Complicating Matters Simplifies Choices
Complicating matters simplifies the opponent's choices.
Meyer Viscount was listening gravely to the story unfolding in the grand duke's household right now. He expressed deep concern over the rebellion and the empire's involvement, and he was utterly shocked at the possibility that Helen Aunt and Yozef might die.
Once my explanation wrapped up, the viscount nodded slowly, biting his lip hard as he offered a brief sentiment.
"Hmm. In the end, what's meant to happen has happened. Ever since the previous grand prince passed away, trust between the Karl Grand Duke's house and the empire has been badly damaged."
I made a sour face.
"Yeah. That must be part of it."
"But why hasn't the empire ordered the Karl Grand Duke to eliminate the radical independence faction outright? Why go to such lengths to handle it themselves?"
"To root it out completely, they'd have to kill Yozef and Helen Aunt too. But issuing that kind of order would piss off the Karl Grand Duke."
"Of course it would. So what?"
I glanced subtly at Cloud Grandpa before arranging three stones on the ground. The emperor, my father, and the old man.
"Right now, the emperor needs the Karl Grand Duke. There's already one reckless old coot in the imperial family, and the only one who can stand up to him is the grand duke. You know about it, right? That intrusion at the imperial palace grand hall last year?"
Meyer Viscount carefully observed Grandpa's awkward expression.
"Ah. From what I heard, out of all those ministers and officials, no one stepped up for His Majesty except the Karl Grand Duke."
"Exactly. So the emperor can't afford to lose him."
"Then His Majesty plans to eliminate the dangerous faction lurking in the grand duke's house without falling out with the grand duke himself."
"Yeah. That's why I think they'll put Obray Viscount out front. Frame it as an internal rebellion. The problem is, the Karl Grand Duke knows."
"Really?"
I nodded at the wide-eyed viscount.
"Yeah. On this mission, the empire assigned me a knight as a guide, but no matter how I look at him, he seems like one of the grand duke's men."
"I-is that so? Then what do you think the Karl Grand Duke's intentions are?"
"Who knows. From how he's stayed silent so far, it looks like he's cooperatively standing by while the empire slaughters the radical independence faction—to protect Karl territory and Yozef's safety."
Meyer Viscount nodded in agreement.
"Given the grand duke's temperament, yeah, that tracks. So what do you plan to do, White Mask?"
"It depends on which side you're on, Viscount Meyer. So, which side are you on?"
"I'm just a lone wanderer now. I stand with no one."
I scratched my head. The viscount was picking the worst possible side.
"Then everyone dies."
"What?"
"The reason this mess blew up is there's no one to check the radical independence faction. With Helen Aunt backing them, they've gained total dominance. So one side has to go—either her or all of them. We can't let Helen Aunt die, so the radicals all have to go."
Meyer Viscount's eyes bulged.
"Do you know how many there are? Add in their families and kin—do you have any idea? And you're saying kill them all?"
"Doesn't concern me. I just need to save Helen Aunt."
"Isn't there another way?"
I added another stone to the arrangement.
"Sure. You step in and take over what Helen Aunt was doing. Wipe out the radicals from politics, promote sidelined moderates en masse, and the empire will trust the Karl family to some extent. You're pure Yosrahim imperial blood, after all."
The viscount whipped his head away.
"Absolutely not."
"Why not?"
"I came to Karl territory at the behest of the previous emperor to serve Princess Grace. But I failed her, let her die young, and her son died screaming because of my mistake. How could I show my face to the world again?"
This guy was hopeless his whole life. Last year at Divinum Cathedral, he stuck his neck out when he shouldn't have and caused that mess. Now, when he needs to step up, he's digging in his heels.
"Got it. Then we kill them all."
"I just said that's no good."
"Then we kill Helen Aunt?"
"That's even worse."
"Ah, just shut up already? Then Karl territory gets wrecked. You think this old coot will sit idly by? The guy who flips out at half a whiff of rebellion—he knows the whole story now."
The viscount glanced at Cloud Grandpa, who was coughing awkwardly.
"Th-that's..."
I stood up and dusted myself off. No more talking with the viscount. Didn't peg him for indecisive too.
"Bystanders shouldn't meddle—just watch. It's your freedom not to step up, but the people dying because of it? That's unavoidable."
"......"
I brushed past the speechless Meyer Viscount and approached Cloud Grandpa.
"Grandpa. That enough? Kill everyone except the Karl Grand Duke and Helen Aunt. Infants, women, elders—all of 'em."
"If that's your will, I'll set aside my worries at that."
"Okay. No backtalk later."
"Understood."
As Cloud Grandpa and I turned to leave, Meyer Viscount called out.
"White Mask."
"What?"
"Can one person like me really resolve this without anyone getting hurt?"
"Yeah. Though I'll need to add a few spices."
The viscount narrowed his eyes.
"Got it. What do I need to do?"
"First, gather reliable old subordinates and position them around Karl Castle. To block Obray Viscount's forces. I'll handle the rest."
"Understood. Consider it done."
I flashed a sly grin as I descended the hill.
Stubborn Meyer Viscount moved surprisingly easily. Threatening to kill everyone from infants to elders must've hit home.
