I'm Handsome. For Real.
I'm handsome. For real.
During the train journey, I sketched out a rough map of the Yosrahim Empire's power structure. It was to predict what would happen if Lupert Grand Duke sparked a civil war.
First up was Lupert Grand Duke's side. Their forces numbered around 90,000 troops, plus about 1,000 knights including three Masters.
Then there were the provincial nobles from the old Lupert Kingdom days, nostalgic for the past and alienated from the central court. If they all rallied, Lupert's strength could more than double. But a civil war meant risking total annihilation for their houses. No matter how much they missed the old kingdom or resented the center,
they wouldn't join easily.
Second was my uncle, Yosrahim Emperor's faction. On paper, he commanded a million troops, 13,000 knights, and over 40 Master swordsmen. But with the civil war's nature, subtracting Lupert's rebels and the neutrals would slash those numbers sharply.
Third was my father, Karl Grand Duke's faction. Their military: 70,000 troops, about 700 knights beyond a handful of Masters.
Fourth were the remnants of the fallen kingdoms. The Empire had conquered four neighbors to rise; two became grand duchies, two were utterly crushed. Even so, plenty of noble houses survived. Their coalition wasn't to be underestimated—they had to be factored in.
'So, who sides with Lupert Grand Duke...?'
Lupert's forces, gauged from my past life's civil war precedent and adjusted for now, clocked in at around 300,000. But unlike then, this war seemed set to ignite fast. Probably wouldn't hit 300,000.
The Emperor's army could crush them easily, but the wildcard was Itheria the Valkyrie lurking behind. Her involvement level would swing the outcome wildly. Had to nail that down.
But right now, I had no way to gauge Itheria. Didn't even know her face or tendencies.
Still, Armida sis and Arietta knew her, so asking them back in Kara should sketch the outline.
'The fallen kingdom nobles won't back Uncle either. Neutral at best.'
Those remnants harbored deep grudges against the Empire. Lupert and Karl had grand ducal prestige for some central respect; they got nothing but the cold shoulder.
In my past life, most joined Lupert's independence banner or stayed neutral. Almost none fought for the Emperor.
'But which side does Dad pick?'
Past life, he backed the Emperor. Though elevating hardliners like Brian Count suggested some independence leanings, his stubborn old-school mindset blocked it.
The man never broke his word. Sworn loyalty to his brother-in-law the Emperor? He'd stick to it, high odds.
But variables existed. Like Uncle's assassination plot on Yozef and Helen Aunt. Dad treasured that mother-son pair like his own life; he'd be sour on the Empire now. If that boiled over, who knew.
'And Uncle? What a pain.'
Power-mad, he saw even his sole blood sister and her kids as tools. No reliable allies. Petty mercy, explosive jealousy—talented folks couldn't last near him.
Past life, he doted on me because I was a total pushover then. If I'd stayed with my current rep and skills? Multiple hit attempts, no doubt.
Couldn't fully blame him, though. Yosrahim royal blood was toxic. Cloud Grandpa was a rare overcomer; most were like this.
Empire's fall wouldn't break my heart, but facing the apocalypse unified was smarter than fractured. A splinter into five old kingdoms? Defending the Meteria River line gets hellish.
"Grand Prince?"
Padilla's call snapped me from staring out the window.
"Yeah?"
"Worried about your homeland?"
"Lying if I said no."
"Should we have Kara Kingdom support the Empire?"
I waved off her kindness. "No."
"Why?"
"First, Emperor wins? No gain for Kara. As Lupert said, Empire resents our growth. Honestly, allying with Lupert benefits Kara a hundredfold. Helping the Emperor in their war? Other nations laugh."
"But we stopped the orc-Empire war too."
"That hurt us if they fought. Orcs lose and splinter as Empire wants? Our exports stuck near the border. Border tribes block goods to rivals. Unified? Sells across the whole Orc Plains. War bad for business."
She nodded, getting it. "I see."
"Plus, Lupert's war is civil. Kara meddling? Internal interference. We're distant too. Unlike Lobros Kingdom war or conditional tri-alliance dispatch—costs skyrocket. Bad for Kara."
