Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: Reason for Existence (9)
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“Oh ho. So that little brat is holed up in your house looking all beat to hell.”
『Your phrasing is a bit blunt, but yeah, something pretty insane went down.』
“So, when are you setting up the transfer gate to link our sides?”
『Once I wrap this up... I'd like to, but yeah, probably best to do it sooner. How about this week? The Cult of the Demon God isn't exactly known for being organized, which makes their moves unpredictable.』
“Got it. Anyway, the Empire doesn't seem poised to make any rash moves. With you taking out two of their executives and one tied up in the Labyrinth City, it's only natural.”
『Still, stay sharp. Things are too volatile right now—who knows what could pop up where and when.』
“Coming from you, who never even flirts with women, I can't just brush this off as empty words.”
『Yeah, yeah. Just be careful out there. His Majesty was always out and about anyway, so going quiet suddenly wouldn't raise eyebrows.』
After their final exchange of farewells, Alina ended the call with a satisfied smile. It was true that the Empire's intelligence on the demonkin lagged behind the Kingdom's and Lebedev's. They'd investigated discreetly, but hadn't yet uncovered any moles or leaks.
And then there were certain nobles—insolent fools checking the Emperor—who saw her intelligence gathering as a threat and kept meddling. Annoying.
She couldn't just bulldoze them all in a fit of rage.
Clicking her tongue once, she wiped off her feminine makeup, changed clothes, and stepped out of her private chamber.
Past emperors had often relied on servants for such things, but she didn't enjoy it much. Lately, she'd even grown averse to anyone else touching her body.
In any case, after stepping outside and preparing for state affairs, she crossed her legs in the chair reserved solely for the Emperor and addressed the retainers gazing at her.
“Today's agenda. Step forward if you're prepared to speak.”
“Yes.”
Today's topics included the progress of the purge in the southern Imir Kingdom—which was going smoothly—and the movements of Spiegel's forces amid that influence.
“Spiegel is upholding our treaty with the Pallan Empire admirably. There's hardly any of their old barbaric attitudes or plundering left, and when incidents do occur, they apprehend the ringleaders and hand them over to the Empire.”
“Well, well. Elves who prioritize their kin handing over their own to humans? I can't even imagine how far their obedience will go.”
“That's how successful this expedition was. The agents I dispatched are already being treated like brothers in Spiegel.”
“Indeed. The dispatched agents must have exceeded all expectations in ability.”
Not a single one willing to credit me, these insolent bastards.
But no matter whose merit it was touted as, the expedition was officially a covert operation of the Imperial Family. They weren't saying “It's His Majesty's achievement” just because they hated uttering it—the lines of authority were crystal clear.
Hmm. Julius. You're a real powerhouse. How great would it have been if you'd been my retainer from the start?
“So, what happened to the transferred prisoners—no, the criminals who committed the plundering?”
“They're currently being detained separately by the southern nobles.”
“Any plans to transport them to the capital?”
“We're aiming to gather them in the imperial capital by next weekend.”
“That's swift.”
“Spiegel has conveyed that anyone who breaks the bonds of brotherhood and trust with their kin will not be recognized as one of their own. They've stated they won't interfere with the disposition of the prisoners.”
Hearing murmurs of concern and admiration ripple through the retainers, Alina smirked inwardly. She felt like laughing. The masses marveling at the accomplishments of her secret ace.
No one knew her private glee as the meeting continued.
They ended without answers to the question everyone harbored but dared not voice: who was the one who resolved matters at the Emperor's command?
“Very well. Handle the sinners according to the law, but refrain from excessive cruelty or inhuman acts. Many harbor deep grudges over the plundering, but reflecting that fully would displease Spiegel, who voluntarily handed over their criminals to us.”
“We'll take care.”
“Mm. And as a modest gift and gesture of goodwill to Spiegel for delivering the sinners to us. Investigate what supplies they need and provide them. These are rare times when friendly relations persist even with the Imir Kingdom. It's time to eliminate foreign threats and enact policies for our subjects.”
“Yes.”
“And, related to that, one thing in advance.”
Waiting until every eye was fixed on her, Alina broached the topic gravely, yet without a trace of gloom.
“Spiegel's crisis was caused by demonkin, specifically executives of the Cult of the Demon God. We don't share a direct border, but there's no guarantee indirect threats won't approach. We're preparing countermeasures against the demonkin—does anyone have good ideas?”
“Regrettably, the Empire's soldiers aren't trained with demonkin battles in mind. Perhaps strengthening ties with the Theocracy?”
“No. I don't want to owe the Theocracy any favors.”
The retainers fell silent.
The silence was affirmation. The Theocracy demanded heavy interference in exchange for reliable results against demonkin.
No one wanted intense meddling in internal affairs just for preparations. The Emperor and retainers competed over real power in the Pallan Empire, not borrowing outside forces to sell out the nation.
Thus.
“Here's my proposal. I'll hold talks with the lords guarding Imir Kingdom's eastern borders. In exchange for granting them fitting rewards, we'll acquire their knowledge and expertise.”
“Will Imir's royals permit it?”
“Better than paying the Theocracy. And I can predict what they'll demand, so no issue.”
“Might we hear that wisdom?”
“...There's a duke's son in Imir Kingdom who abandoned his position and vanished.”
“Julius Lebedev, you mean.”
“If he were hiding within Imir Kingdom, wouldn't he have been found by now?”
“...Are you saying he's within imperial territory?”
“Truth doesn't matter. Searching for Julius's whereabouts... that's what's meaningful in itself.”
Lebedev wasn't the only one who cherished Julius. The Calamity Ducal House and Imir's royals coveted him too.
He was this generation's exemplar—the model young noble. For such a figure to leave in disgust at “his nation's nobles' conduct” was a stain on the realm.
Thus, the royals were desperate to restore him to his place.
It was a national disgrace, and his power itself was immensely potent and threatening.
“What we offer is just search authority. Even if we find nothing, we lose nothing.”
“Quite right. However, inviting large numbers of foreign nobles may pose difficulties.”
“Yes. We'll leave that to the Foreign Ministry's tireless workers. Any more agenda items?”
“None.”
“Good. Meeting adjourned.”
With Alina's words, all the retainers departed, leaving her alone in the vast chamber.
She had no intention of muttering aloud in a shared space where recording or eavesdropping was possible. Still, every agenda item had tied back to Julius, making it a chore to suppress the laughter bubbling up.
Recalling the meeting with a faint smile, she imagined Julius at her side handling state affairs, then returned to her private chamber.
She waved off the servants offering help midway and plunged into her bed, savoring the softness as she continued her fantasies of Julius.
Blissful.
Happy.
To only now learn, at this age, that a person's mere presence could bring such joy and happiness.
Perhaps it started when he'd visited a few times as Lebedev's young noble. If she'd realized sooner, negotiating with Lebedev to receive him via diplomatic missive and forging peace with Imir would have been ideal. But time had passed; they were both full adults now.
“Regrettable, but not too late.”
Her engagement was effectively broken, the houses that could give him pause were distant, and his base was within her Empire.
She wanted to charge ahead recklessly, but she knew he wouldn't want that—and that he viewed her with some wariness.
So, she would wait. Until the time was right.
Closing the distance slowly.
The state affairs had wrapped without hitches or clashes for once. She'd indirectly impressed the nobles with Julius's prowess, and indulged in happy fantasies to boot. Her mind was utterly at ease.
Next schedule: three hours from now.
She'd nap cradling this bliss.
A good feeling told her sweet dreams awaited. Alina's lips curved into a smile, and soon, rhythmic breathing accompanied her into sleep.