Then again, he wasn't that heartless. He wouldn't cling to principles when so many lives were at stake.
By morning, a long procession arrived at the Karl mansion. Yozef and his entourage had arrived.
No matter that Helen Aunt managed the territory as proxy—the nominal lord was Grand Prince Yozef. He couldn't just study at school with a Great Saintess visiting.
I stood by the annex window, observing Yozef and his retinue.
'A year older, and he's shed some of that kid vibe.'
But still a kid. Far from adulthood.
I soon ignored Yozef and scanned the entourage. In my past life, Father had assigned me many attendants, some of whom were his eyes and ears.
Those guys were prime suspects for shady work in this mess. Especially anyone in contact with Roland.
I zeroed in on a man in his thirties whom Roland was discreetly greeting.
'Ugh. They stuck Sir Farmers next to Yozef? Father's ruthless. Kid's barely grown, and they pair him with that stiff. This family's child-rearing is messed up.'
Sir Farmers. A top-tier Mana Knight, highly promising in Karl territory, once my close attendant. Turned out to be Father's lackey.
When I suspected leaks to Father, I baited with info and traced it to him.
He handled Father's dirty work with great trust, so high chance he'd pull strings here.
'But would Father really go after Helen Aunt?'
Possible, but I hoped not. It'd be too pitiful for both. Whether she lived or died.
Best fix: nip it in the bud, prevent any incident. Block Father's plan before he or Yozef knew.
Before heading out, I yelled at Cloud Grandpa lounging in a chair.
"Don't follow this time. Do, and you're in real trouble."
"Something important?"
"Nah. Just adding some spice and back."
"What spice?"
"You'll see. Makes things easier going forward. Be quick."
Cloud Grandpa smacked his lips.
"Got it."
"Follow anyway, and I mean it—no mercy."
"Don't worry. Got my own thoughts brewing."
"Good. Obey like this, and after, big gift. You'll regret passing."
Cloud Grandpa smirked.
"No idea what, but don't need it. Got everything."
"You do. One thing."
"Told you no."
"Told you yes. Bet?"
Cloud Grandpa leaned forward.
"Loser grants winner one wish, no limits?"
"See? Plenty."
He looked sheepish.
"Ah, yeah. Bet off."
"Anyway, no following."
"Got it. Relax."
I slipped out, cloaked my mana, and bolted to shake any tail from Grandpa.
But he kept his word—no pursuit.
I headed to Farmers and Roland, dodging guards with title-drops and threats till I reached them.
"The viscount will strike past midnight. Ensure no hitches in your duties. Questions?"
Farmers' voice echoed from the meeting room. Sounded like wrap-up. I barged in.
"Sir Roland? Sir Roland in there?"
Everyone startled as I entered. Over ten, most familiar—Father's goons besides Farmers.
Roland jumped up.
"White Mask?"
"Ah, here you are. Got a sec? Need to talk."
He rushed over, panicked.
"Outside."
"Important. Better if everyone knows."
"Still, outside."
I glanced around, quipping.
"Not about Brian Count. Something else."
He scowled as I held firm.
"What is it?"
"Watched lately—Obray Viscount's plotting something. What to do?"
They gawked like beeswax-mutes, eyes screaming how'd he know?
Roland blinked frantically.
"Where'd you hear that?"
"Overheard passing by."
"Overheard?"
"Yeah."
"We'll handle it."
As he shoved me out, I planted another seed.
"Oh, and saw Cloud Duke earlier by chance. Told me keep quiet, but he's sharpening his blade with killer intent, vowing to slaughter everyone. Can't not warn you."
"Wh-what? Who?"
"Cloud Duke. Y'know, world's strongest swordsman. That grandpa's scary."
Faces blanched. Cloud Duke wouldn't visit idly—big trouble brewing.
"Really him?"
"Yeah. Saw him at the palace. Definitely Cloud Duke."
"We'll check."
"One more thing."
"What now?"
"Someone's mobilizing a large force. Not Obray's—yours? Nah?"
Roland shook his head blankly.
"No."
"Huh? Then who? Oh, name slips me, but a Master swordsman plotting too. Know anything?"
Only two Masters in Karl: Meyer Viscount, Brian Count.
"Meyer Viscount?"
"Nah. He's scheming secretly, unknown to you. Scary guy."
I spiced with lies for complexity.
Forces now: me, empire, Obray Viscount, radicals, Karl Grand Duke's guard—five. Add Cloud Duke, mystery army, unknown Master, Meyer Viscount: chaos, nine factions.
Infinite variables. Half true-ish lies—even Father'd have a headache. Can't grasp in a day.
His options narrow: abort and observe, or risk for key hits then bail.
Block those keys, and I steer this my way.
"I-is that so?"
"Yeah. So spill—what's going on? Surprises everywhere, can't get a read."
"We don't know either..."
"Fine, do your jobs, but sort this. Too uneasy."
"Yes, sir."
"I'm out. Good luck."
I left cocking my head.
The room erupted as the door shut. Four more factions, execution imminent—no choice but scramble countermeasures.
Whatever they come up with.
Complicating matters simplifies the opponent's choices.