I wasn't using Kara's power here. Too much ahead: finish rails, develop Jores Island, build magic car roads, modernize army.
Couldn't burn out on this war.
Even if I wanted, couldn't ship troops without skimping costs—via sea, straight through Lupert's coastal waters.
"But if Lupert wins, Empire and your house face disaster?"
"Yeah, gotta prevent that."
"How?"
"Dunno. Find a way."
Gazing out again, I recalled my first move. War should erupt soon, even without me. Less time for Lupert to gather forces.
Bonus: my personal wish. At 24, prime youth. No time for life's grave yet.
***
Back in Kara, I fired off a memo to Uncle via diplomat. Nothing fancy: Lupert's fake illness history, verbatim our opening chat. Zero proof, didn't matter. Amplify his paranoia; his power lust handles the rest.
Then summoned Armida sis, Shura, Arietta, Padilla for council.
"What? That Lupert creep's riding Itheria's coattails into civil war?"
Armida sis's shout got my nod. "Yeah. But no proof she's pushing it."
"Still! Weak Lupert starting war screams her hand."
"Probably..."
She shot up. "Gotta alert Prosia now, stop it."
"On what grounds?"
"World affairs involvement!"
"Nah. They're copying us chasing our runaway sis-friend. We bounty-hunted Sabondia via Padilla; they hunt her via Lupert. Their problem becomes ours."
Armida sis gaped, stunned. "But no war from that."
"They'll claim ignorance. Obvious, right?"
She stomped. "Those bitches!"
I grabbed her collar. "We do our thing."
"Which is?"
"Thinking of blocking Itheria myself."
"I'll go too."
I waved no. "You step in, complicates."
"Why?"
"Itheria's using Lupert to chase Sabondia. Emperor wins, Lupert crumbles."
"So?"
"You intervening looks like blocking her Sabondia hunt. No justification for world meddling."
"Twists that way?"
"Yeah. She might want you there. Perfect trap."
Armida sis gnashed teeth. "Itheria, that wretched girl. Yeah, she'd do it."
I eyed her steady. "You two that bad?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
"Lightning Valkyrie. Material affinity, near-light property."
"Ah..."
Like her Katrinah beef—fire material but light-leaning, clashing with darkness Valkyrie Armida sis.
"Katrinah or Itheria—who worse?"
"Both suck."
"Pick one?"
"Itheria. Sly as hell. Thinks she's smart, looks down on us. Total pain."
I crossed arms, grim. Smart unlike Armida sis? Headache. Wise foes harder than brute force.
"Troublesome."
"But she's got a fatal flaw."
"What?"
"Loves handsome guys."
I smirked faintly. Could be easy. "Handsome guy ploy?"
"Yeah. But where find one? Picky."
I stared blankly. "Right here."
"Who?"
"Me."
She scanned my face, rolled eyes. "You're... iffy."
"Iffy? Mom says I'm the handsomest. Old subordinates agreed."
She glanced at Padilla, Shura, Arietta. "What you think?"
"Absolutely not."
Chorus rejection. I shook head. Women's jealousy endless. Worried already.
Guess handsome ploy scrapped for them.
"Fine. Didn't like Nemisona's Valkyrie minions anyway."
"Good call."
Padilla's words irked—odd nasty vibe.
But I am handsome. Empire folk treat my looks as divine worth—top-tier, thanks to spitting image of Emperor Zigfried. Still, handsome.
"Sis, anything else on Itheria?"
"Nah. Not close."
"Anything."
She pondered, jaw propped. "She's on her second world stint. Only besides Valkyrie Queens and Sabondia."
Ears perked. Meant she'd seen apocalypse before.
"Huh? Few Valkyries redeploy ground?"
"Yeah. Hate it. Proves heaven's bliss."
"Ah..."
Her "one" was second tour. Interesting, useless for war. Nothing from sis.
Eyed Arietta. She'd served Itheria a year.
"Arietta, anything on her?"
Stiff-faced: "No. Thought so, all lies."
"Yeah?"
Armida sis chimed. "Told ya, sly."
"Got it."
Heads together, nada. Guess confront Itheria direct.
Better anyway. People's views flawed; personal experience truest judge.
I'm handsome. For real.