions, about two seventy a month."
"Uh, um...."
"That's pure if you rose through imperial ranks."
I unfolded the Empire Daily again.
"If you defected, they'd offer at least seven hundred minimum."
"Gasp."
Robert sucked in a sharp breath.
"S-seven hundred?!"
"Yeah. Of course, the Empire—"
"Seven hundred minus fifteen percent is nearly six hundred a month!"
"...Quick with numbers. Shame it's progressive—higher income, higher tax."
"Ah...."
"Still around thirty percent tops."
"...Still a win, right?"
"Exactly."
I scooped Somnus powder into an empty cup, poured hot water, and stirred.
"So, defect to the Empire?"
"Um...."
"Empire's got money. Bigger population, vibrant domestic market."
I sipped the Somnus tea lightly, drawing the mana inside into my body.
"From the Empire's view, without this beggar terrain, the kingdom would've fallen ages ago. At least two centuries back."
"Ha, haha.... B-but if that happened, I wouldn't be by your side, right?"
Robert clenched his fist and thumped his chest.
"Even if I net a hundred a month, I'll protect you, young master!"
"Touching. Won't raise your pay for that, though."
"Then grant me leave!"
"That was the goal. Why?"
"W-well, actually."
Robert whispered slyly.
"I, uh, want to sightsee Seirene."
"......."
"N-no, I mean! Curious about the imperials coming— not sneaking to defect or anything!"
"Obviously. Anyone in the kingdom would be."
Rumors spread through high society.
"The imperial crown prince coming to Nostrum in person—gotta see those guts."
Hapsburg von Tersian's visit to Seirene port.
"Ahem."
"Think it's manly?"
"Kinda, right? Charging into enemy turf, crown prince with no guards."
The kingdom still doesn't grasp his true nature.
"Heard he's stronger than an advanced knight."
"Bound to be."
He hides his power meticulously.
"Imperial or not, total alpha male! Haha."
"By rumors, yeah."
He'd kill family for his vision of the Empire.
"Really, you want to see something else?"
"Ahem."
I pointed to the paper's illustration—photo. Robert coughed and looked away.
"How does a ship with wheels even move."
"J-just curious! Can it really sail land like a carriage?!"
The photo showed a caravel with wheels lining its sides.
"That's the 'symbol of peace,' right? That Hailredin guy said warships are obsolete—use big transports for people on land now!"
"Fair. I'm curious enough to see it myself."
A ship running on land. Hearing that, anyone who's only seen ferries on sea or river would think it's madness.
"The world. Heh. Ships racing over dirt. Just lazy to dismantle, slap wheels on and roll. Haha."
"Looks ridiculous."
But the Empire made it real.
"Not rowing on flat ground!"
"That's what intrigues you most."
Anyone would wonder. Especially men—irresistible.
'Picture something wheeled screaming along with you aboard. Everyone wants a ride.'
Sounds insane, but if real, game-changer.
"So, vacation to check it out?"
"Hehe. Young master?"
Robert grinned goofily, bowing his head.
"I'll report back! Please, let me go!"
"Fine. Enjoy the show."
"Wooo!!"
Robert pumped his fists skyward.
"Hooray!"
"No vacation, though."
"...Pardon?"
He froze, arms up.
"B-business trip?! You want a report for work, expenses covered?!"
"No."
"......Young master?"
"Your duty's still guarding me."
I thrust my clenched fist at Robert.
"I'm going."
"...Wooo!!"
Robert whooped, bumping his fist against mine.
"As expected! I'll drive your carriage from the box myself!"
"No need. You ride alongside, pro coachman assigned."
"...Young master."
Robert's face hardened post-bump.
"Not the whole Gibraltar crew, is it?"
"No. Just me."
Only I'm heading south.
"But you're escorting."
"Who?"
"Right on time."
Beyond the window, a familiar black carriage halted at the Gibraltar mansion's main gate.
"Ah."
Robert scowled at the crest.
"This is real work, young master."
Hex Romana Viscount's carriage had arrived at Gibraltar.
"Sigh... My rare vacation."
"One difference: Empire has paid leave."
"...Paid for vacation?!"
"Yep."
The kingdom lags the Empire in many ways.
"As exchanges start, this'll shock kingdom folk one by one."
"......."
"Get used to it early. The kingdom's changing big-time ahead."
Truthfully, it should've changed long ago.
"Blocked the canyon for five centuries, isolationist rot—due for a shake-up."
And at the change's heart won't be Saint Geo Nostrum, but Naria.
"In that vein, it's not just me you guard—"
"Grey Gibraltar. Carmen Queen said come alone."
"......."
"What."
Hex Viscount spouted nonsense the moment we met.
"Her."
I asked cautiously.
"As a noble, shouldn't I bring a maid or something?"
"Maid?"
Hex Viscount snorted at my question.
"Carmen Queen will mother you—why bother?"
He shot it down flat.
"Pack. Carmen Queen needs you."
